WarTech Revealed

Published June 5, 2007

From time to time there comes along a game that simply defies description and shuns labels. WarTech™ Senko no Rondeis one such game, as its arcade shooter roots and fighting game sensibilities make for an action title unlike anything else on Xbox 360™.

Dodge and respond.

Revealing the Mystery
The key to appreciating this radically unique game is to push aside genre preconceptions and look upon the gameplay with a fresh set of eyes. Here's how it breaks down:

• Perspective: The game is played from a three-quarters top-down perspective, revealing the two lone combatants and a series of gorgeous, high-definition backdrops.
• Standard mechanics: The right control stick provides for standard movement. Dash forward or off to the side (an absolute must for defense), charge your enemy with Overdrive, or power up a shield to resist taking full damage. Unleash your main weapon such as laser-fire, your sub-weapon, and barrage attacks at will. Though much of the fighting is done at long range, WarTech mixes up the pace and creates added tactical depth with up-close and often devastating mid-air melee attacks.
• The shooter's twitch: Though you may only be facing a single opponent at a time, the ability to duck and dodge as in a classic arcade shooter (think Galaga, Contra) is a staple of the gameplay. Each combatant sports an arsenal of screen-filling laser-fire, missile-strikes, and energy beams that must be recognized and avoided.

It's melee time.

• The fight mechanic: With just a single enemy to defeat, the on-screen chaos is a great deal more focused than your typical arcade shooter. Each dodge, shift, shot, and charge is aimed at tripping up your opponent and exploiting their mistake. In this way, WarTech is every bit as much a fighting game as Street Fighter 2 and Mortal Kombat®Armageddon™. Likewise, each available character boasts a specific set of strengths, weaknesses, and available weaponry.
• Unleash the boss: Missile bombardments and precision laser strikes are certainly available. But you'll also want to bulk up with a B.O.S.S. technique, effectively connecting your 'mech to an enormous parent ship capable of doling out massive damage. This ability is typically only available once per battle—twice maybe in a longer skirmish—and its use not only provides a drastic change of pace but also a dynamic shift in strategy.

A WarTech Campaign
WarTech Senko no Ronde offers a single-player campaign that should feel familiar to every fighting game fan. Each character battles through a series of progressively difficult fights against enemy combatants before taking aim at the boss. Unlike fighting games though, the boss level includes both the final enemy and a series of defenses such as giant turrets that serve as protection for the boss.

The B.O.S.S. in all its glory.

Versus Glory
WarTech earns its replayability stripes with its online and offline Versus mode. Standard unranked Player Match and Ranked games are available on Xbox LIVE®, and you have the ability to handicap yourself depending on the quality of your opponent. This is especially useful for introducing friends to the game, as a healthy handicap gives them at least a fighting chance to win, and an opportunity to learn the gameplay.

Unlocking Achievements
Those looking for achievements that offer both reasonable and hardcore challenges will heartily embrace WarTech. The mildly committed gamer should quickly unlock the Story Clear achievements, which require you to clear all the levels with each character. The time-based achievements, such as playing a certain number of hours, will unlock naturally over time. On the other hand, earning Rounder and Hi-Rounder grades in Ranked matches, and even logging 1,000 Ranked matches online, will no doubt test the mettle of even the hardcore gamer.

WarTech Senko no Ronde should be commended for its emphatically unique game design. Whether you're an old-school arcade shooter fan, or a fighting game fanatic, WarTech offers a fusion of gameplay that is well worth checking out.

Article by Ryan Treit