Steel Battalion: Line of Contact

by Capcom

Product Features

• Assemble your troop of five Vertical Tanks, and go online to face other commanders in the war for technological domination
• Choose from 10 massive new Vertical Tank(VT) models you can control, in cockpit view or in 3rd-person perspective
• In teams of five, you'll jump into the biggest online mech battles around -- fight for dominance on the incredible virtual battlefield
• Players can even create and customize emblems to personalize VTs
• Full support for Xbox Live

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00009WAV6
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches ; 3.2 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: August 7, 2006
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,943 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Game Informer Review

Line of Contact is an interesting game offering on so many levels. First and foremost, you can't play this unless you have purchased the original Steel Battalion (which retails for a beefy 200 dollars), as that is the only way to get your hands on the required 40-button controller that features three foot pedals and two joysticks. Secondly, the game can only be played online or on a local area network, so unless you have nine other friends with the title and the time to lug their gaming rig to your house, an Xbox Live account is also required to play.

Like the original game, there is nothing pick-up-and-play about Line of Contact. The user interface is still clumsy and mastering the controller takes a couple of hours. And, like the original, you really have to love starting up your mech, because you are going to do it a lot and it's a process that takes about a minute each and every time you hop into a new machine.

Line of Contact offers four different modes of online play: Battle Royale (deathmatch), Capture the Container (LoC's answer to Capture the Flag), Campaign, and Conquest. The latter two being the most interesting, as they allow teams of players to earn battle power points by blowing crap up, capturing bases, or completing various objectives.

If you loved the original Steel Battalion, I can't recommend this purchase enough (even though it is more an expansion pack than a full game). But be forewarned that there aren't exactly a ton of people online and the quality of the experience suffers for it.

Concept:
Give players an online option for using that expensive controller they bought a year ago

Graphics:
The addition of 720p makes an already graphically impressive game stand out even more for HDTV users

Sound:
The sounds of battle drip with realism, but the rest of the soundtrack is only acceptable

Playability:
Understanding and mastering the monstrous controller takes time, but it is a treat once you get it down

Entertainment:
If you love realistic mech simulators, this is the game for you

Replay:
Moderate

Rated: 7.5 out of 10
Editor: Andy McNamara
Issue: May 2004

2nd Opinion:
Since it requires approximately $300 to play (when including this title, the original, and Xbox Live), I'm a bit let down that Line of Contact doesn't have a little more to offer. Yes, the Campaign mode is great, but that doesn't change the fact that this is nothing more than an expansion pack being treated as a true sequel. But if you can afford it, Line of Contact offers an unparalleled video game experience. The original Steel Battalion was immersive like no other mech title, and playing against other humans takes things to the next level. Sure it's awesome, but I can't help feeling a little bit of sticker shock.

Rated: 8.5 out of 10
Editor: Jeremy Zoss


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Product Description

Steel Battalion: Line of Contact is the most intense futuristic combat game ever. Your mission is to stay alive during a military coup, while regrouping your men and facing your enemies. Fight to win in this incredible sci-fi military simulation! NOTE - Works only with special 40-button Steel Battalion controller!

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Does NOT work., March 23, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Steel Battalion: Line of Contact (Video Game)

This game is the victim of extremely poor netcode. There is a 20% chance of getting into a 2v2 game in Free Mode, and close to 0% in Campaign mode. It is supposed to support 5v5, but no one in the US has been able to come close to that. My connection is a 2mb DL/512k UL.

Capcom & Microsoft are playing the blame game, and the customers are left out to dry. I recommend getting something else until (or if) these issues are fixed. It's really a shame - the game itself is outstanding. If you can't play an online-only game online...what good is it?!

12 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is going to be one of the most epic games ever, February 11, 2004

By 

Andrew J. Fredrickson (Superior, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Steel Battalion: Line of Contact (Video Game)

Last Christmas I took the plunge into getting Steel Battalion. To this day, I play it at least 5 times a week, the game is so incredibly awesome. Now with Line of Contact coming very soon, its going to take this game to the next epic level. With Xbox Live (yes its online!) five on five teams can battle it out in deathmatches, capture the flag and more game modes to be shown later. New VT's (vertical tanks, that's what you pliot in the game) new weapons, new mission & enviroments. If you are a dir hard Mech fan, this game will have you pissing in your pants. When played on a 48' HDTV w/ surround sound, this is one of the best game experiences ever. My respect for the Xbox has been won over with this game, not even Halo could warm me up to this system. But in order to enjoy this game, you MUST have the 40 button, 3 foot pedel controller with is included with the origianal game. So, if you are feeling up to the steep challenge (and price) you will have the time of your gaming life with this game.

2 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars No warning, November 7, 2005

By 

Robert F. Jensen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Steel Battalion: Line of Contact (Video Game)

I would love to be able to write a review about playing the game,but becouse Capcom does not state on the box that you can only play their game if you buy a special controler I have no clue what the game is like.Not only that but I can not even find the controler to buy(or how much for it).I do not like to bad mouth some ones product, but when I pay $45.00 for a game I would like to be able to play it. I just thought you might want to know about the controler befor Capcom suckers you into spending more money just to play thier game