Release Archives: WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2, 200411.02.2004 Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal *PICK OF THE WEEK* Dev. Insomniac Pub. Sony MSRP: $39.99 Systems: PS2 The second game in this transcendent series is easily the best platformer since Super Mario 64, and possibly my personal favorite game of this generation. So, it's really no surprise that as of this writing Up You Arsenal (the third game) hasn't received less than a perfect rating from anywhere that it's been reviewed. So what does the game have to offer? Massive, gorgeous worlds to explore and kill things in using an enormous array of very upgradable weapon and gadgets, for starters. And when I say things like 'massive', 'gorgeous' and 'enormous array', I'm speaking in terms of the best PS2 has to offer in each category. No hyperbole here. And, as I've said before in many conversations and writings, the gameplay just feels RIGHT. Every step, every blaster blast, every tank-avoiding backflip - it all controls and plays out flawlessly. What else, you ask? How about a dozen or so fully-realized mini-games that could easily be entire games on their own (including a very entertaining side-scrolling adventure as Captain Qwark), integrated seamlessly into the regular game? In fact, I'd say only about two thirds of the game is straightforward level-exploring, if that. And yet, somehow, there's more - what would you say to great online multiplayer, with huge levels, tons of weapons and several co-op vehicles? It's certainly the first time something like this (traditional platformer) has went online, but it works reeeeally well. As does the four-player offline splitscreen play. I really can't say enough good things about this game; It's been in development for roughly a year, but it still exudes more polish and great gameplay than most games with infinitely longer development cycles. It's definitely the highlight of the season for Sony, and it gets my highest recommendation conceivable. Alien Hominid Dev. The Behemoth Pub. 0~3 MSRP: $29.99 Systems: PS2, GC (XBX early next year) Alien Hominid drips with old-school, side-scrolling fun, represented perfectly with simple-yet-gorgeous hand-drawn graphics. And it's no coincidence. AH started it's life as a Flash game on Newgrounds.com, and after six million downloads, someone in the industry took notice and backed the development of the console versions. A whole new game built from the ground up, this 'second coming' of sorts has all the charm and simplicity of the original, with the features and smoothness you'd expect to find on a modern action game. There's co-op play, 16 large levels packed with human scum to annihilate, vehicles to pilot and gigantic bosses to tackle, as well as 200+ one to four-player puzzle levels (and a level editor for kicks). It plays somewhat similarly to Contra, and thankfully shares the tough difficulty level as well (though maybe not quite so extreme). Check out the web version if you have any doubts, but I really suggest you pick this one up. It's about as chaotic and fun as games get, it's cheap, and anyone of age will really appreciate the old-school flavor. Godzilla: Save the Earth Dev. Pipeworks Software Pub. Atari MSRP: $39.99 Systems: PS2, XBX This game is basically an online-enabled sequel to Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee, a game that debuted on the Gamecube a year and a half ago (not so much ironic as a reflection of the current industry). Save the Earth doesn't mix things up in any huge way, but with plenty of extra modes to mess around with (monster basketball and bowling, anyone?), 18 great-looking creatures to duke it out with, several cities to destroy, and said four-player online play, there's more than enough to make any rubber suit fan happy. By the way, if you're a fan of monster fighting, why not go pick up War of the Monsters, one of the most sickeningly unappreciated games this generation? It's by the guys who made Twisted Metal, it's only $20 in most places nowadays, and it rocks. Killzone Dev. Guerilla Pub. Sony MSRP: $49.99 Systems: PS2 Sony certainly needs a flagship first-person shooter to take away some of Halo's fire over at M$, but I'm not going to tell you this is it. However, it's still a pretty damn good game from what I've played. The movement and action all feels VERY realistic, as you fight your way through gorgeously filthy city streets and war zones against the creepy Helghast footsoldiers. The varied weapons all feel satisfyingly visceral, and the grenade-throwing animation (you lean into your throw, pulling your view down for a second) is very cool. Your AI teammates seem intelligent enough, though your enemies are of the "run at you shooting" school of combat more often than not. It can be cool finding yourself on the defensive end of things though, as you'll have to use the well-designed environment for hiding in periodically if you wish to stay alive. The cutscenes look and sound great, save for some cheeseball dialogue, and the scripted events in the game all fit in very well. It's no Halo, but it can still sit up there with the best PS2 shooters like Timesplitters, Red Faction, and their respective sequels. Lord of the Rings: The Third Age Dev. EA Pub. EA MSRP: $49.99 Systems: PS2, XBX, GC Without having played so much as a demo for this game, I can tell you that it's probably exactly what you're expecting - a somewhat traditional RPG set in the LoTR world, paralleling the events of the films from the perspective of a secondary Fellowship of sorts. That's right, you're a bunch of look-alikes who will occasionally cross paths with the main cast (at which point they might hop in your party for a battle or two). Personally, I like LoTR for the action and RPGs for their creativity, so a turn-based game set in a licensed world doesn't exactly whet my gaming appetite; I understand, however, that this is precisely what thralls of devotees are looking for, and with EA at the helm, it will at least look and sound authentic (if not play well, although they're pretty untested in the genre). So if you're going into this decision as an LoTR fan, well, you've already made your decision, but if you're looking at it as an RPG fan, why not try out something a little more unique, such as the recently released Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne or Shadow Hearts: Covenant? - Nick |
