Phantom Crash First Look

Phantom Crash represents quite a tasty game cocktail fashioned out of a few interesting ingredients: it combines mech-shooting action with an exciting plot, loads of missions for you to complete, the inevitable multiplayer mode, and more. Utilizing the power of the Xbox to its maximum, the game will feature three huge maps (more like in-game worlds) and highly detailed environments with day and night cycles. Some of the animations and various visual effects we witnessed really look quite impressive.

It's not wise to upset a mech!

You and me! Right here, right now!

The Year is 2025. The Japanese government, in order to cope with the massive air pollution and endless economic loss of Tokyo, transfers the capital to "Neo Tokyo," a dome city built on the Tokyo Harbor. A few years later, abandoned "Old Tokyo" becomes the battleground for "Rumbling." In Rumbling, the contenders face each other while riding highly mobile armored land vehicles called "Scoobees," and receive fortune and fame by destroying others. It's now the year 2031, the Rumbling is the biggest hit the entertainment business ever had!

I think that a large portion of you will be happy to hear that the game is story-driven with many cut-in animations - sort of like an RPG. This doesn't mean you'll play it like a true RPG. It's best described as an anime series where the character experiences a chain of events that lead to the main battle, after which he gets more challenges, etc. Think of the anime Pokemon; the story starts to unfold and then the whole thing goes to the main battle in the Pokemon stadium, when the battle is over the story continues (depending on the outcome of the battle that is).

In Phantom Crash there are 3 different types of playing modes: Tutorial Mode, Single Mission Mode (Story Based), and Versus Mode. The Tutorial Mode will help you to learn more about your Scoobee and the best way you can utilize it in battle. Once you're fully trained and equipped, you're ready to hit the streets of Neo Tokyo.

The best part of this game is that you can select from a wide variety of mech units (or Scoobees) that all differ in size, speed, and weapon assortment. But, when things get hairy out there on the futuristic battlefield, you can engage the so-called Optic Camouflage mode, which is the basic equipment for every Scoobee. This mode generates a force field around your mech and makes it invisible to all enemies. The game also has some neat features that will let you customize the appearance of your mech; changing its color and so on. However, players can also drop by the Modification Store, where they're able to purchase new weapons for their Scoobees with the prize money earned from completed mission assignments. Besides color modifications and weapon boosts, several parts can be added to your Scoobee to enhance its overall performance. For example, it is possible to regulate the thrusters and legs to make your Scoobee jump higher. And if that's not enough, you can just buy a new one (provided that you've made enough cash of course).

Your goose is cooked!

Taking a stroll around Neo Tokyo.

Phantom Crash comes with many challenges. As you progress through the game your goals will become increasingly difficult. When you make it to the top, defeating big bad bosses, various drones, and Scoobees, you are considered the ultimate champion. But, even then you're gonna have to defend your title continuously. Still, it's good to know that the number of shops also increases, giving you a chance to further customize your favorite Scoobee - the developers have even incorporated a large list of music tracks that you can listen to if you've achieved an admirable score. So when you're rumbling and you used your money to purchase parts for your Scoobee, you can also choose a jingle from the Music Shop; but if you do not hurry, someone else might buy your preferred tune.

Phantom Crash also features the good ol' 2-4 split screen multiplayer mode - the so-called Versus Mode. The cool thing is that you can take the Scoobee you've designed throughout the single-player tournament and operate it in the Versus Mode. This is can be done simply by saving the data onto your Xbox memory card, taking your memory card to your friend's Xbox, and then playing the game with your ideal Scoobee. Sweet!

The development team informed us that PC owners can also expect to play the game in Internet and LAN modes; which will most likely feature up to 16 players. Sadly, the PC version release date remains undisclosed at this time. The only thing that's certain is that it will come out some time after Phantom Crash launches on the Xbox.

That's all for the moment folks. I leave you now to enjoy this tasty new in-game movie (which comes in two flavors), and of course the high-res screenshots!