Frame Gride

"Emphisys on eye-candy; results are dissapointing"

My guess is that From Software probably wanted to slam the market with another fast-paced Mecca game including customized units and mulit-player thrills (simmilar to what they did with Armored Core-- Go try it, mecca fans) yet this time fill in the biggest gaps in their previous robo-titles... the graphics and 3d-environment rendering. Well, they may have accomplished their main objective... but let some other (i feel more important) attributes slide. Perhaps it was a rushed title? Here's my two bits...

Gameplay:
The game plays O.K.-- I have to be honest when i say there were about a total of 6 hours for which the game was truly engaging and fun (sadly, i'm the type of gamer that will pack that 6 hours in to a 1.5 day stint). There was only one point in the game that truly made my blood boil in disgust (the stage and attack pattern of the 'boss' of the game is grossly disorienting) and a couple of aspects that made me appreciate the game design (mostly just the graphic environments).

Lentgh:
This game was way too short. From Software went nuts and must have decided that mecca-game lovers were only interested in the multi-player aspect. I beat the game playing only liberal amounts scattered about a singular weekend.

Story:
Chivallry still exists and technology and mystisism have turned knights in to the jockeys of large robots. The country (a small island?) is split apart by many knights seeking their own peice o' fame. Many elders of certain aspects have decided that you are to be 'the one' who will guide things to harmony... so, off you go to smack some heads around. .... It looks like the story was just added to give the game SOME concept. It has little to no bearing on the gameplay.

Concept:
The robots' weapons are powered off magicly-envested stones, and the customization usualy comes down to what kind of element you want your robot to use (fire, water, wind, earth... thus deciding what 'type' of projectiles your robot shoots). All guns have slightly different projectile styles with the different element stones (this is less interesting than it sounds.. only 10 guns or so), one of 8 swords determines what kind of combo melee attack your robot does. 3 weight bodies-- Heavy, medium, light. No interchangeable parts (boo!). The story adds nothing to the robot you choose. Pretty much just a 'Mecca Game In Can- Just Add Water' kind of concept. Nothing to scream about.

Audio:
Crisp sound effects, decent music.. no complaints. Average to Good audio.

Video:
This was obdiously the focus of From Software's efforts. The 3d environments are stunning-- spacial depth and camera drifts are pulled off efortlessly with NO loss of speed or polygonal error thanks to the Dreamcast's 3d hardware. Sprites for the projectiles have multiple fileds (are 3d-looking) and are animated for amazing shooty-effects (sorry kids, no missiles). Menu displays and custimization interfaces are attractive and sharp.. but not inventive. Resolution of the robots themselves during battle is beautiful... top that all off with a nice video intro.. you've got a nice *looking* game.

Control:
This one really hurts. With the loopy setup of the DreamCast controler and the excessive amount of attack procedures they attempted to cram in to the control system... you end up with a lousy, hard to learn, clunky, and frustrating set of controls. Sorry kids, but with control this bad, it's not suprising that the action in this game suffers....

Replayability:
Okay, the replayability of the one-player set up just sucks. I doubt i will ever have any interest in beating that game again. Instead, the focus is on multiplayer...

Mulitplayer:
Yes! Split screen OR modem supported!! That's right.. link up to a huge list of standings and fight for superiority in rank! Challenges are issued in ranks close to your own, battle ensues. 'materials' are still won during multiplayer events, so further expansion of your mecca is possible from multiplayer alone. Don't let this multiplayer element suck you in to deciding this one is worth the funds-- the action is to lame to enjoy it properly!

Okay, in my final statement i just want to put emphisys on the fact that the aspect i overall was MOST dissapointed with in Frame Gride has to be the Action. I loved Armored Core and Virtual On (not From Software) almost exclusivly for the exicting fast-paced action featured there-in. When Armored Core added multiplayer and custimization.. i was in heaven. Some things should just be attempted again....

Even if you are a serious mecca fan-- Rent it (American release providing). You should be able to get your fun out of that game in your 3 days. I took my copy to an import store and sold it off... and have felt no pings of regret sence.

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 11/01/99