Iron Soldier 3
Iron Soldier 3 | ||
---|---|---|
Composer(s) Harald Riegler | Peter Steinkellner | |
Series | Iron Soldier | |
Platform(s) | PlayStation, Nuon | |
Release | ||
Genre(s) | First-person shooter, mech simulator, open world | |
Mode(s) | Single-player, co-op, multiplayer |
Iron Soldier 3 is an open world first-person mecha simulation video game developed by Eclipse Software Design and originally published by Vatical Entertainment for the PlayStation on 20 June 2000 and was ported to the Nuon in 2001.[1] A sequel to Iron Soldier 2, it is the third and last installment of the Iron Soldier series.
Set after the events of the second game, players assume the role of an elite defense pilot taking control of the titular mech in order to complete tasks and protect areas that conforms the United Republic from attacks of the returning PENTA corporation. Iron Soldier 3 was conceived after release of the second entry and originally intended to be an exclusive
Iron Soldier 3 garnered mixed reception from critics and reviewers since its initial release on the PlayStation and later on Nuon, with many feeling divided in regards to several aspects such as the visuals, audio, presentation and gameplay, which was deemed by some as sluggish and comparing with other titles in the same genre such as Armored Core and Gungriffon.
Gameplay
Iron Soldier 3 is a mech simulation game with
Development
After Iron Soldier 2 was launched for the Atari Jaguar and Atari Jaguar CD, Eclipse Software Design founder Marc Rosocha began conversations with Sony Computer Entertainment in regards of developing for the PlayStation while former Atari Corporation vice president in third-party development Bill Rehbock, who was now part of Sony, managed to send development kits to Eclipse Software.[2] Rosocha stated that Eclipse was very close in obtaining a deal to publish Iron Soldier 3 as a first-party title but said deal was cancelled at the last minute, leading to the company signing another deal with both Vatical Entertainment and Telegames instead to handle publishing duties on PlayStation while a conversion for the Nuon was developed for VM Labs as well, which was overseen by former Atari Corp. employee Joe Sousa as its producer.[2][3] When developing the project, Rosocha and his team wanted to retain the series' established core gameplay and mechanics from the Jaguar that led criticism from reviewers for being slow.[2] The title made use of a proprietary game engine that featured several advanced special effects not commonly seen on PlayStation.[2] The CGI cutscenes were created by Johannes Graf, who would later go on to develop Sturmwind for Dreamcast.[4]
Release
Iron Soldier 3 was first launched for the PlayStation in North America by Vatical Entertainment on 20 June 2000.
Reception
Iron Soldier 3 received mixed reception since its release.
PSM stated that Iron Soldier 3 came across as "ugly, slow and uninspired."[16] Mega Fun's Georg Döller commended the audiovisual presentation but stated that the game ultimately becomes monotonous despite the inclusion of a versus multiplayer mode and "cannot deliver what it promises in anyway."[5] Video Games' Alexander Olma compared the title with other PlayStation releases of similar style such as Ghost in the Shell and Krazy Ivan but criticized the visuals, audio, controls and multiplayer mode, stating that "the game does not reach the Front Mission 3 class."[17] The Electric Playground's Mandip Sandhu also compared it concept-wise with Armored Core, criticizing the two other selectable mechs aside from the main Iron Soldier unit for being useless, both multiplayer modes and overall playability. Sandhu praised the CGI sequences and audio design but nevertheless recommended playing Armored Core and MechWarrior.[18] In contrast, Play The PlayStation's Martin Weidner praised the 3D graphics, visual effects, destructible environments, level design and controls but noted the high difficulty curve in various missions.[20]
References
- ^ Return of the Borders – The Atari ST and the Creative People vol. 3. Microzeit Publishing. Archived from the original on 18 October 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g Charnock, Tom (March 2017). "The History Of: Iron Soldier". Retro Gamer. No. 165. Future Publishing. pp. 76–81.
- ^ Wallett, Adrian (28 June 2019). "Joe Sousa (Atari) – Interview". arcadeattack.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 June 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
- ^ Wallett, Adrian (14 September 2018). "Johannes Graf (Atari) – Interview". arcadeattack.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- ^ a b c Döller, Georg (October 2000). "Test PlayStation - Iron Soldier 3". Mega Fun (in German). No. 97. Computec. p. 60. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
- ^ Manne, Kevin; Powell, Wes. "Iron Soldier 3 "Demo"". NUON-Dome. Archived from the original on 15 July 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
- ^ Manne, Kevin; Powell, Wes. "Iron Soldier 3". NUON-Dome. Archived from the original on 12 September 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
- ^ Forhan, Carl (2 December 2020). "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year part 1". Songbird Productions. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
- ^ Forhan, Carl (12 December 2020). "Iron Soldier 3 for NUON sign-up is open!". Songbird Productions. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
- ^ CBS Interactive. 2019. Archived from the originalon 11 September 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ All Media Network. Archivedfrom the original on 15 November 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- ^ a b Boyer, Crispin (September 2000). "Review Crew - Iron Soldier 3 (PlayStation)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 134. Ziff Davis. p. 160.
- ^ CBS Interactive. Archivedfrom the original on 31 January 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ a b Smith, David (27 June 2000). "Iron Soldier 3 Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 17 February 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ a b Mohr, David (November 2000). "Test - PS - Iron Soldier 3". MAN!AC (in German). No. 85. Cybermedia. p. 62. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
- ^ a b "Reviews: Iron Soldier 3". PSM. No. 38. Imagine Publishing. October 2000. p. 92.
- ^ a b Olma, Alexander (November 2000). "Test - PlayStation - Iron Soldier 3". Video Games (in German). No. 108. Future-Verlag. p. 91. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
- ^ a b Sandhu, Mandip (2 October 2000). "Reviews - Iron Soldier 3". The Electric Playground. Elecplay.com Productions. Archived from the original on 21 February 2001. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- ^ NowGamer. Imagine Publishing. 20 June 2000. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ a b Weidner, Martin (August 2000). "TestScreen (US-Import) - Iron Soldier 3 (PlayStation)". Play The PlayStation (in German). No. 36. CyPress. p. 116. Archived from the original on 15 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.