Actually chances are that if you're avid for Smash Bros. Brawl, you'll enjoy Power Stone as well. A true fighting gem!
In Power Stone bouts take place in free roaming 3D arenas providing various platforms and objects that you can interact with. Any furniture that's around, like tables and chairs, can be (mis)used to harm your opponent. Basic moves include your typical kick-punch-jump scheme. Adding the directional buttons results in combos and throwing techniques. Attacks can't be blocked, so you have to rely on dodging your foe's moves or hide in front of columns, remote areas or climb up lanterns.
Throughout a match several chests will appear, containing more powerful arms such as bombs, hammers, flame throwers, rocket launchers or Molotow cocktails.
There are eight anime-shaped characters to choose from. All of them share the same basic maneuvers, yet they are distinctive enough in concerns of special attacks and each individually charming. Three additional combatants can be unlocked by completing the game with all characters.
While all that doesn't necessarily sound too spectacular, the chaotic brawler adds an innovative feature to its gameplay by incorporating the so-called Power Stones. There are three in total and each player starts equipped with one of them. If you hit your rival with a combo or weapon, he or she will lose one of the desired gems and vice versa. The third one will appear in a random location throughout the battle. Once you have gained all of them, your character transforms into a pimped alter ego blessed with increased strength and crushing special techniques that will see your antagonist running for shelter. Before your special bar is emptied, one of the shoulder buttons can be used to trigger a final uber-combo, which sets your fighter to total-frenzy-mode and will be a life-altering, if not life-ending experience if your duelist comes anywhere near it.
The controls are rock-solid, easy to learn and will feel intuitive after short time. Rather than pulling off complex special moves by memorizing extensive button combinations, Power Stone focusses on precise timing and taking advantage of the different platforms and extra items given. Actually chances are that if you're avid for Smash Bros. Brawl, you'll enjoy Power Stone as well.
Admittedly, there's not too much longevity for soloists after you've completed the game with every character and mastered the three unlockable VMU-based mini games, but multiplayer is highly addictive and will give you countless of sleepless nights. I have fond memories of me and my friend playing it all summer for hours straight.
Visually it's still beautiful to look at after all these years. Animation is smooth and as you've come to expect from Capcom artwork and presentation are nothing short of brilliant. You can't help but fall in love with the fancy character lineup - be sure to unlock the art and ending galleries!
As for sound the game features ostentatious orchestrated tunes that match well with the 19th century setting.
My final advice is to buy this true Dreamcast gem if you can find it or alternatively get the Power Stone Collection for PSP, which also includes Power Stone 2.
Graphics: 7/10
Sound: 8/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Lifespan: 8/10
Overall: 8.5