BRAHMA FORCE:
The Assault On Beltlogger 9 (PSX)
Type: Robot shooter
Developer: Genki Co. Ltd.
Publisher:  Jaleco
Number of players: 1
Rating: K-A (Mild Animated Violence)

Drinking........drugs....... you've tried them all and you still can't sleep.
 You keep seeing her, lying on the autopsy table staring at you with those
glazed eyes.  You see the flesh ripped on her once beautiful face.  The
horrible wounds were self inflicted.  She was a victim of Pickman's Syndrome.

Tomorrow you're going to Beltlogger 9 on a security mission.  Maybe you'll
find some answers to the questions that have been haunting you.  Then the
nightmares will end.  Right now you're feeling sorry for yourself - "SNAP OUT
OF IT!" - you scream.  "DAMMIT!  I'm a MARINE!"

Your squadron got wiped out after landing on the mining colony Beltlogger 9.
 Another squadron landed on the far side of the colony but they won't be able
help to you.  So you go it alone through 22 levels which get progressively
harder.  There is something very evil on Beltlogger 9 and it has a name,
Dionisio Vega.  Who is Dionisio Vega and what does he want?  This is the
mystery you will eventually solve as you fight your way through the mining
station.

BRAHMA Force (BF) is a mix of "DOOM" and "Descent" except you're in a mech.
 Although there is a lot of killing, there's also a strategy element.  There
are a number of puzzles like- find the key for the exit before the station
blows up.  The game is very challenging.  The plot is linear and some levels
must be replayed over and over and over until you figure out the solution.
 This really gets frustrating after a while.

BF has an "Outstanding" interface to help you accomplish your mission.
 Especially notable is the Command Screen which provides access to the Log,
Maps, Records, and 6 other systems.  The action pauses whenever you open the
Command Screen.  There is a fully controllable camera view available when you
access the map.

The controller options are "Excellent".  You can easily program all the
buttons to suit your taste.  You can even adjust the HUD to your liking.

Your weapon is the BRAHMA which is short for Bipedal Robotic Assault Heavy
Mechanized Armor.  The lethal BRAHMA is a marvelous machine to pilot.  The
Heads-Up Display (HUD) includes: radar, map, weapons array, and other
important information.  There are no exterior views.  The cockpit view is the
only view.  But you can look up and down.  It's a really great fighting
vehicle loaded with guns, missiles, bombs, etc.  All of which can be
upgraded.  You can feel its massive weight as you move.  The BRAHMA will
react to your every input whether it's a side-step or a jump.  There is a lot
of jumping.  Good piloting skills are essential for survival.

There's the standard fare of deadly enemy swarms.  Power-ups can usually be
found: after killing an enemy,  in rooms, or hidden in some hard to find
places.  There are computer terminals scattered around each level.  The
terminals provide information and tips.  There is also a terminal to save
your progress on that level.  A memory card is required to save.

The opening animation is excellent.  Throughout the game there are plenty of
well done animated cut-scenes which are timely and effective. They enhance
rather than disrupt gameplay.  When you lose, there are some nifty death
scenes of you being blown into space dust.

The graphics overall are really good for a "close quarters" shooter.  You can
move close to an object without it looking like a Rubik's Cube.  The
explosions are top notch.  Movement in the 3-D environment is well executed.
 When you move, the view realistically bobs with each step.  There's a Visual
Stabilizer option to steady the view if you prefer.

The sound enhances gameplay.  Your BRAHMA walking, elevators, lifts, doors
and other objects make realistic sounds.  There's plenty of voice acting.
 Some good and some not so good.  The soundtrack, although unremarkable,
complement's the action.  

Several "Negatives" keep this game from reaching its full potential.  First,
the manual could have been better.  You'll play several levels before you
figure out some important things not covered in the manual.   You cannot
adjust the level of "Difficulty".  A "Difficulty" setting might have added
some replay value.  The game does not support the analog joystick.  And the
Big Negative is - Single player only.

Bottom Line:  BF is intense, frustrating, and a lot of fun.  This is a
mechanized shooter that requires some thinking.  The game takes some time to
complete.  Once you've played through all the levels the replay value is low.

Street Price:  $43.12 to $49.99

Password:  No

Memory Card:  1 Block

Supports:  1 player

Graphics:  90

Sound:  90

Learning Curve:  Moderate

Difficulty:  Tough

Controller Options:  Player programmable

Manual:  Does not include some vital information

Replay Value:  Low

Codes:  Unknown at this time

FINAL SCORE:  85

=*=A Voltranic Syndicated Review=*=