Steel Battalion impressions...

[Ruined]

Damn, it's going to be a while before I can serve up a full review on this one

Anyway, initial impressions:

Graphics: 9.5
Sound: 10.0
Control: 10.0
Gameplay: 9.5
Overall: 9.7

This game is hard to describe. It really feels like you are in a war, piloting a giant war machine. Surround sound is incredible, the best yet on XBOX. Graphics are incredibly realistic, to the point where it becomes eerie, though I did see draw-in occasionally.

About the controller - The controller does not operate as smoothly as some other high-end controllers, such as the Thrustmaster F-16 FCLS/TQS combo. The joysticks and levers clunk around and are much more mechanical than that of the high-precesion Thrustmaster, plus the machinegun trigger on the right stick seems to be loose and does not depress very smoothly. On the other hand, the controller seems to be much more rugged than other high end controllers - it seems this controller could take some major abuse and still function without a problem. In essence, it reminds me of specialty arcade controllers - not as smooth or precise as specialty home controllers, but more durable. This makes sense as the company who made the controller (Sammy) also makes arcade hardware. The controller easily fits on your lap and does not require a desk like many think. The pedal unit is of very high build quality.

There's not much to say about this game except that it is real to the point where it can actually scare you. When you hear bullets whizzing at you in the surrounds, your TV's HUD flashing as you take damage, and all the lights on your controller rapidly flash on and off, it's kind of like sensory overload. At one point, I was running along at full speed, and turned as hard and fast as I could, and the mech tipped over, the whole screen going on it's side, then the HUD started flipping out, and I actually felt my anxiety level rise. I ejected, and I felt relieved. Which is messed up for a video game.

Anyway, I bet you want to know if the game is worth $200. Hell yeah it is, if you are the type of person who doesn't mind reading an in-depth manual, and spending a shitload of time just adapting to controls. Mastering Steel Battalion is about as difficult as mastering a Thrustmaster F-16 FLCS/TQS/RCS setup for the computer flightsim Falcon. If you just want a mech game where you jump in and blow stuff up, DO NOT BUY THIS GAME. Buy MechAssault. Steel Battalion is a game you should buy if you want to experience what it would be like if these giant machines really did go to war. If you die in Steel Battalion, your pilot's savefile is erased and you have to start over from the beginning. It's war, and it's just as intense. Kind of dissettling, but in a good way.

[sub780lime]

so when your finished your going to pack it up and send it to me for a couple months, right?

[Sycowulf]

No he's not he's gonna sell it to me!!!! Christ I would love to get this game, just there is no way in hell ill be able to shell out 200$ for a game

[Enzian]

I need an XBox.

[Joe Michaels]

This is definately an awesome game and a must have for hardcore gamers. How amazing is this game that really makes you feel as though you are piloting a mech.

I disagree with your rating on the graphics though. They lack color and are muddy. It fits the game sort of. And how about those awful custcenes?

[Ruined]

Originally posted by Joe Michaels
I disagree with your rating on the graphics though. They lack color and are muddy. It fits the game sort of. And how about those awful custcenes?

The cutscenes are terrible - at least most of them. Some of them are cool too. As for the muddy/gritty graphics, I felt it made the game seem eerily realistic, like I was in some future post-apocolyptic world The 9.5 score above is not just strictly for textures/models/etc, but also for overall atmosphere and believability of the graphics, which I feel this game has scored bigtime in. (same reason I gave Silent HIll 2 a pretty high score) If the game had better cutscenes, I'd probably give it 9.8 or so.

I really was freaked out after I played the first time, as you can ask godmoney (jumped into UC shortly afterwards).

[godmoney]

Originally posted by Ruined
I really was freaked out after I played the first time, as you can ask godmoney (jumped into UC shortly afterwards).

Heh, he came on Live pretty disturbed. He was goin on about how he was afraid of falling over and shit and that all the lights made him nervous. Pretty funny actually

I wish I could afford this game.

[Lastblade]

This is what a Next Generation game is all about.

I bought an xbox just to play this game, and it does not disappoint.

So many people have written so many good things about it, I don't need to elaborate except to say, if you love video games, you have to try this for yourself at least once.

[BeanBandit]

Maybe I should have bought an Xbox...
Nah, I'd end up paying just as much for the game, which I can't afford.

Question about the save game: I heard about the erasing of the save when you die, which is pretty hardcore, but is there not a way to make backup copies your Xbox saves either on the HD or a mem card?

[Ruined]

Originally posted by BeanBandit
Maybe I should have bought an Xbox...
Nah, I'd end up paying just as much for the game, which I can't afford.

Question about the save game: I heard about the erasing of the save when you die, which is pretty hardcore, but is there not a way to make backup copies your Xbox saves either on the HD or a mem card?

The Steel Battalion player data files are marked uncopyable and therefore can't be backed up. You can avoid dieing by ejecting when you are about to die, and if you do so you can continue playing the game, but you have to spend money on a new mech. If you turn the game off in the middle of a mission, the game treats it the same as ejecting.

The "fear of death" definitely adds to the intensity of the game.

[Joe Michaels]

I'll tell ya, the lights on all the buttons make this game that much better. This game is best played in a semi low lit room with a decent sized screen and a surround sound stereo cranked up. You will feel more into this game than any other you have played.
and for once you will feel like what you do with a controller actually requires skill and experience.

And just for the helluvit, look at this baby:

[Enzian]

I spoke with a friend today about his impressions of Steel Battalion. He thought it was awfully intricate... he said that the way you have to "boot" a mech is way too tedious.

That was minor to him, and personally, I think that would only enhance the "being there" feel of the game.

His maor gripes was that he had so much difficulty trying to balance the mech and the overall speed of gameplay. He said that the balance between speed and turning radius was way too steep. He also didn't like the plodding pace set by the bigger mech he tried.

Those were his thoughts, and he's a very "well-balanced" guy. I have heard only good things about this game, so when I heard his lone dissenting voice, I figured I should share.

Could it be that people who blow $200 on a single game are reluctant to disparage it?

[Ruined]

Originally posted by Enzian
I spoke with a friend today about his impressions of Steel Battalion. He thought it was awfully intricate... he said that the way you have to "boot" a mech is way too tedious.

That was minor to him, and personally, I think that would only enhance the "being there" feel of the game.

His maor gripes was that he had so much difficulty trying to balance the mech and the overall speed of gameplay. He said that the balance between speed and turning radius was way too steep. He also didn't like the plodding pace set by the bigger mech he tried.

Those were his thoughts, and he's a very "well-balanced" guy. I have heard only good things about this game, so when I heard his lone dissenting voice, I figured I should share.

Could it be that people who blow $200 on a single game are reluctant to disparage it?

Not really. I mean, if I wanted to, I could return the game and get my $200 back, or I could make $50-$100 by selling it on eBay. Like I stated in my initial impressions, the game is not for someone who just wants to go blow up robots - that's what MechAssault is for, and sounds like what your friend is more suited for. This game is a simulator, and with that, it means your mech does in fact tip over if you turn too fast, and does not zoom along the screen - it's realistic, and difficult. It takes lots of time to accustom yourself to the controls, but once you do, it feels like you are piloting a huge robot, than can and will fall over if you run and take a sharp turn, etc. It's all part of the intensity and challenge of the game.

[Joe Michaels]

he said that the way you have to "boot" a mech is way too tedious.

I actually expected more. It's actually quite simple. My 3 year old can do it.

Extended play just gave this game a perfect 5 out of 5.

[sub780lime]

man, it would be funny if they came out with a rental for like 20 bucks like they do with systems, i would give it a try

[Ruined]

Originally posted by Joe Michaels
I actually expected more. It's actually quite simple. My 3 year old can do it.

Extended play just gave this game a perfect 5 out of 5.

Yeh, I heard people saying "you have to time it just right", etc. Yet, I haven't messed it up once yet, and the last few times I haven't even been paying all that much attention.

[Joe Michaels]

Originally posted by Ruined
Yeh, I heard people saying "you have to time it just right", etc. Yet, I haven't messed it up once yet, and the last few times I haven't even been paying all that much attention.

Well in their defense you do have to time the energy meters when they go above the line but it isn't hard or tedious.

[Enzian]

What about turning and running? Is it a learnable skill?

[IKEA_boy]

Anyone lose their saves yet?

[Enzian]

Loosing the save games... oh man, this game has got to be great. This is one of my motivating factors in getting an XBox - and I'm not a "mech" guy - I just think the experience of piloting one of these behemoths is going to be too good to miss.

[Lastblade]

Originally posted by Enzian
What about turning and running? Is it a learnable skill?

Yes, it is definitely a learnable skill... in fact you will suddenly realize you are much better at aiming at one direction, looking at another, and running at yet another direction all the while shooting, evading, and up/down shifting!

Awesome game.

[Enzian]

Wait... looking in one direction and shooting in another? Err?!

[Ruined]

Originally posted by Enzian


Wait... looking in one direction and shooting in another? Err?!

The right stick controls the reticle (where your shots go). The hat switch on top of the left stick controls where you look. The left stick controls which way you turn. The right pedal controls your acceleration, the middle your brake, and the throttle controls whether you are in reverse, or gears 1-5 going forward. Easy, eh?

[Enzian]

Ohhhhhhhhh

[esc]

Originally Posted by Ruined

initial impressions:
Graphics: 9.5
Sound: 10.0
Control: 10.0
Gameplay: 9.5
Overall: 9.7

I'd adree with all that, but i'd give control a 9 or 9.5, mainly because of the incredibly steep learning curve. you feel like you know how to run the mech after the first few missions, but once you get to #4 or 5, you realize you don't know squat. The actual response time and physics of the game are fantastic.

I am FINALLY going to get around to buying an XBox in a month or 2 and this will be one of the first games I am going to pick up.
I had over 100 of them sitting around my house in 2002 so I definately got my jollys out of it then. (I am personally responisible for the ebay Steel Battalion market crashing)

I really cant wait to play it again as it is so huge and unnecessary, and really feels like you are driving a massive machine... feel free to bring up the mal pre-occupation with size here.
mmmmmmmmm ... meter long joystick

i forget, is this playable in co-op or deathmatch multiplayer modes? (if you are so luck to have a friend who also owns one)

[Sycowulf]

Normal version isnt, there is an expansion of sorts called Line of Contact that allows play on xbl

[MJZ]

I got this when they released it again packaging the controller, Steel Battalion original and Line of Contact in one nice big box. I still haven't played it yet. I haven't got any room for the controller at the moment.