Metal Arms: Glitch in the System

"Amazing in every way."

Anticipation: Seeing it as a game with amazing graphics, cool looking guns and a great multiplayer. I had to buy it.

Graphics: Simply stunning, detail in every room, everything is textured perfectly. The landscapes in this game are amazing, hilltops covered with grime, dirt, small metal chunks and small buildings with ammo. The developers put tons of detail into the models of enemies and allies. They are fully detailed and feature body parts showered down in detail. Even when you shoot enemies in, let's say the arm, their arm falls over and dangles in its socket, shoot his arm again and it will go flying off. Sparks flying everywhere, nice smoke effects on the rocket launchers. The environments change often but not that often but just enough to keep you compelled. The car driving levels also sport incredible graphics where you fly by random shards of metal sticking out of the ground, just missing that gap as you go flying off a ramp looking at your fully detailed surroundings. I must say this is one of the prettier games on the Gamecube.

Graphics: 9/10 Not every inch is detailed but its just right.

Gameplay: Wow where should I start, Guns, Enemies then powerups. On the first level you start off with some cheap mining lasers but later through the game you encounter Different types of guns that all fit on your right hand. Then you start getting all types of grenades that fit on your left hand. The layout works seamlessly. Hold X, the game will pause on the right hand menu, as you scroll through the guns menu using L and R select your gun; get back to playing. Now hold B this will bring up the left hand menu, again, use L and R to scroll through and find the right grenade to use. The choice of weapons is pretty good. You have the standard mining laser, SPEW Machine Gun, Rocket Launcher, A shotgun type weapon, a modernized bow and arrow and much much more. Grenades range from, standard to homing grenades to EMP grenades. The R button activates the weapon on your right; the L button activates the weapon on your left hand. The Z button just makes glitch whack an enemy with his right arm. The whole thing is put together nicely and you will start playing without many problems. Some left and right hand weapons work in conjunction with each other. Use slingshot on your right hand then choose grenade on your left hand to release a powerful grenade attack. Yes, there is a scope that works with certain weapons, for all you sniper fans.

There are only 2 vehicles the grabber, which enables you to pick up your enemy or just shoot him with a powerful machine gun. Then, there is a tank, which is self explanatory (machine gun and huge rocket launcher). A newer aspect gives you the ability to "take control" of most enemies. Using the Control Tether (which you get later in the game) enables you to take control of enemies and use them until they get killed. You mainly have to sneak up on the enemy to actually use the tether. Overall, I like the idea it adds an entirely new depth to the game play. It also enables the developers to put in some light tricky puzzles.

The enemies are smart. They take cover at the perfect time enabling for some very tricky combat. You can shoot regular enemies in specific spots and that particular spot will be damaged. Shoot an enemy in the arm, his arm will dangle in its socket, shoot it again and his arm will fall off. This is a creative idea; it adds a level of strategy and a degree of difficulty. But most of the time you don't care and you just blast the guy. Sparks flying everywhere as they explode and their pieces are littered all over the ground. It gives you a depth of satisfaction after you blast the enemies face off. This game is also very funny. The enemies will let out screams, knowing that their fate is drawing near. The really annoying part of the average enemy is that...they fart this really bothered me and just grossed me out I didn't know why they put that in there. The game was funny enough without it. Although a lot of the enemies looked the same, I still had lots of fun blasting them time and time again. The end of the level boss battles are very challenging, which is good. I mean who would want an easy boss? The NPC placement is spectacular as the enemies jump out of doors or pop out of corners to shoot you. Some stealth levels where frustrating and partly ruined by these petite robots that raised an alarm when they see you. Oh well you'll get through that stage after the 30 times you died. Some enemies are impossible and seem like they have infinite health, especially the big hulk-like guys who have double machine guns and rocket launchers. Here's where the strategy comes in, blast his rocket launcher off then the machine guns, now he is unarmed.

Did I ever mention that this game is hard? It has a high degree of difficulty even on easy mode. This is good for me because it will last me awhile and it was well worth the money. The difficulty makes it hard for some of you younger gamers out there. There are enough weapons to keep you involved and make it fun. As you progress through a stage you can buy weapon upgrades, more grenades and health from two crude business bots. Did I also mention that on some levels you have other robot friends on your team; they are very smart and very helpful when you have low health. You also get some help from Mozer, the big brute with a stick and Krunk, the army veteran who cusses all the time. Stick with this game, it may get hard but it proves how good a gamer you really are.

Gameplay: 9/10 Awesome guns, grenades, enemies, environments and great controls.

Story: You play as Glitch a member of the good guys, out to get you guessed it! That bad guys, but the bad guys are heavily armed and outnumbering you 30 to 1 so what's a little droid to do? Blast their heads off of course. You do actually care about the characters in this game, you feel bad for that little droid who gets his head blasted off while screaming for help.

Story: 7/10 You get a feeling for what this small army is going through.

Replayability: A total of 42 stages 4 types of difficulty levels. There are over 100 chips spread through the game, finding these impossible-to-find chips unlocks multiplayer levels. Beating the levels under an allotted time also unlocks speed chips, which have the same value as the regular hidden chips. Multiplayer is spectacular, very fun frantic action. You can use the control tether in multiplayer and take over powered-down enemies littered across the map. It will take you a month or so to complete regular story mode. It will last you for a long time.

Replayability: 9/10 Tons of chips to collect and awesome multiplayer.

Sound: Awesome. The songs have this hardcore "rocking" theme it really gets you in the kick-butt mood. Also there are some very funny lines. Beware there are naughty words littered throughout the game. Krunk one of glitches friends curses constantly, he makes you laugh almost every time he talks. The SFX blew me away, the sound of metal shards falling to the ground after you obliterate an opponent. You hear your gun shots punching through enemies bodies. Although it isn't spectacular, it's just short of amazing.

Sound: 8/10 All the sounds mixed with the gameplay add a satisfying experience.

Overall: It was all I expected and more, an amazing game with lots of replay value. The button layout is near perfect. Multiplayer is fast, frantic and fun.

9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/19/04