Popular mech-battler marks the 360 debut for the franchise in a Kinect title that puts players directly in the heat of battle. Billy Langsworthy finds out more
[INFO]
Released: June 22nd
Formats: 360, PS3, PC
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: From Software
Distributor: Centresoft
Contact: 0121 625 3388
IT’S BEEN eight years since the Steel Battalionseries last sent players to war inside a Vertical Tank and now, with Heavy Armor, gamers can look forward to more explosive mech mayhem. The first Steel Battalion title arrived in 2003 and was optimised for a special, expensive controller (see ‘Press My Buttons’) – a device that looked like it could do just about everything besides make dinner. Steel Battalion: Heavy Armorfits in at the opposite end of the spectrum, offering an engaging control system without the need for an accessory the size of a small organ, thanks to the Xbox 360’s Kinect motion controller. Set in the wastelands of 2082, where superpowers struggle for dominance in battles fought with basic weaponry, players will have the power to change the course of the war by taking control of one of Steel Battalion’s iconic Vertical Tanks.
TANKS FOR THE MEMORIES When fighting across North America, players will have to master a combination of crucial actions
Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor offers an engaging control system without the need for an accessory the size of a small organ.
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including moving, lining up targets and firing at enemies – all activated by making the right gestures to the Kinect camera.
Other movements include starting the engine, operating the periscope, stepping behind the lethal turret mounted machine gun and initiating a closer view of the battlefield simply by lifting up a pair of imaginary binoculars.
The idea is to immerse players in every action their character does, making them feel like they’re really controlling the tank.
The Kinect capabilities will also have a noticeable impact on how a player communicates and controls their in-tank crew. Whilst a swipe of the hand will shift perspective, enabling constant checks on teammates, gamers will also have to pull cowardly crewmembers back into the tank if they try to escape. They’ll even have the option beat some sense back into them. With Kinect, Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor will bring a new range of fans to the intense, action-packed franchise. And if things do get too much, there’s always that trusty self-destruct button.
VEHICLE HISTORY Since its European arrival in 2003, the Steel Battalionseries has garnered a dedicated fan base addicted to its metal crunching warfare. Critics have warmly received the series too, with the first game achieving a Metacritic score of 83.
PRESS MY BUTTONS Here it is – the original Steel Battalion controller. It has two joysticks, buttons, a throttle lever, a tuner dial, three pedals and more than 40 buttons and switches. And all of this has been replaced by the motion- sensing capabilities of Kinect.