Update: December 6, 2006
«©NCSX» The year is C.E. 73 and the peace treaty between ZAFT and the Earth Alliance is two years old and simmering beneath the surface. As Gundam Seed Destiny's storyline kicks off, members of an Earth Alliance group known as "Phantom Pain" steals three mobile suits from a ZAFT installation which eventually boils up into another war.

Originally released in Japanese arcades earlier this year, the latest Gundam Seed release makes it to the PS2 so gamers can enjoy the blazing action in the comfort of their homes. Players team up with a CPU-controlled partner or 2P player in all of the missions where squads of enemy mechs are fought, evaded, and conquered. The action runs fast and battlefield conditions change continually as new enemy mechs enter to replace their fallen comrades. In addition to the standard Arcade mode, the Playstation 2 version features a Fight Mode, a P.L.U.S. Story Mode, a Challenge Mode, and a Gallery which collects artwork of the mechs and pilots, BGM track, and a bevy movies from the game. Most of the items in the Gallery are locked at the outset but samples are available for viewing.

Jan Code: 4582224491414

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

» In the short intro to the game, clouds appear against a blue sky that part in a cylindrical shape to allow passage of a Gundam warrior that immediately clashes with another one in a quick sequence before the title screen appears. The title song that plays is called Ignited.

» Press START and a bevy of selections open up as follows:

FIGHTING MODE: Play as Shinn Asuka (default) or another pilot and mecha and choose a partner from three possible choices that is controlled by the CPU or a second player. Once the choice is highlighted, the partner pilot, mech, type, and level may be selected. The first battle in our test this morning took place underwater where you and partner attack two enemy mechs. Jump-jet upwards to break the surface of the water to get an overhead view of the stage and plan attacks before plunging down into the depths once again.

ARCADE MODE: The coin-op game is transplanted to the PS2 where up to two players may cooperate or compete against each other. There are six routes that may be selected (A to F) but a seventh route may be unlocked that is exclusive to the Playstation 2 version. After selecting Route A, you're allowed to select a mobile suit and the pilot before the game briefing allows you to choose Speed, Rush or Power as your special booster and view the topography of the map. The first mission in Route A is a simple attack and destroy mission to blow out three enemy mechs and the second phase takes place near an burned-out industrial complex that's off-planet. The third phase takes place on a dusty desert complex

P.L.U.S Mode: The Story Mode which explains the peace treaty that was signed in C.E. 71 and tells the tale of Gundam Seed Destiny with static screens and a voice over which relays the tale. When C.E. 73 rolls around, Shinn Asuka talks to Gilbert Dullindal for his mission and partners up with a purple-haired girl named Lunamaria Hawke. The first mission has Shinn Asuka and Lunamaria teaming up to take on a total of 4 enemies who appear one after the other. After the win, Lunamaria levels up to level 3. In the second mission, Shinn, Lunamaria, and a third helper named Rey Za Burrel team up to defeat 8 enemy mechs. The third mission features Shinn and Rey Za fighting against mechs and so on and so forth. Each level is opened up after each previous mission is completed. The early missions are simple and straightforward but ramp up in difficulty as the player reaches higher levels and his sphere of character interaction grows. Shinn is at the center of the universe but linkages reach out to other characters. Whenever a new mission opens up, the word "NEW" orbits the character's portrait so you can go there and engage the next mission. Duel Gundam is used in the fourth mission and it's an impressive piece of hardware that can do a funky attack move by pressing the R2 trigger.

CHALLENGE MODE: This section is split into battles where you can choose from 6 battles (A to F) at the outset and then select a mech and a pilot. The conditions of the game are shown along with the number of enemies that must be defeated. Battle A, for example, features 10 enemies to conquer and Battle B features 5 enemies.

GALLERY MODE: Check out character lists (5/51 available), movie list (2/28 available), Art Work List (3/111 available), and Sound List (2/30 available) at the outset of the game. The rest is unlocked by playing the game and meeting objectives and fulfilling conditions. The Art Work List is basically a showcase of the different robots in the game along with their moves lists on a grid-background with the name of the mech.

OPTION MODE: Set difficulty level, time limit, set stereo/mono, adjust sound volumes, Set controller button configuration for both controllers, Adjust the screen on an X-Y axis to your liking, View score rankings, and Save/Load game data.

» At the outset of the game, a total of 74 robots are selectable along with 39 pilots. Before each battle, a briefing is played along with an overview of the level.

CONTROLS
L-Analog: Movement
X-Button: Jump-jet. Press again for booster or hold for sustained flight.
SQUARE: Fire primary weapon
TRIANGLE: Attack with melee weapon
O-Button: Target enemy or press again to target next enemy
R1-Trigger: Fire secondary weapon

» The game looks stunning considering we're on PS2 hardware. The mechs are crisp and comparable to the arcade originals. The action also runs fast and HOT with snappy controls and nigh perfect response when the heat of a frenzied battle requires perfect maneuvering and deft handling. Another consideration is how solid the mechs look and feel - there are no polygon pop-ups or breaking up of the metal shells of the Gundam as they run around the expansive battlefields.

» It's possible to create a custom pilot right on the character selection screen - simply select any of the three helmeted warriors and then enter the pilot name. Before the battle starts, choose SPEED, RUSH, or POWER as the mech's focus.

» When playing the game, its important to keep track of all the enemies on the battlefield since a stream of laser fire may be headed for the back of your Gundam at any time. A radar scope on the upper right corner of the screen keeps track of all battlefield participants - green indicates friendlies while red are enemies.

» Your artillery is tracked on the lower-right corner of the screen - the MAIN gauge keeps track of primary gun while the SUB gauge tracks secondary shoulder cannon. The guns slowly recharge as they're used. Primary gun automatically targets the enemy highlighted by your attack cursor while secondary gun shoots in whatever direction you're facing.

» Either the D-pad or L-Analog may be used for control of the Gundam. We preferred the D-pad since it was easier to double-tap to dash around the battlefield by pushing on the D-pad than the L-analog.

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