It's time for your final debrief hunters!
By now you should know what dangers are out there in Dystokio. The ferocious SoNS will stop at nothing until all of humanity is wiped out. Thankfully, you're not alone and have your vehicles to help you get by and launch a counterattack on the machines.
We've taught you how to make the ultimate fighting machine, now it's time we teach you how to use it.
Taking the Initiative
You'll have plenty of options for how you approach a battle, and providing you have equipped your fleet accordingly, getting the drop on an enemy with a pre-emptive strike is usually the best way to start a fight. Some weapons, like long-barrel cannons, will have impressive range, and you can aim down the sights to fire your opening barrage.
Turn-based Tactics
In line with the other titles in the series, METAL MAX Xeno Reborn also features turn-based combat. An ATB gauge for each party member will gradually fill up in the bottom right UI, indicating when you'll next be able to act again. Each hunter can then choose between a range of options such as Attack, Skills, Item, Guard, or even cycle between the driver and vehicle's abilities.
Each party member can freely enter and exit their vehicle during combat. When fighting in a vehicle you'll have access to that vehicle's full complement of weaponry and trait chips. When fighting on foot you will be much more vulnerable but will be able to use melee weapons and unique personal skills. Take Talis for example who has a mechanical left arm that can be used to deal some serious damage!
Be careful when resorting to close combat as many SoNS are just as deadly up close. Some machines can even explode upon death so being up close and personal may not always be the best course of action.
Combat Spacing
Flanking both on foot or in a vehicle with your party members is an excellent way of disrupting an enemy's attack pattern. Most high-powered SoNS will try and hit you with attacks that have a wide area of effect. To avoid having your entire party defeated by a single shot, make sure that you pay attention to spacing!
Fully Automatic!
You'll also have the option to turn on Auto-Fire. This brilliant new mechanic allows for continuous fire whether you're on foot or in a vehicle. Auto-Fire will use the last command selected unless that weapon has run out of ammo or is destroyed.
Using Auto-Fire means that hunters will have free range of movement to better position themselves, making flanking enemies even easier without disrupting the flow of combat.
Optimizing Equipment
Another helpful tip is to ensure that your party is equipped with the right weaponry. Some SoNS will be weak to certain elements or types of damage. Pay attention to the hardware and equipment that you scavenge out in the wastes, and modify your loadouts to fit the fight. You can also craft new weapons back at Iron Base, so make sure to check back regularly to see what deadly armaments are available.
And that's all hunters, follow these tips and you'll have no trouble preserving humanity's future!
METAL MAX Xeno Reborn launches on June 10th 2022.
- Kadokawa Games & PQube
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