Robotech: Battlecry (Xbox)

Robotech: Battlecry
System: Xbox
Developer: Vicious Cycle
Publisher: TDK Interactive

I'm not too great at the whole review process, so bear with me. I just finished this game tonight, and can honestly say I'm happy to have made this purchase. As a non-Robotech fan, I was kind of weary, but the game's fluid gameplay and lush graphics reeled me in. I'm not sure of how the other versions compare (I played the Xbox version), but from what I've heard there's not that much difference, so this could probably apply to all 3.

Graphics
Wow. Not only did Vicious Cycle create a beautiful outing in the cel shading arena, but they used the Xbox' wonderful support for a 480p picture, making an already lush presentation that much more jaw-dropping to behold. Details on the Veritechs are very nice (although, as a friend pointed out, the Battloid mode is missing the wings on the back, but no big deal to me, though).

Sound
The good news is that VC did make use of the Dolby Digital 5.1 abilities in their game. The bad news is, it sounds like the mixer was sitting backwards in the room. The rear speakers pump way too much sound compared with the fronts (and this is on a properly level'd system using a dB meter). Despite this, the actual sounds and effects from the game are carried over very well. The missles have their distinct sounds, enemies can be located through listening to the 5 channels, and voices come across clear for the most part (outside of the Zentreadi which are hard to understand at points).

Control
The control on this game is kind of a mixed bag. On one hand, I don't think they could've really made any improvements considering the sheer number of commands to be executed on the game; on the other hand, it took me quite a while to get used to dipping down to the D-pad to switch modes and then quickly going back to my analog. Possibly using 1 button in addition to the d-pad to switch between modes might've worked, but again, I don't know if this would've been possible. Average controls at best, really.

Story
I won't put in any spoilers, but I do have to say I like how the story was portrayed in the game. The game uses in-game renders for the most part along with picture windows of the characters talking. The time I didn't spend cursing the game, I did get drawn into the story and feel a sense of urgency to complete the missions.

Difficulty
I've seen some differing views on this, but to me, this was a very hard game. I played the game on Normal up through about the end of chapter 3. I played through one of the missions towards the end of that chapter about 15 times before I finally just broke down and set it to easy for the rest of the game. On the plus side, I couldn't see anything that was visibly docked for using easy mode instead of normal. So for those of you in my boat of less skills, you'll be happy.

Replay
I really had a fun time with the game, and find myself wanting to go back and play a bit more with the Veritech I opened up by beating the game. There are a decent number of secrets to be uncovered, but most of them are unlocked just by completing the game. There is also a 2 player versus mode to the game. The replay value would've been much higher if Vicious Cycle had worked in a cooperative mode to the game, and possibly the ability to play as some of the Zentreadi officers.


Robotech was definitely worth my time and money, and earned a spot next to my other beloved Xbox games. I'm definitely looking forward to any other games that might be released by the guys at Vicious Cycle, and whole-heartedly recommend this game to any fan of Robotech, giant mechs, or action-shooters in general.

Graphics: 10
Gameplay: 8
Replay Value: 7
Sound: 7
Overall Score: B-

Not bad, man. That's more or less how I felt. I do have a few thoughts to add though. I really liked the fact that your save file makes every completed/unlocked mission available to you when you load up your profile, so you can go back and replay any mission any time you like (see if those new veritechs make a differance). This would have been ten times cooler if there was some sort of score/ranking system (beyond mission time and hit percentages) but overall the game has a nice "pick up and play" arcadey feel to it that a lot of action games lack anymore (kind of reminds me of Gunvalkyrie in that respect). I can't stand it when excessive cutscenes and dialogue get in the way of the action (*cough* MGS2) but thankfully that's not really the case here- the goals of your missions are made clear without unnecessarily wasting your time before you get the chance to complete them. Mission variety could have been a bit broader, but I never really get bored with them (probably because most are 5-10 minutes long) even if I have to retry them several times (I've decided to stick it out with the highest difficulty setting, but I'm still on the fourth hub of missions). Also, the game is challenging without ever feeling impossible (although the odds are NEVER in your favor), there is a definite need for skill, twitch and fast thinking to get you through all but the earliest missions.

Overall, I'd say they did the license justice without relying on a recycled story (although there are some parallels and references) and it's a decent value for fans and newcomers alike as it seems pretty lengthy, keeps up a respectable pace and challenge, and has decent replay value at worst.

true the 2-player mode could've used some work. I'm also sour with the way you have to keep cycling through targets to get either your lock-on or aim to work on what enemy you with to shoot. I would have rather made a target function to what I'm looking at directly and having the control down to a move/aim style most FPS games are getting which would have worked better. Now if only they could make a new game that still takes place during the first 2 years of the robotech war rather then just keeping it on destroyed earth, there's much ground to cover.

btw, why don't anyone ever make games baised on the 2nd or 3rd generations? It seems that EVERYTHING is taking place around the beginning!