YOU SUNK MY BATTLESHIP!

So PSO2's second major post-launch content update, titled 目覚めし大機艦 (which could be translated as "Awakened great mechanical warship") was deployed yesterday alongside a new set of AC and FUN scratch items. So after being sent on the obligatory time attack on the free tundra area, it was time to venture down into the mines underneath Lilipa. After waves of darkers and lunatic robots (some of them suicidal), we come upon....

 Metal Gear.

That's right. Metal Gear.

OK, not really. But I do have to agree with the folks saying the Tranmizer looks like Metal Gear Rex though.
 

Uh-oh! The metal gear have started to move!

 

While they do cast a similar visage, Tranmizer is far more compact and has a few more tricks up its proverbial sleeve. Not only can this thing launch a Macross-style missile salvo, but it can also leap at its prey with its claws.. This guy likes it in the butt.... if you can call it that. After performing certain attacks, the weak point in its backside will be open for a few seconds allowing you to unload before closing back up. Anyway, moving on.


But Metal Gear Jr. isn't the main attraction by any stretch of the imagination. That's reserved for this behemoth.

When a giant robot just won't cut it.

Big Vader ビッグヴァーダ―

Where do I start with this? It's a vader (or varder... whatever) and it's big. Like any other self-respecting battleship, this bad boy boasts loads of artillery all over including 4 front lasers and several missile banks. Throw in a robotic "torso" with two giant arms and you've got yourself one mean machine. You can make it onto the deck by taking out the myriad machine guns and missile banks on the sides and hopping on board. Once the main part comes out, it will open its "chest" area, revealing its weak point above the laser cannon.

All in all, I found this to be a well-executed, enjoyable encounter. Not as frustrating as the snow beasts in the tundra, I'll say that much. It gives us something of a glimpse into what we can expect with boss encounters like this in the future, especially multi-party ones. I'll admit I was at first expecting this thing to pull an SDF-1 Macross when I first saw it, but I'm happy with how it turned out anyway. Here's to more cool fights like this one!