Chromehounds

"Unleash the HOUNDS of War!"

Chromehounds is, in my humble opinion, one of the best games for Xbox 360 right now. The amount of gameplay is almost unlimited, as are the ways you can play. Almost everything is excellent. Gameplay itself is slightly flawed, but still wonderful.

---Story---
8/10

The story is very compelling and has a good plot, though it isn't very deep or involving. Characters will tell you things because they can, not because they would have or should have. Be prepared for a long road, as there are 43 missions split into 6 mini-stories, plus a final mission.

---Gameplay: Single Player---
6/10

The single player game is, while ok, not great compared to the multiplayer. The amount of parts is limited, and you have to get top ranks on missions to get the best parts. You are offered a borrowed HOUND, so you don't need your own, but it isn't very exciting to use the premade ones. The single player is, overall, tedious, relatively boring, and doesn't have the best rewards.

---Gameplay: Multiplayer---
10/10

This is where Chromehounds really shines. In multiplayer, you join one of the three nations and fight the others for supremacy. There are a massive number of available parts, and therefore nearly infinite combinations. The massive amount of customization allowed (down to decals on your HOUND) allows you to make the hound YOU want to play.

Most of the gameplay is accessible only once you've joined a squad. Don't play online if you don't want to play with other people.

---Graphics & Sound---
9/10

The graphics are excellent, but not perfect. You get glitches sometimes, and there are games with better detail. However, if you're not nitpicky, you'll be fine. The sound is very, very nice, some of the best I've ever heard. It's sad, happy, and very "military" all at the same time. However, there isn't much variety. Also, I often have to turn the sound down so I can concentrate on what my squadmates are saying. Otherwise, excellent.

---Replayability---
8/10

Single Player has no real replayability except to get all top ranks. However, multiplayer could theoretically have an infinite amount of playtime. In the end it balances out.

--- Overall Recommendation---

Don't bother if you can't or won't get Xbox Live. Don't bother if you don't like quasi-realism. Don't bother if you don't want to spend time working on what you're doing. Do bother if you like mech games or have Xbox Live. This is a gem of multiplayer goodness, take advantage of it.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 08/29/06