Transformers, mechs, robots … whatever you want to call them, they are as cool now as they were when I was a kid. They are probably even cooler. This game immediately took me back to my childhood, going to downtown Chicago to play the Mech simulators against Tomax, his brother and our friends.
This robot-combat game is full of fast paced and fun blow-‘em-up action. S.L.A.I. (which stands for Steel Lancer Arena International) places you as an up-and-coming robot pilot, or “rumbler,” in the future world of robot combat competition. It is the year 2071, and you are given the task of working your way up the rankings to be the top “rumbler” in the world. To do this, you must win tournaments in various cities worldwide. This game closely follows a story mode, which lets you interact with other “rumblers” and people that surround the competition.
As with most games of this kind, when you win your battles you earn money, which can then be spent to go to battle school or upgrade your machine. The game also offers a different aspect, as you also upgrade your server, which you use to operate your machine remotely.
The game play is fairly easy to pick up, and the screen provides information that is useful during combat. After a short time, most gamers will find it easy to fight and be competitive. The play itself is very fast, and can become chaotic when in the battle arena. It definitely pays off to keep your back to the wall and avoid the blindside hits that often come when fighting multiple opponents.
The graphics of the game are solid, and do a decent job of keeping up with all the action. The sound is also well done, and this game should be played with the volume up so the explosions and mech sounds really come through.
I really liked this game and would strongly recommend it to people that enjoy any robot games or serials. This game also offers online multiplayer, for those of you that are looking to battle with some friends, or that want to try your machines online against other gamers. I am hopeful that Konami builds on this title with additional ones, and with new creative storylines.
I’m a married professional with a 2 year old son and a baby on the way. I’ve played game for what seems like my whole life. Intellivision, Activision, Nintendo, Sega, Playstation, etc. After college I got away from gaming but a friend at work got me into the PC gaming world and I was hooked all over again. Mostly now I just play PS2. I would say that I am an average gamer when it comes to RPG’s but when it comes to Sports games I can compete with most people. I love gaming ok. There I said it
