History VideoGame / SteelBattalion

* AfterTheEnd: The game is set roughly 60 years after an evolving silicon-eating microbes spread worldwide, causing societal chaos. China took over as the new UN and become a fascist empire (coloquially dubbed "Uncle"), and by the beginning of the game, the US has to reclaim their nation from the Uncles.

* AntiFrustrationFeature: Narrowly averting an UnwinnableByMistake; it is very much possible for you to lose so many crewmates that you run out of crews to run your VT. You will then have to quickly learn how to start your engine, load a shell, unload a spent casing and more all by yourself. In the middle of a battle. However, after a few battles, you do get a replacement crew from another detachment, although this time, they are nameless soldiers.

* ContinuityReboot: With no mention of the Pacific Rim Forces or Hai Shi Dao, instead focusing on a United States offensive against an unnamed enemy on [[BigApplesauce Manhattan]] and much more primitive Vertical Tanks without computerization, this or an AlternateContinuity is very likely.

* AnyOneCanDie: Every character is unique, and like in Fire Emblem, all deaths are permanent.

Why? Well, for starters, look at the controller you have to play it with. It features over 40 buttons (a few of which are used very infrequently, often just during the startup sequence), 2 joysticks (the left one only moving left and right for steering, the right one not centering and used to aim weapons and the manipulator), 3 foot pedals (gas, brake, and slidestep), a gear shift, and a radio dial (with 16 discrete positions, but only 5 are actually used). [[CrackIsCheaper (By the way, the game sold new for about $200, and that's before you factor in the collector's market.)]]

And third, the game is NintendoHard. Most infamously, didn't hit the [[EjectionSeat eject button]] in time when the warning lights told you to? ''[[spoiler:Kiss your save game bye-bye.]]'' Not to mention, it is possible to [[{{UnwinnableByDesign}} get stuck]] if you fail too much since you won't have enough supply points to get replacement [=VTs=]. All of this is compacted by the fact your AI allies [[{{ArtificialStupidity}} can barely navigate the map]], [[{{ItsUpToYou}} leaving it all up to you.]] You're even treated [[spoiler: to an especially painful BossBattle with a mech that can literally turn you off if you get hit. That's after all the {{Dakka}}.]] If that wasn't enough, every single mission has a time limit, with [[{{BladderOfSteel}} no pause feature.]]

A HumongousMecha VideoGame released for the original XBox by Creator/{{Capcom}} in 2002, developed by [[UnfortunateNames Nude Maker]] with Atsushi Inaba's involvement. Perhaps the single most SeriousBusiness, realistic mecha game ever sold to consumers. (There are a few full blown simulated cockpits lurking in major arcades, but they're not exactly going to grace your living room any time soon.)

Second, the developers [[ShownTheirWork went all out on the simulation aspect]]. You have to memorize complicated boot sequences on the aforementioned controller to get your mecha to start. When you get mud in your face, [[CameraAbuse digital windshield wipers will come down and clean the screen for you]]. And that's before you get to blow stuff up.

And third, the game is NintendoHard. Most infamously, didn't hit the [[EjectionSeat eject button]] in time when the warning lights told you to? ''[[spoiler:Kiss your save game bye-bye.]]'' Not to mention, it is possible to [[{{UnwinnableByDesign}} get stuck]] if you fail too much-you won't have enough supply points to get replacement [=VTs=]. All of this is compacted by the fact your AI allies [[{{ArtificialStupidity}} can barely navigate the map]], [[{{ItsUpToYou}} leaving it all up to you.]] You're even treated [[spoiler: to an especially painful BossBattle with a mech that can literally turn you off if you get hit. That's after all the {{Dakka}}.]] If that wasn't enough, every single mission has a time limit, with [[{{BladderOfSteel}} no pause feature.]]

* CuteAsABouncingBetty: Amongst the scary-sounding names of VT units such as Behemoth, Earthshaker, and Rapier, you have the Regal Dress series. If you're expecting a dainty-looking JokeCharacter, you'll be sorely disappointed, considering they are 3rd-generation [=VTs=] capable of wreaking havoc on the battlefield as good as others.

* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: The Garpike and its [[FreudWasRight Bang Needles]].

* {{Engrish}}: The so-called "Scare Face" series of VT units are actually read as "Scarface". Line of Contact kept that name, perhaps since many people remembered it anyway.

* FallingIntoTheCockpit: Happens during the first mission (technically Mission 00) in the first Steel Battalion game, when you're supposed to undergo a training program first. It's best to read the manual BEFORE starting, because it's not as easy as [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam Amuro Ray]] makes it look.

* FragileSpeedster: Any of the Light [=VTs=], but especially the Sheepdog, which is more fragile than a Vitzh; the cheapest and weakest VT in the game bar none. That being said, the Sheepdog is designed for reconnaissance and guerrilla warfare with the ability to see enemy [=VTs=] on the map at all times and even eavesdrop on communications, not direct warfare; the speed is for staying out of combat and for capturing unattended control points.

* GlassCannon: Artillery Support VT units are often rather...fragile, especially when caught in a close range encounter. Make no mistake, they can lay on the hurt like no other, but they often crumble if a close combat VT so much as looks at it funny. [[MightyGlacier Except for the Jaralaccs and Behemoth]].

* InVehicleInvulnerability: Pilots won't get injured or concussed from having their [=VTs=] slammed or knocked down. However, they can still die without being shot at simply by staying shut down for too long and asphyxiating-see OxygenMeter below.

** ''Japanese'' community however, are much less reluctant to use it, as not only the costs are high to begin with, there is no guarantee that the rapid fire shots from Clip Dumping hits the intended target. As such, they view it not as a game breaking cheat, but as "just another skill" that should be utilized, thus adding to the metagame. That being said, online guides also advise on having an agreement with both the Lobby Host and other players on using or not using it.

** Vertical Tanks ''tips over'' when unbalanced, and they tip over ''easier'' when loaded past the limit, making them top heavy.
** Vertical Tanks have built-in fire extinguishers to snuff out any fires that might start due to being hit by a specific weapon.

* RollerbladeGood: ''Line of Contact'' turned 5th gear into a wheel mode. Smooth and fast on level terrain, but poor for climbing and harder on the balancer when turning, making it more likely to tip the VT over.

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/steelbat.jpg
[[caption-width:582:You play it on ''this''. Seriously.]]

* MightyGlacier: The 2nd-gen Behemoth and all Jaralaccs [=VTs=], as well as the 3rd-gen Earthshaker in particular. The Earthshaker has the single highest armor of all VT models. It can simply outlast its opponents through sheer durability; even the railgun, the most damaging weapon in the game per shot, requires 6-8 shots to down it, which is ''almost the entire ammo supply'' of a railgun. Jaralaccs units are also highly durable with great armaments (and actually respectable speed and torque), and the Behemoth bucks the trend of "fragile artillery [=VTs=]" with its durability being second only to the Earthshaker.

* FragileSpeedster: Any of the Light [=VTs=], but especially the Sheepdog, which is more fragile than a Vitzh; the cheapest and weakest VT in the game bar none. That being said, the Sheepdog is designed for reconnaissance and guerrilla warfare with the ability to see enemy [=VTs=] on the map at all times and even eavesdrop on communications, not direct warfare; the speed is for staying out of combat and for capturing unattended control points. That being said, with some skills and misdirection (and some helping of Clip Dumping), even a lowly Sheepdog can catch an opponent off guard and kill it.

* FallingIntoTheCockpit: Happens during the first mission (technically Mission 00) in the first Steel Battalion game, when you're supposed to undergo a training program first. It's best to read the manual BEFORE starting, because it's not as easy as [[MobileSuitGundam Amuro Ray]] makes it look.

A sequel was made, called ''Steel Battalion: Line of Contact'' (2004), which does not come with a controller and is essentially a multiplayer ExpansionPack with no singleplayer. The Campaign mode servers were shut down in 2005, but Capcom released a patch that allowed a code to unlock all [=VTs=] for Free Mission use. As of April 12, 2010, it is no longer running due to {{Microsoft}} shutting down all servers for original Xbox games. Despite this, the community has moved to Xlink Kai for their Line of Contact fix. LOC.NET used to have all the fine details on the game one could ever ask for, but it has since gone defunct. (It also added support for the Xbox's relatively-little-used [[HighDefinition HD 720p]] mode and 16:9, whereas the original topped out at 480p 4:3.)

A sequel was made, called ''Steel Battalion: Line of Contact'' (2004), which does not come with a controller and is essentially a multiplayer ExpansionPack with no singleplayer. The Campaign mode servers were shut down in 2005, but Capcom released a patch that allowed a code to unlock all [=VTs=] for Free Mission use. As of April 12, 2010, it is no longer running due to {{Microsoft}} shutting down all servers for original Xbox games. Despite this, the community has moved to Xlink Kai for their Line of Contact fix. [[http://lineofcontact.net/loc_main.shtml LOC.NET]] has all the fine details on the game one could ever ask for. (It also added support for the Xbox's relatively-little-used [[HighDefinition HD 720p]] mode and 16:9, whereas the original topped out at 480p 4:3.)

* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: The [[http://lineofcontact.net/ds_garpike.shtml Garpike]] and its [[FreudWasRight Bang Needles]].

* MagneticWeapons: The [[http://lineofcontact.net/loc_weapon.shtml#RAIL-Ga railgun]], even with its massive weight (where it isn't a fixed-mount weapon), limited VT availability, firing delay, massive battery drain during said firing delay, and low ammo count (10 or 8 rounds), is one of the most devastating weapons in the game due to its projectile speed, range, and above all, enough damage to take out most [=VTs=] in one to three hits, maybe 6 or 8 in extreme cases such as an undamaged Behemoth or Earthshaker.

* MightyGlacier: The 2nd-gen [[http://lineofcontact.net/ds_behemoth.shtml Behemoth]] and all Jaralaccs [=VTs=], as well as the 3rd-gen [[http://lineofcontact.net/ds_earthshaker.shtml Earthshaker]] in particular. The Earthshaker has the single highest armor of all VT models. It can simply outlast its opponents through sheer durability; even the railgun, the most damaging weapon in the game per shot, requires 6-8 shots to down it, which is ''almost the entire ammo supply'' of a railgun. Jaralaccs units are also highly durable with great armaments (and actually respectable speed and torque), and the Behemoth bucks the trend of "fragile artillery [=VTs=]" with its durability being second only to the Earthshaker.

* PainfullySlowProjectile: Almost every weapon is this in ''Line of Contact'', but ESPECIALLY smoothbore cannons with their low rates of fire. Even the [[http://lineofcontact.net/loc_weapon.shtml#HVM-LA High Velocity Missile Launcher]] can be slidestepped around at longer ranges by eagle-eyed pilots, and while the railgun is actually fast enough to hit anything within range once fired, slidestepping just ''before'' it fires will make it miss.

* ShoutOut: [[http://lineofcontact.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=11000 If this is to be believed]], the names shown on the VT in the Gamescom 2011 trailer 39 seconds in are those of actual fans of the original games.

* MacrossMissileMassacre: Many [=VTs=] can be equipped with multiple missile type armaments. Some can be specialized to carry only that to deplete the enemy's Chaff supply before moving in for the kill. However, the most emblematic weapons of this trope is both the SL-GM (Six-Launch Guided Missile) and the MM (Multi-Missile Pod), which can fire anywhere up to 12 missiles in a row. Even better, the MM does not need to be locked on, and is practically a death sentence for any VT units that are starting up. See Mercy Invincibility entry below.

* MightyGlacier: The 2nd-gen [[http://lineofcontact.net/ds_behemoth.shtml Behemoth]] and all Jaralaccs [=VTs=], as well as the 3rd-gen [[http://lineofcontact.net/ds_earthshaker.shtml Earthshaker]] in particular. The Earthshaker has the single highest armor of all VT models, can simply outlast its opponents through sheer durability. Such is the durability that the railgun, the single most damaging weapon in the game, requires 6-8 shots to down it, which is ''the entire ammo supply'' of a railgun. Jaralaccs units are also highly durable with great armaments (and actually respectable speed and torque), and the Behemoth bucks the trend of "fragile artillery [=VTs=]" with its durability being second only to the Earthshaker.

* CriticalExistenceFailure: Played straight for a mech simulation, oddly enough, given that the genre's usually known for SubsystemDamage. ''Line of Contact'' treated leg integrity as different from body integrity and that a legged VT could be salvaged in Campaign mode, but since the Campaign servers died well before original XBox Live did, in addition to the lock-on system aiming for the body...

* DifficultButAwesome: Support VT units, by their quirk of providing indirect support, either via artillery or via ELINT (like the Sheepdog does)

* FragileSpeedster: Any of the Light [=VTs=], but especially the Sheepdog, which is more fragile than a Vitzh, which is the cheapest, otherwise weakest VT in the game. To be fair, the Sheepdog is designed for reconnaissance and guerrilla warfare with the ability to see enemy [=VTs=] on the map at all times and even eavesdrop on communications, not direct warfare; the speed is for staying out of combat and for capturing unattended control points. That being said, with some skills and misdirection (and some helping of Clip Dumping), even a lowly Sheepdog can catch an opponent off guard and kill it.
* GlassCannon: Artillery Support VT units are often rather...fragile, especially when caught in a close range encounter. Make no mistake, they can lay on the hurt like no other, but they often crumble if a close combat VT so much as looks at it funny. [[MightyGlacier Except for the Jaralaccs]].

* LeadTheTarget: The Forecast Shooting System (FSS) in 2nd-and-3rd-gen [=VTs=]. 1st-gen VT pilots will have to do so manually, without locking on.

* MagneticWeapons: The [[http://lineofcontact.net/loc_weapon.shtml#RAIL-Ga railgun]], even with its massive weight (where it isn't a fixed-mount weapon), limited VT availability, firing delay, massive battery drain during said firing delay, and low ammo count (10 or 8 rounds), is one of the most devastating weapons in the game due to its projectile speed, range, and above all, enough damage to take out most [=VTs=] in one to three hits, maybe 6 or 8 in extreme cases such as an undamaged [[http://lineofcontact.net/ds_behemoth.shtml Behemoth]] or [[http://lineofcontact.net/ds_earthshaker.shtml Earthshaker]].

* MightyGlacier: The 2nd-gen [[http://lineofcontact.net/ds_behemoth.shtml Behemoth]] and all Jaralaccs [=VTs=], as well as the 3rd-gen [[http://lineofcontact.net/ds_earthshaker.shtml Earthshaker]] in particular.

* PlayerPunch: Every time your crewmate dies, their picture from the graduating class (that you are a part of) goes gray and a letter informing of their death is sent to their next of kin.

The China in the game is never actually called China, despite the Infantry using Chinese weapons and the soldiers speaking Chinese and all. They are very reminiscent of Ze Germans of WW2, what with their VT design mimicking iconic Wehrmacht Tanks; or their capturing innocent civilians to put them in installations for experimentation; or their use of Railway Guns to bombard Poland, because Russian forces are pushing into Berlin... Did we say they were China? Oh yeah, they invaded all of Europe before moving to the US and Germany signed a treaty with them. Now Berlin is the capital, and the site for the construction of a new superweapon.
Therefore, the plot kinda moves within the boundaries of what actually happened in WW2.

''Heavy Armor'' has been mostly bashed by critics due to problems with Kinect integration[[note]]Possibly due to the fact From Software is a Japanese company and the Kinect is not only is as unpopular as the {{Xbox360}} there, but also the fact the Kinect was made for Western/American markets in mind and not for Asian markets.[[/note]] some of which can make the game needlessly frustrating (if not borderline impossible) to play. However, many reviewers note that under the problems, the game offers excellent combat, interesting (if somewhat stereotypical) characters and a good plot. Plus, even while the Kinect is... flawed, reviewers note that is [[RuleOfCool incredibly cool]] when/if the integration works and you're pulling the levers and slapping your crew in the middle of an intense firefight. Time will tell if a patch will fix the Kinect issues (although with sales ''lower'' than the original its unlikely).

[[folder: Steel Battalion (Line of Contact) (Xbox)]]

* DoingItForTheArt: Why else would anyone develop a commercially unviable game like this?

* FallingIntoTheCockpit: Happens during the first mission (technically Mission 00) in the singleplayer game, when you're supposed to undergo a training program first. It's best to read the manual BEFORE starting, because it's not as easy as [[MobileSuitGundam Amuro Ray]] makes it look.

* FragileSpeedster: Any of the Light [=VTs=], but especially the Sheepdog, which is more fragile than a Vitzh-the cheapest, otherwise weakest VT in the game. To be fair, the Sheepdog is designed for reconnaissance and guerrilla warfare with the ability to see enemy [=VTs=] on the map at all times and even eavesdrop on communications, not direct warfare; the speed is for staying out of combat and for capturing unattended control points.

* LagCancel: Clip dumping. Main weapons normally have a delay before being able to fire the next round (smoothbore cannons), three rounds (rapid-fire rifles), or five rounds (assault rifles). By holding down the main weapon switch button, such that the initial press cycles to the desired weapon (it will not keep cycling with the button held down), firing, and hitting the magazine change button during the firing delay, the delay will be cancelled at the cost of a whole clip of ammunition, and you usually only start with three clips. In addition, due to the position of the main weapon switch and magazine change buttons, [[SomeDexterityRequired it's difficult to do so without taking the left hand off the steering lever and gear shift in a game where manuevering is key to victory.]] It's also a very frowned-upon tactic in the community, but may be agreed upon in certain match setups that are quite unbalanced, such as a few 1st-gen VTs against one 3rd-gen VT like the [[MightyGlacier Earthshaker]].

* RealRobot

* WalkingTank: Part of the overall ArtShift.

* AMechByAnyOtherName: Vertical Tank

* ShoutOut: [[http://lineofcontact.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=11000 If this is to be believed]], the names shown on the VT in the Gamescom 2011 trailer 39 seconds in are those of actual fans of the original games.

A [[http://kotaku.com/5639355/steel-battalions-trailer-brings-giant-robot-warfare-to-new-york-city?skyline=true&s=i completely new sequel]], ''Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor'', developed by Creator/FromSoftware this time, was announced at 2010's Tokyo Game Show, and will use {{Kinect}} in lieu of the specialized controller. But as it turns out, it'll use BOTH the gamepad and Kinect, [[http://kotaku.com/5831261/this-is-the-new-kinect+only-steel-battalion if this source is correct.]]

''Heavy Armor'' has been mostly bashed by critics due to problems with Kinect integration[[note]]Possibly due to the fact From Software is a Japanese company and the Kinect is not only is as unpopular as the Xbox360 there, but also is not made for non-Asian markets in mind.[[/note]] some of which can make the game needlessly frustrating (if not borderline impossible) to play. However, many reviewers note that under the problems, the game offers excellent combat, interesting (if somewhat stereotypical) characters and a good plot. Plus, even while the Kinect is... flawed, reviewers note that is [[RuleOfCool incredibly cool]] when/if the integration works and you're pulling the levers and slapping your crew in the middle of an intense firefight. Time will tell if a patch will fix the Kinect issues (although with sales ''lower'' than the original its unlikely).

''Heavy Armor'' has been mostly bashed by critics due to problems with Kinect integration[[note]]Possibly due to the fact From Software is a Japanese company and the Kinect is not only is as unpopular as the Xbox360 there, but also is not made for non-Asian markets in mind.[[//note]] some of which can make the game needlessly frustrating (if not borderline impossible) to play. However, many reviewers note that under the problems, the game offers excellent combat, interesting (if somewhat stereotypical) characters and a good plot. Plus, even while the Kinect is... flawed, reviewers note that is [[RuleOfCool incredibly cool]] when/if the integration works and you're pulling the levers and slapping your crew in the middle of an intense firefight. Time will tell if a patch will fix the Kinect issues (although with sales ''lower'' than the original its unlikely).

''Heavy Armor'' has been mostly bashed by critics due to problems with Kinect integration, some of which can make the game needlessly frustrating (if not borderline impossible) to play. However, many reviewers note that under the problems, the game offers excellent combat, interesting (if somewhat stereotypical) characters and a good plot. Plus, even while the Kinect is... flawed, reviewers note that is [[RuleOfCool incredibly cool]] when/if the integration works and you're pulling the levers and slapping your crew in the middle of an intense firefight. Time will tell if a patch will fix the Kinect issues (although with sales ''lower'' than the original its unlikely).

The China in the game is never actually called China, despite the Infantry using chinese weapons and the soldiers speaking chinese and all. They are very reminiscent of Ze Germans of WW2, what with their VT design mimicking iconic Wehrmacht Tanks, or capturing innocent civilians to put them in instalations to experiment on or them using Railway Guns to bombard Poland, because Russian forces are pushing into Berlin...Did we say they where China? Oh yeah, they invaded all of Europe before moving to the US and Germany signed a treaty with them. Now Berlin is the center in which a new superweapon is created.

''Heavy Armor'' has been mostly bashed by critics due to problems with Kinect integration, some of which can make the game needlessly frustrating to play. However, many reviewers note that under the problems, the game offers excellent combat, interesting (if somewhat stereotypical) characters and a good plot. Plus, even while the Kinect is... flawed, reviewers note that is [[RuleOfCool incredibly cool]] when the integration works and you're pulling the levers and slapping your crew in the middle of an intense firefight. Time will tell if a patch will fix the Kinect issues (although with sales ''lower'' than the original its unlikely).

* BigApplesauce: The debut trailer shows the United States making an Omaha Beach-style offensive on Manhattan against an unknown invading force.

The game failed at retail, largely due to two factors: the price, and the fact that {{Capcom}}, like most Japanese companies at the time, did not want to support the XBox and spend time making sure the online modes in ''Line of Contact'' worked properly. It's also [[CaptainObvious obviously]] a very niche, hardcore sort of game, much like how you don't see many [[SimulationGame combat flight or mech simulators]] released for the PC these days.

A sequel was made, called ''Steel Battalion: Line of Contact'' (2004), which does not come with a controller and is essentially a multiplayer ExpansionPack with no singleplayer. The Campaign mode servers were shut down in 2005, but {{Capcom}} released a patch that allowed a code to unlock all [=VTs=] for Free Mission use. As of April 12, 2010, it is no longer running due to Microsoft shutting down all servers for original Xbox games. Despite this, the community has moved to Xlink Kai for their Line of Contact fix. [[http://lineofcontact.net/loc_main.shtml LOC.NET]] has all the fine details on the game one could ever ask for. (It also added support for the Xbox's relatively-little-used [[HighDefinition HD 720p]] mode and 16:9, whereas the original topped out at 480p 4:3.)

* CriticalExistenceFailure: Played straight for a mech simulation, oddly enough, given that the genre's usually known for SubsystemDamage. ''Line of Contact'' treated leg integrity as different from body integrity and that a legged VT could be salvaged in Campaign mode, but since the Campaign servers died well before original Xbox Live did, in addition to the lock-on system aiming for the body...

* InNameOnly: Different setting, different VT designs, gamepad + Kinect instead of a proprietary physical controller. About the only things bridging ''Heavy Armor'' with the original Xbox games are the words ''"Steel Battalion"'' in the title and combat in mechs called Vertical Tanks.