Chromehounds (Xbox 360)

...prominent feature of sci-fi culture. Chromehounds for xbox 360 is everyone's dream.

**GAMEPLAY**

Chromehounds is comprised of distinct single player and multiplayer arenas, but both sides share the hulking Hounds and role types (RT's) that make this title so darned addictive.

For the single player adventure, the talented writers of Sega decided to concentrate on the deep despair that comes many years ...
...getting into too many spoilers, Chromehounds will trace the rise and fall of a new land known as Neroimus, following key regions Tarakia, Morskoj, and Sal Kar along the way.

There's a struggle for power that mirrors the same issues happening in the world today, but the way in which these struggles are resolved are very different to the future as told in Chromehounds's Story Mode. The major difference, and the gist of the entire game, ... more

Chromhounds is the new mechanical-based action game from Sega is set in the future, but just how far are we off from this kind of technology? The answer is close... Here's my review and i hope it helps you decide wether to get this game or not (GET THE GAME)

The notion of hulking vertical fighting tanks fighting the bad isn't as far fetched as it may seem. We've all witnessed how well Honda's ASIMO robot gets around in the vertical stance; add a few weapons to this fun-filled robot, and you have one mean killing machine.

Regardless of if vertical tank structures are five or fifty years off the "mech" (Hound in Chromehounds) concept is still a prominent feature of sci-fi culture. Chromehounds for xbox 360 is everyone's dream.

**GAMEPLAY**

Chromehounds is comprised of distinct single player and multiplayer arenas, but both sides share the hulking Hounds and role types (RT's) that make this title so darned addictive.

For the single player adventure, the talented writers of Sega decided to concentrate on the deep despair that comes many years after the most gruesome war the world has ever seen- WWIII; a time where the human population is frighteningly low.

In the human infantry's place? Giant, capable machines with no remorse, and no family to worry about back on the home front. These "Hounds" have redefined the battlefield with every giant step, and have been invented both to keep and destroy peace across a much divided nation.

The story is pushed along by generous cut-scenes in between each "sortie" (mission), telling of a U.S. versus Russia superpower brawl that harkens back to the eighties. Without getting into too many spoilers, Chromehounds will trace the rise and fall of a new land known as Neroimus, following key regions Tarakia, Morskoj, and Sal Kar along the way.

There's a struggle for power that mirrors the same issues happening in the world today, but the way in which these struggles are resolved are very different to the future as told in Chromehounds's Story Mode. The major difference, and the gist of the entire game, is the inclusion of Hounds, which some of you may know as upright tanks, mechanized fighters, or otherwise. Those in the know about mechanized fighting games and PS2 software will know that Armored Core franchise has owned this genre for sometime, but the developer seems to have been a bit limited by the weak-sauce console. But this isn't a worry in Chromehounds, as the Xbox 360's horsepower makes for a very in-depth journey into Hound battle with next generation graphics.

Even though the Story Mode of Chromehounds is in-depth and isn't into the corner cutting business, I get the feeling that it's all just training for online action. The story elements are interesting enough to keep one's attention, and the various difficulties of the missions will surely make a gamer battle-ready when it's time to hit Live. So, think of Chromehounds's Story Mode as training for "real" combat, but realize that you'll enjoy the journey just as much as the destination (online gaming).

There are essentially six story 'paths" that can be taken when firing up Chromehounds's Story Mode for the first time. Each of these is specifically designed around a particular RT (which stands for Role Type in the world of the Chromehounds).

Role Types define what your mechanical self is assigned to do on the battlefield. The various RT's are the reason that Chromehounds functions so well as a team-based online title, as gamers must band together if they even stand a chance. Well, you'll have no one technically to band together with in the Story Mode, as all missions revolve around your success on the battlefield. Sure, there will be A.I. friendlies guarding your back, and you can even boss a few of 'em around as a Commander (more on this RT below), but banding together with your brothers isn't the reason to get involved with the Story Mode.

Lastly, playing through the Story Mode and racking up successful debriefing statistics, which ultimately leads to unlocked Hound parts. You'll be using loaned Hounds to complete the early missions, but you'll surely want to build your own custom machine at some point during your career. Fully customable with over 150 parts and different patterns and colours.

The online area of Chromehounds is comprised of The Neroimus War, and Free Battle tabs. Free Battle is a way to train for the grandiose, persistent Neroimus conflict, and a way to build of a garage full of Hound parts by earning dollars. Free Battles feature the standard fare first person shooter match types using Hound's. Matches can consist of up to twelve Hound's per match, and are of the ranked or unranked variety. Quick Match, Custom Match, and Create Match options apply.

**GAME TYPES**

Standard (team only) - Defeat all of the Hound's on the opposing team or destroy their HQ. The number of COMBAS (waypoints) or surviving team members will determine the winner if the battle is undecided when the time runs out. There are no extra lives.

Capture the Flag (team only) - This is your classic CTF (capture the flag) match. You are penalized if you are destroyed by anything other than your enemies. Extra lives are available.

COMBAS Keeper ((team only) - A match based on the total time each team occupies the COMBAS. You are penalized if you are destroyed by anything other than your enemies. Extra lives are available.

Death Match (team or individual) - a self explanatory match type. Extra lives are available in the setup options.

Unlimited (team or individual) - A match based on the number of foes you or your team defeats with unlimited ammunition. You will be penalized if your Hound is destroyed. Extra lives are available if need be.

Survival (team or individual) - The last team standing on the battlefield is the winner- no penalties, and no extra lives.

Keep the Flag (team or individual) - Capture the flag and hold onto it as long as possible. The winner will have the flag for the set amount of time. Penalties and extra lives are active.

Break All (team or individual) - This mode awards points for collateral damage. You'll be penalized if you are destroyed by anything other than en enemy, but extra lives are available.

Once you've earned some precious knowledge and skill in the Basic Battle mode, and have gotten enough training, a good idea would be to enlist to fight the Neroimus War. The Neroimus War portion of Chromehounds's online area is essentially a persistent campaign that allows you to fight for one of three nations looking to control a land mass. You'll first have to decide on one of the three countries to ally with. It's important to ally with the same country as your proposed squad mates of course, so make sure this is coordinated before selecting.

You can build a twenty person squad for Neroimus War, but only six Hound's can be deployed at a given time. Battles can take place against human targets or A.I. enemies, which means that you can always jump on line and fight the good fight, even if the server is empty.

**ROLETYPES**

Defender - An escort that protects friendly HOUNDS and headquarters. Their primary role is to intercept the enemies that are invading headquarters and to guard Heavy Gunner and Commander HOUNDS.

Heavy Gunner - An artillery specialist who is capable of terminating an enemy headquarters from a distance. Their role is to successfully stay away from the action and knockout the enemy HQ's.

Scout - A reconnaissance specialist who is capable of covering large areas of land with speed. Their main role is to charge the enemies early and grasp the progress of the battle.

Sniper - A sharp shooter who supports their members from the rear. Their main role is to back up the friendly units and make preemptive moves to the enemies who are making progress.

Soldier - A front line specialist who plays a vital role in close combat situations. Their main role is to destroy the enemy headquarters based on information and strategies brought by their Scout.

Tactics Commander - A leader who collects information and verbally orders the squad units to carry out their strategies. Their role is to analyze the map and effectively communicate with the squad members.

As you can see from above, each RT maintains a very specific and important role on the battlefield. These roles cannot be carried out without a very specific piece of machinery, which is where the Garage area of Chromehounds comes into play. You'll have the opportunity to build Hounds which are matched perfectly to any of the six RT's, or you can choose to go off the beaten path and come up with your own concoction. But to complete certain parts of the Story Mode, or to be successful online, your Hound will have to have parts specific to the task at hand. Take Commanders for example. Commanders can use the D-pad to order A.I. Hounds to waypoints (story mode), communications nodes (known as COMBAS), or to attack, defend, and capture pretty much anything on the map. With an array of satellite equipment, the Commander has no way of broadcasting its own NA (network area), and therefore, cannot see on the radar, nor communicate with brethren Hounds. So having some type of satellite equipment on a Commander is a no-brainer. It should make sense that Snipers have a scoped rifle, Heavy Gunners have a raining missiles type cannon, and so on.

RT-specific Hounds go beyond just heir offensive capabilities though. Hounds are made of up eight distinct parts, with most of these playing a large role in tailoring a unit for a specific RT. Take the Mobility Base parts bin for example. The way in which a Hounds travel the landscape is vital, especially when considering the complexity of the various RT's. You wouldn't want to pilot a slow Scout, would you? Wheels and hover-style Mobility Bases work well for the speedy scouts. Similarly, having a Sniper that can't reach the high ground because of its Mobility Base is a mistake as well. Treaded hounds tend to have a high rate of climb, and legged Hounds don't too badly up grades as well.

In addition, you can add a custom number to your Hound, complete with custom color, and the choice of a few font types. Once a number is created, it will become a decal, allowing you to crop, resize, and layer it as if it were a sticker. The editing fun doesn't stop there. You can create a custom emblem with a bevy of clip art items already loaded onto the disc. Emblems can be up to sixteen layers of fun, with the ability to change colors, enlarge, skew, etc., just as in decal construction. Camouflage patterns can be bought, tweaked, and added to specific parts of each Hound for further customization. My guess is that, like snowflakes, no two Hounds will be alike.

**GRAPHICS**

The biggest beef I have with the graphical portion of Chromehounds is the fact that these beautiful Hound's completely disappear after they have been terminated. The explosion and fire effects are spectacular, the particle fly to and fro', yet these beast do a vanishing act when push comes to shove; what a let down. Burning, smoldering Hound carcasses strewn about the landscapes would have not only been a visual treat, but additional, dynamic cover in a game that features little of it. I'm not as disappointed with the barren landscapes as other will probably be, however. This is a post-WWIII setting, and these are massive maps, so leeway is granted. The sheer durability of these behemoths makes the open landscapes more conducive to fun firefights anyways. If Chromehounds featured Hounds that didn't disappear, and I'd be thoroughly floored with visuals; the models, animations, and resolution are next-gen quality for sure.

**SOUND**

The audio of Chromehounds is pushed to the background a bit. There's the distinct, low-level hum of each Hound,the constant sound of metal grinding can get on your nerves after a while but it adds effect, and your normal machine gun and missile effects, but nothing gave me the sensation of piloting thousands of tons worth of military machinery. The soundtrack is kind of boring, however its can be exciting in areas.

**OVERALL VERDICT**

It's inevitable that a number of gamers will find Chromehounds completely despicable; such is the nature of games that modify a genre that is known and loved. Sure, there are times where Chromehounds is boring, but the boring parts are a part of the framework of the team concept that ultimately leads to a successful attack.

Gameplay - 8/10
Graphics - 9/10
Sounds - 6/10
Life - 8/10

Overall - 8/10 

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