An sbsolutely overlooked DS classic
I never played the original CUstom RObo, but this was my jam when I was stuck on car rides for hours and hours.
It's a sequel that takes an approach and setting similar to Megaman Battle Network: showcasing a sem-futuristic urban world where kids enter the cyberspace to fight while impersonating funky robot humanoids. It's a fun setting that is accompanied by a cast of characters that are simple, but really endearing, creating a anrrative that just like Battle Network doesn't shy aways from darker moments.
The progression is nothing to scoff at: it's similar to a classic RPG, where you go around interacting with various people, but the battles is where the game truly shines: being completely in 3D is already impressive for a DS title, but the incredibly frenetic battles are variety of maps you can fight in never chase to amaze and leads to battles that require a more strategic planning in the weapon selection and the positioning. The enemy variety also lead to some specific boss fights that will keep you on your toes without feeling unfair (even if they kinda re unfair in the context of the story)
Add the incredible ability of weapon customization and the ability to play as different characters leads to an addictive battle system that I went back in over and over again.
Absolute overlooked nintendo DS title. There is a reason why this series is often considered one of the hidden gems in Nintendo's catalogue. I really recommend it.
I never played the original CUstom RObo, but this was my jam when I was stuck on car rides for hours and hours.
It's a sequel that takes an approach and setting similar to Megaman Battle Network: showcasing a sem-futuristic urban world where kids enter the cyberspace to fight while impersonating funky robot humanoids. It's a fun setting that is accompanied by a cast of characters that are simple, but really endearing, creating a anrrative that just like Battle Network doesn't shy aways from darker moments.
The progression is nothing to scoff at: it's similar to a classic RPG, where you go around interacting with various people, but the battles is where the game truly shines: being completely in 3D is already impressive for a DS title, but the incredibly frenetic battles are variety of maps you can fight in never chase to amaze and leads to battles that require a more strategic planning in the weapon selection and the positioning. The enemy variety also lead to some specific boss fights that will keep you on your toes without feeling unfair (even if they kinda re unfair in the context of the story)
Add the incredible ability of weapon customization and the ability to play as different characters leads to an addictive battle system that I went back in over and over again.
Absolute overlooked nintendo DS title. There is a reason why this series is often considered one of the hidden gems in Nintendo's catalogue. I really recommend it.
I realize years later that the DS hardware limited this to 1v1s but playing the Gamecube game at a friends house then playing this was disappointing slightly.
Childhood icon but in DS
Baller game, it's the kit building experience with super fast paced combat, maybe i'll get back to it some day since i didn't fully explore everything it had back when i played it.
Despite the hardware's limitations, the childish nature of the story, and the somewhat awkward controls, I love this game. The fact that they expanded on the GameCube title and had it on the DS still astonishes me, as the amount of content here is staggering.
Being able to create and fight with your little Robo, with each piece affecting your build in unique and interesting ways shattered my mind as a kid. I loved using the hornet guns and making an agile build. After all this time I can agree that the controls do take some getting used to, as you need to move around a 3D environment using a D-Pad, which is pretty cumbersome.
The story, while cliche and childish, was still fun and I was always invested in it, especially with the characters and the contemporary setting. Graphically it looked pretty good, and the music was not very memorable either, however, the fact they got this to run on the Nintendo DS still boggles my mind.
Nowadays more in-depth titles capture the magic of this original game, but it's the balance of simplistic design with complex combat mechanics that makes this game worthwhile to revisit. I truly think this game is a hidden gem of the console, and people should at least check it out once.
Being able to create and fight with your little Robo, with each piece affecting your build in unique and interesting ways shattered my mind as a kid. I loved using the hornet guns and making an agile build. After all this time I can agree that the controls do take some getting used to, as you need to move around a 3D environment using a D-Pad, which is pretty cumbersome.
The story, while cliche and childish, was still fun and I was always invested in it, especially with the characters and the contemporary setting. Graphically it looked pretty good, and the music was not very memorable either, however, the fact they got this to run on the Nintendo DS still boggles my mind.
Nowadays more in-depth titles capture the magic of this original game, but it's the balance of simplistic design with complex combat mechanics that makes this game worthwhile to revisit. I truly think this game is a hidden gem of the console, and people should at least check it out once.
This game was incredibly addictive, in depth and replayable. Its surprisingly there has not been a sequel. Recent Gundam games get close but it doesnt hit the spot like Custom Robo did. I remember spending hours trying to find the NPC hiding in the bathroom stall...
One of the hidden gems on the stacked console that is the DS. The core of this series is its action packed mecha gameplay, and Custom Robo Arena(CRA) is no different. With millions of potential unique combinations each with their own unique playstyle to master, combined with the snappy, yet realistic controls/movement that promote thoughtful positioning, CRA always leaves me feeling like I can get better at it, even after having completed everything the game has to offer. In that regard, it’s very similar to fighting games, maybe that’s why I love it so much! But a eriously, I just can’t stress enough how satisfying and limitless the core gameplay of CRA is.
While I played through the game solo, I’d recommend playing through this game alongside a friend that you can challenge and play against frequently, as the story mode is passable at worst on its own. It does its job creating decently believable scenarios to thread each battle together, and it’s pretty obvious how much work and love went into the core gameplay compared to the story. The 2000s digimon-protag-esque character designs are quite lovable if you let yourself enjoy them(Dennis is literally me), but some people just can’t get over the… er, stylized overworld, and I don’t blame them for it, even if it’s a shame to let that overshadow the core gameplay in my opinion.
Overall, CRA is a really fun gem that always leaves me hungering for more with its addictive mech battles. While I think Custom Robo on the Gamecube has a better story mode and characters, if you’re up for some awesome mecha battle gameplay, I simply can’t recommend this game enough.
While I played through the game solo, I’d recommend playing through this game alongside a friend that you can challenge and play against frequently, as the story mode is passable at worst on its own. It does its job creating decently believable scenarios to thread each battle together, and it’s pretty obvious how much work and love went into the core gameplay compared to the story. The 2000s digimon-protag-esque character designs are quite lovable if you let yourself enjoy them(Dennis is literally me), but some people just can’t get over the… er, stylized overworld, and I don’t blame them for it, even if it’s a shame to let that overshadow the core gameplay in my opinion.
Overall, CRA is a really fun gem that always leaves me hungering for more with its addictive mech battles. While I think Custom Robo on the Gamecube has a better story mode and characters, if you’re up for some awesome mecha battle gameplay, I simply can’t recommend this game enough.
how in the hell this game works so damn well on the ds is beyond me.
loses some of the overworld vibes of the OG but the gameplay is still everything it was on the GC
loses some of the overworld vibes of the OG but the gameplay is still everything it was on the GC