Macross Plus is possibly the most underrated series in the entire Macross franchise. The OVA was a hit when it was first released in 1994, but its flippant cousin, Macross 7, quickly stole its thunder, just months later.

Nevertheless, Macross Plus has gathered a faithful cult following and was remastered into a theatrically released feature film. While its run time was condensed to 90 minutes, audiences were treated to new scenes and songs not found in the OVA. For those who only know the show by its movie version, I encourage your to go out and watch the OVA. Take my word for it; it’s much better.

But this isn’t about the anime.

In 2000, the Macross Plus market was still going strong a good six years after the OVA’s release. So much that Macross Plus: Game Edition was produced in Japan for the PlayStation console. It was a follow-up to the hit Macross Digital Mission VF-X2 video game that was released the year prior. The Macross Plus game overjoyed fans of the series (such as myself), paying great homage to the series’ most notable battles. Classic mechs from other Macross series were included so that even old school fans could join in the fun.

Depending on your favorite flavor, you can play as either of the two male lead characters, Isamu Dayson and Guld Goa Bowman in their respective variable fighter jets. Each character’s gameplay experience is nearly identical, save for the location of the game’s final battle.

During the progression of the game, the levels toggle between ground battles in robot form and high-altitude dogfights in jet mode. Depending on how much ass you kick, you’re given a score after each mission.

The game is visually quite spectacular. The special effects and user interface successfully transport you into the anime, experiencing battles the same way that the characters did. The sound effect fit nicely and new dialog voiceovers were recorded from the original cast. The use of the anime’s Yoko Kanno spearheaded soundtrack in the background of levels adds to the immersion, though it would have been nice to hear some original material.

The designers of the game did a splendid job in recreating the weaponry of the variable fighters. The two main weapons are a machine gun and a volley of missiles that chase after a locked-on target. The robot forms maneuver very smoothly, allowing you to perform high-speed strafing and also have temporary flight.

In jet mode, you’re given the same two forms of weapons, but have a whole new set of features to use alongside them. If your opponent is hot on your tail and launches missiles your way, you can release chaff canisters to prematurely detonate them before they reach your aft side.

Both robot and jet modes have the ability for quick-time events during battle, referred as the Dynamic Situation System (or DSS). If the opponent gets within a certain range, a prompt appears on the screen. If your thumb’s fast enough to hit the displayed button in time, your fighter performs a special attack, which the opponent can’t escape.

Now for the bad news. While the gameplay excels in controls and eye candy, it has some unforgivable flaws, even to die-hard fans of Macross Plus.

Most notably, the gameplay during the robot form levels are broken. Throughout the game, the opponent’s AI is consistently retarded. For some reason, they don’t know that they can also fly…or for that matter, shoot upward. As a result, as long as you’re able to stay hovering safely overhead, all you have to do is continue locking your missiles on-target and fire away until your opponent is dead.

These levels are ideal for multiplayer sessions, but tragically ruin half of the entire single-player campaign.

The dogfight levels fair only slightly better, in that the opponent appears to have a more competent AI. What hurts these levels most is their compact size. Unfortunately, the PlayStation’s hardware could not yet support grand-scale flight environments, so you’re essentially flying around in a small invisible box.

Upon reaching this invisible wall, the computer will automatically cause your fighter to perform a U-turn. This function generated two tactical handicaps. First, there’s no alert given for when you’re approaching the level’s boundaries, so if you attempt to circle around your opponent, your course could be interrupted by one of these disorientating U-turns.

The other problem is that sometimes the U-turn isn’t triggered at all! So while you think you’re making a long-distance get-away from your opponent, you’re actually just hovering in space with the nose of your jet pressed up against the invisible wall, ass exposed to any who wish to shove some missiles up into it.

While these flaws may be discouraging, players that stick with the game will find satisfaction in the final boss battle with the mysterious Ghost X-9 fighter. Unlike previous battles, the clash with the X-9 is a formidable challenge. Not only is it highly maneuverable, but its AI prefers to maintain a safe distance, making it difficult to chase and lock on to. It also dishes out several attack patterns that are difficult to defend against.

While Macross Plus: Game Edition received many positive scores, it doesn’t stand the test of time. Plenty of superior flight simulation and mech battle games have been released since, remembered only by devoted Macross fans. The game can be fun when played with otaku buddies, but otherwise its only value is as a collectable for those who truly love the series.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 3rd, 2009 at 10:00 am and is filed under Anime, Games, Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.