Release Archives: WEEK OF NOVEMBER 9, 200411.09.2004 Halo 2 *PICK OF THE WEEK* Dev. Bungie Pub. Microsoft MSRP: $49.99 Systems: Xbox It's always difficult for me to say goodbye to a game that I love, but with the release of Halo 2 only days away, I fear it's time that I finally laid my favorite game this generation to rest. My relationship with Halo was hardly love at first site, though. I remember hating it at first. Cursing the sometimes bland level designs and the simple fact that "it wasn't Goldeneye." Master Chief continued to woo me, unperturbed. I weakened a little when I found out that you could hit your friend in the back of the head with your gun, killing him in one swift blow. I started having some fun when I jumped in a gunner seat and gunned down a small army of "Woot woot woot!"-shouting covenants. And then, I drove the Warthog. The single most enjoyable moment in all of gaming. But now, after more than 2 years and hundreds of hours of playing, Halo is going in my pile of games I never play. Halo 2 improves on the original in every way imaginable. From a story mode that promises much more variety and difficulty to a plethora of new multiplayer modes, topped by the ability to joust using my beloved Warthog and plasma swords, Halo 2 should be as fun as games possibly get. The biggest addition is an online mode that should forever change the way networked games are played. Combining the relentless killing we all know and love with modern singles-matching technology, Halo 2 ensures you are playing people of your skill level in modes you prefer. Clearly, this is not only the high water mark for this week, but for the entire year and maybe even the generation as a whole. Feel free to challenge me online anytime. My name is Noble Penguin, I'm the guy with the sticky grenade on my back. (Ed: Nick's Gamertag is rocksolidaudio) Everquest 2 Dev. SOE Pub. Sony MSRP: $49.99 Systems: PC Ok, I'll come right out and admit that I have never played the original Everquest. But that doesn't mean I'm completely ignoring the sequel. Any game that has forged marriages between people who have never met in real life and is referred to as "Evercrack" by those whose life it has consumed has to have some worth in the industry, right? The development team behind the new one set out to create a video game that, once and for all, would be able to completely replace people's outside lives. The game world in this is actually the size of a real life world – picture Earth with even more stuff to do. Reading through all the features this game offers I actually had to take a break at one point. For those that enjoyed the first game, or just find people and the sun terrifying, you should pick up this title post-haste. For those who enjoy being a productive member of society, you should stay far away from this additction. I only have one question - why hasn't Marion Berry endorsed this title yet? Jak 3 Dev. Naughty Dog Pub. Sony MSRP: $39.99 Systems: PS2 Of all the twists and turns this industry has taken in the last few years, the most unexpected might be Nintendo's fall from the top of the platform genre and Sony's subsequent rise. Sly Cooper and Ratchet and Clank, along with Jak, are the 3 best platforming franchises around. Clearly, if jumping on enemies is your thing, the PS2 should be your system of choice. Jak 3 picks up right where 2 left off - Jak is in a world of trouble. He angered the wrong people and finds himself in the middle of a desert with no food or water. As I have seen shots that take place in environments quite different from a desert, I assume Jak does eventually find a way out. You'll have to figure out how that happens on your own, though. Breaking away slightly from the GTA-esque formula that Jak 2 followed, Jak 3 is a cross between traditional platforming action and some truly enjoyable combat sequences. Though I can't recommend this over the sublime Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal, I do deem this a must-buy for fans of the genre. It's hard to stand out from the crowd when you're going up against Master Chief and Mario, but Jak is actually good enough to do just that. Mario Power Tennis Dev. Camelot Pub. Nintendo MSRP: $49.99 Systems: GC Remember when Mario used to star in platform games? Yeah, I don't either. With games as fun as Mario Tennis, though, I'd rather Mario keeps his goomba-squashing shoes off for at least a little while longer. For the uninitiated, MPT features courts and characters from all over the Mario universe. While the N64 original focused on classic tennis action, Power Tennis adds a whole lot of Mario-related wackiness to the screen. From super moves specifically designed for each character to courts where the spectators attack you, there's a whole lot more to this title than hitting a felt ball over a fence. For those tennis purists who threw up in their mouths thinking that the new features will ruin their simple fun, fear not - all the new options can be customized to your liking. With it's pick-up-and-play controls, anyone should be able to compete with minimal practice, but it's deep enough for even the hardcore sports fans. The previous title is my 5th favorite game of all time; it seems like the sequel is only improving on the already amazing system. - Tom |
