P.N. 03

"Well done Capcom for releasing something new"

Announced as part of the Production Studio 4 line up. PN03 takes a different approach to Capcoms usual survival horror, Resident Evil style. This game is a 3D arcade action title, which delivers.

You play the game as bounty hunter Vanessa.Z.Schneider armed with your ultra destructive Aegis suit.Your mission this time is to eradicate ''CAMS'' (Computer Arms Management System) which has gone berserk on a colonial settlement. Vanessa's family had been killed by CAMS and therefore she is keen, lean and mean to kick some robot butt( if they have one) to avenge her families death.

Playing PN03 is a real blast, literally. Reminiscent of old school 2D shooters with a mix of 3D. The onus here is definitely Arcade. Your objectives lie in clearing numerous rooms of all enemies. Which come in various shapes and sizes, in the quickest time possible and by chaining attacks to gain combos. Each enemy has its own distinct patterns of attack and defense. Getting progressively more difficult to beat as you clear levels. Enemies will teleport, fire multiple rounds and dodge around making your job tough. However with the power of the Aegis suit, Vanessa is a tough cookie. There are 11 suits in the game to purchase or unlock. These suits vary not only in colour but also power and play style. Some suits having powerful shots but weak armour while others may have more special energy and weaker shots. Each suit has special moves which can cause major destruction to your foes. These are activated with a simple button combo on the D-pad, such as Left, Down then fire. Its with these moves that Vanessa strikes some poses. Looking similar to a ballerina.

Playing PN03 is very easy to get into. The controls are fluid and surprisingly easy to pull of those specials with the d-pad.The gameplay is simplistic but hard if you want to go for the high scores. Real individual style takes place here as one man may play it differently from another.
There are 11 main missions to play through which can be done in under 2 hours. 3 levels of difficulty also add to the replay here. Between each mission you have the option of playing a trial mission. This is basically a random room generator, whereby you play to build up points so you can upgrade your suits quicker.This part of the game is infinite and different every time you play.

PN03 is set in a very techno advanced world this is also reflected in the cool soundtrack which Vanessa nods her head to as if wearing headphones. Sadly this feature is not synched to the actual music. The overall look of the game is simplistic but perfect for the games style. Vanessa herself is also well animated especially when she wiggles her behind (so sexy)when firing automatics.

Overall this game wont appeal to everyone. I do suggest that you play it first before making your mind up.Its different (although it reminded me of a cross between PSO and Gun Valkrie).I also felt that Vanessa looked like Jill Valentine from RE.Remake.An alternative title for this game could be ''Valentines Day Off'' or ''Jill's Dream''. Either way I thoroughly enjoyed this game and will continue to do so. Well done CApcom.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/03/03, Updated 04/03/03