Godzilla: Save the Earth

Godzilla: Save the Earth
Developer(s)	Pipeworks Software
Publisher(s)	Atari Classic Media Toho
Series	Godzilla
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2 Xbox
Release date(s)	PlayStation 2 ‹See Tfd› NA: November 2, 2004 PAL: December 9, 2004 ‹See Tfd› JP: December 10, 2004[1] Xbox ‹See Tfd› NA: November 16, 2004 PAL: November 19, 2004[2]
Genre(s)	Fighting
Mode(s)	Single player, Multiplayer

Godzilla: Save the Earth is a fighting video game released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2. It was the first Godzilla title to be released for both the PlayStation 2 and Xbox game consoles. Based on characters and situations from the Godzilla film series, the game itself is the sequel to Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee, released for the GameCube and Xbox in 2002. Godzilla: Save the Earth is followed by Godzilla: Unleashed in 2007 for the PlayStation 2 and the Wii.

Plot

The storyline of Save the Earth takes place two years after Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee. The story involves mankind getting hold of Godzilla's DNA, known in the game as "G-Cells." The Vortaak learn of this, once again returning to Earth, controlling a vast army of monsters, including their ultimate weapon: SpaceGodzilla. The player faces down many controlled monsters in different locations. In the climax cut-scene, Godzilla confronts SpaceGodzilla in a final duel. Godzilla blasts off SpaceGodzilla's shoulder crystals causing a black hole to form. SpaceGodzilla is sucked in and apparently killed, forcing the Vortaak to retreat while Godzilla lets out a roar of victory having saved Earth yet again. This time around, new monsters are added as well as more detailed arenas including hills, elevated highways, and waist-deep water. Another addition is Challenge Mode, in which the player must attain goals other than simply defeating their opponent. Also for Xbox there was an online play. This mode is now offline.

Monsters

Playable

• Godzilla (2000, and 1990's)
• Anguirus (Showa)
• Rodan (Heisei)
• Mothra (Heisei/Millennium hybrid)
• Baragon (Showa/Millennium hybrid)
• King Ghidorah (Showa/Heisei hybrid)
• Gigan (Showa)
• Megalon
• Orga
• Mechagodzilla 2
• Mechagodzilla 3
• M.O.G.U.E.R.A (Heisei)
• Jet Jaguar
• Mecha-King Ghidorah
• SpaceGodzilla
• Destoroyah
• Megaguirus

Unplayble

• Battra (airstrike)
• Super X3 (airstrike)
• Ebirah (boss in the Godzilla 2000 rail level)
• Millennian (boss in Challenge mode)
• Meganula (Megaguirus' rage attack)

Scrapped characters

• Biollante was scrapped due to licensing issues, but was later introduced as a playable character in Godzilla Unleashed. She can still be accessed by modifying the game and running it on an emulator or a hacked console.
• Titanosaurus was included in some concept art for the game, but was never in serious consideration to be added. He was later included as a playable character in Godzilla: Unleashed.
• Hedorah was strongly considered but was not included due to the limitations of the consoles.
• Varan was not directly considered but according to Simon Strange would have been "their next choice".
• Super MechaGodzilla was considered according to Simon Strange.
• MechaGodzilla (Showa) was set to be a secret character but did not make the cut due to the presence of two Mechagodzillas already.
• Godzilla (1954) was set to be a secret character but did not make the cut due to the presence of two Godzillas already.
• Rainbow Mothra is depicted on the box art, but this is likely just an art error. During an interview for Godzilla: Unleashed Simon Strange mentioned that Rebirth of Mothra characters would not be allowed due to Toho considering it a separate series.

Reception

Reception
Review scores Publication Score PS2 Xbox 1UP.com B−[3] B−[3] EGM 5.33/10[4] 5.33/10[4] Game Informer 6/10[5] 6/10[5] GameSpot 6/10[6] 6/10[6] GameSpy [7] [8] IGN 6.5/10[9] 6.5/10[10] OPM (US) [11] N/A OXM N/A 7.1/10[12] TeamXbox N/A 6.1/10[13] X-Play [14] [14] Detroit Free Press N/A [15] Aggregate score Metacritic 62/100[16] 63/100[17]

Godzilla: Save the Earth received "mixed" reviews on both platforms according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.^[17][16]

1UP gave the game a "B−" score, saying: "Godzilla: Save the Earth is a fun game and a worthy sequel to Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee. If it had been afforded a little more finesse (especially regarding the Challenges) and a little more authentic Godzilla flavor, it'd be even sweeter. The fact is, though, that unless you're a Godzilla fan, there are better games of this general type out there (War of the Monsters and Def Jam: Fight for New York come to mind). Still, the kaiju in Godzilla's universe are way cooler than grown, sweaty men in tights."^[3]

References

External links

• Godzilla: Save the Earth at MobyGames
• Interview With Simon Strange