Taking it's basic premise from Sega's classic Panzer Dragoon,
this on-rails, lock-on shooter just doesn't quite have the "kick" of Sega's
classic. Many of Godzilla's basic enemies (ranging from tanks, helicopters, and jets)
appear as black spots on the screen until they come in to view, enabling the player to
lock onto them. Ground enemies, like the tanks, never appear on the games radar and are
generally hidden within the bleak backgrounds. That leads to cheap shots galore and a
slowly dwindling health meter.
Godzilla's classic radioactive breath is his main weapon and it can be used to blow up buildings, and of course, the measly Japanese defense force. Godzilla plods along automatically, only allowing players to move him slightly to the left or right. Since players control both Godzilla's horizontal movement and the cursor used to lock-on, dodging shots proves to be a problem.
While the game stomps it's predecessor graphically, it still has issues. Godzilla himself looks good and closely resembles the Godzilla 2000 suit from the recent theatrical release. His skin stretches and forms to his body giving the creature a very realistic movement. The other monsters who serve as bosses also look great and are easily identifiable from the films that we all know and love. Everything else however, falls flat. It seems all of Hokkaido has a major fog problem and the buildings appear lifeless. The sound also dies a horrible death with none of the classic Godzilla themes, just the unmistakable roar. The included orchestrated tracks are appropriate, but they're no replacement.
Overall, the game still retains that classic Godzilla "feel," something Hollywood couldn't do. Those who don't understand the appeal of a rubber suit in a miniature city won't find anything to keep them interested. Those who do understand the appeal will find something to keep themselves occupied, but will still leave with a bad taste in their mouths.
