Chromehounds
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| Chromehounds | |
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| Developer(s) | From Software |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Designer(s) | From Networks |
| Platform(s) | Xbox 360 |
| Release date | JP June 29, 2006 PAL July 7, 2006 NA July 11, 2006 AUS July 18, 2006 |
| Genre(s) | Mech simulator |
| Mode(s) | Offline: 1, Xbox Live: 1-12 |
| Rating(s) | CERO: B (ages 12 and up) ESRB: T (Teen) OFLC: PG PEGI: 12+ PEGI (FI): 11+ USK: 12+ |
| Media | DVD |
| Input methods | Xbox 360 controller |
Chromehounds is a video game for the Xbox 360. The game is set in an alternate universe where mechanised HOUNDs (a kind of mech) battle for control of Neroimus, a fictional region somewhere near Black Sea (according to the Japanese website). The game features a system for personalized customization of the player's mech and an online campaign mode where players wage war in a persistent world over Xbox Live. The game is similar to the MechWarrior and Armored Core series, the latter of which was also developed by From Software.
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[edit] Nations in Chromehounds
The world of Chromehounds is divided into three fictional nations that make up the Neroimus region that the game takes place in. They are as follows:
[edit] The Democratic Republic of Tarakia
Area: 68,540km²
Population: 4,520,000
Capital: Xeres
Ethnicity: Mixed
Language: English
Religion: Multi-religion/Denominational
Head of State: President (4yr term)
Gov. Type: Republic
Industries: Farming, Iron & Steel, Machinery
Currency: Tarakian Dollar
A multi-ethnic nation located in the Western region of Neroimus. Although the nation declared independence after the Eastern European War (1981-92), the connections with its Western European allies to counter the Ex-Soviet/Afghan power within Neroimus is hard to deny.
Since the War of Black Sea (1998-2000), the nation has been heavily supported by the U.S.A. which was interested in expanding into their Eurasian diplomacy. Tarakia is more modern and democratic compared to its neighbors in Neroimus, but it struggles to find a common consensus within the country.
Type of Weaponry: Tarakia has a high variety of weaponry, but the parts have middle of the line durability, weight and performance.
[edit] The Republic of Morskoj
Area: 62,380km²
Population: 3,580,000
Capital: Ostrov
Ethnicity: Native of Morskoj, others
Language: Morskovian, Russian
Religion: Russian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, others
Head of State: President (4yr term)
Gov. Type: Republic
Industries: Mining, Timber, Farming, Metallurgy
Currency: Isra
The former Soviet state is located in the Northeastern region of Neroimus. The people of Morskoj are now independent, but suffered many hardships as a minority when the U.S.S.R. had control. Geographically, the country is covered with rigid mountainous areas which were once rich with mining resources.
Morskoj currently faces a state of tension against the Great Soviet Socialist Republic who is scheming for a reunion. However, the nations are on much friendlier terms with the Republic of Russia who is also in opposition of the G.S.S.R.
Type of Weaponry: Morskoj supplies HOUND pilots with high performance weaponry. These weapons are very strong and have high durability, but they are quite heavy.
Notes:
1. The name of the country - "Morskoj" is a Slavic word and means "marine, from the sea"
2. The country's capital - Ostrov is also Slavic word and means "island"
3. The name and position of this country suggests that it is image of Republic of Ukraine.
[edit] The Kingdom of Sal Kar
Area: 20,800km²
Population: 2,300,000
Capital: Qara
Ethnicity: Sal Karian
Language: Karic
Religion: Sal Kari State Religion
Head of State: Supreme Consul
Gov. Type: Limited Monarchy
Industries: Oil, Gas,
Currency: Ziyad
The extended history of the Sal Kari Dynasty is rooted to the ancestors of the great Ottoman Empire. Historically, the nation experienced a prolonged period of hardship since their kingdom's fall, but recovered greatly during the period when the Middle East was reorganized.
Despite the fact that this nation was forced to depend on imported foods and consumer goods due to the nation's size and desert land, the world quickly turned its attention to Sal Kar since their abundant underground resources were discovered.
Religiously, the nation pledges not to fight a war, but its military arrangements are aggressively updated.
Type of Weaponry: Sal Kar prefers high performance weaponry that reloads quickly and weighs a relatively small amount. Sal Kar weapons are lightweight and are technologically superior, but they have less durability.
Notes: Sal Kar starts with the least territory, and is usually overrun in the first few weeks of the Neroimus war. Another interesting thing is that this country shares some similarities (leader names, terrain, natural resources) with the Arab countries.
[edit] Role types
There are six different mech classes known Role Types (RT for short) to choose from in Chromehounds. Each class of mech has seven different missions in the single-player campaign mode.
The different RTs are:
Soldiers are all-purpose combat vehicles and are the most balanced out of the six types. They are front line specialists. (Designated with the color blue in game)
Snipers specialize in taking out their opponents from afar. They are sniping specialists. (Designated with the color yellow in game)
Defenders are heavily armored and can take high amounts of damage. They are armor specialists. (Designated with the color orange in game)
Scouts are quick, light-armoured mechs that are good for capturing enemy communication towers, known in the game as COMBAS towers. They are mobility specialists. (Designated with the color green in game)
Heavy Gunners carry long-range artillery weapons and are useful in destroying enemy installations. They are artillery specialists. (Designated with the color purple in game)
Tactics Commanders lack heavy firepower and defense, but they serve to direct the battle by supplying orders to their squad and are capable of forming their own network area, which is usually referred to as NA. They are information specialists. (Designated with the color red in game)
However, these Role Types are more broad definitions instead of rigid classes. Hybrid types can be created in the Garage (i.e. Soldier Scouts, Sniper Gunners, etc.).
[edit] Patches
In early February of 2007, From Software released a patch for the game in an attempt to correct game imbalances.
In early April another patch was released which returned the "splash damage" effect of howitzers and double cannons. This patch also lowered the speed at which wheeled mechs operated. Curbed the ability of shot guns to be effective against destroying bases as well as lowered their overall effectiveness by adding recoil that stops wheeled mechs in their tracks.
[edit] Gameplay (online)
Gameplay in Chromehounds is similar to that of MechAssault and MechWarrior gameplay, although it's considered slower, it offers more strategic thinking. In a Standard match, opposing teams of up to 6 will set out to either destroy the opposing team, the opposing team's base, or be in control of the majority of Combas' until the time expires.
[edit] Garage mode
Chromehounds features a fully-functional garage mode where the player can customize HOUNDS from the ground up. While the garages in each mode are functionally identical, HOUNDS constructed in single player are limited to the parts won in single player missions.
HOUNDS are based on a modular design with several categories of parts:
- The chassis is the base of the HOUND and provides mobility. There are many types of chassis, such as wheels, legs, quads, treads, and hovercraft. When their durability is depleted they slow to approximately half their maximum speed, but they can never be completely destroyed.
- The cockpit is where the pilot is located. Your HOUND is only destroyed when the cockpit is destroyed. Parts which remain visible when "destroyed" such as the legs will redirect any further damage taken to the cockpit. The cockpit is generally equipped with 7-9 system sockets. These are where the system parts are placed, and the more heavily defended cockpits have less system sockets.
- The generator provides additional joints to attach parts, and is the HOUND's main power source. If destroyed in battle, movement will typically slow drastically and most support parts will cease functioning.
- Light arms are smaller weapons which typically have a hexagonal joint structure. Notable exceptions include Tarakian and Morskovian anti-HOUND rockets, chainguns, and most shotguns. The types that are available in this category are Chain-guns, anti-HOUND rockets, Machine guns, mobile assault rifles, anti-HOUND pikes, shotguns, howitzers, cannons, sniper cannons, sniper rifles, bomb launchers, grenade launchers and mine layers.
- Heavy arms are very large and heavy weapons which have unique joint structures which can only generally be attached to the cockpit or legs. Three types currently exist: Large cannons or double cannons, Large rocket packs, and guided missiles.
- Assist parts are an oddball category which includes parts which add extra functions to a HOUND ranging from thermal vision to missile defenses to extra armor plating.
- NA makers function similarly to a portable COMBAS in that they allow any friendly within range to talk to teammates within the Network Area. Additionally, they display the locations of any enemy or friendly within the NA to the Commander HOUND (Friendly 'Hounds' are large green dots with their respective number, enemy 'Hounds' are large red dots. ACVs, enemy or ally, are small dots with their respectable color). They typically weigh as much as heavy arms and drain a massive amount of energy. A requirement for Commander HOUNDS.
- Spacers reposition other parts to prevent collisions and interference of movement. Can also create extra points to attach weapons. These come in many different forms, from T-shaped spacers creating many joints, to V-shaped spacers splitting a joint.
New parts for HOUNDs can be unlocked by completing single-player missions, purchased in in-game shops and some parts are available for free/pay download on Xbox Live Marketplace. Special parts can also be bid on in the Lottery. These include experimental parts developed by your own country, and captured parts won in battle. Every day at approximately 2:00 AM EST winners are chosen randomly and the bidding begins again. The selection of captured parts changes every day, and occasionally old experimental parts are moved to the normal shop and new ones are placed in the lottery to replace them. Bids are limited on a squad basis and higher ranked squads are allowed to place more bids (all experimental parts are now able to be purchased in the in-game shops, in their respective countries).
[edit] Neroimus War
The Neroimus War is an online campaign mode which involves the three countries fighting for the continent of Neroimus. Players must join a squad, the equivalent of a clan or guild in other online games, to participate in the War. The map of Neroimus is divided into several areas connected by paths. Each area is divided into several maps. Players may launch a mission within any enemy area adjacent to a friendly area, or in any friendly area which is under attack. Victory yields merit points, which raise your rank, captured parts for the lottery, and capture points. When a country has gained a certain amount capture points on a map, 25,000 to 32,000 for normal battlegrounds and 50,000 for capital cities, that map is turned over to the country. An area belongs to the country which has the most capture points in its maps. When a capital city falls, all areas under that country become part of the conquering country, and players may only fight to reclaim their capital, or seek asylum in another country. The War ends when one country controls the entire map or after two months have passed. After a war ends, squads may choose to change alliance to a different country, and then the next War begins. It should be noted that all of the experimental parts have become available, now only captured parts are available.
[edit] Critical response
Early critical response to Chromehounds has been varied. Most gaming critics have complimented the game's online play functionality and customization options, but have criticized it for having a poor story, average graphics, and slow-paced gameplay. The general consensus is that it is a game that one either loves or hates. These same complaints have been shared by Chromehounds' spiritual predecessor, From Software's Armored Core series.
- Famitsu rated the game 33/40
- 1UP.com rated the game B+ [1]
- Eurogamer: 4 out of 10 [2]
- Gamebrink rated the game 56/100 [3]
- Gamepro rated the game 3.00/5.00[4]
- Gamespot.com rated the game 7.9/10 [5]
- Team Xbox rated the game 8.7 out of ten [6]
- Gametrailers.com rated the game 7.4 out of ten [7]
- IGN rated the game 6.9 out of 10 [8]
- Official Xbox Magazine rated the game 6 out of 10 [9]
- X-Play rated the game 3 out of 5
[edit] Known glitches
[edit] Freezing
On several forums, including the official Sega forums, there have been complaints of player's Xbox 360s freezing while playing Chromehounds[10]. Despite the number of reports neither Sega, From Software, nor Microsoft have been able to reproduce the issue. Sega has officially acknowledged that there may be a problem here[11] and here[12], however it must be noted that it is most likely a problem in the first generation hardware that is being exposed by Chromehound's higher system demands. Firstly, it does not crash at a certain location, rather it can crash anywhere in the game. Secondly, newer Xbox 360s appear to have fewer crashes than older ones. Both of these may point to an issue in the first generation hardware, but this is unconfirmed. This issue can happen with other games also, likely involving overheating, though many players have had complaints of freezes without overheating and while using add-on fan units.[citation needed]
[edit] -999,999,999 credits
Players have reported that at various times while playing Chromehounds on Xbox Live, their credits dropped to -999,999,999. Sega has acknowledged this particular issue and has set up a support squad which users can join to have the problem resolved[13]. Squad leaders may request help for their squads via Sega[14].
This glitch has been fixed with the 9/5/06 Chromehounds patch. Even though the patch is fixed, the service that reimburses the glitch still remains active.
[edit] "Start a new Account Error"
Most players at one point have reported that the game has been unable to locate their account information, prompting them to start new save data. When answering "Yes" to this question almost all data is irrevocably lost. Players simply have to start again from scratch. This error is generally associated with general trouble with Xbox Live or a poor connection to the Chromehounds severs.
This can be fixed by turning off your Xbox and trying again to load your data.
[edit] Unidentified Weapons
During the wars, Sal Kar unleashed their Unidentified Weapon, only spotted in the South Cemo Oil fields of the Gazi area.
When squads picked that area to fight in, the objective switched to "Defeat the Unidentified Weapon." Many people believe it to be an effect of the Sal Kari's losing streak, their elected presidents, or amount of donations. Sal Kar players received a news report stating that it was a squad of mercenaries and, upon entering the mission, would win instantly as the Unidentified Weapon destroyed the enemy in one attack. The Sal Kar unidentified weapon is also know as the "tower hound" or the "gas can", as it is a huge, four legged cylinder, the top of which unscrews and fires over fifty homing missiles at each of the cardinal points. Sal Kar players could only choose the battleground once. Players who defeated the Secret Weapon and those who had the Secret Weapon win the battle for them received a medal. Since its first deployment, it has only reappeared four times, once on the 25th of August 2007. This time it was online for less than thirty minutes, as squad after squad defeated it, also on the 19th of September 2007 it was deployed again. It is unconfirmed how long it lasted but it was at least thirty minutes just like its last deployment. The third deployment was on the 12th of December, at roughly 6 o'clock pacific standard time; as before, the weapon was online for roughly thirty minutes. It's forth and most recent deployment was on the 10th of May 2008.
A year ago, Morskoj unleashed its own Unidentified Weapon, in the East Salma Woods of the Xivera area. The weapon is a huge rail-train that is host to a large howitzer, much akin to a rather large WWII era Dora Gun as seen in the introductory cinematic. Along with its primary cannon, it also has dozens upon dozens of other howitzers, missiles/rockets and other heavy weaponry. One shot from its primary cannon will destroy a player.
On Thursday April 12, 2007 during War #36 the Tarakian Unidentified Weapon was deployed in Wakool of the Baleares area. It is a large treaded platform that launches wave after wave of different ACVs as well as a multitude of different weapons ranging from super machine guns, to howitzers to super heavy sniper cannons, and rocket pods. Ironically it does look like an aircraft carrier with its long flat "hanger" area for its ACVs and protruding cockpit. The mission is fought in the daylight rather than at night which is the usual time in Wakool.
In order for the Unidentified Weapons to be deployed the following conditions must be met:
1. Respective nation must be under duress (i.e. not controlling any other areas);
2. Respective nation must recapture the specified area;
3. When the area is recaptured the specific battlefield must be controlled by the respective nation;
Notes (incorrect myths or rumors):
1. The respective nation's capital does NOT have to fall and be recaptured;
2. The Research Level and Donations are NOT related to the Unidentified Weapons;[edit] External links
