From the preview, "I'd never had the opportunity to play Irem and Atlus' PS2 Steambot Chronicles, but had heard good things. So when given the chance to test drive the portable Steambot Chronicles: Battle Tournament, I looked forward to an interesting experience.
Adventures in Orion City began after I'd named my character and Trotmobile. (I went with Jenni for me and Shiva for my Trotmobile.) The game begins dark, with a sailor telling you to wake up and arrive. Immediately I was given the opportunity to choose how to react to the announcement. After asking for a few more minutes to sleep, I was informed that we're in Orion City and it's time to get off the ship!
Right away, familiar voices greeted me. Laura Bailey (Rise from Persona 4) voices the female heroine, and Tracey Rooney (Chie from Persona 4) provides the voice for your personal mechanic Venus..."
Edward Cheng states, "Don't let the cute graphics and mechs fool you, this game is as hardcore as Armored Core and Chrome Hounds. Steambot Chronicles: Battle Tournament is a PSP spinoff to Irem Software's PS2 title Steambot Chronicles. It centers around the protagonist of your choice, male or female, as you enter Orion City to take part in the Steambot Tournament. You meet a companion, Venus, and find yourself unraveling a secret and beating bad guys along the way. If the story sounds terribly cliche, it's because it is, and unfortunately for Steambot Chronicles: Battle Tournament, it doesn't get much better."
Russ details this week's best finds in RPG shopping, and by happenstance a few RTS and FPS titles find their way into the mix.
Russ writes, "Demon's Souls… on clearance? Dr. Pepper and… Mass Effect 2? Strange days, man." Many discounted RPGs this week.
