The time of judgement has arrived, then. Steel Battalion: is it a good game in its own right, or just a gimmick, designed to accommodate the use of a gigantic novelty controller?

Well, this review would be a lot easier to write if only the question were that simple - but the truth is, the game and its outsized giant of a controller are inextricably linked.

No matter how much you've read about Steel Battalion, or Tekki as it's known in the East, you're probably not prepared for how utterly mental it is until you've set it up in your house. It's as terrifying as it is appealing, as repellent to attractive women as it is bewitching to gaming fans. The practical question of where the hell to put it will be of as much importance to a buying decision as the sheer cost of the thing.

Should you overcome those hurdles though, you'll switch it all on, and get to the bit where you power up your mech for the first time. Then the controller bursts into life, all the buttons light up, and the whole thing starts to become something a bit special. A start-up sequence of no less than eight different buttons and switches is required before you can even get your Vertical Tank (VT) moving.

If the complexity of starting your mech up sounds a bit of a pain, then you should give up on the idea of enjoying Steel Battalion right now. Once in the field, the action only gets more brain-achingly complicated - just walking in one direction while looking in another, and constantly negotiating the environment effectively, can take a long while to feel natural.

Thankfully, you're not bombarded with the full array of the VT's functions right from the off. Trickier functions such as communication and chaff are sensibly only gradually introduced as you progress through the missions, meaning that mastering the controls is not as nightmarish as it might have been. It's still harder to learn than driving a car, though.

Once the controls finally start to click, Steel Battalion can be immensely enjoyable to play. Using the VT's functions correctly to clinically take out a group of enemies is as satisfying as any other game you care to mention - as with anything that's initially very difficult, getting better at the game is a very rewarding experience.

And the wealth of detail groups the game alongside titles such as Dead Or Alive: Xtreme Beach Volleyball and Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance - it's clearly been a massive labour of love for its developers. Small things, such as the way the mechanical parts of the VT's dash move, or how the video feed suffers interference as you take damage, really help to make the experience more intense and believable, over and above the immersion already provided by the controller. Play the game with a decent surround sound setup or just a quality pair of headphones and it's easy to get swept up in the action.

Be warned, though: if ever a game will delight some and alienate others, it's Steel Battalion. The learning curve is very steep and can frustrate at first, and it takes far more effort - both physical and mental - to play the game than almost any other we've ever played. There are so many buttons, so much to keep track of, that for many the game could prove too much effort - more like work than fun.

Another issue is that the weight of expectation such a high price tag and exotic peripheral brings could prove too heavy for the game to bear. Whereas the Dreamcast's Samba De Amigo and maracas screamed out 'Fun!' to anyone who picked it up, the appeal of Steel Battalion isn't so universal. Ultimately, it's only going to appeal to gamers who appreciate a truly in-depth simulation and aren't put off by having to concentrate very hard indeed.

If you've considered the above and are still gagging for some Vertical Tank action, though, it's likely you'll find plenty to enjoy in Steel Battalion. It's by no means perfect: there's some pretty bad pop-up on occasion, and some of the presentation is a little cheesy. What's more, the much discussed save game deletion - die in the game and your save gets wiped - is a step too far in the direction of realism if you ask us. What might sound like a neat touch is in fact quite irritating when the event comes, particularly if you're a few missions in.

But despite the negatives, there's something fascinating about Steel Battalion. Regardless of whether it's because the controller has more lights on it than a fruit machine, or because the game itself is just so convincing and atmospheric to play, progressing through the levels is gripping stuff. And let's face it - if you've ever wanted to pilot a huge robot in a gritty future war, you're never going to get any closer than this.

1. Amazingly in-depth Mech simulator
2. Great visuals
3. The gameplay is very atmospheric and intense

1. Not for everyone
2. Costs an arm and a leg to buy!

Power
There's a hell of a lot going on in the game, giving your Xbox a bit of work to do.

Style
The sombre depiction of the battlefield is superb, as is the video-feed look to the visuals.

Immersion
The novelty of the controller means you want to get straight into the game...

Lifespan
...and there's lots of scope for mastering the VT. Loads of missions too.

Summary
A novel, impressive and intense experience that you should try and experience - but it can be hard work to play.