Publisher/Developer: Atlus / Irem Software Engineering
Genre: Action RPG
Price: $39.99
Verdict: Rent first; buy later
Pros: Quick missions, good introduction for beginners
Cons: Repetitive missions, forgettable storyline, progress-specific level grinding
Normally, the idea of playing through an RPG, even an action one, may appear like a daunting task. Most RPGs require hours of level grinding. Not because the game requires it, but it’s more of the fear of getting hours in and finding out that the level your character is at is far too low to defeat certain characters. Then idea of restarting at an earlier save point reminds you of how many hours you have already played. Atlus’ Steambot Chronicles: Battle Tournament takes some RPG design elements but streamlines them into a quick pickup and play style action-RPG. The small problem with this decision is that while hardcore elements can be removed, it can dilute other aspects of gameplay.
Beginning the game starts with choosing a gender, name, and naming your Trotmobile. The Trotmobile is both the player’s main transportation and weapon. Once completed with choosing these options, the player is introduced to Orion City, the main hub of the game. The character appearance is default regardless of gender while the Trotmobile looks like a prototype Transformer. Even though the character design is static, the Trotmobile is fully customizable.
By progressing through the game, different parts are available for purchase. Parts like legs, arms equipped with weapons, chassis, and grills are purchased, upgraded, and the player can customize the color of sections of the Trotmobile. Each part has a limited number of upgrades so players need to choose carefully. Legs and chassis provide health and fuel capability. Fuel is an important part of the strategy. Any movement, including attack moves, burns fuel. In most battles, fuel isn’t a concern; during some jobs it becomes something to watch very carefully. Sometimes just attacking every enemy isn’t the best option, as there is some strategy to upgrades and play style. Arms and grills are the offensive weapons. Arm weapons are upgraded through attack power and durability. The amount of available arm weapons is large once the player reaches A rank, and purchases become much more strategic. Some melee weapons are very delicate until upgraded. The ranged weapons also carry pros and cons for combat. The grills can become offensive and defensive weapons depending on what type the player purchases.
Progression through the game is achieved through the completion of jobs, known in the game as “Works,” and leveling in the coliseum. By completing jobs, players earn money and fame. Money is important because it allows the player to purchase new parts for their Trotmobile. Fame is equally essential as the amount of fame directly correlates to what class level the player can fight in at the coliseum, after defeating all the opponents in a specific level. A problem with the jobs is that they do not have enough variety and result in feeling like the level grind in most other RPGs. The jobs available fall into three categories.
1. Interview – find a NPC (Non-Playable Character) and follow guided questions
2. Retrieve – find an object outside Orion City in three outside environments
3. Help – assist NPC in specific task
All the jobs require some amount of exploration, which would be fine if there were more environments to explore. Unfortunately, because of the small size of the main hub (Orion City) and the exterior environments, players will find themselves revisiting the same place numerous times. Some of the jobs take place inside Orion City and running around as your character becomes a lesson in patience. The character runs slowly and when certain NPCs are inside buildings, the player has to wait for the UMD to load the area and then wait again to load Orion City when exiting.
There are four class levels in the game at the coliseum, ranging from the lowly D rank up to A rank. There is also an S rank, which I unfortunately did not reach. As the player gains fame and proceeds up the ranks, opponents become more difficult. Also, when the player completes a rank, more parts for the Trotmobile are available for purchase. Each match lasts 120 seconds and the winner is determined based on remaining Hit Points. Players should prepare to lose a match or two, simply because opponents always have the newest parts for that specific class level, and players will not know what strategy to use. The story of Steambot Chronicles: Battle Tournament is secondary to the pursuit of level rank and Trotmobile customization. Throughout the majority of the game, players only focus on winning in the coliseum and purchasing stronger weapons and upgrading parts through the completion of jobs.
Some aspects of the story are told through English voice-overs, covering the major events in the sparse story. The dialogue system is directly influenced by dating simulation games. While most of the dialogue is stated directly to the player, at specific points there are dialogue branches where the player can choose responses. Unfortunately, regardless of the choice the player makes, the reaction is usually one line and the story continues on its linear path. One note is that Steambot Chronicles does fall into using stereotypical characters, not for the main characters, but a few of the minor ones. Don’t expect anything deep, the plot points are simple and the player will find the conclusion much earlier than the game does.
Steambot Chronicles: Battle Tournament contains a multiplayer mode, either ad-hoc or over wireless connection. It also supports game sharing, a lost function on the PlayStation Portable. Game sharing only allows for standard Trotmobile combat, but friends can combat their customized Trotmobiles against each other if they own separate copies of the game. I was unable to experiment with this function since the game has not been released, but I will jump back on and try the multiplayer after release.
The game feels like it was made for beginner RPG players. Most seasoned RPGers will find the lack of true customization a little stifling and the game too linear. The story is laughable and unnecessary because it actually slows down the pace of the game. Though as an introduction to the genre, Steambot Chronicles: Battle Tournament does illustrate what can be great with the genre, and what can be expected when playing a longer RPG title. The title is best purchased for a beginner of the RPG genre, just emphasize that Steambot Chronicles: Battle Tournament is only one type of RPG existing for the PSP. Otherwise, renting the game for a weekend could be a good diversion from something more difficult.
Popularity: unranked [?]
