I need help. A few years back, a game came out for the PS2. In it, you controlled a giant robot, while simulaneously controlling the person piloting the robot via remote control. You know, like Gigantor.
Well, I can't remember it's name. It was an acronym, and I want to say it was R.A.Z, but I don't think it was. It was a great game, and it didn't garner a lot of hype. If you have any kindness in your souls, help me.
Well, I finally found a decent deal on this off of Amazon. 24.44, new, factory wrapped. So, as promised, here's the review.
Awright, this game is spectacularly uber, but it has it's faults. So, I'll say the faults first, and end on the uber points.
-NPCs incapable of shutting the hell up.
-By not shutting up, NPCs can screw you over.
-Seriously. Why doesn't anyone shut up?
-It's a blue disk. Ack.
-On-foot slowdown/lag.
- Which are usually more like fetch quests. And people keep talking and talking and talking...
-They give you the option of choosing a simple, cheap, less fun version of the controls. For some, this would be a pro. However, I started right out on the complicated, uber control scheme that God intended, and I loved it.
Using the easy controls are a cop out.
Summary: Whenever an NPC talks, a little text box will show up. And as they continue to flap their traps, you are unable to move.
This in and of itself is not a bad thing. And, while you are frozen, this doesn't necessarily apply to your enemies. Usually, they'll freeze immediately, but if you're in the thick of it, right next to the enemy (which you will be), there's a chance that you will freeze, and they will still continue to pummel you. And the NPCs will... not... shut.. up.
And, even if you don't get damaged because of it, it's still irritating that the same guy interrupts you a third time, just because he feels the need to say that "...maybe... just... be defeated. "
I know it sounds petty, but it's really, really grating when you actually play it. Especially since the game itself is so damn fun.
Also, the escort missions/fetch quests. In which the characters have conversations featuring (deliberately?) laughable voice acting and dialogue.
-You know every Transformers,
POWer Rangers, Gigantor, and/or
Godzilla fantasies you had as a kid? This game is every one of them rolled into one.
-The control scheme is flawlessly brilliant, in that it feels natural, but is clunky enough that it really like you're controlling a towering behemoth.
-You to know what you're doing. The way the game is set up (especially with the normal controls), it forces you to experiment and recognize exactly what each situation requires. Especially since it's so damn hard to aim.
Summary: The back of the box talks about "an incredible sense of scale". They're not kidding. You have not lived until you have flew from rooftop to rooftop, buildings crumbling around you, while two titanic robots slug it out only yards away. I accidentally stepped on myself early in the game, because the way the fight was going made me want to be in the thick of it, rather than far away on a rooftop.
This game makes you strategize. First, you have to be aware of your surroundings, and the battle taking place within it. Example: If I hit my opponent with an uppercut, using my right hand, which way will I send it? Do I want the robot there? Not from this vantage point, but knocking it down would buy me time to fly to that higher building, giving me a better vantage point.
Secondly, the upgrades you can buy are damn useful. You can buy items for your actual character, and you can buy weapons, armor, and ammo capacity for your robot.
Sounds easy, right? "Hell, screw the guy, my robot's gonna be a damn
POWerhouse". Yeah? What if the robot is knocked farther than you can see?
You run over to a better vantage point, but you're too slow. The enemy is pummeling your robot, but you can't see the fight, and therefore cannot battle. You try to fly to a high place, but the gravity gauge runs out, and you take a second flight to reach it. NOW you can continue the fight... but you lost precious time, and your robot got pummeled in the meantime.
Wish that you'd bought your character some extra speed, or flying ability, huh?
Conclusion: The awesomeness of the game way, way, outweighs the cons.