Written by Anthony L. Cuaycong
Title: Metal Max Xeno
Developer: Kadokawa Corporation, Cattle Call
Publisher: NIS America Inc.
Price: $39.99
Genre: RPG
Considering that Metal Max Xeno is just the second in the series to be released in the West after Metal Saga on the PlayStation 2, it’s hard to believe that 27 years have passed since the original Metal Max made its way to the Nintendo Family Computer. And how the title evolved from concept to fruition is a story in and of itself. Following the dismal sales of Metal Max 4: Gekko No Diva ( 3DS, 2013) and of the mixed reception to Metal Max: Fireworks (smartphone, 2015), publisher Kadokawa Games saw fit to swing the pendulum back to consoles and green-lit the latest iteration for the PS4.
Understandably, Metal Max Xeno represents a departure in its treatment of franchise tropes. Even as it acknowledged its roots in tackling familiar themes, the manner in which it does so distinguishes it from its older siblings. In this regard, Kadokawa Games’ intent is evident; it aims to breathe new life in a title that seems to have reached a plateau. It’s still a turn-based role-playing game focused on vehicle combat in a post-apocalyptic milieu, but its story makes sure to highlight its open-world setting.
Metal Max Xeno begins with mankind at “True Century’s End,” on the brink of extinction and under threat from Sons of NOA, monsters created by the otherwise-defeated supercomputer NOA intent on completing its goal to eradicate any and all vestiges of humanity. After surviving a large-scale attack, a small band of holdouts in the Iron Base, the last remaining settlement in Dystokio, aim to fight back. At the forefront of the rebellion is Talis, a young wanderer with an artificial left arm bent on seeking revenge for the death of his mother, adopted father, and friends.
In Metal Max Xeno, players take control of Talis and do battle against the SoNs through the use of eminently customizable tanks. There’s a learning curve to mastering the combat mechanics, which involve the development of character skills and remodeling of equipment en route to triumph. As with other titles in the series, movement is turn-based, with the open-world map offering opportunities for buffs and levelups. Dungeons abound, and while entry is not required, the degree to which grinding helps in defeating bosses makes their exploration integral to progress.
Parenthetically, tanks can be enhanced through the acquisition of weapons found in areas of the map and the proper assembly at the Iron Base of parts of defeated enemies. Meanwhile, encounters on foot can result in the discovery of useful items and information prividing technological upgrades to the Iron Base and, by extension, raising the rebels’ level of preparedness for combat. That said, battles are relatively short, thus placing a premium on intrinsic strength as opposed to strategy building.
Needless to say, SoNs are extremely difficult to overcome even with Talis driving the powerful Red Rev. Thankfully, Metal Max Xeno employs a forgiving system in which in-game death simply means starting over at the Iron Base. Because there is no cost to failure, however, the risk-reward interplay becomes imbalanced, and advancement is a matter of when, not if. It certainly doesn’t help that the locations of the dungeons and items, not to mention the frequency with which monsters spawn, are randomized. Thusly, repetition winds up being as much an end as a means.
Compared to previous series releases, Metal Max Xeno boasts of audio-visual flair. Its graphics are polished, well-rendered, and appropriate for its hope-amid-the-end-of-days narrative. Meanwhile, its anime-style music, spot-on ambient sounds, and Japanese voice tracks serve as perfect complements. Concomitantly, players won’t find it hard to immerse themselves in their exploration of Dystokio as they look for survivors and aim to be rid of any and all obstacles standing in their way.
In the final analysis, Metal Max Xeno is a worthy addition to the franchise, representing a much-needed update of both aesthetics and gameplay and signifying better things to come.
THE GOOD
- Dystopian setting faithful to franchise origins
- Updated gameplay mechanics predicated on an uncomplicated battle system
- Features a plethora of customization options
THE BAD
- Storyline serves mostly as setup for combat
- Grinding is as much an end as a means
RATING: 7.5/10
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