Steel Battalion (Xbox, 2002)

While it may be an older game, (2002), Steel Battalion is still the ultimate in Mech genre of games. If you are the type of gamer who thrives on highly complex, technical, and realistic(as realistic as running around in a 60' tall robot goes) this simulator is for you. I know that it may seem somewhat insane to create a huge 40 button, 2 joystick , 3 foot pedal controller for a single game, but, after having owned mine for the last 4 months I found that it hasn't lost it's magic ! The graphics are top notch, the play value is excellent, and if you are the type that loves the complex type of simulator ( falcon 4.0) you will enjoy it as much as I have . If you decide you need to own Steel Battalion , be warned , there are TWO variants out there. The North American version , will have artwork depicting a VT ( Vertical Tank )on the cover of the disc case. The Japanese version has a Ideogram on a red background on it's disc cover. The basic premise of this game is this. You are a rookie pilot attached to the 7th Special Panzer Division , 34th Battalion, 6th panzer troop. (see what I mean about detail) You are thrust into a military campaign, in the Hai Shi Dao region and embark upon a 10 mission campaign to quell the stem of rebellion. Throughout the campaign , you amass both combat points which allow for your promotions ( some of the more advanced vt's require you to be a certain rank) and supply points, which allows you to replace destroyed vt's, and request resupply helos in the field during the course of a mission. If you think that after 10 missions that the game is over, WRONG!!. completing the first campaign opens up the next one, with another 10 missions as well as 2 seperate paths! As stated before, the replay value of this game is great! Not only do you have multiple campaigns, you can continue playing to amass combat points , to be able to pilot ALL VT's . As well , Capcom decided to add a touch of realism to this simulator. You will notice that the controller has an eject button. Guess What? you will be using it a lot if you do not use you head in this game. If you do not punch out of your soon to detonate mech during the mission, You wind up having your character profile completely erased! and will have to start again at the first mission with a new profile( ain't no comin' back from dead in this game).One other note about Steel Battalion. When originally shipped the game came with what amounts to a VT' operators manualwhich is separate from the booklet found on the inside cover of the disc box. It is ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE that this manual is included with the game as it contains ALL the information you need to be able to decipher all the minute workings of the VT. If you are able to find one , Brady Games came out with a strategy guide as well. I have a copy, and have found it's technical data to be of great help in enjoying this simulator. If this is the type of game for you , I cannot recommend it enough