Phantom Crash

"If ya like mechs then you should give this a try"

Phantom Crash is one of the first mech games to be released for the Xbox,it is also one of the best. This game is also very different then a lot of other mech games you may have played.Wanna know why?Then read on...

Gameplay-9/10
Well you start pretty much with nothing except some cash which you will need to assemble your mech in the very beginning.The mechs run on these intelligence chips that help give you better range and such and look like animals.The game uses a type of day-by-day type system,which in other words it's kinda like a calander.An each day has a different schedule like Wednesday might be a free day when Thursday will be a rank D day.Ranks are kinda like the difficulty of that arena, plus it also costs money to enter some arenas.But one thing they should have done is add more then just three arenas.That's the only reason I gave it a 9/10.

Story-9/10
The story in this game is about a new Wirehead that just came to battle.Wireheads are just the names given to people who Rumble.And Rumbling is pretty much just battling with mechs in the ruins of Tokyo in the year 2031.But one problem I have with the story is that there is way too much dialogue.There is like 40+ pages once people start to talk to you.

Control-8/10
You just basically use the analog sticks to maneuver and aim.X and Y are for your shoulder weapons and the L and R trigger are the hand weapons.And the A button jumps.At times I found it hard to escape from enemies when completely surrounded.

Sound-9/10
Phantom Crash has a multitude of different Japenese tunes.They also give you the ability to buy new music and rearrange your current music.A lot of characters in this game refer to a pop star known as Mona Lisa for being their favorite.I just wish they would have added the ability for custom sound tracks.

Graphics-10/10
Graphics in this game are very well done.The mechs look great and the menus look pretty.The developers also put a lot of detail into just into the stages.But the camera in this game isn't all that great and frame rate tends to drop when a lot of mechs are on screen.

Overall-9/10
This game would have been perfect if it weren't for the not so great controls, the long dialogue, and more then just three arenas.I would recommend that anyone with an interest in mechs buy this, besides it shouldn't cost a whole lot anyway.But with all of that said I give Phantom Crash a 9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 07/17/03, Updated 07/17/03