Release Archives: WEEK OF MARCH 8, 20053.08.2005 Freedom Force vs The 3rd Reich *Game of the Week* Dev. Irrational Games Pub. Vivendi Universal MSRP: $39.99 Systems: PC I admit this game sounds completely ridiculous. You control a group of super heroes who travel back in time to take on Hitler's army. Clearly, a concept as ludicrous as this has to give birth to a fantastic game, right? What's really surprising, you don't get to kick the Reich's butt in an action setting - this is an RPG. The tactile battle system is interlaced with an interesting story that brings the super heroes alive and, hopefully, the original Axis of evil to the grave. For fans of super heroes, World War II and time traveling aficionados everywhere. MLB '06 Dev. 989 Studios Pub. Sony MSRP: $39.99 Systems: PS2 It was cute at first but honestly, 989 really needs to stop making sports games. Every few months they feel compelled to release a new entry in whatever sport is in season, and every single time it gets trumped by whatever EA and Take 2 are dishing out. This will probably be the only time you'll hear me endorse an EA game, but MVP Baseball is the clear cut winner for both diehard fans of the national pastime and casual players who just want a quick fix. Just consider the other baseball titles to be the neglected red-headed stepchildren that everyone wishes weren't even born in the first place. Phantom Dust Dev. Microsoft Pub. Majesco MSRP: $19.99 Systems: XBX Remember the good old days when sub-par Japanese releases never made it to America in the first place? The last such questionable title, Sprung, may have been a completely worthless title, but at least people could look at the back of the box, see it was a dating sim, and stay far away from it. But Phantom Dust actually looks fun. You run around in the ironically familiar post-apocalyptic future collecting various abilities. Then you battle the few remaining souls who survived instead of working together to build a utopian society. But, if the demo I played is any indication, this game plays horrible. The online experience seems to rely more on luck than skill, and that niche is already filled by Mechassault 2. If you want a Japanese budget title for you Xbox worth buying, check out Dai Senryauku VII. Rugby 2005 Dev. HB Studios Pub. EA MSRP: $19.99 Systems: PS2, XBX, PC The concept of Rugby always amuses me. As a die hard sports fan and one of thirteen people actually upset that the NHL season died in utero, I consider myself a venerable man about town in the sports world. But Rugby just seems like a valkyrian dance set to an exotic tribal beat only the participants are able to hear. With its funny shaped ball and excessive amounts of scrum, I wouldn't be surprised if they gave up their guise as a real sport and just admitted that it was all an elaborate farce. In their quest to gain control of the entire industry, EA has actually made a title based on this ornate charade. Since it's the only Rugby game out there, you can either buy this or, I don't know, a football title. Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga Dev. Atlus Pub. Atlus MSRP: $49.99 Systems: PS2 If you thought traveling back in time as super heroes to destroy Hitler was an odd idea for a game, check out this one - in Digital Devil Saga you have to transform into various demons to kill those who oppose you. Eventually, if your demonic persona kills enough, you somehow reach nirvana. I don't think Buddha thought of this as a potential back door method to reach the Promised Land. Though this is a pure RPG, it has one interesting elements to make it stand out: you can craft your demon however you see fit to create the ultimate killer. Considering last year's Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne was considered one of the best RPGs of the year, there's no reason this one shouldn't be fun as well. Just wash your hands with holy water when you're done. - Tom |
