Robotech : Battlecry

Robotech Battlecry

Fans of the Robotech cartoon series will know that there have been many games trying to capitalise on the cult franchise but until now none have delivered. Now developers Vicious Cycle step up to the plate with RoboTech:Battlecry. Vicious Cycle have clearly spent a lot of time researching the cartoon and have tried to replicate its look and feel in this game. Battlecry sees you step into the shoes of Jack Archer, Wolf 10. You have a choice of several different vehicles, Veritechs, each with slightly different capabilities and paintwork.

Robotech: Battlecry is a cel-shaded, third person shooter which places you in control of a Veritrech - a transforming Mech. Battlecry throws you into a war against the alien race, the Zentradi. Developers Vicious Cycle have clearly spent a lot of time researching the cartoon and have tried to replicate its look and feel in this game.

For those too young to remember the cartoon, it was a Japanese cartoon animated by Tatsunoko Productions, Ltd and screened in the mid 80's. It featured a war between Earth and an alien race called the Zentradi. Some of the Alien technology was used by the people of Earth to create robotic Veritechs to battle the Zentradi.

Veritechs

The guardian is good in close quarters.

The Veritech can be transformed at will between three modes: Fighter (a plane), Guardian (a robot) and Battleoid (a cross between the two). There are three tutorial missions to get you used to the control system. Since the controls for each mode of the Veritech are different, it's worth completing these simple tutorials.

In these missions the first problems with the game become apparent. Although the missions take place on a small platform, only a small area is accessible. The rest is blocked with invisible walls. Since the level is very small it wouldn't have been difficult to open the rest of it up. This theme of invisible barriers closing off parts of the level to you is sadly not restricted to the tutorial missions.

Another Brick in the wall

Whilst there are many Zentradi ships most are cut outs on the background.

As you progress through the game the invisible walls become an increasing distraction. Since the Veritech is capable of fighting in space surely it should be able to fly over buildings and out of canyons. These invisible walls also restrict the scale of the battles. In one early mission, for example, you are in space fighting a supposedly huge fleet of Zentradi (although only two or three are actually part of the level with the rest as cardboard cut-outs on the horizon).

In this mission you are engaged in a huge dogfight with swarms of Zentradi fighters. Although the level appears huge the actual area available to you is quite small allowing only a small amount of deviation from the intended playing area.

Rose Coloured Glasses

It is possible to target multiple enemies with the missiles by holding the fire button.

There are two other main issues that I have with this game. These are the turning circle of the Veritech and the camera. Really these are a problem for the same reason. In levels which occur in a very confined space it can be very difficult to turn around with any speed whilst moving in any of the Veritech modes.

Whilst this isn't immediately a problem the camera seems to be equally slow in turning, pointing the direction that you are travelling as opposed to the direction you are facing. Since you can't target an enemy until you can see them this leaves you facing enemies that are shooting you without you being able to see them.

All systems go

The battleoid mode in one of the ruined cities.

The control systems for the different Veritech modes are well implemented for the most part. The left thumbstick controls motion, the left d-pad is used to change between Veritech modes; the left and right triggers strafe and the four buttons are used for shooting, special features and boost. Despite the problems with the turning circle in all Veritech modes, the player is left feeling in control of the action for most of the game.

My only real reservation with the controls is in the Battleoid mode. Here forward and back motion is controlled with the left d-pad. This moves your acceleration in stages. I found this very difficult to get to grips with. I found myself either wondering why I couldn't get out of the way of the Zentradi or flying past them uncontrollably. Whilst the boost button does alleviate this slightly I still found it to be an unwieldy control system.

Action Stations

The orders are updated from the base during missions

Despite the problems with the game it is mostly well implemented. The action is thick and fast for most levels. There are several types of mission but given that there are quite a lot of missions these start to become repetitive. These consist of search and rescue, escort, shoot outs and defence. The game eases you in slowly with sparse early missions stepping up the difficulty gradually so that by the final levels you face quite overwhelming odds.

These require a mastery of the unwieldy control system just to stand a chance. Whilst vibration functionality has been implemented for when you're shooting or firing your thrusters it doesn't vibrate when you're hit. This makes it quite difficult to tell, with rockets flying all around you, when you've been hit.

I hear voices

The missile trails are reminiscent of the cartoon.

The sound is very well implemented for the most part. The surround effects work well allowing you to locate enemies by where the sound is coming from. The sound effects are compelling with good quality explosions and laser effects. Many of these effects are lifted from the cartoon series. The voice acting is generally well done but there are a very limited number of phrases spoken by Jack during the game. These quickly become repetitive. The worst part of the sound, however, is that whenever a character speaks in game the sound effects and music are reduced in level ruining the experience created by the effects. Fortunately there isn't too much in game talking.

Not Polygons

Any Veritech mode can be used in any situation.

The graphics are probably the best thing about this game. The cel-shaded look is reminiscent of the cartoon and does the game justice. Despite the problems with the camera, the game is well animated and can draw many enemies on screen at once without any slow down. The animation on the rockets is excellent with long trails of smoke showing the path they take towards the enemy. This can help if you've targeted an enemy who is now off screen since you can see where they are. The other weapons are equally well realised with lasers flying past you and buildings exploding and being reduced to rubble.

This level of detail extends to the Veritechs with each mode very well animated. When you boost in the jet mode the wings go back and the afterburners kick in, when you boost in the guardian mode the Veritech leans forwards and the jet pack comes alive, whilst in the Battleoid mode the boost causes the feet to illuminate and kick the Mech into the air. The transformations are equally well handled with a smooth animation taking you between modes. The scenery is mostly well done. Some of the landscapes are a bit barren and some of the enemies are cut outs on the horizon, but for the most part they are well draw and animated where appropriate.

A great game spoiled

A night mission

I'm sure that this game will appease fans of the cartoon series but is unlikely to win any new fans. It's not a bad game particularly but it is spoiled by many minor problems that should have been dealt with. The control system and camera are particularly difficult to get to grips with but can be overcome with persistence. The worst problem really is with the restrictions imposed by the invisible walls. Whilst I don't mind being guided through a level, indeed in some of the last levels I found myself getting lost, but it would be better for the designers to have made it in your interest to stay to the intended path; possibly with an overwhelming number of enemies placed off the beaten track.

For fans of the series this is a well implemented game with problems that are forgivable. For everyone else this could be an excellent game which is hampered by some small flaws which should have been ironed out before the game was released.