Red Dog Superior Firepower - Final Release and Prototype Gameplay (DREAMCAST)

This is a very early prototype for Red Dog SUperior Firepower; Dating back to August 1999; It's quite possibly the earliest one out there.

In it there are two levels available to chose from; VOLCANO and CANYON.

Although, there are more playable levels, locked in this prototype and hidden in its files; Such as, CAVES, CITY, DOCKZONE, HYDRO, LEVEL1, OUTPOST, SWAMPS and I got these to boot.

There are also, TRAINS and SWAMPLANDS, but they crashed the game when I tried to load them.

I've dreamed of this ever since I got my hands on the original, nearly 20 years ago, as from early trailers, I could tell there was a lot that had been scraped during development.

___

Red Dog's a bit of a Car Combat game, but built around level exploration, going from point A to B.
It's a simple concept, and one I haven't seen done anywhere else... Sadly, as this might be, quite possible my second favorite game of all time.

...the final release, was a fun game back then and quite replayable; Level layouts were simple, somewhat linear, but exceptional, enemy placement ensures that there's never a dull moment and surprisingly, the thing does not get repetitive in the process...

It is quite short, unfortunately.

I'll update the description later on...

This is the first level VOLCANO, there are differences, it was a fun ride.

I've got the level SWAMPS, to boot!

Doesn't look like much, but might, very well be, the first time anyone's seen it in 20 years!
This is exciting stuff; At least for me.
SWAMPS never made it to the final release, and I can tell why.
The level begins with an on-rails shooter session; Red Dog was never built around this...
Once you regain control of your vehicle; There's barely anything to do within the level.

All in all, this is cool stuff.
There are more playable levels, locked in this prototype; Such as, CAVES, CITY, DOCKZONE, HYDRO, LEVEL1 and OUTPOST; I got these to boot.

There are two more, TRAINS and SWAMPLANDS, but they crash the game when I try to load them.

I've dreamed of this ever since I got my hands on the original game, nearly 20 years ago, as from early videos, I could tell there was a lot that had been scraped during development.

____

Red Dog Superior Firepower is a bit of a Car Combat game, but built around level exploration, going from point A to B.

It's a simple concept, and one I haven't seen done anywhere else... Sadly, as this might be, quite possible my second favorite game of all time.

...the final release, was a fun game back then and quite replayable; Level layouts were simple, somewhat linear, but exceptionaly designed, enemy placement ensures that there's never a dull moment and surprisingly, the thing does not get repetitive in the process...

It is quite short, unfortunately.

This is SWAMPS, a prototype for a level that never made it into the final game.

This is DOCKLANDS, it made an apearence in early gameplay shorts and trailers, but never made it into the final game; Might be the first time it's been played through in 20 years!

The leve's very long and there's a lot to shoot in it, but... it's a straight line, and not that much fun; I can understand why it's been scraped; It doesn't take advantage of what makes Red Dog so special, that being its Driving/Shooting controls and physics.

It was meant to be on-rails as far as I can tell, ourt tank was to sit on top of the train, but the train doesn't work.

Still; This is cool stuff, and there are more playable levels, locked in this prototype; Such as, CAVES, CITY, DOCKZONE, HYDRO, LEVEL1 and SWAMPS; I got all these to boot.

There are two more, TRAINS and SWAMPLANDS, but they crash the game when I try to load them.

I've dreamed of this ever since I got my hands on the original game, nearly 20 years ago, as from early videos, I could tell there was a lot that had been scraped during development.

This is exciting stuff.

_____

Red Dog Superior Firepower is a bit of a Car Combat game, but built around somewhat linear level exploration, scores and speed.

It's a simple concept, and one I haven't seen done anywhere else; Sadly, as this might be, quite possible my second favorite game of all time.

...the final release, was a fun game back then and quite replayable; Level layouts were simple, somewhat linear, but exceptionaly designed, enemy placement ensures that there's never a dull moment and surprisingly, the thing does not get repetitive in the process...

Level's CITY; It made it to the final game, but in the prototype takes place during the day; In the final at sunset.

The proto' version looks interesting, as most buildings have reflective windows; This is interesting, I can't remmember if the final version had so much reflective glass going on; Also only half the level's available.

Still; This is cool stuff, and there are more playable levels, locked in this prototype; Such as, CAVES, CITY, DOCKZONE, HYDRO, LEVEL1 and SWAMPS; I got all these to boot.

There are two more, TRAINS and SWAMPLANDS, but they crash the game when I try to load them.

I've dreamed of this ever since I got my hands on the original game, nearly 20 years ago, as from early videos, I could tell there was a lot that had been scraped during development.

This is exciting stuff.

_____

Red Dog Superior Firepower is a bit of a Car Combat game, but built around somewhat linear level exploration, scores and speed.

It's a simple concept, and one I haven't seen done anywhere else; Sadly, as this might be, quite possible my second favorite game of all time.

...the final release, was a fun game back then and quite replayable; Level layouts were simple, somewhat linear, but exceptionaly designed, enemy placement ensures that there's never a dull moment and surprisingly, the thing does not get repetitive in the process...

Another side by side comparison between the second prototype and the final game.

Level layout is the same; Visualy speaking, however, the final game looks better, mostly; Shadows and lighting, some textures, 2d and 3d particles, etc.

...the prototype seems to have some fog goin' on, not sure if intentional or not.

Final Boss shoots better looking and polygon modeled/animated electric projectiles in its first phase; In the final game it shoots 2D animated particles; Still look good in the final, but it's not as fancy.

Bekk Nuclear Sideband Laser, functions the same in both games, but the shooting/shield mechanics work differently.

In the prototype the blue meter is your weapon energy meter as well; If its full; You refill your weapons to the max and/or use your shield, but each will deplete the same bar; Which will regenerate at a slow pace.,

In the final game, the weapon and shield meter are their own thing; As such, you've got to be more conservative with your weapon energy, as its gauge does regenerate; Instead, large enemies drop energy orgs; One must select a certain amount of them, to refill the new green meter; The shield however will still regenerate slowly.

Final boss, is, as far as I know, unbeatable in this prototype; If lucky, we can beat it in the August 1999 prototype.

A very early prototype from August 1999; So far, it is the earliest out there.

Surprisingly enough, CANYON's the least interesting level available; It is very similar to its final counterpart, other than a few earlier models for certain enemies, props, level layouts and differences in their placement.

- Bridges don't work and boat is indestructible.
- Escort mission's objective had not yet been implemented; Final boss is unavailable too.
- Main weapon functions differently and missile trails are red.
- Ocean's animation, draw distance and textures are awful if compared to the final version.
- Red Foot Soldiers and Anti-Gravity Tanks are nowhere to be seen; Althoug they arealready programed and somewhat functional in the game.
- Sniper special weapon pick up, is multiplayer only in the final game.
- Windows are solid, but reflective.

There's a few more differences here and there
; This is cool stuff.

There are only two levels to choose from in this prototype, VOLCANO and CANYON, but there are many more hidden in the game and I managed to get most of them working.

I've dreamed of this ever since I got my hands on the original, nearly 20 years ago, as from early videos, I could tell there was a lot of that had been scraped.

_____

Red Dog Superior Firepower is a bit of a Car Combat game, but built around level exploration, going from point A to B.

It's a simple concept, and one I haven't seen done anywhere else... Sadly, as this might be, quite possible my second favorite game of all time.

...the final release, was a fun game back then and quite replayable; Level layouts were simple, somewhat linear, but exceptionaly designed, enemy placement ensures that there's never a dull moment and surprisingly, the thing does not get repetitive in the process...

It is quite short, unfortunately.

This is CANYON (Canyon Docks Zone), the third level in the final game, and the second available in this prototype.

High definition, fast paced gameplay for the first Level in Red Dog Superior Firepower; A magnificent car combat game of sorts, built for speedruning, all focussed on scoring big.

Going forward with the worst of decisions; To wreak havoc inside a volcano that's about to blow!

Dangerous stuff; Could be the start of a nuclear winter!

Do I care?

Hahaha!

...an excort mission done right? ...and recorded in high definition?

No way! ...is the world truly comin' to an end?

Darn... gotta make the most of it then, and these alien freakazoids ain't getting none of it.

Sliding around like a mad man, proceeding through the coldest of lands; Level 2 comes to an end at the fastest of paces... In high definition no less.

Outbreak of collosal proportions decimates the entirety of a city's town square... Could the rest of the world be doomed to follow suit?

Let's find out.

Got my hands on a quantum deconstructor and ripped a hole in the time space continuum...

Does the matter in question have a thing to do with Red Dog? No; But thought I'd warn the world of the fact.

In the meantime, enjoy some more high definition gameplay; Have fun.