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Platform: PS2,
Xbox, PSP
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Metal
Shell
When thinking of arcade-styled, tank-based console games, the first thing a lot of people think about is that there are entirely too many hyphens needed when describing the genre. The second thing they think about is the classic PSX game, Steel Reign, though shortly thereafter most people remember how slow, clunky, and generally awkward the game was. That’s not to say that a tank game can’t be fun, which certainly seems to be the sentiment over at Tantalus Interactive as they continue to plug away on Metal Shell for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox (and possibly PSP).
The problem a lot of games claiming to be arcade-styled and feature tanks have suffered from are that no matter how you look at them, the tanks are incredibly clunky. Sure, massive, armored vehicles, with a huge ordinances aren’t exactly the gazelles of the |
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battlefield,
but when people hear the word “arcade” being used to describe a
game, there is an expectation to be able to do things that aren’t all
that realistic. It would
appear that Tantalus understands this.
First and foremost, Metal Shell will emphasize fast, maneuverable tanks, all running at 60 frames per second. Players will have 20 tanks to choose from, and will be able to destroy and deform both the land and their own tanks as they deal and take damage. Adding some depth to the destructible environments is that it isn’t blowing stuff up for the sake of |
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blowing
stuff up. A lot of the
time, power-ups will be hidden beneath the ground, and the only way to
discover them will be to blast up the landscape.
There
just aren’t enough arcade-like tank games out there that actually feel
like they deserve to be described as such.
With Metal Shell’s emphasis on speed, and purportedly unique
physics and handling systems, hopefully this game will turn out to be
worthy of actually being called an arcade-styled, tank-based game when
it is completed.
Mr.
Nash (April 21, 2005)
Game
Features:
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Over 20 different tanks. -
60 frames per second graphics. -
Multiple environments, each with several unique arenas suited to
different game modes. -
Online multiplayer and split-screen multiplayer. -
Comprehensive terrain deformation system incorporating the effects of
everything from simple weapon explosions to divots created by falling
debris. A gameworld where everything makes sense. -
Unique, intuitive physics and handling system. -
Tank deformation and damage system. -
Vast range of weapons and pick-ups, often hidden underground. Blast
through the terrain to collect the spoils. -
Destructible objects. Unparalleled degree of interactivity between
player, opponents and terrain. -
Huge, varied selection of single and multiplayer game modes. - Comprehensive and flexible AI system. |
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