Brutal: Paws of Fury

Overview

Brutal: Paws of Fury was published in 1994 by GameTek and Cybersoft in the US and Europe, and Kemco in Japan. The game was released for the Sega CD, Commodore Amiga, Commodore Amiga CD32, Sega Genesis, and SNES. An updated version, Brutal Unleashed: Above the Claw (also titled Brutal: Above the Claw), was released for the Sega 32X and MS-DOS computers in 1995 with two new playable characters, four new arenas, a remixed intro, and new music. The general content and play mechanics remained constant throughout all incarnations, although the Sega CD and 32X versions boasted superior graphics and sound.

Brutal: Paws of Fury

Every four years on the uncharted Brutal Island, the world's toughest martial artists are invited to compete in the most gruelling tournament, aptly referred to as the Brutal Island Tournament. Only the winner of this tournament gains the privilege to challenge Dali Llama, the greatest fighter in the world, for the coveted Belt of Heaven championship.

Brutal Unleashed: Above the Claw

Four years after the Paws of Fury tournament, the participants return to Brutal Island to once again compete for the match against Dali Llama for the Belt of Heaven. The tournament is also Dali Llama's way of "testing" the warriors, judging whom among them possess the deepest "warrior's spirit."

Brutal: Paws of Fury

The Sega CD, Commodore Amiga, Amiga CD32, Genesis, and Super Nintendo version.

Animal Buranden - Brutal

The Super Famicom version.

Brutal Unleashed: Above the Claw

The update/sequel available on the Sega 32X and MS-DOS.

Brutal: Paws of Fury Remix

A remake made with M.U.G.E.N in 2002.

Characters

All of the characters in the game are anthropomorphic animals. The original Brutal: Paws of Fury includes:

Note: Karate Croc and Dali Llama are only playable by means of inputting a secret button sequence.

Brutal Unleashed: Above the Claw introduces two additional characters:

Reception

Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Sega CD version a 6.25 out of 10. They praised the music and the cinemas as stunning and among the best seen on the Sega CD, and also approved of the mechanic of learning special moves. However, they criticized the gameplay action as sluggish and unresponsive. Scary Larry of GamePro commented that the game tries a few new things, but similarly remarked that the Sega CD version plays too slow, and also criticized that the way the backgrounds often block the view of the action, while intentional, is unduly frustrating.

Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Super NES and Genesis versions scores of 6.5 and 6 out of 10, respectively. Though they again praised the idea of learning special moves, some of their reviewers commented that this mechanic ultimately makes the game less exciting rather than more, and all of them remarked that the controls are weak. Drumhead and Captain Squideo of GamePro, in contrast, remarked that the controls of the Super NES and Genesis versions are greatly improved from the Sega CD original, and that the action is much faster and more responsive in these versions as well. Though they noted that some of the Sega CD version's content was cut and that the view-blocking backgrounds are still a problem, they gave both versions an overall positive recommendation. A reviewer for Next Generation agreed that the Super NES version was a notable improvement over the Sega CD original, particularly the "rich, shaded backgrounds". He further remarked that "The gameplay is fine, although the character control is delayed, and special moves are tricky." and gave it three out of five stars.

GamePro's Scary Larry gave the 32X version a positive review. He remarked that the game can be unfairly difficult, but praised the graphics, lack of slowdown, unique and enjoyable music, and the use of real life martial arts techniques and philosophies. Though the reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly concurred that the 32X version has far better graphics and sound than previous versions, they contended that this is irrelevant since it still suffers from the same shallow and sluggish gameplay and mediocre controls. They gave it an average of 6.375 out of 10. A reviewer for Next Generation disagreed, stating that "New animation, a pumping techno soundtrack, and four additional characters ... infuse enough fresh blood to make this new game really shine." He further praised the game's uniqueness and said its only problem was that it is possible to win most fights by using one kick or punch over and over. Despite this, he gave it three out of five stars.