Metal Unit E3 2005 Hands-On

A mobile phone's most promising gaming feature has always been its constant connectivity. We get tired of complaining that 3D is a more popular area of innovation than network multiplayer. THQ Wireless is hoping to pave the way to network play by offering Xbox Live-like features in its games. The first of these online-enriched titles will be Metal Unit, a multiplayer mobile suit game that's one part Mechassault and two parts Milton Bradley's Battleship.

In Metal Unit, you choose a mech and customize its arsenal. Certain mechs have heavier armor than others, but these defensive benefits come with proportionate maneuverability penalties. After striking the perfect balance between these stats, you can set up a battle via your buddy list or a matchmaking service. Players can even send messages back and forth to one another, as in Xbox Live.

The actual game plays a lot like Battleship, in that the goal is to lift the shroud of war and locate your enemy. To do this, you can send a scout to the area in which your opponent might be hiding, revealing that part of the map. Once you locate your enemy, you'll be able to open fire on him, using one of several weapons. Like the mechs themselves, these weapons vary statistically, and are either for use at range or in close quarters. The plasma bomb was listed as one of the available weapons, and it likely has a wider blast radius than, say, a handheld rifle. It's up to the gamer to equip his mech in a way that caters to his unique play style.

The best Metal Unit players will be honored on a leaderboard, sorted by nationality, and will be eligible for fabulous prizes in occasional tournaments. We look forward to participating in these this summer, when Metal Unit hits major US carriers.