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In the not-too-distant future, a super-computer designed to solve the world’s pollution problems decides the only way to do so is to annihilate its creators, thus mankind is mostly destroyed and the planet is in ruins. And with this ripped-straight-from-James-Cameron’s-mind opening, thus begins the latest Japanese RPG from Atlus.

Full Metal Jacket

Metal Saga doesn’t seem like your standard RPG at first. It’s not a land full of swords and sorcery. And the goal is not to simply run around and kill everything you come across. The goal is to find a tank or other vehicles of war…then run around and kill everything you come across.

Though on the surface Metal Saga doesn’t seem to fit the genre mould, digging only slightly deeper reveals a game filled with familiar play mechanics, clichés, and so forth. So while the game does offer some unique bits and pieces, you’ll still be doing the same old thing over and over again. Leave town, fight monsters using a rather boring battle interface, beat a boss, return to town to collect your reward, and repeat. And unfortunately, at this basic level, Metal Saga really isn’t all that great.

Private Joker

Metal Saga’s saving grace, however, is in its sense of humor. Where most Japanese role-playing games take themselves way too seriously, Metal Saga pokes fun at itself at almost every turn. Be it the way other characters will make fun of your current experience level or the fact that the character who revives deceased members of your party – normally a priest or something in most games of the genre – is simply a mad scientist who digs experimenting with corpses. Metal Saga is full of funny moments that keep the game from succumbing entirely to its boring play mechanics.

Well, the whole pimping of rides bit is pretty engaging, too. See, any vehicle you actually own in Metal Saga you can upgrade with various bits of armor and weaponry. It’s a nice way to waste time in the game in between the endlessly repetitive missions.

By the Numbers

Metal Saga won’t go down in history as one of the greatest RPGs ever made, but it’s a decent time-waster while you wait for something like, say, Final Fantasy XII. Its by-the-numbers-with-a-twist game play is compelling enough to be worthwhile if you’re a fan of the genre. It’s ugly, it’s clunky, and it’s fun in that guilty pleasure kind of way.

Review By: Greg Sewart
Video Produced By: Mike Benson