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	Metal Arms: Glitch in the System
	Developer: Mass Media Publisher: Sierra Genre: Action Players: 1-2 Similar To: MDK2 Rating: Teen Published: 01 :20 : 04 Reviewed By: Paul Bistoff Overall: 7 = Good

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The storyline is nothing more than a tool to make you chuckle. We've got swearing robots, farting bad guys, and our fearless leader Colonel Alloy. After all, who can keep a straight face when going to battle flanking robots named "Hosed," and "Screwed"?

Most of the game has you fighting in extremely chaotic firefights, either alone or with the help of AI controlled allies. You begin armed only with a Mining Laser, the droid equivalent of a laser peashooter. After it overheats a few times you'll be begging for a new implement of destruction. Unfortunately, your help won't come quite soon enough. For this reason, the first couple of levels are somewhat frustrating. You just don't have the weapons necessary to succeed in countering the hail of enemy lasers flying in your general direction. The game is immediately challenging, even before you've gotten used to its most basic gameplay elements.

After a bit of frustration you'll employ a multitude of upgradeable weapons. Some are run-of-the-mill machine gun or rocket launcher variations, while others are a bit more original. Later in the game you'll find a "Tether Gun", which is used to jack into and take control of enemy robots. This adds a lot of variety to the gameplay, since it's always more fun to send an enemy to do your dirty work.

Although none of the level designs are clever enough to be truly memorable, the game manages to avoid tedium by presenting a myriad of play styles. There are racing levels, sections where you control a huge rampaging robot, and levels that play very much like a rail shooter. While none of these are implemented as well as the standard levels, they do manage to keep things fresh.

Problems abound, as the action gets intense. The framerate is extremely erratic, making the gameplay choppy and the control frustrating. Slowdown, jerky animation, and screen tearing are commonplace. This all combines to make aiming more difficult than it should be and makes you feel like you're controlling a lumbering mech rather than a nimble droid. When you're surrounded by a horde of angry Zombiebots, these problems often contribute to a painful death.

Graphics: 7/10
Characters are nicely modeled, with each animating smoothly, at least when the framerate allows it. Enemy designs are unique and you'll meet plenty of strange allies along the way. The first time you see the bizarre store keepers, Shady and Mr. Pockets, pull out their folding shop table you'll have to laugh.

Environments are extremely blocky, and they're often covered with bland pixelated textures. I have to say that some of the levels are downright ugly, with the Wasteland region immediately coming to mind. The lighting model is also problematic, as large sections of the environment will suddenly become lighter or darker all at once.

Sound: 7.5/10
Sounds effects are generally well done, with the guns and resulting explosions having a particularly realistic feel. Enemy soldiers yell and scream like babies as you chase them. When they're looking for you, they often talk to each other, delivering several comical wisecracks.

Music is the standard techno/metal mix you've heard in so many games before. There's nothing really offensive, but you certainly won't find yourself humming any of the songs after you turn the power off.

Control: 6.5/10
The PS2 version of Metal Arms is a port implemented by Mass Media, not Swingin' Ape Studios who's directly responsible for the Xbox and GameCube versions. Sure it's still built upon the same code base, but the results aren't perfect. This is most evident in the control department as movement is extremely loose and unresponsive.

Glitch tends to glide a little after you tell him to stop and jumping is inaccurate due to the insensitive control. Making precise movements requires a bit of guesswork; you'll never be sure if you're going to make it through a tight spot. The loose control is also a factor in the driving levels, especially when you have to navigate an unyielding course.

That said, controller layout is intuitive, providing you with easy access to all of the necessary functions. You use both analog sticks to move and aim. The R1 button is used to fire your primary weapons, while the L1 activates the secondary. Holding down the circle button lets you change weapons. In a nice touch, you can save four weapon configurations and activate them with the D-Pad.

Overall: 7/10
Metal Arms is a uniquely humorous action game that's full of potential. Sadly, that potential is never realized due to rather severe technical problems. Yes, if you're willing to overlook its downfalls, the game is still an enjoyable and challenging experience. With over 40 missions, plus multiplayer modes, there's certainly plenty of game to play. Perhaps, though, the tag line "Glitch in the System" sums the experience up best. If you want to give it a go, and have the means, strongly consider the GameCube or Xbox version first.

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