Release Archives: ... WEEK OF JULY 12, 2005 7.20.2005 Killer 7 Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Systems: PS2/GC MSRP $49.99 Apparently, anytime Capcom decides to make an original title with a number in its name, it is a clear sign that you should stay quite far away from it. Following the glorious tradition started by P.N. 03, Killer 7 finally arrives overflowing in the style department while offering a rather iffy shooting experience. The story, which is clearly the only reason anyone would buy this title, seems interesting in a "been there, done that" kind of way. You control a crazy man in a wheelchair who uses his seven other egos to destroy a race of evil beings. Unfortunately, you are given very little control over your actions. You move your character by holding down A (seriously, no control stick used here) and then hold down another button to aim at enemies and blow their limbs off. If some admittedly awesome graphics and a shockingly vulgar script are your bag then, by all means, buy Killer 7. At least Capcom is trying something new... even if it isn't that much fun. Coded Arms Developer: Konami Studios Publisher: Konami System: PSP MSRP $39.99 Coded Arms is good for one thing and one thing only - showing the world that First Person Shooter should not be allowed on the PSP. Yes, Goldeneye and Perfect Dark were fantastic games back in the day, but trying to play a FPS with only one analog stick in this day and age causes much more frustration than it's worth. Everything aside from the horrible controls is typical FPS fair so if you're in need of an actual game for your PSP instead of the atrocious selection of UMD movies, go right ahead and buy this one. Anyone who has gotten their hands on a FPS in the last five years, however, should continue playing Lumines and enjoying their Coded Arms-free lives. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Developer: High Voltage Publisher: Global Star Systems: GC/PS2/Xbox MSRP $39.99 For some reason, even though I was drowning in the latest and shiniest new games around during my trip to E3 in May, I actually spent about twenty minutes playing through the entire demo of Charlie and his oh so tasty Factory. Yes, that's twenty minutes I will never get back, but now I can tell you, first hand, why anyone older than seven should avoid this title. First, it's incredibly slow. Walking from point A to B, which sometimes is as little as one average sized Oompa Loopa away, takes longer than the attention span of the average 8 year old. In addition to that, it's a game based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I've got your Golden Ticket right here Wonka. A sad reminder of why movie licensed games should be banned... for the sake of the children. NCAA Football 2006 Developer: Tiburon Publisher: EA Systems: PS2/Xbox MSRP $49.99 I hate giving any sort of praise to Electronic Arts, but darn it if they don't make the best college football game around. Don't get me wrong, I still haven't given EA even one cent of my hard earned cash in more than 7 years, but that doesn't stop me from recruiting fictitious athletes from Idaho every August in the comfort of a friend's home. For anyone who owns any of the previous NCAA titles from this generation there is simply no reason to buy this title. With no competition in the field EA has been content to sit on their lazy throne every year, not even taking the time to update the graphics. For those needing an amateur football fix, however, this game is top drawer. Running the option against a befuddled defense while riling up the Ohio State faithful is as fun as video football gets. And nothing beats creating a powerhouse football squad for your community college and showing the big boys how to get things done.