History VideoGame / MetalFatigue

* ActionGirl: Issadora Toltec, Rimtech Combot pilot.
** ActionGirlfriend: To Diego.
* ArchaeologicalArmsRace: Naturally the best way to get the best parts is to find alien technology caches (as well as stealing parts you've blased off enemy combots).

* BeehiveBarrier: Certain Combot parts can generate a defensive shield that either negates attacks balanced with a long refresh time, or a permanent wall of energy that improves defense.
* BossInMookClothing: Even lone Hedoth Spider Tanks can give a poorly-fitted Combot serious trouble. En masse? You'll need a lot of combots to take them out. Maybe a lot of artillery, too...
* CainAndAbel: There are elements of this between Diego and Jonus, but Stefan is a wild card.

* CharacterCustomization: In a sense. You can mix and match torsos, legs and arms to create a variety of different Combots. Figuring out which setups work best is a key aspect of success.
* CosmeticallyDifferentSides -- The Combots avert this, with each side possessing completely different Combot components with distinct abilities and functions. All other units and structures, however, play this trope entirely straight. Each side does get slightly different bonuses to defense and damage for all units, but at the end of the day, a Rimtech tank works exactly the same way as a Neuropa HoverTank, and the Mil-Agro Matter Converter is exactly the same structure that Neuropa and Rimtech have, just with a boxier model and a [[LawOfChromaticSuperiority chromatically superior]] paint job.

** AnAxeToGrind -- basic Mil-Agro melee arm.
** ArmCannon -- Neuropa's basic ranged weapon. Rimtech has a smaller version that's actually ''stronger''. Neuropa also has a high-tech sniper ArmCannon.
** {{BFG}} -- Neuropa Sniper Laser and Rimtech Long Range Missile arms.
** {{BFS}} -- the basic Rimtech melee weapon is a katana but it actually averts KatanasAreJustBetter: its damage is nowhere near late-game weapons.
** ChainsawGood -- a rotary saw made of energy is the most powerful melee arm for Neuropa.
** DropTheHammer -- advanced Mil-Agro weapon and the most devastating melee arm in the whole game (does 60/2 damage per hit, and that's WITHOUT the bonus from pilot rank). Dual-wield these with Strength Legs and your Combot can open a HUGE can of whupass.
** GatlingGood -- one of Mil-Agro's ranged arms and is the only hitscan arm in the whole game (ie. it hits instantly so pesky aircraft can't dodge it). It also comes with Flak Torso which does even more instant damage.
** HomingProjectile -- Neuropa Homing Missile. A competent anti-aircraft weapon.
** LaserBlade -- mid-level Rimtech melee arm and a pretty decent energy weapon.
** LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe -- comes in two flavors. Rimtech's Power Shield is a circular BeehiveBarrier geared toward energy defense while Neuropa's K-Shield is essentially a riot shield geared against kinetic damage.
** PowerFist -- every side has their own version: Rimtech's Armor Fist is a simple gauntlet, Mil-Agro's Blade Fist has WolverineClaws and Neuropa's Power Fist has an energy blade mounted onto the knuckles. All of 'em do lots of damage.
** ShockAndAwe -- Neuropa's basic melee weapon is the Electrogrip whose attack shocks enemy Combots into submission. It only lasts while the attack animation is going but it's one long attack animation...

* FiveRoundsRapid: This is about all tanks are good for against Combots. Missile Tanks are slightly more effective, however. Used [[MacrossMissileMassacre en-masse]], Missile Tanks can quickly tear down a lone Combot.

* {{Flight}}: all sides have a part (Rimtech has Jumpjet Legs, Mil-Agro and Neuropa have a [[JetPack Jumpjet Torso]]) that has pathetic HP but makes the Combot capable of flying. While in the air, Combots behave like ordinary aircraft: they use the same movement patterns, can only be attacked by ranged weapons, etc. Also, Combots can fire ranged weapons from the air and if ordered not to engage in melee, they stay floating in mid-air air while gunning for the target. On the other hand, a flying Combot has '''ZERO''' armor until it lands so it takes extra damage from AA.
* FragileSpeedster: This can be combined with the above trope. If you manage to equip a Combot with both Jumpjet Torso and Jumpjet Legs, it'll have next to no HP besides what the arms contribute but it'll fly VERY fast.

* HeroMustSurvive -- Present in ''every'' campaign mission, since you always have one of the three brothers (depending on faction) present in-game as a [=ComBot=] crew. Sometimes other characters from the storyline appear, and must survive, as well. It's usually easier to leave these "Hero" units out of harm's way for the entire mission, since it's easy to build standard [=ComBot=] crews to replace them, and between missions these standard crews can even be upgraded to equal the skill of the "Heroes". This leads to annoying GameplayAndStorySegregation as the post-mission de-briefings will often mention how awesome and absolutely essential the "Hero" units were to the victory, when in reality they may not have even set foot inside a [=ComBot=] at any point during the game.

* IdiosyncraticDifficultyLevels: The AI names in Multiplayer/Skirmish are meaningful, though like Weight this is never explained. Lord Bedlam, [=MadDog=] and Sgt. Dolt (Neuropa, Mil-Agro and Rimtech) are the '[[ArtificialStupidity stupid]]' practice AIs.
* InvisibilityFlicker: Neuropa Camo Torso. Cloaks every friendly in-range but the effect is broken as soon as they attack.
* JackOfAllStats: Rimtech units and Combot parts are this.

* MechaGame: Fits the standard of relying heavily on unit customization. A bit of a toss-up as to whether it's more in the "Stompy" or "High-speed" categories -- most Combots are fairly slow, but it's possible to put together a high-speed build; there's plenty of tactical long-range weapons, but "hand-to-hand" combat is also very common (though it's also fairly slow-paced, with Combots slowly swinging heavy weapons and shields at each other like medieval knights in rusty armor).
%%* MightyGlacier: Mil-Agro units and Combot parts are this. Also any Combot with all Armor parts, such as the Rimtech Armor Torso and Fists, and the Neuropa Armor Legs.
%%** All Combot arms have a certain weight while legs have a maximum limit for the amount of weight they can carry. Going over this means the Combot in question will switch to OminousWalk. Mil-Agro has a leg part (Strength Legs) specifically to avoid this since their stuff is heavier. Of the mighty part, Mil-Agro again: their Powershield Legs give extra armor against energy attacks but make the Combot unable to do anything ''but'' OminousWalk.
%%** Instead of Armor Fists equip Armor Torso&Legs Combot with two Hammers or a Hammer and Shield - destroying a monster like this takes a lot of firepower.

* MegaManning -- The only way to get an opposing Combot's parts is to salvage it after or during combat, although the "during combat" part only works for arm parts. Bladed melee weapons and certain other parts help in this regard. Gathering parts is a necessity for success, so that you can form a more flexible battle strategy with your Combots.

** Depends on map. In a mid-level mission in the Mil-Agro campaign, the Rimtech AI attacks with four or five Combots at a time.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone -- Stefan every time when he's [[spoiler:controlled to fight Rimtech. Justified due to The Cobs installing into him a control device.]]
** Jonus also gets this near the end of the Neuropa Campaign resulting in him becoming [[spoiler:TheAtoner]].
* MoreDakka -- A possible build for a pure ranged Mil-Agro Combot. It makes a surprisingly good mobile anti-air platform as well.
* NintendoHard: This game doesn't screw around. This can often simply be FakeDifficulty however, due to the fact that TheComputerIsACheatingBastard. Thought the Rimtech campaign was hard? [[UpToEleven Try Mil-Agro]] [[SerialEscalation or Neuropa.]]

* RoaringRampageOfRevenge -- Diego later in the Rimtech campaign.
* RPGElements -- Depending on your performance, points are awarded at the end of each mission which can be used to increase the proficiency of surviving Combot crews and heroes or the efficiency of your vehicle and structure crews.

* ShieldBash -- How any Combot that only has shields arms fights.
* ShoulderCannon -- Available to all factions, in one form or another. Rim-Tech get missile launching torsos, Mil-Agro have the Flak and Howitzer torsos, and Neuropa has the Tracer Fire plasma cannon torso.
* ShouldersOfDoom -- Rimtech Combots crewed by a hero unit or a crew above level 4 get these.
* SuperRobot -- Any Combot that has at least one piece of alien tech can easily solo five enemy Combots. The only way to eliminate one without taking losses is by air assault - and that's if it doesn't have a ranged weapon. If it does, [[ZergRush well...]]

* UndergroundLevel: You can use elevators to transport units underground. It's a good place to hide valuable structures and the magma/lava pools that are the main energy source for powering your buildings are much richer and last longer than the ones above ground, as you can control all axes of approach and Combots can't go down there. Drill Trucks can be used to dig new tunnels and construct new elevators, allowing you to send vehicles behind enemy lines.

* UnusableEnemyEquipment: [[AvertedTrope Averted,]] your Combots can pick up the discarded arms of enemy combots in the field and use them immediately. This can result in RainbowPimpGear however, with, for example, a Rimtech Combot (blue) with a Mil-Agro axe arm (red with white highlights) and a Neuropa EnergyWeapon (gray with some purple bits).
** On the other hand, if you haul the parts back to base... you can research them and build your own versions of that part which actually use different models and textures to suit your faction. For example, the Neuropa K-Shield is more lozenge-shaped, compared to the Mil-Agro and Rimtech versions which look basically like a Combot-sized riot shield emblazoned with the faction logo.
* YouRequireMoreVespeneGas: there are two kinds of resources. Metajoule is needed to build stuff and is harvested from lava pits or generated by solar panels. The other is Manpower, increased by building Cryofarms (which also produce Combot crews) and AI Centers (which decrease the manpower requirement of buildings).

The single-player campaign tells the story of [[RuleOfThree three brothers]]: Diego, Jonas and Stefan Angelus, as well as three [[MegaCorp "CorpoNations"]],: Rimtech, Mil-Agro and Neuropa Limited. Each [=CorpoNation=] has its eyes set on a distant world where a cache of potent alien technology is believed to be hidden. Armed warfare ensues between the three as soon as each makes planetfall. In the opening CutScene, the three brothers, working for Rimtech, find an alien EnergyWeapon while on patrol. Diego, the eldest brother, understandably plans to take the weapon back to their superiors. Jonus, the middle brother, has other plans, however, [[OnlyInItForTheMoney stating that Neuropa would pay top dollar for the technology.]] An argument ensues, and would have come to blows were it not for a sudden Mil-Agro airstrike. In the ensuing chaos, Stefan, [[CaptainObvious the youngest brother,]] is hurled over a cliff, Jonus escapes with the alien weapon and Diego returns home empty-handed, believing Jonus a traitor and Stefan killed in action. However, Stefan turns out to have survived his fall, though he was implanted with a mind control chip by Mil-Agro and pressed into service as their newest champion.

* CainAndAbel: There are elements of this between Diego and Jonas, but Stefan is a wild card.

The single-player campaign tells the story of [[RuleOfThree three brothers]]: Diego, Jonas and Stefan Angelus, as well as three [[MegaCorp "CorpoNations"]],: Rimtech, Mil-Agro and Neuropa Limited. Each [=CorpoNation=] has its eyes set on a distant world where a cache of potent alien technology is believed to be hidden. Armed warfare ensues between the three as soon as each makes planetfall. In the opening CutScene, the three brothers, working for Rimtech, find an alien EnergyWeapon while on patrol. Diego, the eldest brother, understandably plans to take the weapon back to their superiors. Jonus, the middle brother, has other plans, however, [[OnlyInItForTheMoney stating that Neuropa would pay top dollar for the technology.]] An argument ensues, and would have come to blows were it not for a sudden Mil-Agro airstrike. In the ensuing chaos, Stefan, [[CaptainObvious the youngest brother,]] is hurled over a cliff, Jonas escapes with the alien weapon and Diego returns home empty-handed, believing Jonus a traitor and Stefan killed in action. However, Stefan turns out to have survived his fall, though he was implanted with a mind control chip by Mil-Agro and pressed into service as their newest champion.

The single-player campaign tells the story of [[RuleOfThree three brothers]]: Diego, Jonas and Stefan Angelus, as well as three [[MegaCorp "CorpoNations"]],: Rimtech, Mil-Agro and Neuropa Limited. Each [=CorpoNation=] has its eyes set on a distant world where a cache of potent alien technology is believed to be hidden. Armed warfare ensues between the three as soon as each makes planetfall. In the opening CutScene, the three brothers, working for Rimtech, find an alien EnergyWeapon while on patrol. Diego, the eldest brother, understandably plans to take the weapon back to their superiors. Jonus, the middle brother, has other plans, however, [[OnlyInItForTheMoney stating that Neuropa would pay top dollar for the technology.]] An argument ensues, and would have come to blows were it not for a sudden Mil-Agro airstrike. In the ensuing chaos, Stefan, [[CaptainObvious the youngest brother,]] is hurled over a cliff, Jonas escapes with the alien weapon and Diego returns home empty-handed, believing Jonas a traitor and Stefan killed in action. However, Stefan turns out to have survived his fall, though he was implanted with a mind control chip by Mil-Agro and pressed into service as their newest champion.

The single-player campaign tells the story of [[RuleOfThree three brothers]]: Diego, Jonas and Stefan Angelus, as well as three [[MegaCorp "CorpoNations"]],: Rimtech, Mil-Agro and Neuropa Limited. Each [=CorpoNation=] has its eyes set on a distant world where a cache of potent alien technology is believed to be hidden. Armed warfare ensues between the three as soon as each makes planetfall. In the opening CutScene, the three brothers, working for Rimtech, find an alien EnergyWeapon while on patrol. Diego, the eldest brother, understandably plans to take the weapon back to their superiors. Jonas, the middle brother, has other plans, however, [[OnlyInItForTheMoney stating that Neuropa would pay top dollar for the technology.]] An argument ensues, and would have come to blows were it not for a sudden Mil-Agro airstrike. In the ensuing chaos, Stefan, [[CaptainObvious the youngest brother,]] is hurled over a cliff, Jonas escapes with the alien weapon and Diego returns home empty-handed, believing Jonas a traitor and Stefan killed in action. However, Stefan turns out to have survived his fall, though he was implanted with a mind control chip by Mil-Agro and pressed into service as their newest champion.

* Heel-FaceTurn -- Brik Cob goes through this after he released Stefan and his crew from Cob control.

* TookALevelInKindness -- Brik Cob after Stefan and his crew bust him out of a Rimtech prison. The results are that he not only becomes humbler and kinder to Stefan, but also to his staff. It also leads him to becoming a DefectorFromDecadence and initially leading to his Heel-FaceTurn.

* MyGodWhatHaveIDone -- Stefan every time when he's [[spoiler:controlled to fight RimTech. Justified due to The Cobs installing into him a control device.]]
** Jonus also gets this near the end of the Neuropa Campaign resulting in him becoming [[spoiler:[[The Atoner]].]]

* MightyGlacier: Mil-Agro units and Combot parts are this. Also any Combot with all Armor parts, such as the Rimtech Armor Torso and Fists, and the Neuropa Armor Legs.
** All Combot arms have a certain weight while legs have a maximum limit for the amount of weight they can carry. Going over this means the Combot in question will switch to OminousWalk. Mil-Agro has a leg part (Strength Legs) specifically to avoid this since their stuff is heavier. Of the mighty part, Mil-Agro again: their Powershield Legs give extra armor against energy attacks but make the Combot unable to do anything ''but'' OminousWalk.
** Instead of Armor Fists equip Armor Torso&Legs Combot with two Hammers or a Hammer and Shield - destroying a monster like this takes a lot of firepower.

* CosmeticallyDifferentSides -- The Combots avert this, with each side possessing completely different Combot components with distinct abilities and functions. All other units and structures, however, play this trope entirely straight. Each side does get slightly different bonuses to defence and damage for all units, but at the end of the day, a Rimtech tank works exactly the same way as a Neuropa HoverTank, and the Mil-Agro Matter Converter is exactly the same structure that Neuropa and Rimtech have, just with a boxier model and a [[LawOfChromaticSuperiority chromatically superior]] paint job.

* FragileSpeedster: Neuropa units and Combot parts are this.
** Especially since Neuropa is the only side to field Speed Legs which makes the Combot '''NinjaRun'''. The only thing that prevents the Speed Legs + dual-wielded Mil-Agro Hammer Arms combo from being a LightningBruiser is the fact that Speed Legs can't take this much weight and the Combot will walk normally. Fist-type weapons, however...
** This can be combined with the above trope. If you manage to equip a Combot with both Jumpjet Torso and Jumpjet Legs, it'll have next to no HP besides what the arms contribute but it'll fly VERY fast.

* MechaGame: Fits the standard of relying heavily on unit customization. A bit of a toss-up as to whether it's more in the "Stompy" or "High-speed" categories -- most Combots are fairly slow, but it's possible to put together a high-speed build; there's plenty of tactical long-range weapons, but "hand-to-hand" combat is also very common (though it's also fairly slow-paced, with Combots slowly swinging heavy weapons and shields at each other like medieval knights in rusty armour).
* MightyGlacier: Mil-Agro units and Combot parts are this. Also any Combot with all Armour parts, such as the Rimtech Armour Torso and Fists, and the Neuropa Armour Legs.

** Instead of Armour Fists equip Armour Torso&Legs Combot with two Hammers or a Hammer and Shield - destroying a monster like this takes a lot of firepower.

* HumongousMecha -- They serve as your main attack force. Interestingly enough, they are piloted MotionCaptureMecha style (a la GGundam) but also require a support crew who operate a ring of control consoles around the pilot's center platform. They're also ''damn big'', dwarfing the tanks and artillery pieces that support them.

* UndergroundLevel: You can use elevators to transport units underground. It's a good place to hide valuable structures, as you can control all axes of approach and Combots can't go down there. Drill Trucks can be used to dig new tunnels and construct new elevators, allowing you to send vehicles behind enemy lines.

''Metal Fatigue'' is what happens when you take ''CommandAndConquer'', replace the infantry with vehicles and the various tanks with HumongousMecha. Developed by Zono Inc. and published in the US by TalonSoft and in Europe by Creator/{{Psygnosis}} in 2000, it stands out from similar games by boasting a three-level battlefield and customization of the game's primary units, called Combots.

The single-player campaign tells the story of [[RuleOfThree three brothers]]: Diego, Jonas and Stefan Angelus, as well as three [[MegaCorp "CorpoNations"]],: Rimtech, Mil-Agro and Neuropa Limited. Each [=CorpoNation=] has its eyes set on a distant world where a cache of potent alien technology is believed to be hidden. Armed warfare ensues between the three as soon as each makes planetfall. In the opening CutScene, The three brothers, working for Rimtech, find an alien EnergyWeapon while on patrol. Diego, the eldest brother, understandably plans to take the weapon back to their superiors. Jonas, the middle brother, has other plans, however, [[OnlyInItForTheMoney stating that Neuropa would pay top dollar for the technology.]] An argument ensues, and would have come to blows were it not for a sudden Mil-Agro airstrike. In the ensuing chaos, Stefan, [[CaptainObvious the youngest brother,]] is hurled over a cliff, Jonas escapes with the alien weapon and Diego returns home empty-handed, believing Jonas a traitor and Stefan killed in action. However, Stefan turns out to have survived his fall, though he was implanted with a mind control chip by Mil-Agro and pressed into service as their newest champion.

The single-player campaign tells the story of [[RuleOfThree three brothers]]: Diego, Jonas and Stefan Angelus, as well as three [[MegaCorp "CorpoNations"]],: Rimtech, Mil-Agro and Neuropa Limited. Each [=CorpoNation=] has its eyes set on a distant world where a cache of potent alien technology is believed to be hidden. Armed warfare ensues between the three as soon as each makes planetfall. In the opening CutScene, The three brothers, working for Rimtech, find an alien EnergyWeapon while on patrol. Diego, the eldest brother, understandably plans to take the weapon back to their superiors. Jonas, the middle brother, has other plans, however, [[OnlyInItForTheMoney stating that Neuropa would pay top dollar for the technology.]] An argument ensues, and would have come to blows were it not for a sudden Mil-Agro airstrike. In the ensuing chaos, Stefan, [[CaptainObvious the youngest brother,]] is hurled over a cliff, Jonas escapes with the alien weapon and Diego returns home empty-handed, believing Jonas a traitor and Stefan killed in action. However, Stefan turns out to have survived his fall, though he has lost his memory and is now Mil-Agro's rising champion.

* ColorCodedCharacters: With general appearance style to boot. Rimtech units are Blue, with their Combots having a rounded, {{Tron}}-esque appearance. Mil-Agro units are Red, [[OurWeaponsWillBeBoxyInTheFuture with boxy shapes,]] and visible bolts. Neuropa units are an odd purple/green mix, and have alien-like organic shapes and [[CyberCyclops cycloptic eyes]] on their Combots.)

** {{BFS}} -- the basic Rimtech melee weapon is a katana but it actually averts KatanasAreJustBetter: it's damage is nowhere near late-game weapons.

* Flight: all sides have a part (Rimtech has Jumpjet Legs, Mil-Agro and Neuropa have a [[JetPack Jumpjet Torso]]) that has pathetic HP but makes the Combot capable of flying. While in the air, Combots behave like ordinary aircraft: they use the same movement patterns, can only be attacked by ranged weapons, etc. Also, Combots can fire ranged weapons from the air and if ordered not to engage in melee, they stay floating in mid-air air while gunning for the target. On the other hand, a flying Combot has ''''ZERO''' armor until it lands so it takes extra damage from AA.

** Especially since Neuropa is the only side to field Speed Legs which makes the Combot '''NinjaRun'''. The only thing that prevents the Speed Legs + dual-wielded Mil-Agro Hammer Arms combo from being a LightningBruiser is the fact that Speed Legs can't take this much weight and the Combot will walk normally. Fist-type weapons however...

* MeleeATrois -- [[spoiler: [[FromBadToWorse It gets worse]] when the actual aliens show up to make a mess of things.]]

* NintendoHard: This game doesn't screw around. This can often simply be FakeDifficulty however, due to the fact that TheComputerIsACheatingBastard. Thought the Rimtech campaign was hard? [[UpToEleven Try Mil-Agro.]] [[SerialEscalation or Neuropa.]]

* RealRobot -- Combots are built using parts researched in your faction's tech tree or stolen from the rival factions. They are expensive, but ultimately replaceable, [[WeHaveReserves their crews as well.]] [[TooAwesomeToUse Unless they've gained a few levels...]]

* XMeetsY: ''TotalAnnihilation'' meets ''ArmoredCore'', especially when just like the latter, this game features customizable mecha and corporate wars.
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* MechaGame: Fits the standard of relying heavily on unit customization. Mostly in the "Stompy" category (especially if you deck out a combot with all the best - and, usually, heaviest - weaponry and armour), though building a Combot using lighter components and Neuropa's "Speed Legs" can make it quite High-Speed.

** Instead of ArmourFists equip Armour Torso&Legs Combot with two Hammers or a Hammer and Shield - destroying a monster like this takes a lot of firepower.

* GundamJack -- Some campaign missions start out with you needing to do this.

* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: With general appearance style to boot. Rimtech units are Blue, with their Combots having a rounded, {{Tron}}-esque appearance. Mil-Agro units are Red, [[OurWeaponsWillBeBoxyInTheFuture with boxy shapes,]] and visible bolts. Neuropa units are an odd purple/green mix, and have alien-like organic shapes and [[CyberCyclops cycloptic eyes]] on their Combots.)

''Metal Fatigue'' is what happens when you take ''CommandAndConquer'', replace the infantry with vehicles and the various tanks with HumongousMecha. Developed by Zono Inc. and published in the US by TalonSoft and in Europe by {{Psygnosis}} in 2000, it stands out from similar games by boasting a three-level battlefield and customization of the game's primary units, called Combots.

* MeleeATrois -- [[spoiler: [[ItGotWorse It gets worse]] when the actual aliens show up to make a mess of things.]]

** GatlingGood -- one of Mil-Agro's ranged arms and is the only hitscan arm in the whole game (ie. it hits instantly so pesky aircraft can't dodge it).