Astro Boy Import Preview

All of a sudden, it seems like Sega's new domain is making games based on classic and/or quirky animated series with diehard cult followings. Recently we saw the release of Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku, an action game based on the mystical Cartoon Network hit, and soon Sega will reach much further into the animated past when it releases an action game based on Astro Boy, Osamu Tezuka's classic manga-turned-anime starring a little robot boy with a big human heart. We recently got our hands on the import version of the game and have so far found it to be original and endearing, as befits its license.

In fact, we're currently experiencing something of an Astro Boy renaissance, thanks to the recent 40th anniversary of the original anime series from the 1960s. A new Astro Boy cartoon series will begin airing on the Cartoon Network in mid-April, and the PS2 game is based on this updated series (and it even features some clips from the show). Of course, you'll take control of Tetsuwan Atom, the jolly little robot boy who protects the citizens of Metro City from evil with his many fantastical powers. You'll be joined by familiar characters from the series, though if Sega's site for the game is any indication, these characters will go by their names in the new television series in the American version of the game. Atom's creator, Dr. Ochanomizu (Dr. Tea and Water), for instance, is referred to as Dr. O'Shay on the site. At any rate, fans of Astro Boy will find all sorts of familiar faces popping up and should be pleased by the many elements from the television series included in the game.

Astro Boy is being developed by Sonic Team, Sega's star development group whose credits include just about every Sonic game you can think of, not to mention the Saturn sleeper classic Nights. Astro Boy includes some gameplay elements from both of these series and brings its own unique flavor to the mix as well. When you start the game, you'll have only a simple punch attack at your disposal, but as you progress through the linear mission sequence, you'll gain new abilities that are relevant to the situations you encounter. For example, you'll be able to fly just a few minutes into the game, and you'll gain a special vision mode later on when you fight a pesky boss who has the habit of turning invisible. Of course, you'll eventually get to shoot lasers from your fingertips, just like Tetsuwan Atom does in the series.

The missions in Astro Boy are arranged around a sort of hub created by Metro City itself. These flight sequences are pretty nice to look at as you zoom over and around (and occasionally through) the futuristic structures of the city, and here you'll also sometimes engage in Nights-style flying sequences in which you try to zoom through colored rings arranged throughout the sky. You'll also head off to your missions from this city hub, and the exits to these mission areas are represented by large glowing tunnels (although sometimes you'll finish a mission in the city itself).

Once you're in an actual mission, the game plays pretty smoothly. You'll initially run around on foot, but taking to the skies is as easy as jumping and then hitting the jump button again in midair. In flight, the controls are fairly simple--you can steer yourself around in 3D space with the left analog stick while controlling your altitude with the right stick. You can execute Atom's attack moves while flying, so it's generally a lot more fun to just stick to the skies and have full freedom of movement while fighting. In fact, some of the action ends up having a nifty cinematic look to it because you'll be whooshing around, over, and under enemies while you fight. This kind of effect helps to bring the game one step closer to the television show.

Astro Boy is an action game at heart, so you might be surprised at just how much slowly paced dialogue and character interaction there is. Between missions, you'll head back to Atom's house and speak with Dr. O'Shay and other characters about the goings-on and what you'll be doing next. Of course, the import version of Astro Boy is entirely in Japanese, so we couldn't really glean much of a storyline, but it's quite obvious that setting up your next mission will depend on talking to the right people and going to the right areas. It's actually a bit reminiscent of the way Sonic Adventure was arranged--play an action stage, speak to characters and roam around a benign city area, then head off to your next action area. From what we've seen so far, the formula seems to work pretty well.

Aesthetically, Astro Boy seems to hit its mark--that is, emulating the look of the series--pretty well. The characters and backgrounds have a clean, sparsely detailed look that evokes the retro-futuristic look of the anime nicely, and everything is brightly colored and generally pleasant to look at. Alas, the frame rate gets a bit bogged down in some areas, but perhaps Sonic Team will further optimize the game before it makes it to the States. The music and voice work are extremely quirky and Japanese, which you probably expect from a game based on an anime, so we'll look forward to seeing how these elements make the transition after the game is localized for its American release.

From what we've played so far of the Japanese version, Astro Boy seems like a neat little action game that ought to be extra appealing for devotees of the series. There's a thrill factor and a decent amount of variety in the action sequences, and it seems like there will be some bonus material as well, since we managed to find a couple of collectible cards (though the function of these cards remains a mystery). Astro Boy is slated for release in the third quarter of this year, and we'll bring you more information on the American version of the game soon.