Gaming Target - GameCube: Robotech: Battlecry

Written by Kyle Williams on May 24, 2002

First Impressions: This game will have it all... Robots that turn into planes, guns and explosions.

There has been quite the resurgence of Robotech paraphernalia lately. Every episode of the TV series has been released on DVD (for a total of 14 DVDs plus 7 discs of extras). Toys of all shapes and sizes have hit the shelves. However, the best is still yet to come. A couple of days ago we took a quick look at the upcoming GBA title Robotech: The Macross Saga, and it looks good. What looks even better is the upcoming Gamecube, Xbox and PS2 title, Robotech: Battlecry.

Battlecry is shaping up to be the game that every Robotech nut has been looking forward to for the last 17 years. The game is being set during the events of Macross, the first saga of the three act series. It is in this story that we learn tale of the SDF-1 superfortress and how the human race came to possess Robotechnology. This is also where we were introduced to the Veritech fighter, one of the most successful mech designs to date.

The Veritech is going to be your tool in Robotech: Battlecry and you will use it to horde off the evil Zentraedi forces. Since you will need to take advantage of all that your Veritech has to offer, you had better familiarize yourself with all three of its' configurations. First and foremost is the fighter mode, which is essentially a suped up F-14 fighter plane. With one push of the D-pad you will be able to transform into the Battloid mode, a giant gun-toting robot. Somewhere in between these two configurations is the Guardian mode. The Guardian most resembles the same F-14 fighter jet. That is, it resembles an F-14 fighter jet with arms and legs. Each of these three modes is going to have its strengths and weaknesses and you will have to use a little bit of thought in determining which mode will get things done. And yes, you will be able to switch between the three modes at will.

The graphics of Robotech: Battlecry are definitely capturing the look of the classic TV series. The cel-shaded mechs, the near hand-painted skies, and the plethora of missile trails all look like they are straight out of the series. To go along with that, the character models look to be spot on and capture several of the different Zentraedi and human vehicle and power-suit designs. If the game can just keep up the intensity of the series' combat, then we will be looking at a fantastic action romp that satisfies even the most die-hard Robotech fans. Especially if they can match the voice acting successfully.

E3 has given us our first chance to get our hands on this game this week. This hands-on experience has provided show attendees with the opportunity to take their Veritech fighter into aerial dogfights, over Macross City, through shipyards, and across mountain ranges. Also, the first taste of the multiplayer mode has pit a Veritech against Zentraedi powered armor in a knockdown drag-out duel. Hopefully there will be several different multiplayer modes available to really give this title some staying power.