play.d : Issue5

8/14/2019 play.d : Issue5

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Disgaea 2:Cursed Memories or Glorious Return?

DECEMBER 06 05

FREE multiformat videogames magazine

www.playd.co.uk


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edit. Thegamesindustryseemstocomealiveatthistimeoyearand2006hasbeennoexception.Wevebeentreated

totwoconsolelaunchesinthepastcoupleomonths,unlessyoureromEuropethatis,becausewelovetowaitanother4monthsandgetchargedtwiceasmuch.WedidgettheWiijustintimeorChristmasthoughsoitsnotalldoomandgloom. AsortheWiilaunch,itwasntbadasaraslaunchesgo.Therewastheusualdisappointmentoraewpeopleconcerningtheavailabilityoconsolesandthelaunchtitleswerearromimpressivebutthisissomethingweve

cometoexpectromconsolelaunches. 2007shouldbeaninterestingyearorthebigthreeandwithallthiscompetitionorourhardearnedcash,itshouldcertainlybeaverygoodyearorusgamersaswell.

[email protected]


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contents

PREVIEWS09 Alan Wake (360)11 Far Cry Vengeance (Wii)12 Lair (PS3)14 Supreme Commander (PC)16 Too Human (360)

REVIEWS28 Archlord (PC)30 Blade Dancer Lineage of Light (PSP)32 Defcon (PC)34 Disgaea (PS2)37 Family Guy (Multi)38 Gears of War (360)40 Gitaroo Man Lives! (PSP)42 King Of Fighters Neowave (PS2)43 Mercury Meltdown Remix (PS2)44 Need For Speed Carbon (Multi)

47 Okami (PS2)50 Starfox Command (DS)52 Why dont you own... Deus Ex? (PC)55 The Vault... Advent Rising (Xbox)

FEATURES18 Girls in the Game?

23 Collection Builder

REPLAYD60 Magic Carpet (Multi)62 Breath of Fire IV (PSone)65 Turtles in Time (SNES)68 Silent Hill (PSone)72 A Breed Apart - Team17


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DISCLAIMERAlltextandlayoutisthecopyrightoPlaydMagazine.NothinginthispublicationmaybereproducedinwholeorpartwithoutthewrittenpermissionotheEditor.Allcopyrightsarerecognisedandusdspecicallyorthepurposeocriticismandreview.Iwehaveailedtoacknowledgeyourcopyright,pleasecontactussothatwecanremedythesituation.Althoughwehaveendeavouredtoensureallinormationiscorrectatthetimeopublication,pricesandavailabilitymaychange.Playdisullyindependentandinnowayaliated

withanycompaniesmentionedherein.

PRODUCTIONHardware:AppleMacG5iMac/AppleMacG4iBookSotware:AdobeInDesignCS2,AdobePhotoshopCS2,AdobeIllustratorCS2

6 December 06

staffEditorTom Bennett

[email protected]

Art EditorJames Cooper

[email protected]

News EditorChris [email protected]

Staff WriterSean [email protected]

Staff WriterEmily [email protected]

ContributorYussry Houson

Playd is powered bynoticeDue to circumstance beyond our control, part two of ourDreamcast feature will appear in the next issue of Playd.We apologise for any gnashing of teeth this may cause.

vacanciesDuetoexpansion,wearecurrentlylookingorpeopletollanumberopositionshereatplayd.

Replayd Editor-mustpossessadeepknowledgeoandenthusiasticabouttheretrosceneaswellaspossessingahighdegreeowritingskill.Mustalsobeabletomakedeadlinesandco-ordinatethereplaydsectionothemagazinewithourotherwritersandtheArtEditor.

General Writers-mustbeamiliarwithandenthusiasticaboutvideogamesculture.Itiscrucialthatyouareabletomakedeadlines.Technicalabilityandahighdegreeoaccuracywithregardtospellingandgrammarisamust,asistheabilitytounderstandandtakeonboardeedbackandcriticismoyourwork.

How to apply-toapplyoranyotheabovepositionssendanemailtotom@playd.co.ukandtelluswhyyouthinkyoushouldbeconsideredorthepositionandwhatsetsyouapartromtheopposition.Forallpositions,pleaseincludea1,200wordrevieworarticleonanysubject(aslongasitsgame-related,naturally).Allpositionsarecurrentlyvoluntary.

Designer/Illustrator-mustbeabletoworktoahighstandardandmeetdeadlines.Theabilitytoworkwithadistinctivestyleonavarietyothemeswithequalenthusiasmwouldbewelcomed.

How to apply-toapplyortheabovepositionsendanemailtojames@playd.co.ukattachingrelevantexamplesoyourworkinjpgorpdormat.Thispositioniscurrentlyvoluntary.


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7 June 06

Weve teamed up with www.nowloading.co.uk, a haven for gamers, to bring you the latest musings on

the world of videogames. This months chosen topic, the fth anniversary of the original xbox...

at the forum

Jusatsushi:Ipickedupthe200packthatcamewithJSR,SegaGTandboughtHalotoo...IrememberplayingHaloorthersttimeandlandingontheplanet...OMFGIcanseeindividualbladesograss!Themachinepacked

ahelloapunchandtobehoneststilldoeswhenyouseeitpushed(StrangersWrath/SplinterCell).Nevertookitonlinethough,butitwasworthbuyingjustorKOTOR,JadeEmpireandSW...

Smurph:AlittleknowngamethatdoesntgetthecreditbutwasanamazinggameormatesroundtheTVwasKungFuChaos.Hilarious.Plus,linkupHalowasbrillianttoo.AndlikeXeph,IwasaanoOtogi.PanzerDragoonOrta!HowImissthee!MS,getitbackwardscompatiblenow!AndIalsolovedtheiranswertoWipeout,QuantumRedshit.

Pedro: Funnilyenough,Iboughtmineaterthe360wasreleased.Wasanebaypurchase,andagoodone.IbasicallyjoineditortheLiveshenanigans-andtheyveliveduptoeveryutopianpromise.Imanagedtogetaairewgamesorittoo,inbetweenjanuaryandEndoMay-Imanagedtostirupsomeoldclassics,Halo,Crimsonskies(stillhave,stillwouldliketoplayatsomepointsoon).PorkyLentmeaewacesaswell,anditwasmarvellous(IStillHavethem,BTW,whendoyouwantthemback?).Itdiddiealittleearlytobehonest,butcestlavie.

Xephon: OneothereasonsIwaitedtogetanXboxwastoplaygamesIcouldntgetanywhereelse.Earlyon,thereweretoomanyPS2portsormyliking(somebetter,somenotsogood).ButIwantedgamesthatweredesignedortheXbox,onlyortheXbox.IllneverorgetthersttimeIsawOtogi.Thatwasit.Iwantedone.

TwinHype:Igotoneatlaunchandunnilyenoughsplitupwithmygirlriendo4yearsthe

nightbeoresoItooksometimeoworkbecauseopersonalissues-ocourseeveryonenewatworkaboutthesplitandwereverysupportivebutwhattheydidntknowwasmyrecuperationoverthenext2(yes2)weekswasashitloadoHaloandOddworld!!Hurrah.Somequalityquitetimewithabrandnewconsole,andyouramilybringingyoupizzabecause

theyreworriedaboutyou(suckers)whatmorecanyouaskor.

redman: Igotmineverylate,November2004andgotHalo1and2.Lovedandplayedthroughboth,withOutrun2theyweremyaves.HowevertheabsolutebestthingabouttheboxwasLIVE.Truely

awsome.Igotamadthrilloutoevenhearingthevoicesorthersttime:JapaneseonesplayingOutrun2.QuiteaewallnightsessionswithHalo2ollowed.Happydays.


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previews

09 Alan Wake (360)11 Far Cry Vengeance (Wii)12 Lair (PS3)14 Supreme Commander (PC)16 Too Human (360)


9/83

Survivalhorrorhascomealongway.Fromthetight,austereandhorriblytenseroomsoAloneinTheDarkandResidentEvilsmansionstoviciousenergyoResidentEvil4andthedank,sprawlinghelloSilentHill,CondemnedandDeadRising,itsagenrethatseemstobeconstantlyreinventingitsel.

Itseasytoseewhy.Aterall,onceyouve

experiencedascareinagame,itsalmostimpossibleorthesamethingtoscareyouagain(dogsburstingthroughwindowsaside).Thereore,Remedyarepromisinganotherredirectionwiththeir

latesttitle,AlanWake.

Theplayerassumesthe

roleoAlan-a

best-selling

9 December 06

The future of survival horror is called Alan. How odd...

Alan Wake

Publisher:Microsoft Developer:Remedy Available:TBA Systems:360 / PC

by James Cooper

PREVIEW

suspenseauthor-ashefeestoasmall

towntorecoverromthedisappearance

ohisance.Thesmalltownin

questionisBrightFallsinWashington,

anditseemsthatithasbeenhorribly

misnamed.Neverhasatownappeared

lessbright.Asyoudelvedeeperintothe

mysterioushappeningsinthetown,it

becomesclearthereissomethingreally

verywrong.Horridcreatures,anintense

psychologicalplotandamassiveopen-worldenvironmenthaveallbeenpromised

asRemedyattempttomakeAlanWake

thenextbigthinginsurvivalhorror.

However,justtwoelementsinparticularhavereallycaughtourimagination.Firstly,thelightengine.Itslookingquitesplendid,andextremelyrealistic.Butthisisnomerewindowdressing(eveniitisstunning),Remedyareclaimingthatlightisyourgreatestallyandweaponasyouprogress.Asthegameprogressesdays

getshorterandnightsgetlonger,

orcingtheplayertoseriouslythinkabouthowthey

usetheirlightsourcesand


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10 December 06

the resulting wealthof choice and dearth ofdirection is not reallysuitable to the survivalhorror genre - a genre

that, almost more thanany other, relies on astrong story

PREVIEW

conventionalweapons-especiallyasyourenemiesseemtogainstrengthromtheshadows.

Ithisisimplementedwell,andnotjustan

inverse-SplinterCellgimmick,thiscould

lenditselverywelltothevisceralshock

andpanicthatthisgenrealwaysseeks

toinfictuponitsvictims.Whocanorget

thehorrorsohal-seenenemiesinSilent

Hillorthesudden,viciousattacksrom

completedarknessinCondemned?

Thesecondactorthathaspiquedour

interestisthepromiseoanEpisodic

Narrative.Developershaveorsometime

beenlookingtoreeusromtheshackles

oatraditionallevelstructurebygivingusopen-worldstoplayin.However,the

resultingwealthochoiceanddearth

odirectionisnotreallysuitabletothe

survivalhorrorgenre-agenrethat,almost

morethananyother,reliesonastrong

storyandprogressiveelementtodrive

theplayerurtherintoaworldthathe

doesntreallywanttosee.Asthestory

progresses,apparentlyinasimilarwayto

adramatictelevisionseries,newabilities,

gameplayelementsandcharacters

becomeavailable,hopeullyprovidingthe

playerwithbothchoiceohowtoplayand

narrativedirection.

Theresnodoubtthatitllbeadicultbalancingact,butiRemedycanpullitothenthesignsaretheycouldhavearealhitontheirhands.WecantwaittohelpourheroexplorethedarkrecessesoBrightFalls.EveniheiscalledAlan.


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DuetobereleasedinAmericaonDecember12th,FarCry:VengeancelookssettobeoneothemoreinterestingtitlesavailableortheWii.AlthoughitwillessentiallybeanenhancedremakeotheXboxversion,itistheWiiremotesuniquecontrolsystemthatsetsitapartromitsolderbrother.Therewillbethreenewmapsavailabletoplayon,whichhavealsobeenincludedin

thesingleplayerstoryline.Therewillalsobenewweaponsandahandulonewvehiclesoryoutoplaywith. JackCarver,thegamesmaincharacter,isntlookingathisbesthowever,romthevideosandscreenshotsreleasedsoar,hisarmslookequivalenttothoseintheall-conqueringonlinemultiplayergameCounterStrike.Hopeullythiscanberectiedbeorerelease,althoughitsnotamajorissue. Nevertheless,asstatedbeore,itwillbehowthegamehandlesthatwillmake

orbreakit.Whatsthepointinbuyinganewgamethatisidenticaltotheonethatcamebeoreit,exceptoraewnewweaponsandlevels?AswithallgamesortheWii,itwillbetheuniquecontrolsystemthatwillbethemainsellingpoint. Forexample,whenplayersaredualwieldingweaponstheWiiremoteandthenunchukallowthemtohavegreatercontroloveryourammousage,

byseparatelyringeachone.Also,itwillallowgreatercontroloverwhenreloading.Nolongerwillplayershavetoreloadbothweaponsatthesametimeandbecaughtstandinginthecrossrebeingshottohighheavenbyeverynearbyenemy.Asoyetthereisnooptiontoaimeachoneindependently,withbothweaponsusingthesamecrosshair.Independentaimingison

thewishlist,butwiththereleasedatelooming,theremaynotbethetimetoimplementit. AnothereatureothegamethatmaybeenhancedbytheWiiremoteisthevehicles.Withawiderangeavailable,romboatstojeepsandeverythinginbetween,itopensupawholenewmethodoplay.IndependentlyaimingyourgunwiththeWiiremotewhiledrivingthecarwiththenunchukisoneoption. GiventhattheWiiremoteisanewconceptthough,willpeoplebeabletopickupandplaylikeNintendohasaimed

orwithitsothergames?Willthisversionowhatis,essentially,anXboxgamebeworthorkingout40or?Therewillbeotheroriginalgamesavailablethatmaydeserveyourattentionrst,buthopeullyitwillbeworthalook.KeepyoureyeonthisoneasithasthepotentialtobeoneothebetterWiigames.

11 December 06

Will it be a far cry from its predecessors?

Far Cry Vengeance

5 Visually, Vengeance is looking quite basic, certainly nowhere near the Xbox version.

Publisher:Ubisoft Developer:In-House Available: Q1 07 Systems:Wii

by Sean Bonner

PREVIEW


12/83

Asanyonethatknowsuswillreadilytellyou,werebigansodragons.Leathery,fying,giantscalybeastswithnapalm-breathandthestrengthoasmallarmyareinherentlygreatvideogamecharacters.Evenwhenthegameinwhichtheyappearisweak,dragonsarerarelylessthanexhilarating(barringSpyro,naturally).Itswithtremblinghands,crossedngersandquakingbreaththenthatweintroduceFactor5slaunchtitleorthePS3-Lair.

Atitsmostbasic,LaircomesacrossasacrossbetweenFactor5sRebelAssaultseriesandDynastyWarriors.Tosaythat,however,istodothegameagreatdisservice.Lairisripewithpotential.Promisingtoputyouincontroloadragonriderwhosesteedistrainedoraerialandland-basedwarare,Lairtasks

youwithtakingonarmiesohundreds,thousandseven,withnothingbutyoursword.Ohyes,andthesmallmatteroatwo-hundredton,armouredbehemothwithbreathlikeasun-fareandclawsthatcouldreducethenumber9romExetertocomponentpartsinamatteroseconds.Excellent.

Thebiggestproblemwithdragonsisconveyinganappropriatesenseoweight.Weare,aterall,dealingwithacreaturethesizeoawhalethatthelawsophysicssaycantexist(powertoweightratioandallthat).CanFactor5

12 December 06

Fiery death from above. Oh, the joy.

Lair

the small matter of

a two-hundred ton,armoured behemoth

Publisher:SCEA Developer:Factor 5 Available: TBA Systems:PS3

by James Cooper

PREVIEW

5 Fulll all your Nazgul on the Pelennor Fields antasies. Or maybe thats just us...

5 The eeling o weight is crucial to the games success. Hopeully itll be implemented well.


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13 December 06

5 Dragons ghting dragons, miles up in the air. We ail to see how this is not A Very Good Thing.

huge groundcampaigns againstarmies of opponents

PREVIEW

convinceusthatwerereallyincontroloacoupleohundredtonsoviciousness?

Tobehonest,werenotsure.Thebiggestproblemcomesromthegamesbigsell-theactthatitutilisesthePS3controllersrecentlyannouncedmotioncontrolsystem.Unortunately,thisdoesntseemtobeconveyingthesenseoweightandinertiathatyouwouldexpect.Granted,itsnotaneasythingto

getright-youwanttheeelingomassandpowerwithouthavingtoghttoturnthethingmid-air-butwecanthelpworryingthatthenishedeectwillbemoreeaglethangiantwar-lizard.

Nevertheless,wearepromisedhugegroundcampaignsagainstarmiesoopponents,epicair-battlesagainstotherdragonridersandadeepstorylinewith

visceralgameplay.Allowhichcantbeabadthing-evenitheyonlymanagetocomethroughwithhalothem.

OnethingwecancertainlysayisthatLairislookingsplendid,easilyasgoodastheearlyrenderssuggested,yetinreal-time.Modelsareextremelywellrendered,thedrawdistanceisvastandtheprolierationonext-geneectssuchasHDR,bump-mappingandamyriadothereects,

havegivenLairastrong,consistentandwell-developedartstyle.Frankly,itherame-ratecanbekeptconsistentandthephysicsmodeldoesntletthesidedown,wecanseeLairbeingoneoouravouriteearlyPS3titles.Wevealreadypencilleditinonourshoppinglistornextspring,andwethinkyoushouldtoo.


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FromtheguysthatbroughtyouTotalAnnihilationcomesawholenowtypeoRealTimeStrategygame.ChrisTaylor,oneothemastermindsbehindoneothemostpopulargamesoalltime,nallyreturnstotheRTSgenrewithwhatisbeinghailedasthespiritualsuccessortoTotalAnnihilation.Atitscore,SupremeCommanderpromisestobeepicwithmapsupto(andover)sixthousandsquarekilometresinsize.ThatsmorethantwicethesizeoLuxembourg.Yesthatsright,somemapswillbetwicethesizeoacountry.Butwhysobig,isitreallynecessary?Well,theideaistogiveplayersaeelorwar.PreviousRTSgameshavepittedtwoadversarieswithabaseagainsteachother,eventuallyculminatinginalargeall-outbattletodecidewhoemergesvictorious.ItisherethatSupremeCommanderssimilaritywithconventionalRTStitlesends. SupremeCommanderissetintheutureandseesthehumanracesplitinto

threewarringactions,theUnitedEarthFederation,theCybranandtheAeon.TheUEFareregularhumansarmedwithallmannerouturisticweapons,theCybranarehumanswithmicrochipsimplantedinthemandmainlyusemechtypevehicles,andnallythereistheAeon,whoateradoptingalientechnology,believetheyhavetocleansetheworldotheothertworaces.While

eachraceishuman,wearepromisedthattheywillallhaveacompletelydierenteeltothem. However,havingthreedierentracesisprettystandardanditishowtheseracesactuallyghtitoutthatistrulydierent.TaylorndsotherRTSgameslackinginthattheydontgiveapropereelothebattle,theirscaleistoosmall.

14 December 06

Crush your enemies with giant spider mechs. Excellent.

Supreme Commander

Publisher:THQ Developer:Gas Powered Games Available:2007 Systems:PC

by Sean Bonner

PREVIEW

HereTayloraimstochangethingsorthebetterwithepicallylargemaps.Withthemapsbeingsovast,therewillbeanumberobattlestakingplace,allatthesametime.SupremeCommanderisallaboutdistanceandtime.Forexample,inanavalengagement,wherenumerousbattleshipsanddestroyerareghtingitoutagainstanenemyorce,


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15 December 06

PREVIEW

whenzoomedoutyoucanseethewholebattle,butwhenyouzoomintoaparticularship,playerscantseetheenemyduetothedistancesinvolved.Playersdogetarealsenseoscale,especiallywhenitisrealisedthatthisbattleistakingplaceonaremotepartothemap.Inactplayerscouldhavemanylarge-scaleengagementsandstillhaveplentyoroomtomanoeuvretheirtroops. Asexpectedthough,thestandardRTSgameplayelementswillbepresent,orinstanceplayerswillneedtobuildabasetosupplyandconstructyour

armies.However,therearesomedierences.Iyouorderacoupleodierenttroopstoconvergeonthesametarget,theywillautomaticallyadjusttheir

speedtoensuretheyarriveatthesametime.ThisauniqueeaturetoSupremeCommanderasuserswillnolongerhave

torallyyourtroopsatacertainpointandthensendthemtobattleallatthesametime.Additionally,attackscanbelaunchedquicklyandeasilyromdierentsidesatthesametime. ThisisnottheonlyneweatureinSupremeCommander.Duetothelargescaleomostothemaps,itwillbedicultandtimeconsumingtoscrollaroundtodierentsectionsothemapasyouwouldinotherRTSgames.Tocombatthis,playerscanusedualscreens,usingonetodisplayazoomed

outviewothewholebattleeldandtheothertozoomupclose,directingyourtroopspersonally.But,iyourenotluckyenoughtohaveanextramonitor,thenyoucansplitonescreenintotwoanduseeachsideasiitwereaseparatescreen.Itsaprettyhandyadditionandcouldcomeinveryuseulwhentryingtoco-ordinateanattackontheenemy. OverallSupremeCommanderislookingverypromisingandromwhatweveseensoar,wearegettingquiteexcitedaboutthisone.Whodoesntwanttoseetheirfeetodestroyers

saunteruptothecoast,sproutlegsandwalkinlandtojoinanotherbattle?However,oneothemoststrikingaspectsothisgameisthesheerscaleoit.NoRTShaseverattemptedthisepicscalebeoreandiGasPoweredGamescanpullito,thentheyreontoawinner.Werekeepingourngerscrossed.

Who doesnt want tosee their eet... sproutlegs and walk inland?


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Taketheaward-winningdevelopersoEternalDarkness,addanext-gensystem,theUnrealEngine3,asci-settingandasweeping,epicstorylinetobetoldoveratrilogy,andwhatdoyouget?YoushouldarriveatsomethinglikeTooHuman,aterricallyambitiousprojectromtheCanadiandevelopmentstudio.

TheplayermuststepintotheshoesoBaldur,acyberneticgodchargedwithprotectingthehumanrace,whoareonthevergeobeingwipedoutbyanassaultromancientmachineorces(ianyonesaysMatrix,therellbetrouble).

TooHumansrealsellingpointisthefuidityothecombat.Combiningmeleeandrangedrearmcombatintouniquecombostringsandcomplexmovesthat

draganyenemieswithinreach-andsomeinthedistance-intotheray,itscurrentlylookinglikethehybridospringoGodoWarandDevilMayCry,butwiththeartdirectionandrealisedworldoWarhammer40,000.Thatsnobadthing,especially

whenthedeveloperispromisingfuidgraceoheroesandenemiesinbattle.

Inact,SiliconKnightsarepromisingthatthecombatsystemwillbesocomplexanddeepthatwiththepressoabuttontheplayerwillbeabletochaintogetherhundredsorapid-reattacksandcomboswithease.Couldthisreallybepossible?Canwereallyexpectanaction-titlewiththetactical

16 December 06

Too ambitious?

Too Human

Publisher:Microsoft Developer:Silicon Knights Available:TBA Systems:360

by James Cooper

PREVIEW


17/83

depthandmove-setoa2DghterlikeStreetFighter3?Wedoubtit,werearmoreconvincedthatTooHumanwillall

rmlyintoGodoWarterritory.Ocourse,thatwouldbeaverygoodthinganyway,andarealeatherinMicrosotscapasthe360doesntreallyhaveanexclusiveaction-IPtodirectlyrivaleitheroSonysheavyhittersyet.

AsyouwouldexpectoanytitlethatusestheUnrealEngine3,TooHumanislookingtechnicallyveryaccomplished,withauniquestylethatseemsneithertraditionalsci-norantasy.Itscertainlyrereshingtoseeadevelopermakingabreakromthegothic-noirorspacemarinestaplesthathaveortoolongsaturatedtheactiongenre.

17 December 06

PREVIEW

NEXT-GEN GOODIESAswellasthesplendidvisualtreatment,TooHumanwillbenetromanumberoothernext-gen-eatures.Weretoldthatthenalgamewilleaturepulse-poundingbattlesagainsthundredsoon-screenenemies;asweepingorchestralscore,motion-capturebytheacclaimedgroupF.A.S.T.andour-playeronlineco-opgameplaythroughXboxLive.Fourplayeronlineco-op?Nowthatreallydoessoundspecial...

MicrosotandSiliconKnightsclearlyhaveveryhighhopesorTooHuman-theyhavealreadyannouncedthatitistherstpartinanintendedtrilogy.Thisiscertainlyabravemove,ithegameisahugesuccess-alaGodoWar-thenallthehypeandpre-amblecanbejudgedentirelyworthwhile.I,however,itturnsouttobejustanotheractiongame,thentheyareletinthestickysituationohavingagameontheirhandsthattheyhavepromisedtwosequelsor,yetmaynotbenanciallyviable.

Itstooearlytocallatthemoment,butwerecondentthatthebonesoanexcellentgamearethere.Oncewevebeenabletogetarealhands-onwellhaveabetterideaoTooHumanspotential,untilthenwelllethisoneunderpromising.


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18 December 06

by Emily Knox

Girlsinthecurrentlymale-dominatedgamesindustryhasbecomeasubjectthatoneshouldapproachcareullytoday.Icannotcountthenumberoguessesandideashavebeenputorwardaboutwhythegamesindustryhasalwaystendedtohaveamaleocus.Doesitgenuinelyhave

anythingtodowithmostcharactersbeingmale?Isitthetypicalshootemup,beatemup,destructivecarcrashing,racingandsportsgamesthatputsemalesoromthebeginning?Imsureweveallreadarticles,opinionsandcommentsthatnishowithoutcomingtoanyuseul,actualconclusionandalthoughthenumberowomenconnectedtovideogamesmayhavenobaringonyourvirtualhobby,womenstillhaveapresence;beitwithintheproductionoagame,thesexuallyprovocativeandargued-overBoothBabes,thegirlswhogoabouttheirownhobbyorthoseplacedwithinthepublicspotlight. TheEntertainmentSotwareAssociation(ESA)statesthat38%ogamersinAmericaareemale,whichisaairlylargeproportiontowhatyoumightpredict.Perhapsmoresurprisingly,whenitcomestoonlinegamingthedierencebetweenmaleandemaleparticipantsisevencloser,despitetheunnecessaryabusesomewomenclaimtoreceiverom,whathastobesaid,aminorityo

maleswhocannotgrasptheconceptowomanpluscomputergame.Anotherinterestingstatisticisthatwomenover18makeup30%othegameplayingpopulation,whileboysaged17oryoungerarejust23%.Itsnotanewacttoallousthatthesociallyinept,spottymaleteenagerstereotypeiswhollyinaccurate.Inreality,theaverageageoagameris33,andhespendstriplethe

amountotimeplayingsport,ollowingcreativeendeavours,volunteeringinthecommunityordoingreligiousactivities,thanhedoesgaming. GobacktoanearlyChristmas,orchildhoodbirthday,andyoucanbetthatmostotodaysgamersbegantheirhobbyromaninnocentvideo

gameconsoleboughtasapresent.Callingonmyownexperiences,IvividlyrememberswappingGameBoygameswithmyemalegrouporiends,buttodayIwouldntthinkoit.AsIgrewup,Idiscoveredgamingbecameakindosocialtabooorgirls.Videogameswerenevermarketedtowardswomen,andIeltlikeIwassupposedtobeweanedothemtobecomeordinaryormygender(evidently,Iwasnot),so,canmarketingandthepressuresosocietybetheactorsthatcausemostgirlstoeitherditchgaming,orneverdipintoitatall?Vixen,partoanindependentemalegamingduoVersuS,seemstoagree.AsIwasgrowingupIoteneltashamedtoadmitmyhobbybutitdoesnotmeanthatIwasntintovideogames.IkeptitquieteventhoughIhavebeenplayingprettymuchallplatormssincetheageoaboutsixyearsold.VixencertainlyisnttheonlygamerIhavecomeacrossdescribingaperiodwhereshemaysegregateherselromhersocialpeersbecauseothehobbyshepursues,whichshechoosestocontinuealmostin

secret. Ithisbehaviouristrueomostemalegamers,thenahugeamountowomenarenotaccountedorwhenitcomestothesurveysandstatisticswesee.Itismostadmirabletondthereareinactalargenumberoemalegamingclansandcommunitiesavailableorallgirls(andsometimestheboys)tojoininwith,romthelargestall-girl,widely-known

Girlsin theGame?


19/83

andcompetitivePMSgroup,totheindependentandriendlygamerpairthatcreateVersuS. Thesheerrangeovideoandcomputergamesavailablerightnow,expandedbythearrivalotheNintendoWii(aimedatpeoplenotnormallyconsideredgamers)andPlaystation3,

surelyshowsthattheso-calledlackoemalegamerscannotbedowntothegamesthemselves.Thereisastrongselectionothepinkandfuygames,TheSimsorexampleisaqualitytitleandevolvessomegirlsintohardcoregamersbecauseothesheeramountotimetheyputintocreatingtheirSims,livingtheirownvirtuallivesanddesigningtheirsurroundingsastheyplease.EyetoyonPlaystation2hasprovidedawealthoslightlydierentgames,makingunuseowavingyourarmsatacamera,aslongasyouarehappytoendureSports,DancingorguidingLemmings.ThereisanabundanceodancingandkaraokegamesonSonysconsole,Singstarbeinganotableexample.Ithatstoomuchlikehardwork,NintendosDSprovidesinstant,pickupandplayuninsomethingsimplesuchasZooKeeper,orperhapsmoreengaginglikeNintendogs. Ocourse,thisismerelyspeculationonwhatemalegamersareimaginedtolove.Itcouldbecompletelywrong.Maybetheywouldratherpartakeinaviolentguns-blazingbloodbath?The

problemisthatno-oneactuallyknows,becausecuriousemalesrarelydipintothesocialpoologamersthatpopulategamediscussionorumsandsay,Actually,Iwouldquitelikethisinagame.,andwhensaidinthewrongplace(oreventherightplace),girlswillbegreetedbyafoodocomments,oneowhichcannotresistsayingthewordboobiesoracruderequestor

pics.Havingestablishedthatthereisinactawealthotitlesyoumightconsidereminine,everyoneknowsthatthe(possiblyoverused)opposinggenresoaction,beatemup,FPS,RPGandracingareneverhardtocomeby.Inthenottoodistantuture,wewillbewitnessingthesixthinstalmento

Tekken,FinalFantasyXIII,anewTombRaidergame,anewRainbowSixoutinginVegasorsomecharactersandbrands,therereallyisnoend.Withpublishersstillkeenonsecuringtheanboydollar,asaggy-breastedLaraCrotwithalseteeth,stillshootinggenericrottweilersandbadguys,whileleapingaroundhistoricbuildingslookshighlyunlikely,theranchisewouldntsurvivesuchadrasticchange.ItsdoubtulthatLarawillageinthesamewayastherestous,althoughitwouldbenicetoimagineshewillpassthetorchonsomeday.Itsawin-winsituationwegetabettervarietyoproducts,andtheindustrygetsbiggerrevenuesbyappealingtothisrelativelyuntappedmarket,describesJamromtheUKFrag

Dolls. Therearegamesoallvarietyavailable,andtherangeonlygrowswider.Thisstrange,mythicallackovarietyoremalegamersisabsurd,maybetheproblem,whichhastendedtobeperceivedbymales,isduetothemajorityoprogrammersbeingmale? In2005,alecturerorcomputergamesprogrammingattheUniversityo

Its doubtful that Larawill age in the sameway as the rest of us.

19 December 06

FormedwiththelaunchoXboxLive,thePMSclan(orPsychoMenSlayerz)wasinitiallyagettogetherogirlgamersseekingoutothergirlstoplaywith,partiallyduetotheharassmentthatemaleplayerscanreceiveonline.ThegroupalsoestablisheditselwithinPlaystation2online,acingthesameproblemsandalsolookingoremaleriends.WhenthetwogroupsweremergedinJanuary2005,thelargestandapparentlyrstall-emalegamingclanwasborn.


20/83

Derbycommentedthat;Girlsdowanttoplaygamesbutno-oneismakinggamesorthem.WhileinthatyearthecomputerprogrammingcourserunningatDerbyhad106applicants,allowhichweremen.Perhapstheonlyrealshortagewithintheindustryisthatowomenbehindtheprocessocreatingagame,

programminginparticular,thereoreollowingwithTheindustryseesthisbiguntappedmarketbuttheydontknowwhattodo,doesmakesense.Whatisironicisthattheonlystatementsclaimingshortagesoemalegamersandgamesorwomenarecomingrommenandthegeneralconsensusisthatthewomenplayingthegamesareinactsuited

andsatisedwiththegamesonoer,otherwisetheywouldntplaythemintherstplace.Iammyselinthemidstopreparationsorauniversityplacement,possiblyintheeldoprogrammingandIcanvouchortheshortageoothergirlsapplyingtosimilarcourses.IattendedatalkonthecomputergamesprogrammingcourseatTeessideUniversityandoundmyselinalarge

room,entirelyoboysandyetIdonotconsiderthisaproblem,asthenoveltyocomingacrossanothergirlIwouldmerelyconsiderstrangeandlucky. Whenyoulookatthecreationoagame,womenaregenerallymoreotenoundintheroleoartwork,ormarketing,whereasprogrammingisdenitelyamaledominatedrole. TheFragDollcommunityisanother

recentphenomenon.Theorumaloneprovestheexistenceopassionateemalegamers,notjustthroughtheDollsthemselves,butwithmanyotherregularemalememberswhousethesite,andregardingtheusualratioomalestoemalesonagamesdiscussionorum,thisisquitespecial.Goingromthe

inormationgiven,thepurposeothe(UK)FragDollsistopromotetheir(Ubisots)gameswhilstencouraginganybodyandeverybodytopickupapadandplay.ItsastatementIwholeheartedlyagreewith.NoeortismadetohidetheactthatUbisotsponsorsthemandalthoughtheyarepaidtopromoteaproduct,thegirlsarededicatedgamerswithboth

broadanddierenttastesingames,notrestrictedsimplytotheonesproducedordevelopedbyUbisot. HavingtakenpartintherecruitmentortheUKFragDollsmyselin05,Ipaidextremeattentiontothegoings-onbothattheinterviewdayandthewaythenalselectionwasreceivedinonlinecommunitiesandmagazinesOPS2andOXM.However,theeventsatthe

interviewdaywerewordedsomewhatdierentlytohowIrememberedthem.TherstlineinthearticleinOXM47read;Aterweeksointerviews,auditions,photosessionsand,ocourse,hardcoregamesplaying-whichinrealitywasllinginapriorquestionnaire,sendingonephoto,andwritingasmallessay,totheinterviewday,whichconsistedobeinginterviewedandcasuallyplaying

thegameslaidoutbeoreus.Theso-calledintensedayodeathmatchinginvolvedoneriendlymatchoHalo2weplayedwiththeUSFragDollsoverXboxLive.Atermullingitover,thepretenceovertheactualdaywasquitenecessaryiUbisotwantedgamerstotakethesegirlsseriously.Aterhavingalaughwith

BombermanonPS2,drinkingcokeandeatingcrisps,whilechattingtoeachotherandvariousmagazineeditors,wepickedthese5girls,simplywouldnotwork.Itsashamethattheinterviewdaywasntwhatthemagazinessaid,asIullybelieveiitwasdowntothesame15girls,everyonecouldhaveimpressedwithskills,knowledgeandpassioninone

gameoranother,becauseIdonotdoubtthegenuinegamerinanyothem. AbuseandussishurledattheFragDollsinalltheirdivisions(especiallyinAmericaandtheUK)ortheirappearance;somepeopledislikethembothorlookingtoogoodandbeinguglyatthesametime,andarguingthattheyaremerelyamarketingploy.Despitethenegativitythathasbeenreceived,

FragDollSarincommentsOneothegreatthingsaboutFragDollsishowun-intimidatedpeopleeelbyus.Weseemabletogamewithjustaboutanyoneinapleasantandrelaxedway.OnthesubjectotheFragDollsbeingastrictlyall-emaleteam,shecontinues,Ithinkitisimportantthatourgroupisallwomentomaintainthisapproachableeelingandwelcomingethos.Whileno-one

When you look at the creation of a game, women are generally more oftenfound in the role of artwork, or marketing, whereas programming is denitely a

male dominated role.

5 Are character

designs like this

exploitative, or the sign

o strong, sexually aware

emale leads? We know

where our money is...

20 December 06


21/83

deniesthegirlsaremostdenitelyinthePRdepartmentoUbisot,atleasttheyarentdancingaroundapoleinbikinis,atleasttheyreallydoplaygamesandmostimportantly,youcanchattothemaboutgames,youcanplaygamesonlinewithoragainstthem,andwhattheylooklikeisnotaactorintheclosecommunitythe

FragDollshavebroughttogether. Ontheotherhand,itisunlikelyyoucouldhaveaconversationwithdepthaboutgamingtoaboothbabeatanygamesconvention,theirroleismarketingpurelyandsimplywiththeiraceandbody,andthisis

enoughtoluresomepeopleintoplayingagame.This,however,canbestrikinglysimilartothetaskoamainemalecharacterinagame.Obviouslytoanyonewithsensethequalityandplayabilityoagameisintegraltoitsenjoyment,butthereasoningbehindsuchthingsasIvysbumcheeksondisplayinSoulCalibur

2,andmostothertypicalghterswithgiantbreasts,shortskirts,andarmouredbikinisissimple.Or,ontheotherhand,isitademonstrationothestrengthbehindvirtual,beautiul,andpowerulwomen?Theentrance

21 December 06

oPrinceoPersiasShahdeeinWarriorWithinisaprimeexample.Inthemiddleothesea,amidstdarkstormyandtreacherousweather,shecondentlybeginstheassaultontheprincesship,whilstblatantlybeingleeredatbyherarmyominions.Despitetheapparentinadequacyoherrevealingattire,shegoesontodeeattheprinceinbattlewithease;surelythisisadisplayothe

strongemalecharacterthatsomeclaimweneedmoreo.OnthissubjectGregKasavin,executiveeditoroGameSpotcomments,theyre[women]supposedlybeingportrayedinasympatheticlightorcastasstrong,respectablecharacters,theyrestillmostlyjustbeingobjectiedandarepresentedtosuitanadolescentmaleaudience.Howevertruethis

maybe,thecasecaneasilyapplytomostvideogameheroesaswellastheheroines;theyusuallyhaveperectlyconstructedandadmirablebodies,beingslender,muscular,handsomeandtalentedinoneareaoranother.Malecharacterscouldpresentmansidealsowhathisperectmodelis,whiletheallthewomenareconstructedtobeaestheticallypleasing.Itisraretostumble

acrossagenuineOlga,asseeninMetalGearSolid2,withtomboyishhair,militaryattire,andnoobviousattemptmadetoappeardashinglysexy. Womencanandcontinuetosuitablyplayanyrolewithinagame,romtheinnocenthopelessnessoYordainthetear-jerkingIco,totheenduringstrengthandnearcompleteindependenceo

TheWatchUsGame.comgirlshavebeen

scrutinisedandquestionedfromthestart,

simplyfortheappearanceofitsmembersin

theWUGsonlinegallery,althoughsince

thesitekickedoff,manychangeshavebeen

made,andtodayitfocusesmoreon

creativeinputformthefemalemembersinvo

lvedinfanartandwritingarticles.

Thegirlswhouniteheredonotconformto

aWUGclan,thesiteinsteadactsasa

gatheringpointforallandanyfemalegamers

,withitsmainspecialitybeingfocused

ongivingwomentheopportunitytodiscussg

amingissuesamongstthemselves,make

newfriends,andalsolearnaboutthegaming

industry.

theyre [women] supposedly being portrayed ina sympathetic light... [but] theyre still mostly justbeing objectied- Greg Kasavin, Executive Editor of GameSpot


22/83

LaraCrot.StrongandtalentedemalerolesarealsoprominentthroughouttheaorementionedMetalGearseries,beitthebrainyyetatedEmmaEmmerich,orEvaoMGS3whomustendureabuseromOcelotandVolginbeoreshecancompletehermission.TheBossisalsothemostobviousemalegureo

strength,hercodenamespeaksoritsel,asdoesthestorybeinginterspersedwithherprovidingexperiencedmusingstoall,andregularlylayingthesmackonSnake.Althoughitstypicalorlmsandbookstoportraywomeninneedohelpromachivalrousmale,manywell-knownvideogameseriesprovideastrongemalecharacter,whocanbothassistanddisruptthegamerslineotaskswithoutneedingtoberescued. Butthereinliesaproblem.Mosto

thestrongemalerolesareunplayable

externalcharacters,andalthoughthere

aregameswithemaleleads,thesetitles

areotennotuptothesublimequalityo

GodoWar,HalLie,Zelda,andother

strongtitles.Insteadtheshelvesare

doggedlacklustreoutingssuchasAlias,

Catwoman,DeathbyDegrees,Haunting

Ground,andRogueOps,whichrely

mainlyonthepopularityandbeautyo

theiremaleleadtosellagamethatleaves

agreatdealtobedesiredintheareas

thatmakeituntoplay.Namely,quality

othegameplay,withsuitableandeasy

tousecontrols,astorylinewhichexists

andmakessense,andeaturesthatarentpoorlycopiedrompopulargames.

Despitethetatthatatitleusingaemaleleadusuallyturnsouttobe,aselectnumberogameshavecreatedonesuccessully.TheSilentHillserieshadHeatherasthemainprotagonistinthethirdinstalmentothegame,andatnoexpensetothetwisted,nightmarishworldcreated,whichtendstoplayon

thegamersmindmoresoduetothe(initial)normalityothecharacter,andthesituationsbeginninginordinarysurroundings;inHeatherscase,aninnocentvisittothemall. Primal,agaminggemsimilartoBeyondGoodandEvil,isanothergoodexample,themaincharacter,Jennier,

doesgrowinstrength,andalthoughassistedbyareelyswitchablegargoyle,shemustultimatelyoverthrowhermaleequivalentinbattlealone. Theutureorgirlsinthegamingindustryisbright,open,andbecomingincreasinglynoticedthroughoutallareas.Girlsarebeingactivelyencouragedtopartakeinthecreationogames,andprovidereshideas,andperhapssomemorepopulartitlesortheladies.AairlyrecentNintendoDSLiteadverteaturesawomanplayingherDSeverywherethroughoutherday,anencouraging

signthatwomenareamarketthatcanandisbeingtargeted,andcanbemoreadequatelyprovidedor. Onthehorizon,HeavenlySwordsNarikowillsetthestandardorawaveopositivenewheroinesorthelatestconsolegamers,romatitlewhichlooksnothingshortoamazing,withNarikoherselhopeullytakingcentrestagethroughoutthegame. Womenare,andprobablywillalwaysbetheminorityintheworldovideogames.Whilegaminggenerallygrows

andreachesouttomorepeoplewithtime,eventheminoritieswillgrow.ThearrivalotheXbox360,NintendoWii,andonedayortheUK,thePlaystation3,withthenewcapabilitiesinpowerandeaturescanonlyallowthescopeouturegenrestogrow,andthisisgoodnewsorgamersromallwalksolie.

22 December 06

WOMEN IN GAMES CONFERENCE

Voicingtheopinionsowomensince2004,thisisaconerenceattendedbybothmenandwomenromallareasothegamesindustry,todiscussthewaysinwhichwomencanprogressorwards.Thereisparticularocuson

theconerencebeingauseulprovideroinsightorwomenintheprocessodevelopingandresearchinggames.The2007conerencewilltakeplaceinAprilattheUniversityoWalesinNewport,andaswitheveryyear,willhaveawiderangeospeakersromdierentgamingaspects.


23/83

23 December 06

Platormgameshave,ormanyyears,beenthestapleogamerseverywhere.FromSuperMarioBrothersontheNEStomoderngenre-benderslikePsychonauts,Jak&DaxterandRatchet&Clank,theyhaveenjoyedmassivesalessuccessandcultivatedaloyalandvocalanbasealongtheway.

Sadly,manydevelopershavemovedawayromthetraditionalplatormgame.Theadvento3Dhasundoubtedlydamagedthegenre,oreveryMario64thatgetsthingsjustright,thereareadozenVexxsthatbarelygetanythingright.Theactthatmanymovietie-ins,especiallythoseaimedatchildren,taketheormoplatormgamesandarealmostuniversallyshoddyinexecutionhasnthelpedthings.Itsgottothepointwheremanygamersviewplatormgamesasorkidsandqualitytitlesotengetignoredornottakenseriously.Well,hereatplaydweloveourplatormers,sowithouturtherado,heresalistoaewoouravourites.Givethemawhirl,youllbejumpingorjoyiyoudo...

As if your shelves werent already bowing under theweight of gaming goodness, heres another collection oftitles that you really should own. At least you should ifyou enjoy jumping on turtles and suchlike...

Collection BuilderCollection Builder

SONIC THE HEDGEHOGSystem:Megadrive/MasterSystemDeveloper:SegaLeaps and bounds:HHHHH

Itmaybeanobviouschoice,buttheoriginal,andinourmindsthebest,Sonicgamereallyshouldbesomething

everyoneexperiences.Beoreaplethoraoextraneouscharactersandmundanetasksandbonuslevelstoretheheartoutoourspikeybluehero,Sonicwasallaboutspeedandperecttiming.TheGreenHillZoneinparticularisthequitessentialSoniclevel-perectlycapturingtheessenceothegame.Awonderul,joyousgamethathasstoodthetestotimesurprisinglywell.

SUPER MARIO WORLDSystem:SNESDeveloper:NintendoLeaps and bounds:HHHHH

ThegreatestMariogameevermade?Inaword,yes.Thisisthegamethatintroducedanumberoexcellent

additionstotheMariouniverse-aworldmap(rstseeninSuperMarioBros.3)gaveaccessto72levelswith96exits(notthe96levelstheboxclaims-naughtyNintendo).Thevisualsarespectacular-arandawaythebestseenuptothatpoint.Leveldesignisnigh-onperectandrenementstothetraditionalMariogameplay(suchashavingtoJumpSpintodestroycertainblocks)madethetitlesomething

newandexciting,evenorveterans.


24/83

24 December 06

PUTTYSystem:AmigaDeveloper:System3SotwareLeaps and bounds:HHHH

Oneotheoddestandmostoriginalplatormgamesweveeverseen,Puttyveersromthesublime(hoppingcarrotsdressedasArnie,repletewithUzi9mm)tothe

ridiculous(catsburstingthroughthebackgroundandlaughingwhenyoudie).Thebasicpremiseisthatyouareabloboputtywiththeabilitytostretch,infate,

foat,fattenandburst.Usingtheseabilitiestotraverseeachlevelisajoy-andalessonorgamedesigners.Odd,brilliant,essential.

RATCHET & CLANKSystem:PS2Developer:InsomniacLeaps and bounds:HHH

Therunandgunplatormgameturnedupto11.Whiletherearestrongelementsotraditionalplatorming,jumpingandexploration,Ratchetand

Clanksraisondetreistheweaponsystem.Deep,cunning,utterlyoverthetopandranklyoneothebestthingstocomeoutothelastgeneration,itslikenothingyouveplayedbeore.Theinterplaybetweenthetwomaincharactersisverywelldone,andthetoneothegamemanagestotreadthenelinebetweenaccessibleunandimmaturityperectly.

EARTHWORM JIMSystem:Megadrive/SNES/Amiga/PCDeveloper:ShinyEntertainmentLeaps and bounds:HHHHH

Puttyisodd.EarthwormJimisabadLSDtripontopoanightonthemushrooms.Whereelsewouldacow

hurtlingthroughtheairbeanintegralpartotherstlevel?Inwhatothergamedoyoutaketheroleoahumbleannelidimbuedwithsuper-humanpowersbyamysteriouscyberneticsuit?Howmanygamesdoyouknowwhereyouuseyourselasawhip?Wonderullydrawnandanimatedwithhilarioussightgagas,superbsoundproductionandwilullybizarrelevels,youoweittoyourseltoexperiencethis.

SUPER MARIO64System:Nintendo64/DSDeveloper:NintendoLeaps and bounds:HHHHH

Thersttimethat3Dplatormingwasdonereallywell,andasarasmanygamersareconcerned,thepinnacleothegenre.Wewouldntagreewiththem,buttheresnodoubtingtheexcellenceothetitle.Thecamera-sootenthebaneo3Dthird-persontitles-isbeautiullyimplemented,nevergettingstuckorleavingyouwiththeoldimpossiblejumpscenario.Nintendosexperienceocratingbalancedandenjoyablemission-structuresandtightleveldesignwascarriedoverromtheSNEStitles,andthewholegamereallyisanunmitigatedjoytoplay.Oh,andwhiletheDSversionisgood,buttheoriginalN64versionisbetter.


25/83

25 December 06

CASTLEVANIA:SYMPHONY OF THE NIGHTSystem:PSone/XboxLiveArcadeDeveloper:KonamiLeaps and bounds:HHHH

TheCastlevaniagameshavealwaysbeenheldinawedrespectbygamersintheknow.However,SymphonyoTheNightmanagestoeclipseallthetitlesthathadgonebeorewithanopen-endedstructureandRPGelementsthatveereditawayrompreviousentriesiontheseriesandprovidedadeeper,

morethoughtulandultimatelymuchbettergame.Theseaspects,alongwiththeactittiedupanumberolooseendsthathaddevelopedintheseriesplot-andocoursethesplendid2Dvisuals-helpedtogivethetitleaspecialplaceinmanygamershearts.

ROCKET KNIGHT ADVENTURESSystem:MegadriveDeveloper:KonamiLeaps and bounds:HHHH

ComingattheheightotheSonicvsMariodebateothelate80sandearly90s,RocketKnightwassadly

ignoredasawannabetitle.Itwasarmorethanthat.WhilenotasinstantlycoolorrecognisableasNintendoandSegasmascots,SparksterstandsasajewelinKonamiscrown.Traditionalplatormlevelsmixedwitheight-wayscrollingrocket-packlevels,Gradius-styleside-scrollinglevels,strongdesignandexcellentvisualstomakethegamearealtreasure.Incidentally,easymodedropsthenallevel-makingitimpossibletocomplete,whilehardmodeisalmostimpossiblewithasinglelie,onehitkillsandnocontinues.Fiendish.

CASTLE OF ILLUSIONSystem:MegadriveDeveloper:SegaLeaps and bounds:HHHHH

WasthereabetteranimatedMegadrivetitlethanCastleoIllusion?Itherewas,weneversawit.AspartoaseriesoDisneytie-ins,CastleoIllusionsurprisedeveryonebybeing

notrubbish.Inact,itsutterlycompellingandstandsoutasnotonlyoneothebestplatormersontheMegadrive-asystemblessedwithmorethanitsairshare-butone

othebestgamesorthesystem,ullstop.Succulentanimation,aperectlypitcheddicultylevelandthenest,catchiestmusicweveheardinagescombinetomakeMickeysadventureamust.

NiGHTS INTO DREAMSSystem:SaturnDeveloper:Sega(SonicTeam)Leaps and bounds:HHHH

Ah,goodoldNiGHTS.WhenyouaskpeoplewhichSegatitlestheywanttoseereturnromgraveotheSaturn,theresonlyevertwoanswers;PanzerDragoonSagaandNiGHTS.Withoutwishingtosoundcontrivedandcorny,NiGHTS

isadreamtoplay.Thegameshighlightistheuniquefyingsystemwhichallowsmovestobesmoothlyandseamlesslystrungtogether.TheuseothepackagedAnalogpad(oneotherstavailable)madeitaseasyandaccurateasitwasimaginative.Anevolvingmusicsystemandverycleverhighscoresystemurtherdistanceitromtherealmsothestandardplatormtitle.Beautiul,uniqueandhugelyaddictive,wecantrecommenditenough.


26/83

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27/83

reviews28 Archlord (PC)30 Blade Dancer Lineage of Light (PSP)32 Defcon (PC)34 Disgaea 2 (PS2)37 Family Guy (Multi)38 Gears of War (360)40 Gitaroo Man Lives! (PSP)42 King of Fighters Neowave (PS2)43 Mercury Meltdown Remix (PS2)44 Need For Speed Carbon (Multi)47 Okami (PS2)50 Starfox Command (DS)52 Why dont you own... Dues Ex? (PC)55 The Vault... Advent Rising (Xbox)


28/83

Initiallypromising,Archlordisamajorletdowninmanyareas.TakingitscuesromthestandardMMORPG,itoersverylittleinthewayoinnovationorimagination.Thepremiseothegameisaninterestingone.Oneplayerwithsucientexperienceandstrengthcaneventuallyrise-aterdevotingasignicantamountotime-tobecometheArchlord,therulerotheuniverseandlordotheland,sotospeak.However,

togetanywhereclosetothisgoal,youwillneedtohaveorbeamemberoastrongguildandeventhentherewillbecompetitionoverwhobecomesnumberone.Itslackooriginalitymeanssacricingyoursociallietobecomethekingoactitiouslandwontendearthegametothosewhoarentansothegenrealready. AsisthestandardorantasyMMORPGs,youcanpickromachoiceothreeraces:Human,ElandOrc.Eachotheseracesareinturndivided

intoclasses.HumanshaveKnight,ArcherandSorcerer,ElveshaveArcherandSorcererandOrcshaveBerserker,HunterandSorcerer.Unortunately,despitethesubtledierencesinthethreeraces,itisairlystandardareandthereisactuallylittledierencebetweentheclasses-beyondaewhealthpointsanddierentweapons,anOrcBerserkeristheequivalentoaHumanKnight.

Charactercustomisationisalsodisappointing.Asaresult,prettymanynewplayerslookalmostexactlythesame,withonlytheirnamestotellthemapart.Playerscanocoursepurchasenewclothsromthestylist,butitsnotreallyenough,especiallyconsideringwhatotherMMORPGsoer.Whenitcomestoarmingyouravatartherearesomeunnecessaryrestrictions,suchasrequiringyoutobeoacertainlevel

towearahigherclassarmourorequipbetterweapons.Regardlessowhetheryouhavethemoneyorthekit,youwontbeabletouseit.Itwouldbebettertoallowplayerstousewhateverweaponstheycanaordtobuy,regardlessotheircurrentlevel.Itsquiterustratingtryingtoghtohigherlevelmonsterswithlowerlevelweaponrywhenplayerscaninactaordtobuybetterones. Thequestsystemthathasbeenputinplaceislacklustreatbest.Otenonlyrequiringplayerstodeliveraletterto

someoneelseinthevillageortothenexttown,orkillingasetamountomonstersthatareapparentlyoverrunningthearea.Thesesidequestsdontoermuchinthewayodiversion,especiallytoaveteranMMOplayer. Thegraphicsare,liketherestothegame,ratherpoor.Evenatitsbestsettingstheydontreallyoeranycompetitiontothegenreleaders.They

28 December 06

Arch means rst or chief. Yeah, right...

Archlord

Publisher:Codemasters Developer:In-House Available:Now Systems:PC Price:29.99

by Sean Bonner

REVIEW


29/83

29 December 06

Consideringthecompetitioninthe

MMORPGmarket,suchasWorldoWarcrat,GuildwarsandEverquest,Archlordallswayshortothemark.ThereisalmostnothingtoenticeplayersawayromtheothertopgamesinthegenreandmakethemswitchtoArchlord.

2

REVIEW

dothejob,butthatsit.Duringplaywhilstrunningacrossaeld,alotogreenandbluestrandswouldfashonthe

screen,butitbecameapparentthatullygrownbusheswerefyingthroughtheair,notthesortothingtobeexpectedinanishedgame.Thiswasarromanisolatedincidentandmarredanyenjoymentothegame. Onthebrightsideothingsthough,Codemastershaveoptedorreeplay,whichisgoodnewsinanygamersbook.ThiscoupledwiththeupcomingArchlordEpisode2expansionpack,whichwillalsobereetodownload,willhopeullymakeitamorebearablegametoplay. TheworstaspectoArchlordisthelevellingupsystem,orlackthereo.Whenplayersrststartoutitsstandardare.Butateraewlevels,repeititionkicksinandyoulllndyourseldoingthesamethingasyouweretenlevelsago,albeitwithtougherenemies.Itisincrediblyboringtolevelupandatertenorelevenre-runsothesameevents,youllbegintolookelsewhereoryourMMOx.

5 There are positive aspects to Archlord. For instance, this armour looks quite nice.


30/83

Everythingaboutthisgamesaysaverage.Despitethelovelyanimeopening,thegamegoesquicklydownhillromthere.Itsnotthatitsareallybadgameitsjustsounerringlydullorthersthour.Itsoddthatgamedevelopersdontmaketheirgamesmoreinterestingduringtheopeninglevelsitheyreallywanttoholdaplayersattention,theyreallyneedtomakegamesalittlelessblandthanthisoneis.Blandlevels,bland

people,blanddesign,blandtargeting,blandmissionsyougettheidea. OurspikyhairedherothistimeisayoungmancalledLanceandwejoin

himaboardashiponhiswaytotheislandoFoo(bestnottoask)lookingoradventure.DrawnromthegenericpooloRPGheroes,theresnotmuchaboutLancetodistinguishhimromthenumerousotherspikyhaireddo-goodersthathaveappeareddowntheyears.Thecompanionshepicksuplaterarentmuchbetter.Arrivingontheisland,weareintroducedtothebrilliantnotionotargetingpeopletotalkto

them.Thisalsoappliestoopeningdoors.Theideathatyoucouldjustwalkuptosomeone/somethingandpressXtointeractseemstohavebypassedthe

30 December 06

Great RPGs on the PSP are rare. Can this redress the balance?

Blade Dancer: Lineage of Light

5 I can give you the name o a good dentist i you like...

Publisher:NIS America Developer:Hitmaker/SCE Studios Japan Available:Now Systems:PSP Price:29.99

by Chris Waring

REVIEW

developers.Itquicklybecomestedious.Cyclingthroughtargetsisanothernovel

ideaseeminglydesignedtoboreushaltodeath.Itusuallygoessomethinglikethistargetdoor,selectandenterbuilding,cyclethroughpeople,select,talk,cyclethoughagain,select,talk,receivemindnumbingretrievalmission,dieoboredom.Dull,dull,dull.Characteranimationislimitedaceslookfatandemotionlessandspecialattacksareunctionalratherthanfashy.Draw

distanceisanotherboneocontention.Deserts,grasslandsandorestare

mistymoreotenthannot,withtheblandnessaectingthelackodetailinthelandscape.Usuallytheonlythingsointerestaretheskullsfoatingabout. Getoutsidetothecountrysideandtakepartinbattlesandthegamesuddenlycomestolie.Groupsoenemiesarerepresentedbyfoatingskullsandcanbeavoidediplayerswishtodoso,evenrunningawayisanoption,


31/83

31 December 06

IanaverageRPG,itemcreationand

relentlesslevelgrindingareyourthing,thenthisisthegameoryou.Inreality,thePSPhasgamesoahighercalibrethanthis.Titleslikethisdonthelptheconsolesreputation.

6

REVIEW

Whileplayerscanstillbuyweaponsinshops,thosediscoveredduringthecourseoplayareotenstronger.Heres

thenitybittakingthemtoanappraiserwillrevealtherecipeneededtomakesuchweapons,asaterrepeatedusetheywillshatter.Thisitemcreationishighlyuseulwhenoutinthemiddleonowhereasitsavestrekkingbacktotownthroughhordesoenemies.Tosaythisoneothetwohighlightsinthegamesaysmuchaboutit.Theother?Thewirelessmultiplayer.Morecopiesothegamearerequired,butcharacterlevelscanbeadjustedtomatchanotherplayersandsecretitemsandweaponscanbediscoveredtogetherthatcanbe

usedinthesingleplayergame. Intruth,thisisntsomuchabadRPG,asanaverageone,butinthisdayandagewhenthelikesoDisgaeaarecomingtothePSP,itsamajorcriticism.MaybegamedesignersshouldstopchasingtheideathatgamesshouldlookrealisticonthePSPandtryoramoreoriginalartisticaesthetic.

butnobodyeverlevelleduptheirpartybyrunningaway.Weakerenemieswilltrytogetaway,whilestrongercreatureswill

harassplayersuntiltheygetoutorangealthoughthisisntalwayspossible.Thebackotheboxpromisesacompletey(sic)real-timebattlesystem,althoughitheactionisasbadasthespelling,itmightbebesttogivethatamisstoo.Thesystemisntreal-timeinanysensethatsrecognisable,insteadaLunarClockcountsdownthesecondstowhenamovecanbemade.Eachcharacterhashis(orher)owncountdown,sowhileinputtingcommandsisinreal-time,the

resultingmovesaremostdenitelynot.Playersareletcountingthesecondstheycouldhavebeendoingsomethingarmoreinteresting.ThingsaresavedsomewhatbytheLunarGauge,representingthemagicsharedbyallthemembersotheparty.Asabattleprogresses,thegaugewilllluntilitcan

beusedwithspecialattacks.Strategyplaysapartasenemiescanusethisgaugetoo,completelywipingoutaparty.Also,whileattackinganenemyastheyarepoweringupwillreturnthepointstothegauge,theycandothesametoyou. BladeDancersmainsellingpointthatdistinguishesitromtherunothemill,however,isitscratingoweapons,armourandhandyitemslikepotions.

To say this is one ofthe two highlights saysmuch about it.

5 A shop. Where you can buy swords and other weapons. Will the originality never begin?

5 You may have noticed the screens look rather grey. Theres a good reason - its a very grey game.


32/83

takedownoppositionbombersandattacknavalorces.Thenavyconsistsotheundetectablesubmarines,althoughtheymustsuracetolaunchattacks;undeendedcarriers,whichcanlaunchplanesandhuntorsubs;andbattleships,whichcantakeonanythingtheynd. ThegamebeginsatDecon5,withplayersdecidingwheretoplaceunits.AtDecon4,radarbeginstogiveinormationonenemyunitsinrange.OnceDecon3and2arereached,normaldeensiveandattackingoptionsareinvolvedandunitsmobilized,beore

Atrstglance,themostobviousinfuenceonDeconisthescenein1983movieWarGames,inwhichasupercomputercontrollingthenuclearwarheadshastheutilityowartaughttoitbyFerrisBeuller(orMatthewBroderickiyoupreer).Thegamelookslikeitmayhavemisseditstrueerabyabout15years,globalthermonuclearwarisatermnotinusemuchthesedays-theColdWarislonggoneandtheworldhasonly

onerealsuperpower,albeitinthehandsoanidiot.Lookingatrecenteventsits

obviousthatDeconreallyisoitstime,morerelevantnowthanitevercouldhavebeen.Smallercountriesclaimtohavetheirhandsonnuclearcapabilities,terrorismisontheincreaseandnowIntroversionhasgivenusthechancetoblowstuuptoo. ThetitleisromthesamebrainsbehindthegeniusoDarwiniaandUplinkandisdeckedoutinwhathasbecometheteamssignatureretro-

modernminimaldesign.Whiletheirpreviousgamesmayhaveneeded

32 December 06

Wargames. Minus Matthew Broderick.

Defcon

5 Somehow the minimalist presentation just makes the mass slaughter even more chilling.

its obvious that Defcon really is of its time, morerelevant now than it ever could have been.

Publisher:Introversion Developer:Introversion Available:Now Systems:PC Price:10

by Chris Waring

REVIEW

someexplanation,eventothemostardentnon-gameritmustbeobviouswhatthisisallaboutwagingnuclearwar.Withamapotheworldlaidoutbeorethem,playersmustdecidewheretoplacetheirorcesanddeensivecapabilitiesandplayersnotonlyhavesilos,butradarpostsaswelltodetectincomingattacks.Thesiloscantakeabitopunishmentbeoretheycrumble,buttheradarstationsarerathermoredelicate.Inadditiontothese,playershaveaerialandnavalorces.Fromtheirairbases,bombersfytotheirdestinationandnukethetargets,whileghters


33/83

33 December 06

Toenjoyanoriginal(andverycheap!)

gamingexperience,thiscanbedownloadedromSteamrightnow.BothansoIntroversionsproductionsandthosenewtotheirgamingoutputwillndmuchtoenjoyhere.Quitesimply,thisisoneotheessentialgamesotheyear.

8

REVIEW

Decon1whenthenuclearmissilesareunleashed.Thisalltakesplaceagainst

theclock,whichcountsup,atvaryingspeedsthatcanbesetbytheplayer(apartromtwomodes,wherethespeedislocked).Thisiswhenalloplayersprevioustacticaldecisionsarelaidbare.Rightclickingoveranicon,playerscandirecttheirdeencestodoastheywish.Forexample,indeencemodethesiloswillattempttotakedownincomingattacksromplanesandmissiles,althoughtheycanbeoverwhelmedbymanynuclearattacks.OrderingthemtoreoneotheirtenICBMsatatargetwithinrangehastobechosen,butalso

revealstheirpositiontootherplayers.Theairbasescanbeorderedtosendghtersuptotakeoutincomingmissilesorattacknearbyfeets.Bombersareasneakieroptiontodelivernuclearweapons,butevenso,onlycarryonebombandcanbetakendownbyantiaircratre.Sitting

backandwatchingtheactionisneverreallyanoption,asordershavetobe

consistentlydishedoutinordertowin.Orrather,tosurvivethedestructionandhavemoresurvivorsthantheopposition,orplayersscoretwooreveryenemykillandoneoreveryhittaken.AlthoughthescoringmechanismcanbealteredSurvivorgiveseveryplayer100pointsandtheonlywayisdown. Deconhasawealthomodesbeyondthesingleplayer.InBigworldorexample,theworldmapistwicethesize,therangesoallweaponsandradararehalvedanditrunsathalthespeedoanormalgame,atitsoppositeisSpeed

Decon,runningorallo15minutes.InOcemode,playerscanhidetheirgamesromrovingbosses,asitseasytodropthegameintothebackgroundquicklyandlastsonlysixhours.Itisonlineinthemultiplayerandalliancemakingthatthegameshowsitstrue

depth.Uptoveplayerscanormanalliance,butonlyoneplayercanwinthe

game.Forminganalliancewillexpandradarcoverageandplanescanfyovermoreterritory,butplayersneedtowatchtheirbacks,asalliancescanbebrokenwithoutwarning. Rarelydoessuchmodestpresentationlooksocool.ThatitevokestheminimalistColdWareracomputers,withastylish,modernproductionisatriumphinitsel.Watchingasthewhitebloomssmotheramap,withmournulmusicplayingthatBrianEnowouldbeproudo,ascasualtynumbersmountinamiliarEuropeancitiesorexample,its

hardnottobemoved.ThattheyhavemanagedtoproducegamesasvariedasUplinktoDarwiniaandnowDecon,surelyratesIntroversionasoneotheewdevelopmentteamsworthkeepinganeyeon.Longmaytheirindependencecontinue.


34/83

Howdoyouollowabestsellinganduniversallyacclaimedtitle?Doyoulistentotheansandcriticsandnottrusttoyourownjudgement,orstaytruetotheoriginalideasthatmadetherstgamesohighlyregarded?Remember,thisisagamethatnotonlygaineddeservedrecognitionacrosstheindustry,butisrightlyheldinhighesteemasagenredeningtitleoitsgeneration.Itseeminglysetanimpossibly

highstandardoranysequeltoollow,glowingpraiseromthemulti-ormatmags,adoredbythosewhoknowagoodstrategyRPGwhentheyseeoneandnowsohardtonditsabonadecollectorsitem.Well,iyourethecleverchapsatNipponIchiyoutweak,honeandpolishanalmostperectgametocreatesomethingthateelsamiliarandatthesametimeaddenoughtomakeitresh-adicultbalancingacttoachieve.DespitesimilaroraysintothegenrewithPhantomBraveandMakaiKingdom,

DisgaearemainsthetitleNipponIchiisbestknownor.Disgaea2:CursedMemoriesarriveswiththeweightoexpectationuponit.Cantheyproducethesamemagictwice? Thoseamiliarwiththerstgamewillndlittlehaschanged.ThegameusesAdellshometownasacentralhubwherethereareamiliarstopsliketheNetherworldHospital,whereplayerscan

restorehealthandpickupprizes,plustheweapon,itemandclothingmerchantsarepresenttoo.Aplayerscustomerratingclimbshigherthemoretheybuyromthemerchants,sobetteritemsbecomeavailable.TheDarkAssemblyreturns,albeitwithsomeminorchanges.Acharactersmanaisusedtocreatenewcompanionsortheteam,includingmonstersandenemiesthathavebeen

deeatedinthecourseoplay.AnothercooleatureistheDarkCourt.Thecourtissuessubpoenasthatcaneitherbeignored(atnopenalty)orpickeduptobedeended.Asthisisaworldodemons,gettingintoaspotobotherwiththecourtsisntnecessarilyabad

thingbeingoundguiltybringsrewards,whilebeingoundinnocentbringspunishments. Eveniplayershaveneverencounteredtherstgame,thetutorialmanagestoexplainbattlebasicsverywell.Verylittlehaschangedromtherstgamehoweverandgoesmuchlikethischoosingwhotoarrangeontheeldwithinagridsystem,thenmoving

34 December 06

Time to clear the calendar and get ready for the prinnies.

Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories

5 Total damage 0? Look at it! How can that be 0 damage?!

getting into a spot ofbother with the courtsisnt necessarily bad...

Publisher:Koei Developer:Nippon Ichi Available:Now Systems:PS2 Price:34.99

by Chris Waring

REVIEW


35/83

35 December 06

REVIEW

themtoengageenemies.Fightingromthesideorbackincreasesthedamageinfictedandkeepingmages,healers

andrangedweaponusersbackisjustasimportantashavingheavydutyghtersupront.AlsomakingareturnaretheGeoNodes.Colouringanareatoinfuenceaparty(bothplayerandenemy),theycanincreaseanenemyattackorincreaseMana.Theycanbemovedanddestroyed,althoughlaterinthegametheymoveundertheinfuenceoGeoMonstersandareascapableohelpingaplayer,astheyareanenemy.Annoyingly,theycanwipeoutacareullyplannedattack,butitdoesmakeplayersmoreawareotheleveltheyareplaying

on.MasteringtheGeoNodesbringsitsownbenets,ingreaterrewardsattheendoaskirmishandcanmakethedierenceinwinningandlosingasthegameprogresses. Astothestory,itsamorestraightorwardaairthentherst.Adellisamanwithamission-heisthelasthumanletateracurseturnedeveryone,includinghisamily,intodemons15yearspreviously.NowhewishestotakerevengeonOverlordZenonasthecurseleavesthesedemonsunable

toremembertheirormerhumanlivesandstripsawayallconscience.Zenon,knownastheGodoallOverlordsaterhedestroyedmorethanathousandothem,hasadaughter,RozalinanditisshewhoismistakenlysummonedatthebeginningothegamebindinghertoAdell,muchtoherdisgust.Theresanuncannysimilaritybetweenthetwoleadsinthisgameandthersttitlebothmale

Skyscraper, I Love You

Characterscanpickeachotherupandthrowthemartherthantheymighthavebeenabletomoveontheirown.ThrowingthemclosertoenemiesandGeoNodescanmakeupplentyogroundandgiveplayersanadvantage.Thisactuallyallowsoneothequirkierbattleattacksthestackingoateamtocreateatower.Anenemywillgetknockedupallthewayuptothetopwhereanawesomeattackisunleashed.Oneothemoreunmovesinthegame.


36/83

36 December 06

HowdoesNipponIchidoit?Another

awesomeSRPGullohumour,engagingcharactersandenoughgameplaytoensureyouneedneverplayanothergameallyear.Moreplease!

9

REVIEW

protagonistssuerromduplicitousemaleollowers.

Thegameshumourisstillpresent,withthetelevisionreportsprovidingsomeothebettermomentsanditsaplayerwithastonecoldheartthatndslittletoentertainhere. Whilemuchothiscanseemdaunting,becomingimmersedinthegameplayiswhatattractsmanyplayerstothesegames.Theusualcameraissuesoundingamesothistypearestillhere,butthisisnothingthatwouldeverdeteranavidSRPGplayer.Perhapsthetitles

biggestaultliesinitsoverwhelmingsimilaritytotherst,butwhenagameasgreatasDisgaeacomesalong,itshardtonotwantmoreothesame.NipponIchihasmanagedtocreatesuchatitleitsaun,engrossinggamethatrequiresplayerstousetheirbrainsandgiveupmuchotheirtime.Therewontbemanycomplaints.

Pirates of Penance

Someothedeadlieroesthatpopupnowandagainarethepirates.Theycanwipeoutapartymemberinoneturnandaretobeavoidedatallcosts.Careullycalculatedattackscantakeaturnortheworseitheyappearanditslikelythatagreatnumberoaplayerscharacterswillbelost.Fightingthroughtothenearestexitisthebestoption.

5 Total damage 0? Look at it! How can that be 0 damage?!

Theres an uncanny similarity betweenthe two leads in this game and the

rst title - both suffer from duplicitousfemale followers.


37/83

VideogamesopopularTVshowsnearlyalwaysallintotwocategories:theaverageandtheterrible.Isaynearlybecausetherehavebeenexceptions;therstBuygamespringsinstantlytomind,asdooneortwootheSimpsonstitles. So,howdoesFamilyGuy-basedonthehilarioushitTVshow-arethen?Notwell.Oneotheproblemsacingdeveloperscreatingthissortogameishowtoworkanensemblecastintoa

videogame.HighVoltagehavechosenthepathoallowingyoucontroloverthethreemostpopularcharacters(Peter,StewieandBrian),givingeachaspecicstyleogameplayandaseperatestorylineandinterspersingthewholethinkwiththefashbacksandrandommomentstheshowisamousor. Unortunately,itsallabitoamess.Peterssectionsareakintoafawed,poorlyexecutedbeatemupromthemid-eighties-youpoundbuttons,executinglimitedtwoandthreemove

combosonpassers-byandtrynottotearyourhairoutinrustrationasthelock-oneatureailsagainandyoulosetrackotheenemyyouwereghting.Whomayormaynotbeaectedbyyourpunchesandkicks-itappearstobeutterlyrandom.Tosaythatthisisannoyingisanunderstatement.Iverynearlyputmyheadthroughthetelevision.

ThencomesStewie,whosemissionstaketheormobasicplatormingactionwithadashorunandgunthrowninorgoodmeasure.Whileinplacestheyarequiteenjoyable(comparatively),poorleveldesign,vaguecontrolsandslippy-slideylevels(whatisthis,1988?)whichrustratetothepointoapoplexy,combinetohamstringthembeoretheyvereallybegun. SoitslettoBrian,theaithul

hound,tomaintaintheamilyhonour.

37 December 06

At least itll be funny, right? Right?

Family Guy

Stylisticallyblandwithpoorcontrols

and-bizarrelyoragamebasedonsuchaunnyTVshow-abeliethatrandomweirdnesscanreplacehumour,FamilyGuytakesthepathmosttroddenandtreadsitbadly.AsPetermightsay,thissucks.

3

Publisher:2K Games Developer:High Voltage Available:Now Systems:PS2 / Xbox / PSP Version reviewed:PS2 Price:29.99

by James Cooper

REVIEW

Andhowwillhedothis?Bytheuseobasicstealthmissions,ocourse!Iyouhaventlostthewilltolivebythispointthenyousoonwillwhenyourealisealltheadvancesinstealthgames(especiallyenemyAIandrandomroutes)havebeencompletelyignored.Enemiesmoveonpre-arranged,non-negotiablepaths,reducingtheselevelstoabythenumbersmemorytest. Hangthewholethingtogetherwith

adashogross-outhumour-withnonotheshowssubtlety-utterlymediocrepresentation,anutterlystupidplot,someatallyineptattemptsathumourandbasicsounddesignandyouhaveallthehallmarksoacash-in. Ihadhopesthatthismightbequitegood.Ishouldhaveknownbetter.


38/83

YoudontneedustotellyouaboutGearsoWar.Bythetimeyoureadthisitwillhavebeenoutoralittleoversixweeksandyoullalreadydoubtlesshaveplayedittodeath(inact,aso15thDecemberitssold2millioncopiesworldwide).Sowhy,youmayask,arewereviewingagamethatmostoourreadershipprobablyalreadyown.Well,quitesimply,itstooimportanttoignore. Believethehype,GearsoWaris

everythingwevebeentolditcouldbeandeverythingwecouldreasonablyexpect-apartromoneotwominorproblems,butmoreonthemlater. Inevitably,therstthingthathitsyouwithGearsoWaristhevisualtreatment.Stunning,amazing,gob-smacking,pickanadjective,noneothemcanprepareyouorthersttimeyouseethisgamerunninginHighDenition.Thetexturedetail,modelling,artdirectionandeectsareabsolutelyspoton,givingthegameaamiliaryetalienstyle.

Monochromeruinedcities,dyingforaandauna,smoke,reandtarnishedmetalarecapturedperectly.Asarasphotorealismingamesgoes,thisisarandawaythebestexampleweveyetseen.Yetitstillmaintainsadistinct,super-real,almostcomicbookeelduetotheber-machostylingothecentralcharacters. Whichbringsusneatlytotherst

problemthegameaces,itcertainlywontbetoeveryonestaste.Theartdirectionwillbeenoughtoputsomepeopleoimmediately,andtheresnodenyingthattheshallowstoryandtwodimensionalcharactersgivethegamealltheemotionanddepthoalate-80sArnielm.However,toholdthisagainstGearsistomissitspurpose.Itsnotmeanttoconnectemotionallyinanyotherwaythenbytappingstraightinto

youraddrenalgland.Itsnotheretotellabig,importantstoryandaddressadultthemes.Itsheretoletyouplaywithguns,pretendtobethebigheroandshoot,eviscerateandgenerallyeliminatewithextremeprejudiceanynastyaliensthatgetinyourway.Anditsucceeds. Onethingtonote-thisisaveryviolentgame.Epichaspullednopunchesanddenitelyhasntsparedtheclaret.Headshotsandchainsawexecutionsaregreetedwithountainsobodilyjuices,splatteringtheplayerandeventhegame

camera.Itreallydoesearnthatlittlered18stickeronthebox.Notoneorthekidsthen. Theenemiesyouace-alsoknowastheLocusthordes-arequiteavariedbunchandtheydisplaysomeneAI,nippingbehindcoverandwaitingoropportunitiestoattackortakeyououtwithawell-timedheadshot. ThisbringsustothegamesUSP,

38 December 06

Lock, load and prepare to drop that jaw.

Gears of War

Publisher:Microsoft Developer:Epic Games Available:Now Systems:360 Price:49.99

by James Cooper

REVIEW

5 Each level is littered with hiding places and cover to crouch behind. Make sure you use it.

Its not here to tell a big, important story... its hereto let you play with guns...


39/83

39 December 06

Gearsisnotthebestgameweve

everplayed.Itisthebestgameonthe360though,andcertainlyoneothebestgamesothelastewyears.Technicallyastounding,brutalinitsexecutionandwithonlineplaytodieor,GearsoWarisanessentialpurchaseor360owners.

9

REVIEW

thecoverandshootmechanic.Itsverywellimplemented,sowellthatyoucantraverseanentireareaandrarely

havetoleavecoverormorethanaewmoments.Thecontrolsmakeducking,divingandblind-shootingchildsplay,andsoonbecomesecondnature.Bytheendotherstlevelyoubedivingbetweencover,blindring,takingheadshotsandchainsawingunortunateLocustsentrieslikeaseasonedpro.Itsagoodjobtoo,becauseiyoudontgetusedtousingthecoverthegameprovides,youlllastseconds.Justlikeinreallie,gung-horunandgunactionwillonlygetyoukilled,andkilledquickly.Iyouwanttosurvive,youneedtoconstantlybescanningeach

areaorcoverandopportunitiesorsaeprogressionandringpositions. Hereinliesthegamesonerealaultthough.Yes,thelevelsarebeautiullydesigned,theweaponsarevisceralandgreauntouseandthegameneverlosesitsgriporexcitementactor.However,youllndthatatertherstthreeorourhours,apartromaewspectacularset-

pieces,youveseeneverythingthegamehastooer.Thisisnttosayitlosesitsappeal,justthatitsalittledisappointing

thattheentiregameiseectivelyapproachedinthesamemannerastherstcoupleolevels. Theotherrealcriticismisthatthesingleplayergameisalittleshort.Eighttotenhourswillseeyoucompleteitwithouttoomucheort.Yes,therearetougherdicultiestotackle,butthereallong-termappeallieselsewhere. Thisgameeelsasiitwasmadeoritsonlinemultiplayerandco-operativemodes.Thatshowgoodtheyare.NothingweveplayedsinceHalo2comesclosetothethrilloplayingGears

online,especiallyiyoucangetagroupoclose-knitandevenlymatchedplayerstogether.Fun,bloody,back-biting,addrenalineuelledwhimsyitmaybe,butwhenitsdonethiswell,wereallydontcare.Inallitmakeswhatwasalreadyaverygoodgameintoagreatgame.

Fun, bloody, back-biting,addrenaline fuelled whimsy it maybe, but when its done this well,we really dont care.


40/83

hurlstheGitarooatU-1orthersttime,ittriggersatutorialthatteachesplayersthegamebasicsandlatertransormsU-1intoGitarooManandPumaintoAC-30,

readytodobattle. ThisiswhereGitarooManreallyshines.Insteadotheusualsimplisticbuttonpressesintimetothemusic,atracelinewillapproachromanysideothescreen,whichplayershavetodirecttheanalognubtowards.Guitarchordsthenappearasvariouslengthsoiconandareplayedbypressingandreleasingthecirclebuttonoraslongas

theyappearoverthedotinthecentreothescreen.Theseareusuallyinrhythmwiththemusicandonceplayersbecomeaccustomedtotheeelothis,

itbecomesextremelysatisyingtohiteventhemoststaccatooris.Allothiseortbuildsthechargeatthetopothescreen,essentiallytheGitarooMansliebar.ItshouldbesaidthatthenubisabettertoolthanthePlayStation2sanalogstickatthisandmakesoramorepleasurableplayingexperience. Thisleadsintothebattlemodeproper,wheretheenemycannowtake

First,thebadnews-GitarooManisasthumb-bustinglyhardasiteverwasonthePlayStation2.Thegamestillrequiresplayershavetohavethehand-eyecoordinationoasuperhumanonamphetaminestomastersomeothemoredastardlylevels. Tosomethatmightactuallybethegoodnews.Formanythisistheepitomeorhythmactiongames,withanidiosyncraticstylealloitsown,both

visuallyandmusicallyandwasanidealcandidateorconversiontothePSP.Inact,apartromaewminoradditions,

thisisessentiallythesamegameasthePlayStation2release. ThestarotheshowisU-1,awhineyloser,constantlybulliedandridiculedbyaellowclassmateandignoredbyhisdreamgirl,Pico.ThingschangewhenhistalkingdogPumainormshimheisthelastotheGitarooMen,alonglineomusicallygitedheroes.Fromthereitonlygetsmorebizarre.TeachingU-1histruepathinliesetshimuptobethe

targetomanyoes,notsomethinghetrulywishesorhimsel,longinginsteadtoproveworthyorPico.WhenPuma

40 December 06

Its Gitaroo Man, but on the bus.

Gitaroo Man Lives!

5 Yes thats right, a hammerhead shark. In a rhythm action game. Just go with it...

once players become accustomed to the feel ofthis, it becomes extremely satisfying to hit even themost staccato of riffs.

Publisher:Koei Developer:Inis Available:Now Systems:PSP Price:29.99

by Chris Waring

REVIEW

5 Putting new meaning to the term Mad Axeman.

REVIEW


41/83

41 December 06

GitarooManisoneothosegames

thatthehardcorelove,asmuchorthedicultyasorthedatstory,quirky

designandsheerdeterminationittakes

tocompleteit,butrsttimersshouldnt

letthatputthemo.Agamethatsas

likelytohaveyoucussingloudlyand

requentlyasenjoyingyoursel.

7

REVIEW

damageromwellplayedsolos.However,GitarooMancanalsotakedamageirisaremissed,orduringtheguardphaseothebattle.Guardinginvolvespressingtheacebuttonsastheycrossthecentraldot,orexample,MojoKingBees(aunkydudeinagiantbeecostumeplayingtrumpetlikeHerpAlbert)attacksareintimewiththenotesheplaysonhistrumpet,sohittingthembecomesasimplematterolisteningtothetune

heplays.ManagetogetthroughthisandplayersentertheFinalmode,wheredamageisdealtwithanintenseguitarsolo.Dexterityandmemoryaretestedtothelimitrightthroughthegameastherewillotenbemorethanonetripthroughabattle.Aswellasndingthenubsuperiortothepadsanalog,theacebuttonsonthePSPactuallylendthemselvestotheranticgameplay.Placedcloseenoughtogethertoallowathumbtoberestedinthemiddleothebuttonsandthenrolledontotherequiredselection.

Well,perhapsapartromtheinamousBen-K(thehammerheadedshark)level,rustrationandconusiononamonumentalscale. Theonlyplacethegameallsdownisthelackoadditionalmodesandmaterialorthiseditionothegame,withanEnglishversionothesecondlevelsongandtwomultiplayermodes,VersusandDuet,theonlynewaddedextras.

Botharewhatyoumightimagine.Viathead-hocsetup,twoplayerscanbattleawaythoughsongsromthemaingame,butDuetismoreoadisappointmentasitcontainsallotwosongs.Moresongsromthegamewouldhavebeenappreciated.Allowhichmightsuggestiplayershavepreviouslyownedthegame,thereslittleheretotemptthemtopartwiththeircashorwhatamountstoastraightport.

However,thisisoneothosegamesthatslippedundermanygamersradarthersttimearoundand,asistheashionthesedays,itsoneoagrowinglistotitlesmostotenheldupasastandardbearerorallthatsrightinoriginalgaming.Dontletitgetawayagain.

if players have previously owned the game, thereslittle here to tempt them to part with their cash for

what amounts to a straight port.

5 Ming Ming, a truly terriying name or a truly terriying, er... cat. We think.

REVIEW


42/83

SomethingdescribedasNeoissomethingthatisnew,orarevived,rejuvenatedormoaclassicdesign.HereweimmediatelycometothecruxothematterwhenaddressingKingoFightersNeowavesworth-iteels,looksandplaysinalmostexactlythesamewayaseveryKingoFightersgamethathasgonebeore. Notthatthisisnecessarilyabadthing-theserieshasalwaysproduced

solid,playablegameswithabalanced

andtightghtingsystemandadedicatedanbase.Thetroubleis,thislatestreleasepromisedusanallnewghtingsystemandagamebuiltromthegroundupornewarcadearchitecture.Wecanthelpbuteelalittledisappointed. However,thereareadditionsto

thegameplay-orinstancetherearenowthreeghtingstylestochooserom.Max2Modeallowsyoutopullospecialmovesonceyourhealthisdangerouslylow,SuperCancelallowsyoutocancelmovesinprogressandwrong-ootyouropponentandGuardBreakallowstheplayertoexchangeonsuperbarortheopportunitytobreakthroughtheiropponentsblock.

Whilethesemodestooeravarietyogameplayoptions,theyreallydontexpandontheghtingenginethathasbeenrenedthroughouttheyears.Makenomistakeaboutit,thisisclassicalKingoFighterswithbellsandwhistles. Fromatechnicalperpective,characteranimationanddetailhasactuallybeenimprovedromthearcadeversion,andthehi-resbackgroundsareaworldawayromthefatbackdropso

previousincarnations.Itreallydoeslook

quitebeautiulattimes.Addtothisasimplyenormousrostero43characters(withmoretounlock),one-on-oneandteambattlesandthereturnosomeoldavouritesromtheserieshistory,andKingoFightersanswillnodoubtndmuchinNeowavetosatisythem.

Fortherestousthough,whileitsaunandchallenginggamewithadeepghtingsystemandalmostlimitlesspotentialorlearningandreningyourtechnique,theressimplynotenoughnewmaterialheretojustiyitbeinganobligatorypuchase.

42 December 06

So many characters, so little time...

King of Fighters: Neowave

Publisher:Ignition Developer:SNK Available: Now Systems:PS2 / Xbox Version reviewed:PS2 Price:29.99

by James Cooper

REVIEW

character animation and detail has actually beenimproved from the arcade version...

Sumptuousvisualsandawealth

ooptionshideaghtingsystemthatsreallygettingonandneedsaninjectionoimagnationoitstosurviveormuchlonger.Fornowthough,Neowaveisaworthy,butbynomeansessential,ghtinggame.

7

REVIEW


43/83

Doyouondlyrememberbeingshownawarmeduplittleblobomercuryinachemistrylesson?Lookingcompletelysmoothinperectshiningsilver,andactingunlikeanythingyouveseenbeoreasitslidesaroundinasealedtesttube?MercuryMeltdown:Remixcapturestheelementperectlyandmakesit100%saetoplaywith.InasimilarstyletoPSPsLocoRoco,youguideablobomercuryromAtoBbytiltingthe

surroundingsinover200levels,avoidingandutilisingawealthospecialobjectstoreachyourgoal,involvinghammers,guillotines,magnetsandmore. RemixisanextensionothePSPversionoMercuryMeltdown,withtheimprovedgraphicsandextralevelsthatthePS2caneasilycateror.Themercuryitselisrenderedwonderully,andcanbepleasinglyalteredromitsusualappearance,outlinedbyathickblackline,toamorerealisticstyle,whichmakesasurprisingdierencetohow

easyitiswatchingyourmercuryuponthebrightlycolouredlevels. Thebehaviourothemercuryisexcellentlydone;tiltyourblobintoaspikeorcorneranditsplitsintwo,heatitupandtheblobspreadsoutwards,slidingasterandseparatingmoreeasily.Themercurycanalsobecooledintoaspheretorolldownslidesandrampsasthoughyouwereplayingwithmarbles,andeven

paintedandmixedwithdierentcolourstoopenspecicdoorsandactivateswitches.Indeed,simplyplayingwiththemercuryornorealpurposeisuninitsel,itsjustapitytheplaygroundareaisrathersmallandlimiting,andcannotbechangedoryourownamusement. Gameplay,whichismostlyquick,unandpuzzling,suerswiththeregularSaving Do not remove memory card in

PS2 Slot 1 or reset/turn o consoleater

everylevel,whichdisruptsthespeedandfowothisstyleogame. TheunlockablePartyGamesareaundistractionromthemaingame,andinvolvevedierenttasks,suchasracingyourmercuryroundatrack,andattemptingtoremainonaplatormoraslongaspossiblewhilebeingaggressedbyaan.AlthoughthewordPartyinagametendstoimplymultipleplayers,thesearestillsingleplayergamesthatchallengetheAI,ratherthanthemoreunpossibilityohumanoppositionthatwas

possibleinPSPormat. Remixisareshsliceosimpleun,assistedbyanunusualblendobothdancemusicandguitarris.Although,inouropinion,itsoverpricedorwhatitis.

43 December 06

Mercury Meltdown, minus the PSP.

Mercury Meltdown Remix

Puzzlegamesdontcomemuch

simpler,ormoreaddictive,thanthis.Technicallyprocientwithplentyocontentandmini-gamestounlock,ansothegenrearesuretoenjoythis.However,wecanthelpbuteelitsabettermobilegamethathomegame.Still,itsgreatuneitherway.

7

Publisher:Ignition Developer:In-House Available:Now Systems:PS2 Price:29.99

by Emily Knox

REVIEW

5 The movement and physics o the mercury blob

are extremely well implemented, giving you real

condence that when things do go wrong, it really is

your own ault.


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likeare-breathing,rip-roaringracer,maintainingastrangefoat-awayeeling.Itsveryodd. Ocourse,thisproblemhasalwaysafictedtheNeedForSpeedseries,andthisiterationhas,ianything,improvedthedrivingmodel.However,nexttotheprancingstallionsandroaringbullsoProjectGothamandBurnout,Carbonissomethingoalamerabbit.

Itsnothelpedbythetecnicalissuesthatafictiteither.WetestedthePS2version,andtheramerateregularlystuttersandslowdownisalmostalwaysinevidencewhentheresanykindoon-screenaction.Also,bearinmindthatthescreensyouseehereareromthe360version(theonlyscreensEAwouldrelease)-thePS2versionlookssignicantlyworsewithsomeslightlyropeytexturesandadistinctlygloomylook.Inaneorttodeepentheurbaneelothegame,EAhaveveereda

littleurtherawayromthebrightneonexcessesopreviousgamesintheseries.Ithinkthisisamistake,astheoverthetopnatureothegameneedstoberefectedinitsvisuals,thisisnevergoingtobearealisticracinggameaterall. ThatsnottosaythatCarbonoersnounthough.Theresastrangesatisactiontotuningandracingyourrides,tryingtomakeyourcarthe

mostridiculousinagameocaricatureshasplentyoentertainmentvalue.TheAutosculpteaturethatallowsyoutomouldthevariouspartsoyourcartocreateamoreindividuallook,whilebynomeansasversatileasEAhavemadeout,isagoodeatureandiexpandeduponshowsrealpromiseoruturetitles.Ingeneralthecustomisationaspecthasbeendeepenedandremainsasshallow

asever-althoughdepthhasbeenaddedviaavinylcreationsystemthatseemstohavebeenlitedalmostwholesaleromForza. Thedritracesare,asever,arealhighlightotheseries.Stringingtogetherutterlyridiculousdritsintovastcombo-chainsasyouattempttobeatyourownhigh-scoreisalmostendlesslyentertaining,andIoundmyselplayingthesemorethananyotherracesinthegame. Thenew-angledbossbattles,which

takeplaceinthetitularCarbonCanyonoutsidethecitylimits,arearealpainintheneck.Firstyouhavetobeatthemonthestreetsothecity,thenyouhavetoracethemtwiceinthecanyon-rsttimeyouhavetopursuethemascloselyaspossible,onthesecondstageyoutaketheleadandhavetonishasarinrontaspossible.WhileEAmaybetryingsomethingnewhere,itsmacksolazily

SO YOU WANNA BE ANAUTOSCLUPTOR?

TheAutosculpttechnologythatEAareshoutingaboutisactuallyremarkablylimitedinitsscope.Basically,youcanalterthevariousvisualenhancementsoyourcarsinpresetareas.Forinstance,abonnetscoopmaybeabletobealteredinwidthandheightbunotdepth.Whileyoucancreatesometrulyuniquemachines,itsnotthelicencetocreateBatmobilesthatwewerehopingor...

the physics of the handling models doesntconvince, the muscle cars in particular varyingbetween power oversteer and rampant understeer.

REVIEW


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REVIEW

EAcontinuestoincrementallyimproveitsNeedForSpeedranchise.Atthecurrentrate,weshouldseeatrulymust-havevariantinaewyearstime.Fornow,however,itremainsanaveragearcaderacerwithsomeniceideastackedon.

6

extendingthegamebymakingtheplayercompletethesameracemorethanonce.ItcertainlyactsasanarticialdicultyrampastheCanyontracksarethemostdicultandrustratingothegame-particularlyiyouhavechosentoattacktheminoneothegamesmusclecars. HavingacrewthatracesalongwithyouhasbeensomethingEAhavepushedandemphasisedinalltheirPRandadvertisingorthisgametoo.Whileitsaninterestingandniceaddition,itdoesntreallyalterthecoregameplay.Theideaisthatyouareabletomaintainacrewouptothreewingmenthatcomeinthreeguises:Blockers(wholltakeoutrivalsatyourcommand),Scouts(theynd

shortcutsandalleysoryou)andDriters(youcanusetheirslipstreamtogetaspeedboost).Whilethisshouldintheorybeveryuseul,inpractisethereslittleuseinusinganythingotherthanaBlocker,asonceyoureinronttheycancausehavocinthepursuingranks,givingyouaewprecioussecondslead. Iyoucanlookbeneaththeaux-gangsterattitude,ludicrouslyover-acted

(andhorriblyintrusive)cutscenesandthelightweightarcadehandling,theresplentytoenjoywiththisgame.Itprovidesarealchallenge,theresplentytodowithdozensocarstounlock,itlooksquiteniceiyoucanexcusethewaywardramerate,thesoundtracksuitsthegameperectlyandthecustomisationaspectgivesproceedingsadegreeopersonalityandattractionthatmightotherwisebemissing. Allinall,itsabetterthanaveragedrivinggame,butInditdiculttorecommendwhenluminariessuchastheBurnout,PGR,ForzaandGTranchisesoersomuchmorebangoryourbuck.Still,thereareworsewaystospend40,

andiyouenjoyedpreviousinstallments,Ivenodoubtthisllberightupyouralley.Itsahorriblylazypieceojournalisticshorthand,butiyoulikethissortothing,thenyoulllikethis.I,ontheotherhand,youveneverliketheNeedForSpeedranchise,thenthiswontchangeyourmind.Itreallyisthatsimple.

5 Some o the concept cars you can unlock are lovely. We like this Camaro. Mmm, candy apple red.


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REVIEW

secondnaturewithinminutessaysmuchabouttheintuitiveinput.WithapressoR1,theactionpausesandtakesusintoasepiatonedcanvas,thenasweepotherightanalogintherequiredmovementtoproducethedesiredeect-acirclecanrestorecherryblossomtotreesandasimplelineinfictdamageonenemies.Inact,circlesandlinesormmostotheshapesusedandeventhoughtheactionhasbeenstopped,therozenramecanbemovedtoachievethebestangles.GreaterpowersarediscoveredasplayerstravelurtheracrossNippon,drawingbombsandslowingdowntimeamongstothers.Aswithmostgamesothisnature,discoveringwhatlieswithinis

haltheunandmanyhourscanbelostsimplyrunningacrossthelandscape.

Doingbattlewithdemonsbringsnancialandkarmicrewards.Demonsareoundintheopencountryside,representedbyfoatingdemonscrollsusually,butalsobyportalsthatonce

beatenwillrestorethesurroundingcountrysidetoitsormerglory.Onceascrollhasbeentouched,awallwillspringup(somecanbepiercedtoescape)andbattleisjoinedwithinthisconnedspace.Despitetheamountoghtinginthegame,itsactuallyquitediculttodieasaresult.Withmostotheearlyincidentalbattlesasimplecaseorepeatingthesamemovelateradditionstothearsenalpreventtheseencountersrombecomingstale.Themajorchallengescomeduringtheepicbossghts.Thesecreaturesotenaresohugeinscalethatthecamerahastopullbackandanelementopuzzlesolvingisinvolvedintheirdeeat.Evenhere,dyingrarelylookslikebeingonthecards.Anincreaseddicultylevelwouldhavebeenaniceoption. Themoneyromthesebattles(theamountowhichvariesonthetimetakenanddamagereceived)canbeusedat

roadsidemerchantstobuyitemsandatdojostolearnnewmoves,theperennialdoublejumporexample,newmovesorbattlesandweaponupgrades.PraiseOrbsarereleasedbyrestoring

thecountrysidetoitsormergloryandriddinganareaopoisonedpartsand,perhapsoneothemostvisuallystunningsetpiecesinagameorquitesometime,seesfowersandvegetationsweepacrosshillsandvalleysaccompaniedbygloriousmusic.Itsashametherearentmoreothem.Moreorbscanbeoundbyeedingtheanimalsthatreturnandromdigginguptheourleaedclovers.

Restoringthecloverisanironythatshouldnotbelostonmany.Theorbscanthenbeusedtoincreasetheamountolieandinkavailableandhowmuchmoneycanbecarried.Itemscanalso

beoundbydiggingandlocationsareidentiedbyaglowingcolumn.Theselightsvaryinlocationromdaytonight,soitsworthrevisitingalocationmorethanonce. Beyonditsantasticplayability,Okamisothermaincallingcardisitsvisualstyle.Originallyenvisagedasarealisticsim,theswitchtothecelshadedwasduetothelimitationsotheageing

Music for the Masses

Mentionshouldbemadeotheingamesoundtrack.Rangingromthetensetothelightlycomical,romthesubduedtotheepic,itneverdisappoints.Asexpectedinagamesuchasthis,themusicandinstrumentsareheavilyinfuenced

bytraditionalJapaneseinstrumentsandmusic,withsomeothemajorthemesreceivingullorchestration.ComparabletothemuchlovedShadowotheColossussoundtrackandevensomeothemajormoviestoappearromtheeast,playerswillndthemselveshummingthetunesbeoretoolong.

REVIEW


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Isitoriginal?Yes.Doesitdowhatitdoeswell?Yes.Isitanessentialgame?Yes.IsitthemostbeautiulgameonthePlayStation2?Quitepossibly.

10

REVIEW

hardwareothePlayStation2.Neverh

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