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
Subscribe to Game Informer
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
