Metal Arms: Glitch in the System

Written by Bryan Montford  on December 04, 2003

Full Review: It's still not the size of your wrenchЕ.

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After writing the preview for this, it's a little hard to not write almost the same thing again. A lot of what impressed me in the preview is still the same in the final shipping version, except this time there's a lot more. And that's a good thing, but makes for a difficult review. So, let's take another look at Glitch and friends.

What do you do to follow up one of the best game demos ever seen on a system? Release one of the best games ever seen on that same system. I think Metal Arms not only delivered on the goods it promised, but brought some additional items to the table for our gaming pleasure. I've seen this title called a sleeper. But frankly, I didn't get too much sleeping done while reviewing this. Metal Arms is an eye candy twitchefest with brains and humor. How often do you see that? Umm, maybe, never! But Sierra did it, amazingly enough.

Our game intro features two robots finding a machine they've never seen before. He's quickly identified and it's discovered his name is Glitch, the hero of our story. Glitch has some mysterious tie in with the evil General Corrosive who's ransacked the planet and bent it to his will. Glitch offers the worn and weary inhabitants of the planet one last chance at deliverance: Albeit with a bolt gun.

This opening scene has some humor my kids didn't quite understand. Maybe it was the beeping that happened every 10 seconds. I thought it was hilarious, they were confused, and I was glad to see that. Preschoolers shouldn't understand that kind of language, but I'm happy I do. It wasn't the bleeping that was so bleeping funny, but the dialog surrounding it. The bleeping just made it funnier. Follow me so far? The game has a lot of humor in it. And that's really good, because this is a very unhappy place. It could have been easy for it to get very oppressive and overly dark. But the writing is good, and rounds out an already excellent game. It creates one of the most endearing parts of the game. Glitch really doesn't have any expressions or dialog, but never the less you feel for the little guy. You really do end up rooting for him.

Between bouts of custscenes and witty repartee, you get to blast the bleep out of all kinds of stuff, mostly enemy robots. Now, that seems like it could get boring, but trust me, it's not. Everything is so fresh feeling and snappy. You'll never forget you're playing a game, but it feels nearly effortless. Like the technology is almost transparent. And that makes for a very cool experience.

Weapons, vehicles, the control tether, multiplayer options and more keep you entertained and nailed to your chair nearly every second you spend with the controller in your hand. Robots take damage in different areas, meaning a well-placed shot might knock an arm right off. Or an expertly lobbed grenade can provide stunning effects. The damage is massive and the engine that drives it impressive in its scope. Regardless, the visuals are stunning. And if you've got an HDTV the visceral visuals pack and extended high definition punch. Particle effects seem to fly off the screen and you might be surprised after a particularly spectacular run that you don't find little fragments of robot all over your living room. Sounds and visuals nearly flood you and augment every little nuance the game offers. There's some occasional slowdown, but it still moves pretty smoothly, and at a very respectable frame rate. Nice use of Dolby 5.1 too. Wait for some of the really good explosions. You do have a sub woofer, right? And all the neighbors are gone for the weekend? No? Well, uh, like I said Ц really good use of the Dolby 5.1.

Glitch does not lack for a few glitches himself, however, mainly because sometimes Glitch moves too well for his own good. Occasionally targeting enemies is a white knuckled exercise in concentration, exerting your will against the machine in an effort to make it point the right bleeping way, especially when it gets hot and hectic. You're busting little yellow butt to wipe out the bad guys, and Glitch is a little uber-automaton hauling said butt like mad, but it's a little twitchy at times. So the game isn't frustration free. But, what's the last game you played that wasn't? Speaking of frustration, some of the additional items in the game are really tough to uncover, just to warn you. Hidden things are indeed hidden. And unlockables will not be handed to you like so much candy at the store counter. You're going to work for it, just so you know.