Robot Alchemic Drive (RAD) – PS2 – Review

Since man landed on the moon in 1969, they have
always tried to find new and better ways to explore space, but any future trips
resulted in the entire crew being killed. In 1975 the first space station is
built, but the following year everyone mysteriously died. In 1980, scientists
discovered the source behind all of these deaths, it is a substance called
Nectar Radiance that covers the entire solar system. Scientists find that it is
lethal to any organic being and nothing can provide protection from it. As a
result any future space exploration plans were canceled. Now humans take comfort
in the fact that nothing can escape or enter the Earth without being killed, so
they dub this substance the Nectar Barrier.

Once players load the game and go into story mode they are to choose one of the
three available characters, who happen to be the heirs of the bankrupt Tsukioa
Industries. After choosing a character the player must then pick a Meganite (a
giant robot), after these choices are made, players are thrust in the game. It
is a quiet day, when out of nowhere, an enemy pierces the Nectar Barrier, and
begins to attack and destroy any city that it comes upon. These mechs are called
the Volgara who are mechanical beasts, which are composed of Repton carbonite
alloy. They are relentless, containing unimaginable power, and possess a
powerful defensive system known as the phantom system. This allows the mech to
transport anywhere when it is about to be fired upon by an energy weapon. The
Japanese military put up a fight, but are soon massacred. All hope seems to be
lost until the Trillennium Committee contacts the players.

The Tsukioa Industries funded the Trillennium committee, and their purpose is to
study any interplanetary resource extraction. Once players go to the designated
rendezvous point, they show you the fruits of their labor, the Meganite. These
weapons have the power to battle the invading Volgaras and defeat them, and it
is up to the players to do this.

The story for this game is spread over numerous missions. During this time, any
interaction players have with the NPCs (no playable characters) is recorded, and
if they are not careful, players might face a backlash from it. For example if
you accidentally destroy a building, a partner that is funding you might begin
to lose their money, and then you will be in serious trouble because if they
have no money to give you, then you can kiss those nice upgrades goodbye. Also
the cast interaction is very important, certain events will only happen if
players accomplish them. If you save a character early on, they will be nicer to
you; otherwise they will be very hostile the entire game. Everything players do
will have a cause and effect, which gives the game an astounding replay value,
as each time they play through they might see something new.

The way players upgrade their mechs is very interesting. During the course of
the game, players will get funding from the government and various other
sponsors, depending how you do each mission. In the hanger, Meganites can
acquire more armor; carry more ammunition; and new weapons. The heroes of the
game can also get upgraded in the laboratory; they can get a personal shield,
get faster foot speed, and even get the ability to carry hand grenades. This is
a new twist to the game, since players will want to fight their best so they can
get more upgrades for their next mission.

Robot Alchemic Drive has an interesting battle system. The d-pad will make the
hero/mech walk, while the analog stick controls the corresponding arms (the left
stick controls the left arm while the right controls the right arm). Pressing
the Triangle button will fire a beam, and the circle fires another weapon. The
square button is used from transforming into the mechs alternate mode. Pressing
the L3 or R3 buttons will deploy the arm weapons, for example one of the weapons
on a mech is a drill. L2 or R2 will make the mech crouch, and R1 or L1 will do a
Grand charge. The start button will bring up the map of the city. Finally the
select button will switch control form the hero and the Meganite.

Robot Alchemic Drive (RAD) is rated T for Teen for blood and violence. It will
take up to 80kb on your memory card.

Gameplay: 8.2
The game controls can be a little weird at first, and can be difficult
getting used to. Players will have to constantly remember that they are in
control of two things: the hero and the Meganite, and the robot cannot function
if the human is killed. Controlling the characters feels a bit clunky, meaning
that the movement is controlled by the d-pad, and it is not as smooth as the
analog sticks. At times when players are in the midst of battle, it will take
time to turn the Meganite around to face its opponent, they are taking heavy
damage. Once players master the controls it will be easier to do, but it will
always feel somewhat stiff.

One of my biggest gripes about the game is that at times, it will be impossible
to find a good viewpoint of the battle. So at times players will be in the midst
of battle and they cannot see what is going on and are getting killed by the
enemy. So they need to switch to the hero mode and find another place to observe
the battle. Even though this is the key point of the game, there has to be a
good viewpoint in each level, and some just don’t offer it. This is why the game
is so unique because players will have to formulate a strategy to find the best
place for the hero to control the mech, without taking any damage.

Graphics: 7.9
Enix has developed the game to have the presentation be like an anime
cartoon. Everything from the buildings to the mech themselves looks like
something players would see on Gundam or something similar to it. All of Robot
Alchemic Drive’s visual flare is in the Magnites and the hero of the game, and
everything else looks drab. The buildings sport little or no detail whatsoever,
and the explosions are sub par at best. RAD has a lot of real time damage, and
it is handled well enough, with the lumps of debris everywhere.

Sound: 7.3
I cannot stand poorly done voiceovers in games, and unfortunately some of
these characters suffer this flaw. Every time the news reporters come on, I
rolled my eyes, since they say their lines like a robot would. If a city were
under attack by a huge robot, people would not be talking in a monotone voice.
Their voice would covey a sense of emergency and fear of the impeding danger!
The music and sound effects on the other hand, bring the score up as they are
done with a little more class and help the gamers perceive that they are in an
anime show.

Difficulty: Medium
Controlling the mech will take lots of patience as it will be one of the
largest trials players will have to deal with. It will take about three missions
before players will understand the mechanics of balancing where to put the hero
and how to use the robot. After that players have to deal with the incoming evil
that is plaguing mankind. The mission structure is weak, and could use some
tightening up, but it gets better as players progress though out the game.

Concept: 9.7
You might be thinking, am I insane for giving this game such a high rating
on the concept!!  I thought that this is one of the best ideas I have seen
in a long time for this genre. In the past year I have played Z.O.E.,
MechAssault, and a few other mech type games, and they always offer either a
first or third person perspective.. I think that Enix has developed a game that
is truly unique, by giving players the chance to pilot the mech from a remote
control, and not in a cockpit. This was a truly unique concept and I am glad
that some developers still have the guts to make a game that breaks away from
the standard formula. While other parts of the game could have used some
tightening this has been a unique game from loading it, to finishing it!

Multiplayer: 8.3
Having the option to duke it out with a
friend that has to go though the same stuff that you do is fun. They cannot just
run in and attack you, but they to have to go find a safe spot and a good
viewpoint before they can begin the battle.

Overall: 8.5
Even though the Robot Alchemic Drive has a few quirks, it is still a blast
to play. Players will find enjoyment of the strategy they have to use when in
the midst of a battle. Like I said earlier, it is refreshing to see a developer
try new ideas out, and hopefully other developers will follow their lead, so we
do not get the same games with minor differences each year. If you are into mech
type games, anime, or games that stray away from the norm, please try this game
out, as you might be pleasantly surprised!