"R.A.D. is an innovative departure from the clone-like, mech-style games which have saturated the genre," said Paul Handelman, president of Enix America. "It is proof that Enix continually strives to combine new ideas, great technology and powerful stories to deliver compelling video games."
R.A.D. allows players to assume the role of one of three human robot handlers who must learn to remotely control a 75-ton, fully armed robot and engage in earth-shaking combat against gigantic aliens that are invading Earth. More than just an ordinary robot fighting game, R.A.D. accurately simulates the operation of a remote-controlled metal titan in crowded, active urban environments where strategy is as important as armament.
Highlighted features that have established R.A.D. as a departure from the normal gaming experience include:
- Two-player mode - Allows the player to challenge a friend to a gargantuan slugfest of epic proportions with 14 un-lockable combatants and 7 urban areas at his/her disposal.
- Concurrent Game Play on Two Levels - Action occurs on two planes as large scale combat between giant robots wreaks tremendous destruction upon the environment, while at the same time, the humans controlling the robots need to run for cover from falling debris, collapsing buildings and automobile traffic, all while trying to avoid being crushed by their own robot.
- Catastrophic Urban Destruction - every object in the environment is a potential subject of collateral damage as all buildings, power lines and cars can be damaged, knocked down and destroyed by the battling giants;
- Transformation Modes - robots can transform into an alternate form for additional skills and game-play options. Transform into a tank and crush buildings or transform into a jet and soar high above the chaos below;
- Unique Control Mechanism - simulates remote control of huge robots- For example, L1 and L2 buttons control the left leg and R1 and R2 buttons control the right leg. Alternating between the L1 and R1 buttons enables the robot to walk forward;
- Unique Character Design - characters are designed by Toshihiro Kawamoto who also designed the characters for hit Anime series, "Cowboy Bebop";
- Innovative Design - intense graphic style enables an incredible sense of scale lacking in other current "giant robot" titles;
Robot Alchemic Drive (R.A.D.) for the PlayStation®2 is expected to carry an estimated retail price of $49.99.