Full Auto 2: Battlelines Progress Report

February 15th, 2007, 19:34 Posted By: wraggster

via ign

Mayhem and motors have always gone hand in hand, and one franchise that attempted to capitalize on this concept is the Full Auto series. With a heavy emphasis on concepts like "Destruction Matters," Full Auto let drivers race through streets, trashing buildings and other environmental objects in their attempt to finish first. The sequel added to the mayhem with more cars, new environments and arena style combat. Well, the car combat is now spilling over to the portable track with Full Auto 2: Battlelines for the PSP.

While the game may have the same name as the PS3 version, this isn't a scaled down port of that title. Instead, Deep Fried Entertainment, who's developing the PSP version, overhauled just about every single facet of the racer. For example, the career mode no longer takes place in Meridian City. Nor does it have an AI informing you of what you need to do or what races you have to enter to proceed. Instead, the battles now take place across the entire world, with races found in the USA, Europe and Asia. While there are various events that you'll enter, such as coming in first place or defeating specific rivals, there's also a lot more choice provided to drivers. Players now have the option to decide whether they want to complete every single event available to them, or if they'd rather blaze through the game and face off against the "boss" racers.

The number of vehicles has changed as well for the PSP version. Battlelines now features 15 cars, nine of which are completely new to the series. While there are no licensed cars within the game, players will easily pick up on car bodies inspired by Mustangs, Vipers and other machines. Players will be able to customize these cars with a number of car skins and vinyls. While each car has five skins, over 200 vinyls are included in the game for every car. Players will also have the option to choose from 18 weapons (10 of which are new) to equip their machine, although there's a new twist to the arms placement. Weapons can now be mounted on the front, side or rear of the car, giving you additional flexibility in battle. For instance, if you place machine guns on the front and side of your car, you can fire three spreads of bullets instead of the customary two.

Battlelines isn't just a single player experience; up to four players can engage in ad hoc battles in arenas or races. Every multiplayer option from the PS3 version of the game has been brought over to the PSP game, and the various events from the single player have also been carried over into multiplayer. This means that you aren't necessarily going to try to be first in a race, because you may need to eliminate a number of obstacles or defeat specific cars to win.

Of course, the PS3 version of Battlelines used both analog sticks to help you control the car and target your opponents. Due to the lack of a second analog nub, the PSP provides limited auto targeting to help you take down other racers. It also gives you the opportunity to take advantage of Destruction Matters moments. Whenever the reticule flashes yellow, players can hit the triangle button and lock onto an object. If they fire once the reticule turns red, they can trigger the moment and spill the obstacles on the road, blocking or even destroying opponents. Bolstered by songs from Wolfmother, Sum 41 and Stone Sour, car combat fans should be ready to take first place when Full Auto 2: Battlelines hits shelves this march.

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