Mace: The Dark Age

Mace: The Dark Age

Company type	Video game
Industry	Video games
Founded	1997
Founder	Atari Games
Headquarters	United States
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Mace: The Dark Age (arcade, Nintendo 64)
Owner	Atari Games, Midway Games

Mace: The Dark Age is a fighting title initially launched by Atari Games in arcades in 1997 and subsequently adapted for the Nintendo 64 by Midway Games. Known for its intense violence and graphic finishing moves, the game employed 3dfx Voodoo technology, which contributed to Atari’s arcade profitability through its cutting-edge visuals. Nevertheless, reviews of the gameplay were divided.

Gameplay

The mechanics are similar to those found in Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. and the Mortal Kombat franchise, permitting players to execute finishing moves after winning rounds. Unlike the ring-out system seen in Dead or Alive, Mace: The Dark Age incorporates arenas with dangerous environments that inflict damage on characters who leave the play area. An evade function allows players to navigate within a 3D space, adding layers of tactical play.

Plot

Set in the 12th century, the Covenant of Seven—a union of nations—sends elite fighters on a mission to eliminate Asmodeus, a dark sorcerer wielding the legendary Mace of Tanis. This weapon contains necropotic energy that grants eternal life and formidable strength. Heroes from East Asia and the Remaining European Free Nations also join forces to thwart Asmodeus and his Covenant before their ambitions materialize.

Development

The development of Mace: The Dark Age spanned roughly two years. Initially, the project featured 30 characters, which was later narrowed down to 11 based on feedback from teenage focus groups. Advanced motion capture technology was employed, with performances captured by an Atari team member affiliated with the Society for Creative Anachronism.

The arcade release utilized 3Dfx Voodoo graphics hardware—the same technology behind San Francisco Rush—which helped minimize production expenses. Atari passed these cost savings onto arcade operators by offering the game at a more affordable price point.

While a Nintendo 64 version was eventually launched, plans for a PlayStation edition were abandoned.

Reception

Despite strong commercial performance in arcades, critical responses to Mace: The Dark Age were mixed. On the Nintendo 64, it was regarded as the premier fighting game largely due to the console’s limited selection of titles in this genre at that time. Next Generation acknowledged it as the best fighter on N64 but noted it would still be overshadowed by competitors on PlayStation or Saturn. Jeff Gerstmann from GameSpot ranked it below Dark Rift, praising its visual presentation but finding fault with its gameplay.

The game’s visual aspects received widespread acclaim for their quality, including fluid animations and richly detailed stages featuring interactive elements such as water and lava hazards. Conversely, gameplay was frequently criticized as uninspired due to lackluster move sets and cumbersome controls. Kelly Rickards of Electronic Gaming Monthly remarked that while combos appeared impressive, their execution suffered from outdated control schemes.

Arena design earned positive feedback for incorporating dynamic objects and hazardous zones; GamePro highlighted these features as enhancing overall playability. Fatalities were also favorably noted by some reviewers. Opinions on the soundtrack were mixed—while IGN and GamePro considered it appropriate, others described it as "awful" or merely "average." The transition from arcade to Nintendo 64 was generally well-executed but experienced frame rate drops that affected smoothness during play. Matt Casamassina of IGN attributed these performance issues to the game's focus on detailed graphics.

In 2011, Complex listed Mace: The Dark Age among the top ten most obvious imitators of Mortal Kombat, characterizing it as a more violent iteration akin to Soul Edge.

External links

• Official site
• KLOV game listing
• MobyGames entry