Game Reviews

XIII (Playstation 2)

Posted in Game Reviews by Michael Durr on November 7th, 2004

With all of the grand first person shooters out there like Halo, Doom, Quake, & Unreal, many titles of the same genre tend to fall into a void. Titles like Po’ed, the Medal of Honor series & Blake Stone (yes I said it, Blake “I am a Wolf 3d clone” Stone!) tend to fall by the waste side. Another of those titles is XIII. Brilliant in concept, and gorgeous graphics make this title a must have for anybody who loves FPS (or even third person aficionados).

Based on a French comic book, the concept of the sto…
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NBA 2K5 (Playstation 2)

Posted in Game Reviews by Michael Durr on October 12th, 2004

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ESPN NBA 2k5 is the basketball game for the cool and low priced Sega Sports at a meager $19.99 price point. My copy was purchased for $14.95 in fact at the local Best Buy. By competing with people’s wallets, they have established solid competition with NBA Live 2005 by EA before they even open the box. As shown by well placed titles such as NFL 2k5 & NHL 2k5, one would think Sega Sports would have a fine showing with their basketball title. They have folks, it is a great sports game and debatably the best showing…
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Sudeki (Xbox)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on August 30th, 2004

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The RPG market for the X-Box is really heating up. Within the last two years the X-box has arguably had the 2 best single player RPG’s out there – Morrowind and Knights of the Old Republic. And with Fable to make it’s entrance soon along with KOTR II in the works, it would take something truly memorable to make a serious impact in the RPG world of the X-Box. Sudeki is Climax Studios attempt to break into the upper echelon of the RPG market.

Gameplay

In Sudeki, you play as four different ch…
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Movie Karaoke: Presents American Pie (PC Games)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on February 12th, 2004

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Written by Jason Franz

When I first heard of the Movie Karaoke idea I was surprised I hadn’t heard of anyone coming up with it sooner. With the outstanding use of the Revoice software on the Shrek DVD set, I was ready to have a blast.

Then I found out what movies were in the game

Graphics

The game looks good. It has a nice, easy to read interface and the learning curve is small due to the smart layout of the screen. It’s bright, colorful and really helps with the overall enjoyment of the g…
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Links 2004 (Xbox)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on January 26th, 2004

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Links has been the most successful golf game on the PC, now Microsoft has ported it over the X-Box with tremendous success.

Graphics

Links does everything right, from the player models, to the gorgeous courses, to even the gallery. The scenery on much of the courses is very eye catching, and i found myself looking at the scenery many times. There are some real nice touches like the waves crashing, tree swaying in the wind, and dust particels when your ball lands in the sand or in the rou…
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Karaoke Revolution (Playstation 2)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on January 5th, 2004

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When the PS2 and Xbox were released both promised to be full home entertainment units. No questions that they both shined with the cutting edge graphics and sound as well as performing admirably as DVD players with both Dolby Digital and DTS decoders built in. This year both systems have tried to push another venue into home entertainment : Karaoke. Love it or hate it Karaoke looks like it’s here to stay. Earlier this year, X-Box had the X-Box Music Mixer which provided karaoke features – with mixed results. Could th…
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Project Gotham Racing 2 (Xbox)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on January 3rd, 2004

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X-Box’s first venture into the racing genre gave us Project Gotham. A great looking title with its own unique charms but also had a fair number of shortcomings. Would the sequel address these shortcomings and live up to the hype? In a word: YES.

Graphics

The graphics are outstanding. The attention to detail is noticeable – it’s neat to watch the driver in the cars accurately turn the wheel and shift gears. It has been done before in other games but it is always a welcome inclusion. There is…
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NHL Rivals 2004 (Xbox)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on December 30th, 2003

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NHL Rivals is Microsoft’s first effort into the hockey market, and you can easily tell this once you start to play this game. NHL Rivals had to battle with three other hockey titles (Ea Sport’s NHL 2004, ESPN’s NHL 2k4, and NHL hitz pro) and Rivals was also the last of the games to be released. Hockey fans are very pick about there hockey games, with most fans either going with EA’s effort and ESPN’s game. Microsoft would have to do something real different to win over the hockey gamer. Unfortunately they faile…
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Grabbed By The Ghoulies (Xbox)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on December 12th, 2003

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While out on a romantic walk with your girlfriend, she’s grabbed by a group of ghoulies. Now you’ve got to rescue her, not the most original storyline out there but it works for the type of game that this is. On your search-and-rescue mission, you take the role of a young boy named Cooper who needs to go to Ghoulhaven Hall, a haunted house to rescue the fair damsel. Pretty simple stuff.

Graphics

The game uses cel-shading graphics which create a comic type feel for it which works well for …
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Music Mixer (Xbox)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on November 24th, 2003

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The X-Box Music Mixer is undoubtedly one of the most innovative ideas that has come out in the last few years. The emphasis is to turn your X-Box into a multimedia machine that will allow you to turn your living room into a dance club, karaoke bar or a homey environment in which flipping through traditional photo albums is passé because you can display all of your digital photos on your TV accompanied with music of your choosing to set the mood.

It comes packaged with a microphone to allow you to have a tr…
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Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge (Xbox)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on November 23rd, 2003

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Crimson Skies had a previous incarnation as a cult favorite PC game of the same name and was in development for a port to the X-Box that was being rushed for release 1 year ago. Thank goodness that they waited because you know what they say…”Good things come to those who wait.” And man, was this game worth the wait! The original version was a toned down, arcade style shooter that would have no lasting appeal. This final version is anything but toned down.

Graphics

Crimson Skies is simply st…
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Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 (Gamecube)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on November 3rd, 2003

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The most popular skateboarding series ever to grace the realm of video games returns with Activation’s yearly installment of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. Tony Hawk 4 continues to improve upon last year’s incarnation, tweaking in-game elements, changing the career mode and adding a new multiplayer mode.

Graphics

Tony Hawk 4 provides graphics slightly above last year’s game, but why mess with a good thing? Levels are realistic looking and provide very good texture and solid colors. Skaters look ex…
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K-1 World Grand Prix (Playstation 2)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on October 22nd, 2003

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K-1 is a nice change from the wrestling and tekken type fighting games. Once you learn the technique and how to pace yourself you will be knocking out opponents in no time, but by that time you really won’t want to play this game much longer either.

Along the lines of UfC and Pride there is another promotion, K-1, which is actually quite different then the other two. K-1 has more rules, and is mostly restricted to one fighting style… kick-boxing. Fighters also wear gloves, and there is no grappling, subm…
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Tenchu 3: Wrath of Heaven (Playstation 2)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on October 22nd, 2003

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Tenchu 3: Wrath of Heaven continues the adventures of Rikimaru, and his ongoing battle with the evil sorcerer Tenrai, taking place one year after the original Tenchu. This time there is 3 playable characters, Rikimaru along with Ayame, and Tesshu (doctor by day, assassin by night). Fans of the first 2 original Tenchu games have nothing to worry about as developer K2 has improved upon every aspect of the game.

Graphics

Tenchu: Wrath of heaven is a solid looking game. While the grap…
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Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (PC Games)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on July 10th, 2003

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Written by Jason Franz

I can’t remember the last time I’ve installed a game on my PC that had so many entertaining qualities matched with such brilliant gameplay. All too often PC developers focus on the eye candy and give gameplay little thought. WithGTA: Vice City, Rockstar not only avoided that problem, but they take us back to the glory days of fun PC gaming.

After an effortless installation I fired up the game, configured my settings and began my journey as Tommy Vercetti, on my way to terrorizing the b…
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Speed Kings (Xbox)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on June 30th, 2003

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There are not too many fast motorcycle racers out for the Xbox console, but one title that may need your craving for a fast cycle racer through crowded streets is Speed Kings from Acclaim.

Players have the option of choosing over 20 different bikes and then racing them through some interactive street levels complete with traffic, obstacles, and radical jumps. Feel the need for some speed? Strap in and take Speed Kings for a spin then.

Graphics

The Xbox does a remarkabl…
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Metroid Prime (Gamecube)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on June 23rd, 2003

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Gamers looking for a First Person Shooter on the Nintendo GameCube have never had a better game to check out than Metroid Prime–a classic FPS with some of the best visuals seen to date on the console outside of the Resident Evil series.

The story follows a brave warrior by the name of Samus Aran as she infiltrates the depths of Tallon IV in an attempt to uncover a mystery surrounding Phazon and it’s effects on life forms. Using a specially designed battle suit, which is e…
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Animal Crossing (Gamecube)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on June 18th, 2003

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Few titles have the ability to be both cute and popular amongst all types of players, yet with Animal Crossing, this is exactly what one gets. The game has such great playability to it, that everyday brings something new and refreshing to the table. The character and town designs are almost unbearably cute–but in a good way that adds feel and depth to the overall game. Are you ready to be wowed by a classic Nintendo title? Then pack your bags–you’re moving to Animal Crossing !
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Inside Pitch 2003 (Xbox)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on June 15th, 2003

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Take me out to the ballgame! Buy me peanuts, and popcorn, and…ah, maybe not. But, you should probably check out Inside Pitch 2003 out now for the Xbox console.

Players can do a bevy of gameplay options with Inside Pitch 2003 such as Season, Single Game, Network Play, and Championship Challenges. On top of all that, players with the LIVE service hooked up to their consoles can enjoy some downloadable content from the MS servers and invite a friend for some action out on the diamo…
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Rayman 3 (GameBoy Advance)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on June 15th, 2003

Rayman is certainly a character that gets around. Not only has he seen a fruitful life on the Playstation 2 console for a number of years, but now he is available on the GameBoy Advance system from Ubi Soft with the title Rayman 3.

Incorporating many of the characters from the Nintendo GameCube version of Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc, this GBA offering sees Rayman doing what he does best; fighting the evil minions of the Dark Lum and finding his pal Globox, whom has disappeared…
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Primal (Playstation 2)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on June 12th, 2003

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When I first saw Primal at the last E3 expo, I wasn’t particularly impressed with what I saw. A clunky battle system, jerky movements from the main characters, and visuals which could arguably be called mediocre.

Then Sony sent me a demo version of this game last month and I actually had some fun playing it. Imagine my disappointment when the full version arrived here and the game left me somewhere between boredom and frustration. Indeed, Primal will undoubtedly leave many gamers in the same …
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Brute Force (Xbox)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on June 12th, 2003

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Sometimes when a game is delayed and put out a little later than planned, the anticipation surrounding the title can help it with the fan base that had been waiting for it. However, that anticipation can cut both ways with folks who had been waiting for a game to release and end up just losing interest altogether.

In the case of Brute Force, the game was featured prominently at the Xbox Press Event during the 2002 Electronic Entertainment Expo. Indeed, it seemed the title was only a few short months …
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Midnight Club II (Xbox)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on June 10th, 2003

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Last fall when Grand Theft Auto: Vice City came out for the PS2, gamers got to witness a myriad of gameplay options. Not only could you shoot, beat up, hold up, and run down people virtually everywhere, but another big draw to the game was the fact that you could jack any car, anywhere, and haul ass around town in it.

Now Rockstar Games has recreated the racing parts of the Grand Theft Auto series and added some great extras in Midnight Club II–the sequel to Midnight Club–out …
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Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon (Gamecube)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on June 1st, 2003

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The year is 2008 and the Soviets are up to their old tricks again. It seems they liked the idea of having an Eastern Europe border nation, and they want to pull all of the entire break away provinces back under the sickle and hammer. Of course, America and her allies cannot let that happen, and just like we stood up for freedom at Kosovo, Serbia, and Kuwait, we will send troops and supplies to the region as a ‘peace keeping’ mission.

This is where players enter the game Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon for t…
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Kung Fu Chaos (Xbox)

Posted in Game Reviews by Archive Authors on June 1st, 2003

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During the 1970’s, Kung Fu and martial arts films were the in thing. Bruce Lee and the cheap Hong Kong action film were leading the wave of popularity of the Far Eastern martial arts. Even music of the time reflected America’s love of the Kung Fu culture with a hit song entitled Kung Fu Fighting.

Now Microsoft has brought all of the fun and campy nature of those old 35 mm films to life here on the Xbox. Kung Fu Chaos is a colorful, tongue-in-cheek fighter that is influenced by the Hong …
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