Developer FromSoftware is giving us a new taste of mechanized warfare with their new Xbox 360 title ChromeHounds. In this title players will dominate the battle field in massive killing machines known as hounds. A hound is a building sized mech that carries enough firepower to level an entire city by itself.

The story line of this one is set in the future where three major nations are at war with each other. Gamers have to choose which nation they want to join. Each nation in this global free for all has its own special weapons and armor that players can upgrade their tin plated puppies with. These unique items are the incentive for gamers choosing one nation over the other.

Unlike other mech games in the past which focused on a lone wolf approach this one will feature squad based gameplay. There will be up to five other hounds watching your back when the explosions start. Gamers can control their teammates by barking out orders with the voice command feature. This should be a useful feature for keeping your squad together and focused on mission objectives.

While there is a single player component to this game the core of the game will be its multiplayer features. There will be the usual death match game modes the developer has also created an online campaign for this one. The campaign will blend both action and strategy based gameplay. The action part consists of two team’s battling it out to take control of a specific location on the world map. When a team wins the battle for a location that area will be added to their faction’s territory. The ultimate goal for gamers is to take control of the entire map and win the war for their side.

What's This Game All About Anyhow? from the developer.

You are responsible for arming and customizing your massive mechanized weapon, but overload it and you won’t get very far. Your teams’ successful completion of missions will open up valuable new items that will bring you all that much closer to victory. Chromehounds also offers numerous single-player missions, plus training modes for team combat and HOUND control familiarization.

Gameplay Features - from the developer

  • Choose your allegiance: start in one of three nations, each with its own unique technology and look.
  • Dig deep into the online campaign, or pick-up-and-play.
  • Both first and third person perspectives.
  • Incredibly realistic next-gen effects.
  • Hundreds of items to earn.

Game Media - Screenshots

Chromehounds Xbox 360 Screenshot

Chromehounds Xbox 360 Screenshot

Chromehounds Xbox 360 Screenshot

Game Info and Resources

XBS Commentary - Our Thoughts

I’ve always been a huge fan of mech combat games so I’m really looking forward to this one. While this game is still in its early development the graphics look topnotch. The mechs are extremely detailed with individual gun ports and you can actually see the working parts on a few of them. I also noticed some rather impressive smoke effects that came rolling out from the explosions of destroyed hounds. The gameplay looks like it will compliment the graphics of the game. This one looks like it will be very fasted paced and intense.

Although the squad based angle has been used before in other mech style games. I think this one has a chance to pull it off in a way that has never been done before. The real catch will be if the developer can make the A.I. function with out delays or other hiccups. I really like the whole idea of working towards an ultimate goal rather than the same old rehashed death-match angle. The online mode has me excited I really like the Command & Conquer style and feel of this feature. Overall this one has everything to make it a great game. While still adding enough of the old school styles that veteran Mech Warriors will be satisfied with.

Written by XBS Previewer Pure Ego.

Filed under: Xbox 360

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