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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Altered Beast
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
This squad-based action title puts gamers in control of giant mechanized military weapons of war. Chromehounds offers an intense, photorealistic look at war from the cockpits of colossal metal vehicles. These heavily-armed weapons of war, called HOUNDSs, dominate ground battles during warfare in the near-future. Squads of HOUNDs take to the field in international factions, cooperating with and complementing each other in terms of firepower, range of movement, and abilities. Domination of the world is the prize for the mightiest army on the field. Strategic planning, snap reflexes and communication are key to winning the day in this battle-hardened action title. Players take the role of either a Squad Member or a Tactics Commander, who is responsible for strategically guiding the team to victory with verbal commands on Xbox Live. In addition to supporting both cooperative and competitive online modes, the game offers thousands of upgrade options, which effect both the look and performance of player mechs. Strategic gameplay puts the player in the role of 'tactics commander'; manage your squad while testing your reflexes on the battlefield. Xbox LIVE support offers cooperative and competitive campaigns for up to 12 players at once. [Sega]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 100
Computer Games Magazine
Chromehounds isn't just the most exciting giant robot game since MechWarrior 2 opened with that famous Digital Domain cutscene; it's absolutely a reason to buy a 360 and a Live subscription. [Oct. 2006, p.81]
92
My Gamer
Chromehounds delivers on almost every level and is one of the better titles to have been released on the Xbox 360 this year.
 90
Yahoo! Games
For those of you looking for a giant robot game that's distinct, exciting, deep, and eminently customizable, as long as you're willing to play with others, Chromehounds is what you've been waiting for.
87
Team Xbox
HOUND building is borderline therapeutic. Slow in areas, but never for trivial reasons.
87
Xbox Solution
The fact that up to 20 players can compete against each other at one time with no lag is impressive.
85
Kombo
While Chromehounds delivers on the multiplayer aspect of the game, it is lacking a great single player to go with it.
85
eToychest
Hearing your squad yelling in victory at a hard-earned tactical win or laughing at an unlucky shot in battle is a great feeling, and the best battles can create a story that people will be talking about days later.
84
Cheat Code Central
Operating the hounds is a breeze. They are even easier to operate than the mechs in Mech Assault, although they don't move as quick. Speed is sacrificed for ease of control.
83
Gaming Age
It is a slower methodically paced title that demands patience and the ability to command squad units to be successful.
83
Pelit (Finland)
A lot of fun when played online, but the single player mode feels lacking. The impressive multiplayer Neroimus War could still use some play balancing, and the game is needlessly trying to please both the sim and the arcade crowds at the same time. [Sept 2006]
82
Game Almighty
Overall, Chromehounds is a coin-flip because gamers will either love it or hate it due to its weak single player campaign and its robust multiplayer mode, which are both wedged in between inconsistent graphics and boring level design.
82
Game Over Online
The best multiplayer experience on the Xbox since "Steel Battalion: Line of Contact," and so far, minus the awesome controller, it puts that game to shame.
81
GamingExcellence
Chromehounds is truly built as a multiplayer game where team strategy, roles, responsibilities and cooperation will prevail at the end of the day. Played in this fashion, the depth and longevity of Chromehounds, not to mention its customization aspect, will last any gamer with Xbox Live a long time.
80
GamingTrend
You need to be aware that this is not the high-speed game like Virtual-On, or Armored Core tends to be, but more of a giant robot chess match. If you are up for that sort of war, we’ll keep a spot open for you on the GT Goonsquad.
80
NTSC-uk
Chrome Hounds makes no apologies for what it is and it isn’t looking for your appreciation. It just wants you to fight in its war. Pretenders need not apply. But if the lure of war is tempting you, then sign up.
80
DarkStation
Mech games are pretty scarce on the consoles, and this one fills the void nicely with plenty of customization options, fun multiplayer mode and spectacular visuals.
80
MS Xbox World
Once you get over the initial speed of the game and focus on the more tactical element then players will have a better time. However I fear that many players will lack the patience, especially if they are used to fast paced first person shooters.
80
Gaming Target
More than any other game, it’s the online multiplayer that really tips the scales and saves Chromehounds from being a forgettable B-grade title.
80
Deeko
A very niche, very focused and polished experience that will reward you if you and your friends are willing to put time into it.
80
1UP
An innovative take on how shooters and mech games can play, with a very nice addition of "collect-'em-all" gameplay from the variety of parts available.
80
Boomtown
I'm actually having more fun online with this game than "GRAW" thanks to the even greater emphasis on team play, role types and big robot things exploding.
79
GameSpot
This unique mech combat sim looks great in action, but gets most of its mileage out of its persistent online campaign, which can be very fun for dedicated players.
79
Game Chronicles
Chromehounds is probably one of the more inventive games of its time. It’s the first persistent online game on the 360 and it’s FREE to play (Live fees not withstanding). It has good graphics, challenging gameplay, and enough parts and upgrades to keep even the most diehard armchair mechanic glued to their TV for weeks and months to come.
78
Talk Xbox
If you’re looking for a game with a solid single player or twitchy action shooting then you’re in the wrong place. Chromehounds is at its core a multiplayer experience with an emphasis on teamwork and tactics.
77
Planet Xbox 360
While the first Mech title for the 360 isn’t exactly incredible, it does set a standard for online play that will only better with age.
75
GameCritics
People willing to enlist for the full tour of duty are going to find a tactical experience unlike anything else out there—just make sure you know what you're getting into before you sign on the dotted line.
75
Detroit Free Press
This game will suck you into its wartime world if you let it. And once you've adjusted to the game's quirks and interface, you'll find it very enjoyable.
74
GameZone
The single-player game is sorely lacking in several key areas, and the online game, while fun, does require a lot more effort on the player than say ... (insert favorite game here).
74
Digital Entertainment News
Its pretty, but like Chrome its mostly flash and little substance. At least you can show it off to your friends.
71
Worth Playing
It's as if the game designers are saying, "Well, just imagine that you are fighting in a huge war." With that kind of attitude, I hope that they are able to imagine me still playing this in a month – because I certainly won't be.
70
GameSpy
The online performance still has a lot of kinks, often making it tough to join games. It can be difficult to experience the game properly as a functional squad. Still, Chromehounds is a game that has a lot of potential.
70
Games Radar (in-house)
This game is predominantly about next generation tank combat, which may strike some people as terribly boring, but for those just itching to join the new era of steel-clad, explosive-hurling champions, Chromehounds delivers the most satisfyingly complete experience available to date.
70
PALGN
Like the idea of mech-battling or are a hardcore gamer? Got Live? Got time? Got capable friends online? Then Chromehounds has something to offer you in these slow times.
70
Game Informer
Chromehounds wields tons of fire-power online, but its gameplay gears are rusty. [Aug 2006, p.87]
70
Play Magazine
The customization adds an additional layer of strategy to Chromehounds, one that's very much welcome. [Aug 2006, p.59]
70
Next Level Gaming
I was rather disappointed with the single player game. I was able to finish all of the single player missions with just a few hours of gameplay.
70
Thunderbolt
Chromehounds is for all those who've ever wondered who exactly was backing them up when they faced armies of security bots, turrets, and other mechs.
70
Gamestyle
Chromehounds is an excellent online game, but the single-player suffers because of it, making it no use for anyone without a Gold Live account.
69
IGN
Even while using proper RT tactical maneuvers, playing Chromehounds only amounts to a point and shoot experience, despite its impressive customization complexities.
67
GameShark
However, the technical issues that currently exist in the game in a connection-based capacity really are unacceptable, and it saddens me immensely that issues like this still exist after the widely-known tragedy that was Steel Battalion: Line of Contact, and given how much potential this game has.
66
Jolt Online Gaming UK
Even hardcore mech fans, who may well get their money’s worth in the multiplayer, would have benefited greatly had more time being spent making the combat more enjoyable.
65
Official Xbox Magazine
Like the "Armored Core" games, Chromehounds feels like an amalgam of smart and goofy, and while it will appeal to fans of the former series, finicky casual types will probably be bored, frustrated, or both. [Sept 2006, p.82]
63
Electronic Gaming Monthly
A well-made, technically solid shooter, but its dedication to realism kills the fun. [Aug 2006, p.88]
63
Xbox World Australia
While tactics are required the crux of battle really comes down to brute force, which may diminish the longevity of the game's appeal.
62
Gamer's Hell
Scant little more than a badly reared puppy that’s bound for the pound.
62
Play.tm
Chromehounds offers nothing especially 'next-gen' to the mech genre and, apart from its in-depth customisation and online squad aspect, it really emerges as a distinct disappointment.
60
Official Xbox Magazine UK
It's nothing we haven't seen done before with more energy and enthusiasm in countless other mech games. [Aug 2006, p.91]
60
GamePro
Unfortunately, with such drab presentation and predictable gameplay, there isn't enough to sustain interest for long.
60
G4 TV
Certain of the mech types, such as the underpowered and, surprisingly, oftentimes sluggish-moving scouts are simply less fun to play than others.
60
360 Gamer Magazine UK
The single-player isn't very good, it lacks pace, excitement, variety and feels like one giant training mission. [Issue #11]
56
GameBrink
Overall the gameplay is pretty forgettable and is only saved by the interesting ideas presented online. [JPN Import]
51
Games Master UK
Too simple to be strategic, too slow to be a shooter, too basic to be next-generation. [Sept 2006, p.70]
50
VideoGamer
An ambitious failure that sounds great on paper but proves to be a tediously slow, uninvolving experience for anyone less than a hardcore giant robot fan.
50
games(TM)
Even if Xbox Live does prove Chromehounds’ saviour, there’s no denying that the single-player mode will be relegated to little more than a tactical playground to warm up for the online battle because it’s just a little too one-note, a little too slow, a little too lifeless to truly engage. [Aug 2006, p.112]
50
Xbox Evolved
The game is hardcore in the sense that, only a gamer with far too much time on his or her hands would take the punishment of completing the dry campaign. The hardcore gamers out there are the only ones that could stand the drab visuals, and boringly done sound.
50
Game Revolution
It stumbles in its lame single-player and brutally slow pacing, but offers a nice amount of customization for would-be mech mechanics, leading to a game perfect for the chop shop and lousy for the road.
50
Sydney Morning Herald
As long as you don't fall asleep at the wheel, Chrome Hounds offers a smattering of explosive action.
50
X360 Magazine UK
Much slower and less action-packed than we'd hoped - plus, it doesn't even look that much like a next-gen game. The online mode needs to be awesome if there's any hope for this one. [Issue 9, p.80]
40
Eurogamer
Chromehounds is really, really, really boring to play...Not one that I can imagine Xbox 360 players sticking with for more than a handful of hours tops, no matter how starved they are for new releases at the moment.
40
GamerFeed
The potential behind the game is unmatched, but an extremely poor online interface coupled with lackluster servers and a relatively boring single player experience makes Chromehounds a chrome donkey.
CoffinSandman gave it an8: Max gave it a7: Jacob B. gave it a9: Ricky C. gave it a10: James A. gave it a9: Jacob V. gave it a7: Mike gave it a9: |
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