Vampire Chronicle for Matching Service
 

  
REVIEW
:  A rare Sega Dreamcast exclusive "quietly" released in the year 2000, Capcom offered Vampire Chronicle For Matching Service as a mail-order game via Dreamcast Direct in Japan. Following the release of Vampire Savior / Darkstalkers 3 on Sega Saturn and PlayStation, Vampire Chronicle is the pinnacle of the 2D series on console as a superb port of the arcade version's visuals and sound not missing any character animations or sacrificing quality (unlike the inferior PS1 port of Darkstalkers 3). In 2004, an updated version of Vampire / Darkstalkers Chronicle released on PSP featuring a new mode and title: Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower.
   

Vampire Savior character selection screen.

    
Vampire Chronicle For Matching Service features four variations of each selectable character. These include the original Darkstalkers, Night Warriors, Vampire Savior, Vampire Savior 2, and Vampire Hunter. For non-hardcore players of the series, the fine details behind each installment and the idiosyncrasies of each character variant can definitely get confusing! That said, the screenshot below provides a look at the general mechanics and playstyle differences for each version. (Source: StrategyWiki).
 
 

Similarly to Hyper SF2, players can use any variation of any character.

  
Since numerous characters only appeared in sequels such as Darkstalkers 2 and Vampire Savior, characters such as Hsien-Ko, Jedah, and B.B. Hood were given all new "simplified" versions based on mechanics of the earlier games in Vampire Chronicle For Matching Service. This system is similar to Hyper Street Fighter II from Street Fighter: Anniversary Collection, making for new match-ups never before possible in any previous iteration.
  

Fighting on the side of a skyscraper FTW.

  
FUN FACT: Vampire Chronicle For Matching Service was one of the first online-enabled fighting games to appear on a video game console, releasing August 10th, 2000 on the Sega Dreamcast.
 

 

 

 

 

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Page Updated: January 1st, 2024
Developer(s): Capcom
Publisher(s): Capcom
Designer(s): Yoshihiro Sudou     Producer
Hideaki Itsuno
    Director
Buruma (Kojimax), Oni-Suzuki
    Planners
Artwork by: Bengus, Edayan, Daigo Ikeno, Dai-Chan, Shoei
Naoto Satou, Takuji Mishima     Opening Movie
Platform(s): Dreamcast
Release Date(s): August 10th, 2000 
Characters Demitri Maximoff, Morrigan Aensland, Jon Talbain, Felicia, Victor, Zabel, Anakaris, Bishamon, Rikuo, Sasquatch, Lei Lei, B.B. Hood, Q-Bee, Lilith Aensland, Jedah, Huitzil, Pyron, Donovan

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Featured Video:

Related Games: Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower, Darkstalkers, Darkstalkers 2, Darkstalkers 3, Darkstalkers: Resurrection, Warzard, Pocket Fighter, Street Fighter III: New Generation, SFIII: 2nd Impact, SFIII: 3rd Strike, Capcom Vs. SNK, Capcom Vs. SNK 2, Capcom Fighting Evolution, SNK Vs. Capcom: Match of the Millennium, SNK Vs. Capcom Chaos, Marvel Vs. Capcom, Marvel Vs. Capcom 2, Marvel Vs. Capcom 3
  

Gameplay Engine  8.5 / 10
Story / Theme  8.0 / 10
Overall Graphics  8.5 / 10
Animation  8.5 / 10
Music / Sound Effects  8.5 / 10
Innovation  8.5 / 10
Art Direction  10 / 10
Customization  8.5 / 10
Options / Extras  8.0 / 10
Intro / Presentation  9.5 / 10
Replayability / Fun  8.0 / 10
"Ouch" Factor  7.5 / 10
Characters  9.0 / 10
BOTTOM LINE

 8.8 / 10

 Review based on Sega Saturn version    

 

Final Words: Vampire Chronicle For Matching Service was one of rarest and lesser known Dreamcast fighting games due to the fact it was a mail-order game via Dreamcast Direct. Those who did play it were treated to the most polished and most playable console port of Darkstalkers to date! Thanks to the power of the Sega Dreamcast, the port didn't lose any animations, crispness, sound quality, or style from the original arcade versions of Darkstalkers 3 / Vampire Savior.

Decades after the original release of this game... I finally got to try it out Vampire Savior For Matching Service on Dreamcast. I kinda wish I got to experience it back in the Dreamcast days, because it was certainly a stunning 2D fighting game on the system in every way imaginable. Worth mentioning, I did enjoy the later PSP release and sequel, Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower all the more, since I didn't get to play the original. So, anyone wanna play online? This game is sick.
~TFG Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen
 
 
 


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