Title: Metal Head Released: 1995 Genre: Mech/3-D Shooter Developer: Sega  Publisher: Sega  Regions: USA, UK, Japan Availability: Common

A 32x exclusive. Mech games are great fun to play... GOOD Mech games, that is. Metal Head is not a good Mech game, or even an average Mech game. A “Mech” is a great big robotic “tank” that generally walks around on two legs and blows stuff up. One very important quality that a quality Mech game MUST possess is the feeling that one is actually piloting a large, lumbering mechanical beast with loads of firepower. Metal Head does not convey this feeling. The elusive quality that defines the Mech genre is most definitely missing, replaced with a gameplay quality that simply doesn’t feel right. The missions are varied, ranging from seeking out an explosive device deep within an enemy compound to simple search and destroy runs. Some of the graphics, like the texture mapped polygonal structures, actually look pretty good, close to first-generation Playstation quality. Unfortunately, many of the vehicle and enemy Mech models are poorly designed and silly looking. The destruction of enemies is particularly disappointing and unrealistic, with heavy trucks and hulking Mechs sailing gracefully high into the air and then floating slowly downward, exploding in a pitiful burst of tiny flames when they finally reach the ground. The programmers attempted to disguise popup with 2-D backgrounds, but this tactic leads to city skylines that are suddenly obscured by a building that appears out of nowhere.The game is full of speech, but the music and sound effects are bland. The whole game looks unfinished and unpolished, a sad testimonial to unrealized potential.

European Box Art

The Sega Saturn is home to several respectable Mech games, all of them far better than Metal Head.

	A*M*O*K is a enjoyable title by Scavenger that came out near the end of the Saturn's lifespan. Also released for the PC, A*M*O*K features a unique graphical style and a high degree of challenge. A*M*O*K was originally planned for the 32x before being ported over to the Saturn.
	Gungriffon is a highly-regarded Mech game with complex, precise control and a variety of detailed missions. Spawned sequels for the Saturn (Japan only) and the Playstation 2.
	Gwen War is a first-generation Saturn title from 1995 featuring a load of bizarre aliens and landscapes that look the same. Decent, but rather tedious.
	Mechwarrior 2 emphasizes more arcade-style action than the original PC version. The graphics are sparse, but the gameplay is deep and satisfying.