Steel Battalion
Platform: Xbox
Genre: Simulation
Publisher / Developer: Capcom
The reason why I called you here today, ladies and gentlemen, lies in my intention to tell you about one of the most unique platformers games. So, what is the purpose of pursuing Capcom, creating the Steel Battalion? Whether she wanted to shock the audience or to replenish the treasury of the industry? I think something, and another took place, because the project is characterized as an attempt to make an extremely realistic simulation of a fantastic subject.
However, I started from a distance, adding a bit of specificity. The game simulates the control of walking robot combat, but does it in an unusual manner for us. SB sold only in conjunction with special controllers and three pedals as usual joystick game is not supported in principle. Next to the general panel, from which protrude menacingly two joystick itself Xbox looks baby! Before I explain the purpose of the many buttons and levers, I will say the main thing: is this pandora with three pedals (and with the game, of course) $ 199! Drive as a media is cheap, so it is obvious that the customer pays extra fifteen hundred just for the controller. But even laying out hard-earned money and dragged dragged set in his den, you can not relax. SB - not your Armored Core, with its arcade rules, a serious simulator, which is needed to develop more than one day.
The first problem arises even before the inclusion of hookups and is formulated as follows: where the hell stick control panel? Keep it on the weight of impossible in principle, but on my knees, it will jump, because quite often have to press on the pedal. But let's say you moved the table, hoisted him on design and stared at the screen. Reviewing the succession of static pictures and text messages, you will realize that from now on you - the tractor ... sorry, tank of the future. In 2080, the year the map of the Far East ignited an entire scattering hot spots. Region Hai Shi Dao, declaring its independence, waged war with all its neighbors. Pacify the aggressor only by community Pacific Rim Forces, at whose side you are fighting. Climbed into the cockpit Vertical Tank (the official name of the giant robots), anyone, even the worldly-wise gamer surprised abundance of sensors, dials and lights. Devices, occupying a good half of the screen does not add to the beauty and not to save resources consoles. All their statements are no less important than the modest-sized monitor that displays the battlefield. This monitor - not only link with the outside world, then there is the radio, which allows to communicate with brothers in arms and ammunition to order.
Typically, developers are trying to supply their games more convenient administration, but the authors of SB chose a diametrically opposite way. They did everything to bring your game to combat conditions. This driver of this tank will not knock a combination of buttons or select commands from the menu in the pause mode. That's why you have before your eyes, 40 buttons, and even the wheel to select a radio frequency.I almost forgot to mention that the robot is controlled manual gearbox. Lever for the gear shifting to the left of the joystick, and two of the three pedals are responsible for the acceleration and deceleration. The third - a breakthrough that allows you dodge enemy projectiles. However, in this mode, the motor quickly overheats and, if time does not release the pedal, the car briefly stops. Right joystick to select direction and the left controls the gun.
The developers have provided a lot of weapons, and six of them you can take with you on the job. The choice is diverse: missiles, artillery, rifles and machine guns of various calibers. Your robot manipulators are available, and you therefore have the opportunity to zvezdanut anyone on the dome. Hands can also pick up small objects such as trucks. All of the above and many other features are presented as individual buttons. There's even a button activation janitors, cleaning the viewing window from adhering dirt!
A set of twenty-odd missions - it is the only mode available in the SB. Walking tank with a height of ten-house is ill-suited for spyware attacks, and, nevertheless, they are there! But no matter how long and boring may be introductory briefings, the majority of assignments is reduced to the destruction of those or other purposes. And start all levels of the same: you have to warm up the engine combat vehicle, lifted hatches unmoor etc. Entertainment value of this procedure decreases each time. But here you are in the thick of things from all sides comes the enemy infantry and equipment, including similar robots! What should I do? First you need to understand that the wait for help from allies useless. These "pots" always get underfoot and sometimes get stuck in the scenery. Luckily, on board a radar warning about approaching danger. The reward for successfully completed missions are experience points (command points, increase the military rank) and money (supply points, go for the purchase of new equipment and robots). High-ranking officials have the right to drive at a more advanced technique.
When the resources of your erect locomotive rattletrap almost exhausted, and devices are trumpeting the impending explosion, there are two possible scenarios. First: The pilot catapulted (this is a separate button, covered with a protective cap), and survives. Thank God, if you can find money to buy a new tank. If not, we will have to pass the game again! The second option: the pilot dies, and the only save-file permanently erased. Cheat the system easy enough to copy the save to another memory card. But tell me, is this not a mockery?
Developer passion for realism is manifested in everything, including the schedule. The War Zone - is dirt, grim building, illuminated by the explosions, and the sky, covered with soot. In general, the picture is not inspiring, but in its own way beautiful. The most frank lack of graphics that objects loaded too late, as if popping out of nothing. In addition, to discern small but important details, it is desirable to have a large screen TV with.
Sitting in the tight cabin of the walking tanks, we have to rely heavily on hearing. The game supports Dolby Digital 5.1, therefore, spreading through the room dynamics, you together with your neighbors immerse yourself in the center of battles. Any weapon can be recognized by the sound, but as pleasing to the ears of the clank of metal steps of the Colossus! Interestingly, the music will sound inside the cabin after the acquisition of conventional receiver.
Whether you love giant robots like loves them Capcom? Far not everyone finds the courage to answer in the affirmative. From this we conclude that SB is not intended for mass audiences. The developers wanted to make a realistic simulator, and they made it. In recent years the craze for video games has become a fashion and status gamers began to lose its identity. Therefore, sometimes it's very nice to stumble on a product addressed exclusively to the hardcore players.After all, only he agrees to buy doroguschy controller, a table for him to back the memory card, a large TV and sound system DD 5.1. On the other hand, all this can be a long-term value for money, since Steel Battalion could turn into drama. Rumor has it that Capcom plans to release the online version of the game, but this will tell some other time ...
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