Mecha Raider
The graphics are great, I really love how they really pushed the boundaries of this system. Just the amount of detail to the sky worlds, characters, mecha
and enimies, as well as the anime and game cut cinemas you see. But most of all the use of 3D which is something I haven't seen much for this system. This game almost looks like it could of been a PSP game which is a great feeling.
Music is good if not quite memorable in my book but it really fits with the game giving it like all RPGs that epic and otherworldly feel. The gameplay is soild I really like the use of the pick and throw method, they actually did a bit more with it like adding a combo system, where if you throw them once you can throw them two more times as long as their still in mid air; which I feel is great because it gives you an edge in the combat let alone puts a fast end to them. Also later on there is the ground and body slam combo which are also great. The boss battles are easy but fun, I even like the design of them.
As usual with the RPG's there is plenty to do and explore which will keep you busy for a good while. And the usual upgrade system where if you collect enough crystals you can expand your mecha circuit board and add parts (which are an homage to the blocks from "Tetris") which fit a particualar way. I felt this was a little intersting because it's practically a jigsaw puzzle which is something a little different.
Even like the designs of some of the levels, I always love the parts where you explore enclosed areas which is the usual dungeon exploring element. I know nothing new but I love dungeon exploring there always lots of action and things or secrets to find.
The story I think is solid, it's not the greatest RPG story I've ever seen and read but it's good enough to be epic and actually made me intrigued. I like some of the twists and turns and one thing leading to another, I wouldn't say this is anything particularly special it's common in RPGs but just wanted to point that out. I really like the world created where people live in floating islands in the sky and their are air ships along with Mecha, it reminded me a little of that world from the anime movie "Castle in the Sky". The characters are rounded well, I really like Red he's cocky and arrogant which is both a strength and a weakness, but I like how he's not some glory hound or an goody goody but just someone thats independant, does what he feels like but most importantly believes and does whats right by his own will. Elh is also a character I like, despite looking like a kid trust me she's wise beyond her years and theres reason for that, she is serious and might seem kinda cold but is really a warm if troubled person. I really like the back and forth between both of them, how both sometimes give each other grief intentionally and unintentually. But there are some touching moments between the two which really made me feel both have a good genuine bond.
The only bad things are this game I don't feel has nearly enough action as much as I wanted. There are some slowspots that cut into the momentum of the game and it's action. You really don't get to do much when you get out of the mecha except to open doors and get things, let alone you have a cool looking gun sword but you don't do much with it except to stun enimies; so I thought that aspect of the game was lame.
It would be cool if this became a genuine franchise, I'd like to see Red go on more adventures and islands in the air to explore, do more pick and throw combos, more mecha to control, more action, more of the chemestry between both Red and Elh just a lot of things. But that's wishful thinking but sometimes my wishes for follow ups or revivals have came true so who knows.
Overall I recomend this game to rookies of the ARPG sub genre or even just fans of the sub genere if you want something different. Solatorobo is a fine tuned machine.