Robot Alchemic Drive (2002)

Robot Alchemic Drive is janky in a way that evokes the lovingly created series Earth Defense Force, trading out traditional action elements for a remote-controlled battle mech that's about as uniquely satisfying as it is silly.

With a narrative modeled after retro super robot anime shows, the player can choose between three protagonists to play as a young chairman inheriting a bankrupt weapons company. Their secret weapon is a gigantic robot called a Meganite, which must be used to repel alien invaders called Volgara. Not too many twists are in the plot, but the delivery goes from dead serious (and melodramatic) plot elements to the silliest and most horrible voice acting I've heard in video games. It adds a memorable sense of levity to the game and helps make the slower dialogue segments more enjoyable since the entire game's dialogue is voice acted.

The actual mech battles are where the game gets interesting. The player can run around and fly temporarily to a location safely out of harm's way, where they can remote control their Meganite at any time. While in control, the player will be looking directly at the mech and can use a series of complex controls to step forwards/backwards, turn and position the mech and use the analog sticks to input a variety of special attacks. There's even expendable missiles and an energy system that can unlock even more special attacks, complete with a fun little charge stance. The player must be careful in trying out these moves, however, since the Volgara have plenty up their sleeve to knock the player back and careful blocking will ensure an easy battle.

This isn't an exact science or an excessively complicated game, however - robots will be tripping over each other, buildings will get torn asunder (it's a VERY destructible game) and camera angles will get awkward if the player isn't constantly moving to the exact correct spot. That said, there are a variety of upgrades and things the player can do to explore and add to the narrative (see: the tragedy of destroying Nanao's workplace), and the game isn't super punishing so the player can just relax and have fun. Mastering the mech means effortlessly beating the Volgara down with ease and little damage, but you won't be struggling too hard if you need some wiggle room.

There are a variety of missions which vary in what actions the player must do for battle - sometimes there are people to save, ships to grab, poison gas, etc that keep the battles from being too boring. This makes up for the fact that enemy design is relatively same-y throughout, and while beating them up is always fun I wonder what the game would be like with some more unique monster designs rather than a string of very similar humanoid mechs.

The music can be triumphant, silly, or whatever a player needs from situational tracks in a giant robot anime, and apart from the late 90s anime character portraits the mechs themselves are a wonder to behold, lovingly detailed and often having the ability to transform into various modes. The city can be a bit drab looking but the destructibility looks amazing, and the people running for their lives can be (accidentally) crushed and destroyed in sprays of blood. At times the tone is wildly inconsistent but accidentally transforming on a crowd of people is an experience that will never leave my memory for as long as I live.

Robot Alchemic Drive is a great way to encapsulate the experience of a super robot anime, utilizing its jank and awkwardness to fun and unique simulation gameplay that never gets too aggravating or frustrating. And truly, no other game features robots killing Grandma AND the wonder of bread and water soup.