Metal Wolf Chaos XD

As much as people may look at this game as a meme and a novelty, Metal Wolf Chaos XD is more of a gem in the rough, a severely underappreciated title in FromSoftware's excellent library of mech games. The exaggerated patriotism, over-the-top dialog and impressive parody of popular culture is only a mask for its true facade - a surprisingly tight and very well-made mech game that's sure to please any fan and non-fan of the genre. The memes are only the tip of the iceberg.

Not so bothered about a quirky piece of niche comedy bundled within a clunky action-shooter? Then it probably has your vote of no confidence. Instead, perhaps consider Platinum Games’ Vanquish, re-released on Steam in 2017, which is a fun and frenetic mech-styled shooter with all the class and trimmings expected from a Platinum release. Yet this reviewer cannot deny that despite obvious flaws and frankly boring interludes in Metal Wolf Chaos XD’s gameplay, it is a game that will be remembered fondly.

Metal Wolf Chaos XD is an exercise in pure Americana filtered through the cheesiest anime imaginable. The banter between President Wilson and his assistant Jodie Crawford is rarely serious, Vice President Hawk is a pure cartoon villain with a character design that would almost be at home in Metal Gear Solid, and the action starts off over the top and escalates from there.