Release Archives: WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 21, 20049.21.2004 Katamari Damacy *PICK OF THE WEEK* Dev. Namco Pub. Namco MSRP:$19.99 Systems: PS2 Ah, now here's a gamers game. Katamari Damacy embodies everything that is good and right with gaming. Hell, with the world. Here's the deal: Your booze-hound father, the king of the cosmos, knocked the stars right out of the sky in a drunken rampage. You, a small, green alien prince resembling the letter 'T', have to be a good son and set things straight. How do you accomplish such a task? So, so glad you asked: You roll around balls of random junk, from bugs to benches to stadiums to whales (which all sticks and collects as you go), and which will eventually replace the aforementioned stars. Simple, eh? Every item you add to the ball affects it's physics, and by the time you're rolling up cruiseliners you should have a serious challenge on your hands. Childishly simple in concept but beyond sublime in execution, this game must, MUST find it's way into everybody's hands with even a passing interest in entertainment. Blood Will Tell Dev. Sega WOW Pub: Sega MSRP: $39.99 Systems: PS2 I'm thrilled that this one made it to our inhospitable shores, but it's not for everyone. You play out the twisted story of a man who lost everything (literally - heart, spleen, legs, eyes, etc.) as a young boy when his father sacrificed 48 of his body parts in a demonic pact. Reinvigorated with a powerful array of prosthesis (built-in arm swords and knee cannons, for starters), you must hunt down your pieces, killing each of the 48 demons as you go. Somewhat typical third-person action gaming is the order of the day, but the unique story and great art design should be enough to sway those interested. Def Jam: Fight for NY Dev. Aki/EA Pub. EA MSRP: $49.99 Systems: PS2, XBX, GC It's a shame that many people will pass up this fantastic fighter because of the odd license. More than 40 of today's hottest hip-hop artists and personalities (and...Henry Rollins?) belie some of the best 3D brawling this side of Soul Caliber. With several different fighting styles and satisfyingly interactive background elements, this is anything but the simple, albeit good, wrestling affair that was the first Def Jam game. The story is pretty hokey, and the thugged-out attitude gets old, but when the punches land this hard and feel this right it's hard to resist the call. Monster Hunter Dev. Capcom Pub. Capcom MSRP: $49.99 Systems: PS2 Hop online with a couple of pals and slay some giant beasts in this Action/RPG of sorts. The entire hunting gamut is covered, from trap preparation and battle to meat preparation and hide adornment. You can even fashion some neat new weapons from the dinosa...I mean, 'monster' bones. The asinine decision to limit communication to typing (what is this, Paraguay?) will no doubt irk those with headsets at the ready, but the team hunting dynamic should still prove entertaining. Second Sight Dev. Free Radical Pub. Codemasters MSRP:$39.99 Systems: PS2, XBX, GC Hmm. This is a tough one. I know that there's a good game in here somewhere, but from what I've played, I just haven't found it yet. Free Radical had a perfect track record coming into this with the transcendent Timesplitters series (the next installment debuts early next year), but with all of the good games coming out this week, let alone this fall, it's tough to recommend Second Sight. A handful of nifty mental powers set the stage for the game, but the level design doesn't exactly encourage their use and experimentation like recent mind-control game Psi-Ops. It's unfortunate too, because the story is intriguing, the art is great, and there's a lot to do. Star Wars Battlefront Dev. Pandemic Pub. LucasArts MSRP: $49.99 Systems: PS2, XBX This has been a long time coming. The Star Wars franchise has had it's hand in pretty much every gaming genre, from a great RPG to a miserable fighting game. However, it's tough to argue that THIS isn't the Star Wars game that every developer has always wanted to make, but was limited by technology. Well, they're limited no longer. This is Star Wars, and online gaming, done right. Massive interplanetary battles find players on foot, on a creature's back, or cruising through the air in X-Wings, often in the same level. A good amount of computer-controlled players round out the battles even more, making them feel as epic as the movies. Everything feels solid and easy to control too, whether you're sniping Ewoks or grenading a Stormtrooper off of his speeder bike. There are enough character classes and levels to keep things varied and interesting, and as long as you have a good connection, there's a ton of fun to be had online. X-Men Legends Dev. Raven Software Pub. Activision MSRP: $49.99 Systems: PS2, XBX, GC An X-Men game as good as the X-Men movies? Maybe, just maybe. I'm very pleased with the route Raven decided to go with this one, manipulating the enormous X-Men mythology into an easy-to-handle Action/RPG. After choosing a team of four mutants (you can swap between them on the fly), you're on your way, kicking evil butt and finding more team members who you can subsequently play as. Each character's mutant powers are represented very well, and the attack combos inherent within should make for some very rewarding combat. If you have three pals handy, co-op is really the way to go, if you can handle the inevitable arguments about who gets to use Wolverine (hint: it's ME). Another great license finally done justice. Life is good. - Nick |
