HARDCORE MECHA

If you like mecha games, give this one a try. It has some flaws, but overall it’s one of the best 2D mecha games we’ve played this generation.

An interesting title that shines in both its single-player and multiplayer game modes, offering intense clashes between giant robots with a simple but effective combat system.

Such customisation even translates to Hardcore Mecha’s multiplayer mode, where you can duke it out with another person’s mech either locally or online. The result is an incredibly robust package, and the ultimate small-scale homage to robot anime. [Issue#172, p.86]

The campaign alone is worth playing, but Hardcore Mecha's extras give the package a real boost. Once you're done with the main missions (which can be replayed at any time), you unlock Simulation Mode, which pits you against a never-ending horde of enemies. Shooting them down nets you currency that you can then use to buy upgrades and new mechs for the simulation, resulting in a fiendishly addictive grind. On top of that, there are local and online multiplayer modes. The former can be quite good fun with the right opponent, but we struggled to find other players in the latter.

Hardcore Mecha is a gorgeous, robotic thrill-ride with more than enough variety to keep you hooked from beginning to end. Even if mechs leave you cold, it’s well worth strapping in for.

If you enjoy 2D action games then you owe it to yourself to try out Hardcore Mecha with its varied and supremely fun gameplay.

Hardcore Mecha is a title suspended halfway between the brawler and the platformer: it will certainly satisfy the lovers of big robots.

Technically and mechanically well constructed Mech action. The challenging campaign is definitely more entertaining than the multiplayer skirmishes.

It's a fun, stylised romp, with a plot that ticks all the "good versus evil" organisation boxes. Playing from start to finish isn't going to set your world alight, but what will be provided is a solid and fun run and gun, with some neat twists to break up the sections, and keep the interest right up until that last terror spreader falls under a metal Mecha boot.

Hardcore Mecha doesn’t bring anything new to the table, but it is extremely enjoyable. While having Japanese-only VO could cause you to miss dialogue in heavy action sequences, you might be having too much fun flying around shooting things to even notice.