CHROMEHOUNDS
Xbox 360
Imagine if ex-Wales international footballer John Hartson was a giant robot
killing machine. In his metallic form he would be an intimidating sight. But
with all that metal plating he’d be incredibly slow and have the mobility
of a fully laden skip. This is what it feels like when you take control in
Chromehounds. And it’s no bad thing.
Chromehounds is a game set in a near future where a conflict between Eastern
European states is being waged using giant mechanised warriors. You get to
customise your machine, load it up with weapons and then take to the battlefield
- as a solo player or as part of a multiplayer campaign. The first thing that
strikes you is just how slowly these things move: it’s like being in
control of something with the top speed of a milk float. Once you get used
to this leisurely pace it actually adds depth to the game. The battles become
more about strategy, planning and teamwork and less about mindlessly charging
around trying to shoot everything.
It’s by no means perfect: the terrain looks drab and everything seems
geared towards the multiplayer rather than single player. But overall it’s
a solid game, which gently lures you into its Last of the Summer Wine approach
to mechanised violence.
Get your thumbs out for…
After the drought of game releases over the summer months it’s time to
prepare for the Christmas deluge. Looking through the release schedule there’s
not a lot to get madly excited about. We may now have next-gen consoles but
there’s little evidence of next-games. It’s mostly the same old,
same old: lots of sports, World War II and goblin killing games. One game that
does catch the eye is Desperate Housewives for the PC. Not sure how they will
translate the bedroom hopping antics of Wisteria Lane into a game, but it could
be a laugh. Elsewhere, Nintendo is about to release a nifty device which allows
you to connect your Nintendo DS up to the internet. The add-on plugs into the
console’s cartridge slot and allows you to browse the internet signal
from a wireless router. It uses the Opera browser and you can use the touch
screen capability of the DS to navigate. Nice.
Catch all the latest games reviews in the current issue of RedHanded.
Tom Law sits in a dark room and fiddles with his knobs