bit-tech Shopping: Capcom Steel Battalion /w Custom Controller (Xbox)

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2

Strengths: Immersive controls, exellent graphics.

Weaknesses: Short, and no on-line play

Summary: This game probably has the most complex controller ever made for a game, but it is fairly easy to use and make playing the game very immersive. The biggest disappointment and drawback is there is no multiplayer and and often the AI it the game is very slow. The controls combined with the sound really make this a must have game for any mech game fan.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3 Years

Strengths: Custom controller just what you need to control a bipedal robot.Graphic style was a good choice

Weaknesses: Unforgiving game save system, eject before you get hosed!

Summary: Yes, I bought this when it first came out. In fact I pre-orderded one on the same day that I bought an XBOX. I saw this in game informer and had to have it. To this day I don't regret the 200 clams I spent. That said, I haven't played the game a whole lot. I got stuck a few levels in, and gave up. I looked at an walkthrough, which revealed that you don't have to kill every enemy mech on that level. I just haven't played since then though. When you get in your Vertical Tank (VT), you have to run through a boot up sequence. Flip some switches, push buttons, etc. It is pretty cool, though it gets a little old after awhile. It's a neat role-playing element though. One thing I don't like about the game is the spartan game save system. If you don't eject in time, you die, and have to start the game over again. While this is realistic, I don't think anybody wants to play the entire game again, if they should die on the last mission. I like the gritty/grainy look of the graphics. You see the world through your VT's video cameras, so it makes sense and adds to realism. The CG from Firefly(the TV series) actually reminds me of the look in Steel Battalion. There are a couple Windows drivers that are coming along for this, can't wait till I can use this for some PC gaming(x-wing alliance probably).

Rating: 4

Time with product: 4 Days

Strengths: Great control with the controller, decent graphics, great ambiance.

Weaknesses: File deletion for a death, hard, sometimes overwhelming.

Summary: This game explains itself. With the help of a 40 button controller, this game becomes like a real futuristic battlefield. In the end however, it isn't fun and is just frustrating. You should really try this game if you like simulation games. But if you do not want to fork over the 150+ dollars, stick to Microsoft Flight Simulator or Mechassault 1.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1 Years

Strengths: Entirely immersive experience, huge 40-button controller, gritty and realistic graphics

Weaknesses: No training mode or freeplay, no multiplayer

Summary: Steel Battalion is without a doubt a mech lover's dream. This is the ultimate mech simulator with a 40-button control panel and pedals. When you first fire up your mech you can feel the giddy anticipation as the engine fires and the lights flash on the controller. It truly is an amazing experience. The graphics in the game are very nice and give the whole game a gritty realism that perfectly fits a world where giant vertical tanks do battle. Be warned though, this game has an extremely high learning curve. It takes quite a while to get used to using the huge controller and every time you die in the game you have to start over from the very beginning. I really wish this game would have had a training level or a level with no enemies where you could just run around in your mech without having to worry about getting blown up. I think this would have shortened the learning curve quite a bit and made the game more enjoyable. As it is, though, this is still an excellent game for anyone who enjoys mech combat.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1 Year

Strengths: Huge controller, unique mech game, graphics, sound, and a nice start for the series.

Weaknesses: No online play, expensive, and no system link play.

Summary: Steel Battalion with Custom Controller is a first person mech simulation shooter for XBOX. The game comes with a huge controller with foot pedals. The game plays like a first person shooter but with a lot of controls. Its a very slow game at the start, but when you get the hang of it you will think that you could pilot a real VT if they were real. This is the ultimate mech simulator ever made. No online or system link mode takes a star away from the score. Its also a bit pricey for one game and its online counterpart. Give the game 4 stars for being a true mech simulator and 3 stars if your pockets are as deep as the few that got the game.