P.N.03: Difference between revisions

 

 

 

The game wasn't altogether well-received when it was released in September 9, 2003 in North America, with most critics and players considering it to be mediocre. Sales were remarkably poor, with less than 30,000 sold worldwide. The below-average reception for a Capcom 5 title was due in no small part due to a [[Troubled Production|difficult development process]] in which project lead Shinji Mikami reportedly had a difficult time caring about it and the team couldn't agree on the 'true' title (its development title was ''Jaguar'', reflected by a trailer where she makes catlike movements). The features ended up being as minimalistic as the architecture, as due to the extended development cycle many features were dropped. The game engine, some music, and some of the mechanics were later used in [[Resident Evil 4]].

Much of the team later split from Capcom to form [[Platinum Games]], developers of ''[[Bayonetta]]'', and developed ''[[Vanquish]]'', a game which is, to some extent, a [[Spiritual Successor]] to ''P.N.03''.

 

== General Tropes ==

* [[All There in the Manual]]: Little of the background is mentioned in game, but you play a mercenary hired by the military to investigate an AI defense system gone haywire.

* [[Artificial Stupidity]]: The enemies spawn as predetermined types in predetermined locations. You know immediately on entering a room through prior experience what you are facing. The enemies also attack in predetermined patterns.

* [[Awesome but Impractical]]: Many of the overdrives are super flashy and over the top but do pitiful damage and in some cases can miss the target entirely!

* [[Boring but Practical]]: Tengu and the upgraded version, Tengu Pro. Doubles your shot power, but most importantly gives temporary invincibility. The ability to ignore an enemy's attacks and just fire away can come close to a [[Game Breaker]] if used correctly. {{spoiler|Two Tengu Pro stringed back to back is enough to kill the final boss on '''Normal''' with a fully upgraded Palm Shot.}}

* [[Boss in Mook Clothing]]: The Seerose and Gardenie robots.

* [[Bullet Hell]]: The bosses tend towards this, but it's subverted in that you can hide behind an obstacle and avoid all incoming fire. The last boss is a pure example, and beating him involves learning the patterns to his attacks.

* [[Check Point]]: Dying simply dumps you out of the storyline or trial mission you were in - you get to keep the points you accumulated before death.

* [[Critical Existence Failure]]: You're perfectly fine until that last hit that pierces your remaining shields and kills you.

* [[Cyberpunk Is Techno]]: The soundtrack fittingly consists mainly of techno, breakbeat, industrial, and jungle/drum & bass tunes.

* [[Dance Battler]]

** Worth noting that this only applies to the control stick, ''not'' the dodge buttons.

* [[Difficulty Levels]]: You really should play the game on Easy to get the hang of the enemies and controls.

* [[Everything Trying to Kill You]]

* [[Exposition Break]]: Major advances in the plot come through this way.

* [[Hit and Run Tactics]]: You cannot shoot and move at the same time. Gameplay is basically dodging out of the way of enemy fire until they're vulnerable, then attacking.

* [[Level Grinding]]: Doing the trial missions over and over for points to upgrade the Aegis Suits makes the game much easier.

* [[Multiple Endings]]: Beating the game on Easy gives the standard ending. Beating the game on Normal or Hard adds an additional cutscene after the ending.

* [[Multi Mook Melee]]: Used for the end-of-level battle in Mission 4, and some of the [[Reactor Boss]] battles.

* [[One-Winged Angel]]: Alraune starts as an easy robotic skull, then turns into a much tougher [[Humongous Mecha]] [[Scary Scorpions|scorpion]].

* [[One-Hit Kill]]: The energy cannon turrets are about as close to [[Wave Motion Gun]] as it gets. You do not want to be out in the open when they fire.

* [[Signature Sound Effect]]: The enemies all have unique sounds indicating they're about to attack. Listening for this is key when trying to dodge while out in the open.

* [[Sorry I Left the BGM On]]: The level music apparently what she's listening to, thus the toe tapping and gyrations.

* [[Spiritual Successor]]: ''[[Vanquish]]'', as mentioned above.

* [[Take Cover]]: One of the ways to avoid enemy fire. Really skilled players don't need to rely on this so much, though there are certain enemies whose attacks cannot be dodged.

* [[Unexpected Shmup Level]]: Reviewers tended to treat the entire game like this.

* [[Wave Motion Gun]]: Used by several enemies and bosses, especially the death laser turrets sometimes guarding the reactor bosses.

 

== Blackbird Aegis Suit ==

* [[Boring but Practical]]: It's the first Aegis suit that allows for maximum upgrades in all categories and has access to Tengu Pro, Pegasus Pro and Swan Pro, three of the best overdrives in the game.

 

== Papillon Aegis Suit ==

* [[Bare Your Midriff]]

* [[Shower Scene]]: Wear the suit through the whole game to completion and you're rewarded with this.

* [[Stripperiffic]]: It's composed of vest, thong, chaps, and long fingerless gloves.

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Shinji Mikami]]

[[Category:Nintendo Gamecube]]