General
Full Metal Soccer is a fast-paced multiplayer game in which two
tank soccer teams battle each other. The game is set inside a futuristic arena
in the distant future. Each player controls his own tank
from first-person-perspective and tries to achieve the primary
target of every soccer game: shoot more goals than the opposing team. The
player has some special weapons and skills at hand that
help him to control the ball and fight his opponents.
Rules
There are two teams fighting each other inside an
arena. Whoever scores more goals within the given time
wins the game. If both teams score an equal amount of
goals the round is a draw. There is no penalty kick,
offside or punishment for fouls, Full Metal Soccer is a rough
sport! If you ram or shoot your opponent to pieces, it
will only buy you a small amount of time until your enemy
respawns.
After a goal is scored the game continues as normal. The
ball is respawns in the center of the playing field
after a few seconds, so take care to move into position in
time.
Tanks and Equipment
Each player controls a six-wheeled APC-style tank which
has a turret that can be rotated independently from the
tank body. In the following sections each weapon and
special skill of the tank will be discussed in detail to
explain the possibilites that each player has to lead his
team to victory on the battleground.
Main Cannon
The Cannon mounted on the turret shoots
projectiles with a ballistic trajectory. These projectiles
explode on impact and have different effects on ball and
tank. If you hit the soccerball directly, the ball will
move away from the point of impact physically correctly
(like a billiard ball hit by the cue ball). If you do not
hit the ball directly, the explosion of the projectile
will still have a profound effect on the ball and catapult
it away from the impact location.
If you hit another tank with your main cannon, two things happen:
A small
amount of damage is dealt to the tank (it is possible to
destroy a tank with the main cannon). In addition, a
moving tank is slowed down. These two features should not
be underestimated and the skillful Full Metal Soccer player will
use it to his advantage.
Tractor beam
Additionally, there is a tractor beam mounted to the
turret. This beam has no effect on other tanks but strongly
affects the ball. If the soccerball is hit by the rays of
the beam, it is dragged towards the tank. The tractor beam
can be used in a wide range of situations, to either stop
or accelerate the ball as the player sees fit.
Boost
The boost skill is nearly self explanatory. This
skill can be used to move accross the arena very fast,
intercept an opposing tank or to increase the damage done
with the ram bucket. The boost has only a limited amount
of energy which recharges slowly over time, so use it
wisely!
Ram bucket
The ram bucket fulfills two major roles in Full Metal Soccer. First, it does
heavy damage when ramming another tank with the claws of
your bucket. Second, it helps you to better control the
ball if you can manage to get it in between your claws.
Practice a bit and you will be able to drive curves with
the ball staying in front of your tank.
Body
Use the body of your tank to either stop or deflect the
ball or to block an opponent to your tactical advantage,
but always watch your health bar!
