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0 Giant mechs will always have a place in my heart. No matter the medium, mechs are inherently cool. That’s why I was very excited to get my hands on NITRO GEN OMEGA. This slick, anime-inspired title has you take control of your own customisable crew of mech pilots in a post-apocalyptic world.
Developed by DESTINYbit, this stylish tactical RPG looks like it could be something special. Is that the case, though? It certainly looks the part, but is there enough substance here to match the impressive visuals?
NITRO GEN OMEGA is out right now, and is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.
NITRO GEN OMEGA: Style and Substance!
AI has overrun the world. Humanity is barely surviving. Sounds eerily familiar so far… Survivors are forced to live in scattered settlements suspended high above the ground. Your team of fully customisable pilots must band together and push back against the rogue machines plaguing the land. Aboard their airship, these mercenaries travel across the world, taking on contracts, scavenging resources, hiring new members, and upgrading their mech.
Whilst the game’s narrative may not be one to write home about, the real story comes from how your squad interact with each other. From friends for life to bitter enemies, your squad will develop relationships organically, so no two playthroughs are identical. Whilst one pilot was flying high and basking in her glory, another quit the squad altogether after being pushed to their limit once too often. This procedural generation can make NITRO GEN OMEGA feel shallow at times in terms of writing, though. It never felt truly emotional, and the lack of personalities makes your squad less interesting than a typical RPG party. However, I did care enough about my squad that seeing them die from my poor forward planning was a bit of a downer.
Gameplay
But how, exactly, are you supposed to keep your squad alive in a world controlled by crazed AI and killer robots? Why, with a robot of your own, of course! Focusing on the combat for now, four team members all pile into one mech and control certain systems individually. Battles use turn-based mechanics and employ a timeline to sequence how each round plays out. It can be confusing at first; each of your four pilots has their own unique commands, and coordinating them with the timeline at the bottom of the screen is key. This timeline also shows what action an enemy may perform, and when they’ll do it. This then gives you a chance to hit them first, or defend against an oncoming attack.
First up, the Driver controls where your mech is positioned on the battlefield. The Gunner takes charge of the weapons and offensive capabilities. The Engineer repairs the mech as well as managing the heat system (actions cause the heat gauge to rise, keep it cool or your mech will blow!). Finally, the Operator is the support role, deploying smokescreens and scanning enemy units. Once you confirm your choices, the action will unfold in a fast-paced cutscene, then it’s on to the next round! It can be very difficult, especially in later fights, and it took a while for the combat to really click with me. Certain enemies can absolutely wipe the floor with you if you’re ill-prepared! There’s little in the way of tutorials, but the sense of satisfaction when finally getting to grips with the mechanics was very rewarding.
Rest, Entertainment, and a Homecooked Meal
When you’re not taking down enemy mechs, you’ll be flying your airship across the map. By visiting various settlements, you’ll pick up contracts, upgrade your mech, hire new mercenaries, and so on. NITRO GEN OMEGA is a sandbox, so you’re free to choose where to go. It’s not the most expansive world, but I did appreciate the downtime when combat became seriously intense.
Your ship also acts as a social hub, where your team interacts with each other and unwinds. By spending activity points, you’re able to reduce a pilot’s fatigue and raise morale. Whether it’s hitting the gym, belting out karaoke, or even cooking, each task improves their stats and unlocks new skill slots. It can be a balancing act ensuring everyone is in good spirits, but unless you want half of your squad to die or quit on you, it’s vital to keep them happy!
Beyond looking after your pilots, the mech will also need some tender loving care. Each of the three pilotable mechs can be upgraded by swapping out parts. These then raise the machine’s base stats or grant it certain abilities. I found myself tinkering a lot due to not being prepared for certain encounters. It’s a simple enough system that rewards experimentation. That is, as long as you have the cash to fund it!
Money doesn’t come easily in NITRO GEN OMEGA, and your mech isn’t the only thing that will cost you. Pilot wages, medical bills, and supplies such as food and fuel will all drain your earnings rather quickly. It can feel like the odds are against you; you’re broke, hurt, and facing some menacing machines. But it’s definitely a thrill when you make it out of the other side, hit a big payday, and finally take down an enemy giving you grief!
Graphics & Audio
You don’t need me to tell you that NITRO GEN OMEGA has an incredible look to it. The visuals take me right back to watching anime on Toonami in the early 2000s, and any game that makes me feel nostalgic is already a winner in my books. Everything is super vibrant, from the environments to the user interface, although the latter can be a bit confusing, especially when just starting out. The retro vibe is something you can’t help but love (especially if you’re over a certain age!), with over-the-top animations to really cap off the classic anime feel.
The audio has a similar retro feel to it as well (it feels wrong to call something inspired by the early 2000s retro…). The punchy, guitar-laden soundtrack fits right in with the overall design. The battle theme in particular — which hyped me up every time — was a particular highlight. No voice acting may disappoint some, but those who don’t mind doing a bit of light reading won’t feel too put out.
Longevity
There is plenty to keep players occupied in NITRO GEN OMEGA. It’s not really a game you can expect to rush through. Poor planning will result in a swift game over. All in all, it took me around 28 hours to beat, although that wasn’t completing everything the game had to offer.
The pacing can be a little slow at times, which does make certain sections feel longer than they really are. It’s a game that requires effort to learn its mechanics, which may be off-putting for some. For others, though, this is a sizeable RPG that is well worth the time!
Final Thoughts
If I had to sum up NITRO GEN OMEGA in one word, that word would be “cool”. Its effortlessly stylish aesthetics and flashy animations took me back to watching shows such as Gurren Lagann or even Megas XLR. Nostalgia aside, though, this is an entertaining and often challenging RPG that doesn’t hold your hand.
This is a very rewarding title that, despite a lack of an engaging story, had me hooked for the majority of the time. Some pacing issues aside, I’d highly recommend giving this one a try. There’s even a demo available, so what have you got to lose?
For it’s stylish aesthetics, engaging gameplay, and everything else mentioned, NITRO GEN OMEGA receives the Thumb Culture Gold Award!
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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