Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Also going by the name of "Bluesteel Variable Formula: Space Griffon" and "Aoi Hagane no Kihei: Space Griffon", "Soukou no Kihei: Space Griffon" is a remake of a remake and Panther Software's most enduring title, so we'll start from the beginning.

Originally released in 1993 for the PC-98 under the name of "Hamlet" (and no, it's not related to the Shakespeare play of the same name, but the literal definition of a "small village or settlement"), the game was a "Pseudo 3D Sci-Fi Horror RPG Anime Action-Adventure Game" with hybrid FPS elements and real-time combat. The game was then remade in early 1995 as "Space Griffon VF-9" (the only iteration released outside Japan) for the PlayStation and featured full 3D graphics and the title was entirely voiced. This version was then upgraded again in 1999 for Sega's Dreamcast with upgraded visuals and hi-res art, some added music and rebalanced gameplay while using basically the entire VO work of the PS game. A final, little-known revision was released in early 2001 for Windows PCs in Japan and parts of Taiwan known as "Soukou no Kihei: Space Griffon V.O." which was the DC game with added "Voice Operation" controls via a compatible microphone. It is worth noting that the PS/DC games have NO SUBTITLES and, as such, will hinder the hearing impaired.

In the year 2148 A.D. on 10/17, all communications with the moons largest man-made structure, Hamlet, were lost. Hamlet, meaning "a small village" was the property of a huge conglomerate known as A-MAX FACTORIES, whose mainstay was products for the military. At the facility, development of the moon's natural resources as well of production of foodstuffs, medical supplies and military weapons were being carried out. Because of the confidential nature of the research, the newest security system was installed and constantly being upgraded to completely shut out outsiders. The facilities themselves were designed with living quarters, various factories, farming areas and natural resource mining facilities to allow them to be completely self sufficient.

100 years after being in operation, there had been several waves of immigration and up to 85% of water, food and various living commodities were self-supplied. There were military personnel, factory workers, researchers, miners and their families living there, making it a huge lunar city with a population of close to 1000 people. In recent years, there were pure Hamlet residences born and raised on the moon. Various goods that were difficult to get on earth were being made and exported from the moon. In addition, "Lunar Tears", which is known as the "Stone That Brings Happiness", were very popular on earth and making Hamlet more well-known. Suddenly, Hamlet lost contact with earth, so "A-MAX FACTORIES" sent a group of special agents known as "A-MAX CLEANERS" to investigate. Going by the call signs of BOSS, THIEF, MURDER, BIGHORN, MARIA (The only one going by their actual name) and KID (the main character), horrors abound in the space station as machines go rogue and the threat of a disease and bio-monsters loom.

SG for PS and DC is about 60% story and 40% gameplay and is a rudimentary FPS game. At a glance, it seems to take a lot of inspiration from "Silent Debuggers" (TG-16), "Out Live" (TG-16) and "Out Live: Be Eliminate Yesterday" (PS). The player explores a 3D space station while looking for clues, finding key items, upgrading gear and taking down enemies. One cool aspect of the game is the VF-9 (Variable Formula) which is basically a copy of Shōji Kawamori's Macross "Variable Fighter" mech that can transform into three modes: Combat, Assault and Cruiser. "Combat" (Battroid) is the slowest / strongest form, "Assault" (Gerwalk) is weaker but has higher mobility and defense, and "Cruiser" (Fighter Jet) has the highest defense and speed + a low center of gravity to dodge, but has compromised combat abilities. All modes can strafe and the Dreamcast game has the smoothest play control. Energy and Body Armor must be maintained with items and are limited, and the player can only hold seven gears that can be armed or mounted.

Besides the visuals and music, the game is extremely similar to the PS game (one could probably even mod the English voices over the Japanese ones with effort) but a few scenes look different, artwork is completely different, and combat has been rebalanced; the "Action Response Level (ARL)" has been removed and Repair Units restore 1000 Body instead of 400 to compensate. Kazuhiko Okuno (best known for "Legend of the Galactic Heroes" and "Macross 7", but also did several games such as "Quo Vadis", "U.P.P.", etc.) did the art which is generally pretty and the game has hours of spoken dialogue, which is pretty impressive. Absence of music aside, the game(s) are slightly underrated. This is a video showing 40%~ of the game (02:32:27 has music not in the original), although I was going pretty quick. Enjoy.

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