Kei-Nova

Reviews, retrospectives, and giant robots!

[kei-nova]

The 1980s were packed with space operas, leaving some gems overlooked. One such gem is the Gall Force franchise, which has largely slipped under the radar. Today, I'm unpacking the first movie in the frachise - Gall Force: Eternal Story!

[kei-nova]

Shinji Aramaki's Stunning 80s Mecha Debut

[kei-nova]

Ranger X - Pushing the Genesis to its Limits!

[kei-nova]

Contra: Operation Galuga - Classic Action Returns Contra is back! Is it any good?

[kei-nova]

Lackluster Expansion, Decent Plot - MechWarrior 4: Black Knight (Review)

[kei-nova]

This forgotten 'Contra-Killer' boasted crazy bosses, insane weapons, and a gritty style that pushed boundaries.  So, why did it fade into obscurity? Support the channel: https://patreon.com/ keinova

[kei-nova]

Okay, who remembers the 2003 Robocop game? Because I just played it again and... yikes.  I think I'd rather face ED-209 than deal with those controls again.

My full review of this dumpster fire is now live on YouTube. Come cringe with me!

[kei-nova]

Is MechWarrior 4: Vengeance a Hidden Gem or Simply Outdated? (Review) Pilot massive mechs, unleash devastating firepower, and reclaim your birthright in MechWarrior 4: Vengeance! Is this classic mech combat game a titan among its peers, or does it fall short? Stomp, shoot, and find out in my review!

[kei-nova]

Forget Transformers or Robotech on the NES!  Let's explore the "fateful 3" mech games that did make it to North America: Metal Mech, MagMax, and the legendary Metal Storm.

Get ready to:

Blast back to the 80s/90s mecha craze

Gear up for the pixelated punches of these niche titles

Master Metal Storm's gravity-defying mechanics and epic bosses

Ponder the mystery of why the NES lacked mecha variety

This is for you if:

You crave NES hidden gems with a mech twist

You love forgotten classics and retro game design quirks

You dig retro gaming history and insights

Let's Talk Mechs! 💬

Did you pilot any of these games? Why do you think the NES had so few mecha titles?  Share your theories in the comments!

[futurecentricity]

[kei-nova]

Thank you @mechanist901 and everyone who got me to 5 reblogs!

[kei-nova]

"HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NAAOOOW?!!" —Michael Wilson, 47th President of the United States Metal Wolf Chaos is a cult classic game that puts you in the shoes of the President of the United States, who must fight against a coup led by his Vice President using a powerful mech suit. Originally released in 2004 for the Xbox, the game has been remastered and re-released in 2019 as Metal Wolf Chaos XD, with improved graphics, controls, and compatibility. In this review, we will take a look at how the game holds up today, what makes it so unique and memorable, and why you should give it a try if you are a fan of over-the-top action and humor.

[kei-nova]

Is Slave Zero All Show and No Go? Striking one off the backlog! In this video, I'm finally getting around to playing Slave Zero (PC, Dreamcast). Inspired by Neon Genesis Evangelion and a bevy of other anime sources - the game sets out to convey a struggle between a 'Spiritual Brotherhood' and the SovKhan. You take on the role of a pilot bound to the prototype Slave Zero unit - the first of many 'Slaves' that act as Biological Mecha units within SovKhan's Megacity Complex. Though, is it good - or is it simply comprised of good ideas? Find out in the video, as I get a little honest about a game that some have come to consider a 'cult classic' title.

[kei-nova]

MechWarrior 3 is the third mainline game in the MechWarrior series. 🤖 Developed by Zipper Interactive, known for the SOCOM games, it emerged after the initial concept for MechWarrior 3 (later becoming MechWarrior 4) had to be shelved. While the software itself didn't encounter issues, the game originally planned as MechWarrior 3 did. In this video, I'll delve into the game, its history, and share my thoughts on why it didn't soar as high as it should have. 🎮 If you enjoyed this video or Mech content in general, feel free to subscribe for weekly content. 🤖

[kei-nova]

I'm rather excited today, as my replacement set for BattleTech: A Game of Armored Combat is on it's way. I've also got the KickStarter version of Clan Invasion coming, and it has a Timber Wolf inside. So, I'm really happy about that.

Later today, I'll be recording my audio and starting to put together this week's video on MechWarrior 3. It's hard to believe I've gotten so far, sticking with the series. Sadly, its been a hard week for getting things done. I wasn't able to put out MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries on time or put together a Wednesday video. Because of 86Box not covering advancements such as the Pentium III, I wasn't happy with the MechWarrior 3 footage I managed to gather. Thankfully, I'm crafty and performed a little bit of 'technical wizardry' on MechWarrior 3 - allowing for a massively enhanced experience on my system. It was really cool, and made the game far less frustrating. So, that is pretty much the 4-1-1 on what is going down with me and the channel. People ask me how I have so much time for this. It is because I have so much time as it is. During the day, I'm usually bored - since the kids are all at school. But now, I have something to work towards.

Oh and, hey, if you get this far. If I get 5000 Subscribers by the end of the year, I'll be holding a few game key giveaways. So, here I am - shamelessly promoting that. Thanks for reading, I don't often use Tumbler but I'd love to more!

[kei-nova]

MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries - Profitable Pummeling

Welcome back to the channel! Today, we’re stepping into the cockpit for a deep dive into the legendary ‘MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries’. This cl

Welcome back to the channel! Today, we’re stepping into the cockpit for a deep dive into the legendary ‘MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries’. This classic title has stood the test of time, and we’re revisiting the battlefield to show you why it’s still a blast to play even decades after its initial release.

As we journey through the game’s intricacies, you’ll get insights into the tactical depth that ‘MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries’ offers, from fine-tuning your BattleMechs to strategically navigating the mercenary life in a universe fraught with conflict. I’ll share my experience of the game’s dynamic missions and the rich, immersive atmosphere that captures the essence of being a Mech pilot for hire—without spoiling any of the surprises that await you.

We’ll discuss how ‘MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries’ set a high bar for future mech combat simulators and how its blend of action and economics creates a uniquely challenging experience. Whether you’re a seasoned pilot revisiting the game or a curious newcomer eager to explore the genre, this review is tailored to provide a comprehensive look at what the game has to offer.

Thank you for watching, and I’ll see you on the next mission. Keep your targeting systems locked and reactant chambers primed.

If you appreciate this content, consider leaving a like and subscribing for more thoughtful game reviews and discussions. Engage with us in the comments—share your own memories of the game, or ask questions if you’re considering strapping into a Mech for the first time.

[kei-nova]

Final Zone is the 1990 Sega Genesis port of the Japanese game FZ Senkai Axis. The original was on the Sharp X68000, which was a far more capable system then the poor little Genesis. Weirdly, both of these versions were developed and released around the same time. Likely meaning that one version was a little neglected. Guess which one?

Later in the video, I'll also be getting to the Sharp X68000 version - which I, amazingly, got to run.

You want more? Like and Subscribe for weekly videos on Mech related stuff across multiple generations. You won't be disappointed!

5K Subs also means that I'll be purchasing the Steel Battalion Controller and games, doing a huge video on that. So, if you want to see that happen - now is the time to act! Subscribe now!