Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Different Kind of Strategy, 16 Jan 2003
I'll start by recommending this game. By all means take into account the negative comments made by the other reviewers, they are valid, but take them with a pinch of salt. If the only strategy games you have been playing are C+C, Mechwarrior, and even Front Mission 3 - which is a better game with more depth - then you will find this a little odd. don't forget that this is also a very early PS2 game.
What sets this apart is the different set of variables that needs to be considered. Time and timing does play a huge part, and it can indeed make missions very long and drawn out. Weather conditions and time of day also play a part in your Mechs combat effectiveness. Add to that the different combinations of infantry units with different skills - which will spell victory or disaster if you get it wrong - and you have got a decent strategy title.
This is just a different kind of strategy. On the map board, and in battle, you need to be thinking two steps ahead of the enemy, while keeping an eye on your own stats. It's true that the game throws more opponents at you late in a mission, but if that costs you the mission then that just reflects your own lack of preparation to be able to deal with the unexpected.
I highly recommend this game, more depth than Zone of Enders and more arcadey than Front Mission 3, just be prepared to invest a LOT of time in it.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but way overrated, 25 Jul 2001
Having played Front Mission 3 over and over again, I was very happy when I read (in PSW Magazine) that Konami's "Ring of Red" would receive a european release : I was very impatient to play this game. Now, I have almost finished it, and I must admit that I am a bit disappointed : even if RoR's visuals and sound-effects are good (although not excellent), and even if it has *some* strategic depth, there still are some major flaws to this game. (1) The most important problem is that even if all the battles are infantry-assisted AFW(=mech-)battles, there's no way to customise the robots (by choosing parts, or weapons). Of course, there's the possibility to swap infantry-teams, but there's nothing like the "depth" of having to choose your robot's legs, arms, body, backpack and weapons ! (2) Despite all the fuzz, the story-line is very basic, and is certainly not of RPG-quality - so if you're looking for a strategic RPG, stick to a title like FM3 ! (3) A very frustrating problem is that the main difficulty of this game lies in the fact that often, when you have completed 75 % of a scenario, the computer adds a few new (opposing !) AFWs on the grid - and preferably, where you least expect them. The consequence ? All too often you find yourself loosing one of your own machines (and, consequently, playing the whole 2-hour battle all over again) to an AFW that, a moment ago, just wasn't there. Of course, there can be "surprises" like that, but RoR uses them so often that there are moments in the game where there's really no point in thinking over a strategy - which is the whole point : wasn't this a strategy game ? (4) there are WAY too much spelling and grammar errors in the english version !Ok, I have been harsh on this one, but you should know that even if it's a fairly good game, it's overrated. In fact, it's a bit like Kessen : it plays nicely and it looks all right, but if you're a hard-core strategic gamer, skip it : it's not what you're looking for. On the other hand, if you're after a "light" and enjoyable, be it superficial, strategy game, RoR might well be something for you.
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4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best strategy game for the PS2 yet, 15 Jun 2001
OK, so it's not got the stiffest competition yet, but this game is good. It won't be everyone's cup of tea, and has a few flaws, but anyone who wants an involving and challenging experience could do worse than look here.The game is set in an alternate world where Japan didn't surrender at the end of WWII. This led to the islands being occupied by the allies, and divided into three sections with the topmost controlled by the soviets. You play a group from the southern democracy. The peace has been a fragile thing in Japan, and is now shattering as your team of mech robot pilots find themselves in a deepening plot that opens up at a nice speed. After an impressive and interesting intro, you'll maybe find the first glimpse of the game a bit of a dissapointment. The cut scenes are done in a static fashion, with text and mostly still images. You'll be given basic training and introduced to a few characters. Note - it's most annoying that you cannot skip the linking sequences at times, but once you're onto conversations you can cycle through the text at speed. Before you get to the missions proper, you'll find there can be a whole world of text to look through, but it's not essential. So - To the game itself. Those of you who are expecting a cross between ZOE and Armoured Core are in for a shock. This plays more like a cross between Front Mission and Vagrant Story. You choose your strategy on a basic map showing terrain and units, move them into position and attack. The view switches to a most impressive realtime 3d representation of the battle area, taking into consideration the terrain on the map, be it forrest, a bridge, a city, or whatever. The time of day or night also shows on the battle, and night battles can effect your aim. You give orders to your troops to hold back, attack or charge up specail moves, and move your mech into position - alas, you can only go forwards or backwards. Slowly a clock ticks down showing how much time there is before your mech shuts down. This can be a blessing and a curse. When the clock reaches zero, the battle ends. You'll find that this can save your life. It can also save the enemy. You can only fire when your troops have loaded your cannons, and then you have to choose the moment to fire. Wait too long and the turn can end, or you can get shot. The first couple of battles are a bit basic, although the second will give you a taste of what's to come. By mission three you'll be in the thick of it. There's a fair bit of depth here, and some missions will take you hours to play through. It's not a quick blaster, and offers long term rewards over short term thrills. Having said that, every battle is tense and exciting, and the sense of gratification when you detroy an enemy robot is great. Maybe it's not one to impress your friends with, although it DOES look good. The battles are very watchable, and there's always lots going on. If you want something to tax your head and adrenaline glands, and that will last you an age, go for it!
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