The scenarios in the main Story Mode of the game are played in three formulaic parts where Sumner's story is laid out, Sumner interacts with the people around him, and Sumner then engages in an action sequence involving his ref board or an LFO. The story unfurls in steady progression as Sumner makes his way through the various situations and conflicts that are presented in neatly packaged episodes The Story Mode features 50+ scenarios and attendant missions that relay the storyline in New Vision.

For gamers who don't want to invest the time and energy in Story Mode, there's the Dream Battle and Mission modes where Sumner tackles bite-sized bouts or simple scenarios that allow a gamer to dive right in and play without a lot of reading and emotional involvement.

View the back cover and screenshots on the main NCSX website.

NCS Game Notes
» In the intro to the game, Sumner, Ruri, and members of his support network do their thing in a fast cut animation-video with short snippets of action and interaction as they seemingly wander the world. Sumner is shown as a sort of traveling nomad wearing a cloak but doffs it at the end of the intro. The music track that plays is "Realize" by Flow. The title screen soon appears where the camera is lazily moving through puffy clouds while a blue sky glimmers overhead.

» Press Start and the following options appear:

Story.............Begin a new game
Situation.......Dream Match / Mission / [Secret] / [Secret] / Free Mission / Data Save
Tutorial.........Learn the ways of LFO reffing
Option...........Toggle in-game camera, sniperscope, volume, etc
Data..............Save/load to/from memory card

STORY MODE
The camera pans in on a dusty plain with ledges and Sumner is in the middle of it all. Alone. He recalls his experience in the military and his relationship with Ruri and the friends he met while there. The flashback is viewed in monochrome hues with images and sequences from the first game factoring heavily in the recollection. A showy action sequence plays which involves LFOs reffing through the air while the effects of the Trapar waves stream from the back of their boards. As the intro ends, Sumner is dropped off from the Gekko-Go (Gekko State) into the dusty plain before he walks off and another intro in full color starts with the music from Flow.

The proper game begins with an announcement about an impending LFO competition about to start. A few LFOs are reffing and transforming in mid-air and tag the word "Azure" on the sky. Ruri is speaking to Roddy who is on crutches with goatee and mustache when the camera pans in on Sumner and a girl wearing a yellow bandana and a green bikini. They're discuss the events that brought them to the competition and a guy with spiky blonde hair and a blue/white jacket injects himself into the conversation. They seem to be eating white + blue colored ices in cups. The girl has prepared Sumner's board and he's ready to ref. Before the action begins, Sumner has to speak to various personages in the gathering area when he's approached by a promoter in a red shirt. Soon afterwards, Sumner's standing on top of a platform and about to compete against other boarders in a race filled with obstacles.

Press "X" and Sumner launches himself into the course while three competitors muscle for lead eagle. The key to winning the race and gaining speed is catching Trapar waves which accelerate the board. There are obstacles to maneuver through and the course can get convoluted and hazy as to where to head next. Hitting a wall or an obstacle will cause Sumner to wipe out and fall flat on his face while his competitors seemingly navigate through the course with perfect handling and just the right amount of swerve. After completing the race, a new scenario opens up which follows the aforementioned formula of the game.

DREAM MATCH MODE
Select 1 of 3 available mechs at the outset and engage in a fast paced mech battle. A total of 13 mechs are in the selection screen but the other 10 are in silhouette and require unlocking. One of the available mechs is the standard typeR505 with black/white armor. A total of 12 pilots are available but only Sumner is selectable at the outset.

Dream Match is a quick one-on-one battle against another mech. Glide through the ground on your skating LFO with the ability to transform into vehicle mode for getaways or low-lying shooting at the opponent.

CONTROLS
L-ANALOG............Movement
R-ANALOG............Camera
L1-TRIGGER..........Center Camera on opponent
L2-TRIGGER..........Center Camera
R1-TRIGGER..........Change Vehicle/Mech Mode
R2-TRIGGER..........Special Attack
TRIANGLE.............Fire Cannon
CIRCLE.................Punch in Mech mode; Spin in Vehicle Mode
SQUARE................Guard in Mech mode; Brake in Vehicle Mode
X-BUTTON.............Jump Jet in Mech mode; Speed Boost in Vehicle Mode

Options that may be toggled include
Rail Ride....................[Normal/Reverse]
Camera U&D.............[Normal/Reverse]
Camera R&L..............[Normal/Reverse]
Sniperscope U&D......[Normal/Reverse]
Sniperscopt R&L........[Normal/Reverse]
Vibration....................[On/Off]
Sound........................[Stereo/Monoaural]
BGM Volume...............[10 levels]
SE Volume..................[10 levels]
Contrast.....................[Video settings]

The action runs fast if not a little unwieldy due to the nature of the LFO mechs. The controls seem a little off and while the mechs are responsive to controller tugs, they don't maneuver as tightly or as accurately as one would expect in a fast-paced fighting situation. There's also a slight lag when up to three mechs are rampaging on the battlefield. Dream Match battles are run 'n gun missions with the emphasis on the running since the mechs are highly mobile and won't stand toe-to-toe and duke it out. Although melee attacks are possible, they're not the convention in a game of this type although you can get a few blows in if you can catch your opponent. The vehicle mode is one way to home in on a target to close distances quickly. The transformation between robot and vehicle is performed seamlessly for a visual treat.

MISSION MODE
If you don't want a direct one-on-one fight ala Dream Match and don't have time for the Story Mode of the game, there's Mission Mode where targeted objectives are presented before each level along with a bit of story. In the first mission, Sumner is on the training ground witnessing a few LFOs wreaking havoc on one of his partner mechs in the background. Run across the bridge and enter your typeR505 to join the battle and save your compatriot before the others destroy it. Upon completing the mission, more scenarios open up with simple objectives to accomplish. Over 30 missions are available to hone your LFO fighting edge.

Core Characters
Sumner Sturgeon
Ruri
Moondoggie
Roddy Frame
Hooky Zueff
Gillian Hamilton
Steve Bisson
Shaun Banks
Pez Wells
Afrohead
Nicola Mills
Dominic Sorel
... and a few others

Light Finding Operation Mechs
Terminus typeR505 Custom / Blue mech with missile launchers, cannon
Frestonia / Red mech with shoulder cannon
... and 13 others in silhouette

This document is ©NCSX 2006. All rights reserved. No reproduction in whole or in part of this document may be made without express written consent of National Console Support, Inc.