Quick Opinion - Strike Suit Zero Director's Cut

Japan may be the authority on giant mecha, but that hasn't stopped the Western creative industries flirting with the concept once in a while. Cue Born Ready Games' Strike Suit Zero, which mixes Far Eastern Gundam-esque sensibilities with the kind of 3D space combat that once dominated the PC gaming landscape. 

The eponymous Strike Suit can switch between a nimble but often severely outgunned fighter mode and an all powerful but sluggish Transformer-style humanoid form at the touch of a button. Switching from fighter to mech, and using the latter's weapons, costs 'flux', which is earned by successfully eliminating enemy targets. This turns out to be a very effective linchpin gameplay mechanic, as tantalisingly brief spells of omnipotence feel all the more exhilarating having been hard-earned through vicious and tricky dog fighting.

The first few campaign missions completely withhold access to anything but a basic, non-transforming fighter, which may make sense from a narrative and pacing point of view, but does little to endear the game to those that have only just dipped their toes in, as it robs it of its key draw. Gamers that persevere though this and the initially confusing control setup will be well rewarded, however, as Strike Suit Zero quickly opens up into a thrilling and uniquely realised gaming experience.