Reviewed
12.13.2001
Publisher
SNK
Developer
Yumekobo
Format
?
Megs
Origin
Import/Domestic
Available
?
(JPN)
?
(USA)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Normal
Dimensions
2D
View
Overhead
Genre
RPG
Players
1
Options
Backup
Color
NGP
Link
Requires
n/a
Importable
?% |
INTRO:
> Biomotor is a game that plays a lot like Evolution for Dreamcast, but
better. What makes it better is the arm system. When you start the game
you chose a character and a mechanic who will make arms out of materials
to improve your mech. You can also buy many part upgrades for your mech
at the shop. Parts and items can also be traded with a link cable. The
story is decent with at least one surprising plot twist, I rather enjoyed
this aspect of the game.
GRAPHICS:
> The town and character portrait graphics are great, but the dungeon maps
are very basic, not helped by the fact that they are randomly generated
(although randomly chosen would be more accurate, I'm fairly certain I've
had duplicates). The battle scenes are about average, the combatants look
good, but there are no backgrounds.
CONTROL:
> As with most RPGs the controls are fine for what they need to accomplish.
The best thing is that the controls are responsive and therefore battles
move quickly, without unnecessary button presses and pauses. The towns
are navigated by choosing a location and a person to talk to, with that
person's portrait popping up over the area. It's a style I've always liked.
The four dungeons are selected from the overworld map and played out in
overhead view with random traditional turn-based battles. There is also
an arena in the town where you battle to increase your rank.
SOUND:
> The sound is quite good for a handheld game and I never heard it make
any cheesy or tinny sounds. The sound effects are plentiful and the music
is nice, but none of it is exceptional.
FUN:
> If you like traditional RPGs this game is quite fun, what it lacks in
presentation and atmosphere it makes up for with innovation. With over
200 arms to make utilizing mithral, silver, and about 12 other metals there
is a lot of collectability to the game, a feature I always appreciate.
The main problem with this game is that levels don't do anything obvious
for you, as they don't boost your stats, I read somewhere what they do,
but I forget now. But gaining cash to improve your unitron is the same
as leveling anyway and much more fun. Overall I had a lot of fun playing
this game. I can see people not being thrilled with it, but I can't imagine
anyone not liking it.
|
