Gaming Target - Xbox: Phantom Crash

Written by Leigh Culpin on May 15, 2002

First Impressions: Who said I like big robots?

Well, here I am with yet another big robot game preview. I wasn't going do one. Honest. But then I saw this, and I figured I might as well preview all the upcoming big robot games and see if I can do the work for you in figuring out which one you'll want to be getting (if not all of them.) Thus, I am continuing on this week with Phantom Crash, a Japanese-developed game that also throws you in the seat of a giant mech.

Phantom Crash differs from both Gunmetal and Robotech: Battlecry (yhe other two games I previewed that feature transforming mechs) in many ways, but primarily in that your not going all out against some alien enemy force; in fact, your not even going on missions like in MechAssualt. No, you'll simply be entering the arena Ц what's left of Tokyo Ц and killing everything that moves. That's right, its somewhat like an uber-sweet version of TV's BattleBots Ц you customize (heavily, as in choose what type of legs, weaponry, etcЕ you want) your preferred mode of transportation, enter the arena, and shoot and blow stuff up. A lot.

The somewhat simplistic gameplay is nicely balanced with some tactics Ц your УScoobeeФ (don't ask) happens to have a nifty little cloaking device which can be used in moderation to turn you into nothing more than a predator-like glint (it is called Phantom Crash after all). Oh, and did I mention that the graphics are just plain sexy? The game looks absolutely incredible Ц it sure isn't something you'll find on PS2 or GameCube anytime soon (at least not looking this good). Sure, there actually is no story except something to put on the front page of the manual, but who cares? This goes beyond arcade-style gameplay Ц this enters into the best of fighters, mech games and shooters all at once. In fact, this is one of the stronger mech titles that is going to be released in the foreseeable future.