[360] Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor...Why the Kinect continues to suck

[Twigg4075]

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/19/metareview-steel-battalion-heavy-armor/

Metareview: Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor
by Alexander Sliwinski on Jun 19th 2012 4:00PM

29

Only the majestic tone of the illustrious George Takei could sum up Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor's reviews so far: "Oh my!" In our two-star review we retreated back to the Kinect game classic "It's great, when it works," but at least we seem to have scraped some functionality out of the game. Prepare thyself, for only darkness is found beyond here.
OXM (75/100): "Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor isn't for everyone. In fact, some people may be more turned off by the potential for error in its Kinect controls than by the Xbox version's overbearing, multi-button controller ... War has never been this intense, and you should try to take part."
Destructoid (30/100): "At its core, it's a basic mech game with a "realistic and gritty" feel to it that you've seen a million times before. Maybe at some point, the Kinect requirement can be patched out of it. Until then, piloting these Vertical Tanks even while sober may result in a loss of brain cells."
Game Informer (30/100): "The mech-combat genre isn't overflowing with alternatives, but they do exist. Save yourself the aggravation and pick any one of those. You won't do any worse."
IGN (30/100): "Heavy Armor might be Kinect's most spectacular failure, but it's precisely because it's so ambitious. ... Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor deserves a lot of credit for sticking its neck out in an effort to craft a fresh videogame experience. It's one of the best ideas on Xbox this year, but ultimately it's also one of the system's worst games."
Polygon (10/100): "I was never able to shake the feeling of watching through a window while someone else played Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor as I shouted suggestions and waved frantically, hoping they'd notice me. So, how is Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor as a game? I honestly have no clue. You'd have to ask the guy in the other room."

I know a lot of Xbox, and more so, Kinect Fanboys had high hopes for this one but it appears to be another piece of crap added to the heap of Kinect games. I'm not sure if this proves that the Kinect can really only do mini games and dance games, but that fact is getting closer and closer to being cemented by the day.

Also, pay special attention to the OXM review. If that doesn't prove how biased those guys are I don't know what does. Now, I know they are the Official Xbox Magazine but c'mon guys, have SOME integrity. I've noticed throughout the years that no matter how shitty an Xbox exclusive game may be, they don't give it anything lower than an 8, which is crazy. A notable recent game was Fable 3 which many sources complained was just a broken mess and nowhere near as good as Fable 2, yet they gave it an 8.5 I believe. They also hand out 10's for big games like Halo: Reach and GoW like they are candy. On the contrary, OPM, formerly PSM (PlayStation Magazine) regularly gives out lackluster scores for lackluster PS exclusives. Just something to keep in mind.

As a Kinect owner (received it as a gift) I actually hope that good games do come out for it, but I would honestly be fine with the few dance games and other mini-game type games I already have with it. I really do think that the technology is limited by what kinds of game can support it and this game just further proves that point.