The original Steel Battalion was known for it's huge controller and complicated controls. Now, From Software is bringing the next iteration of the game to the Kinect. How will this work? Well they've just released a video to show you.

A few things. First off, it looks like the game will not just use the Kinect, but will rather use a combination of both the Kinect and a standard controller. Good news. Especially since I don't think you could work a Mech adequately by flailing your arms and legs around and shouting "BANG BANG" to fire. Second, I do like that From Software is keeping with the complicated control schemes that we found in the first game. In the original Steel Battalion you had to work gas, break, clutch, multiple guns...hell there was even a somewhat complicated startup procedure that could stall your mech if you didn't do it correctly. This new games takes some of these elements and adds to them.

Standing up to go out of the hatch looks pretty cool and, honestly, this is the type of stuff that it seems the Kinect was made for. Not being the controller, but adding to it.  Unfortunately, responsiveness is still an issue and From Software is going to have to work out those kinks to avoid some seriously frustrating moments in battle. Also, it almost seems like you'll have to put down the controller to do some of these actions and then, I guess, pick it up again?

However, the good news is that Steel Battalion only uses the kinect to compliment the controller, the way it should be with all Kinect games.

Honestly though...I still want that big controller.

 

Comments

  • Avatar
    TheBlueFabbit
    12 years ago

    I like the concept of this, but I wish they kept kinect controls as optional, or allowed people to buy a large controller instead of being forced to use the motion controls. That way, if they had the hardware, they could do that instead of having to gesture it, and have the same effect.

  • Avatar
    EchoOddity
    12 years ago

    You could stall the mech? I never knew that! I guess 6 year old me was pretty good at driving mechs, too bad I can't drive a car for shit.

  • Avatar
    Aged Milk
    12 years ago

    Now imagine if they still offered that big ass controller and used Kinect to supplement that.

  • Avatar
    Neon Vanguard
    12 years ago

    First they have this stupid WW2-mecha setting, and then they scrap the controller? What the hell.

  • Avatar
    Iki Iki Tchikiriupow
    12 years ago

    "(...)work a Mech adequately by flailing your arms and legs around and shouting “BANG BANG” to fire(...)"

    That made my day. *thumbs up*

  • Avatar
    lemith
    12 years ago

    I just dont want to use the kinect is all.

  • Avatar
    strudeloo
    12 years ago

    I'm digging the entire premise of the game. I just really wish they'd make a complicated controller to complete it all.

  • Avatar
    Phantomflamex
    12 years ago

    I'm really looking forward to this, I haven't seen a game that works the kinect with the controller this well yet.

    Although I have a question, wtf does your "crew" do? It seems like you do all the major bulk of the work.

  • Avatar
    Razlo TPD
    12 years ago

    As much as i wish this game had a huge controller to go along with it, it seems like they've actually used the kinetic to incredible advantage. After listening to Giantbomb talk about how it actually played, i'm optimistic about this.