Product Number 03

Capcom makes Nintendo gamers very happy indeed...

More Images

P.N.03 is released at an interesting time for the GameCube. Companies that began developing for the console at launch have had a couple of years to complete their titles and can now judge if it is worth continuing their support. It's no secret that the GameCube has not exactly been inundated with releases. As we've reported, both Acclaim and Eidos have decided to pass on developing for the console, for the time being at least. Like the N64 before it, however, the console has strived for quality over quantity. For better or for worse the GameCube does seem to be carving out a niche for people who are perhaps looking for games that are just that little bit different, that little bit more interesting. We've had Pikmin from Nintendo, Metroid Prime from Retro Studios and Ikaruga from Treasure. Having already proved their excellence on the platform with the impressive re-working of Resident Evil, it was Capcom that really upped the ante earlier this year when they announced five big titles in development. The 'Capcom 5' consisted of one sequel, namely Biohazard 4 (Resident Evil), and four completely original franchises. As you may have heard, one of these, Dead Phoenix, has unfortunately been cancelled. Of the others, Viewtiful Joe and Killer 7 are due out tantalisingly soon here in Europe which of course leaves P.N.03 as our first taste of what may lie ahead. And if P.N.03 is any indication then GameCube owners have absolutely nothing to worry about, because it is good. It is very good.

Product Number 03 is a brilliant arcade game. Everything in it has been designed to keep the pace ramped up, and to ensure boredom is driven far away. Even the interesting story is delivered with but a few scant lines of dialogue and the briefest of cut-scenes. Most of it is left to your imagination. On the planet 'ode' the armies Computerised Armament Management System (CAMS) has malfunctioned killing everyone in the settlement. You play as Vanessa Z. Schneider, the epitome of cool, a mercenary for hire tasked with gaining control of the situation. You are transported to the planet in a manner reminiscent of Terminator. You appear on the surface. The music starts to play. You start tapping your foot, for no real reason other than it looks very cool. Then you start shooting! To beat the game you'll have to fight your way through eleven levels of fantastic robots.

Each level is split up into a series of small stand-alone areas that you go through in sequence. The areas are a mix of outside areas, larger arenas, different rooms and tight claustrophobic corridors. These areas are populated with a few robots, equally diverse in scope, that you must destroy and in doing so you earn points, with bonus points awarded dependent on your deftness at the controls. What's nice about this system is that points actually have a large bearing on the game. Vanessa literally fires shots from the palm of her hands, thanks to the power of her figure hugging Aegis suit. And you can use the points you earn to upgrade your Aegis suit and buy new ones. Each suit has different limits on its characteristics; some are better for offence with a strong palm shot and lots of energy; others better for defence thanks to a stronger barrier. What really sets them apart though are the special energy drives. Vanessa has the ability to pull of special moves that deal out tremendous damage. These moves also look fantastic thanks to the brilliant dance animations that accompany them. Each suit has two or three of these moves available to it, and each of them provide for a subtly different approach to combat. For instance the 'Griffin' attack damages enemies with a certain radius of Vanessa, so you'll want to get into the thick of the action before using it. In contrast the 'Pegasus' shoots out two powerful lasers and it's best suited to destroying one tough enemy, useful during boss battles.