Phantom Crash Review

Hey, the aforementioned snags were just my initial impressions. So, don't get the wrong idea. The game may be hard to learn, but when you get the hang of it becomes one hulluva ride. When you begin the game as a rookie Scoobee-pilot, you'll only be able to afford a low-end vehicle. That means you're due for some serious "rumbling" and cash-bundling. Entering the battle-arena for the first time may freak out untrained pilots; the constant action is just too much to handle. Although after a few practice skirmishes, you'll soon learn your way around the block. As soon as you've mastered the full potential of your vessel, you will begin to use any means necessary in order to overcome other competitors. The cool thing about Phantom Crash is that it lets you utilize a variety of tactics in the arena - a most helpful device, which comes as basic equipped of every Scoobee, is the optical camouflage system. Activating this system is your main tactical advantage. However, your enemies will be using it too, so you better be on your guard. One of the things I enjoyed is tailing opponents who are using the optic camouflage; even though they are invisible, there are some things that can give them away. For instance, you can easily detect a camouflaged enemy by the dirt and smoke his Scoobee leaves behind. Once you get close enough, you can fire and deactivate his cloaking device. Such features, as the optic camouflage, leave a lot of room for improvisations in terms of gameplay. In spite of these advantages I think that the single-player mode simply craves for more challenges - something like a campaign would've been nice, with single-player scenarios that include diverse tasks, like sabotage operations, rescues, reconnaissance assignments, and so on. It would've given it more gameplay depth people!

Let me fix your leg. There, doesn't that feel much better?

What gives? The Sun is totally black!?! Oh wait, that's just a Scoobee crumb.

Phantom Crash features an intricate system that allows you to purchase and install different parts to your Scoobee. Neo Tokyo's thriving economy is primarily focused on "Rumbling" events, which is why there are numerous vendors and mechanics that are open non-stop for your Scoobee-needs. The complex mechanism of your Scoobee involves the upgrade and modification of several weapon and defense systems. You can improve the Scoobee's arms, legs, and backpacks; and of course you can alter its body (give it a nice paint job, and what not). On top of that, you can install different types of modules and chips that can enhance the vehicle's velocity and maneuverability. Neato!

The Xbox and it traits

Genki, the development team of Phantom Crash, have done a pleasing job on the overall visual quality of the game. One of the most impressive visual effects is the optical camouflage. Of course, there's plenty more where that came from. The game has fully utilized the graphic capabilities of the Xbox. Those dudes at Genki have really beefed-up the area with background detail, reflections, excellent explosions, convincing light effects, realistic day and night cycles, and pretty saucy particle effects. Also, almost anything in the environment can be destroyed (and it earns you extra cash too). Each arena was furnished with a lotta details and animations in the backdrop - enough to make your frame-rate choke once in a while, but nothing serious. Additionally, the physics engine appears to work perfectly, which can be observed in the way your Scoobees react to detonations and collisions.

One thing, I don't understand though. The developers have taken the time to polish all of the arenas; you'll find that every map was well-designed and has many places where you can ambush your opponents and hide from them if need be. However, why leave it at only three arenas? Playing the game several hours makes you a bit tired of going through the same three areas over and over again. Only three arenas?! That's pathetic! Also, I think that the main screen has too many items on display, which can obstruct the player's view (and I'm afraid that none of the additional camera views help much either).

The sound effects are superb though. All the crashes, clashes, and explosions sound excellent. To top it off, the developers have incorporated a very amusing feature; players can use the cash they've earned from combat to pay for tracks they'd like to listen during the game. Very cool and very effective. All of the tracks sound great and there's a wide selection of them too.

Blast your way through the dirt of Neo Tokyo...

Regardless of the game's somewhat high learning curve, its complex gameplay will challenge you and make you more addicted, rather than turn you away. This is particularly true for the multiplayer mode (the game features a 2-4 split screen multiplayer mode - the Versus Mode). But I would still like to see more single-player mission challenges instead of just jumping around in arenas and shooting the hell out of anything that moves. Not to mention the fact that there are only three arenas available to begin with!

If the developers took a more elaborate approach while designing the single-player mode, Phantom Crash could've easily measured up to the likes of MechAssault and SteelBattalion. It features some nicely executed gameplay concepts, but all this is too shallow and repetitive to warrant a higher score.