Take out your industrialized aggression on poor, defenseless mechanized behemoths of destruction. by Colin Thames

July 14, 2006 - I'm glad that a new Armored Core game made the scene on the PS2 last month as I was beginning to go into giant mech withdrawl. Where the heck are all the mechs? Fortunately Chromehounds for the Xbox 360 has arrived to satiate my appetite for metallic destruction on a grande scale. Chromehounds has many facets but speed is not one of them. If you're looking for fast, agile mechs that can hightail it in and out of danger then you might want to reconsider purchasing this. Chromehounds creates its own world, with its own rules. It's a vision of the future that may be closer to reality than we realize.

Chromehounds, or hounds, are giant mechs that are basically vertical tanks. They are used by the superpowers for military purposes, both for peacekeeping and for aggression. After the last great war, the human population of Earth has dwindled. Hounds must be employed to conquer new territory and to protect other countries from invading. Set in the future, the single-player storyline involves two major superpowers engaged in a struggle for supremacy. These fictitious countries basically represent the U.S and Russia as the cold war begins to boil over.

There are two distinct modes, the single-player and the multi-player online mode. There are tons of other modes including Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Survivor and variations of these such as Break All and Unlimited. There is a huge difference between the single and multi-player modes which makes this feel like it's two different games. The single-player mode focuses on your solo performance while the multi-player mode stresses teamwork. The Chromehounds come in six different classes and all of them must be used in order to be successful in a full-scale war. The single-player mode will give you lots of training in all of the different classes. You'll learn how the hounds operate, what their individual strengths and weaknesses are you'll also be able to customize your own hounds with parts salvaged, awarded or purchased. Once you are familiar with all of the different classes and you're confident in your abilities, it's time to go online and take part in the ultimate war with up to 19 other players on your team.

Operating the hounds is a breeze. They are even easier to operate than the mechs in Mech Assault, although they don't move as quick. Speed is sacrificed for ease of control. But while the controls are arcade-easy, the gameplay is challenging and requires plenty of skill and strategy, in both the single and multi-player modes. Regardless of what mode you're playing the computer will back you up with AI. In the single-player mode the AI will help keep you cover up but they won't be as integral to your success as they will be in the multi-player mode where you can assign them commands such as attack, defend and capture as well as set waypoints on the map for them to follow. You can also play against an entire team of AI bots online if you can't find any other humans online in the wee hours.

Hounds are classified in six distinct role types. The Defender is used for escort missions. The Heavy Gunner is loaded with huge weapons such as cannons and is used for ranged warfare such as taking out the enemy's headquarters. The Scout is the fastest of all the role types and is used for recon missions where getting in and out of enemy territory quickly is paramount. The Sniper is outfitted with a scope and is deadly accurate when it comes to shooting. The Soldier is best for melee combat and the Tactics Commander is the leader of the pack. Using recon information, stats and maps, the Tactics Commander issues orders verbally when online or via the D-pad when working with the AI.

Online you will choose to represent one of three warring countries. Each country will attempt to acquire as much territory as possible while capturing enemy COMBAS points. The first team to eliminate the other two teams is the winner - or the team with the most COMBAS points at the end of a three-month period will be declared the winner. Whichever comes first.

The online mode is persistent which means that the war can last a long time. After the winner has been declared the server is reset to begin anew. Depending on your interest in fighting mechs, you may already have established a relationship with other interested parties that would be willing to join your team. Playing with other online is where you can expect to find most of the fun, but don't rush into things. Take the time to fully explore the single-player mode and learn all that you can about these mechs and attempt to acquire as many customized versions as possible. The more you know, the more valuable you'll be to your team. Online you will be able to trade parts, weapons and money with other members of your team. Keep in mind that there is only one leader for each team and that it's very important that you take any role seriously as teamwork is the key to victory. There are no small roles, only small players.

Money is crucial to your success. You will earn money by winning battles as well as from capturing new territory. Not only can the money be used to upgrade your hound with new parts but there are some micromanagement expenses such as maintenance, fuel and ammo that you will have to incur. There are a limited amount of upgrades available for each class of hound so that no matter how much money you acquire you can't just go ahead and buy yourself a super, indestructible bot. All upgrades must conform to the hounds' specific class. You can't attach a cannon to a Sniper, and regardless of what kind of legs you give the Heavy Gunner, it won't move like the Scout. You will however be able to upgrade the Sniper's scope and range, or add a satellite transmitter to the Scout so that it can beam back recon info instantly to the Tactics Commander. How you upgrade your bot and how it's used in a group situation is all part of the strategy process. It's best if you can have a variety of customized hounds available so that you'll be prepared for all kinds of scenarios.

Chromehounds is a great looking game. The hounds are very well detailed and display flawless animation. The environments are sparse and represent a burned-out wasteland scarred from years of heavy conflict. The openness of the areas gives you a larger battlefield without the claustrophobic sensation of urban combat when surrounded by various structures. The explosions and other weapon sound effects are loud and proud but the sounds of the hounds are less than convincing. They tend to purr instead of grind. I feel like I'm driving a Cadillac rather than a huge, deadly war machine.

Chromehounds is like two games in one. You can use the single-player as a training mission for the online mode, and enjoy the storyline while you're learning. Online you can have a blast with old or new friends as you take part in the war to end all wars. The other mode variations will keep you busy for a long, long time.

Features:

• Choose your allegiance: start in one of three nations, each with its own unique technology and look.
  
• Dig deep into the online campaign, or pick-up-and-play.
  
• Both first and third person perspectives.
  
• Incredibly realistic next-gen effects.
  
• Hundreds of items to earn.

By Colin Thames
CCC Freelance Writer

Rating out of 5 Chromehounds (X360) 4.2 Graphics Excellent looking graphics. The mechs are richly detailed and very realistic looking. Impressive, even for the Xbox 360 where such quality is expected. 4.4 Control There is a surprising amount of depth to the gameplay despite the pick-up-and-play controls. A very novice-friendly game. 3.4 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting The music can be ethereal but I expect more heavy metal utterances from the mechs themselves. 4.5 Play Value With tons of modes and the online, persistent multi-player, you probably won't need to buy another game until Christmas. 4.2 Overall Rating - Great Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

If anyone can get you into another fine mech (oh how I've waited to use that pun again!) it's the talented developers at From Software. Fresh off their incredible Otogi run, From Software is returning to a genre they practically invented with their extremely popular Armored Core series (PSone, PS2).

The Japanese have always had a thing for large mechanized robots primed for war and it appears that Chromehounds will continue that kick ass tradition. At first I thought Chromehounds was a robot puppy simulator along the lines of Nintendogs, but after a quick reality check and an assurance from everyone here at CCC that I was in fact, the dumb ass of the day for thinking that, I came to realize exactly what Chromehounds was all about...or as we say in Canada "aboot".

We know that thanks to the next gen hardware, From Software will be cranking out photorealistic visuals, although we're wondering if all of the caucasians in Chromehounds will still have those huge eyes anime artists are known for. I don't have eyes that take up half my face. What the hell is that about? That's freakin' racist! Anime addicted kids aren't even aware that they're being made fun of.

Be that as it may, Chromehounds will support co-op play and 12 player competitive online modes, a squad based tactical commander mode, and literally thousands of upgrade options that will enhance the look and performance of their individual mechs. If you have been a fan of From Software and their Armored Core series in the past, the future is so bright, you're gonna have to wear shades. Shades big enough to fit on your 200 foot tall mech, that is.