Cross Serpent: Virus Blitz

Cross Serpent: Virus Blitz is a 2.5D beat 'em up video game developed and published by Gamesoft. It was released for the Capcom Sony ZN-1 arcade system in July 1997 before being ported to the PlayStation three months after. This is the first game in the Cross Serpent series of video games.

Gameplay
In classic beat 'em up fashion, players take control of one of four playable characters across the span of five stages, set in different locations, and fight against a variety of foes until you reach the bosses at the end. What makes this particular title stand out from others of its genre is that each character has a different route in each stage, as well as a different boss, granting a sense of replayability to the players. However, during multiplayer, the areas of the stages will be randomized and the selected characters will face their respective bosses. Many have claimed Virus Blitz to be the most ambitious beat 'em up because of this. Similar to Streets of Rage 2, each character can use a special attack of their own that deals damage to any enemy on-screen.

Synopsis
The story of Cross Serpent revolves around BIOMIND, an organization that, years ago, was once responsible for releasing Crossgenes, microscopic organisms that mutate any living being that comes into contact, causing natural discourse throughout the world. Slowly but surely the world has been recovering, thanks to the rise of medical technology made to quell the Crossgenes. Kato Aoki, a young man who has been quarantined in the forests of Japan since being infected by Crossgenes, discovers a droid called MOVA, the Medical Organizer and Virus Annihilator, who warns him about BIOMIND and its plans for world domination. As thanks for lessening the Crossgenes in his body, Kato agrees to help MOVA take down BIOMIND and prevent them from spreading any more Crossgenes in the world.

On the way he meets Dai Andou, the mysterious assassin who attacks him not long after Kato arrives in Kodo Island; Kidd Baxton, the inventor of MOVA who is saved by Kato after being ambushed by an army of Crossgene monsters, anthropomorphic (mostly) creatures with destructive powers; and Li Fon, a martial artist who left his isolated village to try and save the world himself. After coming to an agreement, they form the "Virus Blitz" in order to destroy the Virus Machines operating in Japan, China, U.S.A., England, and Russia, before BIOMIND re-enacts their plan in three days.

Playable Characters

 * Kato Aoki – A Japanese citizen who was one of the victims of the last Crossgene epidemic, being transformed into a dragon-like humanoid. Since then, he isolated himself in a secluded region in Japan, waiting for the time of his possible death until he meets MOVA, who healed and returned him to normal. After being warned about BIOMIND's plan to spread Crossgenes to the world in three days, Kato leaves his solitary home to fight his way to the organization, becoming one of the members of the Virus Blitz. Kato may have been healed thanks to MOVA, but he is still capable of unleashing his Crossgenes in the form of a Crossgene beast, Dragoon Viper, making him as fast as the wind.
 * Dai Andou – The son of a noble family and current head of the huge Japanese military company "Andou Corporation." He received a call from BIOMIND, stating that they are holding his son Kai for ransom; if he refuses to lend Andou Corporation's assets to the organization, they will use his son as an experiment for their strongest Crossgene ever developed. Not wanting to let his son die in their hands, Dai instead opts to go after BIOMIND, slaying any of their creations along the way. He originally tried to kill Kato before he was fully revealed to be a human, leading to the two to put aside their differences and take down their enemy. Dai's Crossgene beast, Scorching Phoenix, allows him to burn down his foes.
 * Kidd Baxton – An American mechanic who is the inventor of MOVA. Since the first Crossgene epidemic, he was building inventions that will benefit any of the victims by offering them reliable resources. When he hears that his latest creation has been a success, he arrives in Japan to pick it up, but he was almost killed by Dai, who was trying to assassinate Kato. When he was told that BIOMIND is about to release the Crossgenes onto the world once again, Kidd suggests forming a team to counterattack them and the three (as well as Li Fon later) form the Virus Blitz. Kidd's Crossgene beast, Marble Tortoise, has him create a barrier of water that lasts about fifteen seconds.
 * Li Fon – A traveling martial artist from China. His reason for leaving his isolated village was to teach someone the forbidden art, the "Fallen Tiger Fist." BIOMIND encountered him and were interested in his fighting style, wishing to combine that with some of their Crossgenes, but he refused before escaping to Japan. He learns what happened since his village was secluded from modernity, even being warned about the rise of Crossgene mutants. That was when he encountered Kato, Dai, and Kidd, who were ready to form the Virus Blitz and go after BIOMIND. Li Fon decides to join them, hoping to save his village before BIOMIND destroys it. Fon's Crossgene beast, Storm Tiger, increases the speed and power of his attacks.

Stages

 * Japan
 * China
 * U.S.A
 * England
 * Russia

Japan

 * Dragoon Viper – The boss for Kato. A Crossgene beast resembling an Asian dragon, feared for his tornado attacks. After his defeat, Kato is able to summon him throughout the game.
 * Scorching Phoenix – The boss for Dai. A Crossgene beast resembling the mythical phoenix, who attacks with her flames. Dai obtains her and is able to summon her throughout the game.
 * Marble Tortoise – The boss for Kidd. A Crossgene beast that resembles a black-shelled tortoise, capable of creating tsunamis. Defeating this boss enables Kidd to summon him for the rest of the game.
 * Storm Tiger – The boss for Li Fon. A Crossgene beast that resembles the white tiger, known for his quick speed and thunderous attacks. Fon is able to master his abilities for the rest of the game.

China

 * Huang Lau – The boss for Li Fon. A mentor of Fon's who is also his close friend. He felt betrayed when he left his village to be conquered by the Crossgenes. His Crossgene beast is Blazing Lion.
 * Huang Mao – The boss for Dai. A female kung-fu master who has a romantic relationship with Fon. Her Crossgene beast is Star Lynx.
 * Zhang Yaolin – The boss for Kidd. A large kung-fu fighter who was also a chef before the Crossgenes took over the isolated village. His Crossgene beast is Wooden Bear.
 * Feng Dong – The boss for Kato. A former thief who was taken in by Lau who saw potential in this soon-to-be kung fu master. His Crossgene beast is Jade Monkey.

USA

 * Tony Summers – The boss for Kidd. A baseball star who tried to struggle against BIOMIND before he and three others were infected with Crossgenes. His Crossgene beast is Triumph Eagle.
 * Julia Garnet – The boss for Dai. A tennis player who is also a business partner for Kidd. Her Crossgene beast is Clay Gator.
 * William Jordan – The boss for Li Fon. A basketball player who shows a special flair in his skills. His Crossgene beast is Slam Scorpio.
 * Joe Briggs – The boss for Kato. A football quarterback who was kicked out of the team for his lack of sportsmanship conduct. His Crossgene beast is Tackle Buffalo.

England

 * Ralph Jorgen – The boss for Kato. An honorable German who is the descendant of a long line of knights who once saved Europe. BIOMIND knew of this legend and went after him and three other descendants of the Guard. His Crossgene beast is Justice Gryphon.
 * Stephen MacDowell – The boss for Dai. A reckless Scotsman who is also a descendant of the Guard. His Crossgene beast is Freedom Salamander.
 * Giorno Rossi – The boss for Kidd. An Italian artist who cares less for fighting unless it inspires him for an art piece. His Crossgene beast is Destiny Amphisbaena.
 * Stuart Lenormant – The boss for Li Fon. A Frenchman who is considered talented, even for a descendant of the Guard. His Crossgene beast is Fated Unicorn.

Russia

 * Larion Kuznetsov – The boss for Li Fon. A ruthless soldier who never hesitates to kill anyone in sight. His Crossgene beast is Slayer Falcon.
 * Sergei Nikitovich – The boss for Kidd. A quiet man on the surface, but on the battlefield he is boisterous and powerful. His Crossgene beast is Crasher Whale.
 * Ivan Yegorov – The boss for Dai. A cool-headed soldier sent by BIOMIND to hunt down Dai for not agreeing to their terms. His Crossgene beast is Missile Wyvern.
 * Bio-Dai – The boss for Kato. In order to assure the safety of his son Kai, Dai let himself be captured by BIOMIND. His grandfather, Yuichirou, had the idea to convert his Crossgene mode, Scorching Phoenix into a powerful weapon. In multiplayer mode, if Dai is one of the selected characters alongside Kato, this would be a clone made from the DNA of Dai and his Crossgene. Bio-Dai's Crossgene beast is Shadow Phoenix.
 * Yuri Talanov – The final boss for every character. At a young age Yuri has trained hard to be a soldier for BIOMIND, even going so far as to allow mechanical implants into his body for the sake of achieving victory. BIOMIND promised to grant him a very powerful Crossgene to deal with the "meddling wanderers." As the final battle starts, Yuri unleashes his Crossgene beast, the Weredroid, which starts off as a Russian maiden before becoming an icy werewolf.