P.N.03 (Product Number 03)

by Capcom

Product Features

• Space has been colonized, and military units defend those colonies with help from the Computer Arms Management System -- CAMS. When a CAMS system goes wrong, the entire colony becomes a killing field, and the only one who can stop it is a deadly robot named Vanessa.
• Lead Vanessa through a series of deadly, intense missions, fighitng her way to an answer with nothing but her laser-wielding hands
• Collect points by destroying anything that stands in your way -- then use those points to upgrade Vanessa's battlesuit with amazing weapons
• Use her speed and strength to take out the incredible enemies she'll face in 11 different sci-fi environments

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00009KO3Q
• Item Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: September 9, 2003
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,958 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

A colonial settlement on a distant planet goes out-of-control after a Computer Arms Management System goes haywire. Enter Vanessa Schneider, a freelance mercenary and robot killer with a grudge to settle in this exhilarating action game. But will Vanessa's dark past collide with her ultimate mission?

Game Features:

• Futuristic sci-fi environments
• Battle robots, machines, mega weapons, and transforming enemies
• Stylish moves and attacks--dodging, rolling, and choreographed gameplay
• Learn powerful attacks, combos, and power-ups

Product Description

P.N.03 brings you the ultimate mission of a powerful future fighting machine!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "I think this transporter is bad for my skin.....", September 16, 2003

By 

flaviolius (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: P.N.03 (Product Number 03) (Video Game)

So proclaims Vanessa Z. Schneider, mercenary unlike any other. She spins out of the path of oncoming missiles, flips backwards to avoid laser fire, deftly rolls to a safe point, then unleashes a barrage of electric death from her biomechanical suit, all while snapping her fingers and tapping her foot to a rhythm of destruction that's all in her head. She's a killer, and she knows and loves it.

Vanessa is the star of Capcom's amazing and unique action-shooter for the Nintendo Gamecube, Product Number 03. Rarely has such a visually impressive character appeared in a video game, especially one with such boundless charism beyond just her looks. Director Shinji Mikami (Resident Evil, Devil May Cry) has captured what few game developers can claim: a soul inside the machine. On the surface, P.N. 03 is a basic dodge-and-fire shooter with a quirky control scheme, but just underneath the obvious is a remarkable work of subtle emotion and brilliantly conceived design.

The story is minimal: Vanessa is hired by a mysterious client to destroy an army of rogue robots that has invaded the distant colony of Ode. Few details are revealed as you progress through the game's eleven missions, but they're understated on purpose, almost to the point of inscrutability (the eventually revealed identity of the client seeming to be the most baffling). Although the dialogue is brief and largely unspoken (although the voice-acting that does exist ranks among gaming's best), Vanessa and her client instantly have their own complex identities. It's a tribute to the writers that so much can be communicated with so few words.

The gameplay is basic, but unique. See the robots, kill the robots...before they kill you. Destroying an enemy starts a timer, which resets with each successive kill. Waste seven droids in a row before the timer reaches zero and you score a nice 7x multiplier. And, if you're able to clear an entire room without taking any damage, another point bonus awaits. Each mission has around 15 rooms, and you're rated after each room. The more points you get, the more power-ups, additional suits, and continues you can purchase from the in-game shop. Along with each normal mission is a set of five training missions, included to help you net extra points and work on your technique. The rooms are full of strategic spots for hiding and launching attacks, and when coupled with the careful enemy placement and movement patterns, the gameplay has an almost puzzle-like feel. Upon entering a room, you'll instantly start planning your positioning in order to maximize combo potential while staying unharmed. One more thing worth mentioning - the camera never gets in the way.

Vanessa does not control like you might expect. She can only attack while standing still - there's no strafing. The triggers make her dodge right or left, the Y button is for ducking, B is jump, A is fire, Z is a 180-spin, X switches targets and executes special moves called Energy Drives when used with short d-pad combos. It may feel awkward at first, but with practice, you enter into a oneness with the action that only the best games deliver. Executing a ballet of destruction, twirling to safety and returning lethal fire feels as exhilirating as it looks. Much like the dance-like combat of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the firefights of P.N. 03 have a wonderful choreographed elegance to them once you've had some practice. It's initially stiff, but much like the unorthodox controls of Sega's GunValkyrie, persistence pays off, and is well worth it.

The graphics of P.N. 03 aren't exactly spectacular or mind-blowing, but they are understated and artistic in a fashion much like Sony's Ico. Everything fits and flows perfectly in P.N. 03, from the dust blowing across the planet's surface to the curved, delicately lit hallways and sleek, menacing enemies. Vanessa's character model is incredibly rendered and animated, but in a quiet and graceful manner rather than a brash show of pure polygon power.

P.N. 03 also sports a remarkable soundtrack. It's not the kind that sticks in your head when you're away from the game, but it has enough creativity, character, and energy to be an essential part of the experience. Add to that sound effects that are wonderfully natural, and you've got a game that benefits from high volumes (Dolby Pro Logic II included).

Here lies a points- and performance-based throwback delivered with modern graphics and sound, along with rare intangibles that set P.N. 03 apart. Of course, the smoothest and deadliest heroine since Samus Aran doesn't hurt either. Capcom's P.N. 03 is not only one of the best games of 2003, it also stands as an example of the interactive art of videogaming at it's understated finest. Highly recommended, especially for anyone wanting something different.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars P.N.03: Stylishly Dancing into the Hearts of Gamers, June 17, 2004

By 

bullz (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: P.N.03 (Product Number 03) (Video Game)

P.N.03 is a very fun and addictive experience. It is a highly underrated game, which has been receiving unfair negative comments and reviews.

In this stylish game, you play as the heroine Vanessa Schneider who is on a mission to destroy the Computer Arms Management System (CAMS), which has gone haywire. You will ''dance'' your way through several mission and training levels battling dangerous robots and deadly bosses.

There is not much depth to this game if you just look at it as advancing from mission to mission, shooting everything in sight. However, you will fine very challenging and rewarding gameplay if you try to get through each room without taking any damage along with trying to collect each suit and add-on.

One common complaint is about the repetitive and stale level design. If you look at the game from the standpoint the developers most likely were, you will understand why there is not much variety. This is a science fiction game, and the levels have a very futuristic feel to them.

Another complaint is about the control. I have not experienced any problems with the responsiveness or control setup. It should be noted that you cannot shoot while jumping. This feature would have been a nice addition, but its absence only adds to the challenge presented by the game.

The music in P.N.03 is very good. There are several nice techno beats that play through the levels. The sound effects are average. There is no distance level to the effects. For example, fire from a robot that is standing right next to you will sound the same as fire from a robot across the room.

P.N.03's graphics are decent at best. If you compare it to Capcom's previous releases on GameCube (Resident Evil Remake, Resident Evil Zero) you will be disappointed. The GameCube can handle much better graphics than these. That does not mean that they are bad by any means though. They still are much better than several other GameCube and PlayStation2 games.

You cannot go into this game expecting it to be the best ever. It is not going to revolutionize the industry or even its genre. The sound is good, the graphics are decent, but the gameplay is fabulous. This game is not for everyone, and I would definitely recommend renting before buying. You will either love it or hate it, but in my opinion, it is one of the most fun and enjoyable experiences you will find on the GameCube.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A pleasantly innovative game., June 15, 2003

By 

"charliekkkk" (Boise, Idaho, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: P.N.03 (Product Number 03) (Video Game)

This game is very innovative. It is from Capcom, and feels like a mixture of Devil May Cry and Resident Evil, set in a generic space theme.

The graphics are excellent. The game is third person, meaning you can see yuor character. She is animated in great detail, as well are all the enimies. I only have one complaint about the graphics: the indoor levels look way too much the same, and they make up over half the game. Sound effect are good, but the music is adequate.

Controls are very fluid, but the setup could use some work. The whole game is very fast. A lot of moves are available, such as running as walls, jumping high, and even Matrix-style dives sideways, but no slow-motion. You control your play with the analog sitck, but it uses a Resident-Evil stye setup. Pushing left or right will turn your character, you have to push forward to move her. Pushing down will turn your character completely around. However, this is much easier than in Resident Evil. First, your character runs, instead of walking slowly. Also, the camera is excellent, and will turn to behind your character when you start moving.

The game is about 12-13 hours long, and is only on 1 disc. However, it is good enough to replay. There levels are exciting, with a focus on action over storyline and puzzles. It is not perfect, but this Gamecube exclusive is still worth playing. I really enjoyed it, and this could definately become a major series for Capcom.