User Review : Heavy Weapon: Atomic Tank

Lock and Load!

Back when the Summer gaming drought had begun to rear it's ugly head, it looked as though we needed to rely heavily on the PSN to fulfill our gaming needs. Well, if you're into ridiculously over-the-top explosive action, then Heavy Weapon: Atomic Tank might just be the game for you.

Graphics: Heavy Weapon features slick 2D side scrolling visuals which runs ultra smooth at absolutely all times with pretty much no loading, with the exception of the title screen in the very beginning. The game actually gets more and more appealing visually as battles intensify and the sheer amount of destruction and chaos going on on-screen at one time is stunning in and of itself, again with absolutely no slowdown. You might start out with your typical, standard ammunition, but by the end you'll have an absolutely devastating arsenal that not only makes for some beautiful big bangs. but are just mesmerizing to watch as you pummel your foes. Bosses are nicely done, with each one having it's own unique, sometimes funny quirks. Levels are nicely done, however it would have been nice to have a bit more variety as levels are repeated later in the game. Also, more background interaction would have been awesome. The visuals that went along with the background were ok, but we absolutely loved seeing the rockets take off in the background and then fall as gunfire on-screen.

GamePlay: OK, this is definitely the bread and butter of Heavy Weapon, the gameplay. Heavy Weapon's gameplay is certainly one that cannot be judged at first glance. Things may start out quite simple, but as you progress through the game's nineteen levels, you'll quickly begin to notice that Red Star isn't playing any games as the amount of enemies on screen go from small and measly to downright overwhelming at times. However, lucky for you, after each level is completed, players are rewarded with one upgrade point which can be used to upgrade your tank in one of six areas, with each area having the ability to be upgraded up to three times max. Upgradeable weapons range from your typical homing missiles to powerful bolts of lightning which pull throughout your enemies.

While playing, a supply chopper will fly by every few minutes, dropping power-ups like shields and the insanely awesome nukes. Players can hold up to three nukes in their inventory, and when one of these bad boys go off via the R2 button, every single enemy along with any gunfire on the screen is obliterated, with bosses taking an extra load of damage from the hit. Additionally, players can also collect pieces of the appropriately named MEGA LASER which fall from destroyed enemies. Once all pieces have been collected, the player has control over an incredibly powerful laser which can take out anything it touches in one hit, including gunfire, but only for a limited time.

At the end of each level you'll fight a boss battle. Each one, as stated, is unique in it's art style and appearance, but for the most part are very easy to defeat. You'll fight each boss twice throughout the game, first in their simpler form, then a more enhanced version with stronger ammunition and abilities, with the last boss being Red Star's secret weapon.

Along with the single player campaign comes a simple, yet fun local and online multiplayer experience. Up to four players can fight alongside each other in either War Party mode, where all players can respawn indefinitely, as long as there is one person alive and Arms Race mode where players are limited to only three lives.

The game saves your progress automatically after each level, the only thing is that once you beat the game, in order to go back to those higher levels, you must play your way back through. It would have been nice to have a level select option of some sort after completion. Other than that, the gameplay is rock solid and a blast to play.

Sound: The soundtrack for Heavy Weapon isn't too bad. It's mix of 80's style heavy metal does a good job of getting your head into the game, especially when the action picks up. The explosions are nice and it's still always awesome to hear a nuke go off. The only thing missing that would truly catapult this title into the stratosphere would be the inclusion of the custom soundtrack ability, of which there is none. However, the game's default soundtrack gets the job done and still conveys a very fun, hectic atmosphere.

Overall: Overall this game is an absolute blast, no pun intended. It's starts out nice and easy for the most casual of gamers, yet ramps up the difficulty significantly for those who are in it for a challenge. The fact that your pretty much always firing in every direction to fight for your very existence is exhilarating and keeps your head in the game at all times. You'll definitely be coming back for more as Heavy Weapon: Atomic Tank truly delivers one of the best arcade shooter experiences on the PlayStation 3.