API OVER 40 NEW GAMES NP J Sx »nuler & Video Games OC kh а E3 2003 9» HALO 2 24 Pages Of Read About The Nonstop Demo That Shocked Coverage From С The World The Show My ۴ 2 7/9 Floor pgss f 29. METAL PSP 4 ۶ Ta GEAR Sony's NeW - > - ч PlaySt: р Handhelds, "Шош CHAMPIONS wi. LREALMIS OF EVERQUEST) i А WORLD EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK ьс 2 OVER Ihe Prince Persia Middle Earth Onli Conker: Live & Uncut 5 Weet for Speed Underground Grampurismo Drakengard. ‘Steel Battalion Online Ninja Gaiden The Sims R: Rating Evolution 7- 68151 Breakdown © Iss: PREVIEWS Metroid: Zero Mission > j) | StarFox 2 Painkiller 123, PlayStation.e E Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. Visit the official web site at MLB.com. CMLBPA. Official Licensee = Major League Baseball Players Association, Visit the Players Choice on the Web ея TONEY | 0 Sports and the 989 Sports logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment America inc. ©2003 Sony Computer Entertainment America inc. “PlayStation” and the "PS" Family 000 are registered trademarks of Sony ertainment Inc. ix \ ON'S CHOSEN F WE ARE SWIFT; SILENT, AND, INVISTBLE: Wee WILLD NEVER BOUM RENDER. WE FIGHT, SO THAT’ PEACE EVERYONE 3 Nintendo. TM, © and Game Boy Advar ind Game Boy Advance SP sold EDITOR’S FORUM Delivering opinions with spunk since 1851. Truthfully, it hasn't been that long, but we like to pump up our egos by extending GI's lineage. GI SPY The Game Informer paparazzi stalk the video game industry, bringing you candid photos of all the action. DEAR GI Sometimes, you guys are just plain weird. Other times, a host of interesting, contem- plative, and logical thoughts spew from the hive-mind of GI readers. This month we offer you selections from each realm. NEWS Plump with expo announcements and shakeups, GI News is here to keep you in the loop. You don't want to get stuck at a party, try to hook up, and realize that you don't know a pertinent game-related world event, do you? No, you don't. PREVIEWS There is no bigger time of the year for pre- views than the E3 issue. Companies keep mouths shut by fear of death, waiting for the big show to announce their wares. With 8 GAME INFORMER some truly epic convention coverage, Gl is able to bring you all there is to see. REVIEWS We're highlighting a glut of games you can use to best harness those extra hours of gaming time afforded to you lucky dorks with a summer vacation. Also, with the summer movie season starting to open up and hoping for box office gold, we’ve got some of the titles for the biggest cinema releases. Do they take advantage of their license, or are they unfortunate statistics in the “not so stellar” column? CHARTS What's hot? What's not? What's up? What's down? It's not NASDAQ, it's the Retail Sales Data and the Gl editors’ Top 10 Games. SECRET ACCESS Stuck in one of your favorites, or just try- ing to grind your way through an unfortu- nate purchase before a quick return? Check out the latest codes. GAME INDEX Castlevania: Charlie's Angels. Conflict: Desert Storm II - ~ Back to Baghdad n Conker: Live and Uncut Dead Man's Hand ... Dragon Ball Z: Legacy of Goku 11 Drakengard .. Hitman 2: Silent Assassin . Hulk, The (GC) . Hulk, The (PS2) . Hulk, The (Xbox) Incredible Hulk, The д James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing ..... 83 К-1 World Grand Prix... i Kill Switch . 93 Kingdom Under 96 pen of Zelda: Four Swords, The . 99 Legend of Zelda: Tetra's Tracker, The 95 Lineage Il: The Chaotic Chronicle 85 „14 99 HG 97 92 topo 95 70 72 93 90 . 113 CLASSIC GI E Our lauded Classic section is stuffed to n .107 the gills, like a nice trout on the barbecue. ‘i ae A family of arcade favorites gets reviewed while, in addition, we school you newbies on the glory days of FMV games in this month’s Classic Feature. ETC Gadgets and gizmos can really make your day. Call it therapeutic shopping, if need be. We've got DVD adventures, headphones, backpacks, and other j nifty trinkets you can use to impress 2 A your friends. А SRSSSSSRASRSSR SSVERSLES 07 Speed 117 StarFox2 ....... 89 Steel Battalion: Line of Contact . 2 Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 Pea) Tales of Symphonia 96 Time Crisis 3 .. 96 Ultimate Muscle 110 I 98 99 92 ing Unleashed Featuring Shaun Murray (PS2) ........... 107 Wakeboarding Unleashed Rei Shaun Murray (Xbox) . Wario We EVERYONE CONTENT RATED BY ESRB Mild Violence Roll out the heavy artillery. Mobilize your ground force over all-new terrain, mount a massive aerial assault against new enemies and coordinate a campaign designed to shock your enemy. You are the commanding officer. Let the relentless bombardment begin. i © s x 5 i T 2 E eo 2 a E 5 pA = = в БА е E = = E 2 E = E: = Р E = hd & 5 9 2 = а e 5 B Е = 3 9 E a © © 1990-2003 № MY BIG, FAT, IRISH E3 GAMES LIST ANDY McNAMARA andy@gameinformer.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Okay, I’m psyched. Even though | despise E3 on many levels, | do so love the games. Oh yeah, and the parties...and the party peoples...and the.... Well, never mind, you don’t want to hear about that, you want to hear about the games. And what a wonderful world of games it was. Not only did Half-Life 2 put my jaw on the floor, there were about 20 other titles that | knew the instant | saw them that | would not be happy again until they were lying defeated on my living room floor. Sadly, many of these killer games are more than likely coming to a console or PC near you in 2004, but that doesn’t change the fact that these titles were outstanding. So without further adieu, here is my list of games (in no particular order) that will make you want to never leave the house and spend your entire existence ordering pizza and ignoring personal hygiene (if you already live like this, and were at E3, please shower ‘cause you stink): * Half-Life 2 * Halo 2 * Need for Speed Underground * Deus Ex: The Invisible War * Doom 3 * SSX 3 * Gran Turismo 4 * Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater * Tony Hawk's Underground * Spider-Man 2 * SOCOM II: U.S. Navy Seals * Fable * Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy * StarCraft: Ghost * True Fantasy Live Online * EverQuest 2 * Breakdown * Viewtiful Joe * Monster Hunter * Knights of the Old Republic * Soul Calibur II * Counter-Strike * Final Fantasy X-2 10 GAMEINFORMER REINER | reiner@gameinformer.com | truly hope that the Wachowski brothers make billions off of Enter the Matrix. Who knows, if this game lights up the retail charts, there’s a chance that Hollywood will be knocking on video games’ door to create more titles like it. Furthermore, cinematics are a big part of games these days, but just imagine how cool it would be if Harrison Ford signed up to reprise his role as Indiana Jones, and Steven Spielberg filmed new sequences just for the game? Better yet, what if George Lucas decided to film exclusive footage for an upcoming Episode Ill game? MATT | matt@gameinformer.com GAMEINFORMER JULY 2003 Volume XIII + Number 7 • Issue 123 PUBLISHER. Cathy Preston EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ‘Andrew McNamara EDITORS Yet another ЕЗ has come and gone, and the GI staff is still recovering from the hectic post-show deadline. As you go through this issue, you'll notice some changes in our E3 coverage. This year, we decided to dispense with our usual grades and summaries of the big three console makers, and focus on the event as a whole, capturing all the crazy celebrity appearances, legendary game developers, parties, and general chaos that make E3 the insane week that it is. We certainly hope you like it, so if you do, feel free to email me with feedback. Any complaints, however, you can send to Kato. (It was all his fault!!) KRISTIAN | kristian@gameinformer.com Executive Editor Andrew Reiner Senior Associate Editor Matt Helgeson Associate Editors Kristian Brogger * Justin Leeper Matthew Kato * Chet Barber * Lisa Mason Contributing Writer Billy Berghammer Mascot Arthur PRODUCTION PC gaming is entering a golden age. As technology develops at an exponential rate, so too does the potential for absolutely incredible games. If you had showed me the Half-Life 2 demo even three years ago, | probably would have told you that what you were showing me was an elaborate cutscene. Same thing with Doom 3, Rome: Total War, The Sims 2, and a bunch of others. It's simply amazing to think how far we've come in such a short time. Imagine what the games of 2006 will look like, for the love of everything good and holy! JUSTIN | justin@gameinformer.com E3 2K3 brought about a trend that bothers me: safe games. So many titles shown were obvious rip-offs of successful games (Devil May Cry and Splinter Cell especially) solely in development so companies can be assured they will stay out of the red. I'm sure there would've been more Vice City wannabes if the technology weren't so costly. New ideas are few and far between — as evidenced by the fact that nine of our E3 top 10 games are sequels. At least | can take solace in the fact that | put a few cab drivers' kids through college by spending a month's salary getting around LA. KATO | kato@gameinformer.com Art Director Thomas Blustin Production Director Curtis Fung Production Assistant Rachel Nimerfroh Photographer Mike Gitler ADVERTISING SALES | was disappointed by each of the three big companies this year. Sony's first-party titles were no surprise, while Microsoft's Rare stuff was laughable. Nintendo was still yapping about last year's message (GBA/GC connectivity), and haven't outlined any solutions to its woes. On the bright side, PlayStation Portable is good, while Xbox is going to have some great titles — Halo 2 is fabulous. | wonder how good Half-Life 2 and Doom 3 will be on the system. In closing, | highly suggest you read David Kushner's Masters of Doom — whether you care about Doom, id Software, or FPSs or not. It's that good. CHET | chet@gameinformer.com One of the most striking things at E3, for me, wasn't Half-Life 2, Doom 3, or one of the other nominal blockbusters, but the Street Fighter Il Hyper Fighting machine at Capcom's booth. Seeing people crowd around the machine waiting their turn to compete brought back a flood of fond memories of the arcade scene a decade ago. It's too bad this scenario is extinct. Impersonal online gaming will likely be its replacement. LISA | lisa@gameinformer.com The style of E3 is so completely against my usual choices of how to spend free time, one would think that it wouldn’t be fun at all for someone like myself. Given the option, I'd rather go to a coffee shop and babble about pop culture than club hop with a gaggle of party people. E3 is lack of sleep, open bar, loud/random music, bright and flashy lights, lots of running around to meet appointments, and total chaos. Maybe the best thing about it is that it’s only once a year and, thusly, a whole lotta fun. NEXT ISSUE Make sure to join us here next month, when Game Informer takes an exclusive look at the most anticipated racing game ever: Gran Turismo 4. Sure, Sony Computer Entertainment unveiled some cars and tracks at E3, but what did we really learn? Find out the whole story next issue when Game Informer brings you the inside scoop straight from Japan. Trust us, you won't want to miss this one. MINNEAPOLIS Rob Borm Director of Marketing and Midwest/East Coast Sales Manager (612) 4866155 Fax: (612) 4866101 rob@gameinformer.com Amy Arnold. Advertising Coordinator (612) 4866154 Fax: (612) 486-6101 ‘amy@gameinformer.com SAN FRANCISCO Doug Faust Vice President Advertising Sales (650) 728.5647 Fax: (650) 7285648 doug@gameinformer.com LOS ANGELES Marc Міпазіап ‘Southwest Regional Sales Manager (310) 459-3556 Fax: (310) 459-3526 marcégameinformer.com CIRCULATION CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT For change of address or subscription inquiry ONLY: Toll Free: 1 (866) 844-GAME (4263) Fax: (612) 486-6101. Email: customerservice@gameinformer.com Or send correspondence to: 724 North First St., 4th Floor Minneapolis, MN 55401 • Attn: CIS Dept Circulation Manager Paul Anderson * (612) 4866104 paul&gameinformer.com Information Systems Manager Paul Hedgpeth paulhedgpeth@gameinformer.com Manufactured and printed in the United States of America The Editor welcomes company product information for all video games. Such materials should be addressed to: Editor, бате Informer® Magazine, 724 North First St., 4th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Unsolicited manuscripts cannot be returned or acknowledged. Entire contents copyright 2003. Game Informer® Magazine. All rights reserved, reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Game Informer is a trademark of GameStop, Inc. Products named in these pages are trade names, or trademarks, of their respective companies, PUBLISHER LIABILITY FOR ERROR The publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The publisher's liability for other errors or omissions in connection with an advertisement is limited to republication of the advertisement in any subsequent issue or the refund of any monies paid for the advertisement. INDEMNIFICATION The advertiser and/or Advertising Agency agrees to defend and indemnify the publisher against any and all liability, loss, or expense arising from claims of libel, unfair ‘competition, unfair trade practices, infringement of trademarks, copyrights, trade names, patents, or proprietary rights or violation of rights of privacy, resulting from the publication of the Advertiser's statement. Member Audit Bureau of Circulations wil | [ le‏ ا D - x E - e (hibitor Rei T Р JEB- мы L AT ed pin CANDID PHOTOS FROM THE SEAMY UNDERBELLY OF THE VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY 1 Saddam is alive and well and living is Los Angeles! Hope we didn't blow his cover 2 Eidos' Michelle Seebach, Kristian, and Justin hanging at the Mondrian on the Sunset Strip 3 Lisa meets her hero, Cyan Worlds founder and Myst co-creator Rand Miller 4 Former GI editor alert!! Rockstar's Pickle King and The Artist Formerly Known As The Gonzo Gamer (Jay Fitzloff) send their love 5 We don't know who this guy is, but this shot really sums up what E3 is all about 6 Say hello to Game Informer's new web editor Billy Berghammer, seen here with HAL Laboratories' Masahiro Sakurai 7 Kato hides in the shadows with Konami's Silent Hill team 8 LA's funniest homeless guy, seen here scamming Justin out of a dollar. Hats off! AVAILABLE JUNE 2003 RIDE IT HARD, FAST, AND WHEREVER THE HELL YOU WANT, WITH ALL THE INTENSITY AND INSANITY OF THE MOST HARDCORE FREESTYLE MOTOCROSS PROS, HUGE OPEN ENVIRONMENTS. UNLIMITED SICK E INSTANT GRATIFICATION. WORD. RATING PENDING Visit www.esrb.org or call 1-800-771-3772 for Rating Information. PERSONAL AD >>> | have a very important question to ask you all. Do any of you have lives outside of video games? Evan Brandt Via hotmail.com Witty retorts aside, we certainly do have lives, you disrespectful lout! But really, a poll of Game Informer edi- tors’ outside pastimes rated these responses as the big winners: 1. Reveling in long walks on the beach, nestled within a sunset's handsome glow. 2. Organizing extra knitting supplies by project use, type of skein, and placement on the color wheel. 3. Wishing for Calgon to take them far, far away with luxurious, lavender bubble baths. 4. Attending symposiums on topics as varying as: decoupage, migratory habits of pretty butterflies, monster trucks, and bicycle manufacturing through- out the 19th century. 5. Trading Spaces on TLC (we all just love how free they are with design whimsy). CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC I've always been a Nintendo guy. Ever since the glory days of NES, | have supported Nintendo before all other hardware manufacturers. For me, it was SNES over Sega, and N64 over PlayStation. | tried to stay away from the console-alliance arguments during the rumor stages of the next-gen console wave, but | was secretly rooting for project “Dolphin.” When | was faced with the choice of the big three, | naturally became the proud owner of a GameCube. In recent months, however, I've become worried that the GC isn't going to hold its own in the console wars. With the PS2's outrageous game library and the Xbox's recent demonstration of graphic superiority (Splinter Cell, anyone?) and online capabilities, what does the GC have going for it? Of course, Nintendo has the licenses to the familiar series such as Mario and Zelda, but Sega recently pulled their efforts in the sports genre out of the GC, and THQ and Activision followed suit with their GC projects. What is this going to mean for future titles on the console? Will the already-shrinking GC wall at the local game retailer dwindle even faster? At this point, its lack of online capabilities worries me more than a little, and the Game Boy Advance link-up is both a blessing and a curse. What if gamers hesitate to buy a £ame because they think they won't be getting the most out of it if they don't own a GBA? Will it become the expansion pack problem that the N64 faced with games like Perfect Dark and Majora's Mask? Will the GC become Nintendo's Dreamcast? This is one gamer who hopes not. Alex McKinley Berwyn, IL Recent musings by our own Senior Associate Editor, Matt Helgeson, have broached the same topics you bring up. But, it looks like the fan boy favorite has bounced back in recent months by moving more units of both hardware and software. Some would point out that the company has released a title for each of its major franchises in the last few months, and one must ask, "What more can it give?" We still have Mario Kart, Mario Golf, and Rogue Squadron III to look forward to; but the brightest point on Nintendo's horizon looks to be a recent quote printed in USA Today. In reference to Nintendo's current lack of an online strategy, company president Satoru Iwata told Reuters, “In the near future we are hoping to announce something that addresses this issue." In addition to the rumored online support, Nintendo still has LAN and GBA/GC connectivity, a handful of promising titles, and more than a few rumors of big announcements in the next few months. Here's to hoping. ACRONYM HAPPY What is E3? Holly Via email The Electronic Entertainment Expo, better known as E3, is the largest video-game industry tradeshow/event. Thousands of games are shown off in elaborate booths, a cornucopia of free t-shirts are available, and a bevy of booth babes - that most attendants will surely never have a chance of scoring with - look vaguely embar- rassed on their lunch breaks. From a business standpoint, games are debuted like southern debutantes, the console wars are waged through price drops and hardware announcements, extravagant parties are thrown; and in the midst of all GOING POSTAL >>> - Hey GI can you please tell the mailmen that they can't stuffing this, more industry business gets done during that one week than any other time of the year. For an in-depth look at what it’s like to be there, check out our E3 coverage starting on page 36. The somewhat-dry official website for the convention can be found at e3expo.com. DESTROY ALL ZOMBIES: MELEE | was just wondering if you knew anything about the House of the Dead movie that you covered last year? | would like to know when it would be out in theaters. Erick Via email Featuring a handful of unknown but up-and-coming actors, the forthcoming House of the Dead flick tracks a few teens to a remote island. A happening “rave party” - as the kids are calling them these days - is supposed to already be going strong. Instead, the fashionably-late group arrive to find two freaked-out survivors and a min- lon of the undead. The movie was recently picked up for distribution and should release either late this summer, or around Halloween (specific dates for each market are to be set soon). Six months after it hits theaters, the producers are putting out a special edition DVD with additional scenes promising more gore, partying, and general debauchery than the tame, Cineplex version. STRUCTURE | was reading a letter in your May issue in which the author talked about the nonlinear direction many games are taking these days, most notably Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and The Sims. While | admit that these titles have set new standards for nonlinear gameplay, to me they felt lack- ing in some aspects. In Vice City for instance, you can complete the missions in almost any order you please; but beyond that, there is little else to do except kill people, blow stuff up, and buy real estate – which isn't exactly enthralling. In The Sims you have nearly complete control over your surroundings and character. But, after endless hours of making my character bathe, use the restroom, sleep, eat, and pay the bills, | realized | could get the same mind-rotting boredom from reality and nearly threw the game away in disgust. I'm not saying these types of games are completely devoid of entertainment – they are obviously quite appeal- FOR PERFECT CONDITION; SEND VIA SPECIAL, INSURED, REGISTERED, PRIORITY, EXPRESS, OVERNIGHT DELIVERY AND YOUR SUBSCRIPTION IS JUST $1,724 PER YEAR, the best magazine in the world into a tiny mail box, ripping the covers of Game Informer? Daniel Ingram, via email Baltimore, Maryland maintain our bulk-metered goods’ physical integrity. Here’s due notice to all postal employees: Come rain, snow, sleet, or hail, stop messing up our Game Informers in the mail! We want to receive our periodicals in pristine condition, lovingly pack- aged with a backer board, if necessary. If these criteria cannot be met, at least make your best effort to gently curve the magazine to avoid wrinkles, or the ultimate injustice, a torn cover. Thank you for your continual dodging of rabid dogs and conscientious attempts to Send your comments to Game Informer. Snail Mail: Game Informer Magazine * Attn: Dear GI • 724 North First St., 4th Floor • Minneapolis, MN 55401 Email: deargi@ gameinformer.com 14 GAME INFORMER "m A ‘Visi pirates bethsoft. om — o. = : 7 * An epic role-playing game on sea and land * Gorgeous graphics and realistic weather effects T EE roo = a Б fe ° dx ended gameplay se set in exotic locales к=, oo zu E EM artella” 1C COMPANY RATING PENDING Visit www.esrb.org or call 1-800-771-3772 for Rating Information. © 2003 Bethesda Softworks LLC, a ZeniMax Media company. Bethesda Softworks and ZeniMax are registered trademarks or trademarks of ZeniMax Media Inc. Microsoft, Xbox and the Xbox Logos are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or in other countries and are used under license from Microsoft. Audio/Visual elements © Disney. Other product and company names referenced herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved. ing to many gamers (if sales are any indication). On the other hand, as a more demanding individual, | don't believe that they lived up to their potential. | am still waiting for that perfect game that not only allows infinite freedom but also captures and keeps my interest for more than a few passing moments. Jeremy Holliday Via yahoo.com It's doubtful that games as a whole will transform into the format used in Vice City or the Sims, but we must take baby steps toward the ultimate video game experi- ence. The two aforementioned titles have contributed greatly to the development of gaming as a whole by offering a new type of action. Like FMV games or text- based adventures, their play dynamics capture the imaginations of some players, and leave others out in the cold. But, without them, gaming wouldn't have got- ten to where it is - a further point on a long timeline of evolution. SURE, NO PROBLEM Would it be even remotely possible for me to get Shigeru Miyamoto's email address? | (somewhat) desperately need it. Gunner Via lycos.com Wow. We'll totally hook you up! If the following arrangement is agreeable to you, please place an ad in the New York Times that reads as follows, "The blue cow flies over the purple moon. Never hang your pants on the infinite coat hanger of darkness. Stop." After the personal ad appears in print, have your peo- ple call our people and they'll do lunch. Then, driving a cargo van with painted windows, four black-suited men sporting aluminum briefcases handcuffed to their wrists and expensive sunglasses will meet you at an undis- closed location. You will furnish them with $6.2 million American dollars in non-sequential $20 bills. After being unknowingly drugged with a non-addictive substance, you will be left somewhere on the Jersey turnpike with a small slip of everyday notebook paper containing a phone number. Memorize the phone number quickly, as the slip of paper will react with the oils of your fingertips and self- destruct in 30 seconds. Call the number and further instructions will be given. The message will only play once. Glad we could help, and hope to hear from you soon! 16 GAME INFORMER ENVELOPE ART DAMNATION! Simino Il Don't complain, Hulk. It's better than having incredible camel-toe! JULY WINNER! Courtney Buffum Donald and Goofy are a little nervous about explaining to Sora about the birds and the, uh... whatever Goofy is Vieira This picture is best viewed with a blacklight and some incense Carrie Correa Ryan Gaw Link is mean. All Tingle wanted to do was try fartinflating Robocop tests out his new rapid-fire six-shooter before a balloon his big date with Mariah Carey Enter the Game Informer Envelope Art Contest. All you need to do is draw, paint, scratch, spit, or carve the best darn envelope art you can think of and send it to us. Please include your name, phone number, and return address on the back of the envelope. If you’re the monthly winner, we'll feature your work in GI and you'll receive a video game prize from the Game Informer vault. Send to: Game Informer Envelope Art Contest 724 1st St. N., 4th Floor Mpls, MN 55401 Maurice Young Be thankful we're showing this envelope. In the other one he sent, Hillary's wearing a thong red LANE | J A S Y ` ме Г > \ Г A | = \ A \ y y | “ч | îh ee ^ _ERPLOPE tHe MOSt eNEHPaLLING амо FPEGKED-OUE = PLACES ON Earth амо BEYOND ai—— A t. pe > ана m ou | and intrigue you. True-blue American hero f RATING PENDING for Rating Information. Sail away into the Freaky skies for th a DISCOVER THE ADVENTURE = THAT AWAITS YOU Freaky Flyers represents the creation of Adventure Racing. You don’t just race, you dogfight, you stunt, and most importantly, you explore through fully-open, interactive and enticing 3D locales. And, you shave your intriguing experiences with the most alluring characters you could ever hope to play with. DISCOVERY AROUND EVERY TURN As you fly through Freaky's 12 massive and enticing tracks, you should take note that your explo- ration will actually trigger events that will dictate how the story and gameplay unfolds before you. With unique and mesmerizing mini games and more than 1.5 hours of intriguing animated movies, original music, and a spellbinding back story, Freaky Flyers takes you on a journey that will challenge VISIT EXCITING LOCALES Caribbean Danger Island- Î Jungles and lagoons teem with all manner of peril like pirates, man-eating plants, and beautiful mermaids. Haunted Transylvania- Explore craggy peaks and haunted castles but steer clear of the giant spider webs, zombies, and diabolic machines of the mad scientist. Roaring Chicago- Buzzing around the big city you'll loop and dive around gangsters and g-men exchang- ing heated words and hot lead. Frigid Canada- Fly through the lumberjack village; shoot down woodland targets, and even snag Big Foot in a net as you race. Mexico's Coyote Canyon- Travel through abandoned gold mines, rescue a damsel from the train tracks, fly through "East" Indian Casinos, and stop a cattle stampede and the rowdy banditos behind it. War Torn Germany- It is up to you to help turn the tides of war by delivering secret documents, fix the resistance factories, and blow up the German's tanks. Arabian Flights- Defeat the Genie, find the sultan's treasure, shoot down the 40 thieves, and keep your head off the chopping block by showing off your air combat skills. Giant Monsters of Tokyo- Giant monsters are destroying the city, alongside ninjas, fighter jets, and little Freakymon monsters, activate the giant robot and save Tokyo. Fly the Freaky Skies and see where the adventure takes you. ONLY tHe WiLDeSt Characters Travel with over a dozen unique and alluring characters, each with their own beguiling stories. IN ғ Cactus ROSE Spicy bandita f south of TN [4 The terror of Transylvani adventure of a lifetime! PlayStation. Inc. Microsoft, Xbox, and the Xbox logos are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries and are used under license from Microsoft. MIDWAY Freaky Flyers ©2002 Midway Home Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved. MIDWAY and the Midway Logo are registered trademarks of Midway Amusement Games, LLC. Used by permission. Freaky Flyers is trademark of Midway Home Entertainment Inc. TM, ® and the Nintendo GameCube logo are trademarks of Nintendo. ‘PlayStation’ and the PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainme MULEi-PLayer MADNESS T Master the Freaky Flyers skies as you unleash your inner warrior and battle your friends in multiplayer mayhem. RACE head-to-head and "Exchange machine gun fire or choose from ^ more than a dozen other lethal power-up E. weapons on every track! Challenge your [y^ friends to the intense action of Dogfighting ‚ Mode, but remember: in the arena, the pilot —with the most skill gets the kill! MH CHALLENGE ғг:емоѕ to iNteNse uw HeaD-t0-HeaD CONMBat! ui MING ULY 2003 Visit WWW.Freak¥FLuers.coMi 4 Dd \ | М 3: RPS ME Grr oN Explore, dogfight and race with some of the most freaky characters you have ever played with, in the first-and-only, fully-open, interactive, 3-D, racing videogame. © 13 alluring characters and dozens more hidden © 12 massive and enticing tracks © Enthralling race and dog fight modes © Unique and mesmerizing mini games © Amazing head-to-head multiplayer action Coming July 2003 Log onto www.freakyflyers.com Comic Mischief Mild Violence Suggestive Themes NINTENDO GAMECUBE. Freaky Flyers ©2002 Midway Home Entertainment Inc. All ns reserved. MIDWAY and the Midway Logo are registered trademarks of Midway Amusement Games, LLC. Used by permission. Freaky Flyers is a trademark of Midway Home Entertainment Inc. TM, © and the Nintendo GameCube logo are trademarks of Nintendo. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Xbox, and the Xbox sed are either registered trademarks or trade- marks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries and are used under license from Microsoft. SONY GOES HANDHELD Sony shocked attendees of its pre-E3 press conference with the announcement that it is developing a handheld system called the PlayStation Portable (PSP). The platform is expected in 2004, and will feature disc-based software (just under 2.5 inches in diameter with 1.8 GB of storage capacity) and an as-yet-unannounced processor that creator Ken Kutaragi says will be “similar to that of the original PlayStation.” Sony has not stated a specific release date or a price for the PSP. The company has ambitious plans for the handheld. It sees the PSP playing movies and other entertainment through the use of MPEGA technology to deliver DVD-+like quality. Sony also expects the platform to connect to your PS2, other PSPs, and even cell phones through USB 2.0. Reports indicate that 10 mil- lion units of the system are expected to be shipped worldwide by the end of 2004. Although much is still uncertain regarding this new handheld (such as the control layout), the company has announced that it will offer PC-based development tools starting in the fall of this year, and Sony plans to announce a license scheme for PSP software development this summer. SONY (actual size of disc) For more on this new platform, check out our coverage of Sony's E3 press conference on page 36. PSP SPECIFICATIONS * Display: 480 x 272 pixel * Processor: TBA. 32-bit * Sound: PCM (built-in TFT LCD backlit screen w/ core featuring 3D polygons Stereo speakers, stereo 16:9 aspect ratio and curved surfaces with headphone output) NURBS * Input/Outputs: USB 2.0, Memory Stick slot * Battery: Builtin recharge- * Disc Medium: 2.4" able lithium-ion battery diameter, 1.8 GB "UMD" — Universal Media Disc embedded in cartridge * Video CODEC: MPEG4 encoding XBOX BUILDS ONLINE SPORTS NETWORK Microsoft is adding new features to Xbox Live to stoke online sports fans" frenzy. Starting with NFL Fever 2004 in August, XSN Sports will be an all-in-one virtual sports page where you can set up your own tournaments and leagues, see your accomplishments (across all the Microsoft sports titles), be automati- cally alerted to opponents' challenges, track a variety of stats and results, and more. This XSN Sports page can be accessed on your Xbox, on your computer (at XSNsports.com), and eventually through your cell phone or PDA. The first slate of titles compatible with the network are NFL Fever 2004, NBA Inside Drive 2004, Top Spin, Amped 2, NHL Rivals 2004, Links 2004, and two more in the spring of next year. Microsoft representatives told Game Informer that the XSN Sports feature will be free, but will also contain premium content at a later date. In other news, Xbox Live will support different pricing levels this fall, letting you pay per month ($5.99), buy the Voice Communicator separately ($29.99), renew your subscription for $49.99, or get the Starter Kit for the price of $69.99. Furthermore, Microsoft is coming out with Music Mixer this Christmas. This title lets you play karaoke with your favorite songs (microphone included), set up customized party mixes, and share media with your PC so you can transfer music and photos to your Xbox. 18 GAMEINFORMER DVD BURNING LOVE FOR PS2 Sony of Japan has announced a new PlayStation 2 unit called the PSX. This new PS2 not only features the game console, but also contains a DVD burner, 120 GB hard drive, Ethernet support, and a TV/broadcast satellite tuner. This will allow you to record and store TV shows, and is a first step toward Sony's vision of a unified set-top box where a variety of other media (such as games and more) would be downloadable straight into your home. The PSX also utilizes the Memory Stick and USB 2.0. Sony expects to make the PSX available in Japan before the end of the year, and to the rest of the world in 2004. Pricing has not yet been announced, but the company hopes that the console will be marketed as a high-end electronics unit rather than a cheaper mass- market product. Top view Front view Links 2004 NFL Fever 2004 KRONOS FEARS BANKRUPTCY EFFECT If you've been anxiously anticipating Fear Effect: Inferno (see our feature in issue #118), your wait may potentially be much longer. Eidos officially cancelled the project, severing ties with Kronos, which has put the devel- oper in a precarious financial situation. The main problem is that Eidos owns the license and Kronos currently lacks another substantial title to keep itself afloat. However, both companies are earnestly shopping Inferno around to other publishers before Kronos runs out of money. Bearing no grudges, Kronos president Stan Liu states, "It has nothing to do with them hating us or us hating them. It was just business." Liu objectively reasons, "We think Eidos just got caught off-guard [financially]. It happens, and cuts have to be made." Unfortunately, Liu's impartial attitude towards the pitfalls of capitalism doesn't solve Inferno's indefinite hiatus, or Kronos’ consequent financial plight. Although Liu and Kronos’ chief operating officer, Sandy Abe, feel confident that somebody will eventually purchase the rights, their time is short. In fact, by the time you read this article, Kronos will either not exist in its present form, or it will have signed a contract with another publisher to create one of three new games. Within a five-week period, Kronos has been arduously devel- oping three demos based on requests from a few publishers in the hopes of striking a deal. One bears a striking resemblance to Rare's Kameo: Elements of Power and Capcom's Devil May Cry. Called iSA, players assume the role of a protagonist who can manipulate Fear Effect: Inferno light and employ it during combat and to help solve various puzzles. The next two titles are far less complete, but still show considerable potential. The first is a superhero fighter starring an undetermined cast. If DC Comics cooperates, Kronos hopes to create a multiplayer experience (online support included, of course) that plays more like War of the Monsters than Street Fighter Il or Tekken. The last project stars a hero with Tenchu-style gameplay mechanics set in a medieval environment. Fans might be disappointed to hear that Kronos has been forced to place Inferno on the backburner, but encountering this situation has taught it a lesson. Abe emphatically declares, “If we survive this thing, we will no longer be a one:title studio.” Kronos' Medieval Game CONSOLES GET PRICE DROPS/BUNDLES All three platform manufacturers offered deals for consumers this E3. Sony announced that it is lowering the price of the PlayStation 2 to $179 in order to clear old stock and make way for an improved version of the system (featuring progressive scan playback, expanded DVD play- back support, reduced fan noise, an infrared remote sensor, and more) to be available this fall. This new PS2 will be bundled with the Network Adaptor for the price of $199 - after which, Sony representatives have told us the PS2 would not be sold by itself. In response, Microsoft lowered its Xbox to $179, while Nintendo offered a bundle of its own. For a limited time only, the GameCube will be packaged with the Game Boy Player, or your choice of one of four best-selling Nintendo games, for $149.99 starting June 23. The Player allows you to play Game Boy titles through your GameCube and TV screen. Xbox $179 PS2 $179 СІ NEWS LLILIIPE ТШ GameCube $149.99 GAME INFORMER 19 GI NEWS Game Informer's research and devel- opment operatives search the globe, seeking out the untapped licenses that will become tomorrow's killer games. If you have any great ideas for games of the future, be sure to drop us a line. Maybe we'll use our godlike power over the video game industry to turn you into a millionaire — or just steal your idea. INSANITY PlayStation.2 The mind of a madman is complex. Is it he who is going crazy, or is it the world around him? Imagine, if you will, being that madman. Those who are your friends suddenly turn into ghastly monstrosi- ties. What do you do? Which world is reality, and which is made up of tricks your mind is playing on you? In Insanity, you'd be forced to decide. One day, things start going a little wrong for Devin, a FedEx delivery person. Packages seem to shake violently, as if something inside was alive. The elevator doors open to a flaming pit that then becomes a simple office floor. Is it Hell, or just Night Owl Printing? People with pens to sign for boxes now carry knives and seem like they're going to stab you. In the blink of an eye, the old lady hob- bling down the street may sprout horns and leap at you with a murderous shriek. If you attack her, it could save your skin. Conversely, it could land you in jail for killing an innocent person. The branching gameplay means every answer leads to more questions. It's like a Choose Your Own Adventure book; but each time you play, the correct choices may be different. Insanity would mess with your mind more and more as you go through it and make games such as Eternal Darkness and Metal Gear Solid seem like mere brain farts in comparison. b i The official sequel to the original Metal Gear from Konami was actually a really sweet game - it just never got released in America. This title was a Japanese exclusive, as it released on the Japan-only personal computer the MSX-2 in 1990. Unlike the stinker that was Snake's Revenge in the U.S., this follow-up featured the input of Hideo Kojima, and was a worthy sequel in every way. ССА imm (mn (Answer on page 25) 20 GAME INFORMER TOP 10 E3 LESSONS 10 To Nintendo: Pac-Man is not cool anymore an get lost even ly going a couple nothing to cou 't even remember what their favorite game of the show was when interviewed 7 To N-Gage: $299 is too much even if you paint it on a hottie's stomach 6 The Scottish Games Alliance will soon rule the Earth ring an with Japanese devel- opers isn't polite 4 The best revenge against noisy hotel neighbors is to turn. up your TV really loud when you leave the room early in the morning 3 Doom 3 is so sweet, another year of video-only footage is Still cool 2 Prince of Persia is the origi- nal gangster, and he's back to make Lara Croft his %!&*# 1 From Capcom's Shinji Mikami on Resident Evil 4: “Don't pee your pants!” DEVELOPER TOP 5 ROMAN RIBARIC CEO, Croteam 1 Pleiads - Arcade 2 Scramble – Arcade 3 Bould Amstr Dash 3- CPC 4 Highway Encounter — Amstrad CPC 5 Command & Conquer - PC READER TOP 5 SHANE JUDY Franklin, PA 1 StarCraft — PC 2 Serious Sam: The Second Encounter — PC 3 Ys Book | & II- TurboGrafx 16 4 Super Metroid – SNES 5 Ninja Gaiden — NES EA SPORTS ONLINE FOR PS2 ONLY EA Sports has sided exclusively with Sony and the PlayStation 2 for its online plans — at least for the upcoming wave of sports titles. Nine titles (including Madden NFL 2004, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004, and FIFA 2004) will appear online for the console, starting with NCAA Football 2004 this July. Each (except NASCAR Thunder 2004) will be supporting EA Sports Talk – voice chat via a USB, broadband-only headset. Other features include matchmaking, Fair Play settings, roster updates, tourneys, cash prizes, rankings, and more. Another feature being instituted, starting this year, is the EA Sports Bio. Saved onto your memory card, this profile keeps track of all your accom- plishments, time logged, etc. through all of the EA Sports titles you play. Gamers will be rewarded for their efforts through unlockables in each of the sports titles she/he plays from the publisher. 989 USES VOICE RECOGNITION Beginning with NFL GameDay 2004 on August 12, Sony's 989 Sports is launching an ambitious online strategy for all its games using voice recogni- tion via the USB Headset, which will be made available for $29.99 when the game releases. Now you can call for players to perform the pick-and-roll or intentional fouls at your command in NBA ShootOut 2004, for example. Sony's plans also include an online hub where you can see your progress on any 989 title, build player-created tourneys, download weekly roster updates, check a sports ticker showing all the online action, and communi- cation features which cross over to a 989 website on your PC. NFL GameDay 2004 METAL GEAR ONLINE? At a Konami event at E3, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater creator Hideo Kojima revealed that the game's new engine is online capable. Kojima would not reveal whether the 2004 PlayStation 2 game would indeed feature an online component. In an interview with Game Informer, he did say that he wasn't a big fan of deathmatch. For more, check out our preview of the game (pg. 70) and interview with Kojima on page 47. ck from the shadows past Nazi guards and the ( THE GREAT ESCAPE Interactive Game (certain audiovisual components) TM & © 2003 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. THE GREAT ESCAPE Motion Picture © 1963 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios inc. THE GREAT ESCAPE Interactive Game (software) © 2003 SCi Games Limited, developed by Pivotal Games Limited. Steve McQueen TM Licensed by Chadwick McQueen and The Terry McQueen Testamentary Trust Represented by The Roger Richmond Agency, Inc. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc Microsoft, Xbox and the Xbox logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. The ratings icon is a trademark of the Interactive Digital Software Association. Gotham Games and the Gotham Games. logo are trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. 2003 Take-Two Interactive, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Var | V Si ОШПе your hand of I eer motorcycles, jeeps, — I other military vehicles as A GI NEWS NEVER DIES Work has already begun on Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow, a 2004 title . — from Ubi Soft. This follow-up to the hit game will be a multi-platform affair GOOD - Sony Online is taking pity on all you who quit your jobs to play and is even going online. Pandora Tomorrow will allow multiple players to work EverQuest. All its titles (including PlanetSide and EQ II when released) simultaneously during the same mission, as well as offer an equally robust are jointly available for one monthly fee of $21.99. single-player portion. The game will appear on the PS2, Xbox, GC, and PC. GOOD - Rockstar and 3D Realms have У MAX PAYNE 2 begun work on Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne. Lovers entwine in .9mm heat. Or THE FALL OF MAX PAYNE is that yet another dying loved one for Max? b BAD - Deee-Lite singer Lady Miss Kier is suing Sega for using her likeness in Space Channel 5. Listen up girl, you are no Ulala. GOOD - The state of Washington has signed into law HB 1009, which makes it illegal for retailers to sell games depicting violence against law enforcement officers to those under 17. Why is this good? Because we're over 17! GOOD - Mafia is coming to both the PlayStation 2 (shown) and Xbox this winter from publisher Gathering and developer Illusion Softworks. If loose lips are spraying hot video game gossip, we're sucking up the secret saliva and drooling it all over this section. Got a secret to tell? Email us at loosetalk@gameinformer.com and we'll be all ears. Loose Talk has heard from a reliable source that Rockstar is bringing both Grand Theft Auto 3 and GTA: Vice City to the Xbox. Similar to the company's treatment of State of Emergency for the console, extras are expected. Xbox 2 development has begun, accord- ing to several developers we talked to. No details were given as to the tool sets being used, nor the projected release date of the console. Despite Nintendo’s claims of now being friendly to third-party publishers, some companies still want nothing to do with the system. Electronic Arts has already begun work on NBA Street Vol. 3. Similar to SSX 3, the game is being designed as more open-ended, where the hub is a block party setting, letting you visit places in your neighborhood. Pepsi is in sponsorship talks for Vol. 3. Nintendo has already confirmed a new GameCube Legend of Zelda game using the Wind Waker engine [see pg. 54 for more]. Word is the company is also considering a Zelda title using the infamous “mature” Space World 2001 Link. 22 GMEINFORMER Face your gravest fears in an all-new, nightmarish first-person action-shooter adventure for your PlayStation" 2 computer entertainment system. Encounter a new level of horror as you battle flesh devouring zombies and murderous mutants to regain control of a sea-jacked cruise ship lost in the Atlantic. L 4 Intense blend of action, puzzle UPGRADE your weapons as you Supports GUNCON 2 light gun solving and DEAD-ON graphics progress through the game and DUALSHOCK 2 controllers ate Fi £4 |, CA PCOM " | FN i We = MATURE e - PlayStation.? = сарсот.сот Blood and боге © CAPCOM CO. LTD., 2003. © CAPCOM U.S.A., INC. 2003, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. CAPCOM, the CAPCOM logo and RESIDENT EVIL are registered trademarks of CAPGOM CO., LTD. RESIDENT EVIL is a registered trademark of CAPCOM CO., LTD. Guncon'" 2 & ©2000 NAMCO LTD., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The ratings icon is a registered trademark of the Interactive Digital Software Association "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo and DUALSHOCK are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Violence GI NEWS Is it just us, or does it seem that Hollywood is obsessed with sequels? Apparently, every good idea has been tapped and transformed into a feature film. If you happen to take up the director's chair in the near future, this month's incredibly challenging quiz accurately determines which sequel you should transform into your very first film! Question 1: On September 18, 1994, Acclaim tapped into the Spider-Man license once again in the release, Maximum Carnage. Along with a snazzy red cartridge, this game featured an atrocious soundtrack created by one of America's worst bands. Who was it? А. GWAR B. Green Jelly C, Pretty Boy Floyd D. Bon Jovi Question 2: Scott Lawrence is an actor who played your military buddy in the Sega CD FMV game, Ground Zero, Texas. He's done voice work for a very famous character in bigger and better video games, too. What is this recurring role? A. Kain (Soul Reaver) B. Batman C. Jax (Mortal Kombat) D. Darth Vader Funday: The Ride, God was rep- resentin' on the gaming front. Who was the publisher that released these holy games? A. Godsoft B. Wisdom Tree C. Burning Bush Software D. Bibleware Question 4: What is the name of the dastardly dragon in the arcade classic, Dragon's Lair? A. Scree B. Snaggletooth C. Singe D. Strife Which of these games did this developer not have a hand in? A. Zany Golf B. Viduzzles C. Mario Tennis D. Shining Force Ill Question 6: Microprose was formed in 1982 by Bill Stealey and another legendary gaming figure. Who was it? A. Chris Sawyer B. Sid Meier C. Chris Roberts D. Richard Garriot Question 7: After manufacturing playing cards for over 70 years, Nintendo decided to expand its hori- zons with the production of video games. What year was this decision made in? A. 1979 B. 1965 C. 1982 D. 1963 Question 8: In Deus Ex, which of the following isn't one of the three endings? A. J.C. Denton fuses with the super computer Helios to rule the world B. All of the technology in the world is destroyed C. J.C. Denton joins the Illuminati conspiracy organization D. Computers create a virus that kills off mankind Question 9: How many colors could the Super Nintendo display onscreen at any given time? A. 512 B. 256 С. 64 D. 320 Question 10: Kenji Eno invested all of his money into creating a video game development studio. What is the name of his company? A. Warp Question 5: Camelot, the B. Xatrix Entertainment s creator of Hot Shots Golf, C. Human Entertainment is also the company behind О. Jaleco Nintendo's upcoming ™ GameCube release, Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour. Score & Rank LAT MEI Postcards From the Jumping Jack Flash Star Wars: Episode Edge...Of Space! 2: From Flashin' to Negative III - Birth Streakin" of a Gungan Video Game Trivia Answers: 24 GAME INFORMER Kangaroo Jack: Three Men & a Tranny Beyond Thunderdome Analyze This & That & Them VOT 46 0'8 0L 89 VS Ot 8E OT 8T DOA’S ONLINE REUNION Gamers this fall are going to be getting double the fun and twice the jiggle when Tecmo releas- es Dead or Alive Online. Not merely an online fighting game, this DOA actually gives you the original Sega Saturn version of the series which kicked it all off — the first time that particular iteration will be available to U.S. gamers. Also included and playable online is DOA 2, which features upgraded graphics, bringing it up to speed and into full 3D with the Xbox - includ- ing the break-through environments featured in DOA 3. Players will also be treated to new story rev- elations regarding the characters' past and tons of new costumes. Tecmo is currently considering future downloads for DOA Online. 42% of PS2 online users connect via dial-up, according to Sony 10% The percentage of showgoers impressed by Nintendo's E3 showings 100% of the E3 attendees informally surveyed were blown away by the Half-Life 2 demo 0% The amount of people disappointed by the in- game Halo 2 footage 37% of Matt's Thursday night at the Sony party can actually be remembered. Gratz!!!! DATA FILE > It's EA to the rescue! The gaming giant has signed on Superman, so chances are we might finally get a good title from the hero after all. > Logitech is now selling its USB headset separately from SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs. > Neither potential merger suitors Sammy nor Namco are interested in joining up with Sega. >» Bugs. Lots of ‘em. That's what you're going to get now that Empire has picked up the Starship Troopers license. The publisher has also signed up Bad Boys II, Whatcha’ gonna do? » EA has the rights to James Bond until 2010 – and that not only includes future films, but all the old ones as well. Pussy Galore, Holly Goodhead, Honey Rider... > Super Monkey Ball 3: Banana Crazy, Sega's next edition for the GameCube, will feature 8-player LAN support when it releases in spring of 2004. > Two Activision Xbox exclusives for you: Tenchu Eternal (Xbox Live-enabled) and Tenchu: Lord of Darkness. > Nicholas Cage has signed on to the 2004 Dead to Rights movie. >» There will be three new Yu- Gi-Oh games from Konami this. year. Less predictable, however, is whether the sun will come up tomorrow. »> Dungeons & Dragons will be going online in a MMORPG in 2005 courtesy of developer Turbine and Atari. »> EverQuest players always come back for more, and PS2 players will be no different when the expansion title Frontiers appears this fall. > Japanese Xbox owners can look forward to Magatama. What's that? A new title from Hiroshi Kawai, a man who worked on both Final Fantasy VII and IX. >» Who's the real Slim Shady? Conspiracy knows. It is giving Eminem his own PSone and PC game. PS2 ADDS EYETOY For the PlayStation 2 owner who has everything, check out 4 Sony's newest gadget - the EyeToy. Developed by Logitech, this USB camera lets you play interactive games and even record 60-second videos onto your memory card (clothing optional). Kung Foo (shown) is one of the many mini- games included in the free pack-in disc that puts you in the middle of the action. Here, players must punch enemies as they jump at you from the sides of the screen. Other titles include Wishi-Washi (where you wash windows), and Beat Freak (a rhythm game). “cate d] Kung Foo NEW HANDHELD ON HORIZON Tapwave, a company featuring some of the people from Palm (the PDA maker), have announced Helix — a tentatively titled handheld gaming system. Best of all, how would you like to be playing Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 and Neverwinter Nights on the system? The price and release date for Helix have not yet been determined, but some of the handheld's features have. It will boast a 480x320 pixel, 16-bit color screen, trigger buttons, an analog Stick, rumble effects, Bluetooth support (for wireless gaming), MP3 playback, and more. Helix will also con- tain the ATI Imageon graphics accelerator and the FatHammer X-Forge 3D graphics engine. Activision, Atari, Midway, and Digital Eclipse have all signed up to make games for the system thus far. GRAND PRIZE: ВЕ SICKALL OVER. METALX.MIDW AY.COM A COPY OF FREESTYLE METAL X™, PLUS AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFY FOR THE A TRIP Tû MOTOCROSS CAMP! RIDE IT HARD, FAST, AND WHEREVER THE HELL YOU WANT, WITH ALL THE INTENSIT Y AND INSANITY OF THE MOST HARDCORE FREESTYLE MOTOCROSS PROS. HUGE OPEN ENVIRONMENTS. VIRTUALLY UNLIMITED SICK STUNTS. INSTANT GRATIFICATION. WORD. HERE'S HOW TO KICK IT AT CAMP... + LOG ONTO WWW.GAMEINFORMER.MIDWAY.COM * CHECK OUT THE OFFICIAL RULES AND ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS * COMPLETE THE ONLINE REGISTRATION > Capcom's epic western, Red "m. Dead Revolver has been given the axe due to recent budget «< scalebacks. However, following = A NINTENDO a report in Gl's Loose Talk, the PlayStation e GAMECUBE publisher is planning to put out a The Nightmare Before Christmas game in 2004. > Infogrames has officially changed its name to Atari. RATING PENDING Visit www.esrb.ofg or call 1-800-771-3772 for Rating Information. OH Date Book (y The Helix launcher screen Name That Game Answer: әуеис̧ piJoS :Z 1239 PJAN COVER STORY verQuest is a successful franchise. Okay, that doesn't quite describe it. EverQuest is an absolute phenomenon in the.world of gaming as we know | / it. That comes closer. For years, players have £ been flocking to the digital deity of EverQuest for fun, companionship, and simply because they can't stop themselves. No other game in the history of our industry has evoked the kind of response that EQ has. Do you want to talk about a fanatical fan base? Do you want to talk about user loyalty? This franchise has both in spades. To paraphrase a great sports broadcaster. you cannot stop it; you can only hope to contain it. And let's be honest here. you're not going to contain it. At last count, there were over 420,000 EverQuest users playing the PC iteration. That doesn't take into account EverQuest Online Adventures, a PlayStation 2 title, which recently had to activate additional servers to keep pace with demand. There's no getting away from it: This is a brand that's Boing to be around for a long time to come - and why wouldn't it? No one can doubt that there are a lot of people getting very, very rich off of EverQuest. At the same time, there are untold thousands of others who are more than willing to pay that monthly fee to live out their medieval fantasies. So, where does the mild-mannered staff of Snowblind Studios fit in with all of this? They're about to hijack this license and make it accessible to a whole different breed of gamer. Gone are the days of ambling around enormous environments and spending obscene numbers of hours obtaining a minute gain in your character's ability arc. Well, maybe not gone, but an intriguing alternative is lurking around the corner. With the critical and commercial success that Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance brought the small group who make their corporate home in Bellevue, Washington; everyone knew that there would be more products from Snowblind releasing in the future. However, no one guessed that the team would jump the Dungeons & Dragons ship in favor of the EverQuest universe. Although there is a sequel to their first hit being created (courtesy of a different development house), the team is completely dedicated to this project; and for good reason - they've got a lot to live up to. The fans have certain expectations, the publisher has certain expectations, and the development crew themselves have a standard of excellence that drives them to not only succeed, but also advance their particular art form. Will the end result weather the gauntlet facing it? From where we sit, the answer is yes. Action/RPG fans, your chariot awaits; and its name is Champions of Norrath. From enormous skill trees to stunning graphics and sound, we have a feeling that all comers will be sucked into this game's story and play options — not just those acquainted with the subject matter. So, put on some armor and strap on a sword, people - it's time to hunt some evil. EverQuest style. E FORMAT PLAYSTATION 2 Ш STYLE | TO 4-PLAYER ACTION/RPG (UP TO 4-PLAYER VIA ONLINE) Ш PUBLISHER SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT lUi DEVELOPER SNOWBLIND STUDIOS W RELEASE FALL GAME INFORMER 27 ne challenging aspect of bringing a massively multiplayer online role-playing game into an action setting is deciding what the plot will be. Sure, there's a semblance of a plot in the PC versio! but for the most part, players forge their own experi- ences while following a loose storyline. Some of them don't follow the story at all — they simply go out hunting with their ted companions and ignore the quests at hand. In a console action title, that type of play just doesn’t work. Running around aim- lessly in a massive dungeon could be fun, but there has to be Some sort of motivation for building a stronger character — which is where the story comes in. To get the skinny on what makes Champions of Norrath tick, we talked to Mark Geithman, president of Snowblind - Studios. After settling into the studio's plush conference room, Мг. Geithman gave us the general overview of what this title will deliver on the story side of things. "The game itself is set 300 years before the PC version of EQ, and orcs and goblins are invading Faydwer Forest," says Geithman. "The leader of Kele- thin, a tree city, has put out a call for champions to come and _ help his people. At this point, your character joins the battle; апа, after an opening cutscene, you're put to work defending Kelethin against the invading hordes. Eventually, you find the actual culprit behind all of this violence." But we won't ruin it for you. Suffice it to say that you'll be pleasantly surprised. “Players will be travelling to a number of different locations in EverQuest universe, and at one point, you'll meet up with Notice how the light accurately plays on the rest of the environment Particle effects have not gone forgotten by the Snowblind team ne of the most important parts of adapting ai established property into a new formis making sure that players feel grounded in their surround- ings. For example, if you're planning on releasing a j first-person shooter based in Vietnam, it's a good idea to scrap the snow-based levels. Likewise, the world of EverQuest demands accurate settings. From a purely technological perspective, having the depth of subject matter that this ‚ series enjoys at your disposal is a fantastic asset. ` With previously defined areas and landmarks, simply fleshing out an existing idea is exciting, but there's a responsibility that comes along with building on - someone else's creation. During our time with the team, we saw a number (s х of different locations. Some меге more complete than others, but they all looked and felt authentic. We were able to take a long, close look at different parts of Faydwer Forest and Kelethin itself. Although | there was a major battle raging throughout much of the forest's canopy and floor, we could see that the ambient scenery and environmental models are all what you would expect to see in this area of EverQuest's geography. We also learned that players will travel to a number t Planes, including Hate and Air: (bothi of which we saw), as well as Kunark апа a host of other locales. Providing Champions of Norrath with ` this accurate location recreation will not ў only help experienced players feel more at home when they play, but newcomers will find that they will have a detailed frame of reference should they want to partake in other EverQuest titles. However, as we mentioned, Cham- pions takes place 300 years before the PC title, so don't be surprised if ~ things look a little different. Three centuries is a long time, so the team -does have a bit of breathing room creatively. This allows them to inject their own particular take on the areas most people have only seen from one perspective. | A staggering amount of armor has been painstakingly modeled This guy looks scary enough without the buff effect li ost of you know that Snowblind developed Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance. The Dungeons & Dragons rule set is completely differ: : _ EverQuest's, and there's a disti пуа ferent D&D to EQ, Bee Geithman chimed in immediately, informing us, “That wasn't so bad. They're both high fantasy settings so there wasn't that much difference. We played pretty fast and loose with the D&D rules in Dark Alliance, so we didn't experience a _ really dramatic transition. There are a huge number of abilities - - EverQuest, so we had to kind of scale those back to simplify пу means; so we had to pull the reigns in on the rule sets order to make it cool for somebody who just wants to sit back and play a hot action game with role-playing elements.” “We also wanted to incorporate some of the flavor of Ever- peas " says Geithman. “Things like self-buffing [increasing your |' character’ s attributes through spells or items], go a long way _towards bringing that EQ feeling to players — that's something ‘ме weren't able to do with Dark Alliance. This brings а more - community aspect to the multiplayer segment of the gar here were a number of distinct = and widely lauded — features in Dark Alliance. The consensus on the most interesting aspect was the absolutely engrossing multiplayer segment. Being able to Slice and dice bugbears next to your buddy was an element many of us enjoyed for hours on end. Taking the hint, Sony Online and Snowblind are going to bring the cooperative aspect of this game to the next level. In true SOE form, this project is going online. “Sony will host a match-making service, and players will be able to connect through their PS2 to this service and link up with up to three other people to play a game,” says Hill. “Опсе they finish establishing a connection through us and find people they want to play with, the game is actually hosted on their PS2 itself, not on our service. Of course, if you don't want to go online, you're able to play with three of your friends using the multitap." To address power-leveling issues [which refers to a -stronger character partying with a weaker character, and destroying enemies that yield high experience rewards, which then grants the weaker member level advancement at a highly accelerated rate], the online ` service and the local multiplayer game will only low players to play together at the lowest common iculty setting. The scale has been greatly improved over Dark Alliance The difficult setting stems from Snowblind's mission to increase the game's overall replayability. To this end, gamers will be able to play through the entire game three separate times, all with the same E character. After you complete the game once, a new difficulty level will be made available. Starting again with this difficulty level allows your character to continue gaining experience, thus building on what you accomplished the first time through the game. After finishing the game for the second time, yet another difficulty level opens up, and you can _ continue leveling up your original character until 3 he or she is insanely powerful. Each level offers tougher enemies; but also increased experience and . improved items. Let's lay out a scenario incorporating all of ti . nuances of these simultaneous play options. ` Imagine that Johnny buys Champions of Norrath, beats the game once, and subsequently starts playing through it a second time. Seeing that Johnny “is having so much fun, Jimmy buys the game, but gets lonely. So, he calls up Johnny one evening, and they decide to join a game together online. Because Johnny has already been through it once, he has to play on the lower difficulty setting if he wants to lay with Jimmy. Now Sally and Timmy both buy the because they don't want to be left out. After During multiplayer scenarios, this type of spell will only inflict | damage on the party's | епетіеѕ Each enemy will cough ир а randomly generated item when dispatched, so picking up everything on the battlefield is a good idea por creating their characters and playing fora little while, they also get lonely. All four of them then decide to get together over the weekend and play at Timmy's house. After downloading their characters onto their own memory cards, they journey over to Timmy's - place, insert their cards into the multitap, fire up their characters, and play together for hours on end. Just because Johnny has been through the game doesn't mean he'll know his way around. Aside from the hub portions of levels (usually small towns - where you're able to buy and sell equipment), - every inch of the game is randomly generated. That means each time you go into a dungeon, it'll look ` completely different from the first time you visited it, |. thereby adding even more replayability. To help with - navigation, an overland map will be available (think _ Diablo), as well as auto-save checkpoints which “© сап whisk you back and forth from the level hub via teleportation. However, since everyone is playing at Timmy's house, they'll start from his character's last save point since he's hosting the game. So, the host determines at which point in the plot characters begin. “We're even toying around with the idea of ` not having those multiplayer sessions save to ot! people's cards so they can go through the game iemselves, but we're not sure about that yet,” game's controls are a lot like a movie's cinematography — if you're conscious of it, it probably isn't doing what it's supposed to. With this in mind, the Champions team took the comments and feedback they've accrued throughout their Baldur's Gate experience and incorporated a number of different enhancements. " The first, and most noticeable of these, is camera , control. You're now able to swoop in on your alter ego for an up-close-and-personal look, or pull back for a better view of your surroundings — an improvement that many Dark Alliance fans will be happy to see. Aside from basic modifications like this, the overall user interface has been completely overhauled. "You have access to. more functionality," says Hill. "It'll be right at your fingertips, and we'll give you 11.219999* Experience 7000 Next Level 1000 Health 92/92 Mana 38/38 Armor, 257 Attack 11 Damage 8-14 Strength Intelligence Dexterity Stamina The clever radial menu at left will make fighting and casting quicker and more intuitive new ne te رہ مہ‎ uw be able to change that functionality. For example, instead of having to cycle through spells, you'll have a radial command structure mapped to the d-pad which will allow you to assign two different spells to different buttons for instant use.” We saw this system in action, and it’s as simple and effective as it sounds. Other improvements have been made to the Overall look of your interface, but some of the core features are still present. The health, experience, and mana bars that appeared іп the upper left corner of the screen in Dark Alliance have made a comeback, and are as intuitive as they always - were. Being able to gauge all of your vital statistics at a moment's notice is an absolute must in any action game, and this system is a perfect fit for Champions of Norrath. Lulu [DEBUG STARTUP) Level 1 Wood Elf Ranger SET 20,000 COVER STORY " 0 0% ў, 0% H * ex ex 0% = Character statistics have T received a huge overhaul in Resist both quantity and quality GAME INFORMER 31 An updated graphics engine has given the artists more control over what you see onscreen xy "t unt hk Е z Ey Taking on enemies this big calls for a larger party 2 р Р. role-playing game is nothing without a varied set of different _ playable characters. Similarly, an action game just isn't an action game without a protagonist the player can invest in and care about. "We're going to try to be true to both the EverQuest universe and the action genre in terms of огге types," says Hill. 8 From this philosophy, five playable characters were born, each with _ а mêle and female iteration. The first, the Barbarian Warrior, will likely actas the tank іп many adventuring parties; meaning they will probably take the brunt of the damage during battles, but will also make the lion's share of kills. During a multiplayer session, that's an important thing to take into account, as the person who issues the killing blow on an enemy will reap 60 percent of the experience, and the rest of the party will share the remainder. Second comes the Wood Elf Ranger, who will likely act in a supporting role — shooting arrows from afar during moderate encounters, and leaping into the fray with weapon in hand if need be. Rangers are also typically light on their feet, which will come in handy when attempting to collect the randomly generated items monsters drop when dispatched. Next is the High Elf Cleric who will do what clerics tend to do — keeping people alive and fighting. Each class will have access to various “spells, but the cleric specializes in healing and attribute enhance- t a fracas, you may find yourself waiting in line to receive Uff or two from your friendly neighborhood cleric; and, when push 'comes to shove, they've got plenty of power to spare. Rounding out " the warrior classes is the Dark Elf Shadow Knight — essentially an 230.2/9999:. ЖҰ? 15,189 nti-paladin. Featuring a deadly mix of casting and melee prowess, z we expect this character to be one of the most popular classes in the 4 {УТ ed S же T \ Each skill in your tree can be leveled up 20 times in all, making for some spectacular player abilities - game. Finally, an Erudite Wizard will be available for all of you who want to blast things into the unknown with the power of the unknown. Unlike Dark Alliance, the character generation system will be quite robust in terms of appearance choices and skill point allocation. x Also, in the biggest technological breakthrough this game possesses, players will now be able to actually name their own characters. "We &ot a lot of complaints about [the fact you couldn't name your charac- У 10 ter in Dark Alliance], so we thought it would probably be a good idea 7 to put it in for Champions of Norrath,” says Geithman. After you've br 96 F _ decided what class to take on, you're given a number of points to es y $ put toward one of four attributes: strength, dexterity, intelligence, and : amina. You're able to put points wherever you wish, but creating a : wizard who can bench press 342 pounds won't prove to be a wise Ц yn f f 10 lecision down the road. Don't worry if you set up your character and № E x NM 2 - art playing only to realize that you should have put more points D п ап area you neglected during the creation phase. You'll be given ore ' points to administer as you level — something the D&D world is RS a) fter all of the customization that goes into making your char- acter look and act like you want him to, it’s time to jump in the game and start climbing your class’ skill tree. Each class will have an average of about 20 different skills, and each ability will be able to be leveled up individually up to 20 times as well. For example, if you spend points to obtain an ice bolt skill, its primary function will simply be a bolt of ice that leaps from the caster and inflicts damage on the target. However, if you put another point in that skill, its effect will increase with each successive upgrade. You can image what happens around level 20. . Aside from the active skill type like we just described; there's also an active/passive type (putting an attribute enhancement spell on ` team member) which will wear off with time, and a passive type which The Plane of Hate is no gives you a permanent bonus when you spend a point to obtain it. place for the faint of heart What does this incredibly deep skill tree mean? Replay, replay, = апа more replay. The idea that your onscreen persona is good, but could be better, is a carrot that will drive many to rack up hour after hour of game time. This is coupled with the fact that there will be literally thousands of different combinations of item types due to the prefix/suffix system. Snowblind is instituting these additional descrip- tive terms on all of their weapons, armor, and jewelry (a sword isn't a sword, it’s. a “rusty broadsword of weakness,” or a suit of armor is а turdy full-plate of protection"), giving players yet another reason to keep that disc spinning in their PS2. 0 \ M i X у „м " va » E] NL. | d All character animations have taken on noticable upgrades n the purely technical sense, Champions of Norrath will use a slightly modified version of There's nothing like a good area- the engine that Dark Alliance ran on. One of the effect spell to even the odds те er most obvious improvements is the elevated level of detail for everything you can see onscreen. From increased attention to detail on the weapons and armor to artist-controlled particle effects and eye- popping environmental visuals, this is a game that plans on looking as good as it plays. The industry's best water effect makes its triumphant return, and we look forward to running around in puddles in the near future. Truth be told, there are many reasons we look forward to playing this game. Not only does К _ Snowblind have the foresight to cater to both EQ fans {you'll See Firiona Vie as an NPC) and newcomers; . it also has the presence of mind to fix what needs fixing, innovate on the multiplayer end, and leave its action-packed core gameplay alone. Whether you choose to play this game with one friend or three, online or off, or even alone; Champions of Norrath has all the makings of being a bona fide smash. eS, [НЕ END Seo EX Game Experience May Change During Online Play MAT URE ~ Blood and Gore : = Violence M к= EIE ` OVERTHROW HITLER'S EVIL EMPIRE. You are B.J: Blazkowicz, a US Army Ranger recruited by the OSA and the Allies‘ top specialist in covert ~~ ` 3 operations, heavy weapons and assassination. Hitler's head of the SS, Heinrich Himmler, is twisting Science x and the occult into an army capable of annihilating the Allies. The balance of victory is in your fiarids. RETRY JP CHSFLE = ў j - : ¥ ` Traverse vast forests, war-torn Unleash a brutal arsenal cities, Egyptian villages { of authentic and experimental weapons. PlayStation.2 \ Face squad-based multiplayer battles == Г against ир to 15 others via Xbox Live" and intense split-screen co-op action. Complete uniqueobjectives, 1 including silently assassinating Nazi officers. 252 Ste ; ê уер E * | LR X a, PlayStation2 ^ > < ana y Outside of tracking the number of hits, the combo meter's function is still unknown There are hundreds of rooms divided into five sections - the Cathedral, the Theatre, the Garden, the Alchemist Laboratory and the Dungeon There are 35 different monsters throughout the adventure The story focuses on Leon, the first vampire slayer in the Belmont family FULL SPECTRUM WARRIOR YOUR ORDERS, LIEUTENANT For many war-game aficionados, the action onscreen is only slightly more important than the control given to players over their compatriots and granting them the ability to formulate their own unique strategies. From this idea set has come hundreds of games with only a few different play styles. The first, and most obvious, is the first- person shooter. As technology has evolved, titles like Medal of Honor: Allied Assault and Operation Flashpoint have brought the average gamer as close to donning fatigues ani picking up a rifle as is possible. While squeezing off rounds at an enemy as bullets whiz past your head is exhilarating, it lacks that brain-stimulating play that more strategy-centric war titles, and to a lesser extent RTS games, offer. For years, these two genres have remained relatively static, with minor incremental improvements made here and there. Now, a new style of war title is making its debut, and in doing so, blazing a new trail through intense simulation and balls-out action. W STYLE !-PLAYER ACTION Ш PUBLISHER THQ Ш DEVELOPER PANDEMIC STUDIOS I RELEASE 2004 “Larson! Put on your goggles, jackass!” COMMAND ME “Our work with the Army produced a compelling and unique game that authentically captures the life of a U.S. Army Soldier operating in an urban warzone. Full Spectrum Warrior is a completely new type of game experience that we are extremely excited to bring to consumers." So says the president of Pandemic Studios, Josh Resnick. The game's hook lies in the fact that you, the player, will never fire a bullet. Instead, you will command a squad of nine soldiers 80 GAME INFORMER as they attempt to accomplish their mission objectives and stay alive. Your squad will be separated into two fire teams, and through a number of inventive interface systems, you will issue orders to your soldiers on the fly. It's important to remember at this point that you won't actually control them - the AI will take care of that after you've given an order. From there, your team leaders will bark commands to their group, and off they'll go. Preparing to lay down suppressing fire SIR, YES SIR! Although the release date is still a long way down the road, Full Spectrum Warrior is already turning a lot of heads. An innovative title like FSW has many technological hurdles to deal with before release, but we expect to be astounded with varied mission types and twists in gameplay that we didn't see coming. It simply cannot be denied that THQ is sitting on what could be a quantum leap forward in the battlefield simulation category. Everything from the sound to the intelligent camera control we've already seen has us chomping at the bit to get at this game — hopefully we'll see an early 2004 release date solidify in the near future. ‘overing your teammates is critical to survival in a fire team BREAKDOWN FISTS OF FIRST-PERSON The key to having a successful game system, and something that Xbox has been somewhat lacking during its life, is compelling exclusive content. Namco's Breakdown is a definite step in the right direction, and it’s only going to be on Xbox. Microsoft seems to be down with it, since the game took up a good chunk of the Xbox press conference before E3. Can you dig that, sucka? Breakdown is a first-person shooter with a twist – much of your offense will be hand-to-hand attacks. You'll be just as likely to take out a bad guy with a left cross to the jaw as you would with buckshot to the breadbasket. This melee style of battle isn’t necessarily a brand new direction. Nearly every FPS has some sort of kick or punch to keep enemies at bay when your ammo is low. Games like Dreamcast’s Maken X have even explored hand-to-hand-centric play with some success. Still, seeing Breakdown in action, we're convinced Namco is executing this mechanic on an unheard of scale. After all, this is the company that made Soul Calibur Il, Time Crisis, and Galaga. Namco don't play. The sci-fi storyline sticks main character Derrick Cole in that popular time period known only as "the future." He's got both amnesia and amazing powers – a deadly mixture, to be sure. Several factions want him for their own wicked purposes, including the military and a cult of seemingly invincible warriors. They're not going to get him without a fight! At least he has one friend to his name, and you can see her playing Trinity to Derrick's Neo in the screenshots. For you gore-whores out there, Breakdown has the blood and guts you crave. A puncture wound to the throat turns on the crimson faucet and hallways will be littered with corpses like empty Coke cans on Kato's desk. The ESRB rating is Still pending, but you'd have to be a "M"oron not to guess which rating this game will get. Breakdown's stunning environments are vast enough to lead to a little exploring between face smashing. We have seen the future, and it sure is purdy. Nonviolent puzzles will actually challenge the muscle between your ears. Truly, Namco is trying to make Breakdown all things to all FPS gamers. This is definitely a different type of title, which could spell its success or doom. Keep this in mind: Metroid Prime was one of the first FPSs to attempt first-person platforming, and it became one of the best games of this console generation. Breakdown could follow suit and impress a lot of people. It's doing one heck of a job so far. E Which is a screenshot of the game, and which is a GI editor being smacked at an E3 party? BLISHER NAMCO Ш DEVELOPER NAMCO Ш RELEASE WINTER Come on, you know you've flexed in front of the mirror before. ЖЕ Ah! It's a cat disguised as a сом - or vice versa! Whatever it is, kill it! PREVIE If you look closely, you can spot a ghostly being responsible for this carnage a Ав... » "Gurgle...gurgle!" That's our impression of that guy GAME INFORMER = PREVIEWS Your characters will experience life-changing events, such as their very first kiss from a high school sweetie £6 The Sims can finally play console games. When they do, a 82 video of SSX Tricky appears on the TV screen GAME INFORMER THE SIMS 2 THE JOYS OF GROWING OL After years Of expansion packs and upgrades, the biggest PC game of all time has finally evolved to the next generation of gaming. Along with a brand new 3D graphics engine that allows players to seamlessly change views and zoom in, almost every aspect of the game has changed dramatically. The most shocking implementation revolves around the lifespan of your Sims characters. Your precious digital personas will no longer remain the same age. Throughout the course of the game, the characters will grow older and eventually pass on to that big computer in the sky. The big moments that a character experiences in his or her life will have a great effect on how they develop as a person. So, an action performed by a toddler has a direct effect on their teen or adult forms. The appearance of aging is displayed in real-time and all factors are taken into account as to how your Sim will look in the next phase of his or her life. If they sit on the couch all day, they'll develop a beer belly and will probably perish quicker than they should. To round out the experience, the DNA and genetic traits from your characters will be passed down to the family's offspring. So in a sense, the steps that ancestors make will be echoed throughout numerous generations. Developer Maxis has also upgraded the Al and level of interaction significantly. For instance, your characters may grow frustrated if a baby is crying. Furthermore, if two teenage boys start fighting in the living room, there’s a chance that they could knock over and break a lamp. When a parent finds out that the lamp is broken, they'll scold the teen. If the culprit doesn't take well to authority, they'll walk away and ignore the punishment. Outside of the gameplay itself, the building aspect of The Sims 2 is rather robust as well. You can change the fabric style and color for furniture, add additional floors, hang things from ceilings, and tweak whatever your heart desires. In a sense, The Sims 2 has reached the point where anything is possible. You won't believe how deep this game is! No Sims game is complete without a make-out session in the hot tub! Ah yeah! E STYLE 1 -РІДҮЕК SIMULATION Ш PUBLISHER ELECTRONIC ARTS Ш DEVELOPER MAXIS Ш RELEASE PLAY: ON BOX/GAMECUBE JAMES BOND 007: EVERYTHING OR NOTHING MORE PIERCE, NEW PERSPECTIVE Electronic Arts was doing pretty good for itself with its last few Bond titles. These games offered plenty of first-person action, loads of gadgets, and entertaining driving sequences. Thus, it's rather surprising that EA is abandoning this formula for the new 007 game, Everything or Nothing. But once you hear that Pierce Brosnan's face has been cyberscanned and he finally got his chiseled British rear end (which you'll be looking at a lot, whether you like it or not) into the sound studio to record dialogue, the decision to go third-person seems much more obvious. The way Bond plays has been changed to accommodate this new direction. He will use a handy autotargeting interface to blast evildoers, and his physical prowess will get him out of some very sticky situations as only Bond can. Don't worry, this game is nothing like the first 007 title under EA's supervision, Tomorrow Never Dies. It's much Closer to the Namco hit from last year, Dead to Rights. This is no coincidence, as rumor has it that there are a few former Namco employees working on this game. James will not always be in his snazzy tux, and needs to put on a disguise or two to get where he needs to go in the original adventure. This is just part of the cunning that comes into play. He is a spy, after all. Each mission has multiple solutions. The more Bond-like you are in execution, however, th bonus points you'll receive. That's just EA's way of being as nonviolent as possible — we say blast the bejeebers out of any enemy who gets in your way! Who needs the cool Q-Lab stuff that gets unlocked anyway? Okay, we do. Bond also isn't confined to being on foot, and this new perspective makes it seamless to go from hoofing it to sitting in one of the pimpin’ vehicles James will get the keys to throughout his journey. We're talking about motorcycles, tanks, helicopters, and even cars (okay, So maybe we should've mentioned cars first)! The exotic locales you'll be hanging in (literally, thanks to the rappel mechanic) are, in random order, New Orleans, Peruvian mountains, Egypt, and Moscow. Imagine the frequent flyer miles! If you're the lonely type, EA is giving you a co-op mode so you can have a co-pilot along with you. Will you be able to play as American Pie and Jay and Silent Bob hottie Shann Elizabeth, who recently signed on to play Bond girl Serena St. Germaine in the game? We certainly hope so. On the more competitive front, four-player arena battles are in Everything or Nothing, too. Again, they all use the third-person perspective. Take that, vertigo! Shannon Elizabeth has been cast as the Bond girl for Everything or Nothing PUBLISHER ELECTRONIC ARTS Ш DEVELOPER EA REDWOOD SHORES Ш RELEASE FALL — PREVIEWS `, "Do you see, fool? Your profile isn't nearly as perfect as that of myself, James Bond. Now die." $ 7 if” 4 ~ 1 í ү M Y d 4 4 a ж by E es MMB Sy - We hope you didn't just eat a big meal before looking at this shot. URP! aw E Bond and a bottle versus a hail of bullets? Da BOND! GAME INFORMER 83 Mee Seve 7 -— 3 100084 172 5. = — PREVIE By wielding two swords, bullets can be deflected... АКЪ бйз Шу Pu «апа Tediz can be shredded An Added Bonus! If you missed out on Conker's Bad Fur Day on Nintendo 64, never fear. Rare is including the entire game within Live and Uncut. No word has been given as to what improvements or changes are in store for this port, but we can assume that the game will feature high-resolution texturing and a steady framerate. 84 GAME INFORMER Pee. — | CONKER: LIVE AND UNCUT NOT JUST ABOUT NUTS ANYMORE Call us sadistic it you like, but there's something genuinely amusing about a squirrel who slams a keg of beer, stumbles around in a drunken stupor, and then urinates uncontrollably all over the place. This is just one of many standout scenarios that made Conker's Bad Fur Day into one of the Nintendo 64's most memorable games. Unfortunately, as entertaining as it was, this killer app never found an audience. With the Nintendo 64 fossilizing by the time the game hit retail shelves, timing was most certainly a factor. Couple this with the fact that the console basked in a kid- friendly atmosphere and you can clearly see why consumers shunned Conker's bad-boy image. The Conker franchise would likely wilt and die in Nintendo's stable, but now that Rare is partnered with Microsoft, everything changes. The Xbox market is a perfect fit for Conker's wry wit and overly gory content. Given the fact that Rare is designing the game for online purposes just as Xbox Live is booming makes it all the better. Conker: Live and Uncut is an entirely new £ame that hones in on team-based multiplayer madness. Up to 16 players can compete in an online game. The scenarios that you'll enter are just as twisted as the characters you'll play. In one such scene, dubbed the Hiest, four teams of four race against one another to be the first to successfully rob a bank. If this sounds absurd, the Alien Base scenario pits all Players can interact with a handful of different vehicles E DEVELOPER RARE Ш RELEASE 2004 STYLE 1 TO 4-PLAYER ACTION (UP TO 16-PLAYER VIA XBOX LIVE) II PUBLISHER MICROSOFT human players against never- “—# ending waves of extraterrestrial beings. To do away with the “everything that moves must die” motif that accompanies games of this ilk, Rare plans to incorporate missions in each stage that you enter. Let’s just hope we're not collecting Jinjos or puzzle pieces. In true Conker fashion, vulgar language, offensive taunts, and gruesome war detailing are all part of the mix. You'll be able to blow the stuffing out of Tediz with a rocket launcher, shoot squirrels right between the eyes with a sniper rifle, and set up turret guns to cut swarms of troops down to size. Interestingly, you'll be able to wield more than one weapon at any given time. Of course, this comes in handy if your ammo is depleted, but there's much more to it than that. If you're carrying a sword and you stumble upon another, dual wielding will produce a number of enhancements. For instance, you'll now be able to hack away like a madman. Deflecting bullets with the blades becomes possible as well. With its cute cartoon appearance, visceral details, and unique gameplay premise, Live and Uncut has the potential to become one of the Xbox's hottest properties. Wisely, Micros as not determined a release date as of yet, but given Rare's track record, it should be on retail shelves in 2004, 2005, or 2006. You can only imagine what a rocket will do to a squirrel VI LINEAGE И: THE CHAOTIC CHRONICLE THE NEXT DIMENSION If there's one thing hundreds of thousands of gamers love to do, it's play Lineage. Riding on this wave, NCsoft has taken its newly accumulated cash heap to aid in the development of Lineage Il: The Chaotic Chronicle. From what we've seen, that money is being put to good use. The real question for this sequel will be whether it has the chutzpah to run with the big boys in the American W STYLE MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER ONLINE ROLE-PLAYING GAME ШЕ PUBLISHER NCSOFT Ш DEVELOPER NCSOFT W RELEASE SUMMER MMO market. With titles like Star War Galaxies, PlanetSide, EverQuest Il, Dark Age of Camelot, Asheron's Call 2, a host of others squeezing the market share together, the team over at NCsoft has a lot to live up to. In terms of a purely entertaining multiplayer experience, it looks as that its competitors don't. There'll be no shortage of incredible enemies Curb Appeal By now, you've probably noticed that enormous screenshot on the top of the page. Sure, you've seen big pictures before, but this one is representative of the graphical quality infused throughout the entire game. The first and most obvious visual update is the 3D presentation. Each and Not pictured: Hot chick with mace every unit and environment will be painstakingly crafted to can only dream of. Thanks to a completely new version of see in the game will look incredibly realistic. though this title should be able to offer a bevy of attractions lend an aura of realism that most massively multiplayer titles the Unreal engine, the items, armor, and every structure you наа These adolescent dragons с: they'll inflict a whole lot of me Give Us Game Looks alone aren't going to get you anywhere in this industry (unless you're talking about action games). To this end, Lineage Il will keep much of its predecessor's core gameplay, but will expand on the Blood Pledge system and will offer a more gradual approach to character development than others of its ilk. With the use of a skill tree, players will have the ability to build the avatar they want instead of following a predestined line from the moment they enter the world. Although you will have to decide between being a caster or a fighter in the beginning; from then on, development is up to you. Learning and using the game's plentiful active and passive abilities will be one thing that will keep people playing, but the ability to raise and eventually ride dragons is probably the biggest. Although they'll be relatively scarce, an adult dragon will not only act as an incredible transport, but it'll also inflict huge amounts of damage should the rider be threatened. We're excited to see what else NCsoft can put in this title, and even more excited to see how the rest of the big MMO companies react to an upping of the ante. "t fly yet, but GAME INFORMER Team Ninja once again has a lot of hot ladies in its computer-generated movies PREVIEWS | XBOX NINJA GAIDEN GAMEPLAY ELEMENTS FINALLY REVEALED (JUST NO PICTURES) Yes, it’s true, the Ninja Gaiden pictures on this page certainly do look spectacular. Unfortunately, they are both from a CG sequence that was recently unveiled and are not actual gameplay. That said, we do have some exciting new information about the game after witnessing a LO-minute demo at E3. In a lot of ways, Ninja Gaiden reminds us of Rygar for PlayStation 2 since it features expansive areas to explore and many breakable items throughout. That is where the similarities end, since the Xbox-powered graphics leave Rygar in the dust Like any good ninja, Ryu Hyabusa has a number of attacks and techniques at his disposal. We saw him perform impressive twirling and twisting combos with both sword and nunchaku (some as big as 21 hits). He can even use a bow to unleash a long-distance barrage of arrows. Ryu is also capable of running and vaulting off walls, or shimmying Tomb Raider style along ledges. No matter how you slice it, Ryu has an аме. inspiring, move set All told, Ninja Gaiden looks to be going in the right direction, His moves are sharp with fluid animation, About the only thing that slightly disappointed us was that the environments were a little boring. After seeing the gigantic skeleton boss at the end of the demo, however, we were instantly all right with the envi- ronments — if it's the trade-off for getting bosses of that caliber. We'll know more in the coming months. W STYLE |-PLAYER ACTION I PUBLISHER TECMO E DEVELOPER TEAM NINJA Ш RELEASE HOLIDAY 2003 86 GAME INFORMER PLAYSTATION 2/XBO AMECUBE R: RACING EVOLUTION GIVING NEW MEANING TO THE TERM "SPOILER" Namco knows racing games. After all, it put out the Ridge Racer series and was even responsible for Pole Position back in the day. While R: Racing Evolution does have members of the Ridge Racer team in its ranks (as well as people from MotoGP 3), it couldn't be more different from its arcade ancestors. Instead of focusing on the vehicles in the game, R: Racing Evolution puts the spotlight on the people behind the wheel. Isao Nakamura, the game's producer, tells us why that decision was made. "Racing games rarely make you feel like you're part of the action," he comments. "We want to put you in the middle of the game, with an emotional tie to the main character." That character is a Rena Hayami, a young woman who's reluctantly forced to don a racer's helmet. Past Namco titles have featured women alongside cars, but this is the first time one will grip the steering wheel. A Pro Race Driver-esque story mode enlightens the player on why Rena is thrust into this situation, as well as documenting her relationship with other major players in the game. Cutscenes tell the tale masterfully, featuring character designs by the same group responsible for those in Soul Calibur Il and the Tekken series. Rivalries will form, as will “Hmmm... Did she just hit on me? unlikely friendships. Audio will play during the races, as your pit crew issues advice and opponents talk smack. You'll have to play through the entire game to get the whole story — which Namco isn't currently revealing much about. The action on the course hasn't been compromised in any way, and R: Racing Evolution is playing super-smooth already. It has the physics and the graphical flair to compete with any other car on the racing genre track. There are a variety of dif- ferent vehicles, which can be upgraded as you go. ‘acing Evolution simply brings more personality to the racing sim. E STYLE 1 OR 2-PLAYER RACING I PUBLISHER NAMCO ш DEVELOPER NAMCO Ш RELEASE WINTER IN Б The Ultimate ove 20,0000 n paces cg Gaming Rig! s. You have the POWER. In this contest you don't rely on the luck-of-the Media Rig Contest. The Ultimate — Environment, 60 inch HDTV draw. You determine if you win or not. You win by outscoring others in a game of monitor, 130 watt receiver w/ Dolby Digital, DVD and all components shown. Win skill. Can you solve the puzzle below? It looks simple, but it's only the start. Each of DSS Satellite Receiver as a BONUS OPTION! This rig will blow you away!! five more puzzles will get harder. But this time it's all up to you. Stay in to the end We're talkin’ GAMING HEAVEN! with the highest score and th i . With what ti Do a zh TTE : A due. atit takes? Ту em esi eia towint atever options you want. #0 Directions. Fill in the Mystery Word Grid with worte ary dcs that spell Computer Contest. Win а tricked out даті er with 49 Gh out the Mystery Word down the side. Hint: use the Mystery ue. s i = pp ha tricked ош gaming computer with ^^ Ghz qm the future. For each contest there will be four more puzzles at $2.00 each Pentium 4, 1 Gig RAM, 120 Gig. HD, DVD, Radeon 9800 card and more! and one much tougher final at $1.00 which will be sent to you у mail. You will have Video Game Contest. Play on the hi-tech cutting edge with this line-up: 3 weeks to solve each puzzle. We don't know how many will play but typically 55% Microsoft XBox, Nintendo Gamecube and Sony Playstation 2! Cet all three or pes will have the highest score possible score to Phase І, 43% to Phase Il, 36% to Phase the ones you don't want for CASH! Bonus options include: 33" monitor, $1,000 in 11, and 32% to Phase IV. Highest score in the final determines the winner. If players games you choose, Gamehoy Advance, cash, accessories and more! are still tied they will split the value of the grand prize they are playing for. Yi W ENTER ME TODAY, HERE'S MY ENTRY FEE: es: C ($3.00) Video Game Contest O ($3.00) Media Rig Contest C ($3.00) Computer Contest C ($5.00) SPECIAL! Enter them all (SAVE $4.00) TVW ONY апо Address City State Zip RS SEND CASH, CHECK OR М.О. TO: RATTLEBRAIN, P.O. BOX 9315 PORTLAND, OR 97207-9315 STOMP. ....T STAND...... t 554 VOID WHERE PROHIBITED « ENTRY DEADLINE: POSTMARKED BY SEPT 27th, 2003 * ENTRY FEE MUST BE INCLUDED Only one entry per person. You must be under 30 years old to play. Suppliers of Rattlebrain, Inc. ineligible, Not responsible for CRUSH.......1 SCORE. lost or delayed mail. Judges decisions are final. Open to residents of the U.S. and Canada. Winners determined no later than we 6/30/04, You can request Winners List and Official Rules by writing: Rattlebrain Rules, 1511 SW Park Ave. #1102, Portland, OR $7201. Merchandise names and models are trademarks of their respective companies who, along with this magazine, have no WORLD RULERS HAVE IT AND IN THIS CONTEST YOU HAVE IT affiliation with this contest.(And, if you've read all this, guess what, you have the personality type to win] ©2002 Rattlebrain, Inc. Verifiable retail value of the prize packages as follows: Media Rig Contest package $7,012.00 core components shown, bonus options $3,449.00, cash options $1,250.00. Computer Contest package $2,500.00 for computer, bonus options $2,337.00, cash options $1,250.00. Video Game Contest $700.00 for systems shown, $3,549.00 bonus options, $1,250.00 cash options. PREVIEWS PLAYSTATION 2/XBOX/GAMECUBE THE SIMS: BUSTIN’ OUT TAKIN’ IT TO THE STREETS This stand-alone follow-up is «co to the hilt with new features. As the name of the game implies, your characters can leave the house and travel into the town via scooter or car. Along with a hip-hop dance venue, Club Rubb, and the mysteriously named Love Shack; your Sims can explore a lab, art gallery, family diner, and gymnasium. With these locales comes a plethora of new objects and social interactions. For instance, you can now French kiss your significant other, towel snap their behind when they leave the room, and then signal victory by moonwalking across the floor. Within the particular venues, you can hold a laser light show, test your might on a climbing wall, and even hop into the DJ booth EA has also created a handful of characters that are exclusive to the console version. Our favorite, Bing Bling is a party machine who will more than likely make an appearance at any and all of your bashes. To round out the experience, Bustin’ Out features a slew of additional two-player options, the ability to transport Sims to a friend’s house through a memory card, new original music, and an overhauled engine with seamless UI and real-time shadows. Unfortunately, it won't be available until early 2004. e TENS F CRYSTAL CHRONICLES NINTENDO FANS REJOICE! SQUARE'S BACK! After a 10-year absence on Nintendo hardware, Square is finally bringing out new games for the GameCube and Game Boy Advance. First out of the gates is the highly anticipated Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles. Crystal Chronicles is a far cry from the usual Final Fantasy game. You won't find Cloud, Yuna, Sabin, Steiner, Locke, or Squall in this game. In fact, Crystal Chronicles isn't a turn-based RPG and won't even have summons. At its core, Crystal Chronicles is a real-time action/RPG that uses the Game Boy Advance to control your character on screen. Emphasis is placed on experiencing the game with more than one person, but you'll still be able to play through Crystal Chronicles alone. Gameplay is similar to a Gauntlet or Phantasy Star Online game where you and your team roll through each level- based mission attacking foes and battling huge bosses. The main Switch is in the battle system – which includes both physical and magic attacks. Physical attacks are as Simple as swinging your weapon and striking your foe; but by holding down A, you charge up the attack. The magic system is based on stones that you collect throughout character carried around a crystal that produced a circular force field, which protected team members from a deadly gas. Party members leaving the protective force field took damage, forcing them to travel in packs. It is also interesting to note that in the version we played, you didn't need a Game Boy Advance to control your character and could use the standard GameCube controller, Whether or not you'll be required to have a GBA to play in the final version is unknown, but we're betting it'll be optional. Even though Crystal Chronicles is a departure from the typical Final Fantasy game, it's not the first time that Square has tried something different with its flagship series. With intense realtime battles, luscious visuals, GBA connectivity, and multiplayer Support, Crystal Chronicles could be exactly what RPG-starved GameCube owners have been waiting for. the levels that generate different spells. If you're playing multiplayer, you can combine each of the spells to unleash a “super” attack. When you get to the gigantic boss К battles, you'll be happy you brought your friends with you. y DEVE The Game Boy Advance is used as the controller for , AN many different reasons. During gameplay, it will give you C overhead maps of the level you're in; display character | о information; апа most importantly, manage your : abilities. These ? can be adjusted on 2 the fly, and while Ж you're attention — is diverted to your Game Boy Advance # sL screen, your : character goes into Pss auto pilot mode. In the demo we played at E3, one : f] 2531066155 X1:59AM; “ке Four against one is a little unfair y One of the new interactions is the wall climb ® STYLE 1 OR 2-PLAYER SIMULATION B PUBLISHER ELECTRONIC ARTS II DEVELOPER MAXIS Ш RELEASE 2004 ids too young to play with fire? W STYLE 1 ТО 4-PLAYER ACTION/RPG Ш PUBLISHER NINTENDO Ш DEVELOPER SQUARE ENIX Ш RELEASE WINTER 88 GAME INFORMER ANOTHER FAKE FOX Nintendo’s commitment to creating a Star Fox game based on gameplay unassociated with its roots is vexing. Why pursue something like Star Fox 2 when Adventures was disappointing? Listen little “n,” and listen very closely: We want to enjoy an updated version of Star Fox 64! Nothing more and nothing less. Despite our already negative intro, we admit that the idea for Star Fox 2 has potential. Players assume the role of one of the old or new characters. The unique mission structure allows you to proceed through levels in one of three manners: on foot, in a Landmaster Tank, or in the Arwing. Each scenario presents its own challenges, objectives, and gameplay mechanics. To add further depth and replay value, up to three friends can join in for р а cooperative effort. Within the same area, for example, the first player i could roam on foot; another would control the tank; while the other two tend to the Arwing — one player flying and shooting within the plane and the second actually fighting on top of the wing! If cooperative play isn't your style, the four of you can compete in deathmatch-style games. Although the multiplayer mode doesn't really present any original ideas, the maps are very well designed. Each stage is fairly large and complex and contains the two vehicles, yet they're balanced so that players stuck fighting on foot always seem to have an equal chance of winning as those controlling the Arwing and tank. Our serious technical gripes are few, but conspicuous. First, the control scheme will initially confuse your brain. Instead of pressing forward to move, you must hold the R trigger; and the L trigger in conjunction with the analog stick will allow you to strafe. Second, the graphics still need some work. Seeing that Nintendo won't ship a game until it has been deemed flawless, there's a good chance that these technical problems will be fixed by the time the game ships. в " — PREVIEWS PLAYSTATION 2 DRAKENGARD SQUARE NODS TO KOEI AND SEGA Focusing on more action than вро, Drakengard merges the gameplay of Dynasty Warriors and Panzer Dragoon. Players will spend half of their time hacking and slashing away with the hero Kyme, while the rest is devoted to destroying enemies from atop a dragon with a pernicious disposition. Fortunately, ground scenarios will feature more than the mindless chaos that Dynasty Warriors had perfected Kyme's attributes improve throughout the adventure, which yields more combos, magic attacks, physical strength, and weapon experience. Players will also participate in story segments and exploration while on foot. The dragon actually thrusts gamers into two types of fighting: dogfights and strafing. Aerial combat pits players against other flying foes in a 360-degree environment, while strafing will allow you to rain fire down upon ground targets Such as buildings and soldiers. Although we're still in the dark in regards to the dragon's capabilities outside of fire breathing, Square revealed that it too will wax stronger, making more defensive and offensive maneuvers available. Drakengard might not be original, but if Square Enix can properly execute the two gameplay types (which it seems the company will), fans of action titles have cause for excitement. Guns still ablazin', but McCloud just can't decide: handgun or Arwing? Multiplayer is conducted through a split-screen interface 2659 The fire effects аге impressive, but what else would you expect from Square Enix? There are a bunch of new weapons available The texturing is a bit bland and the geometry looks blocky W STYLE | -PLAYER ACTION/RPG Ш PUBLISHER SQUARE ENIX STYLE 1 TO 4-PLAYER ACTION Ш PUBLISHER NINTENDO Ш DEVELOPER NAMCO Ш RELEASE 2003 Ш DEVELOPER CAVIA Ш RELEASE SPRING 2004 GAME INFORMER PREVIEWS MIDDLE-EARTH ONLINE EARLY IN THE GAME Vivendi owns the Tolkien license, and by gum, it’s determined to make some money off of it! Never mind that Fellowship of the Ring was a steaming pile of donkey crap, Middle-Earth Online looks good enough that we can forgive and forget the besmirching of Tolkien’s name. Thousands of players will traverse the lands of Middle-Earth to push back the evil hordes of Mordor. No, you won't be able to play as a Nazgiil, but picking between elves, humans, hobbits, and dwarves should be enough to keep people interested. As your character advances, you'll be able to purchase customizable race-specific dwellings and travel to distant and spectacular regions of J.R.R.'s geographic creation. Stay tuned for more MEO informa- tion in the coming months. The environmental detail is impressive to say the least un «ші Оһ yeah, well mine’s this big! W STYLE MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER ONLINE ROLE-PLAYING GAME W PUBLISHER VIVENDI UNIVERSAL GAMES NW DEVELOPER TURBINE Ш RELEASE WINTER 2004 90 GAMEINFORMER PLAYSTATION 2/XBO: AMECUB BEYOND GOOÉ JACK OF ALL TRADES Although Beyond Good & Evil nas been in production for a few years, details about the title had been fiercely guarded – until now. We know that the plot centers on Jade, a teenage resident of the peaceful planet of Hyllis. Hyllis, of course, has been attacked by the current enemy du jour: a race of relentless aliens. Jade had fought valiantly to save her city during the initial onslaught and was overcome by exhaustion, plunging her into a restless sleep fraught with disturbing visions. In spite of governmentissued assurances, Jade suspects that a greater conspiracy is afoot. Our heroine joins a rebel- lious resistance organization and offers her camera, aikido staff, and youthful inquisitiveness as weapons in discovering the ultimate truth. While hinting that Jade will pierce the barriers of her existence in a very Matrixesque way, any further speculations on the plot would be complete guesses on our part. Michel Ancel, creator of the Rayman franchise, has been working solely on BG&E for the last three years and thinks it inspiring enough to call this game his “latest masterpiece.” Although termed an action/adventure title, BG&E looks to feature on-foot exploration, platforming, a respectable amount of vehicle-based combat, magic use, and hand-to- hand action. A whole new engine, called the JADE Game Engine, was developed for the project and offers an exceptional amount of detail and easy transitions between wandering the cities and cruising waterways in third or first-person vehicle acti This engine is also used in Ubi's upcoming Prince of Persia release, previewed on page 68. Ш STYLE |-PLAYER ACTION/ADVENTURE lil PUBLISHER UBI SOFT Ш DEVELOPER UBI SOFT Ш RELEASE WINTER Hovercrafts are a i . mode of transportation Perhaps an air hockey minigame? m m. ЕТ A 1 ха > ns 3 2 Lee 1 SE Giant, metal, menacing snake monsters are never good Special Move: Hammertime? When will the 2 2 Legit 2 Quit references end?! PREVIEWS XBOX ( XBOX J STEEL BATTALION: GHOU LIES A REFRESHING DOSE OF AMBITION A SACK OF SCARES cg be mao t t б really only need to know one thing: Mech fans finally get to We battle real people over the Internet in the most ambitious, Fear d humor. That combination realistic, and engrossing mech game ever created. If online makes some people think of the Evil Dead trilos ü А capability isn’t exciting enough in itself, at least you can feel It invokes thoughts of Scary Movie from others. slightly more justified knowing that your expensive, elaborate Add the British element in there, and you get Д abe controller has a second purpose. Grabbed by the Ghoulies, one of Rare's inaugural Fortunately, Capcom has confirmed a few interesting Xbox efforts. details. First, there will be 10 new Vertical Tanks (mechs) to , First off, you should know that the term “gh control; players can engage in combat from first and third- les" refers to someone's man parts in U.K. lingo. person points of view; and you'll have the option to custom- Why should you know that? It's just fun. Cooper ize a unique emblem for clan identification. In addition to is the guy whose ghoulies may be in a vice in partaking in deathmatch style games, players can enjoy a this game, as he traverses Ghoulhaven Hall to 3 а 3 cooperative mode! rescue his significant other. Predictably, the place = $ А p- ә m is haunted to the hilt, and Cooper must battle à 0 | yt. an over 25 different types of ghoulies. Each of them require a different strategy to vanquish. Luckily, Cooper is a resourceful individual. While he doesn't have much in the way of standard- issue accoutrements, he can turn anything he finds into a you, the gamer, out; but also, if Cooper is exposed to too deadly weapon. More than 100 household items can be many of them, he'll faint. used to blast, beat, or douse the creepy critters. These This isn't necessarily the type of game we were expecting include pool cues, chairs, squirt guns, and fire extinguishers. гот the company who gave us Perfect Dark, Killer Instinct, Much like Eternal Darkness, GameCube's hit survival and GoldenEye. However, we're not going to write this gat horror game, Grabbed by the Ghoulies will toss countless off for its childish look. Rare has an unparalleled track frightful surprises in your grimacing face. We won't ruin them record, and its potential with hardware as advanced as Xbox for you, but we can say the Rare guys have really used their is limitless. imagination to make us jump. Not only will these events freak W STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION/ADVENTURE lii PUBLISHER MICROSOFT Ш DEVELOPER RARE Ш RELEASE OCTOBER i£. Capcom scammed us. It should've had Live support to begin with! W STYLE | -PLAYER ACTION (UP TO 10-PLAYER VIA LAN OR - Cooper puts the "P" in Super Soaker INTERNET) PUBLISHER CAPCOM Ш DEVELOPER CAPCOM E RELEASE WINTER 2004 Careful, Cooper. Their eyes are neon green. They're possessed with the power of Xbox GAMEINFORMER 91 PREVIEWS TOTAL WAR THE NEXT GENERATION Riding on the success of Medieval: Total War and Viking Invasion (its expansion pack), the team at Creative Assembly has seen fit to blow all of their previous work out of the water. Rome: Total War is one of the most impressive historical war titles this magazine has ever seen. Showcasing fully 3D modeled units (instead of sprites), and breathtaking environmental effects, it's no wonder that Rome nabbed one of our “Top 10 PC Games Of The Show" slots. Updates for this Total War iteration include cities that will exist on the battle maps as well as the over map, better unit Al, urban combat, and improved fighting mechanics. For example, let's say your army is setting up for an assault on a town. You'll see different squads clash with the enemy in a realistic fashion as the groups penetrate each other's formations, scale city walls, and flood into the city to put down resistance before many of the structures take damage. That's right, no more starting from scratch when you take a town. Alternatively, the actual number of buildable units will be reduced from Medieval to facilitate ease of use, which will allow players to concentrate on how to use their resources effectively. As you can see, this game looks fantastic – let's hope Creative Assembly can have it in stores by this holiday season. 1 r $ Each of the units you see here are fully 3D and will use individual Al subroutines Ш STYLE | TO 8-PLAYER ACTION/STRATEGY E PUBLISHER ACTIVISION Ш DEVELOPER CREATIVE ASSEMBLY Ш RELEASE WINTER 92 GAME INFORMER ^^ e? > 4 MARIO GOLF: TOADSTOOL TOUR SMACKIN’ BALLS MARIO STYLE Mario and friends return to the inks this summer in Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour. Visually, this title looks like a graphical upgrade to its N64 predecessor, but Camelot seems to have added enough gameplay elements to make it more than just a mere port. You'll be able to create a character in Advance Tour and Each of the courses are based in the Mario universe, includ- upgrade its attributes by beating opponents. With the GBA ing a new Mushroom Kingdom Castle course and Mount Mario — Link Cable you can then use that character in Toadstool Tour. (pseudo Mount Rushmore), so don't expect to find Pebble What else they'll pack into this Mario Golf to differentiate Beach or Sawgrass in this game. Sand traps and trees will be it from the previous incarnation has yet to surface, but either the least of your worries, especially when you have a Chain alone or with friends, Toadstool Tour should be another fun Chomp or a Thwomp blocking a perfect chip to the green. Mario sports title from Camelot. We're still secretly hoping Another new feature sure to liven up the gameplay is the addi- that Nintendo will somehow bring this game online. tion of Warp Pipes. Land a ball inside a Warp Pipe, and it'll pop up somewhere (hopefully) closer to the hole. Toadstool Tour will be just as easy as the original to pick up and play, but has enough advanced features to keep veterans busy. For gamers new to Mario Golf, there's an Auto Shot where the game will control more of the shot mechanics. Experts can use the Manual Shot for advanced controls lik: backspin and topspin to pinpoint aim more accurately and avoid obstacles. Where Mario Golf shines is playing with friends, and up to four people will be able to take to the course together with their favorite Mario characters. How many golfers will make the cut has yet to be determined, but Nintendo has told us that there should be as many if not more than the N64 version, which had 18. d Much like the N64 version, which could share character data with the Game Boy Color game via the Transfer Pak, Toadstool Tour will also be able to trade data with the upcom- ing Game Boy Advance version, Mario Golf: Advance Tour. That's a lot of Chain Chomps „ч y Waluigi tees off... ... While Yoshi sinks this for par B STYLE | ТО 4 E RELEASE JULY 28 YER SPORTS lii PUBLISHER NINTENDO Ш DEVELOPER CAMELOT PLAYSTATION KILL SWITCH A GAME OF HIDE AND HEAT-SEEK Ina firefight, if you were to jump out into the open with guns blazing, you'd get a toe-tag quicker than Tom Arnold downs an Arby's pot roast sandwich. Kill Switch makes things a little bit more realistic, requiring you to use cover to survive. If there's something in the environment to hide behind, that's where your butt had better be. Namco calls this the Offensive Cover System. We prefer the term “CYA system.” The game reminds us of Winback, Koei's covert N64 title that was later enhanced and brought over to the PlayStation 2. Of course, Kill Switch looks a lot better graphi- cally and is loaded with new gameplay features. The biggest selling point is the ability to shoot over obstacles and around corners. You can do so indiscriminately to freak out the enemy, or you can put your neck out a bit for a better-aimed shot. Namco, again with the fancy buzzwords, labels this the Blindfire combat mechanic. Whatever you want, you crazy publisher, you! The bad news (or good news, if you're a glutton for punish- ment) is that the enemy AI won't let you just chill behind a chunk of wall, eating franks and beans until the early morn. They will conspire to surround your temporary shelter and cap you from all angles. When it's the plural “them” against the singular “you,” trouble is quite literally around the corner. Kill Switch's warthemed missions take place in a variety of environments. You'll be wiping grains of sand from your eyes in the desert or getting sprayed in the face by saltwater in the submarine base. Make sure you bring a lot of ClearEyes eye drops, because if you can't see the enemy, you're as good as dead. This game has a sweet name and an even cooler gimmick. Namco is on a roll after Dead to Rights, so we expect great things from Kill Switch. Good thing someone dumped this VW Rabbit in the middle of the road like that! W STYLE |-PLAYER ACTION Ш PUBLISHER NAMCO Ш DEVELOPER NAMCO Ш RELEASE WINTER PREVIEWS ue PUREE 4 y^ * "o i жо az A, tA, ^u. | У i ! m^ -— MT. 2 м F 5 one Zero Mission ‘implies « that this would perhaps be a prequel From what we've learned, however, it's actually a glorified remake of the original NES game. To spice things up a little, all of the graphics have received a new coat of paint and all of the animations have been completely reworked. Since the gameplay is severely dated when stacked up against other entries in the series, Nintendo has incorporated elements from Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion. For instance, Samus can hang from ledges and either shoot while dangling or pull herself up. The super speed dash maneuver from Super Metroid is also in full effect. During some sequences, ci cinematics are used to flesh out the story. Of course, new areas, enemy encounters, and bosses are all part of the picture. A release date hasn't been given yet, but all signs point toward it shipping at the same time as Metroid Prime 2, in the fall of 2004. 4S " 5 амгы a Samus is equipped with all of her gadgets ил 10 ё + + The graphical touches are very reminiscent of Metroid Fusion W STYLE | -PLAYER ACTION Ш PUBLISHER NINTENDO W DEVELOPER NINTENDO @ RELEASE FALL 2004 GAMEINFORMER 93 PHOTOPHILE | ( PLAYSTATION 2/XBOX/PC 7 CONFLICT: DESERT STORM П - BACK TO BAGHDAD The saying goes, “Going back to Ігад-о is wacko, if you're a teen.” However, if you're one of the elite members of the U.S. Delta force or the British SAS, it's just part of the job. War was all over our TVs a few months back, and it's going to be all over our game consoles again this fall. Keeping in mind that this is just a game, the AI is actually formidable, coordinating cunning attacks rather than dropping their firearms and turning tail at the mere sight of your imposing firepower. New weapons and vehicles will be at your disposal, and lighting effects promise that fires of the hellish war will at least look bad-ass. ENF ADA LV 57] m 106/106] (227282 LV вор | 164/164 AIJVZ-$ LV 52) | umm 238/238) же: а ЫШЫ | | ү | E i yn Nintendo still won't give you a real Pokémon-themed RPG on a console, but this game does let your monsters battle with more dazzling graphics than ever before. Colosseum (yes, that's how it's spelled) carries on the tradition of the N64 Pokémon Stadium series. Take the creatures you so lovingly raised in the Ruby and Sapphire GBA games and enlist them in а 128-bit fight to the finish - even teaming up for two-on-two throw-downs. Hopefully, they'll actually make contact with one another, unlike in Stadium. You have until winter to get your Pokémon into fighting shape, so get moving! Hut! Hut! Hut! vy. | em wp 1 — "x Stuck in purgatory after dying in a car accident with his wife, our hero Painkiller is desperate to rejoin his love by any means possible. Contradicting all that is holy, God essentially blackmails Pain: If he can eliminate every demon and zombie that has invaded purgatory, God will accept him into heaven! The story is ignorant and weird, but that's not where this title excels. Players will undoubtedly be struck by Painkiller's great graphics, intense Doom-inspired gameplay, horrific monster designs, and various multiplayer modes. Dreamcatcher plans to release this surprise title in September. \ EEE 53 137/137 MOLAR ОШ! GAMECUBE It’s been less than a year since Mario Party 4 was released, and Nintendo is promising yet another installment this holiday season. Mario Party 5 will include more than 60 all-new minigames, redesigned 3D maps of the game board, and a new single-player experience. Solo players will be able to compete against the Koopa Kid Brigade, a Koopa threesome which take their turns simultaneously – speeding up gameplay. All your favorite characters will make their return, and Nintendo is even jamming in some new ones debuting in their first ever Mario game. Even if you're not done with Mario Party 4, it'll be time to grab your friends (again), pound | down a pile of Fun Dip (again), and head back to the game board (again). ( PLAYSTATION 2. 7 , a | "dy TEMP! DANGER}! un د Burly firefighter Dean McGregor and news reporter Emilie Arquette will be thrust together next February to figure out who is setting their urban city ablaze. Konami is promising realistic fire simulations to battle including backdrafts, flashovers, and chemical explosions. While a burgeoning romance with Emilie will surely be in the cards, McGregor will also get to play with hoses and impulse guns (insert sly wink here). PHOTOPHILE GAMECUBE _ A MEE This Nintendo title isn't so much a game as it is a frolicking romp with some of your all-time favorite Pokémon. Set up like a television, there are several channels to flip around to, each containing DVD-quality animation and more Pokémon than you can shake a stick at. We really don't know much else about this, but the fact that it has Pokémon in the title is all some gamers need to know to place it on their must-buy list (remember that Pokémon hemorrhoid donut cushion your little sister had to have last Christmas?). Unfortunately, one of the things we don't know is a release date, so Pokémon fans may be waiting awhile. Notice how we used the word Pokémon in every sentence. Pokémon! ( GAMECUBE ` THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: TETRA’S TRACKER шү гшүш ZS stamp number is blockbuster, but this isn't the type of game you're thinking of. Tetra's Tracker is a puzzle-based treasure hunt for GameCube. Link has to find a slew of pirates in the correct order. The Wind Waker's pirate leader, Tetra, will guide you along by showing you maps and dishing out hints. Four-player gaming is possible, and each person's GBA screen will show exclusive information. Put on your thinking cap over those pointy ears, but don't hold your breath too long – Nintendo hasn't issued a release date. GAME INFORMER 95 {XBOX XBOX/PC ! KINGDOM UNDER FIRE: THE CRUSADERS e < . fon ffo Taking place 50 years after the first Kingdom Under Fire, The Crusaders allows players to make every decision in this real-time strategy title. With up to 150 warriors onscreen, you will manage resources, plan attacks, boost morale, and even directly participate in hand-to-hand battles. Additional missions and modifications will be available through Xbox Live after the title's launch, promised by the end of this year. TION | OX - THE GREAT ESCAPE > poem Most gamers will immediately cringe as they realize how closely Otogi resembles Shinobi f in appearance. Although it does sport a Shinobi feel, it's a much more ambitious project. Featuring over 25 levels, 30 weapons, and 12 types of magic, Sega claims that Otogi will take at least 15 hours to complete. Sega's also touting the game's level of interactivity and story. Players will be able to destroy almost any object іп the environment – even large buildings! The i B story, interestingly enough, is actually based on Japanese myth — so at the very least, players à è ; will get a peek at Japanese history when this game ships in the fall. ( ы”, 1 H PLAYSTATION 2 While a Sheryl Crow song arguably bastardized Steve McQueen's good name last summer, his classic flick The Great Escape cannot be tarnished. Gotham Games is turning out a stealth/ espionage/racing title this summer based on the true story played out in the movie. Starting off in a Nazi POW camp circa WWII, Escape features 20 levels and a handful of vehicles to commandeer. While it is confirmed that you will play as multiple characters, Charles Bronson's classic turn in the flick isn't on the list of “for sure" playable characters. reason to duck behind boxes and come out firing. This time around, you can pick which weapon " pie ~n a, you'll use. Choices include machine gun, handgun, shotgun, and a grenade launcher. For this Square Enix’s Crystal Chronicles may be getting the hype, but Namco is getting its own RPG ug sa console release, the storyline has been expanded, which means even more cheesy plot twists. ready for GameCube. Set to release next year, Tales of Symphonia is another chapter in the What will it be this time? A maniac is poisoning the toys in Happy Meals because his fries were Tales series. Until now, it's been only 2D, but Symphonia branches it out into fully 3D battles too salty? Perhaps a terrorist organization has stolen Miss Jiffy Lube 2003 and brainwashed taking place in real time. Characters can be customized to your specifications, and the anime r to do their bidding. We don't really need a reason to bust caps in these games, cutscenes keep the story flowing. Tales of Symphonia may have enough to even turn around the role-playa haters out there. 96 GAME INFORMER Princess Peach has lost her voice. No, it wasn't from doing “I Will Survive” one too many times at the karaoke bar, but because an evil witch has stolen it! Mario and Luigi will simultaneously be under your control (you'll have to play it to believe it), leading to some dangerous double-team moves. Bowser will even pitch in to help the plumbers out. The Paper Mario-esque RPG quest takes them to a kingdom where laughter is valued above anything else, so we expect the journey to take a decidedly goofy turn. Let's just hope Luigi doesn’t break out his “pull my plunger” joke, or all is lost! We'll get this buddy game around Christmas. An FPS set in the wild west presents a rich bevy of material that has, for the most part, been strangely ignored by our industry. The developer, Human Head, plans to immerse its audience with seemingly every element that made the west notorious. Players will be able to take part in poker games; use nine classic weapons, plus whiskey bombs and Gatling guns; master various trick shots; and fight while riding trains and horses! The adventure takes place within appropriate environments: Everything from town saloons to mine shafts in the middle of the desert will make an appearance. Although Atari has yet to announce a specific release date, plan on saddling up this fall. PALL ye Bloody Roar Extreme is reviewed on Xbox this issue, and already Konami has announced the latest PS2 sequel. The increased roster of fighters (now 17) is far from the biggest advancement. Instead, let us enlighten you about Development Mode. Here, you can modify your character's moves and rack up points to advance your fighter's skills a la Street Fighter Alpha 3's World Tour mode. This may be just the shot in the arm this series needs to elevate it to the top of the genre. By the time the title releases in November, gamers are going to know the ins, outs, and what-have- yous of Soul Caliber Il. an PHOTOPHILE With intellect and power comes responsi у. But what good is being super-smart if you can't use your talents to rule the world? In Vivendi's new PC game, you're hooked up with [dramatic pause]...$100 million, as well as your own deserted locale in which to build a COBRA Terrordrome-type base. Set traps and train henchmen to keep do-gooders out of your hair as you go on dastardly missions. Of course, once you have secret agents in your clutches, the natural thing to do is reveal your devious plans, then exit stage right while one of your devices is sure to have them meet their end. You're much too clever to simply shoot them dead. Take over the world this fall. S Beep Industries' debut title strives to "fit the distinctive personalities of [Beep's] staff." We guess that the employees over there must dig a little self-inflicted pain. Masochists! As the dear title character is a burlap voodoo doll, combat in Vince entails running under falling safes or leaping into whirling blenders – any damage inflicted to Vince is parlayed onto his enemies. The zany (really, they are zany) cast of characters live and play in New Orleans, so look for the bayou flavor in the fall. GAME INFORMER 97 IE BOY ADVANCE 7 With the Advance Wars series becoming an underground phenomenon, it's only natural for Nintendo to explore other avenues of the strategy/RPG genre. Fire Emblem is reminiscent of Sega's popular Shining Force series and Square's Final Fantasy Tactics, with traditional role-playing characters battling over a vast terrain. You'll command several unique soldiers who, if killed in battle, are gone for good. Thus, you must weigh every factor for a calculated strike. Role-playing fans can look forward to Fire Emblem near year's end. — PLAYSTATION 2/XBOX 7 LI У BATTLESTAR GALACTICA / With Warthog at the developmental helm, this classic sci-fi license will finally get the next- generation treatment that it so rightfully deserves. As part of the Young Adama, players will be thrust into battle against the mechanical Cylons. With 36 missile types, wingmen that gain experience, and a bevy of playable spacecraft, Battlestar Galactica has more than enough substance to lure fans into the fray. Now all Universal has to do is sign Dirk Benedict, Richard Hatch, and Lorne Green before the game’s September 23 release date. ОВО: AGES BEYOND MYST © 98 GAMEINFORMER с SUPER MARIO BROS. (J (2) Р) As much as we love the Mario goodness that Nintendo has given us on GBA so far, this is the one we've been waiting for. Mario 3 is an all-time best seller, and perhaps the greatest 8-bit game in history. Who can forget donning the Hammer Bros. suit, or jumping into the big shoe? Use the whistle to warp to World 4, with its extra-large enemies. Following the Mario Advance lineage, expect updated graphics and sound. It even offers e-Reader support. Get your Tanooki Suit on this September. PLAYSTATION 2/GAMECUBE 7 Even without Farrah's feathered hair, the first Charlie's Angels movie featuring Cameron, Lucy, and Drew made mad cash at the box office. To coincide with the sequel's release this summer, Ubi Soft is putting out the first Charlie's Angels game on PS2 and GameCube. Fight with each of the Angels through six levels and 32 different enemy designs using disguises, espionage, and bullet-time-infused martial arts. For the first time since Riven, puzzle junkies are getting an all-new fix from Cyan Worlds – the company who revolutionized the genre. While Uru does have a single-player mission along the vein of Myst, the real innovation of the title comes from its online play. A user-controlled 360 degree view, avatars, socialization between online players (some puzzles require multiple people to execute), and voice chat make this an epic revolution in the Myst saga. Uru is tentatively planned for a fall release. { ( { f ( М ( { 1 i i f | юте ( 2) "NS PN GAME BOY ADVANCE 7 The Eo manna that EE the Nintendo gaming empire are SUE back up - or We facing off. This game looks like the original Donkey Kong arcade classic, but with a new- millennium twist. The graphics bear a resemblance to the high-quality sprites from Donkey Kong Country, but you play Mario's role. The popular hammer power-up returns, but the screen shot with multiple Mario followers befuddles us to no end. Nintendo will unveil the release date when it's good and ready. Hopefully, having Lisa stationed in the Nintendo lobby singing Avril Levigne covers will help expedite the process. THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: FOUR SWORDS ae #00000 00000 The fact that Nintendo is bringing this game, which was formerly included with the GBA port of Link to the Past, to GameCube, shows the company's dedication to making “foursome” an acceptable video game term. Instead of having gameplay confined to your own GBA, the GameCube version features some snazzy picture-in-a-picture technology. Enter a room, and a window will pop up both onscreen and on your GBA showing the new area, while your other buds can still be seen hanging around outside in the main window. Enlist their help when needed, but feel free to stab them in the back to snag every precious Rupee. let us never speak of it again. The fourth quarter of this year brings another naughty stealth girl. Though she reminds us of a certain Eidos covergirl, Nikki Conners has her own style. She can hide in shadows, pick pockets, and do some impressive combat combos. Her spy chick arsenal is packed, and she’s loaded with all sorts of vision boosts; including infrared, low light, and x-ray. Don’t stand her up on a date, or she'll hunt you down, cut your tongue out, and stick it in your bellybutton. This is a huge step up from Kemco's last big release, Batman: Dark Tomorrow — PHOTOPHILE VAMPIRE: THE MASQUERADE - BLOODLINES S LÀ d 2 i Developed by renowned RPG maker Troika, Vampire is a first-person shooter with an abundance of RPG features. Players will choose one of seven unique vampire clans, grow their character, and ultimately rise through the ranks to become Dracula's peer - just kidding! Elaborate computer Al that changes depending on your decisions and actions, and expansive environments will further help immerse players. Luckily, the combat element is no slouch, either. Troika will employ Source technology – Valve’s Half-Life 2 engine. Vampire nerds who idolize Lestat and Louis will have to wait until 2004 to play Bloodlines. Sega's latest Sonic offering promises a new twist for the blue machine: team-based play. Gamers will battle through levels while controlling three characters at a time. The crew has been shuffled into four distinct teams for players to choose from and each takes advantage of the characters' innate skills and features a unique storylíne. Sega is also discussing online and co-op play modes for the release. Look for it sometime next year. GAME INFORMER 99 Our crack (or crackhead, ANDY Handle: The Game Hombre Expertise: RPGs, Action/Platform, Driving, First-Person Shooters Interests: My Comfy New Recliner That Sits Directly In Front Of The TV For Mass Video Game Consumption, Wi-Fi Dislikes: That Doom 3 Wasn't Playable At E3, The Bottom Of The Cereal Box, Pink (The Color) Current Favorite Games: Half-Life 2, Halo 2, NFS Underground, Knights Of The Old Republic, Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising, PlanetSide, SOCOM Il, Gran Turismo 4 MATT Handle: The Original Gamer Expertise: First- Person Shooters, Puzzle, Action/Adventure, Action/Sports Interests: Looking Forward To A Strong Xbox Lineup, The Arab Strap's Monday At The Hug & Pint, Pro Keds, Wrangler Jeans (Affordable!), Cat And Mouse By Günter Grass Dislikes: Video Game Message Boards, Pre-E3 Events That Turn A Three-Day Convention Into A Week-Long Gulag, Downtown LA, Long Waits At Buca Di Beppo Current Favorite Games: Midnight Club 11, Return To Castle Wolfenstein: Tides Of War, Music Maker, Ape Escape II JUSTIN Handle: The Digital Deviant Expertise: Action/Sports, Action/Adventure, Fighting, RPGs Interests: My New Living Situation, Strengthening My Forearms, The Matrix Reloaded s Twins, Reel Big Fish Dislikes: Sega CD FMV Games, Jealousy, The Northbound Lyndale/Hennepin Interchange Where Drivers Don't Understand Lane Layouts Current Favorite Games: Deus Ex: Invisible War, Wakeboarding Unleashed Featuring Shawn Murray, Metroid Prime, Everblue 2 CHET Handle: The Joystick Jockey Expertise: Fighting, Action, RPG, FPS, Shooter, Action/ Platform Interests: Biking To Work, Walking, Double Soy Lattes Over Ice, Studying, Foreign Languages Dislikes: E3 Chaos, Moving, Television Programming, Soda, Being Towed, The Matrix Reloaded, Dirty Cigarettes Current Favorite Games: Street Fighter Il Turbo, Wario World, Ikaruga A Now retired from the rock scene, Andy spends endless hours locked in his home office; enjoying the benefits of high definition television and surround sound far away from those scary things he has often heard referred to as people. A longtime fan of Metroid, Andy has been reviewing video games professionally since the days of the &bit NES. While a big sports fan in real life, Andy isn't the first to line up for sports titles, but is always willing to put in the extra hours to play a good RPG or strategy game. While record collecting, watching reality television, and playing video games might sound like a state of retarded adolescence, Matt manages to scrap together an almost meaningful existence out of these activities. His encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture is either amazing or annoying, depending on how close your desk is to his. Less esoteric than his colleagues, Matt prefers traditional action and platform games. Unlike most gaming jabronis, Justin knows there's life outside video vegetation. He's a former GWAR slave and moonlights as wrestler Justin "Violent" Lee in the Minnesota independent scene, where he violently bonds with other sweaty males – а practice that just gets blank stares when attempted on other GI reviewers. Justin's gaming tastes are highly old- school, and he plays 16-bit classics as often as he plugs into the latest titles. Chet considers gaming to be a lifestyle, which means that he spends a ridiculous amount of time with his games. When he's not in an intense session of UT, or relaxing with one of his consoles, he's hopelessly seeking out arcades where fighting games still rule. Although he places all other activities at a distant second, he realizes the importance of society. Unfortunately, mimicking the motions for Dragon Punches and Fireballs only confuses and scares most people. THE SCORING SYSTEM NCAA | Football pg.102 REINER Handle: The Raging Gamer Expertise: RPGs, Fighting, Action/Platform, Strategy, Sports Interests: The Animatrix, Shigeru Miyamoto's E3 Attire, Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix Dislikes: The Matrix Reloaded (Boo! Nice Dance Scene!), Getting Stuck With The Middle Seat On An Airplane, Nintendo's E3 Lineup (1 Already Have An Atari 2600) Current Favorite Games: Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising, PlanetSide, Jak Il, Wakeboarding Unleashed Featuring Shaun Murray, Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic KRISTIAN Handle: The Video Viking Expertise: RPGs, Strategy, Sports, First-Person Shooters Interests: Quantum Leap, Jane's Addiction, The Amazing Exploits Of Jay Fitzloff, LA Cab Drivers Named Jack Dislikes: Waiting In Line/ Traffic/For The Bathroom, The Dodo (I'm Glad They're Gone!), Rust Current Favorite Games: PlanetSide, Rise Of Nations, SimCity 4, Half-Life 2, Halo KATO Handle: The Game Katana Expertise: Sports, Racing, Action/Adventure, Action/Platform Interests: American Psycho, Masters Of Doom, X2: X-Men United, Jack, Hot Dogs Wrapped In Bacon Dislikes: Aggressive Bums, Not Playing All The Games At E3, Bad Free Stuff Current Favorite Games: Half-Life 2, Resident Evil Outbreak, Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic, Halo 2, The Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time LISA Handle; La Game Nikita Expertise: Puzzle, RPGs, Action/Platform, Horror Interests: Covert Packing Tricks, My Little Brother And | Sister-tn-Law Visiting From Alaska, Ultimate Headphones, Computer Repair That Works Dislikes: Allergic Reactions, Not Having A GBA SP Yet, Noisy Processor Fans Current Favorite Games: Fatal Frame 2, Uru: Ages of Myst, Arc the Lad: Twilight Of The Spirits, Resident Evil Outbreak REPLAY VA Wario 22222 World pg.108 Reiner considers himself the biggest Star Wars fan in the world. Along with his impressive collection of Star Wars action figures, he has seen the trilogy 664 times. A fan of all game types, role- playing games are his strong suit. In his nine years as a professional gamer, Reiner has achieved the impossible. Penetrating the pixel boundary, he not only plays games, he's in one, and can be shot daily in the epic N64 release, Perfect Dark. Kristian enjoys opening a can of whoop-ass on his buddies at the ping pong table, then running off to the driving range for a lesson in humility and anger management. The original text-driven Zork started Kristian on the gaming road; Ultima 6, NES Baseball, and Zelda made sure he stayed. Still an avid RPG fan, he can always find time to pound out a good sports game. When not buying copious amounts of records, Kato can be found exercising good taste, feeding the goats, and trying in vain to update his wardrobe into the 21st century. Like other young men of his generation, he quickly found out that the one true real world application of good grades was the free arcade tokens that were given out as a reward. With allegiance to none, he takes on every game with an equal eye. Barring a brief and ill advised “I want to be popular, so I'll stop playing games" phase in late junior high, Lisa has. been subjecting her friends to drawn out boss battles since age 8. She has been known to wax philosophically about why Jigglypuff is desperately underappreciated and wish that some “big” games were more fun, even if that means less pretty. Е Content suitable CONCEPT we can never decide which) What new ide The longevity of the title. for persons ages from O to 10. hoo! 3 and older. exemplary wor playability, f that influence г s уе! jour money and how all the game's How good г e Moderately High into ас Oral le thrills won't review team rates games in Game Inf System rang * High — You popping thi: Still be : in five and above “зав oncept, entertainment value (all explained to the right), o score are how mt ne you get elements come te à number of categories to help you sort out the great from the stuff you'll hate. ШАН Content suitable for persons ages Good 6 and older. but the Most games are reviewed ast forever Content suitable for persons ages 13 and older. Perfection. One of the best games of all time, if not THE best game of all time. This game is virtually flawless, and thus this rating is rarely given out. by two staff members, * Moderate — Good for a few months or a few times through. and you will find both their he game's music and sound effects get you involved or do they make you resolve play with the volume opinions on each review. To make things a little easier we have put together Worth owning. Fans of the genre should definitely enjoy this game, but even those who don't normally like this type of game may find themselves getting hooked. PALL Content suitable for persons ages 17 and older. * Moderately Low — After finishing it, there's not much reason to give it a down? PLAYABILITY Basically, the controller to human interface. The less you think about the hunk of in your hands, the better the playabi ENTERTAINMENT Flat out how fun the game is to play. The most important factor in rating some definitions of what ё LLLI Worth playing. Still a great game, but arguably so. It may not be the best ever, but there's enough to keep your fingers wrapped around the controller for some time. ims un I quit playing 8 the numbers mean, what Content suitable we look for in a game, and only for adults. also a cheat sheet so the Worth renting. Unless you're a fledgling gamer, you've prob- ably seen everything this game has to offer before. Still, just checking it out won't ruin your weekend. newbies can understand LS Product is awaiting final rating. our advanced video game Jargon, It is important to Limited appeal. There are always a few people who will fall in love with a game of this caliber, but for the most part, those playing it will be yearning for something more. note that the Game of the me. Month is determined only Mes Garbage. From this point down, it's just a matter of how much of a failure the game is. The lower the score, the more you're hating life for playing it. by the main review score, not an average of the two opinions. 100 GAMEINFORMER HANDHELD | Dragon PS Ball Z pg.122 “| Rise Of Nations pg.119 y А a ) AS v GAME OF THE MONTH ADVANCE WARS 2: BLACK HOLE RISING On Game Boy Advance, there has been no finer strategy game made than Advance Wars...until now. This sequel will not only scramble your brains with new units, larger maps, new COs, additional powers, and even larger and more devastating enemy units to conquer; but it will leave you sleepless with its end- less hours of single and multiplayer options. Don't have a Game Boy Advance? * If the new SP wasn't enough to make you get one, Advance Wars 2 should be. To see why we made it Game of the Month, turn to page 121. I‏ ”و GAME OF THE MONTH PLANETSIDE Who would have thought that massively multiplayer online and first- person shooter would eventually come together to make an acronym more annoying than MMORPG? But it's true. PlanetSide, the world's first MMOFPS is upon us, and it's more amazing than we ever imagined. Drive tanks, fly fighters, and battle it out with two other factions for domination of your server. You know you want it. Now get to it, soldier. Page 118 “Very entertaining, but ultimately a prologue for the pros.” ve 0 ;u Oklahoma kic KED thE Wiyear in style W a Matchup against Duke Male cheerleaders: Out and proud! mum ФА» Gy Rs с^ Only on Saturday 102 GAMEINFORMER FOOTBALL 200 ROUBLE GRADUATING? ollege football is a weird duck. There are millions of people who live and die by their alma maters’ performance on a Saturday afternoon, and yet there are also just as many folks who merely see college ball as a diversion until the pro game on Sunday. The former group of fans revels in the atmosphere and unique rivalry of these unpaid athletes (yeah, right), while the latter finds the level of skill at the college level unbearable when compared to the NFL. EA Sports' NCAA Football 2004 finds itself Somewhere between these two viewpoints. It cannot be denied that developer EA Tiburon has pumped this game with college spirit harder than a partygoer trying to get the keg going, and it shows in almost every aspect of the title. Team-specific introductions (for powerhouses like Notre Dame, among others) get things started, and the atmosphere builds as touchdowns bring out the cheerleaders and the crowd gets into things. Also, the commentary is great, which doesn't sound like much, but it's valuable. The Sports Illustrated covers are a nice touch, but the mood is killed in the College Classic games due to a lack of a quick restart button. While the excitement of football at this level is also replicated on the field, I'm not sure this isn't a drawback at times. College ball is all about razzle-dazzle and big plays. How does a developer convey this? Well, | wouldn't do it by making QB throws way off target or by having holes for RBs the size of threeJane highways, like NCAA does. Too many times | would set my QB's feet, make the right read, and throw to a wide open WR only to have the ball sail off into the clouds. While this does happen in real life (as not all QBs are created equal), | wonder whether the game should replicate reality to the point where you're just waiting for the next big play to happen for or against you. | definitely wouldn't say that this “realism” breaks the gameplay, but it is annoying. Interestingly, it may be NCAA's online features which really ignites fans behind this title, and | wouldn't be surprised if due to college rivalries, this component does more for this game than it does for Madden. | personally like that | can be matched up with players who don't onside kick every time ind use other “irregular” tactics. Dynasty mode is even better with the new recruiting tactics, but | am disappointed that there isn't more in this department. In the end, it comes down to the fact that NCAA will always trail behind Madden in terms of features and gameplay, simply because this college series comes out before the pro game, and EA (understandably) can't blow its NFL wad early. While it has done a really good job of making NCAA its own brand of football, | feel like this franchise continues to be like college football is in real life — very entertaining, but ultimately a prologue for the pros. - KATO W STYLE | TO 4-PLAYER SPORTS (1 TO 4-PLAYERS VIA ONLINE) Ш PUBLISHER EA SPORTS Ш DEVELOPER EA TIBURON E RELEASE JULY | Get overzealous and you'll be burned by the play action Receivers' head tracking of the ball seems to lead to better over-the-shoulder catches THE BOTTOM LINE EVERYONE m Concept: EA Sports puts in enough college fun to keep you in your seat and make your professors worried m Graphics: The slew of new animations are not only pretty, they make the game far more realistic и Sound: The commentary is great in its timeliness, and the crowd swells and sings m Playability: Very little has changed in this department. Where's the slant hot route?! п Entertainment: This will make frat-goers flip, but the rest of us can wait for Madden 2004 п Replay Value: Moderately High SECOND OPINION | If you thought last year’ gameplay was robust, | can safely say that you haven't seen anything yet. Improved AI with block and release and zone coverage, amazing rollout and play action camera fakes, | additional trick plays, and mass | substitutions join a plethora of, | new animations. As if it couldn't | get any better, NCAA now boasts online play with USB | headset support and a Fair Play | | filter that prevents cheating. The popular Dynasty mode has also received a new coat of | paint; offering deeper recruiting | tactics, flashy Sports Ilustrated news, and tons of player awards. To round out this amazing experience, EA Tiburon has implemented 20 classic games, a e | debut of the Bio - which rewards | the player with experience | | points across every new EA | | Sports game. Simply sald, you | won't find more bang for your buck. It’s bigger and better in every conceivable way. “This tale i engaging, surprising, and very well-done.” The map layout minimizes random attacks T One special attack is telling boring stories - putting the monster to sl i e tie Why is this man laughing? Could it be because he has a voluptuous bosom? PLAYSTATION 2 ARC THE LAD: TWILIGHT OF THE SPIRITS PHENOMENAL STORYTELLING rc the Lad: Twilight of the Sprits is now the Д: example of why RPGs have always commanded gamers’ attention. With a storyline covering global resource management, race relations, family dynamics, and mob mentality; the list of themes admittedly sounds like a bad night with Dan Rather. Instead, the story is told to illustrate that, like the Gungans and the Naboo, the humans and the Daimos have a symbiotic relationship — they just need to freakin’ get along already. The biggest conflict between the two dominant sects populating Arc's world is over a resource called Spirit Stones, Humans use the stones to power their cities, while the Daimos require them to cast magic - a skill they consider a birthright, and the ultimate reason that Daimos are better than humans. For the player, Spirit Stones must be managed with the same forethought and care, as any special move requires their use and only a small number can be carried at one time. While the voice acting during cutscenes is some of the best in recent memory, the musical score is the only technical aspect of the game that leaves much to be desired. Mixing souped-up versions of what sound like NES- era classics with bagpipes comes off as just plain strange, and at times, a little painful. On the other hand, the W STYLE 1 -PLAYER ROLE-PLAYING GAME IM W DEVELOPER ARC ENTERTAINMENT lil RELEASE JUNE 24 Opponents almost always attack en masse graphics are well above average. Featuring crisp lines; nice colors; and realistic, textured landscapes; Arc elicited more than a few surprised exclamations of, “Wow. That looks really good.” Where the variety of Arc really shines, though, is in the character models. Lots of interesting enemies and different variations for humans and Daimos make it a standout feature. Besides reveling in excellent storytelling and lovely graphics, Arc also has to its advantage engaging battles that are limited in number by the map screen used to move around the world. For example, to go from Darc's house to the Daimos town, there is one stop on the way. This is the only place where you can be assaulted along the path — making the typical tedium of world travel in RPGs much more manageable. This is not to imply that battles in Arc are rare, it's just that most of them take place as a plot point, not as a random attack while you're wandering the desert like Caine in Kung Fu. To much surprise, there are no dungeons in the game, though. Twilight of the Spirits can't be praised enough for its truly excellent storytelling, but the greatest coup for the title is that the game wrapped around this tale is engaging, surprising, and very well done. — LISA 'UBLISHER SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA | (sigh) Is it me, or tiring giving the bracelet in the first plz Some of the side missions sound boring, but usually have an interesting twist REVIEWS THE BOTTOM LINE Lj Ч Combine storytelling of a whole new caliber with engaging battle mechanics m Graphics: Areas and characters are surprisingly detailed and varied. The character design is top-notch m Sound: The only downfall to the title. A mix of bad, NES-era ballads and weird Scottish- inspired rock m Playability: It's easy to get the hang of battle mode, although some explanation of how the characters level up would have been nice W Entertainment: My favorite RPG in a very long time п Replay Value: SECOND OPINION GAMEINFORMER 103 [PLAYSTATION 2 J 2 “љу APE ESCAPE 2 x “It's cute as hell, fun as can be, but a few steps back on the evolutionary ladder." On your journey, you'll travel by submarine... e 104 GAME INFORMER EVOLUTION, INTERRUPTED pe Escape is one of my favorite PSone titles ever, and it was good enough to make our Greatest Games of All Time list back in issue 100. As you would expect, | have been awaiting the arrival of Ape Escape 2 on our shores for quite some time and was very pleased that Ubi Soft saw fit to give it a proper U.S. release. Perhaps all the anticipation created some unrealistic expectations on my part. After having played through the game, | can safely state that, while it is still a unique and often-hilarious experience, Ape Escape 2 is not in the same league as Ratchet & Clank or Jak and Daxter. My disappointment with this game isn't so much about what is here as with what isn't here. Essentially, this is the exact same game that | played way back in 1999. Sure, it looks a little better; there are some (but not many) nifty new gadgets to play with; and the developers have added the de rigueur hidden goodies (dispensed from a giant gumball machine) and minigames. Also returning is the absolutely bizarre sense of humor that, to me, is the real draw of the franchise. There are so many funny moments, it's hard to pick just one, but | must mention a comic strip that | unlocked which had a punchline involving a farting banana being boiled to death. (Let it be recorded in the history books that | just wrote a sentence using the phrases “banana,” “boiled to death,” and “farting.”) It's baffling moments like that which make Ape Escape 2 so charming, from the hilarious monkey bios to the odd “Monkey Fables” that you can unlock by collecting coins. The dual-analog control scheme pioneered by the original remains a marvel of game design, allowing you to rapidly switch between your arsenal of gadgets while breathlessly chasing the evasive simians. It's just too bad that the developers weren't able to do much more than recreate the triumphs of the past. If you've played the first, this is essentially the exact same game, save for a few new gadgets and some brief sequences where you pilot vehicles like a snowmobile or a submarine. | will always love this series, but the sense of déja vu you get from this game is palpable. With the good comes the bad, and many of the flaws of the first game are also repeated. Ape Escape was never a graphi- cally ambitious game, but its modest look appears even more dated today in comparison to such gorgeous games as Jak and Daxter and Sly Cooper. Also, the camera system is highly suspect and appears to be at least five years behind the curve of what | expect from а 3D platformer. I'm sure it didn't seem this bad four years ago, but today it makes most of the difficult platforming sequences extremely frustrating. All told, Ape Escape is a lot like the monkeys that it features so prominently. It's cute as hell, fun as can be, but a few steps back on the evolutionary ladder. – MATT Ш STYLE | OR 2-PLAYER ACTION Ш PUBLISHER UBI SOFT Ш DEVELOPER SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT JAPAN W RELEASE JULY | Some of the bosses are just plain disturbing More inventive sequences like thi ould have been appreciated m Concept: Capture monkeys with a variety of ingenious gadgets m Graphics: Appears to be running off the Ape Escape 2001 engine - not impressive by today's platforming standards и Sound: Carnival Cruise Line's Greatest Hits (arranged for Casio keyboard) m Playability: Same brilliant control scheme, same horrible camera п Entertainment: I still love this game, but it hasn't evolved since '99 W Replay Value: Moderate SECOND OPINION difficulty is a walk in the park. To its benefit, I haven't і this much during а game since Conker's Bad Fur Day. If you can PLAYSTATION 2 RETURN TO “Unlike its Xbox cousin, this version NEIN! of the PC E t's a shame really. In my opinion, the PlayStation 2 has 8 * yet to have a truly breakthrough first-person shooter, and | mega hit really think it would do the system good. Sure, PS2 has a version of Deus Ex (an amazing game that sadly offered more offers no loading time than a dock worker) and now there is Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Operation Resurrection. But, even this " game falls short of its PC legacy. compelling Unlike its Xbox cousin, this version of the PC megathit offers no compelling content other than slightly reworked levels and a prologue mission that adds about two hours of gameplay. No online support, no co-op play, no shotgun, no occult priest, no X-Shepherd - just Return to Castle Wolfenstein with items and levels that are slightly rearranged to accommodate the PlayStation 2's smaller memory. That said, Operation Resurrection is still a solid game. As you trek through the game as B.J. Blazkowicz, you will get to unload large amounts of lead into zombies and Nazis, which is always a good time in my book. Sadly, the control isn't as tight as | would like it to be, even though it is certainly adequate. Also, all the sound effects seem slightly tinny — I'm sure another casualty due to the lack of memory on the PlayStation 2. content... ” Use the knife to pul вом CASTLE WOLFENSTEIN: OPERATION RESURRECTION Now, І certainly don't mean to turn this into some kind of PlayStation 2 rip fest, it's just one of the facts about the system: It doesn't do first-person shooters well. Now maybe it’s just that no one has taken the time to create some amazing technology to make first-person shooter gaming on the PlayStation 2 a reality, but for now I'm going to stand by it as fact. However, if you want to play a first-person shooter, and PlayStation 2 is your only option, then Wolf is definitely worth a look. | just feel that there are a lot better PlayStation 2 games you can spend your money on. -ANDY W RELEASE MAY 27 Find all the secrets in a level and you can use bonus points to increase various stats or purchase items The outdoor environments are breathtaking The sniper rifle is perfect for long-distance wet work W STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION I PUBLISHER ACTIVISION Ш DEVELOPER ID SOFTWARE/GREY MATTER/RASTER PRODUCTIONS 505 S 20 Mounted machine guns make mince meat out of naughty Nazis THE BOTTOM LINE М 7.5 m Concept: Find a way to make this game work on PS2 and still be cool B Graphics: Surprisingly good for an FPS on PS2, but nothing spectacular either W Sound: The samples aren't as crisp as its Xbox or PC cousins, but it's acceptable m Playability: The playcontrol is solid, but not as tight as | would like it W Entertainment: Since it needed to be retooled to work on PS2, the game isn't as entertaining as it could have been п Replay Value: Moderately Low SECOND OPINION out. | found Red Faction to be a better experience, but both are KRISTIAN - 7.75 GAMEINFORMER 105 REVIEWS PLAYSTATION 2 THE HULK A RADIOACTIVE WASTE ivendi Universal is serving up a big, green pile of licensed game fecal matter, reminding us why we should always be wary of titles bearing the names of TV shows, movies, or comic books. Sure, all of the essentials are included. You play a big, angry guy who groans a lot — and по, | don't mean Andy after a night of partying. Hulk has some spiffy moves, especially the wrestling-related ones like the chokeslam. The environments can take as much damage as the enemies can, with even normal walls registering hits. What you do in the first ten minutes is what you're going to be doing for the rest of your excruciating experience with the game. Every once in a while | would find a new technique, but I'd be yawning again within a few seconds. The Dr. Banner stages represent what may be some of the crappiest coding on a next-gen title. When the Chicken Run game has better stealth, you know you're in for a one-way trip to Headachesville, USA; population: you. | can't fault the well done voiceovers and graphics (awful camera notwithstanding). Wait — yes, I can, They're going to be the things that draw people to play this festering heap. First. X2 Wolverine's Revenge, and now this? Superhero games deserve much better. Do yourself a favor: Don't toss greenbacks into this green monster's mouth. — JUSTIN LESS SEX! =н * ENS 1 1 пазнае THE BOTTOM LINE TEEN ia Concept: Hulk smash! Banner wuss out! W Graphics: Very nice artistic style, though the camera is hideous W Sound: Trashtalking security guards will actually make you want to pound them more @ Playability: You won't need the instruction book to figure these out, but controls are inconsistent nonetheless и Entertainment: As basic and uninspired as can be, except for the Banner stealth scenes - which are even worse! W Replay Value: Low | SECOND OPINION 1 must admit that | really enjoy smashing stuff as the Hulk, but unfortunately, it's only entertaining for so long. Hulk jump. Hulk smash. Hulk repeat. The overall presentation of the game із certainly acceptable, but nothing really stands out to me either. If you absolutely love the movie, you are going to find something to love here, but for everyone else it's just another movie-licensed brawler. ANDY - 6.7 W STYLE | -PLAYER ACTION I PUBLISHER VIVENDI UNIVERSAL B DEVELOPER RADICAL ENTERTAINMENT Ш RELEASE MAY 27 106 GAME INFORMER PLAYSTATION 2 RTX RED ROCK EZ TO IGNORE properties and taking a break from pimping out the Star Wars license. Unfortunately, if EZ Wheeler (RTX Red Rock's incredibly dorky protagonist) is an example of the new characters it has in store for us, maybe the LucasArts gang would be better off sticking to Queen Amidala Xtreme Beach Volleyball. The cheesy sci-fi atmosphere won't do much to convince you to play this game, and neither will the derivative gameplay and level design. RTX uses a formula similar to y will say one thing for this game: It’s good to see LucasArts trying to create original that of Primal (and a host of other Tomb Raider descendents). Basically, you take a simple task (pushing a button to open a door, for example), then make this small errand incredibly frustrating by forcing the player to negotiate a maze of incomprehensible corridors, arbitrary obstacles, and randomly placed enemies. | really dislike this concept because there is no payoff for all the work you've put into an objective. No matter how difficult it was or how long it took, all you've done is essentially turn on a light switch. Not exactly an exciting prospect, if you ask me. Of course, some good, old-fashioned, kick-ass combat would make it all worthwhile, but RTX doesn’t have anything more to offer in that department than some erratic auto-targeting and a few vehicle-based sequences. - MATT = ^ x» rte) ee fee In science fiction circles, called a “space monocle Here's one of the vehicles you'll be able to control If only you could hit enemies as easily as they can hit you If you like crouching, you're in luck! W STYLE |-PLAYER ACTION Ш PUBLISHER LUCASARTS Ш DEVELOPER LUCASARTS W RELEASE JUNE 10 THE BOTTOM LINE m Concept: Explore, shoot robots, and unlock doors on Mars m Graphics: Detailed character models and environments, but the framerate and texturing are not impressive п Sound: Little to no music and the voiceovers are groan inducing W Playability: It's way too hard to do simple things like shoot an enemy two feet in front of you m Entertainment: With game design this pedestrian, you need more compelling characters and storyline. Piloting robots just isn’t enough W Replay Value: Low SECOND OPINION The developers hit the nail | | on the head in terms of | presentation. This game's look, sound, and feel create a | compelling atmosphere that | scifi fans will appreciate. The | gameplay, on the other hand, | resembles a nail partially | protruding and sloppily beaten | down on its side, crushed | into the wood. It gets the Job | done, but hinders the overall | sturdiness and refinement | desired. RTX's concept Is | sound. Players must solve | puzzles with the aid of various | robots while offing aliens | here and there. The robots | keep puzzles interesting, but | because the game doesn't always present the pieces clearly, you spend more time wondering about your objectives than actually solving anything. Still, despite this sometimes annoying problem, it never frustrated me enough to quit. PLAYSTATION 2 QUICKIES K-1 WORLD GRAND PRIX STYLE 1 OR 2-PLAYER FIGHTING PUBLISHER KONAMI B RELEASE JULY 8 M The first next-gen a K-1 game - like its predecessors - doesn't knock me out. Its graphics are merely average and the fighting is uninspired. You can't make a fighter, training minigames are confusing, and the career-esque Champion's Revolution is just wrong. | had to fight six bouts before a tournament, and | won all six. Somehow, | didn't have enough points to make it, so it was game over. Say what? It’s the only kickboxing game on PS2 and is far from abysmal, but Knockout Kings and Pride are much better choices. – JUSTIN 6.5 SILENT LINE: ARMORED CORE W STYLE | ТО 4-PLAYER ACTION E PUBLISHER THQ W RELEASE MAY 12 Although it's not indicated in the title, Silent Line really ES is an expansion pack to v Armored Core 3. You'll find new missions, deathmatch modes, and parts. The most interesting addition is the ability to create your own Al in Arena mode, but even with this cool feature, | cannot endorse Silent Line at its current $40 price point. However, if you've yet to play an AC game, add a point to my score. - CHET 7.5 Ш STYLE | TO 4-PLAYER RACING Ш PUBLISHER ACCLAIM Ш RELEASE MAY 20 Ё True to its namesake, speed is the draw. Unfortunately, that's the only thing that Speed Kings really has going for it. You'll reach velocities МӘ SO incomprehensible that lll your reflexes are paralyzed. Some of the moves, like sliding on the side of the bike to tuck beneath a fallen tree or semi bed, are pretty slick as well. Notwithstanding, without a hefty career mode or a wealth of options, there's little here that (d 6 5 ө! will hold your interest. - REINER REEL FISHING III STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION И PUBLISHER NATSUME W RELEASE JUNE 16 Generally with fishing games, you really can't go wrong if that is the experience you are looking for. Sure, some games have better interfaces and more exciting fights (Fisherman's Challenge), but rarely do they just stink like e rotting f fish guts after five days roasting in the sun. Which, coincidentally, is how bad this game stinks. About the only positive thing | can say about this title is that it has a "fishing lifestyle" story and interface that lets you hang out at a cabin and name your dog. | named mine after Steve Martin's in The Jerk. That was entertaining. This game is not. - ANDY E] 3 MUSIC MAKER W STYLE 1-PLAYER SIMULATION E PUBLISHER MAGIX W RELEASE MARCH 28 In the absence of Music 3000 (Jester's sequel to MTV Music Generator 2), Americans with a jones for beats will be able to make do with Magix's Music Maker, a PS2 music-creation program that basically emulates the MTV series in every respect. | love these kinds of titles, and this is a good one, but it isn't quite as user-friendly as Jester's MTV product. | applaud the easy way in which you can tweak individual sound blocks, but | found the horizontally scrolling song grid very confusing. Also, there is no clipboard to store your frequently used samples, which means you'll spend a lot of time flipping through menus. Still, there is so much to do here, especially when you factor in the excellent pA beat and sample creator modes. - MATT 8 FINDING NEMO W STYLE!-PLAYER ACTION/ADVENTURE There's nothing inherently wrong with Finding Nemo, per se; but at the same time, it's missing the "Wow! That was cool!" or *| can't wait to do that again" elements. Granted, the swimming physics are nice, the changing water currents add an element of surprise, and you just gotta love being chased by a shark that's roughly one thousand times your size. Finding Nemo has its moments, yet the majority of the game is centered around swimming through rings and collecting snail shell challenges. Yes, the target audience is children, but only for the young tykes out there who are new to the gaming scene. The pacing is just way too slow to appease anyone else. - REINER [а 6.5 WAKEBOARDING UNLEASHED FEATURING SHAUN MURRAY W STYLE! OR 2-PLAYER ACTION/SPORTS Ш PUBLISHER ACTIVISION E RELEASE JUNE 3 What could possibly be next? Perhaps extreme sports curling starring the Canadian great Sandra Schmirler? Better » yet, what about 2 E street luge racing? Although wakeboarding seems like an unlikely candidate for Activision's O2 lineup, it's actually one of the better action/sports titles around. The gameplay is stylized in a Tony Hawk vein, yet the uniqueness of the sport gives it an entirely different look. You soar off of the boat's wake, let go of the line to launch into unreachable areas, and grind on just about everything. The missions are quite ingenious and the multiplayer modes are [ 8.25 wildly entertaining. – REINER PLAYSTATION 2 © очиве ТЕЕ 01315 3 NAVAL OPS: WARSHIP GUNNER IN SEARCH OF THE TREASURE TRAIL ly Moses, is this a niche game. | thought Gallop Racer would see a limited audience interest. but Naval Ops makes Gallop Racer look lik The game is absolu! ^d entirely and while that makes sense eing as how the titi e a lot of leeway to ground missions, it is one of bizarre experiences I've had in gaming. Your game begins with the requisite gettin, you comple! Along with nology when purchased, allow you to buy better ships with armament. This i good, but the traversing the oce world is s at frustrating at its worst. The number of s and items available wit h to outfit hip are nice, but the THE BOTTOM LINE W Entertainment’ rm SECOND OPINION 1 hate to say it, but this is another Koei title that doesn't fully realize its potential. | don't despise any one aspect of it, but define it rather by what it is missing - and zeal is one absent quality. While I enjoyed the combat itself (as well as being able to design my fleet), this game lacks the strategic depth of Koei's other recent naval title, P.T.O. IV. ‘Combining the two would have given you the ultimate sim, but this Isn't it. KATO - 7.25 СТОМ ш PUBLISHER КОЕ! CABIN Ш RELEASE JUNE 24 GAMEINFORMER 107 “to assert that Wario World is a mere clone insults the game and developer.” Minigames feature a variety of different puzzles One of ‘the craziestooking bosses is the human/cow 108 GAME INFORMER NINTENDO FINDS RARE TREASURE the most original games, but nobody can contest its knack for replicating Nintendo's finer formulas. Indeed, titles such as Donkey Kong Country, Banjo Kazooie, Diddy Kong Racing, and Star Fox Adventures made those grueling periods of time without a Zelda or Mario bearable. So, with Rare's departure, there is now a tremendous void for another party to fill. Wario World's Successful incorporation of various Mario elements proves that Treasure (yes, the famed developer of 2D shooters) possesses the talent and ingenuity to pull it off. However, to assert that Wario World is a mere clone insults the game and developer. The Mario 64-esque combat and platforming have been, in a manner of Speaking, passed through a Treasure filter. Moves like a Zangief-style Spinning Pile Driver and levels such as the Mirror Mansion inject a unique presentational flair and actually furnish a few original game mechanics. In Mirror Mansion, for example, players must employ the reflective surfaces not only to locate certain secrets and obstacles, but to platform! U nder Nintendo's wing, Rare might not have created Each stage also thrusts players into two types of mid-level minigames. In the first, Wario falls into a tiny room that challenges you to solve a puzzle. The second grouping is a direct rip-off of Mario Sunshine's obstacle courses - the ones where Mario lacks his water cannon. Both minigames prove to be addicting and challenging, and complement the overall experience by adding variety. Of course, no Treasure game would be complete if it wasn't replete with awesome boss battles. Wario World has them in droves. You'll encounter a boss after beating a stage and then another when you finish an area. Furthermore, each one (the humanoid cow, especially) sports a creative design in its appearance and in the manner players must approach it. Other highlights include hilarious voice work for Wario, good music (they're mostly remixes from previous Wario titles), and GBA connectivity. The game's problems, such as mediocre graphics and a slightly deficient camera are, for the most part, excusable; but | did find the penalty for dying and failing minigames to be too forgiving. Still, it isn't a flaw that will make you enjoy Wario World any less. - CHET Ш STYLE |-PLAYER ACTION/PLATFORM Ш PUBLISHER NINTENDO lii DEVELOPER TREASURE Ш RELEASE JUNE 23 елее You can pile give anyone a piledriver — even this large boss! Using the mirrors on the floor to platform is innovative THE BOTTOM LINE EVERYONE 8.5 m Concept: Treasure takes Mario-style gameplay and gives it an unique flavor m Graphics: The texturing is nice, but the geometry is basic EEEL W Sound: Great voice work and pretty good music. The jazz is my favorite m Playability: Outside of an occasionally suspect camera, there’s no problem here m Entertainment: Wario won't blow you away, but its original ideas and humor create a captivating gameplay experience W Replay Value: Moderate SECOND OPINION Wario World recalls a simpler | | platforming past, but it | still contains a modicum of | | innovations. At its base, it | | reminds me of Rare’s N64 | | titles. Each level has а ton of | | items to collect, although they | | aren't vital to progression. This | | makes the game accessible for | | newbies and hardcore gamers | alike. Wario is a very likeable | anti-hero, and his greed makes | coin-snatching more tolerable | because they're HIS coins, and | he wants them back! While рео ataga am Ha oor manif, the enemies are the same recurring handful of models | n disguise. New mechanics | get introduced - the sticky | ball, Mario Sunshine-eque | | side levels, and advanced | | combat moves among the | most enthralling – but nothing really keeps you hooked. I'm more fond of the new direction | platformers are taking: massive | | worlds, less collection, and eventing мик However, Wario World finds its own niche | in the GameCube library. | JUSTIN – 7.5 | и... familiar voices and stellar graphics do not a game make." Many of the bosses are taken from the comic books These "switch the numbers" door puzzles are more entertaining than the game itself The detail in the cutscenes is incredible С" - «2 Eric Bana reprises his role as the voice of Bruce Banner within the game THE HULK NOT SO INCREDIBLE AFTER ALL is quickly becoming standard practice for the entertainment world. Spider-Man set the box office and video game charts ablaze with astronomical numbers, and Atari and Warner Bros. hope to eclipse the wall crawler's success with the collective might of The Matrix. As exciting as it is to see Hollywood and video games merging mediums, the results very rarely match expectations or hype. Spider-Man and X2 Wolverine's Revenge didn't come close to equaling the quality of the feature films. Adding insult to injury, the game based on The Hulk, while respectable in some regards, is not the rampaging green goliath that Vivendi Universal was banking on. Stylized in the typical brawler vein, The Hulk hones in on the true essence of destruction and places it into gamers’ hands, but expels little effort to make this aspect remotely entertaining. As expected, The Hulk can perform Herculean feats. He can leap 20 feet into the air with ease, smash through walls, pummel puny human soldiers, and lift and hurl helicopters like Randy Johnson does a baseball. It sounds like a blast, and it but only for a few minutes. If anything, the game specializes in redundancy. If you punch your way through опе wall, you'll probably do it another 10 Т: simultaneous release of a game and movie IW STYLE |-PLAYER ACTION The Bru change up the play, but not in good ways bf times before the level ends. The same goes for combat. The Hulk's arsenal of moves, while inspired by the movie and comic series, is fairly slim. The enemies that you face are repetitive as well. Throughout the course of the entire game, you'll only confront a handful of different bad guy types. Toss in the fact that almost every mission is designed within the “move from point A to point B" formula, and you can clearly see how this game loses its luster fairly quickly. Developer Radical Entertainment tried to break up the monotony by inserting stealth missions where players assume the alter ego of Bruce Banner. The idea is sound, but again, the execution is way off the mark and the general design is simply atrocious. I'll even go so far as to say that you'll pray that these stages end quickly. But, of course, once they do come to a close, you find yourself back at square one — bored to death by The Hulk's repetitive nature. The cel-shaded graphics truly are a feast for the eyes – especially the amazing details that accompany crumbling walls and vehicles exploding. Having Eric Bana provide voice work also adds a layer of authenticity. Unfortunately, familiar voices and stellar graphics do not a game make. The Hulk may be mean and green, but he’s not very sensitive to a gamer's needs. We deserve better. – REINER UBLISHER VIVENDI UNIVERSAL IM DEVELOPER RADICAL ENTERTAINMENT Ш RELEASE MAY The majority of levels consist of nonstop brawling and only a few enemy types THE BOTTOM LINE m Concept: A disappointing follow-up to the feature film that blends non-stop carnage with actionless stealth m Graphics: The cel-shaded Hulk almost looks better than the CG movie model. The animations and effects are also pleasing to the eye W Sound: The Hulk's ability to grunt and moan is vividly expressed W Playability: Punch your way through levels and repeat until the credits roll m Entertainment: The gameplay is too bland to keep gamers entranced п Replay Value: Moderately Low SECOND OPINION allay my fears. | do have to give The Hulk props for being at least a playable game. However, there's more than one road that leads to Suck City. Wolverine's GAMEINFORMER 109 REVIEWS чё ; ШП GAMECUBE SPEED KINGS HELL ON TWO WHEELS ou might experience a sense of déjà vu when you play Speed Kings, and that's due to the game's similarity to Acclaim's successful Burnout series. In essence, this is the exact same game, only on two wheels. You get to work your way through a (slightly slim) career mode by being rewarded for narrowly averting crashes and engaging in risky stunts. It's nothing too innovative, but I mostly enjoyed what Speed Kings has to offer. The basic racing is nicely done, although sometimes it's almost too easy to cut perfect corners at 150 mph. The tricks, which are a big part of the gameplay package, aren't nearly as consistent. On the one hand, you have the very fun Powerdown move, which lets you throw your bike to the pavement and grind it under trucks and other obstacles. It’s too bad the other moves, like the handstand and surf, are a little bit erratic. You'll hit the same controller presses over and over, sometimes to no effect whatsoever. | also don't like the fact that you actually have to hit cars to get Ding points, as opposed to Burnout 2, which gave you points for brushing by them. It doesn't match its sister title (and obvious inspiration) Burnout 2 in terms of quality, but Speed Kings does manage to give motorcycle racing fans a decent arcade alternative to demanding sims like MotoGP. - MATT W STYLE | ТО 4-PLAYER RACING Ш PUBLISHER ACCLAIM THE BOTTOM LINE EVERYONE m Concept: Burnout 2 on bikes, just not as good. A good idea done just well enough to get by B Graphics: Looks good on Xbox – what happened here? Grainy textures and framerate issues abound и Sound: Rockin’ techno — yee- haw! Seriously folks, I'm 50 Sick of these generic soundtracks W Playability: Features accurate turning and some great tricks, although sometimes feels a bit too automatic W Entertainment: Good, but missing Burnout 2's polish and addictive Crash mode. Still, I'd take this over realistic racers like MotoGP any day W Replay Value: Moderate SECOND OPINION While Speed Kings doesn't rock my world, it gives me that. driving game Zen everyone strives for. І do have a few grudges that need pointing out, though - the framerate chugs once In a while, pop-ups are frequent, and the sound is terrible. Then again, the game is fun and offers variety and a nifty sliding move. LISA - 7.25 E DEVELOPER CLIMAX @ RELEASE MAY 20 110 GAME INFORMER W STYLE 1 ТО 4-PLAYER FIGHTING Ш PUBLISHER BANDAI DEVELOPER AKI W RELEASE JUNE 3 DL 4 Ren / اسماس لے‎ кин ғ E ULTIMATE MUSCLE A BULKY LICENSE NOT USED IN VAIN M uscle figures strike a big, nostalgic chord with me. I loved them as a kid, since m Concept: A game based on a cartoon about little, pink action figures m Graphics: Great cel-shaded characters and some impressive there were so many and they were tiny enough to take anywhere. They've always crowds. Good collision, too been popular in Japan, and the resurgence with the Saturday morning cartoon here has spawned this decent game. Despite its child-targeted roots, Ultimate Muscle is developed by AKI — makers of Def Jam Vendetta and WWF No Mercy. | consider this more of a simplistic fighter than a wrestling game, however. Its main mode is short, and it's fashioned to get you to complete it with every character. The difficulty is light, but at least the storylines are entertaining. There are no pinfalls or submissions — you can only win by KO. The action inside the ring is intense but shallow. There aren't a lot of moves to pull off, though what's there is cool. Each of the wrestlers — which are very unique themselves — have their own devastating finisher, along with some two-on-two moves. These are even more outrageous than Def Jam's and the animated style is really appealing. In fact, the overall look of the game is sweet; this is how cel shading should be. What I really enjoy is buying painted Muscle figures from the in-game vending machines. There are a bunch that never made it to U.S. shores, and these will be a hit with anyone who remembers the little pink fighters. Ultimate Muscle, while not a must-have, should appeal to fans of the ‘toon, the toys, or the obscure. – JUSTIN m Sound: Cheesy voiceovers from the show. The commentary is passable п Playability: Arcade-style fighting will seem quite different to wrestling game veterans п Entertainment: Simplistic wrestling with good looks and hi adrenaline finishing moves Moderately High SECOND OPINION it exactly? 1 haven't a clue, but Т can tell you that the combat Dik Dik Van Dik Sorry, it must be the Dk Dik in me, in the blink of the eye, and the bonus materials will only appeal to fans of the toys. The Yes, his name is really Dik Dik Van Dik. No, we didn't make it up m 2 À there's little reason to invest A | pE time into Ultimate Muscle. If e$» > , you hold this license close to your heart, I'm sure you'll get a ў = Kick out of the 400 plus action figure images that can be purchased by winning coins. If this doesn't sound interesting to you, Ultimate Muscle will only hold your interest for 15 minutes tops. [S > Toa Pick which crazy finishing move your created wrestler uses Some figures you unlock а actually two together. Swe HITMAN 2: SILENT ASSASSIN 47: THE AGENT WITH AN EXTRA CHROMOSOME itman 2 follows the “think before you shoot” school of thought, also prevalent in games like Deus Ex and Thief (none of which are on GameCube, so maybe that's a moot point). It relies on wits more than hits and gives you some artistic license i completion of its missions. Think Max Payne with a higher IQ, and you're on the right path. Agent 47 starts Hitman 2 as a groundskeeper at a monastery in Italy, trying to put his violent past behind him. Two minutes in, you're using dual pistols to turn guards into Swiss cheese. To have a high success rate on missions, however, you've got to pick your shots wisely and cover your tracks. The Al is very intelligent and will discover any mistake you make. This gives a good sense of tension as you expect to be found out. The stealth aspects are hindered by a snail-paced crawl and overemphasis on taking it slow (I want to run more); but donning disguises, hiding corpses, and blasting light bulbs make up for it. If you're a patient soul (there is a high frustration factor here), the strategy of Hitman 2 is very rewarding, and it fills a unique niche on GameCube. You're not going to get anything over the other versions, but isn't getting it victory enough? Splinter Cell fans, this should be up your alley. - JUSTIN HEY, PREACHER — COME HERE! AND SHUT UP! You treat 47's friends like that, you're askin’ for trouble First-person mode is possible ih ee l4 { Don't you recognize me, guys? I'm you recogi у? Ги You know that sniping had to be included Mr, McFeely. Speedy Delivery! Ш STYLE | YER ACTION/ADVENTURE ШЕ PUBLISHER EIDOS Ш DEVELOPER ІО INTERACTIVE I RELEASE JUNE 17 E THE BOTTOM LINE MATURE m Concept: You're a contract killer whose every action may have a consequence W Graphics: Good-ooking ambiance in the environments. Everything else is average m Sound: The voiceovers don't impress me when compared to many action games out there m Playability: It plays like a first-person shooter. | like the controls m Entertainment: It's cool to mix brainpower with firepower, though | give the nod to Splinter Cell m Replay Value: Moderate SECOND OPINION Hitman 2 on GameCube keeps | the pros and cons of its earlier PS2 and Xbox brethren. As a recap for those who missed our earlier reviews, Hitman 2 truly excels in a few areas: an ingenious design allowing one to complete the same level in many different ways, great enemy Al that quickly always say, if you only play the ‘Cube, this adult title would be anice addition. LISA - 7.5 | | | | | е 1 ё Lt » А f r NE wf Q 2x: ۹ oe GAMECUBE NCAA FOOTBALL 2004 REDSHIRTED 7 hat do college kids do when they wake up with a hangover? Get up and drink some more. EA understands this “hair of the dog that bit you” philosophy and is jamming even more college atmosphere into its newest NCAA title. The result? Just what you'd expect. The most striking thing about this game — apart from the sheer number of new schools —is the new animations that govern play. You'll marvel at how natural this game looks. A player's momentum is crucial in what happens after first contact. The passing game is perhaps the biggest. beneficiary of the added animations, as over-the- shoulder catches are more prevalent. The Al has also smartened up. | once saw a FB take out two different players as he ran downfield to spring my running back. Although Dynasty mode is back with some new wrinkles, the game's lack of online hurts this verson. It's simply a dimension that | know will ignite the PS2 fans. Yes, this game is solid through and through and the new animations are nice, but the changes for this year aren't the kind which make you alter the way you play the game. For a long-running series, this is what's needed to keep it fresh. – KATO THE BOTTOM LINE EVERYONE esre m Concept: A lot of surface changes catch the eye, but look deeper m Graphics: That's some good grass [Insert laughter from Horatio Sanz's Gobi] и Sound: The three-way commentary puts Madden to shame Wm Playability: Little has changed on this front – unfortunately W Entertainment: Another solid year, but the lack of online is a blow п Replay Value: Moderately High | SECOND OPINION W STYLE | ТО 4-PLAYER SPORTS Ш PUBLISHER ЕА SPORTS m= DEVELOPER EA TIBURON Ш RELEASE JULY | GAME INFORMER 111 A the levels present players scenarios to justify each character’s presence, which helps prevent the onset of monotony.” pesi ^ Multiplayer is perhaps the most enjoyable aspect я Each character possesses а special move. Part of Brutus’ allows him to ram enemies The character models are impressive 112 GAMEINFORMER actical ops games often succeed or fail depending on the quality of ally Al. If it's uncooperative and stupid, the whole experience is ruined, transforming the game into a generic shooter at best. However, if your team actually plays a supportive role, you're often treated to intense combat that requires thinking. Brute Force more closely resembles the latter. Players control one of four characters, each possessing different strengths and abilities. Although controlling them is limited to four commands, which don't impact gameplay greatly, allies usually perform their jobs efficiently and according to their abilities. The strategic element requires the player to decide which character can best diffuse the given Situation. So, if you're outnumbered, taking out guards at key points with Hawk (the female stealth assassin) or Flint (the sniper) will maximize your chances of success. Then, you can safely commandeer BF's commandos, Tex or Brutus, and obliterate the helpless ground fodder. Fortunately, the levels present players with enough scenarios to justify each character's presence, which helps prevent the onset of monotony. However, compared to the rest, Hawk is the most poorly implemented. Stealth kills mainly consist of OW activating stealth (invisibility), closing in, and offing an enemy with your blade. Oooooh, aaaaaah! You won't find any special techniques or mechanics that would make this gameplay style more exciting. On a more positive note, Brute Force allows up to four friends to partake in the carnage through cooperative play. Completing levels as a team with each person playing their character correctly proves to be fun. In the case where everyone would rather attack each other, gamers have deathmatch as an option, too. Unfortunately, these multiplayer modes are restricted to splitscreen play and a LAN feature. Despite the fact that Brute Force would make a fantastic Live title, players are merely limited to downloading new content over the Internet. Bummer. But, since this oversight doesn't really hinder the gameplay as it stands, | wouldn't be too disappointed. Besides, if you had a choice, wouldn't you prefer a game with quality graphics, sound, and control (which Brute Force can claim), than another mediocre Xbox shooter with Live tacked on simply because it's currently hip to do so? - CHET Ш STYLE | ТО 4PLAYER ACTION (UP TO 8 PLAYERS VIA LAN) IM PUBLISHER MICROSOFT Ш DEVELOPER DIGITAL ANVIL Ш RELEASE MAY 27 Sniping is useful, and one of the more enjoyable parts of the game Hawk (the character in front) is the stealth expert, but her sneaking skills are kind of boring THE BOTTOM LINE MATURE m Concept: A fun tactical ops game without the boring realism W Graphics: They are of Xbox quality, but nothing you haven't set before m Sound: The ambience and sound effects get you into the action B Playability: The control and button maps actually work pretty well п Entertainment: With solid ally Al and some intense fighting, Brute Force will hook you and your friends for a little while W Replay Value: Moderate SECOND OPINION REINER - 7.25 Get a subscription to Game informer Magazine TODAY and save up to 94.78 off the newsstand price. 24 ISSUES ONLY 549 498 SAVE OVER 80% OFF EACH ISSUE! 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Without a monthly fix of Game Informer, you start to get cold sweats, your hands start shaking, and you hallucinate that bugs are crawling under your skin. So why suffer? Don’t Delay! Fill out the attached card. л MIDNIG CLUB Il. SUPER-CHARGED! i fell in love with Midnight Club II on PlayStation 2. Even with gameplay that constantly has you sliding in and out of traffic riding on the edge of disaster.” „чапа pass through a bunch of hard-to-find checkpoints though | knew that the Xbox version would be the absolute Mack Daddy edition, | couldn’t stop myself from completing the PS2 game in an insane weekend of non-stop Midnight Club Il action. The game really is that addictive. But after putting this version through its paces, | definitely should have waited. Not only does it feature all the same high-speed, seat-of-your-pants racing found in the PlayStation 2 iteration, it has been super-charged with all the extras Xbox fans love - better textures displayed in 480 progressive scan, widescreen support, and even better online options with Xbox Live that features a ranking system. For those of you unfamiliar with the title, Midnight Club II is all about the street racing phenomenon. The career mode challenges players to compete against a number of racers through the streets of three exotic cities: Los Angeles, Paris, and Tokyo. As you might suspect, these races are illegal, so the streets are filled with cops trying to thwart the race as well as a sea of traffic that you must navigate — all at insanely mach speeds down any street you wish, as the entire city is open to the player. 1 have about a million tales of near misses and amazing finishes from playing this game, since each race is a different experience. Often times, you'll see cars take separate paths to reach each checkpoint, so expect plenty of sideswipes that come out of nowhere and big crashes from sliding into oncoming traffic. On the down side, you could certainly accuse the driver Al of cheating, and that their cheap tactics are the reason for all the close races, but that would be nit-picking as it certainly does make for some unpredictable racing. As you progress in the game, not only can you win the pink slips for vehicles you defeat, there are also a number of new moves that become available. These include Burnouts that enable the racer to get a jump on the competition or quickly get back up to speed after a wreck (which happens more often than you'd like). In-air controls allow the player to level out when you catch air (and trust me, you will catch some nice, big, phat air) and eventually the ability to get the car up on two wheels to avoid traffic and slide through tight situations. All are handy upgrades that can make a big difference in a close race. No matter how you cut it, Midnight Club II's street racing is really a treat. It's not only gorgeous to look at, it's blazing fast with gameplay that constantly has you sliding in and out of traffic riding on the edge of disaster. That's the mark of a great racer, and Midnight Club Il has got it in spades. - ANDY Ш STYLE | ТО 4-PLAYER RACING (UP TO 8-PLAYER VIA XBOX LIVE OR SYSTEM LINK) IM PUBLISHER ROCKSTAR W DEVELOPER ROCKSTAR SAN DIEGO Ш RELEASE JUNE 3 0:53:18 v dq The cops will do everything in their power to take you out of the race All three cities feature classic landmarks THE BOTTOM LINE m Concept: Race through the streets both on and offline W Graphics: Clearer textures and better lighting on this version turn up the intensity on an already outstanding-looking game W Sound: The trance/club rock can be a little annoying at times, but does fit the racing perfectly m Playability: Spot-on arcade-styled controls that have you sliding through corners and slipping past cars at mach speeds W Entertainment: If you love speed you will love this highly addictive racer W Replay Value: Moderate | | Forera ео; | | talk smack online via Xbox Live. рза трие Н Obviously, the | | developers (rightly) traded some i | Sanhon dete I acd | speed and the size of the cities. | Also, those prone to frustration Issues may have some beef with this game, as the process | of learning the best routes necessitates some triakand-error. However, this high degree of | challenge gives Midnight Club II | longer legs than nearly any racer | on the market. | MATT - 9 GAMEINFORMER 113 93 cR REVIEWS doesn't rely on technical gimmicks. Instead, it deliver cathartic action and an absorbing story." Kibbles 'n Bits 114 GAMEINFORMER M" tot > a EON MACE GRIFFIN BOUNTY HUNTER THIS GUN'S FOR HIRE he story behind Mace Griffin is a long one. While your T character in the game gets thrown in the slammer for ten years and will later endure various plot twists on his path to justice, it seems like a similar amount of time has passed Since we did a feature on the title. Still, developer Warthog is determined to break new ground by letting players seamlessly partake in both space combat and FPS ground battles with no loading. The game does indeed do this. To my surprise, that is not why | like Mace Griffin. The reason | do is because it actually doesn’t rely on technical gimmicks. Instead, it delivers cathartic action and an absorbing story. Yes, merging genres is impressive. Problem is, | don't find the space portions that interesting. Similar to your vehicles’ control in Halo, the ship's cockpit is merely a skin applied to your screen. So despite being in space, the game never really stops controlling like an FPS. It’s a practical solution, for sure, but not one that | found enjoyable enough to put up with. A very nice side benefit of Warthog’s endeavors, however, is that levels are huge (as is the game itself). Barring the load points that pop up here and there, you'll be amazed at just how much fodder Mace's areas have to find and kill. “Who needs story in an FPS?” you may cry, but Mace Griffin does an excellent job of keeping your mind running while you're W STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION While the game's least impressive aspect. space dogfights have their moments LISHER BLACK LABEL GAMES I DEVELOPER WARTHOG gunning - something that can't be underestimated. Of course, when in doubt, you'll pull the trigger and just smile. Between the gore, hitsensitive enemies, and cool weapons (with secondary functions) at your disposal, the game keeps the good times rolling. It does a great job of making sure that each armament gets a taste of flesh. | like having to juggle and get the most out of all my weapons in quick succession to handle а hot situation. For its part, the enemy Al will follow some pretty good evasion routines, and will even hunt you down on occa- sion. | did, however, have an issue with foes who didn't “play by the rules.” How many headshots can one guy take? Graphically, the title can be a mixed bag. | loved the spinning chamber effect of your rifle (and the accompanying whine), and the way the light plays off of it, but it seems that one of the side effects of Mace's large levels and overall size is that the game lacks some of that Xbox shine. | know that it's been delayed a bunch, and this has not helped the graphics any. | can appreciate that what Warthog was trying to do was new for FPSs. But in the heat of battle, when you've got a lumbering Jaldari bearing down on you, there is no time for thoughts of any kind. And that's how it should be. In the end, Mace Griffin delivers on its promises, and most importantly, it gives you a solid and rewarding experience that you won't regret. — KATO LEASE JUNE 17 The Al makes some reasonably intelligent choices during combat | | THE BOTTOM LINE VM MATURE m Concept: Mace's mix of space combat and FPS thrills aren't so revolutionary in execution, but the game's core action is a blast W Graphics: What it lacks in flair is understandable given the size of the levels п Sound: An extremely strong element of the game for many reasons. Oh yeah, Henry Rollins is in there, too п Playability: | found space dogfights the game's weakest link W Entertainment: Technology aside, Mace is one tough (and fun) customer п Replay Value: Moderately High SECOND OPINION First off, you all know Henry Rollins is my mentor, so I'll get my praise for him out of the way early – he delivers dialogue perfectly, and adding the song. "Shine" to the intro was brilliant. The rest of this game rocks, too. The levels, while a tad linear for my taste, are massive – filled with enemies, puzzles, and Interaction. The weapon set complements them to a tee: Snipe from a distance, use the grenade launcher when you get closer, then clean up with the machine gun. | wish aiming was a touch easier, however; | guess I'm just used to auto-targeting. The spaceship sequences aren't Earth-shattering, but they are a nice diversion and don't detract from the overall experience. ‘Subtle graphical effects impress me, though the cutscenes can be stale. Overall, Mace Griffin is a damn fine FPS. It's no Halo- killer, but you will enjoy killing a few dozen hours with It. JUSTIN - 8.25 BADNESS TIMES 3l he scope of Midtown Madness 3 is most definitely impressive. Digital Illusions rendered T two massive, breathing cityscapes where thousands of citizens roam the streets, traffic moves realistically, and lighting from different times of day is reflected perfectly onto every structure and object. The environments look fantastic, yet once gameplay commences all ofthe extravagance and onscreen glitz goes to waste. The entire game is structured in the vein of pizza delivery. From paper routes, limousine services, armored car transporting, and taxi work, your entire time with Midtown Madness 3 is spent transporting items from one point to another before time expires. If this sounds fun to you, | hear that Pizza Hut is hiring. Crazy Taxi excelled by pushing this concept to the limit. Its gameplay pace was blistering, and it forced gamers to master the intricacies of the control schematic. Midtown Madness takes a different approach. It's slow, and the only things you have to worry about are hitting the gas, turning, and avoiding traffic. That's about the gist of it. In all honesty, | enjoyed the main bulk of gameplay about as much as | do that throbbing sensation when a Qtip is jammed just a little too far into my ear. Digital Illusions did implement over 40 checkpoint races and online and link play that supports up to eight players. | enjoy these aspects of the game a little more than the missions, but again, | found myself falling asleep at the wheel, The point-to-point tracks are very generic, the sensation of speed appears to be inspired by a snail, and the car physics must have been captured from someone pushing a shopping cart. There's nothing respectable about this game. The only fun that | had with it was watching the hilarious mockumentary about one of Midtown Madness 3's motion-capture artists. It's funny, but it's not worth the price of admis- Sion. - REINER игит -T JUN ИРИП, ANE] иг 2t The racing aspect just doesn't have the horsepower or realism to compete with other gamos Matnda Pick up passengers and drive them across town! Pick up gold bars and drive them across town! Pick up wounded people and drive them across town! Ш STYLE | OR 2-PLAYER RACING (UP TO 8-PLAYER VIA XBOX LIVE & SYSTEM LINK) W DEVELOPER DIGITAL ILLUSIONS С.Е. IM RELEASE JUNE 17 THE BOTTOM LINE EVERYONE W Concept: Another Crazy Taxi clone with delivery missions set in opencity environments п Graphi The detail displayed within the cityscapes is incredible. The streets are littered with objects and the lighting is as authentic as can be W Sound: Annoying scripted dialogue and forgettable beats п Playability: Hit the gas and follow the arrow to your objectives. That's it! W Entertainment: Even with online play, there's nothing redeeming about this game. This concept has been done better 100 times over п Replay Value: Moderate SECOND OPINION In theory, Midtown Madness 3 should be a great plece of soft- ware since it has big expansive | environments, fast cars, and online play. Well, guess what? It sucks. Not only are the missions insipid, the graphics aren't nearly as impressive as they should be, considering the power of the Xbox. Even worse, the cutscenes are just plain annoying, especially the | voiceover work and the writing. This pizza delivery drivel is sup- posed to be funny? It’s like the game was designed to please four-year olds. Even the car phys- lcs are annoying. | will admit that the bonus movie about the motion-capture guy is hilarious, but that’s this game's only high point. Get Midnight Club Il if you want a racer. It blows this game PUBLISHER MICROSOFT y REVIEWS TUN, Я, ERONTE LIP + NOSE + SUPER LAUNCH trilogy of films. With new footage written and directed № by the Wachowski 1 brothers and a story that gives new or deeper meaning to sequences in the movies, this game Is an absolute no- brainer for Matrix fans, It's fan boy heaven and the coolest thing since deleted scenes on DVD. On the other hand, if you're just looking for a solid action game, Enter the Matrix is respectable but not great. Your jaw will drop with each slow- motion kung-fu sequence, and running on walls never gets old. Also, for the techjunkies out there with HDTVs, the Xbox version can be displayed in 10801. Unfortunately, with its grandeur emerges a handful of problems: The controls aren't very precise, targeting is finicky, and the driving and flying sequences are nothing short of horrendous. It gets the job done, but in a hobbling-to-the-finish-line sort SANE) of way. - REINER т ۵ wr 7 Irem GAME INFORMER 117 SANE OF HEMON PLANETSIDE: 3 ^... the intensity of the battles draws the player in, but the ability to improve your avatar...keeps you «coming back for more." Danger abounds outside of your Empire's Sanctuary Use cover to your advantage whenever possible 118 GAME INFORMER PLANETSIDE UNLEASHING THE DOGS OF WAR development hell for what seemed like forever, but the finished product really is an amazing piece of technology. Not only are the graphics impressive for a game of this scope, the gameplay is phenomenal. There is just so much to do, and once you find yourself wading knee-deep in an all-out war with an army of other players on your server, it's hard not to fall in love. At the heart of this title is its massively multiplayer capabilities. Like any other RPG-styled MMO out there, the creation and care of your character is the main attraction. Certainly, the intensity of the battles draws the player in, but the ability to improve your avatar and become a more powerful and renowned member of your Empire is what keeps you coming back for more. At the beginning of PlanetSide, you must join one of three Empires and then create your character's look. While your ability to aim at this point is the same as everyone else's on the server, the resources at your disposal are limited. So like a grunt, you head out to join the war to get killed and earn battle experience. Ideally, you will want to join a squad (which is a 10-man version of a group in a typical MMORPG), as gaining experience is much easier. Also, as you learn from playing the game more and more, squads and the even bigger outfit (much like a guild) are the secret to organizing and executing large-scale attacks on rival Empires. { had my doubts about PlanetSide as it wallowed in Back to the point at hand: As you gain experience, you are awarded certification points that can be used to grant your character access to assorted weapons, vehicles (both land and air), and various professions. Learn to fly a Galaxy class flying bus. Master the Reaver fighter. Enhance your medical or hacking abilities. The options are really pretty amazing, and almost all the skills are useful on the field of battle. Want to take over an enemy facility? You are going to need air-support, a hacker, soldiers outfitted in the latest body armor, and even medics and engineers who can keep it all working. It also wouldn't hurt if you could convince some other squads to join in the battle, because the enemy isn't just going to roll over and let you have it. Beginning to fathom the scope of PlanetSide? | hope so, because not only is this game incredibility deep, it's amazingly entertaining. My first night with PlanetSide, | found myself doing just about everything. From defending outposts to making hot-drops into enemy territory, the game delivers a very compelling experience from log on to log off. The only knocks | have against PlanetSide are that there are a number of time sinks revolving around travel (waiting for the stinking HART comes to mind), and the monthly fee required to play can be a pinch on the pocketbook, but otherwise PlanetSide is the $&*#. – ANDY W STYLE MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER ACTION Ш PUBLISHER SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT lii DEVELOPER SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT il RELEASE MAY 20 Use the Advanced Mobile Station to create a spawning point in the field Armored powered suits known as MAXs are deadly to infantry ESRD m Concept: Take the MMO experience and make a kickin’ FPS based around the premise W Graphics: For the amount of players and the scale of the environments, the graphics are impressive и Sound: Even though the soundtrack can get repetitive, | couldn't imagine playing without it п Playability: While it doesn't have all the high-jumping action of Unreal, its gameplay is intense W Entertainment: When the action gets heated and you find yourself atthe heart of a 200-person battle, this game rocks W Replay Value: High SECOND OPINION quite had that esprit de corps feeling in an online title like 1 do with PlanetSide - when | see my brothers and sisters fall, | feel sad, but | know that the Innovative spawning system will have them back in harm's KRISTIAN - 9.5 “All told, Rise of Nations is as solid as bedrock.” An armor battle isn't too easy on infantry troops Building additional cities gives you more income m 2^7 s aliia POWER OF THE PEOPLE ost interesting games seem to bend the rules a little bit, and Rise of Nations is no exception. In an obvious nod to the popular board game Risk!, Big Huge Games has woven elements of global-level strategy with its efficient and exciting RTS keystone. Although the over-map portions seem to be a little anemic, the gameplay options they represent are startling to say the least. From complex diplomacy to “Give me what | want, or I'll pummel you,” this is a title that has a little something for everyone who loves good strategy coupled with solid gameplay. The story unfolds as you take the reigns of one of 18 different nations. From there, it's your job to shape and mold your people's future through war, diplomacy, and whatever other means you're able to come up with. In terms of sheer variety, having the luxury of such a varied array of nationalities is a beautiful thing; but not all nations are created equal. Some have excellent bonuses incorporated with them, and others are decidedly ho-hum. However, after conquering a nation, you're given its specific ability in the form of a card, which can be used before any battle — but can only be used once. You'll also gain other cards which will give you permanent bonuses throughout your game, but choosing what nations to attack, and with which cards, is the kind of problem that strategy gamers love solving. In terms of nuts and bolts, advancing through civilization's NATIONS 7 C assorted ages is interesting, but the way these milestones affect your game is rather odd at times. Although the game does possess an internal “clock” of sorts that advances through the highpoints in humanity's development (Classical Age, Age of Enlightenment, Industrial Age, etc.) on its own, you're forced to re-research the different components that make up the innovations leading to the next major checkpoint over and over again until the game's clock moves to the next age. | suppose it's the nature of the RTS beast to have this kind of technology discovery repetition, but there must be a more fulfilling way to do it. As a pure real- time strategy title, Rise of Nations sizzles with excellent unit intelligence, intuitive formation building, and a mess of ways to gain political and military advantages over your foes. Each Side seems to be well balanced, and if you play your cards right, some spectacular battles are in store for you. All told, Rise of Nations is as solid as bedrock. You're not throwing your money away on something you'll only enjoy for a scant few hours, and there's a lot of fun to be had here. There's even a bit of education embedded as far as historical military units go — gasp! So there you have it, chaps and chap-ettes; feel free to pick this one up without fear or guilt — unlike your filthy pilfering of the collection plates at church. – KRISTIAN п STYLE ТТО 8- PLAYER. ACT ION/STRATEGY W PUBLISHER MICROSOFT DEVELOPER BIG HUGE GAMES Ш RELEASE MAY 20 Deciding on your diplomatic stance is essential to winning the game These cards will give BOTTOM LINE m Concept: A refreshing blend of realtime strategy and Risk-like elements combine to produce an excellent experience W Graphics: Nothing mind-blowing, but nothing to sniff at either – | was satisfied every step of the way W Sound: Some of the battle effects could use a little touching up, but everything else is gravy в Playability: The tutorials seem disjointed to me. However, | didn't experience any nagging issues in-game W Entertainment: A must-have for both strategy and RTS geeks п Replay Value: High GAMEINFORMER 119 REVIEWS afe) (MA. EID OA A SS RESTAURANT NO SOUP FOR YOU he attraction, and the T^ of these types of business sims is the ability (or inability) of the gameplay to transcend the subject matter. That is, if | feel like I'm playing a game about maintaining а restaurant, it's probably not working very well. On the other hand, if | feel like I'm actually guiding an eating establishment with savvy business decisions and a modicum of skill, that's something else. With Restaurant Empire, | got the distinct impression that | was jumping through hoops for the sake of the hoop, and not the game. Apart from the terrible character models and antiquated overall look, Enlight attempts to pack a lot of variety into RE in terms of data-driven details. Details like what kind of food and drink you serve, which ingredients you use in your recipes, how much to charge for which item, and how you manage your Staff are all available for the tweaking; but the game soon becomes a lesson in anger management as you watch your staff bump into each other time after time, and your customers leave because their food hasn't arrived yet. This is a nice game to putz around with, but you're not going to be getting an incredible experience out of it. - KRISTIAN THE BOTTOM LINE EVERYONE m Concept: Create a chain of successful restaurants while battling poor pathing and Al I Graphics: Obviously, you're not buying this game for its visuals, and for good reason и Sound: See above, substitute sound for visuals а Playability: What this title lacks in glitz and polish, it attempts to make up for in complexity of play W Entertainment: | wasn't exactly enthralled, but it was interesting enough to keep me in my seat for a little while п Replay Value: Moderate | SECOND OPINION W STYLE | -PLAYER STRATEGY I PUBLISHER ENLIGHT E DEVELOPER ENLIGHT Ш RELEASE MAY | 120 GAME INFORMER asnanum cw mam m Wa та тета THE SIMS: SUPERSTAR MARY CATHERINE NOT INCLUDED hat is this series all about? Living out an alternative life. If you don't know МУ: or haven't heard of The Sims, then you're living іп а cave somewhere, and why you're reading this magazine right now I'll never know. In any event, Superstar adds to the series with a quaint little diversion that puts you into the skin of a modern day celebrity. After finding an agent through the local entertainment industry rag, you'll train your alter ego in a number of categories, then set out to a new location where they'll perform and hobnob with the entertainment industry's elite. At one point, | was badgering Marilyn Monroe for her autograph, and she had to run away to avoid me. After improving your entertainment skills, it's hilarious to watch your Sim give out autographs and do things like making music videos. This is definitely the best expansion yet released for the Sims, but certain issues still bog this title down. I'm absolutely confounded that the game clock hasn't been slowed yet. It simply should not take my guy 10 minutes to walk from the living room to the bathroom. The problem is only exacerbated when travelling to different areas of the city, as you have only a finite amount of time to do what you want to do before it's time to go to bed. That being said, Sims junkies will definitely get a charge out of Superstar – time-passage problem or In celebrity circles, you'd better look your best n A star party is a good place to see, and be seen STYLE |-PLAYER SIMULATION Ш PUBLISHER ELECTRONIC ARTS Ш DEVELOPER MAXIS E RELEASE MAY 15 age asas THE BOTTOM LINE EVERYONE i3 m Concept: Another add-on to t successful PC franchise in history m Graphics: Same ol’ same ‘ol. Obviously there are new items and animations, but nothing radically different и Sound: Hearing my Sim try to sing with only one creativity point was hilarious п Playability: Becoming familiar with the new environment won't take you long W Entertainment: The new subject matter is Clever and entertaining — things you expect from Maxis W Replay Value: SECOND OPINION Truth be told, | haven't been oxygen bar are just a few of the new actions for your precious | character. Simply said, this is the most amusing entry in the series yet. Don't miss it. 3000 B | : PE LS GS 4000 Hf New Cannon 4 ia PS GAME | OFTHE. MONTH 7000 7 16000 22000 1 5000 Hs Ilan B | == T Cot м $ 6000 If we can take care of them, t foe will lose heart. Move out! < РС. What іп the world is that?! ? o THE BOTTOM LINE EVERYONE “mew ADVANCE WARS 2: ES BLACK HOLE RISING STRATEGIC SUPREMACY peres more of the gameplay we all loved in the first; but with some nice, new twists m Graphics: Overall, the game looks almost identical to the original, but that's not a bad thing m Sound: The soundtrack is not А series could a super-sized version of their normal power). This gives want.” hile Advance Wars 2's Black Hole Rising tag line may sound like a new Soundgarden album, it is actually the follow-up to one of the greatest games in history. I'm not just talking about handheld titles either; I'm talking consoles and PCs as well. If you weren't lucky or smart enough to play the original Advance Wars, you need to put down the magazine immediately and go buy it...NOW! It's that good. Okay, now that the uninformed have run off to play the original; we can discuss the sequel that, for all intents and purposes, is a lot more of the same – except with bigger, more difficult missions and some new pieces to spice up the action. While that doesn't sound like much of an improvement on the surface, it really makes for an outstanding sequel. M Sadly, Advance Wars 2 does start off a little slow, as the first four or five missions of the Campaign mode incorporate various training features to help refresh unit usage, as well as map rules such as fog of war and how terrain can be players the option to use the standard CO power, or save up for a larger reward. Perhaps the greatest additions to Advance Wars 2 are the new units and facilities. For example, during certain missions you are given the opportunity to steal secret plans from the vile Black Hole army and then produce the new Neo Tank (an amazing unit that can tear up even MD tanks) from your factories. But even better than that is the addition of Missile Silos throughout various maps. This one-shot weapon enables the player to fire on any ground unit on the map. An amazing weapon, especially when you find a nice set of five or six silos together. The enemy also has a wide variety of new obstacles for you to overcome. From giant missile launchers that require you to destroy the eight surrounding buildings in 15 days, to weapon factories that will relentlessly spew enemy units until the pipe feeding the structure is destroyed, these new super- structures will challenge you like never before. There are this game's strong point, especially since you will be playing it for hours on end. Buy an iPod and listen to tunes п Playability: About the only complaint І can think of is that you can't attack and then move, but it's otherwise perfect W Entertainment: Advance Wars 2 is easily one of the deepest and most entertaining Game Boy Advance titles to date п Replay Value: High used to the player's advantage. It's a little annoying for the SECOND OPINION seasoned player, but it's not the end of the world. The main commanding officers are once again Andy, li Sami, and Max for the Orange Army; but as you advance bum in Campaign mode you will get a chance to control other ^^, armies again including Green Earth, Blue Moon, and Yellow Comet. Thankfully, all four armies feature new COs such as the cranky Sensei or the young cadet Colin — each with new and unique powers. Advance Wars 2 has also upped the effect that the commanding officers have on the outcome of battle by adding a new Super CO power (which is basically also new super cannons that can fire on any unit in a large array. One of my favorite missions actually has you moving your forces through a forest of trees to avoid the relentless fire of these giant cannons. It's pretty intense, as it basically challenges you to use all the skills at your disposal as well as make perfect use of the terrain. In the end, Advance Wars 2 is everything a fan of the series could want. There are more opportunities for dual army control (like the final battle in the original) as well as much more challenging maps to defeat. If you own a Game Boy Advance, seriously need this game. - ANDY Use the trees for cover when a map uses fog of war W STYLE | -PLAYER STRATEGY (UP TO 4-PLAYER МА LINK) IM PUBLISHER NINTENDO Ш DEVELOPER INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS Ш RELEASE JUNE 23 The only place pipes like these can be broken is at the seam Не} Shoal “Riv Just as in the original, you can create your own maps large fir orts 99 hit points To defeat this fortress you must destroy the eight surrounding turrets GAMEINFORMER 121 REVIEWS GAME BOY ADVANCE NINJA FIVE-O ® STYLE } PLAYER ACTION E PUBLISHER KONAMI W RELEASE MARCH 13 Ё There have been so many 2D action games released over the years that it's hard to describe the difference between a good one and a bad one. It's almost like the blues ~ it's either got that feel or it doesn't. Ninja Five-O, a cross between Bionic Commando and Shinobi, has that old-school action vibe in spades. As you jump, spin, and rappel your way through levels; you'll face a variety of tough adversaries and tricky obstacles. It's nothing you haven't seen before (shooting fire, conveyor belts, moving platforms), but you'll have a blast doing it all over again, thanks mostly to this title's accurate control and sawy level design. Ninja Five-O is a great game that probably won't sell half the copies it deserves zm to. - MATT E GAME BOY ADVANCE THE INCREDIBLE HULK ® STYLE | -PLAYER ACTION (UP TO 4-PLAYER МА LINK) W PUBLISHER VIVENDI UNIVERSAL W RELEASE MAY 27 Wie ША > Comic fans will P appreciate the little `$ = details that have v. sa been included. 4 For instance, the story draws inspiration from Jack Kirby's and * Stan Lee's work on the golden age Incredible Hulk and Tales to Astonish books. Outside of these trivial highlights, this game has about as much play to it as a crusty green booger. You'll marvel at it for a few seconds, only to realize that it's one of the world's most appalling abominations, then will flick it away. Through robotic movements, shallow combat, and levels that can best be described as hamster mazes, The Incredible Hulk doesn't even come close to living up to its namesake. Did | mention that the Hulk eats cookies to replenish health? — REINER GAME BOY ADVANCE SONIC PINBALL PARTY WI STYLE 1 TO 4-PLAYER ACTION (UP TO 4-PLAYER МА LINK) Ш PUBLISHER SEGA m RELEASE FAIL It's pinball. Pinball is good. Sonic ^ Pinball Party Û features characters and themes from Sonic, Samba ‘or de Amigo, and i Nights. This too is D t 1 good. But a pinball party game with AERA Vs., Party, Story, Casinopolis, and Chao Garden modes means that the boards are small and repetitive. Solid physics, colorful graphics, and bearable sound do make this a decent pinball title, but Casinopolis is totally worthless and Chao Garden is exactly =ч the same as other recent versions. - LISA Е 122 GAMEINFORMER GAME BOY ADVANCE DRAGON BALL Z: LEGACY OF GOKU Il THE LEGACY CONTINUES egacy of Goku Il is an interesting study in how to simultaneously do everything L right and wrong in a sequel. Fans of the cartoon series were happy that Atari (née, Infogrames) so closely mimicked the world they love in the first GBA game, and that attention to detail is certainly back. The rest of the planet, however, will surely groan when they find out that Legacy's most aggravating trait — its combat ~ is also making а return. It's baffling why a title that pays such close attention to the details of the television show (evident in the character models, humor, and storyline) would not fix the obvious problems that plagued its predecessor. | can understand that real-time combat on the GBA will always be limited, but LoG II's problem is in the fighting's collision and balance. Basically, there is little rhyme or reason as to whether you or your foe will land a hit. Frustrating. Luckily, the remainder of the title is very enjoyable. With more playable characters (which you can change at the plentiful save points) and areas to explore (the overhead map is simply cool), my efforts in completing sidequests and keeping everyone sufficiently leveled-up kept me going quite happily — something which isn't for everyone. With its pluses and minuses, this Legacy comes out about even to the first in being a slightly above-average game with unrealized potential. — KATO The cool overhead map lets you freely travel from town to town Special attacks (including turning into a Super Saiyan) are the combat's only bright spot Who knew that these androids dabbled in insurance fraud? STYLE |-PLAYER ACTION/ADVENTURE ШЕ PUBLISHER ATARI Ш DEVELOPER WEBFOOT TECHNOLOGIES Ш RELEASE JUNE 24 THE BOTTOM LINE EVERYONE m Concept: Better than the first in almost every way – except the combat. Uurggh! m Graphics: It's a great looking game, and the character models are expressive и Sound: There's some great moody music here п Playability: Despite various special attacks and playable characters, combat remains this series’ Achilles’ heel W Entertainment: Even with its one glaring flaw, you will enjoy this title п Replay Value: Moderately Low SECOND OP! N | So, let me get this straight: | The game skips the three | years where | train to take | on the most hideous enemies the world has ever known, but | I'm forced to go looking for an | open-faced sandwich for some dork? Regardless, next to | Zelda, Legacy of Goku Il may be the premier action/RPG | | for GBA. It's got a great story | i | (even if you're not a DBZ nut), | the graphics are sweet, and it | | moves at a steady clip. Props | for the FF 3-esque Mode 7 | flying! The combat definitely | takes some getting used to, | and there аге а few frustrating | spots. | cursed it at first, but | about an hour in, | was getting | | the timing and strike distance | down. Lovers of leveling up | Wi find the task easy and | beneficial. The first game sold | like mad, and | think Atari has | done right by gamers with this | sequel. | | JUSTIN - 7.75 | Exclusive ү? Рог a || e com) GAMEINFORMER Readers Order by Phone (8am - 7pm CST) : 7 Days a Week Order online at: with FREE Preowned Dragonball Z Budokai Game Preowned NFL 2K3 Game, 3 Extra Controllers and Multitap with FREE Overnight Shipping Price: Only $149.99! Shipping: Only $1 Price: Only $39.99! Shipping: Played, tested, and approved by gamers. Satisfaction guaranteed. Preowned GameCube Б у and controller | *« à with FREE 4 4x Memory Card with FREE Preowned Super Mario Sunshine Buy 5 packs, Get 1 FREE! : 0 14. Shipping: combined with any other offers. Offers end July 31st, 2003 or orders. No substitutions ping is 3-Day Standard Ground. Shipping offers good within continental United States only, excluding PO Box or APO/FPO addresses Not responsible for misprints or typos a Exclusive Offers For GAMEINFORMER Readers Game ol Order by Phone (8am - 7pm CST) 7 Days a Week Order online at: with FREE m Preowned Halo WI Preowned Hitman 2 ( Game hi. with FREE Soul Calibur 2 Price: U Shipping: Price: Only $49.99! Shipping: Q Played, tested, and approved by gamers. Satisfaction guaranteed. < $4 | Jae Pack "” Includes PlanetSide Game, Guide, and 90-Day Game Card with FREE Total Annihilation: Kingdoms Price: Onl Shipping: Only $1! Price: Only Shipping: Offers good online or call-in only. Not valid or while supplies last. GameStop.com resen 241< 2002 21510, 2005 continental United States only, excluding PO Bo x or APO FPO a ddresses. Not responsible for misprints or ty In association with the NPD TRSTS Video Games Service, Charts presents an in-depth listing of the best- selling software on a month-to-month basis. Are the games you spend your hard-earned dollars on top JAPAN TOP 10 sellers? Take a look below to find out. We've also compiled a listing of the top-selling Japanese software, ою ME M n i i PASS N/A Mega Man Zero 2 GBA and, of course, we included а Top 10 list of the games the СІ staff is currently enjoying. N/A Nuroto GBA Р r NPD j N/A Fire Emblem: Flaming Sword GBA N PD TO P 2 О: Unis Sod 6 Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire GBA & RANK GAME SYSTEM SCORE RELEASE PRICE .5 N/A Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven PS2 DATE POINT 4 Made in Wario GBA ج‎ N/A The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker GC 10 Mar-03 $50 4 Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Heart GBA Everyone is catching Zelda fever. Pat Benetar is even working on a tribute song to this N/A From TV Animation One Piece: Ocean's Dream PSone great game, using her hit "Heartbreaker" as a base. Here's a sneak peak: “Link's the N/A Generations of Chaos 3 PS2 ^ SN right kind of elven, to relieve my inner fantasies! He don't need no shelvin', cuz you know N/A Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow GBA that he was made to be...He’s a...Wind Waker! Nap taker! Pot breaker! Don't you mess around with Link, he's a..." д N/A Pokémon Ruby GBA 7.25 Mar03 $30 Before you start ripping on kids for buying this game for its similarity to the Pokémon before it, look in a mirror. Remember when you got Battle Armor He-Man? It's the same damn ; action figure, just with a dentable torso. But no, you had to have it. You threw that tantrum at K-Mart and worked yourself up into such a frenzy that you puked. Didn't ya, Up Chuck? N/A Pokémon Sapphire GBA 1.25 Mar-03 $30 Ў “| choose you, Pikachu!” That's what millions of kids are saying once again these days. POS. LMO САМЕ SYSTEM “You're choosing Satan, you lost sheep!" some of the Bible belt's elite reply. While we N/A PlanetSide PC think Pika's Electric Shock attack could counter the effects of Satan's Horn Rush, both N/A Advance Wars 2 GBA sides bring up some pretty good points. Wait until Yu-Gi-Oh does the run-in on this battle, 2 The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker СС and hits both sides with steel chairs. Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! N/A Midnight Club II Xbox N/A Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven PS2 9 Mar03 $49 6 Star Wars Galaxies PC Our grandmas told us to chew 30 times before swallowing; but dear ol' granny didn't N/A Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits Р52 have a big sword with which to chop off our heads, so we'll agree with this game that 7*7 10 EnterTheMarix = Ps2 10 chews is the way to go. We know grandma knitted us those argyle socks, but you 1 ешт to Castle Wolfenstein: Tides of War Xbox don't mess with a ninja. They're like a pack of Keyser Sozes in pajamas. They'll kill you, 5 NBA Street Vol. 2 PS2 then - like that they're gone. Gallop Racer 2003: A New Breed Р52 1 The Getaway PS2 9 Jan-03 $40 " و‎ Chrissie Hynde is the obvious favorite, because of her vocals on tracks like “Don't Get кыс. Me Wrong” and “Back on the Chain Gang,” both of which she got writing credit for. The late John Honeyman-Scott's skills with the guitar are not to be denied, however. When all : is said and done, though, The Getaway is our favorite Pretender. It seems like many of P i с; Е len you-agree: ) EL =, Pot ee” N/A Def Jam Vendetta PS2 85 Mar03 $50 re. MONTH PRICE Grand Theft Auto: Vice City PS2 10 Oct-02 $50 N/A Delta Force: Black Hawk Down Mar-03 $37 Xenosaga: Episode 1 PS2 975 FebO3 $50 1 Command & Conquer: Generals Feb03 Баб Yu-Gi-Oh! Duelist of the Roses PS2 8 ee ee кш E -— N/A MVP Baseball 2003 PS2 9.25 Mar-03 $50 ЕШ п шч 4 5 Battlefield 1942 Sep-02 $46 N/A Driver 2 Advance GBA 7.75 Oct-02 $20 7 Z OctOl $25 19 SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs PS2 9.5 Aug02 $60 N/A GSI: Crime Scene Investigation MarO3 $30 N/A Dynasty Warriors 4 PS2 7 Mar03 $49 “8 МА Warcraft Ill: Reign of Chaos Jui02 $37. N/A NBA Street PS2 9.25 Jun-01 $20 N/A Diablo 2 Jun-00 $20 7 Yu-Gi-Oh! Dungeon Dice Monsters GBA 8 Feb-03 $30 N/A ma Tyonon Febo2 $18 N/A Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec PS2 9 Julo1 $20 r ч 3 The Sims PS2 9 Jan-03 $50 20 The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past GBA 9.25 Dec-02 $30 N/A Ace Combat 4 PS2 8.5 Oct-01 $20 12 Ghost Recon PS2 85 Dec-02 $49 Source: NPD Interactive Entertainment Service « Kristin Barnett VonKorff (516) 6252481 GAMEINFORMER 125 REVIEWS ARCHIVE JULY 2003 Def Jam Vendetta Die Hard: Vendetta E S XBOX, ШЕШШ Dr Spots Football 675 Mog A-Star Baseball 2004 mr ну os novo GAME BOY ADVANCE | B FORMAT isney Sports Soccer Antz Extreme Rac 7 Dec-02 ee IRAR ACTION/PLAT Disneys PK: Out 8 ME Ae дп Мб gon 2 м8 fy Dela Sc T ELECTRONIC \TFORM. ‘of the Shado 775 Мау-03 Run Like Hell Airforce Delta. $ ARTS Ш REVIEWED JAN-03 E v apiid алк мако Әврән Видра 75 Kr Seablade 8 Муй Абы алвои. 675 REG 7 ? ildur’s Gate: 1 Јап-03 Ф 6: While it's marginally interesting exis 7, POO Бшш йшй as Dot EE azs бш Meed Boast j to collect and assign new spell Enr ho Matix 775 NoMe Bae Sun Magi 7° Feos Shenmue l 5 090 даарта Рат G Deca t d pells gn 775 Novo Black Stone: Magic & Steel З Р} Shek: Super Par Buni былыр AE M о your HUD, that's about the Bored = 7 Dep Bedell 6 Novog Sms alia 325 Jan-03 Сомад c в ша only thing that even came close Sts Recon 8 dang ВикТеттебири 775 Morie Spin Cel 85 А0 Тее Was EX». 625 D to jarring me from the lazy daze See, T75 NYO MO 775 De ee Te Gane Was ше бшуш») dnas К 2 istroy All Monsters Ме Jan-03 lars: The Clone We тагу Taxi: Catch a Ride {fall into while playing Harry oes ters Melee в Nov-02 Mte Some er ә Oeog ае of Emergency lars 8s mu. Daredevil ? ма 8 May-03 oint of De Potter. It's sort of odd that meii cie a в deus jin 05 Mi Super: The Nm der Deer Me DAS us Mar-03 E umen 2 TY o mre ve oce i um lE control sche The 10 Colin Мой: ferminator: Dawn of Fate, The 6 ds 85 Dec наро ыд me, because Legends ot est Aeros acmaya 875 Deed Thing The боо Diver 2 Ada 02 ion element means уо resting Il 675 Febog Commandos 2: А 825 Nov-02 Jud 775 Nov02 2 u have to Lord of the Rings: Men of TimeSplitters 2 Dungeons & Dragons: em ri unique puzzles and levels to keep н enoma me o эш Comic: Deaf Sam e мш Tiene E IB d ке е! — whi " ы tingdoms Il lov- ission to Earth tania ا‎ which this game definitely Mario Pary 4 Е Deua Af 775 Ыз унаа Pro Shale 4 | e wb Hiner doesn't. Lame. - MATT Mato Pays Fine 855 2202 teme Beach Voleybal Мын 65: ш iets nee бй ge Man et ebd 75 миз Tose pai sd D Son Tanai Jenos Treneworkd Si ame & Watch: Galery 4 — 3 Aer Bee лымаш 675 NBA Surio Fe 625 Deco? 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Battle Er 2003 7 Mortal Kor 80-02 istful of Boomstick 8 XBOX Ш STYLE Big Mute Tode 1 NHL Hiz 2008 178 Novos Mysto H ome Га 5 272 PUBLISHER | ae 1-PLAYER ACTION/ADVENTURE NM из 75 Ninja Assault lov-02 leroes 775 Omog Furius Karting ATER REVIEWED MAY-03 4 Bed Re nir 6.25 rebos NASCAR Thunder 2008 3 oao Ghost Recon съ та е0 ы гаш PON esr aya hea 9 Mayo Godzila: Destroy di co Lightening the load between эмо a mn Der 325 Novag Hot Pursut2 175 Nov-02 one T == intense boss battles (complete 10. м 6 п ‘i 4 Bes ol Fre: Dragon Quer B Pally Fusion: LLL Pr a75 Мао Н Heat 2004 ег with Breaking Benjamin- Bumout2 Port йрй 8 Race of Champions 3i- hes Олон өч 278 уер Himan 2: Silent Assassin 85 Rae supplied rock ces pe Game Hunter 7 Ratchet & Clank ein $a chen e 725 Novo? House of the Dead Il, The 65 maed Mt Soundtrack) are perio 85 Ramena hodan lineo. 85 . Мес prn e Indana Jones and the minigames to execute some Chop: iss shed ê5 Rayman Arena ве калана T в Jenog Emperors Tomb 85 Maros key maneuvers. 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Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits * Armored Core: Silent Line . 10/14/03. Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 2. 'ORMAT PLAYSTATION 2/PC Ш STYLE MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER ONLINE ROLE-PLAYING GAME I PUBLISHER SONY /SQUARE ENIX B RELEASE OCTOBER 9 д хиба Опе of the surprising announcements of E3 came at the Sony press conference, when the company announced that it would be publishing online RPG Final Fantasy XI in killer app, while Square Enix can take advantage of Sony's never ends? We'll have to wait until October to find out. 9/1/03. . | Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu . . Ubi Soft 9/23/08 . . Battlestar Galactica. Vivendi Universal 6/23/03 . . Big Mutha Truckers . $ THQ 8/26/03... Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds Vivendi Universal + Celebrity Deathmatch . Take 2 + Chaos Legion , . Capcom + Charlie's Angels ....., Ubi Soft 12 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Ubi Soft ‚ Disgaea: Hour of Darkness ........ Atlus Disney's Extreme Skate Абуепїшге................ Activision Dot Hack Vol, 3: Outbreak Bandai Downhill Domination . . . Soy « Dragon's Lair 3D Encore Software. » Dynasty Tactics 2 . Koel | Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly . Tecmo „ Final Fantasy XI Sony/Square Enix ‚ Freedom: Soldiers of Liberty Electronic Arts ‚ Freestyle MetalX Midway Fugitive Hunter . Atari ‚ Futurama . Vivendi Universal. 21 Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance: Acclaim ‚. Gladius ..... LucasArts 2 Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup Electronic Arts + Hobbit, The... . Vivendi Universal 1 Hunter The Reckoning Wayward Vivendi Universal +, Ico Nine»... Bam Entertainment : IHRA Drag Racing 3 Bethesda Softworks Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb . 7 Italian Job, The f ‘Jacked . . Lethal Skies Madden NFL 20 Electronic Arts ;» Magic Pengel: The Quest for Color Tommo ‚ Maximo vs the Army of Zin Capcom ‚ Monster Rancher 4 . ..... Tecmo .. NBA ShootOut 2004 Sony +» NCAA Football 2004 . i Electronic Arts £ NCAA GameBreaker 2004 . Sony ++ ESPN NFL Football. ...... Sega NFL Blitz: Pro... Midway ++ NFL GameDay 2004 , Sony NHL Hitz: Pro , . Midway ‚. Outlaw Golf 2 , . Verdi Universal «Phoenix», Pitfall Harry -Activision ‚ Rise to Honor Sony ‚ RPG Maker 2 . Tommo Silent Hill 3 Konami Simpsons: Vivendi Universal + SOCOM Il: U.S.Navy SEAI Sony 3/03... Soul Calibur Il. Namco THQ Ri THQ SRS: Street Racing Syndicate , . 300 ДОЗИ S9X з............... Electronic Arts 8/1/03... . Star Trek Shattered Universe ... ТОК Mediactive 9/16/03. . Starsky & Hutch А . Take 2 6/24/03 . . Summer Heat Beach Volleyball ‘Acclaim 10/14/03. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. .. Konami 9/16/03, . True Crime: Streets of LA . .... Activision 10/14/03 Wallace & Gromit in Project Zoo . Bam Entertainment 9/10/03... Warhammer 40,000: Fire Warrior . 7/29/03 . . XGRA 10/9/03... XII. .... 1080: Avalanche .... tman: Rise of Sin Tzu Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg . 2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds . . ‚. Celebrity Deathmatch ...... +++ Charlie's Angels . Dragon Ball Z: Budokai ++ FZero GX... Freestyle MetalX Gladius А Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life Hobbit, The .. ‚ Italian Job, The Square Enix's hotly anticipated marketing might and experience in publishing online hits like EverQuest and PlanetSide. Could this be the Final Fantasy that Release — Title Date Publisher/ Distributor . 300 . Nintendo «Vivendi Universal = Electronic Arts Nintendo . Electronic Arts - Midway - Midway + Capcom - Activision Jacked... - Kirby Air Ride - Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter - Madden NFL 2004 . Pitfall Harry . - Simpsons: Hit and Run . « Vivendi Universal . Soul Calibur il . . Namco Sphinx . . THQ «Electronic Arts | Star Wars: Rogue Squad ill Rebel Strike - . LucasArts .. SX Superstar. .. . Acclaim Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. . Konami .. True Crime: Streets of LA . Activision ‚ Viewtiful Joe . Capcom 10/14/03. Wallace & Gromit in Project Zoo 6/23/03. . Wario World . . WWE Wrestlemania ХӘ . XGRA . Bam Entertainment « Nintendo б 3 America. So far, this looks like a eS good deal for both companies, as Sony gets another Internet Aliens Vs Predator: Extinction. . Electronic Arts 29/03. . Alter Echo, . . THQ 10/14/03. Auto Modellista = Capcom 40/14/03. RUE Gate: Dark Alliance 2 ‚ Vivendi Universal . Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu - Ubi Soft Vivendi Universal . THQ «Vivendi Universal ‚ Take 2 - Microsoft + Ubi Soft ‚ Tecmo ‚ Eidso Interactive ‚ Capcom ‚ Activision + Mari + Кові + Electronic Arts Midway «Vivendi Universal » Microsoft ‚ Ubi Soft ‚ Acclaim ‚ LucasArts Capcom Electronic Arts ‚ Vivendi Universal . Vivendi Universal yer: Celebrity Deathmatch . . Crimson Skies: High Road to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon . . Dead or Alive Online . - Deus Ex: Invisible War Dino Crisis 3 .. Disney's Extreme Skate Adventure . Dungeons & Dragons: Heroes . Dynasty Warriors 4 Freedom: Soldiers of Liberty . Freestyle Metal . . Futurama +» Fuzion Frenzy 2 Ghost Recon: Island Thunder .. Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance tralian Job, The. Jacked . Madden NFL 2004 NCAA Football 2004 . ‚ ESPN NFL Football . Electronic Arts. + Electronic Arts + Microsoft ‚ Midway +. Microsoft . Май ‚ Vivendi Universal +. Vivendi Universal + Bethesda Softworks ‚ Activision Vivendi Universal Namco 10/1/03 10/14/03 10/14/03 6/24/03 6/24/03 10/1/03 9/9/03. 8/26/03 Operation Flashpoint . Outlaw Golf 2 . Outlaw Volleyball . Pirates of the Caribbean Pitfall Harry FORMAT GAMECUBE Ш STYLE | ТО 4-PLAYER ACTION/RACING Ш PUBLISHER NINTENDO Ш RELEASE OCTOBER 13 f Everybody fronted on the visionary Kirby Tilt ‘n’ Tumble for Game Boy Color, but since then, the pink puff has become a veritable children’s television star with his series Kirby: Right Back At Ya! Now, he's coming to the GameCube in style with Kirby Air Ride, a promising hoverboarding title that features all of the excellent gameplay, multiplayer mayhem, and minigames that Nintendo fans expect. Sure, Mario Kart: Double Dash is going to be the big hitter at retail, but don’t sleep on this little gem. 6/24/03. . SRS: Street Racing Syndicate , s. 300 10/1/03. . SSK 3. i + Electronic Arts 8/1/03. .. Stat Trek: Shattered Universe. ‚ ТОК Mediactive 7/15/03... Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republc ‚ LucasArts 9/16/03. . Starsky & Hutch . ‚ Take 2 10/14/03. Steel Battalion: Capcom 10/1/03.. Sudeki . . + Microsoft 6/24/03. . SX Superstar + Acclaim 10/14/03. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. + Konami 9/16/03. . True Crime: Streets of LA.. + Activision 10/14/03. Wallace & Gromit in Project Zoo + Bam Entertainment 9/29/03 . . WWE Raw 2 THQ 7/29/03. . XGRA + Acclaim 10/9/03. . Xlll. . Ubi Soft 9/3/03 . . . Age of Mythology: The Titans . . Microsoft 7/25/03 . . Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic + Gathering of Developers 7/22/03. . Anarchy Online: Shadowlands. . . + Funcom Publisher/ Distributor Electronic Arts . Electronic Arts » Battlefield 1942: Deluxe Edition... . « Battlefield 1942: Secret eee of WW II. . Black 9 . 3; ‚ Blowout ... Call of Duty. IXa Commandos 3: Destination Berl Counter-Strike: Condition Zero . » Deus Ex: Invisible Маг. . 2 Dragon's Lair Il: Time Warp .. . .. Empires: Dawn of the Modern World . . Enter The Matrix: Special Edition . 2. Etherlords Il . . . EverQuest: Evolution . . . Final Fantasy XI. . 1. Freedom: Soldiers of Liberty . - Full Throttle: Hell On Wheels . Galidor: Defenders Outer Dimension. Ghostmaster . Gothic I 3 Ground Controi 2: Operation Exodus Halflife 2 . Halo. . Heart of Stone ‚ Heroes of Might & Magic IV: Compete Double or Nothing > Links Championship Edition . Lord of the Rings: Middle-Earth Online, Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring, The. W FORMAT PC Ш STYLE | TO 16-PLAYER ACTION M PUBLISHER MICROSOFT Ш RELEASE SEPTEMBER 2 me Halo, the greatest console FPS ever, is finally coming to the PC to take on the big boys in the genre. Can it compete with the Half-Life 2s and Doom 3s of the i E world? After seeing the already- ___ gorgeous Xbox game running on а crisp 1,600x1,200 resolution monitor, we'd venture to say that this should be every bit as huge a hit on PC. Even better, Bungie has promised to do everything it can to assist those who want to want to create their own Halo mods (something that won't be available for Halo 2 on Xbox). Okay, who's going to be the first to create a The Matrix mod? Get working! 9/9/03... Lords of the Realm III Vivendi Universal Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter Vivendi Universal. Madden NFL 2004 Electronic Arts Max Payne 2: The Fall Of Max Payne Take 2 Men of Valor: Vietnam Vivendi Universal Midnight Club Il. . . Take 2 NASCAR Thunder 2004 Electronic Arts. NBA Live 2004 Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide . : NHL 2004. Pirates of the Caribbean ‚ Railroad Tycoon lll . Rainbow Six 3: Athena Sword. . Republic: The Revolution Secret Weapons Over Normandy . SimCity 4: Rush Hour Space Ace t Star Trek Elite Force 2. : Star Wars Galaxies . Star Wars Galaxies Collector's Edition 10/15/03 . Star Wars: Knights of Old Repl 9/15/03. . Starsky & Hutch . (03... Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 Tron 2.0 Warcraft Ill Battlechest Warcraft Ill: Frozen Throne Warhammer 40:000: Fire xii.. 1/03. . Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Risi 9/1/03. . . Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu . Ubi Soft 9/1/03, .. Вокіаі................ .... Konami 23/03. . Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Return Of the Dark kng.» ++ Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon . . ‚. Dragon Ball 2: Legacy of Goku I ‚ Dragon Ball 2: Talketsu . ....... Final Fantasy Tactics Advance .. . Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Hobbit, The. A + ісе Nine ‚ Jet Grind Radio Madden NFL 2004 ‚. Mega Man Battle Network з! Blue. * | Mega Man Battle Network 3 White .. Capcom +. Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee THQ + Onimusha Tactics . . Capcom ; Pirates of the Caribbean . 1 Pokemon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire . . Simpsons Road Rage . гы 2. Spyro 3: Attack of the Rhynocs. . Star Wars: Flight of the Falcon 1 Stuntman, .... abes Super Mario Advance 4 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. 1220: А 10/14/03. 127 GAME INFORMER Y Bic MurHA TRUCKERS еб CHEAT MENU | AUTOMATIC SATNAV | SMALL PEOPLE Type in the following codes in the Cheat section under the Options menu. $10 Million - LOTSAMONEY All Missions — LAZYPLAYER Automatic Satnav - USETHEFORCE Diplomatic Immunity — VICTORS Disable Damage – 6WL Evil Truck - VARLEY Hyperfast Truck - GINGERBEER Master Code – CHEATINGMUTHATRUCKER or ATJCEHJMJ Small People – DAISHI Unknown - JINGLEBELLS Unlimited Time – PUBLICTRANSPORT Rodney Trit Pensacola, FL MIDNIGHT CLUB 2 Ф Highlight Options Mode at the Main Menu. Scroll through until you get to Cheat Codes. Enter one of the following case-sensitive cheat codes. Adjust Game Difficulty howhardcanitbe9 howhardcanitbeO Note that O is the easiest setting, and 9 howhardcanitbe1 is the most difficult. howhardcanitbe2 howhardcanitbe3 All Cities & Vehicles — pennyThug howhardcanitbe4 Improved Air Control — carcrobatics howhardcanitbe5 Infinite Nitrous — greenLantern howhardcanitbe6 Maxed Out Cars - immortal howhardcanitbe 7 Missiles & Machine Guns – savethekids howhardcanitbe8 (click R3 to fire missiles and L3 for machine guns) No Damage - gladiator Unlock Everything – rimbuk (Arcade mode only) Nick Andros Boulder, CO ENTER TO WIN Send To: Secret Access Game Informer Magazine 724 North First Street, 4th Floor Minneapolis, MN 55401 secretaccess@gameinformer.com Send in your codes and passwords, and if we choose your entry as Code of the Month you'll win a wonderful prize from the Game Informer Vault! All other entries printed within these hallowed pages will receive a Secret Access t-shirt. 128 GAME INFORMER CODE OF THE MONTH ENTER THE MATRIX x0 ff: Enter the hacking system. Type in Cheat plus any of the fol- lowing codes. So, to enter Maximum Firepower, type Cheat 0034AAFFF. After using the Cheat program once, Cheat will be shown in the shortcut list just left of the keyboard. Select Cheat from that list and enter any of the codes below. Bonus Test Level - 13D2C77F Fast Focus Restore - FFF0020A Faster Logos - 7867F443 Infinite Focus - G9E5D9E4 Infinite Health - 7FADF451 Invisibility — FFFFFFF1 Maximum Firepower – 0034AFFF Multi-Player Fighting - D5C55D1E Unlimited Ammunition – 1DDF2556 Swordfight — Open the Hacking program and then access a file that has a completed game. You must have completed the game first for this cheat to work. Type LOGIN and hit Enter. Type GUEST and hit Enter. Type DIR and hit the space bar. This will cause DIR to appear in your command list. Access the B Drive through the DIR command. Select TOOLS and you'll be prompted for an access code. The code consists of 1s and Os, which you must discover on your own, since it's different each time. Fortunately, it's merely five digits long. Once you gain access to the TOOLS on the B Drive, type all the .EXE files (without .EXE after them). So if you type DECODE then a space, DECODE will appear in the command list. Do this for every .EXE file in the TOOLS folder. Now, access VIRTUAL on your command list. Type in FROZENFISH as the password and an authentication test will begin. Next, an image of a Chinese symbol will appear, but it'll be scrambled. It's broken into nine squares, with each square having five choices. The object is to change all the pieces so that a complete image appears, but you have a limited amount of time to finish. Once you discover a correct image, the timer will stop and you'll return to the hacking screen. Look at the top of the screen. If it says "Solution: Blue", then the line will be traced and you'll have to enter TRACEKILL. Press enter as fast as possible or all progress will be lost. Once you enter TRACEKILL, you'll have to return to accessing VIRTUAL on your command list. If it says "Solution: Red", then you'll hear a message from Neo and gain access to the V Drive. Open the V Drive and retrieve the commands from the TOOLS folder on your command list. Open the ROOTSEARCH program. Now, open the ROOT folder in the B Drive and get the two commands there on your command list. Enter the MAIL command and type THISISNOTREAL as the password and type YES. You will get a list of phone numbers: 0019495550112, 0017145550187, 0012135550142, 0013105550111, 0019495550101. Select DIAL and dial 001949550101 to get a message from Persephone. Next dial 0013105550111 to hear a message from Trinity. She'll give you a number. Select PORTKEY and enter the number. She will start to talk to you. Type NO to both questions to get a program called CRACK on your command list. Open it and type SRAM. It should look like this: “CRACK SRAM”. You now have access to the RAM drive. Go to DIR on your command list and access the RAM drive. A list of folder names will appear. Open the TRINITY folder. Get the Training command on your DIR by typing TRAINING then a space. Select TRAINING on your command list. On your command list, select a file called SWORD.DSK, which will will appear. It has now uploaded the sword onto you character in the Matrix. Quit the hacking program and select "Save Progress". You can use the sword when you start that game file. You can use it in any stage. To reopen the cheat quickly, go to the Hacking program, select that file again, select TRAINING, then SWORD.DSK. Tony Wong Austin, TX Highlight and select your court NBA Street VoL. 2 ра ENS Gourt Enter these codes in Pickup mode after choosing a name. The bottom of the blue box will say Enter Codes Now. Hold L1 and input the following sequences. ABA Ball - All Courts - O, A (x2), All Jerseys - Û, A, О (x2) All NBA Legends - Û, A (x2), All Quicks - A, ©, A, Ball Trails - A (x3), Big Heads - ©, O (x2), Classic Michael Jordan - O, A, CO (x2) Difficult Two Pointers - A, LJ, O, A WWE CRusH Hour е Easy Two Pointers – A, ©, LJ, A Explosive Rims - © (x3), A No Counters - A (x2), © (x2) No Display Bars - Û], © (x3) Small Players – A (x2), St. Lunatics Team/All Street Legends – , A,O, A Unlimited Turbo - Û (x2), A (x2) WNBA Ball - ©, A (x2), Caleb Carr Manhattan, NY The game sucks, but putting these codes in will make it easier to get through, if you were one of those unfortunate souls that bought it. Faster Specials - Pause gameplay, hold L3, and press A, Level Select and All Vehicles - Press LJ, L2, R2, Selection screen. (x4). , L1 (x2), L2 at the Player Unlimited Turbo - Pause gameplay, hold L3, and press <, L1, R1, R2, A. “GI Droid” (location unknown – last seen doing something lascivious to the tailpipe of Andy's SUV) PRIMAL Ф This slow, tedious game breeds impatience. Further feed that impatience with this nifty little code. Code Menu - Hold L1 + L2 + R1 + R2 for approximately 5 seconds at the Main Menu. Highlight a letter and hold ><. With X depressed, move the d-pad left and right to change the letter. Hit J to accept the code. Tap Д to exit. Invulnerability - MONSTROUS NBA Street VoL. 2 “The Armchair Quarterback” Canton, OH Enter these codes in Pickup mode after choosing a name. The bottom of the blue box will say Enter Codes Now. Hold the L Button and input the following sequences. ABA Ball - B, X, B, X All Courts - X, Y (x2), X All Jerseys - B, Y, X (x2) All NBA Legends - B, Y (x2), X All Quicks - Y, B, Y, X Ball Trails — Y (x3), X Big Heads - B, X (x2), B Difficult Two Pointers - Y, X, B, Y Easy Two Pointers - Y, B, X, Y Explosive Rims - B (x3), Y No Counters - Y (x2), B (x2) No Display Bars - X, B (x3) Small Players - Y (x2), B, X Unlimited Turbo - X (x2), Y (x2) WNBA Ball - B, Y (x2), B Frida Kahlo Mexico City, Mexico Сорил: Destory Att Monsters MELEE © Hold L + В + В (in that order) at the Main Menu and then release В, R, L (in that order) to open the code entry screen. Enter the following codes. A monster's roar will indicate a correct code entry. All Cities - 107504 All Cities and All Monsters - 863768 All Gallery Items - 962129 All Monsters – 209697 All Monsters are Invisible - 600225 All Monsters Except Orga - 753079 All Players are Small - 154974 All Players Take No Damage – 569428 Black and White Mode - 860475 Boxing Ring Level - 440499 Constant Full Energy (Player Four) – 218967 Constant Full Energy (Player One) — 718393 Constant Full Energy (Player Three) – 597558 Constant Full Energy (Player Two) – 881557 Destoroyah - 352117 Disable HUD - 880460 Display Game Version Number - 097401 Ending Credits – 339223 Even Numbered Players are Small - 600095 Gigan - 822777 Godzilla 2000 - 637522 Hedorah (Smog Monster) in Every Game - 288730 Indestructible Buildings - 451129 King Ghidorah - 939376 Mecha Godzilla - 643861 Mecha King Ghidorah - 504330 Military Deals Quadruple Damage – 970432 Monster Island Level - 745749 Mothership Level - 972094 No Energy Power-Ups - 803358 No Energy Recharge/Energy Weapons Do More Damage - 690242 No Freeze Tanks - 223501 No Health Power-Ups - 221086 No Hedorah - 584408 No Mothra Power-Ups - 491040 No Power-Ups – 229497 No Power-Ups Except Energy - 553945 No Power-Ups Except Health - 270426 No Power-Ups Except Rage - 660398 No Rage Power-Ups - 666500 Odd Numbered Players are Small - 853955 Orga - 622600 Player Four Always in Rage – 702905 Player Four Deals Quadruple Damage – 889610 Player Four is Small - 495355 Player Four Takes No Damage - 317320 Player Indicators Always Visible — 860068 Player One Always in Rage - 159120 Player One Deals Quadruple Damage - 940478 Player One Invisible - 659672 Player One is Small - 558277 Player One Takes No Damage - 152446 Player Three Always in Rage - 450514 Player Three Deals Quadruple Damage – 537651 Player Three is Small - 203783 Player Three Takes No Damage - 367744 Player Two Always in Rage - 491089 Player Two Deals Quadruple Damage - 930041 Player Two Invisible - 493946 Player Two is Small - 689490 Player Two Takes No Damage - 724689 Players’ Health Regenerates - 597378 Rodan - 724284 Technicolor Mode - 394804 Throw all Buildings and Objects - 248165 Toggle Military - 728629 Twelve Continues in Adventure Mode – 548319 Beat Takeshi Tokyo, Japan GAME INFORMER 129 NBA Street Vot. 2 Q Enter these codes in Pickup mode after choosing a name. The bottom of the blue box will say Enter Codes Now. Hold the L Button and input the following sequences. ABA Ball - X, B, X, B Explosive Rims - X (x3), Y All Courts - B, Y (x2), B No Counters - Y (x2), X (x2) All NBA Legends - X, Y (x2), B No Display Bars - B, X (x3) All Quicks - Y, X, Y, B Small Players - Y (x2), X, B Ball Trails - Y (x3), B St. Lunatics Team/All Street Legends - Big Heads - X, B (x2), X X, Y,B, Y Classic Michael Jordan - X, Y, X (x2) Unlimited Turbo - B (x2), Y (x2) Difficult Two Pointers - Y, B, X, Y WNBA Ball - X, Y (x2), X Easy Two Pointers - Y, X, B, Y Dan D. Lyons Memphis, TN SUPERMAN: SHADOW OF APOKOLIPS Q Go to the Cheat section under the Options menu and enter the following code. Empty Superpower Meter - JOR EL Diego Rivera Guanajuato, Mexico Dracon BALL Z ULTIMATE Barrie 22 C) Super Saiyan 3 Goku Moves Unlock Saiyan 3 Goku simply by entering the Ultimate Battle 27 code. Note that you cannot use the rapid-fire ki blasts or the solar flare moves. Ultimate Battle 27 Mode - Press Up, A, Down, X , Left, L1, Right, R1 at the Title screen after the FMV sequence, but before the screen that has mode selections. A chime will confirm correct code entry. Back Flip – Down, Forward, Back, < Chou (Ultra) Kamehameha - Down, Back, Forward, Double Forward Flip – Half Circle Forward, < Double Halo Stomp - Forward, Down, Ж (in air) Energy Concentration - Back (hold for 2 seconds), Forward, Forward Flip - Down, Back, Forward, < Hyper Elbow Smash - Quarter Circle Forward, C Instant Transmission Meteor Smash - Back, Forward, Down, Up, ÛJ To do this attack you must be on the same level as your opponent. So if he's in the sky, you also must be in the sky. Kamehameha - Half Circle Forward, SSJ 3 Attack - Half Circle Back, O Ultimate Kamehameha (Kamehameha x3) - Half Circle Back, Forward, “The Game Molester’ Washington, D.C. 130 GAME INFORMER ATE де! Names dad mde EE name data vil We haven't uncovered very many codes for this weird title yet, but this should hopefully tide you over. Music Test - Choose the Change Names section at the Options screen. Pick OK to enter a name, but don't actually enter a name. Instead, press L to display the music test screen. Naomi Klein Seattle, WA It may not be much, but consider yourself lucky if you happen to own a GBA. Bonus Levels - If you link the Game Boy Advance to the GameCube version of Splinter Cell, you'll unlock five hidden levels in the handheld game. Take that Internet! Kalle Lasn Vancouver, British Columbia ©2001-2003 The Transfer Codes are a pain to input, but they are well worth it. If they don't seem to work, make sure you check your work. We promise they do, indeed, work. Rename Characters – When you're prompted to enter a name for Felix, press Select (x3). When you enter a new name for Felix, you'll be allowed to rename Jenna, Sheba, and Picard. If you're playing a non-linked game, press Up, Down, Up, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Up, Right, Down, Left, Up, Select to enter new names for Garet, Ivan, and Mia. A sound will confirm correct code entry. Transfer codes Bronze – 9Tpz2 dPiAj 5Upq= Н Silver - iQ8nh JyDZe Y&JJG X9mrL 68#07 2TmGC S7Xwd 6wmBL &ylve hwajK g8Gpm C+pGk J Jelly Biafra Los Angeles, CA WORLDWIDE EDITION: STAIRWAY TO THE DESTINED DUEL (Ш GET CARO ) unlock the corresponding cards. 7 Colored Fish - 23771716 7 Completed - 86198326 Acid Crawler - 77568553 Acid Trap Hole - 41356845 Air Eater – 08353769 Akakieisu - 38035986 Akihiron - 36904469 Amphibious Bugroth - 40173854 Ancient Telescope - 17092736 Ancient Tool - 49587396 Anthrosaurus - 89904598 Anti-Magic Fragrance - 58921041 Anti-Raigeki - 42364257 Appropriate - 48539234 Aqua Chorus - 95132338 Arlownay - 14708569 Arma Knight - 36151751 Armaill - 53153481 Attic - 17238333 Axe of Despair - 40619825 Barox - 06840573 Bean Soldier - 84990171 Beast Fangs - 46009906 Beastking of the Swamps - 99426834 Big Insect - 53606874 Black Illusion Ritual - 41426869 Black Pendant - 65169794 Blackland Fire Dragon - 87564352 Bolt Escargot - 12146024 Bracchio-Raidus - 16507828 Breath of Light - 20101223 Bright Castle - 82878489 Burglar - 06297941 Call of the Dark - 78637313 Celtic Guardian - 91152256 Ceremonial Bell - 20228463 Change of Heart - 04031928 Cockroach Knight - 33413638 Confiscation - 17375316 Crow Goblin - 77998771 Cyber Jar - 34124316 Dancing Elf - 59983499 Dark Energy - 04614116 Dark-Eyes Illusionist - 38247752 Destroyer Golem - 73481154 DNA Surgery - 74701381 Dokuroizo the Grim Reaper - 25882881 Dorover - 24194033 Dream Clown - 13215230 Driving Snow - 00473469 Drooling Lizard - 16353197 Dryad - 84916669 Dungeon Worm - 51228280 Dust Tornado - 60082869 Earthshaker – 60866277 Eatgaboon - 42578427 Elf's Light - 39897277 Empress Judge - 15237615 Enchanting Mermaid - 75376965 (Aqua/Effect) Hit R and go to the Misc icon. Select Password and enter the following codes to Eradicating Aerosol - 94716515 Eternal Draught - 56606928 Exchange - 05556668 Eyearmor - 64511793 Fairy Box - 21598948 Fiend Kraken - 77456781 Flying Kamakiri #1 - 84834865 Follow Wind – 98252586 Forced Requisition - 74923978 Forest - 87430998 Frenzied Panda - 98818516 Fusion Sage - 26902560 Fusionist - 01641882 Ganigumo - 34536276 Germ Infection - 24668830 Ghoul With an Appetite - 95265975 Giant Flea - 41762634 Gift of the Mystical EIf - 98299011 Giganto - 33621868 Giga-Tech Wolf - 08471389 Giltia the D. Knight - 51828629 Goblin Fan - 04149689 Goblin's Secret Remedy - 11868825 Goddess of Whim - 67959180 Gokibore - 15367030 Graceful Charity - 79571449 Great Bill - 55691901 Griggle - 95744531 Ground Attacker Bugroth - 58314394 Gruesome Goo - 65623423 Gryphon Wing - 55608151 Gust - 73079365 Gust Fan - 55321970 Gyakutenno Megami - 31122090 Hane-Hane - 07089711 Hercules Beetle – 52584282 Hibikime - 64501875 High Tide Gyojin - 54579801 Hinotama - 46130346 Hitotsu-Me Giant - 76184692 Holograh - 10859908 Hourglass of Courage - 43530283 Hunter Spider - 80141480 Hyo - 38982356 Hyosube - 02118022 Hyozanryu - 62397231 Ice Water - 20848593 Ill Witch - 81686058 Imperial Order - 61740673 Invader of the Throne - 03056267 Invigoration - 98374133 Jar of Greed - 83968380 Jellyfish - 14851496 Jigen Bakudan - 90020065 Jinzo - 77585513 Judge Man - 30113682 Just Desserts - 24068492 Kageningen - 80600490 Kairyu-Shin - 76634149 Kaiser Dragon - 94566432 Karbonala Warrior - 54541900 Kattapillar - 81179446 Key Mace #2 - 20541432 Killer Needle - 88979991 King Fog - 84686841 Kojikocy - 01184620 Kotodama - 19406822 Koumori Dragon - 67724379 Kwagar Hercules - 95144193 Labyrinth Tank - 99551425 Laughing Flower - 42591472 Lava Battleguard - 20394040 Legendary Sword - 61854111 Light of Intervention - 62867251 Lightforce Sword – 49587034 Liquid Beast - 93108297 Lord of D - 17985575 Malevolent Nuzzler - 99597615 Mammoth Graveyard – 40374923 Man Eater - 93553943 Man-Eating Plant - 49127943 Metalzoa - 50705071 Millennium Golem - 47986555 Misairuzame - 33178416 Mountain Warrior - 04931562 Mr. Volcano - 31477025 Muka Muka - 46657337 Musician King - 56907389 Mysterious Puppeteer - 54098121 Mystic Tomato - 83011277 Needle Ball - 94230224 Nekogal #1 - 01761063 Nimble Momonga - 22567609 Niwatori - 07805359 Nobleman of Crossout - 71044499 Numinous Healer - 02130625 Octoberser - 74637266 Ocubeam - 86088138 Ogre of the Black Shadow - 45121025 One-Eyed Shield Dragon - 33064647 Ooguchi - 58861941 Oscillo Hero - 82065276 Oscillo Hero #2 - 27324313 Painful Choice - 74191942 Parrot Dragon - 62762898 Patrol Robo - 76775123 Peacock - 20624263 Pendulum Machine - 24433920 Penguin Knight - 36039163 Penguin Soldier - 93920745 Pragtical - 33691040 Protector of the Throne - 10071456 Psychic Kappa – 07892180 Punished Eagle - 74703140 Queen Bird - 73081602 Raimei - 56260110 Rain of Dark Magic - 27827272 Rainbow Flower - 21347810 Raise Body Heat - 51267887 Rare Fish - 80516007 Ray & Temperature - 85309439 Reaper of the Cards – 33066139 Reinforcements - 17814387 Restructer Revolution - 99518961 Ring of Magnetism – 20436034 Riryoku - 34016756 Rising Air Current - 45778932 Roaring Ocean Snake - 19066538 Royal Guard - 39239728 Rude Kaiser - 26378150 Rush Recklessly - 70046172 Ryu-Kishin - 15303296 Ryu-Kishin Powered - 24611934 Ryu-Ran - 02964201 Saber Slasher - 73911410 Saggi the Dark Clown - 66602787 Salamandra - 32268901 Sand Stone - 73051941 Sangan - 26202165 Sea Kamen - 71746462 Sea King Dragon - 23659124 Shovel Crusher - 71950093 Silver Bow and Arrow – 01557499 Silver Fang - 90357090 Sinister Serpent - 08131171 Skelengel - 60694662 Skelgon - 32355828 Skull Dice - 00126218 Slot Machine - 03797883 Snake Fang - 00596051 Sogen - 86318356 Sparks - 76103675 Steel Ogre Grotto #1 - 29172562 Stim-Pack - 83225447 Swordstalker - 50005633 Tailor of the Fickle - 43641473 Tainted Wisdom - 28725004 Takriminos – 44073668 Takuhee - 03170832 Tao the Chanter - 46247516 Thousand Knives - 63391643 Three-Legged Zombies - 33734439 Thunder Dragon - 31786629 Time Wizard - 71625222 Tongyo - 69572024 Tripwire Beast - 45042329 Two-Pronged Attack - 83887306 Tyhone - 72842870 UFO Turtle - 60806437 Ultimate Offering - 80604091 Umi - 22702055 Umiiruka - 82999629 Unknown Warrior of Fiend - 97360116 Upstart Goblin - 70368879 Uraby - 01784619 Vile Germs - 39774685 Violent Rain - 94042337 Vorse Raider – 14898066 Waboku - 12607053 Wasteland - 23424603 Weather Report – 72053645 White Hole - 43487744 Witch's Apprentice - 80741828 Witty Phantom - 36304921 Yaiba Robo - 10315429 Yaranzo - 71280811 Zombie Warrior - 31339260 GAMEINFORMER 131 SEGA CD FMV GAMES: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE GRAINY In hindsight, full-motion video (FMV) games аге seen as a curious link in video game’s evolutionary chain. Reviled by most players for their one-dimen- sional gameplay, notoriously B-movie acting, short play time, and (in most cases) multiple-disc require- ments; there is still a fierce contingent of nostalgic gamers burning for more FMV. FMV games are usually classified by their use of digitized video or animation for all onscreen action and plot development. While current titles have eschewed real actors appearing in video games almost entirely, the early 90's saw Sega put forth a Herculean push toward developing the new concept. It saw the technology as a perfect example of what its forthcoming Sega CD was capable of. Although Sega was the first to mass-produce FMV titles, it was actually a failed attempt by Hasbro that started the efforts of bringing Dragon's Lair's (an arcade favorite at the time) technology into American homes. In the late '80s, the toy maker invested huge sums of money into the development of an interactive videotape console codenamed NEMO. NEMO's technology worked by encoding a number of tracks onto a modified VHS tape and the console would switch between tracks based on the user's selections in games. One million dollars was spent recording footage, developing the video compression tech- nology, and producing a prototype. Tom Zito had masterminded the FMV plans for NEMO; and when leading retailer Toys 'R Us refused to carry the product, Zito's team at Hasbro was let go and he retained the rights to their work. The fruit of NEMO's labor, a game called Sewer Shark, had full-color VHS-quality images, lasted 34 minutes, and was completed in 12 weeks. Although Zito felt strongly that FMV was the true future of gaming, he lacked the financial backing of a major corporation to make more titles. Sewer Shark would spend the next few years wallowing in a storage locker. In the early '90s, Sega was battling a fierce competition with Nintendo and its recently released SNES system. The company was looking for a whole new kind of game to show off the Sega CD. With Sewer Shark rotting in public storage, Zito had heard through friends that Sega had been asking about NEMO's FMV technology. He then formed Digital Pictures to strike up a deal with the Japanese company - effectively ensuring his ability to make more FMV games with a corporate-sized budget. Launched stateside in 1992, the Sega CD came to the U.S. bundled with Sewer Shark. By the time Sega CD shipped, Digital Pictures had two offerings for the FMV format: Sewer Shark and Night Trap. Before the backlash against FMV and its shortcomings, Zito had asserted that, “Once kids start interacting with live video, they'll never go back." FMV games, and Zito, banked on the idea that everyone really wanted to star in their own movie and have control of its characters. Along this vein, Digital Pictures went on to produce almost all of the Sega CD-era FMV titles (around 15 games, give or take) covering themes as divergent as sports, shooters, mysteries, and a truly unfortunate series of "Make My Video" titles featuring Marky Mark and Kris Kross, among others. Scott Miller, president of 3DRealms and ex- NEMO alumni, pointed out that, *FMV (full motion video) games failed because they lacked possibili- ties, one of the two key components of gameplay. In general, FMV games offer very few options for players to develop personal and varied strategies.” 132 GAME INFORMER CURSOR FIRE This is by far the most common genre for FMV games. It's also the easiest to make. Basically, you let the computer deliver you to a set location, then aim the cursor at things to shoot them. The aiming is awful and slow, since most don’t support any light gun peripherals. Variations include Ground Zero, Texas, where you shoot aliens disguised as rednecks with the lamest fake guns imaginable; Midnight Raiders, where you play a heli- copter gunner on a “Top Secret” mission; and Tomcat Alley, a fighter plane title where you spend more time hitting the button on the map's little orange triangles than actual enemy aircraft. If a Sega CD title plays like an Atari 2600 game, this is prob- ably the category it's in. Ground Zero, Texas THE TRAPPER TRACK-BASED Not all FMV games require These are similar to the cursor fire games, but you have a gunfire. These use a slight- little more control over your movement. Most likely, you're ly less violent approach to navigating a simplistic maze, trying to reach a goal. Sewer dispatch enemies. In Night Shark and Loadstar: Legend of Tully Bodine are the two Trap and Double Switch, best examples of this. In one, you're shooting mutant rats you preside over a building in a repetitive sewer. In the other, you're piloting a futuristic full of innocents. When freight train while blasting traffic cop robots. bad guys show up, you set traps in particular areas. As the ghoul hits his mark, spring the trap, and watch Night Trap ГА А them exit stage left. These generally require multitasking, Once kids as you're watching over several rooms or areas. Sewer Shark start interact- ing with live video, they'll never go back." TOM ZITO, = з DIGITAL PICTURES FOUNDER Double Switch j ONE-ON-ONE FIRST-PERSON This type of gameplay takes place in the first-person per- spective, but they're not the type of games you'd expect to play this way. You will normally be prompted to execute button presses or directional taps at specific times to “interact” with the onscreen action. Think Dragon’s Lair, but with sandy images instead of cartoons. Winning generally relied on patience coupled with quick reflexes. Slam City used the one-on-one perspective for basketball — pitting your player against four other ballers on the way to taking on NBA All-Star, Scottie Pippen. Supreme Warrior used this same formula, but with a chop-sockey movie backdrop. Likewise with Prize Fighter, using black and white boxing scenes to try to capture gamers’ attention. Slam City Prize Fighter GAMEINFORMER 133 CELEBRITIES APPEARING IN FMV GAMES Corey Haim - Double Switch GREATEST GAME OF ALL | TIME — By Ben Landrum Debbie Harry (Blondie) – Double Switch Dana Plato (Diff'rent Strokes) - Night Trap Mark Wahlberg - Make My Video: Marky Mark C&C Music Factory - Power Factory Kriss Kross - Make My Video: Kriss Kross INXS - Make My Video: INXS Scottie Pippen - Slam City Michael Buffer - Prize ы fee LI Fighter Ned Beatty - Loadstar: The Legend of Tully Bodine Towards the end of Super Nintendo's life, when PlayStation was dominat- ing the console s game market, Ned Beatty Enix denied American gamers an extremely inno- vative, enter- taining, and visually appealing game. Explaining why full-motion video games didn't combo and Saturn) give better video quality, but Terranigma, the third game in Enix's succeed can easily escalate into a rant that prove this wasn't the only problem. Once the action/RPG Soul Blazer series (including Illusion would take more pages than this entire issue novelty of FMV wears off, you're left with some of Gaia), boasted some of the most jaw-drop- contains. First off, the video quality is, was, and of the least interactive “games” ever released. ping visuals and memorable music that video always will be pathetically poor. The resolution Nobody wanted to pay $50 for low-budget movie games have to offer. is awful, compression further worsened matters, footage coupled with gameplay that consisted Aside from the commendable technical and the Genesis' onscreen colors limit is way of no more than a few button presses. These aspects of Terranigma, its content immortal- too small (64, but increased through “cheats”) products will forever remain speed bumps on the ized the game. The protagonist of Terranigma to accommodate this medium. Ports on more highway of innovation. is Ark, a mischievous young man whose goal advanced systems (3DO and Sega's 32X CD is to recreate a post-apocalyptic world. He had to resurrect continents, help plants cover the naked Earth, populate the world with beasts, THIS MONTH After three long years of limited announcements, the Nintendo 64 and restore the human race to bring the planet was released in Japan on June 23, 1996. Featuring a revolution- back to its former glory. The plot reflects our IN GAMI NG ary controller, SGI technology, and the legendary Super Mario 64 world's societal development through allusions game; the console sold nearly 300,000 units on the first day alone. to inventors like Alexander Graham Bell and Corey Haim у Every month опе of бате Informer's readers picks his or her * personal choice for Greatest Game Of All Time. TERRANIGMA Ш FORMAT SUPER NINTENDO E PUBLISHER ENIX While Nintendo had been resting on its laurels Thomas Edison and locations that mirror real- iH ISTO RY with the SNES, Sony's PlayStation was world places. — — —- - —- staking claim in America's living Terranigma's combat is fast-paced, and its rooms. The N64 (which debuted in the U.S. in September secrets are many. Ark must use his trusty rod, of '96) had nearly double the power of the PSone, but used his magical powers, and his wits to fulfill his cartridges instead of CD-ROM disks for software storage. &rand quest. What are the consequences of Later, the N64 would be remembered as the last home Са 5: ЧА Ark's seemingly benevolent actions? This is an console to feature cartridges and the happy home to one of — 4 adventure you will not want to miss. the most influential games to date: Super Mario 64. © © Ы e e 134 GAME INFORMER — CU ARCADE DIG DUG FPES © of 9,25 24390 oing into battle, most people wouldn't choose an air pump as their sole means of defense, but Dig Dug manages it nicely. This is a true arcade classic, featuring loads of levels with increasing difficulty, clever enemies, and an intriguing way to attack. Dig Dug, an underground explorer, inflates his adversaries until they pop like balloons. Rocks are also placed around the levels for the purpose of dropping on victims’ heads – just make sure you're not under one when it falls. This game has many distinct Strategies, and everyone who plays it does so in a unique way. Some go for quick pops, while others aim to trick the Pookas (they look like Crunch Berries with goggles) and Fygars (fire-breathing dragons) to their deaths. It has an addictive quality that only the classic games of the early eighties can boast. Mr. and Ms. Pac-Man may be Namco's famous Couple, but Dig Dug deserves many accolades, too. He's able to defend himself, he eats his Vegetables, and he's rumored to be the father of current Namco superstar Mr. Driller! W STYLE 1 OR 2-PLAYER ACTION Ш PUBLISHER ATARI Ш DEVELOPER NAMCO Ч YEAR RELEASED 1982 DOUBLE RETRO RATING Sauces 10 Tal MODAN ight years ahead of its time, Double Dragon set the standard for the side-scrolling beat ‘em up. Picking either Spike or Hammer, it's a race to get your girlfriend back (or your Clever thugs and gangsters wait at every turn - armed with bats, knives, whips, and even Oulders. These include ogre-like Abobos, a ‘fro-sporting dominatrix, and a machine-gun Wielding end boss. The environment can be your worst enemy, as pitfalls and broken bridges CO Lild spell quick doom. Thankfully, the protagonists have more moves than the entire cast Of Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo. These include having some of the first combos and special Oves in video games. Who can forget the almighty power of the back elbow (executed by Pressing jump and punch simultaneously while facing away from an adversary)? Console POrts have been entertaining, but they can't match the sharp graphics and sweet action of © original arcade Double Dragon. brother's girlfriend, which doesn't make a whole lot of sense — but whatever). Deviously ARCADE CRYSTAL CASTLES | EXTER LIVES EVERY ЗОП RETRO RATING 8.5 verlooked despite its beauty and innovation, Crystal Castles is one of gaming's О most under-appreciated titles. Sure, Centipede used the Trak-Ball first; but this game did so іп а maze-like, character-based fashion — which resulted in some of the most accurate control around. Pilot your bear to gather all the gems on the multi-layered stages wrought with elevators, secret passages, and shortcuts. The enemies are among the strangest of the era, and they too are going after the level's booty. You have to decide which gems to leave for them, and which to snap up. Some baddies will seek you out if they're not chomping jewels; the same goes for the swarm of bees, who don’t want you touching their honey. Of course, an evil witch is behind this conspiracy, and she does her share of tormenting you. The only problem with Crystal Castles is that it isn't the same if you aren't playing it with a Trak-Ball — which is hard to come by for console ports of this great game. Ш STYLE 1 OR 2-PLAYER ACTION Ш PUBLISHER ATARI E DEVELOPER ATARI W YEAR RELEASED 1983 ARCADE SMASH TV espite technology's constant strides, shooters seem more impervious to time's D unavoidable effects than other genres – simply because their attraction mainly depends on their ability to elicit nonstop excitement. Smash TV remains a shooting extravaganza nearly on par with classics such as Robotron and Asteroids. The objective is simple: Destroy floods of enemies, avoid various traps, and meet challenges as you pass through a series of tiny rooms – all while collecting as many prizes and cash bonuses as possible. Although the formula is addicting, the ensuing chaos often overwhelms the player. This translates into cheap, unavoidable deaths, ultimately removing the player from the highly desired Zen-like state. If Midway mellowed out the gameplay by roughly 25 percent, we would've easily elevated this rating by a point. Nevertheless, whether you're a collector or a gamer searching out quality action titles, Smash TV is every bit as good as it was 13 years ago. И STYLE | OR 2-PLAYER FIGHTING ш PUBLISHER TAITO Ш DEVELOPER TECHNOS И WEAR RELEASED 1987 W STYLE 1 OR 2-PLAYER SHOOTER Ш PUBLISHER WILLIAMS Ш DEVELOPER WILLIAMS Ш YEAR RELEASED 1990 GAMEINFORMER 135 Manufacturer: Plume Books Website: luckywanderboy.com List Price: $13.00 Will Wright said, “I really enjoyed this book. D.B. Weiss uses classic video games as a form of modern mythol- ogy, a template to understand life.” Playboy even went so far as to compare the novel to High Fidelity, perhaps the most pop-culture-reference laden book to come out in a decade. What Lucky Wander Boy does in novel form is describe the world of a Hollywood drone that harbors an extraordinary fascination with Lucky Wander Boy, the title character of a fictitious 80's game that no one seems to have ever beaten. Mixed into the plot is a plethora of video game references and observations that have earned D.B. Weiss an impressive number of positive reviews. Come on, you guys need to read something once in a while; it might as well be about games. жө вота ман nt мнн — wander hoy Manufacturer: Etymotic Research Website: etymotic.com * List Price: $139.00 While most noise-canceling headphones promise around 10 dB of sound isolation, the Etymotic ER-6 Isolator Earphones offer 15-20 dB without the added weight of batteries required by other models. These earphones are more like earbuds that form a seal inside your ear canal. While the design sounds about as comfortable as sticking long, hot needles into your eye sockets, the included silicone earpieces are hard to feel once a seal has been made. Other noise- canceling headphones use an external microphone to detect outside noise and generate an opposite fre- quency to cancel out the sound; these little buggers, on the other hand, literally seal out external noise — thus eliminating the chatter of cubical neighbors or babies on planes. Technology is cool, man. Manufacturer: APC * Website: apcc.com List Price: $14.99 (Seven outlet Surge Protector), $29.99 (Eight outlet Surge Protector), $39.99-$49.99 (Xbox Game Manager) APC (American Power Conversion) is mostly known for high-end surge protectors and battery backup units geared to corporate fileservers and those of us that live in old apartments with questionable wir- ing. Now APC wants to crack into the plump, video game pie with a line of Xbox accessories. While each sport a coordinating color scheme inspired by their Xbox muse, the features vary between models and price points. The $14.99 model features seven outlets, one of which is spaced out to accom- modate brick-like power supplies. Double the price and you get eight outlets and modem/cable TV/ethernet jacks. The Xbox Game Manager sports six outlets, two disc-storage units, as well as storage for four memory cards and two controllers. Manufacturer: Rhino Home Video * Website: scourgeofworlds.com List Price: $24.95 Remember the Choose Your Own Adventure books from the '80s? You Know, the ones where you read a few pages and then have to make a choice: “To steal the Mona Lisa from the fleeing thief, turn to Page 87. To hide behind the display case like a cowering monkey, turn to page 122.” Rhino Home Video and DKP Effects (Canada’s largest 3D animation and effects studio) are joining forces to bring the same premise to DVD with a Dungeons & Dragons theme. Available June 10, the DVD boasts more than 20 decision points, four different endings, and | just over 900 possible story combina- tions. In addition, a special edition of the adventure (available this fall) will come packed with two extra endings, | 15 minutes of additional footage, a “Making Of” featurette, and an exclusive pre-painted | plastic miniature. Manufacturer: Lasr Accessories * Website: lasraccessories.com List Price: $34.99 (PlayStation 2 and GameCube), $39.99 (Xbox) Wow, a console-toting backpack that is actually functional! Each system gets its own customized layout, to ensure a beautiful working relationship between you and your traveling machine. The backpacks proudly feature a design scheme that lets you play without unpacking the bag. A zippered panel on the bottom allows for cord connections, and the "padded for your protection" storage area has ventilation holes to prevent overheating. In addition, two memory card cubbies, eight non-scratch disc slots, a game manual pouch, and a handful of pockets for controllers and cables round out the package. Admittedly, the Xbox bag is proportioned for Andre the Giant, but the GameCube and PS2 models look enough like normal backpacks to not call extra attention to themselves. Game Informer Magazine ® (ISSN 1067-6392) is published monthly at a subscription price of $19.98 per year, or twenty four issues for $24.98 by Sunrise Publications ®, 724 North First Street, 4th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55401. (612) 486-6100 or FAX (612) 486-6101. For subscriptions, back issues, or Customer service inquires Toll Free (866) 844-4263. Periodicals postage paid at Minneapolis, MN, and additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIBERS/POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Game Informer Magazine ®, 724 North First Street, 4th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Foreign or Canadian orders must be prepaid. ^ U.S dollars and must include $20/year additional postage per year. Game Informer does not claim any copyright in the screenshots herein. Copyright in all screenshots contained within this publication are owned by their respective companies. Entire contents copyright 2003. Game Informer Magazine ®. All rights res e» Y V5: reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited, Game Informer is a trademark of GameStop. Products named in these pages are trade names, or trademarks, of their respective companies. 136 GAME INFORMER - ~ ~~ YOLWVARE BRUT У б www. brutefo E. xs | LE The year is 2340 and more than fifty star systems are populated with colonies. But when an alien invasion threatens to put every living organism on the endangered species list, the Confederation of worlds must dispatch its elite special forces unit, code-named Brute Force. That's you. As Brute Force, you command four separate intergalactic mercenaries. The trigger-happy assault trooper. cyborg sniper, stealthy assassin and feral alien are all played by you. As you guide these shooters through 20+ missions and 6 exotic worlds, your knowledge of squad based combat will be severely tested. Depending on the danger at hand. you'll need to utilize the right Brute Force member for the job. Whether you play alone or in co-op mode, the battles escalate, the plot thickens and the violence gets addictive. It's an experience of such epic proportion that it could only exist on Xbox. Good luck. To all four of you. Violence Blood Play as young knight, Seig Warheit, who must face off against an old friend in this gothic action adventure. To fight, summon and command seven different warrior legions each with their own signature weaponry. Chaos Legion...a graphic masterpiece and savage gothic opera played out over 13 levels of real time, cut-throat action! “If you loved Devil May Cry, you'll love Chaos Legion!” - PSM CONTENT RATED BY SRB Blood Violence Made with) love’ by, Our goal is to preserve elassie video game magazines So that they аге not lost/permanently: People Interested in helping ош п any capacity; please visit us at retromags.com: No profit is made from) these scans nor do we offer anything available from the publishers themselves: Ifyou come across anyone selling releases from this Site please do not support them апа do let Us know: Thank you!