Release Archives: WEEK OF NOVEMBER 16, 200411.16.2004 Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater *Pick of the Week* Dev. Konami Pub. Konami MSRP: $49.99 Systems: PS2 MGS3 brings the tense, well-developed gameplay mechanics of the previous MGS game into a wholly untested gaming environment - a forest. There will definitely be indoor portions, and other types of terrain, but the woods is where it's at. Some major new features that take advantage of the setting are introduced, such an different types of camouflage and having to eat flora and fauna to stay alive. The forest looks and sounds amazing, and while still linear in spots it introduces a whole new meaning to the term "organic level design" (no pun intended). The rest of the features that series fans have become accustomed to are all here in fine form - tight, intense stealth gameplay, wonderfully directed (though still somewhat confounding written) cinemas, top-of-the-line audio/visual presentation, and tons of little secrets and humorous touches to be discovered. It's a bold step forward for an already-revered franchise, even more so than any of the other big sequels this week. Call of Duty: Finest Hour Dev. Spark Unlimited Pub. Activision MSRP: $49.99 Systems: PS2, XBX, GC The first Call of Duty was widely considered to be Game of the Year on the PC. Finest Hour comes to consoles showcasing a mostly new experience, introducing gamers to the cinematically scripted gameplay and epic battles of the original. Campaigns span Europe and North Africa, and you command either Russian, American or British troops (I'll let you guess which war). The campaigns and levels vary drastically depending on what group you're playing as, but either way it's fast and loud. There are also a good amount of vehicles to control, some of which you'll command directly and others that you'll just shoot out of. In a season populated almost exclusively by Vietnam games, this one obviously stands out as something different. Spark Unlimited seem to have captured the look and feel of Infinity Ward's (the developer of the original) game quite well on the consoles, and while it obviously won't be the best FPS this fall, it should easily be the best of the wartime ones. Goldeneye: Rogue Agent Dev. EA Pub. EA MSRP: $49.99 Systems: PS2, XBX, GC This is an odd one. While I'm sure that many people have written this off as a whorish use of a well-respected license, it's actually looking like a lot of fun. In a pleasant twist, you play as the bad guy, killing 007 himself in the first level (though you know he'll be back). The single-player game has you blasting your way through levels, being as evil as possible (throwing guys off of ledges, etc.). There are a good amount of scripted events in the vein of some of the better FPSs, as well as a ton (100+) weapons to take advantage of and dual-wield (that's right, Halo 2 isn't the only game that you can do this in). Though just like the first game, multiplayer should be the big draw, online (on PS2 and XBX only - my how times change...) and off. There are a ton of settings to customize, a huge cache of weaponry to use, and a good amount of very well-designed levels to battle in. It's no Halo 2, but it's a very nice alternate for people who don't own an Xbox or just aren't fans of the whole sci-fi thing. It won't be remembered in the annals of gaming like it's well-respected father, but it should make for a good time. Half-Life 2 Dev. Valve Software Pub. Vivendi Universal Games MSRP: $54.99 Systems: PC I don't play computer games. I'm a Mac lover, which probably helps, but I don't even play the few games that I'm able to. Sure, I played my fair share of games back in the day, everything from Sim City 2000 to Marathon (Bungie's prequel of sorts to Halo), but I've long since realized just how superior an experience consoles provide. Therefore, this doesn't get Game of the Week, an honor which no PC will receive under my watch (my co-writer Tom can do what he wants). All that said, the first Half-Life was an amazing experience and a revolutionary game. It provided some of the most entertaining gameplay ever seen in an action game, and pretty much introduced the concept of scripting to FPS games. This one promises to do it all again, with literally state-of-the-art physics and A.I., and some of the best graphics that your wallet can provide your computer with. In HL2's world, you can approach most situations in countless different ways thanks to it's lifelike physics; it's the height of flexibility, and is sure to provide the most fun you'll have on a computer outside of pornography. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Dev. Retro Studios Pub. Nintendo MSRP: $49.99 Systems: GC The first Metroid Prime is the highest-reviewed game this generation. I personally don't think that it's anywhere close to the BEST game this generation, but I can see why it's been so well-received. It perfectly captures the atmospheric, exploratory nature of the original 2D Metroid games, a feat few could have expected. Thanks to it's unique control scheme and game mechanics it's ends up being more of a First Person Adventure, as it's creators have coined it. It can be frustrating at times to not have the ability to shoot what you want precisely when you want, but it's designed with that in mind. So what of Echoes? Well, it improves slightly on an already near-perfect game, but not to the degree of the other major sequels of the fall (GTA, Halo, MGS). It's splits the world into light and dark sides, of which you will go often between and face varying challenges in each. You also start out the game with all of the weapons you finished the first one with, and the new additions to your arsenal fit in well. Lastly, a somewhat simple multiplayer mode has been added, allowing four buddies to duke it out together (offline, of course). If you loved the first Prime, you'll adore this one, but there's not enough new stuff here to warrant playing if you're not a fan of the series (especially considering the competition). - Nick |
