The graphics are a major shift from Battlecry, Robotech's first outing. In that game you witnessed a bright, colorful cel-shaded world that looked a lot like the show it was based on. Unfortunately Robotech: Invasion has scrapped the cel-shaded look for a more "realistic" polygonal appearance. Although some gamers unfamiliar with the series might take to the new more traditional look, I think it takes away a lot of the series unique charm. Simply put, Invasion looks like a dozen other games on the Xbox, many of which are superior products.

Of course, it wouldn't be an anime license without some excruciating voice acting. Most of the supporting cast sounds like they are purposely trying to muster up their most annoying voice for the cut scenes, and nothing they have to say is witty or even remotely interesting. It won't take long before you realize that you can ignore almost all of the dialogue and still understand what to do and what is going on.

Robotech: Invasion also comes with several interesting multiplayer modes you can take online with the help of the Xbox Live. These modes including your standard online fare, such as Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, and Capture the Flag. These modes aren't much of a reason to buy the game, since you can find them in just about any first person shooter. The final multiplayer mode involves you taking control and defending the various protoculture generators found on the maps, but while this is a fairly original feature, it's dogged by the fact that it's hard to find enough people to play it with online. In my time with the game I was unable to have much of an experience with the online modes, since there just weren't other people playing it.

Robotech: Invasion is a messy experience that just isn't any fun. The graphics look fine and the control is generally pretty good, but you've been here before with far better games. It's not that I want Vicious Cycle to leave the franchise altogether, but maybe, just maybe somebody can give them a refresher course on what made the anime so cool in the first place.