Chrome Hounds

Reviewed by Dan Shaffer
October 8, 2006

Developer: FromSoftware Publisher: Sega Website: Click Here Platform(s): XBOX 360 Players: 1 (Online: Up to 6 per game) ESRB Rating: T for Teen

Screenshot from Chrome Hounds. Courtesy Sega. Click image to enlarge.

In Chrome Hounds, you take on the role of one of the numerous Rafzakael mercenaries -- represented to you as the ‘hound' you're playing in. In single player, you are led through the RT (Role Type) training missions, meant to train you for the online portion of the game. Online, you are able to meet up with your squad (of up to 20 members) and play for one of the 3 countries (don't worry: your squad leader is able to change the affiliation of the squad so you can buy the parts available to the other countries and fight on the other battlefields). As far as online missions go, you're able to team up with up to 6 members of your squad against either the computer or an opposing squad.

The Good?
In the garage, you have the ability to customize your own mech (referred to in the game as a Hound). This is done with a 'module' system, wherein each part that you add has certain attachment points for other parts to be added. The only limit is the parts you have and the weight limit of the chassis (legs) that you currently have selected. Since everyone in your squad is able to customize their hounds, you're able to rely on your other members to pick up where you may lack.

The Bad (and sometimes downright Ugly)?
The other players. Unfortunately, most gamers are concerned only with winning, which leads to people abusing the customization system and creating certain 'cheap' builds that are used over and over again. This leads to a lack of variety as most squads will only use certain builds. Hopefully time will weed out these power gamers and leave only those of us that just want to play with our own original builds. Until then, trash talk seems to be an effective (but morally wrong) method of dealing with them.

With the online marketplace available to download new parts and the creativity of the ever-evolving playerbase, you'll have to adapt to the constantly changing (and admittedly, sometimes aggravating) new player strategies and builds that you come across. This, coupled with the customization available, is sure to keep you busy for quite a while. (At the time of writing, I have 220 hours logged)

More Screenshots (Click image to enlarge view) :