TOKYO--At the Tokyo Game Show 2004, Konami showed off a new version of SLAI: Phantom Crash, the next installment of the Phantom Crash series of fast-paced mech action games. While the series started out on the Xbox, it has since shifted to the PlayStation 2 for this latest installment. We got our hands on the demo Konami had at its TGS booth to bring you an impression of how it's shaping up.

　　We engaged in a quick battle in the demo that let us go through a bout with one of two premade mechs. The egglike vehicle we opted for was in the same style as in the previous game on the Xbox, so it still featured a combat computer represented by a talking animal head. In the case of the TGS demo, our battle CPU was Ernest, a small dog. Obviously, SLAI: Phantom Crash is not your average mech game.

　　Animal weirdness aside, the game handles well and seems to make good use of the PlayStation 2 controller. Anyone who's played the game on the Xbox may actually find the control to be more responsive now. The tight control is welcome because--even though all your mech's armaments are easy to use--you'll be hard-pressed to keep up with your enemies in battle, since they're not eager to be targets. You'll actually have to worry about being a bull's-eye yourself, but, thanks to your mech's Predator-style camouflage ability, you can actively avoid death.

　　The graphics in the game are coming along, although there has been a downgrade from the Xbox predecessor in terms of fine detail. The unique mech designs help give the game a fresh look despite the fact that the battles we fought took place in nondescript environments. The game's performance was pretty solid throughout our match, with just a few hitches in frame rate and the occasional odd camera angle. These things should be addressed before the game's release.

　　From what we played, SLAI: Phantom Crash is coming along well. The game's solid performance and multiplayer options, which include online play, are looking promising. SLAI: Phantom Crash is currently slated to ship early next year for the PlayStation 2, so check back for more on the game in the coming months. For more updates, be sure to check GameSpot's coverage of the Tokyo Game Show 2004.