Release Archives: WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 19, 20059.19.2005 *Game of the Week* We Love Katamari Developer: Namco Publisher: Namco System: PS2 MSRP: $29.99 I remember last year at this time, while walking home from the store with a freshly bought Katamari Damacy in tow, a trolley hauling tourists around the city actually pulled up beside me so the driver could ask what game I just bought. "Katamari Damacy!" I yelled. Seeing the puzzled look on the driver's face I added "It's Japanese." And with that he rolled his eyes and took off down the road. One year later, the sequel to my favorite game from last year is now one of the most anticipated games of this year. I'm impressed that so many people love the simple joys of pushing a super sticky ball around the world, trapping every object, animal and floating deity you come in contact with. While the aptly named sequel doesn't add a whole lot, the first game was innovative enough that I won't wag a finger this time. What is new is a completely insane two player cooperative mode. Instead of giving players two separate katamaris and a split screen to divvy up the collecting duties, Namco forced friends to get along and push a ball around together. This is going to lead to many odd exchanges such as "Get the cat!" and "We need one more mime!" as well as a ridiculous amount of fun. Even if you don't own a PlayStation 2, don't actually play video games, or even have horrible memories of a katamari toting prince taking your parents away in your youth, you need to buy this game. Battalion Wars Developer: Kuju Entertainment Publisher: Nintendo System: GC MSRP: $49.99 What started out as an action spin-off to the amazing Advance Wars series has turned into the most promising real time strategy game ever released for a console. Usually RTS require a keyboard and mouse which means just about every console RTS has been virtually unplayable. However, BW combines the freedom of Battlefield 1942, where every vehicle is yours to joy ride in, with the simple command system of Pikmin. With a flick of the C stick you can select various troops and put them into action while doing a little bit of running and gunning of your own. If it weren't for the baffling removal of a promising multiplayer mode this would most likely be my pick of the week. As it is, anyone looking for a light-hearted take on war with a healthy blend of strategy and action will find the best such release since the legendary Herzog Zwei on the Genesis more than 15 years ago. Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks Developer: Paradox Development Publisher: Midway System: Xbox, PS2 MSRP: $49.99 I don't know how I didn't see this game coming. The simple combat engine of Mortal Kombat, though far too shallow to offer an adequate fighting experience, is perfect for an old school beat 'em up. Anyone who's played a Mortal Kombat title (any will do) may be surprised to see most of the moves and strategies have remained intact even though the genre has changed. In the tradition of Final Fight and Battletoads, players simply walk through levels attacking anything that breathes. With a wide variety of moves for every player and some sweet team-up combo attacks, this is a mighty fun spin-off to what has become a very stale fighting franchise. X-Men Legends II: Rise of the Apocalypse Developer: Raven Software Publisher: Activision System: Xbox, GC, PS2 MSRP: $49.99 The first X-Men Legends has the distinct honor of being the most fun game released last year that I did not buy. With even more of what made the first game so great it will be even harder to resist this time around. Basically, this is just like Diablo except whatever lame character you control in that series is replaced with just about every relevant X-Men character you can think of. You and up to three friends (offline as well as online) team up to take down the forces of evil once more. While the leveling up system that lets you select what mutant powers you want to use doesn't actually make any sense (why wouldn't Nightcrawler always be able to teleport?) the game is fun enough to make even the most anal retentive fans giggle like Wolverine at a carnival. Indigo Prophecy Developer: Quantic Dream Publisher: Atari Systems: PS2, Xbox MSRP: $39.99 Indigo Prophecy reminds me of Killer 7 - except everything that made K7 unplayable for me has been replaced with actual fun elements. Story and style once again take center stage as you attempt to not only solve a murder but, as you play multiple characters, attempt to get away with one as well. A neat concept that works because the developers used enough imagination to keep gamers guessing, even while playing on both sides of the law. For instance, there is one scene early in the game where you, fresh after killing someone, have to hide the murder weapon. When you finally secure a spot the camera subtly drifts around the room. Later, when you come back as the detective, you have no idea where the weapon is located since the game cleverly hid that information from you the first time around. Adventure games are few and far between these days. If using your mind more than your fingers appeals to you, Indigo Prophecy may be the sleeper hit of the year. - Tom |
