Macross is without question the most popular series in the Robotech Saga. When most people think “Robotech” they’re thinking of the transformable Veritech fighters featured in this series, and to some extent it’s a shame… Both Southern Cross and The New Generation (a.k.a Genesis Climber Mospeada) offered tons of action and entertainment. In my personal opinion, the third and final Robotech installment, The New Generation, is the most entertaining and action packed Robotech series of them all. For those who do not know what Robotech is, arguably, Robotech is the anime that started it all in North America. When Harmony Gold combined three Japanese animes and created the Robotech Saga, the face of televised animation changed forever in the United States.
In late 2002, Vicious Cycle and TDK Mediactive released Robotech: Battlecry across all home platforms and to the surprise of many longtime Robotech fans, Battlecry was the very first Robotech game that actually did justice to the series. Not only was the game fun but with its cel-shaded visuals, authentic soundtrack and voice-overs ripped straight from the animated series, the game delivered a trip that seemed incredibly nostalgic from start to finish.
“Now, I can only assume that a sequel is on Vicious Cycle’s to do list and hopefully it won’t just be based on the Macross saga but as well as the Southern Cross, and Mospeada sagas.”
That was the closing comment to my review of Robotech: Battlecry, written nearly two years ago, and to my delight Vicious Cycle did just what I had hoped and began development on Robotech: Invasion, a game based on the third and final Robotech series, The New Generation.
Features Include:
• Single player, two-player split-screen and online play:
• Up to 8 players via Xbox Live! or PlayStation 2 Online Pack.
• Beautifully rendered 3D environments straight from The New Generation series.
• Freeform FPS action with expansive outdoor environments and clear objectives.
• Sophisticated enemy AI with different behavior patterns for each enemy type.
• 2 parallel scenarios: playing as the 2nd character reveals a new perspective and plot details.
• Control Cyclone vehicles with a realistic feeling of momentum, balance and traction.
• Hive raids, gang confrontations, protoculture searches and more.
The New Generation revolves around the Invid Invasion. The Invid are the most powerful beings in the Robotech Saga. Sure the Zentraedi were powerful giants, and the Robotech Masters were extremely intelligent, but the Invid were so powerful that the moment they came to Earth to grow and harvest the Flower of Life, they immediately took control, turning the world into a post apocalyptic wasteland where the human race fears everything that is INVID. Luckily, The New Generation is seemingly making a transition into the world of videogames just as smoothly as Macross did two years ago.
Robotech: Invasion is Vicious Cycle’s second attempt at a Robotech videogame, but it’s much, much different than its Macross predecessor. Invasion is a completely different game. Not only does it drop the cel-shaded graphics style in favor of more realistic visuals but Invasion is in fact a first and third person shooter, instead of 3rd person space shooter, complete with online multiplayer modes for both Xbox and PS2 platforms. Not only this, but the game allows players to take control of the memorable Cyclone bikes from the series. These Cyclones are not just vessels of transportation but they are also a player’s greatest weapon when they transform into body armor equipped with weapons meant to kick Invid ass.
The game revolves around the same things that made the third animated series so great, which means players will be raiding Invid hives and unraveling an extremely complex and shocking plot. Similarly to Robotech: Battlecry, in Invasion gamers will play as a character created exclusively for the game who goes by the name of Locke. The interesting thing about Locke is that he has no memory of his past, yet willingly joins forces with the series’ heroes, led by Scott Bernard, to fight off the Invid and put an end to their occupation on Earth.
Vicious Cycle provided a great nostalgic experience with their first Robotech game and Invasion is proving to accomplish the same with voice-overs from the actual cast and the shows memorable themes. If Invasion’s gameplay shapes up nicely, this can very well be the best Robotech game to date, and I’m personally counting on it. From the impressions I’ve come across, ,i>Invasion’s first person elements are reminiscent of today’s best shooters, specifically Halo. The game features massive 3D environments and tons of action that should get any interested gamer’s attention.
The Invid are coming!
