Because of the number of titles released during November and December each year Metal Arms received little in the way of publicity and my copy sat in the 'must look at' pile of games for some time due to higher profile titles finding their way onto my GameCube first. Now I have to say that this wasn't entirely my fault and anyone who's seen the cover of this game (and if you haven't it's up there on the right of this page) will no doubt agree that it looks like it's aimed at the pre-teen market or kids to be more precise. The age rating alone should have cleared this up but when you get to my age, who looks? Clearly this is all a pre-amble for the 'don't judge a book by its cover' line of thinking but in the case of Metal Arms was that a good or a bad thing? Read on and see...

 

Graphics:

While this is not the greatest visual treat on the GameCube it certainly delivers enough eye candy to satisfy even the most cynical of gamers. The highlights are undoubtedly the level designs where the developers have managed to realise a world, which is fantastical but at the same time very familiar. This theme runs throughout Metal Arms so while you may be convinced you've seen it all before (and you probably have) the implementation is superb. Animation wise the game is spot on with Glitch managing to scamper around the various levels with great ease and at the required speed. Other robots tend to move in a very different manor with giant robots plodding about with little skill whilst the 'spider sentries' scurry around at a reasonable speed. The cut screens are also wonderful managing to push the plot on in a very movie like fashion.

Sound:

Where the majority of developers generally see the graphics as the most important aspect of a game, Swingin' Ape Studios clearly view the sound as just as vital to the game's success and as soon as you start up Metal Arms you'll see exactly what I mean. This is where most of the game's comedy comes from with the script expertly crafted and performed by a pretty impressive voice cast. In fact the more astute amongst you will notice one Dan Castellaneta (or Homer Simpson as he's better known) on the credits. As with The Simpson's there will be many occasions where you'll find yourself laughing out loud and as this doesn't happen with many of the so-called humorous sitcoms, to find yourself giggling though a game is quite an achievement.

 

Not only is the dialogue very entertaining but the rest of the sound is also used in an intelligent manor, not only creating a real sense of tension but also indicating when various characters are in your immediate area. The two black marketeers for instance are accompanied by a heavy bass instrumental track, which gets gradually louder as you approach them even if they are behind a wall or other obstruction. Everything else is sewn together thanks to some high-octane tunes which perfectly match the on-screen action and also, no doubt, your mood as you're set upon by some rather persistent robots.

Gameplay:

Whilst at its heart Metal Arms is a third person shooter there's much more to it but we'll deal with all that later. You control a tiny robot named Glitch who appears to have few worries in the self-preservation department. Clearly a game of this nature is all about weapons and by the end of the game you'll be equipped with a serious arsenal of destructive tools. Knowing how and when to use these is just as important as keeping an eye on your ammo stocks as some of the weapons are useless unless you aim them at the correct area of a given enemy. There are also a few weapons that are more useful for solving puzzles such as the 'ripper', which can cut through cables with great ease. The levels themselves basically involve you getting from 'A' to 'B' but unlike most first and third person shooters the whole process feels very non-linear so you'll generally have to scale great heights and negotiate underground passages in order to find an exit. There are also loads of collectables so it's worth knowing that shooting some robots will reveal the golden washers that can be spent as soon as you can locate Shady and Mr Pockets, the black marketeers.

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As I mentioned before not all the game is played from a third person perspective and no sooner have you got used to the basic controls than you're flung into another gaming type. Fortunately these are all preceded by instructions and appear frequently enough to break up the gameplay and maintain interest. The first is a fast and furious driving section with you taking the vehicle's controls whilst a friendly robot handles the guns. This pops up again later in the game only this time you handle the firepower. This isn't the only mode of transport you can use and there are lots of vehicles you can liberate throughout the game, some of which are essential to solving the many puzzles. Some of the puzzles can be incredibly challenging and some are just impossible to do in your usual state, which generally means you'll have to become another robot. This is done in one of two ways. First (and easiest) is to locate one of the many arcade consoles and simply 'play it'. This allows you to safely clear an area and enter it once you feel you've got rid all the danger you can see. The other way is to 'possess' another robot with your 'tether gun'. This is most useful when you're required to open a door but you can only do it as an opposing robot. You can also 'recruit' other robots to fight with you by using a 'recruiter grenade', which brainwashes them into joining you and generally fighting to the death.

 

If that's not enough there's also a well-designed multiplayer section, which can be enjoyed with up to four players. These aren't all available initially though so you have to locate enough of the secret chips in order to unlock them. There are seven of these in all whose maps are absolutely huge covering almost every different type of game. These include the standard 'death match' and 'capture the flag' but there are also other modes available that let you alter the game time and amount of weapons available.

Playability:

Metal Arms has a wonderfully gentle (and realistic) learning curve which is essential in a game of this nature as things do get a little complicated the further you get into the levels. Fortunately the first section is tutorial based with two other robots taking you through your paces. There really is nothing like learning from your peers is there? Once you've mastered the controls though it's impossible to put down. This is one of the few 'just one more go' titles I've encountered in 2003. Control-wise the whole thing is also very tight so, although some developers seem to have a problem converting third and first person shooters to the various consoles, Swingin' Ape Studios seem to have got the balance just right.

Controls:

A: Flip/Stomp.
B: Exit Possessed Bot.
X: Primary weapon select.
Y: Action/Fly Up.
L: Secondary Weapon Fire.
R: Primary Weapon Fire.
Z: Melee Attack.
C: Movement
D-Pad: Menu Control.
Control Stick: Movement

 

Lifespan:

Not only is Metal Arms really quite lengthy with its forty plus levels but it also has a reasonable amount of replay value. This is made very easy for gamers; loading up a previously saved game allows you to continue or play any of the levels you've completed or partially completed. The partial bit refers to the secret chips scattered about the levels, without which the multiplayer side of things isn't completely accessible. You can indulge in some of the multiplayer maps but you can only enjoy all of them once you've located the required amount of chips. In short, if you enjoyed this game as much as we did you'll want to revisit some of the levels you rushed through just to seek out that final elusive chip.

Final Say:

You've probably heard the line 'by gamers, for gamers' many times but the truth is Swingin' Ape Studios do appear to know exactly what gamers want and it's all here in Metal Arms. It's varied enough to please even the most critical of gamers and it's fair to say that you're likely to encounter almost every genre of gameplay on this tiny disc. In addition the whole thing is great fun (and funny) from start to finish and while this title wasn't really given a huge push by Sierra it really should be in everyone's collection. With this in mind if you do just happen to have some Christmas vouchers left over and were wondering what to spend them on well... need I say more?