Iron Phoenix is one of those games that you either love or hate. Until the game is released and players can sit down with a completed version of the game, those opinions will be hard to change. However, anyone who enjoys fighting games, had fun with Capcom's PowerStone series, or simply takes pleasure in dishing out some ownage over Xbox Live should put Iron Phoenix on their most wanted list for 2004.

Interserv International, the developers behind Iron Phoenix, has created a unique fighting game experience that is sure to please fans of many different genres. Imagine the online experience of a 16 player first-person shooter; the one on one battles, team play, clan formations, and crazy free-for-all gameplay. Now add a fighting engine that comes close to the depth of some of the top fighting games on the Xbox. Add a splash of Capcom's cult classic, PowerStone to the mix, and you'll start to understand what Iron Phoenix is all about.

The game features ten characters and nine different weapons. Unlike some other fighting games, the style your character will fight with depends on the weapon you select instead of the fighters themselves. Each of the nine weapons is based on traditional Chinese weaponry, and will allow your chosen character to use a different fighting style. Just like in a first-person shooter, players will be able to pick up a different weapon throughout a match and change their fighting style on the fly.

If you're worried about not having enough variety, fear not. In addition to having multiple outfits for each character, and multiple designs for each weapon, the developers were quick to point out that Xbox Live compatibility not only means online play, but also downloadable content. Don't be too surprised to see new weapons, characters, and possibly even stages offered as a downloadable bonus after the game releases.

To ensure that players can easily grasp Iron Phoenix, but still allow room for advanced strategies, the developers have paid close attention to the combat engine. Players will have the ability to interact with the environments by running on walls and even launching themselves off of a ledge, almost flying across the stage, then raining down on an unsuspecting opponent. Players will be able to float in mid-air, double jump, dash toward and away from opponents, block frontal attacks, roll to avoid incoming attacks, and pick up objects within the environment such as stones and bombs.

There will also be helpful items that players will be able to pick up and use on themselves, or on their teammates. In the build we played, there were items that allowed you to become invisible, fire a projectile attack, or enhance your speed. All of this is done by building up your Chi meter. Attacking an enemy, or simply blocking an incoming attack will slowly build up your Chi meter. Once the meter reaches a certain point, you can utilize one of the items mentioned above (after you've picked it up), or you can unleash a powerful Chi attack for heavy damage, or even a Chi Flare to clear out surrounding enemies and give you some breathing room.

While players will not be able to block attacks from the side or behind, several gameplay elements have been included to help surrounded fighters. The combo system featured in Iron Phoenix is completely customizable. Players will be able to chain any attack one after another to create any kind of combo they wish. If someone runs up on you from behind while you're in the middle of a combo, simply use a back attack as the next chain in your combo. Other options would also be to double jump, or roll away from your attackers, or simply use the Chi Flare as we mentioned above. Strategy plays a very big roll in Iron Phoenix, so managing your Chi meter and using back attacks during your combos will be key factors in the gameplay.

Iron Phoenix focuses on offensive attacking, over defensive turtling. However, if you find yourself attacking an enemy who will do nothing but block, you can mix a guard break into your combo to get through your opponent's defenses and continue your attack. When our team got together for an 8 player system link match, it was very pleasing to see so much variety in your offensive and defensive options.

Team-based play adds yet another layer of depth to Iron Phoenix. Not only can you use standard first-person shooter team-based tactics, but you can also combine your attacks. Once each player has enough Chi power, you can line your characters up and begin to charge a team Chi attack. Once all of your teammates have charged their attacks, you will be able to unleash a massively damaging attack that will decimate your opponents. However, strategy will play a big role here as well, since at least one of your teammates will need to hold off the enemy long enough for the rest of the team to charge the attack.

If you don't have Xbox Live, or any friends to play System Link with, Iron Phoenix offers a quality single player experience as well. Single player will be a story-driven experience that will include puzzle solving, as well as requiring the player to learn and master each of the fighting styles. The mythical story takes place in ancient China, as players must go in search of the nine mystic weapons in order to lock them away and prevent their evil from overcoming the world.

From what we've played, Iron Phoenix is shaping up nicely for its late 2004 release date. It will support the custom soundtrack option featured in many Xbox titles, and the development team would like to include Xbox Live Tsunami features as well. While nothing has been confirmed, clan management, and user created tournaments would fit Iron Phoenix quite well. Even without those features, Iron Phoenix could become one of the best sleeper hits of 2004, and a title that fighting game fans have been waiting for since the Dreamcast days.