An otaku(?) in Malaysia

Sorry for the lack of post these last few days. Been busy that most of the time I would be too tired to update the blog. Real life turns to have an effect on my otaku life ＿|￣|O…Well, I’ve started playing gadget trial recently. I know it was release awhile back but only recently I stumbled upon it. I have to thanks R.A.W.R for his info about this game that I found on his blog. I’ve been playing it for a week plus and…I love the game. Haven’t finish playing through it yet, so below is a semi-review/impression of the game.

Synopsis:

Gadget Trial takes place somewhere in the future. Decades after the world war, the military of the Eastern Treaty Union (ETU) develop advance military equipment under the codename Project ‘Next E’. The E-series units are effectively humanoid machine who bears resemblance to young looking girls. Uh sure it doesn’t make sense but its all moeee and that in turn help the morale of the troop so it’s ok, I guess. The E-series are in a sense bio-computers, able to regenerate and reproduce themselves. Their usefulness in battle is augmented further by their ability to utilize Reinforcement Unit, which make them superior to the conventional war machines. Their brain function exceed those of a normal human brain, being able to compute and produce numerous option which to utilize within battle. The military produce two types of E-series prototype, the Type White and Type Black unit series. The Black E-series unit, while look like humanoid, are pure robotic like. The Black E-series place important on machine like obedience when carrying out mission. The White E-series are of complete opposite of the Black E-series. Each unit are programme with personality, which in turn makes them are more human-like. The military decide to field both unit in field trials, and the most successful unit will chosen for mass-producing. The player assumes the role of one of the major in charge of the white team.

Dramatis Personae :

Major Mihara. Voiced by: Sugita Tomokazu

He’s the commanding officer the White E-series unit. A somewhat rough & sarcastic man. But beneath all that, he has a soft spot for his subordinate. An example of this is when he defends his subordinate when the major of the Black E-series makes derogatory comments about them.

In game wise, you’re the major, so…ya

Izen (Model Number EPN-001GF IZEN). Voiced by: Hirohashi Ryou

She the hyper, all energetic girl within White E-series unit. Well, she might be energetic and all, but I don’t found her personality trait annoying. Bit of an airhead. But she’s lovable all he same. I love it to bits when she started singing ’I m a soldier’ in her character upgrade selection screen.

In game wise, Izen is the infantry unit. Her offensive and defensive power might be small, but infantry are the only unit able to capture structures. They are also able to access some terrain that is inaccessible to other land unit. And the medic is the only one able to heal and energize other unit. In a sense she is the essential unit of the whole game.

Souka (Model Number EPN-002AF SOUKA). . Voiced by: Shintani Ryouko

Souska thinks that air unit are the best which consequently make her somewhat arrogant and haughty. But as the game progress, she begins to mellow and cares for the other unit. She is one of the victims of prank joke by Izen and Yu-ri.

In game wise, Souka is the air units. Air units in the game devastatingly powerful. Bombers pretty much can destroy anything, while fighters are utilise to clear the sky of any other units. Helicopters fulfil the role of transport and light gunship.

Nei (Model Number EPN-000GF NEI). Voiced by: Itou Shizuka

Nei is the onee-chan of the group She the most level-headed and consequently looks after the rest of the White E-series unit as an elder sister.

In game-wise, Nei is the mechanised unit. Tanks pretty much control the land. Scout unit are used for…scouting. APC is good for rapid transport for Izen to catch building.

Yu-ri (Model Number EPN-003GF YU-RI). Voiced by: Morinaga Rika

Yuri is the, erm, requisite Loli of the group. Yu-ri is a cross between Nei and Souka. She can be incredibly sarcastic or caring for the group.

In game-wise, Yu-ri is the artillery unit. Cannons and MLRS use to bombard enemies at long range. AA gun is able to knock aircraft out of the sky.

Hisoka (Model Number EPN-004MF HISOKA). Voiced by: Nazuka Kaori

Hisoka is kind of creepy. She speaks in a whispery voice, but every time she opens her mouth, inevitably it will consist of bombarding someone, sinking ship with torpedoes or just inflicting damage. There are times it is literally unsettling to hear her speak like that.

In game-wise, Hisoka is the sea unit. Submarines control the sea. Battleship provides long range fire to shore. Hovercraft transport unit for sea to shore.

Major Wakabayashi Yuuki. Voiced by: Sango Minako

Leader of the Black E-series unit. A haughty and somewhat rude officer. She views her Black E-series unit as superior to the White E-series unit. Loves to demean the White E-series unit. White E-series unit loves to make joke about the relationship between the two majors, nothing how they found the sexual tension between those two very palpable.

Game play:

Game play wise, the game is divided into two sections, the visual novel type and the strategy part. The visual novel part is used to tell the story within the game. The dialog at times are pure riot and is heavily laden with reference to popular culture, history, military and otaku stuff.


The visual novel part

The strategy is played on a map, where you duke it out turn base. Most missions revolve destroying enemy units or capturing their HQ. Tactics revolve around combine arms assault.

The tactical screen

Every time you attack or being attack, the screen shift to show the attack sequence

Go Souka!!!

Each unit’s gains experience points during battle. XP points can be used to upgrade unit

This show how much xp is earn by the units after each mission.Uh oh, Hisoka is unhappy

I’m purchasing an upgrade for Hisoka

After each mission, you are graded for your performance in battle.

Yeah i’m not good in this kind of game…

Impression of the game:

I am somewhat sceptical of turn based game. But I love this game. Its combine the best part of an anime with a strategy game. True the mission might be somewhat simplistic, but I found it to be strength, not a weakness. And the story is quite a good one, I believe. For me, the reason I continue playing this game is to follow the storyline. It’s like ‘Must finish the storyline to see what happen next’ overtime I play this game. I highly recommend this game due to its engaging storyline and the interesting game play as well.

P.s :I forget to add that the patch can be found here. Sorry for the late addition.
P.s :I should have mention this earlier, this game is,er, safe. No compromising stuff inside here. There some fanservice though.