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[newsguy]

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/650/650575p1.html

Chromehounds is a squad-based title, meaning rather than facing off against an opponent mech on your own, you fight along side five allies. Each member of your team has one of six roles. There's a commander, who has better radar capabilities than the other mechs and can thus get a better view of the battle field, something that's essential for sending out commands (using Xbox Live voice chat). Some roles focus on attack or defensive, with others placing emphasis on quick speed. Coolest of all is a sniper mech, who isn't the strongest or the fastest, but can take aim from afar.

Regardless of type, all mechs have the same basic control scheme. The two analogue sticks are used for movement, aiming and looking around. We were only able to equip a single, default weapon to each of the Chromehounds that we played -- this is launched using the right shoulder button, as you'd expect -- but there will be other weapons to collect and equip, Nabeshima told us. Pressing down on the right analogue pad toggles between a first and third person view, with the sniper's first person view automatically zooming in slightly so that you can better target your enemies. (Our playtest of the game today, by the way, confirmed that the Xbox 360 controller is the best thing ever -- your hands will melt when you get a hold of it.)

As big a role as mech construction plays in Chromehounds, we think you'll be even more intrguied by the amount of destruction the game offers. Both your mech and the environments can be progressively destroyed. For the environments, you can blast away and destroy buildings and towers -- ammo is unlimited, so there's no need to be shy -- or you can simply run into things like fences and trees and have them topple over under the mass of your battle machine. Your mech itself incurs damage, breaking on a part-by-part basis with every hit. Take too much damage and you may end up with a broken leg, resulting in slow movement and a quick death.

Given From Software's unmatched ability to make the Xbox sing (see Otogi 2 and Metal Wolf Chaos for examples), it shouldn't surprise you to learn that Chromehounds is a gorgeous game. The explosions and effects during the combat scenes make watching the game as fun as playing, and clear textures combined with a lengthy viewing distance make the moments where you're all alone on the battle field just as splendid. The mechs are, of course, far more detailed than we saw of mech titles in the last generation, although you can see that for yourself from the new screenshots we've included in our media section. We had to play the game on standard televisions, so some of the visual effect was muted, but the TGS showing will feature high-def TVs.

 

[Pug]

Never been into Mech games, but that looks stunning the detail is pretty amazing and again the lighting is fantastic.

 

[op_ivy]

nice to hear about the actual game now. sounds like a mech version of ghost recon

 

[IJoel]

You know, while it's obvious Xbox 360's launch will not have a game of the caliber of Halo, you can't deny there are a lot of promising games. My wallet weeps.

Chrome Hounds has found itself in my "almost must buy" list.

 

[Mama Smurf]

Now hang on a minute...next gen games have gameplay? Crazy.

 

[newsguy]

Now hang on a minute...next gen games have gameplay? Crazy.

:lol

 

[raYne]

Your mech itself incurs damage, breaking on a part-by-part basis with every hit. Take too much damage and you may end up with a broken leg, resulting in slow movement and a quick death.

YES!! Do you hear that Mechassault team? That's how you make a mech game!

The only thing that could possibly make this better is if you could target body parts where weapons are located and take them out individually.

 

[Outdoor Miner]

Now hang on a minute...next gen games have gameplay? Crazy.

It's a feature now. Some do, some don't. Alot of 360 games will be getting the feature later as a microtransaction.

 

[AB 101]

Now hang on a minute...next gen games have gameplay? Crazy.

Hell, there are some games that don't have the graphics either. :/

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

That sounds kickass, I got money on this now, I can't wait.

 

[Uncle]

The multiplayer sounds great (and the bit about the controller).

 

[rastex]

These are the types of things that make me really interested in MS' approach to gaming. They're really emphasizing things that make games FUN, like decreasing loading times, cooperative gameplay, sophisticated online components etc. It's not just about the console hardware but the philosophies and attitudes MS is bringing to the table.

 

[BuckRobotron]

Definitely watching this one, given that I like big stompin' mechs working my subwoofer and waking the neighbors. From Front Mission/Ring of Red to the the more active likes of Mech Assault.

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

I love mechgames. Use to play table top Battletech back in the day. I'll be keeping an eye on this one for sure. Looks very interesting, although it isn't expected to be a launch title is it?

Oh, and all the little comments about the 360 controller has me excited as well. A number of previews have made note about how comfortable it is. Can't wait to get my hands on it.

 

[Sinatar]

Gameplay won't be limited to just six versus six and just Online, of course. Single players will be able to take on other single players, although From currently isn't planning on including computer-controlled partner characters. In single player, you'll be able to play through six stories each focusing on one of the six major roles in battle. This mode, which has a progressive storyline and characters, is designed to increase your strength when playing as one of the roles. It will feature missions where you're by yourself on the battle field as well as missions where you fight along side computer-controlled allies.

Sounds like multiplayer is definitely the focus of the game, good of them to include a single player mode that sounds like it will do a good job of training you at the various roles.

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

The online co-op will take XBL to the next level. A friend and I can kick ass in levels like we used to do when we were younger. I think the way this console is being set up will rekindle my love affair with games even more.

 

[Krowley]

You know, while it's obvious Xbox 360's launch will not have a game of the caliber of Halo

not to be argumentative, but i think oblivion will be superior to halo (although it is questionable whether it will be an actual launch title)

i'm not sold on buying a 360 at launch, but oblivion will make it tough to hold back.

if pd0 improves as much in motion as it has improved in the latest screenshots, it could be halo caliber.

 

[IJoel]

not to be argumentative, but i think oblivion will be superior to halo (although it is questionable whether it will be an actual launch title)

i'm not sold on buying a 360 at launch, but oblivion will make it tough to hold back.

if pd0 improves as much in motion as it has improved in the latest screenshots, it could be halo caliber.

I didn't mean quality wise, but impact wise. I am eagerly awaiting 2005's GOTY: Oblivion.

 

[Chi-Town]

IGN's competition in the Chromehounds' playtest was 1up and they have their impressions up.

http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3143651&did=1

While it's still a bit early to get too excited (Chromehounds doesn't ship until Spring 2006), what we've played thus far has been inspiring, beautiful and intense.

 

[Milkman]

I kicked Anoop's dick in.

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

I kicked Anoop's dick in.

:lol :lol :lol :lol

WOW at the article. I need this in my life

You got to hold the controller, how was the controller for this game???

 

[snatches]

I kicked Anoop's dick in.

So 1up has better writers AND gamers?

 

[Milkman]

:lol :lol :lol :lol

WOW at the article. I need this in my life

You got to hold the controller, how was the controller for this game???

I'd say it was perfect. I think looking at pics of the 360 controller that it looks like ass, but actually holding it it feels great. It's light, the buttons have nice response (but they're not analog buttons, so boooo) and it's a nice balance size-wise, meaning both large and small hands should be comfortable with this.

 

[Ghengis Cohen]

These are the types of things that make me really interested in MS' approach to gaming. They're really emphasizing things that make games FUN, like decreasing loading times, cooperative gameplay, sophisticated online components etc. It's not just about the console hardware but the philosophies and attitudes MS is bringing to the table.

Not that i am a microsoft hater but load times? Online components? cooperative play? I never play online, with others, and I don't care about load times. And i have plenty of fun. Provided the game itself is FUN. If not cooperating with people online with no load times is never going to be FUN.

 

[dorio]

The special effects were awesome, as the shots that missed, which hit the river, resulted in the dorsal-like spray of water you see in the movies.

What movies are he talking about?

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

What movies are he talking about?

He's refering to movies from Tinseltown

 

[dorio]

He's refering to movies from Tinseltown

OK, thanks. I'm stupid.

 

[newsguy]

What movies are he talking about?

 

[Sathsquatch]

Gamespot has a trailer for this game on their site now. Can anyone tell if the trailer uses in game assets, or is it CG?

 

[bloke]

Probably E3 trailer, they have their hands-on article too http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/chromehounds/preview_6133131.html , was yesterday 'visiting day' at From? :lol Hope we'll get something on eM aswell.

edit: oh, GS has an interview along with the handson http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/chromehounds/preview_6133114.html

 

[MrSingh]

So 1up has better writers AND gamers?

Anoop is the hottest indian man living in Shibuya though.

 

[Doom_Bringer]

now gamespot has hands on impressions and a new trailer!

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/chromehounds/media.html

 

[Kangu]

, the buttons have nice response (but they're not analog buttons, so boooo)

Had this been mentioned before? How will that work with backwards compatibility? I'm suprised no one is suprised.

 

[raYne]

Had this been mentioned before? How will that work with backwards compatibility? I'm suprised no one is suprised.

Non-analog face buttons, not triggers. Pretty much no Xbox game took advantage of them and if they did, it wasn't for any needed purpose (ie DOA3).

Lock the hounds back up.

 

[PG2G]

Itagaki mentioned it when discussing the DOAX sequel. Seems pretty stupid, I wonder why they'd do that.

 

[Kangu]

Non-analog face buttons, not triggers. Pretty much no Xbox game took advantage of them and if they did, it wasn't for any needed purpose (ie DOA3).

Lock the hounds back up.

I know what they mean. I'm suprised because it's pretty rare to have a controller loose functionality from one generation to the next. There have to be at least some games that were designed with the analog sensitivity in mind. Didn't GTA use it to determine the distance grenades were thrown? That's a pretty big title right there.

I don't really think it's a monumental loss or anything of the sort. Although, on a related note, I was always dissapointed at the limited use that developers managed to come up with for this functionality. It seems like the kind of thing that Nintendo would have taken advantage of if they'd come up with it themselves. As a matter of fact I expect the 'revolutionary' feature on the REV to be something along those lines.

 

[dorio]

Someone please tell me if that new trailer was cgi or not?

 

[Doom_Bringer]

Someone please tell me if that new trailer was cgi or not?

I don't think it was CGI: the smoke an effect quickly disappears, it has some slowdown and some shadow glitches. Overall it ooks much better than Project Force.

 

[Hitler Stole My Potato]

Analog buttons suck, period. Having two triggers is more than enough to compensate the loss of the analog face buttons that, imo, have never been implemented very well to begin with. That goes for both the Xbox and PS2, btw.

It was a nice idea, but no one cares anymore.

 

[Kangu]

Analog buttons suck, period. Having two triggers is more than enough to compensate the loss of the analog face buttons that, imo, have never been implemented very well to begin with. That goes for both the Xbox and PS2, btw.

It was a nice idea, but no one cares anymore.

You should play MGS2 and 3.

 

[dorio]

Milkman, do you know if that new trailer is cgi?

 

[Hitler Stole My Potato]

You should play MGS2 and 3.

I have and I stand by what I said. Analog buttons are worthless.

 

[Redbeard]

It's an old trailer and it's realtime.

 

[GeoramA]

http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200509/N05.0913.1118.51492.htm

Although there is an offline mode, it serves primarily to train players for the online mode.

not cool...

 

[Hitler Stole My Potato]

In finally got to see that trailer and O...M...G. That's fucking insane looking! That's the most graphically impressive 360 game I've seen yet.


Chromehounds immediately became a must buy.