Okay, I've finally decided to actually write a review for my favorite game of all time. Where do I begin...
Well, we'll start with the core aspect of the game. For the most part, it is pretty much flawless to the original Dreamcast game, and due to the fact that it's a newer version of it, it might even be improved. The speed & fast paced action of the game remains perfectly intact, unlike the MARZ game which made many a Virtual On fan vomit uncontrollably. The single player mode is still pretty much the same. I mean, after you've played it as long as I have, it does get old. However, the single player isn't the most important part of the game. That belongs solely to the multiplayer part.
The multiplayer aspect of the game is it's pure driving force, and it's what made PB spend many a quarter playing this in the arcades. Simply put, in terms of mech fighting games, I'd say no game has ever come close to matching both the speed & skill level it can require to play this game, simply because of the Twin Sticks aspect of it. SEGA truly, truly created a gem of an arcade game with Virtual On & the Twin Sticks. I really don't think any other mech game has come close to touching it's sheer speed as well as the reflexes you need to excel in the game. However, that is where the 360 version will ALWAYS fall short.
The 360 version is awesome because you get to play online with other people. Sadly though, it does not have the Twin Sticks (yet), and thus it will always be inferior to the arcade version & the Dreamcast version, if you were fortunate enough to own Twin Sticks. The controller does offer two types of Twin Sticks type controller with the controller, but the Controller is too small for it to be used properly, at least for me. From what I've seen online, no one uses the Twin Stick options. Everyone uses the Standard "Dreamcast" controller method. Now this is where the game was improved, because this time the Right Analog stick allows you to turn your mech. Sadly, you cannot move while turning, but it makes Mega Beam characters a lot more fun to use, as well as characters who have controllable dashing attacks (Cypher, Dordray). A small improvement, but one still worth noting.
Another improvement is the customization feature, which I absolutely love. Not only can you change the color of your mech, for both the DNA & RNA side, but you can fight with them. Now this has always been a dream come true of mine, so needless to say, this feature has PB super happy. My PBPB Fei Yin Kn, TALLGEESE II Temjin & STARSCREAM Cypher look awesome.
As for the online mode, there are definite pros & cons. The most important thing about the game is the ability to play Ninja Lou on separate screens flawlessly. Long have we had to share a screen while playing this game. Virtual On, like the arcade, is meant to be played on separate screens. So the fact that the 360 version got this right is absolutely key, and thus it makes the game so very very good. Also, the online play is for the most part lagless. There have been maybe 1 or 3 times in which the game has lagged a little, but not even that seriously.
However, the online part does have a few cons. For starters, it can sometimes take forever to find an opponent to face. I've sometimes gone through 20 Quick Match searches without finding a single opponent. I mean, it could mean that a lot of people aren't playing the game, but I find that hard to believe. The same this takes place when you join a Lobby too. So that's one problem. The only other con is more of a personal thing, being that I don't like timed matches, and I just hate playing cheap people who abuse this and run away all the time. If I wasn't so damn rusty at the game, this might not be an issue. As of now though, it has cost me MANY a match.
OKAY, so if you actually read through all that, here's the short review version. The game is a dream come true. It is literally everything that I hoped it would be, and more. It's a fantastic port of my favorite game of all time. The only thing that could possibly make the game 100X better are Twin Sticks for the 360. I've played with the Dreamcast controls for so long now so it doesn't bother me...all that much. All in all, I couldn't be happier. It feels so good to be playing my favorite game of all time again. LoL, now if only I had the time to retrain & get back to my prime.
LoL, I guess if I were to use my silly rating system of Shades = Gameplay & Mango Lemonade = Fun Factor, I'd give it 4 out of 5 Shades & 5 out of 5 Mango Lemonades. It will only be 5 out of 5 shades if it gets Twin Sticks.
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