RPG Rev B Untold Legends. е ‘THE WORLD'S #1 COMPUTER & VIDEO GAME MAGAZINE WORLD EXCLUSIVE ACTIVISION WORS TS COMIC BOOK MAGIC AGAIN \ i Full-Size Hardware’ Mid-Size Truck Electronic Locking Rear Diff -— dı4 The All-New 265-hp Nissan Frontier вва ¬ bun > SHIFT_capa KILLZONE ZING омувауоне Sus Ww зе“ әбепбиет buoys зошдод poojg { a М “А shooter unlike any youve Seen before!" — Electronic Gaming Monthly “Опе of our most anticipated titles of 2005.” — Official XBOX Magazine — > You've got no past. This here's a diff'rent kinda shooter. е 74 Switch back ‘n forth ‘tween first а я я . Be m third person dependin'on `< ` t Myergunnin orbrawlim. Ба Shoot livin’ ammo like Fuzzles, mind х А Boombats and Sting Bees at yer enemies, each with a pow'rful world of hurt. i Inhabitants, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Oddworld: g Wrath and the Oddworld Logo are trademarks or trademarks of Oddworld inhabitants in the US and/arotfier со КЕ Arts, EA, EA GAMES, the EA GAMES logo, and "Challenge Everything" are trademarks or registered trademark qf U, 5. апй/ог other countries, Microsoft, Blood and Gore Strong Language Violence Xbox and the Xbox Logos are either registered bus orirade ШҰ jn the U.S. and/or gd countries. Sos Mee alan" espe an Welcome, friend. Heard yer that bounty hunter with the mysterious past. Ya hit town ta collect! ounties, “moolah and free the land from iyranny. Better keep that uble-barrel’d creature crossbow 19 d Ya gotta blast yer; y through a pack of outlaws 'n filthy minions if yer gonna up around here. oes. Bitoh up. yer boots, Stranger, it's tine ta е fer yer self. At general stores everywhere. Yer hunt begins at eagames.com " j Challenge Everything" AN, “wêk... "n~. hev Si tos MER ЯҒЫ 2... a BEYOND THE LIMITS OF MANKIND "Unprecedented stream of battlefield chaos" "Unabashed balls-to-the-wall action" "The Future of War" - Play - XBN - Game Informer "Sheer graphical beauty" "All those weapons mean the "Multiplayer shines in Snowblind" - ОРМ possibilities are up to your imagination" - PSM - Electronic Gaming Monthly VIOLENCE PlayStation.e Ф X Ж хеох : j î Zame, =. МЕ — M ê 0 N | Е N | 6 The “We Got A Monkey” Issue THE YEAR IN REVIEW Month by month, we're laying out what went down in 2004, and there are some really big events in there that you might have forgotten (remember Microsoft giv- ing their sports titles a "rest"?). It's like our industry's yearbook, without the bad senior pictures and "Most Likely to Star in a Kung-Fu Movie" awards. departments 10 STAFF Read the team's latest rants 12 GI SPY Silly pictures of our life and times 14 DEAR GI Your chance to fire back at us! 18 CONNECT Where news, talk, and technology collide 28 INTERVIEW Sony company man Andrew House lets loose on the PSP, the console wars, and the future of gaming 8 GAME INFORMER cover story 38 FANTASTIC FOUR Combining awesome powers, insane co- op gameplay, and a team of four amazing superheroes is something that has to live up to both gamers’ demands for quality action and fan requirements for decent treat- ments of their beloved comic wonder-team. Does Fantasic Four, set to coincide with the upcoming film, meet these lofty goals? THE TOP 50 GAMES OF 2004 This year will go down in the annals of video game history as one of the best ever for gamers - every genre, every plat- form, and every player had something to be really proud of and excited for. We've got our list of those you can’t miss, and a crowning title for one game of 2004. 32 GEAR Geeky gadget stuff for the masses 34 OPINION Richard Rouse III talks theory and practice of game design 36 CALENDAR Get hip to this month’s happenings 88 PREVIEWS Some may think that the best is behind us. After all, the holiday season is officially coming to a close. Before you lose all hope, check out the plump previews of everything from Republic Commando to a Suffering sequel А UNTOLD LEGENDS: BROTHERHOOD OF THE BLADE Sony's newest baby is forcing gamers around the world to ask new questions about what portable gaming can really be. Can you do that on a handheld? With SOE's latest action/RPG, the answer looks to be both very surprising and very much in the affirmative. 108 REVIEWS Game of the Month: The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap for Game Boy Advance 126 CHARTS Retail Sales Data and the GI edi- tors’ Top 10 Games 128 SECRET ACCESS Codes, strategies, and passwords 132 CLASSIC б! Reliving gaming's greatest moments 136 GAME OVER The end...or is it? | game index | GAME Donkey Kong Jungle Beat Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, The ЧОЦ СОР aeons Fear Factor: Unleashed ................ Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel . Getaway: Black Monday, The ............ Ghost Recon 2 Gungriffon: Allied Strike Hot Wheels Stunt Challenge Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, The ... Lord of the Rings: The Third Age, The Mario Party 6 MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf Medal of Honor: Dogs of War ....... Merceridries ти Е Need for Speed Underground 2 NFL Street 2. .... no Oddworld Stranger's Wrath ............. НОНЕ dee ea E es реда Pathway to Сіогу..................... Phantom Бая... Phantom Kingdom ................. inball Hall of Fame: The Gottlieb Collection . . 412 Pocket Kingdom: Own the World ....... Punisher, Тһе .................. Rainbow Six: Lockdown ................ Resident Evil Outbreak File #2 S.TA.L.K.ER.: Shadow of Chernobyl SORE UL uomo US, да Shadow of Rome ................... ; Shining Tears: 222 n cha di engê» «>. en Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic Il: TERE WÊ O dS. ТЫ. Star Wars: Republic Commando ........ Suffering: Ties That Bind, The ERM адаса ла ае «ûk» xwey eû Super Monkey Ball Deluxe ............. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 ........... Urbz: Sims in the City, The............. World of Warcraft .................... VIDEO: YES. GAME: МО. vA e +” U.S.AIR FORCE CROSS INTO THE BLUE е Alf Fights reserved. Phantom opponents are one thing, but being matched against a real adversary brings new meaning to the term “game over.” And it takes a completely new set of skills to play for real. In the United States Air Force, you're not just a player but a relevant, contributing part of the most highly advanced military on the planet. Which is why we seek those with the talent to win and the intelligence to win under pressure. Call 1-800-423-USAF or log on to AIRFORCE.COM and find out what we can do to help your game. And what you can do to help ours. People Who Actually Get Paid To Play Video Games HAPPY NEW YEAR ] ANDY McNAMARA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Yeah, | know it's February, but we had to wait an extra month this year to bring you our blockbuster Year In Review feature. But this year we bring it to you with an added bonus: a chance to win all the games in the Top 50 just for visiting Game Informer Online (see page 81 for more details). Looking back, І have a hard time thinking of a year in video games greater than this one. So many great games, so little time. Looking ahead, | must say the coming year will be one of the most interesting and inno- vative in a long time. Now, | will admit, | can't tell you all we know about the games coming down the pipe. However, the one constant | have seen from almost every company in the industry is that 2005 will be the year to introduce new (and hopefully fresh) intellectual properties (or IPs as we call them in the biz). Of course, there will be plenty of highly- anticipated sequels for us to get psyched about, but I think people will be surprised overall by all the new directions the industry will take (due mostly to the fact that this year will see the introduction of Sony's PSP and Microsoft's next Xbox). As always, Game Informer will keep you up to date on all the latest. So enjoy the issue and we'll see you here next month when we bring you another next generation shocker. What game will it be and for which system? | guess you'll have to come back next month to find out. Andy >> andy@gameintormer.com Handle: The Game Hombre Expertise: RPGs, Action/Platform, Driving, First-Person Shooters Interests: Jay-Z And Linkin Park's Collision Course, Freaks & Geeks, Coffee Dislikes: My Broken Computer, Sore Losers, U2's "Vertigo" (Someone Please Make It Stop) Current Favorite Games: World Of Warcraft, EverQuest II, Halo 2, The Legend Of Zelda: The Minish Cap 10 GAME INFORMER А Lisa >> lisa&gameinformer.com { Firefox (2nd Best Thing Ever), Snoop's T-Shirt, PSP Dislikes: Elevator-Appropriate Holiday Щ Cell: Chaos Theory, The Legend Of Zelda: The Minish Cap ê (Even At Five Inches, Sephiroth Rules), Eats, Shoots & Leaves By Lynne Truss (Grammar Reiner >> reiner@gameintormer.com Handle: The Raging Gamer Expertise: RPGs, Fighting, Action/Platform, Strategy, Sports Interests: The Final Solution: A Story Of Detection By Michael Chabon, Practicing My Force Choke Ability In Public Places, Nintendo DS' Upcoming Lineup (Wario Rules!), Hiding Moldy Bread On My Coworkers’ Desks Dislikes: People Who Counter My Force Choke With A Flip Of The Bird, The NFL (And You Thought The MLB Was Run Poorly?), Waiting For PSP Current Favorite Games: Halo 2, Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic Il: The Sith Lords, The Legend Of Zelda: The Minish Cap, Suikoden IV Matt >> matt@gameinformer.com Handle: The Original Gamer Expertise: First-Person Shooters, Action/Platform, Action/ Adventure, Action/Sports Interests: Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds - Abbatoir Blues/The Lyre Of Orpheus, Desperate Housewives (Best Show Since Beverly Hills 90210!), PSP, Snoop Dogg's GI T-Shirt, My New Vehicle Dislikes: Star Jones, Gorging Myself Sick At Manny's (Or Maybe That's A Good Thing?), Internet "Beef" (Puts The "P" In Pathetic), Not Having Enough Time To Play All Of The Games That | Want To Current Favorite Games: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Shadow Of Rome, Halo 2, Hot Wheels Stunt Track Challenge Kato >> kato@gameinformer.com GAME!NFOR FEBRUARY 2005 Volume XV • Number 2 + Issue 142 PUBLISHER Cathy Preston EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Andrew McNamara EDITORS Executive Editor Andrew Reiner Senior Associate Editor Matt Helgeson Associate Editors Matthew Kato * Lisa Mason • Jeremy 2055 Adam Blessener * Joe Juba • Ман Miller Mascot Arthur PRODUCTION Art Director Thomas Blustin Production Director Curtis Fung Production Assistant Rachel Nimerfroh CONTRIBUTORS Handle: The Game Katana Expertise: Sports, Racing, Action/Adventure, Action/ Platform Interests: Loving Music Again Thanks To The Old (Gene, Ride, Mojave 3) New (Loquat) And Local (Bridge Club - The Best Band In Minneapolis), Stiffed By Susan Faludi, The People Of Edmonton Dislikes: EAs Exclusive NFL License, The Gastronomi- cal Peer Pressure Of Buffets, Gary Bettman, Notre Dame, Tom Being Brainwashed By The Warren Commission Current Favorite Games: Shadow Of Rome, Jade Empire, The Lord Of The Rings: The Third Age (GBA), Donkey Kong Jungle Beat Handle: La Game Nikita Expertise: Survival Horror, Adventure, RPGs, Action/Platform, Racing Interests: Knitting Some Mean Power Gauntlets, Snow, Gmail (Best Thing Ever), Music, Malls In Any Form Current Favorite Games: Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic Il: The Sith Lords, Jade Empire, Halo 2 (Again, | Know), Resident Evil 4, Splinter Jeremy >> jeremy@gameinformercom Handle: Gamezilla Expertise: First-Person Shooters, Survival Horror, Action/Platform, Fighting, Strategy/RPGs Interests: Attempting To Get My Flabby Ass In Shape, MI-5, Madrox, MF Doom, Holiday Relaxation, Galactic Pizza, Jamie Foxx (When Did He Become Such A Great Actor?) Dislikes: Getting Schooled At Halo 2 Online, Disappointing Urban Planning, The Shortage Of Interesting Movies This Year Current Favorite Games: Halo 2, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, X-Men Legends, MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf, Shining Tears Adam >> adam@gameinformer.com Handle: The Alpha Gamer Expertise: RPGs, Strategy, First-Person Shooters, Fighting Interests: Finding New Radio Talk Shows To Disagree With, Rap Snacks, Actually Finding Cool People On My Server (Stormreaver 4 Life!), America: The Book, Commercials, Check-Raising Dislikes: Sony's Intimate Knowledge Of How To Make Me Buy A Piece Of Hardware, Both Sides Of The NHL's Labor Dispute, Son Of Arugal, EA Assimilating Everything, Rhyming Commercials Current Favorite Games: World Of Warcraft, Untold Legends: Brotherhood Of The Blade, No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em Joe >> joe@gameintormercom Handle: The Real American Gamer Expertise: RPGs, Adventure, Strategy, Platform, Puzzle Interests: Fuzzles, Advent Children Trailers, The Iron Giant, New Final Fantasy Figures Is Awesome!) Dislikes: All Your Base Are Belong To EA, Sending Му FFXI Character Into Eternal Afterlife (Jubanimal Was Twice The Man At Half The Size) Current Favorite Games: Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic Il: The Sith Lords, Suikoden IV, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Fantastic Four Miller >> mileragameinformer.com Handle: The Once And Future Gamer Expertise: RPGs, Action/Adventure, Fighting, Platform, First-Person Shooters Interests: The Transformers Live Action Movie, The New Avengers, PSP, Keeping My Fridge Stocked With Pie, My Favorite Quarter Century In Years Dislikes: How WoW Has Stolen From Me The Last Vestiges Of A Normal Sleep Schedule, Flat Tires, People Who Aren't Ready For Battle At All Times Current Favorite Games: World Of Warcraft, Halo 2, Oddworld Stranger's Wrath, The Legend Of Zelda: The Minish Cap, Katamari Damacy, Jak 3, Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic II: The Sith Lords Photography Bill Baker GAME INFORMER ONLINE Managing Online Editor Billy Berghammer Associate Online Editor Chris Cook ADVERTISING SALES UNLIMITED ENABLED GAME INFORMER UNLIMITED | When you see this logo оп a game preview, review, or feature, you can learn more about it by heading to www.gameinformer.com and dicking on the Unlimited logo. There are tons of other bonuses there (induding movies, interviews, and screenshots) exclusively for Game Informer subscribers, so even if a game you like doesn't have the logo in the magazine, there is a good chance you can still learn more online. SAN FRANCISCO. Doug Faust Vice President Advertising Sales (650) 7285647 * Fax: (650) 7285648 doug@gameinformer.com MINNEAPOLIS Rob Borm Director of Marketing and Midwest/East Coast Sales Manager (612) 486-6155 « Fax: (612) 4866101 rob@gameinformer.com LOS ANGELES Marc Minasian Southwest Regional Sales Manager (818) 991-9923 • Fax: (818) 991-9923 mare@gameinformer.com EAST COAST Suzanne Lang East Coast Consumer Sales Director (718) 8325575 * Fax: (718) 8325569 suzanne@gameinformer.com MINNEAPOLIS. ‘Amy Amold Advertising Coordinator and Online Sales (612) 486-6154 « Fax: (612) 486-6101 amy@gameinformer.com Bryan Vore Advertising Assistant (612) 486-6152 « Fax: (612) 4866101 bryan@gameinformer.com CIRCULATION CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT For change of address or subscription inquiry ONLY: Той Free: 1 (866) 844-GAME (4263) Fax: (612) 486-6101 Email: eustomerservice@gameinformer.com Or send correspondence to: 724 North First St., 4th Floor Minneapolis, MN 55401 * Attn; CIS Dept Circulation Manager Paul Anderson • (612) 486-6104 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, Game Informer? Magazine, 724 North First St, 4th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Unsolicited manuscripts cannot be rétumed or acknowledged. Entire contents copyright 2004. 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 по! be liable for sight changes ог typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The publisher's liability for other errors ог ‘omissions in connection with an advertisement is limited to republication of the advertisement п any subsequent issue or the refund of any monies paid for the advertisement INDEMNIFICATION The advertiser and/or Advertising Agency agrees to defend and indemnity the publisher against апу and ай 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 ће Advertiser's statement. 4 Member Audit Bureau of Circulations — 4 ù 3 2 ONE WILL MAKE THE CHOICE ури. MAKE THE JOURNEY. — — TOGETHERYOU WILL FACE THE OUTEOME, Wield over 60 new feats and Travel among 7 worlds and Your companions will follow you to the dark or light side of the Force Force powers as you and your party explore new environments on based on your choices. struggle to defeat the evil Sith. your mission to save the galaxy. THIS TIME, YOUR CHOICES AFFECT EVERYONE AROUND YOU. WWW.KOTOR2.COM LucasArts and the LucasArts logo are registered trademarks of Lucasfilm Ltd, © 2004 Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. Blood or Lucasfilm Ltd. & Ф or TM as indicated. All rights reserved. +. оос Microsoft, Xbox and the Xbox logos are either registered i ademas or vademarks of Merson Corporation in ne US OBSIDIAN Violence and/or in other countries and are used under license from d em Microsoft. Tho ratings icon is a registered trademark of the Entertainment Software Association. All other trademarks and SOFTWARE Xeo»x trade names are tho properties of their respective owners. 12 GAME INFORMER © Chris Polk/FilmMagic.com Candid Photos From The Seedy Underbelly Of The Video Game Industry 1 The Midway posse in effect! [from left to right] Serene Chan, Nathan Rose, Tim Granich, Scott Lane, and Natalie Salzman. 2 The Doggfather represents for Game Informer at the Spike TV Video Game Awards, wear- ing a shirt bearing our Fear & Respect cover 3 Sega's Ethan Einhorn [I] and Bret Blount [r] join forces with Reiner to combat the forces of evil in the universe 4 GI's Adam parties down with [from left to right] Sony Online Entertainment's Rob Hill, Tamara Sanderson, and Bill Trost 5 Solid Snake vigilantly guards Game Informer's Christmas presents 6 Andy discusses the latest in N-Gage with Ketchum PR's Andrea Schneider 7 Nintendo's Stephen Ward gives DS the Fonzie "Thumbs Up!” Award 8 Movie tough guy Vin Diesel proudly accepts a Spike TV award for "Best Game Based on a Movie" for The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay € Chris Polk/FilmMagic.com AVAILADLE ОП: M CD-ROM [SOFTWARE SOFTWARE) The way it's IDIA meant to be played рептішіп" 4 PROCESSOR WITH HT TECHNOLOGY BRITIgs ЄОП to LiFe. SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT The Readers Strike Back UNSUNG НЕВОЕЗ Since the dawn of video games, there has been a repeated pattern in main characters: you're always “the best,” or “the only,” or “the chosen one" In nearly every game I play, | play someone who is an unstoppable force in the world’s destiny. In action games and RPGs in particular (like Halo, Final Fantasy, and Kingdom Hearts), the fate of the universe is in your character's hands. We need a video game that breaks this pattern. AJ Person Via yahoo.com You want games to abandon their epic settings in favor of more realistic heroes? This might not be such a hot idea, AJ. It seems like this new, blunted genre might just saturate store shelves with products that are consider- ably duller than everyday life. Imagine opening a gift and finding the hottest new game, "Livin" Low," where you control Fergus Plunkum, an innocuous actuary for a large insurance firm by day, but at night he transforms into a defeated bachelor loafing around his squalid apartment. His desolate life is punctuated by heavy sighing, getting assaulted by volunteers from the Humane Society, and call- ing Papa John's just to have someone to talk to. See what we're talking about? No fun. As a compromise, maybe you should check out the wealth of already-existing great games that don't revolve around saving the world, like The Sims 2, GTA: San Andreas, and Burnout 3. HALO GETS DEVIL HORNS | waited two years to spend four hours in line so | could play it, but I'm afraid | have to go out on a blasphemous limb here: Bungie dropped the ball on Halo 2. With ter- rible music, shifting textures, and an ending that is unfulfill- ing at best, it fell woefully short of expectations. The FPS bar has been raised in recent years; Bungie even helped elevate it with the first Halo. Why didn't they try harder to reach those heights instead of turning in homework that looks like it was scribbled down during the bus ride to school? | know many will disagree, claiming it is the greatest game ever, but these people cannot realize that dual-wielding is an awfully small bone to be thrown after years of anticipation. There are those of us that look for technical advancement, skill, and art in games. Please pander to us, too. Wes Howard Ма email Why can't developers leave a good thing alone? Don't get me wrong, Halo 2 has the bread and butter of a good game: playability, fun factor, graphics — but the story sucks. In games, like most things in life, the basics are always better. Hasn't anyone at Bungie read the classic Greek tragedies, Shakespeare, or Stan Lee? Good versus evil is what we want in a FPS, not "The Portrait of Master Chief as a Young Artist" | can't believe that these writers get away with stealing story ideas from Star Trek and Star Wars; it seems like poor sci-fi writing is sinking its preten- tious plastic fangs into everything these days. As a gamer, | want good games, not War and Peace. Christian Buttner Via email | can't believe that you gave Halo 2 a 10. The [story, gameplay, ending] is absolutely terrible. [Half-Life 2, Metroid Prime 2, Halo] is a far superior game, and it is a true gaming revolution, not just a blatant rip-off of other 14 GAME INFORMER „ANI? WHAT KINDS OF CRUSTS PO YOU НАУЕ?... AND... [CLICK],.HELLO? HELLO? MR, PIZZA MAN? games. To me, a 10 represents [insert unattainable abstract ideal here] and Halo 2 has so many flaws that you must just be too stupid to notice them. Johnny Toughguy Via all known forms of communication There are a lot of things Halo 2 doesn't do. It doesn't shine shoes, it makes a lousy créme brulee, and it can't revoke Adam West's restraining order WHEN LANGUAGE ATTACKS Review of page 26: Price, very good idea, but comes on line free, with Internet broadband, and continue with reviews (from the other end of the cable coax). Microsoft probably doesn't want to mix much until software with video games: ! don't blame you. ! under- stand, gives you ideas to materialize something, put some school exams there too, and we'll have general audience pleases! If it is possible, work onto rating and collateral magazines including the hydrogen technology of New Jersey. Thank you. Anonymous Teterboro, New Jersey ı Seven times for thanking happiness the insinuated writing! Actually, if our team of elite codebreakers (aka Adam with four Red Bulls in him) is interpreting this let- ter correctly, New Jersey's hydrogen technology is poised to become the next nuclear superpower. If its diabolical endgame comes to fruition, the Garden State will soon be harvesting some homegrown, planet-wide devastation. However, we wouldn't start punching everyone who says “wicked cool" just yet; the credibility of the anonymous author is in question, since this (possibly) threatening message also came folded with a receipt from a one-hour pharmacy. The total was $7.62 (with tax). against us (C'mon, man! One more Batusi for old times' sake!). However, when it comes to delivering an amazing gaming experience, there are few areas where Halo 2 doesn't achieve a crushing victory. Many fans disagreed with our assessment of the game for reasons that can be neatly grouped into two categories: It was too much like the original Halo, and it wasn't enough like the original Halo. If you're actively looking for faults, you'll find them in any game. A score of 10 isn't supposed to indicate a game free of imperfections, but rather one where the minor flaws are eclipsed by overall excellent execution, which Halo 2 has in spades. If you're that desperate to find something to hate, try focusing on clerks at your local organic grocery store. They think they're better than you. KNIVES IN GUNFIGHTS Having a code of ethics is keeping me from achieving higher ranks on Xbox Live, especially on Halo 2. The usage of overpowered weapons (like rockets and energy swords) and dropping games to avoid taking a loss are two things | refuse to participate in. | realize that swords do require a dangerous approach and close range, which | can respect, but not when it is the only weapon people use. Rockets, however, simply take all challenge out of the game. I'm repeatedly killed by them because | believe | should earn my kills with skill-based weapons like the SMG and Plasma Rifle. Even when I'm ahead using my techniques, people frequently quit so they don't drop in the rankings. Please, if you play Halo 2, take my advice and actually earn your way up the ranks instead of blowing your way through with rockets. Mark Waggoner Via email We're with you on the people dropping out thing, man. Fortunately, in Halo 2, it actually counts as a loss when a player quits. Also, we heard that every Send your comments to Game Informer. Snail Mail: Game Informer Magazine е Attn: Dear GI е 724 North First St., 4th Floor е Minneapolis, MN 55401 Email: deargi@gameinformer.com SHOOTERS ... and a little bit of how's yer father. FANCY A BUTCHER'S 27 7 the ana Black Ma Your lessons start "еге, mate! v.speakget p MATURE Blood Drug Reference Н м Intense Violence PlayStation e Nudity Sexual Themes ж Begg Strong Language ONLY ON PLAYSTATION LIVE IN YOUR WXRLD PLAY IN OURS *Cars, cops, scumbags, guns...and a little bit of sex. Wanna take a look? The Getaway: Black Monday ©2005 Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. “PlayStation” and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "Live In Your World. Play In Ours." is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. time someone дгорз а game, ап innocent, adorable little fairy dies а grisly death, so they've got that | оп their consciences. But госКе!5 and swords are а jê different matter. Regardless of the game you're play- ing online, the mark of a good player is the ability to learn where and when to use the tools that are available, and how to develop methods to coun- teract those tools in enemy hands. If you want to bring your SMG to a rocket fight, that’s your choice, but you should probably have a reliable anti-rocket strategy to fall back on unless you plan to become a martyr very quickly. It's commendable that you choose to die for your principles online, but if you expect other people to give up some of the coolest weapons the game has to offer, you deserve every frag you eat. , HARD DRIVIN LUIS SANTOS | bought the hard drive for the PS2 a few months back Sleeves and pants are hoping that they were going to add new maps to SOCOM out of the question on a Il: U.S. Navy SEALs. Much to my disappointment, | find that stealth assassin’s salary they only have one lousy map available, and you have to buy a поп-С! magazine to get it! Why do they want more money for something that most people have already paid Fus те emp aeae alan QE Кеды: eu at least $150 for? At least on Xbox Live, you don't have to best dam envelope art you can think of and send it pay extra for most additional content. to us. Please include your name, phone number, and Charles Pierce 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. Via aol.com п Since its somewhat quiet release, Sony's hard drive hasn't exactly had the best support in terms of lacs us games or downloadable content. With Final Fantasy Ewelope Af Contest XI primarily driving sales of the unit, there aren't 724 151 St. №, 4th Floor many games out there that make use of the advan- Mpls, MN 55401 GUS SMITH Shameless objectification is the new black vinyl tages of the hard drive. The situation isn't improving, either. The discontinuation of the old PS2 model in favor of Sony's sleek, sexy new design is essentially the death knell for the short-lived periphery hard- ware. Due to its incompatibility with the drive, the new PS2 ensures that anyone who buys the console these days will be denied access to the already lim- ited features provided by the HDD, therefore making it pointless for Sony to worry about expanding its functionality any further. FURTHER BEYOND Beyond Good and Evil enchanted me like no other title ever has. It may not be the greatest game, but it is undoubtedly the most underrated release of this genera- tion. This is why | belong to an online community where we try to raise awareness of the game in hopes that Ubisoft will finally give the game the follow-up it deserves. Our support includes petitions, fan sites, fan art, and buy- ing multiple copies of the game. We aren't the only ones trying keep this brilliant game from being forgotten; there is a Flash movie in the works at www.bgemovie.com aimed at rekindling Jade's universe. Unfortunately, Ubisoft still has not announced a sequel. Will they ever hear our pleas? Dennis Meijer Via hotmail.com = Hey! We belong to a club just like that, except ours tries to get the Thunder in Paradise TV series released on DVD. BG&E is indeed sadly underrated, and the best thing you can do is stay on your cur- rent path. When a company releases something that has poor sales or generally isn't well-received, it isn't likely to make the same mistake twice (with the possible exception of the American Ninja mov- ies). If you can make it clear that a large, dedicated fanbase is eager to give them a second chance, then it improves the odds that they'll take another crack N " at it. At any rate, it's probably better than our club's NATE CHHAY Л, SEAN CRONIN strategy, which is writing threat-laced letters to a "Ап kill В ROF. 5 with hi : ıyone you can kill, | can kill better” The Prince is making progress is anger gadget-infused, tricked-out speedboat. ИЕН tias 16 САМЕ INFORMER в „Ў fasastudio 110 ІШ : ; MEOMASSAULT 2 iane Wor TEEN Blood Violence battle just got bigger. TOTNM mechassault2.xbox.com 1 it's good to play together * CONNECT # PlayStation creator Ken Kutagari makes an appearance at the PSP launch Via the Memory Stick, you can easily transfer : MP3s, MPEG-4 movies, or photos from your computer, for example, to your PSP. By : connecting the two up via a USB cord (not provided), your PC will recognize the PSP's Memory Stick. From here, create a main "PSP" folder on your desktop, and in it put a : folder labelled "Music" (or "Photo," etc). Put : MP3s into that folder, than drag the entire "PSP" folder on top of the Memory Stick icon on your PC. From here, you can view photo slide shows on the PSP and you can manually fast-forward or rewind your music — : which sounds fabulous on the unit. Sony has just announced a program called Image : Converter 2, which lets you convert movie files on your PC for play on the PSP. 18 GAME INFORMER THE PSP IS HERE GAME, INFORMER EXAMINES THE PSP The initial reports on problems with the PSP are predominately limited to a few things. A small number of consumers have found dead pixels or air bubbles on their screens, while the PSP in general contains a design flaw. By applying a twisting pressure when holding the unit, the UMD door clasp can release, causing the disc door to open unex- : : The PSP tells you what percentage and how | 3 many hours are left on the battery, but it is not | pectedly. However, in the normal course of playing, this isn't a problem. Load times for games can reach over 20 seconds — particu- : larly when going from the PSP's main menu into the game itself, while in-game load times are anywhere from 10 to 15 seconds, depending on the title. : 845. The unit does have a sleep mode which : you can set to kick in at a designated time, tds ps its figures on (i.e. music, games, or ITO MISES Breaking News, Views, And Technology From The Cutting Edge Of Gaming ony finally kicked off the handheld war against S Nintendo with the release of the PlayStation Portable in Japan on December 12. Thousands lined up at Shinjuku's Yodobashi Camera in Tokyo, among other places, where Sony Computer Entertainment president and PSP creator Ken Kutaragi was on hand for the festivities (left) The PSP sold out of its 200,000 units available at launch, with an estimated 85 percent of them being bought the first day. The remaining units were sold through exports and other untracked sales. In the face of the small launch, Sony has said that it hopes to send out 100,000 PSPs every week, with the estimate of shipping half a million systems by the end of 2004. However, Sony officials have admitted that the company will focus on the PlayStation 2 over the holiday season. In compari- son, the Nintendo DS made 500,000 units available at its launch, it's approaching a million handhelds sold, and Nintendo expects to have five million of them shipped worldwide by March. Sony is planning to release the PSP in America before the end of March. Game Informer got its hands on the PSP and the initial launch titles, and we're here to run the system through its paces. : |n our hands-on time with the unit we listened to music, uploaded some photos, and : played various games оп the PSP for close to three hours with no battery trouble what- : soever. Some particularly draining games, like Ridge Racers, can cut battery life to around : four hours, while constant Wi-Fi play brings that figure to about two hours. Sony is selling a : replacement battery in Japan for approximately | and there is also a Wi-Fi power save function. known what type of consumption the system video). Also, you can charge the handheld while you play it. The PSP's wireless function has great possibilities, but some of them — such as connecting to a Wi-Fi hotspot and playing against friends long-distance in online games or surfing the Internet - are unknown, as no titles utilize this function yet and there is no browser for the PSP. However, short-distance Wi-Fi play is made very easy. Downloads are also possible, and Sony says it will offer firmware upgrades. RIDGE RACERS Out of all the launch games, Ridge Racers is clearly the one that shows off the visual capa- bilities of the PSP the best. Real-time shadows slide down the back of your car. It has a good sense of speed, and motion blur occurs when you kick the turbo in. Replays and a real-time map are available. The environments are great, and there's even some basic lens flare to make this title a graphical standout. Using the analog control for Ridge Racers proves that the nub isn't as responsive as your PS2 controller, as the range of motion isn't as great, and there is a small dead spot when steering. ARMORED CORE: FORMULA FRONT Not getting to actually control the sweet-looking combat in this game is as disappointing as it sounds. In true AC style, the game's more about choosing the right parts for your mech, as the computer controls all of the third-person action (although you can switch the cam- eral). Your job is to assemble a five-mech team and tweak their attributes and strategies before going into battle. Through proximity Wi-Fi, fans can trade parts, and this AC also will hook up to a forthcoming PS2 title of the same name through the USB port. E n - HOT SHOTS GOLF Known as Everyone's Golf in Japan, this title looks almost identical to its PS2 brethren. Perhaps the only missed feature is seeing the caddies. Otherwise, it's the same accessory collecting, character-eaming, three-click golf-fest we've known all these years. Up to eight players can compete via proximity Wi-Fi (with everyone playing simultaneously — although you won't see them) or you can go head-to-head and alternate strokes with a single oppo- nent onscreen LUMINES From the mind of Space Channel 5's Tetsuya Mizuguchi comes Lumines, a music/puzzle game similar to Tetris that combines more horizontal play with the beats of the background music. A simple but addictive title, Lumines makes great use of the PSP's impressive stereo sound. VAMPIRE CHRONICLE: THE CHAOS TOWER This 2D fighter looks pretty faithful to its arcade counterpart (which is known as Darkstalkers in the U.S.). Control wise, the six punch/kick buttons are assigned to the face and shoulder buttons, and it moves pretty smoothly. You can challenge 15 Wi-Fi players near you, and matches can be tailored to your preferences for match time, damage bar length, etc MEMORY STICK Here, along the underside of the unit, you'll find the slot for your Memory Stick WIRELESS BUTTON AND ANALOG STICK The PSP will prompt you to turn on the wireless button when necessary if you haven't done so. If left on, you can set this function to automatically go to sleep HEADPHONE JACK Supports Sony proprietary headphone, as well as third-party ones HOME AND VOLUME BUTTONS At any time, users can jump to the home screen, where you can access your Memory Stick, music files, etc. USB PORT/UMD DOOR SWITCH POWER/HOLD BUTTON The unit's power button activates by sliding it forward - whether you are turning it on or off. Also, the unit can be tumed off for a period, and then tumed back inserted). The Hold function (used to lock the PSP in the On or п) is activated he button BRIGHTNESS, SOUND, SELECT, AND START BUTTONS The PSP has three brightness levels, and its sound can be muted at any time AC ADAPTER INPUT GAME INFORMER 19 More News You Can Use DOA VOLLEYBALL FOR XBOX 2 In an exclusive conversation with Game Informer Online, Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball creator Tomonobu Itagaki said that he plans to bring the franchise to Xbox 2. & MORE FOR MIDWAY Midway has acquired its third game studio in the past year, adding Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks creator Paradox Development to its family. In 2004, Midway had also acquired Surreal Software (The Suffering) and Inevitable Entertainment (Area 51). JUST SAY NO Nagul Games just got on Senator Joe Leiberman's speed dial. The company is plan- ning a title called Dealer: Chronic, Pills & Coke, a third-person, GTA-style game where you set. up your own drug empire, including drug labs, THE RETURN OF DRAKENGARD Square Enix has confirmed that work has begun ‘on a sequel to Drakengard for the PlayStation 2, Further details are unknown at this time, other than that Jeremy is smiling. DEATH AND TAXES An Australian gamer named Deathifier has won an auction valued at $26,500 for the virtual rights to an island in the MMORPG Project. Entropia. Deathifier can now sell off the mining and hunting rights to the island for real life cash. With a name like Deathifier, we wouldn't dare trespass. 20 САМЕ INFORMER MADDEN GETS EXCLUSIVE NFL LICENSE he football war is officially over. EA Sports has won an exclusive T deal with both the NFL and Players Inc. (the NFL players’ associa- tion), giving the company the exclusive rights to use NFL teams, stadiums, and players in its games for the next five years, starting with Madden NFL 2006. This effectively cuts the legs out from under com- petitor ESPN NFL, who will not be able to continue the franchise with any official league teams or players. It also closes the door on any pos- sible return for Sony's GameDay series or Microsoft's NFL Fever for the rest of the decade. The deal covers handheld, PC, and console games, but does not include cell phones or the Internet. It also # reportedly does not apply to Atari's Backyard Football kids franchise. EA Sports hasn't divulged details of the deal, nor exactly what is in store for us, but it did mention ы that this exclusive partnership would mean more access and integration of the league within its games. For instance, it plans to utilize NFL Films and the NFL Network in its titles. Beyond Madden NFL and NFL Street, there are indications that the publisher is planning to unveil a manager-style game in the future. Game Informer talked to both EA and the NFL, who told us that the NFL approached Sega, EA, and other unmentioned studios with exclusiv- ity on the table. “Going back to the spring [of 2004], we had a review of our video game business,” said NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy. “We told our existing licensees that we'd be open to exploring various types of business models. Both companies were very interested” There is some thought that this deal was struck because the league was unhappy with ESPN's $19.99 price point [and EA's drop- ping of its price in response] and the appear- ance that the league was sanctioning a discount image. However, McCarthy dismissed this notion, pointing out that this process was started before pricing for the 2005-branded titles was decided. This year's football war saw the emergence of ESPN as a viable rival to the dominance of Madden. Still, McCarthy and the NFL do not see this sudden lack of competition as a harbinger for a drop in quality. ^We think it's actually going to increase the quality of the game. The sole licensee has even more of an incentive to come out with a game that the meets not only their high standards, but that of the NFL. So we're going to push them because they are our only licensee" However, McCarthy stopped short of saying the NFL was going to get involved in the nuts and bolts aspect of game development. He did say that with only one licensee, the NFL would now be able to focus its energies and marketing on one title, as well as saying that EA would receive more time and access with the players themselves. What's next for ESPN? Unfortunately, devel- oper Visual Concepts is not speaking on its future plans. In a statement from co-publisher Sega, the company says it will soldier on with its other sports games. "The agreement removes the competitive playing field; limiting creativity and innovation - two fundamental principles that drive Sega and our industry to produce better games. Sega will continue to publish a diverse portfolio of sports and entertainment content" Game Informer contacted Visual Concepts, but they wouldn't comment on whether it would go forward with a non-licensed football game, return to NCAA college ball, or if ESPN the company would withdraw its support in light of these recent events. Certainly the danger does exist of EA (or Sega, for that matter) trying to reach exclusive deals with the remaining pro sports leagues (like the MLB or МВА), but this is unlikely. Madden's majority of ownership of the large football market is a different situation than basketball, for example, where the competition slices up more equal portions of a smaller pie. It would not make sense for the NBA to award an exclusive license to EA because that would instantly negate millions in sales from both ESPN and Midway's МВА Ballers - a combo that accounts for a larger total percentage of the basketball market than EA. While friends and message boards will now be silent on the great debate of ESPN vs. Madden, the question as to whether this is good for gamers as a whole has just begun. Petitions have sprung up online boycotting the NFL which have been signed by thousands of people, and EA Sports will be closely watched for its commitment to the sport versus just cashing the checks of a captive audience. Finally, Sega isn't throwing in the towel. In the words of one anonymous Visual Concepts employee: "Luke might've just had his hand cut off by Vadar, and Han might be frozen in carbonite and in the hands of Jabba, but that's just the end of act two, and the war with the evil Empire isn't over yet. Not by a longshot” MIDWAY EXPLORES LIFE AFTER THE NFL Midway has been pushing the boundaries of football for years, and it will take full advantage of its lack of an NFL license in the upcoming Blitz: Playmakers title, set for release in the last quarter of this year on multiple consoles. "No longer bound to the NFL license," explains Midway's chief of marketing, Steve Allison, "there will be no league restrictions on content. Blitz: Playmakers buyers will be assured of one thing — our game will include all the gameplay and fun the NFL won't allow" That means all the dirty hits, endzone dancing, and off- the-field shenanigans that you can handle will finally be included. Per its name, Midway even hired a writer of the controversial ESPN show Playmakers to give the game a harsh behind-the-scenes flavor. As for the players, the game will utilize some classic NFL players — who, because they are retired, are not bound by ЕА5 Players Inc. deal. SOLDIERS з. p — 7 064 “Же 4 > e <Ç = fe © = ы oc о bk ~ WE WERE JUST “BE y y OIL. BROADBAND ONLY. Gearbox’ Software, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Published and distributed by Ubisoft Entertainment under license from Gearbox Software; LEC: Brothers їп, Ams Road t 3016, a тайетанков Gearbox’ Software and is used-under license. Ubisoft; ul an logo are;trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries. Gearbox Software and the Gearbox ‘logo’are registered tradem: arks of-Gearbox Software; LUC."Microsoft,Xbox, Xbox Live" the Live logo, andthe Xbox’ Logosjare:either registered = for, trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. алФ/ог іп other countries and are изед ипдег license from. Microsoft:.PlayStation™-and:the =PS"-Family:logo.are registered. trademarks of, Sony, Computer-Entertainment пс- Опи lay. requires internet INetwork-Adaptor (for PlayStation 2) and Memory Card (8MB) (for. PlayStation. 2) (each sold separately). The;Online;icon;is;a trademark of Sony Computer Entertain ет 'America Inc- Software platform logo:TM.and:@. ЕМА 200352 es BASED ON A TRUE STORY, Real soldiers. Authentic battlefields. combat. The lives of your men аге in your, аг is hell - violent and bloody. xperi ence the uncensored story of the Normandy invasion. Command 3-man AI squads in a battle of wits and skill in split-screen or online multiplayer. * nap Play It On ` ubicom: .. GA Se ИИМ ER па — THE PS3 IS UGLY : | - Loose Talk has been tipped off about a potentially strange PlayStation 3 game that is based off of the creations of artist David Horvath, the man behind the Uglydolls and Noupa plush/vinyl figures. An animated show is also in the works for Uglydolls (with one in Japan already). The project was origi- nally slated for the PlayStation 2, but has switched over to the PS3, with a release expected - according to Horvath himself - as coming with the “third ог fourth wave of games” for the system. а David's Horvath's Uglydolls NINTENDO ONLINE WITH SQUARE While Nintendo is no fan of online play, company luminary Shigeru Miyamoto recently did reveal that the publisher/developer is work- ing with Square Enix on an online title for the Nintendo DS. With Miyamoto saying that he doesn't expect online to become big until SQUARE ENIX. three to four years from now, hopefully we won't have to wait that long for this mysterious collaboration to hit the shelves. And God help us if there's a bucket involved. ESPN BRINGS BACK $50 AND FOOTBALL The recent exclusive deal for the NFL license by EA Sports puts enormous pressure on ESPN Videogames to keep its head above water with its remaining sports titles. It looks like one way it plans to make up for the loss of its ESPN NFL game is by raising its remaining titles back to the standard 550 price point - something which was being contemplated anyway with the coming of the next-gen systems. As for football, Loose Talk has heard that ESPN will definitely be creating a pigskin game of some variety. CAPCOM EXPANDS PSP Although Capcom has already committed to bringing some of its franchises to the PSP (such as Viewtiful Joe and Devil May Cry), recently the company openly contemplated its next moves on the system. A survey on its official Japanese webpage asked fans what series they'd like to see on the handheld. So hopefully, if Japanese fans play their cards right, we could be seeing Resident Evil, Onimusha, Mega Man, or even Rival Schools hit the PSP. EA HOSTILE TO UBISOFT Electronic Arts has bought almost a 19.9 percent. stake in Ubisoft - a move that the French company had no say on. A spokesperson for Ubisoft speculated that EA was trying to cash in on some of Ubisoft's future, next-gen plans. Although EA doesn't yet have control over what the company’s manage- ment does, the key word is “yet.” We have a feeling the EA isn’t just buying large chunks of Ubisoft out of the kindness of its heart. UBISOFT Got some insider info? Email из at loosetalk@gameinformer.com and we'll be all ears. Test Your Sight This month’s game comes from the minds of Sid Meier, Brian Reynolds, and the people at Firaxis. It's similar to its predecessor Civilization Il, but takes players off Earth and into space to build their society. The game features seven factions each trying to colonize the planet Chiron in the mold of their particular philosophy, such as fascism (The Human Hive), environmentalism (Gaia's Stepdaughters), religion (The Lord’s Believers), education (University of Planet), and more. (Answer on page 26) 24 GAME INFORMER NINTENDO DELIVERS FOR DS MORE GAMES, MEDIA , PLAYER COMING SAL Some were disappointed that there / weren't more first-party Nintendo games | at the launch of the DS, but the com- = рапу is rolling out the red сагре for a AN \ new Баїсһ. Some will be here sooner, fs others later, but all will make use of the DS's special features one way or another in 2005. Animal Crossing This cult hit for the GameCube makes special use of the DS's second screen, allowing you to draw on it. Also, the Wi-Fi capabil- ity of the system lets four players meet up and chat in the same village. Another You star as Ashley, a 13-year-old girl searching for the mystery behind her dead mother and missing father, and what a government device known as "Another" might have to do with it. Puzzles will be solved using the DS's touch screen. Super Princess Peach In a welcome turn of events, Princess Peach gets to prove her worth by saving the kidnapped Mario! Helping out in this 2D adventure is Peach's sentient, happy umbrella named Kassa. It's unknown what the top screen does, other than show a large shot of the Princess in all of her vain glory. In other news, Nintendo is giving Japanese DS and GBA owners video and audio playback through a device tentatively known as Play-yan. By uploading MPEG-4 movies or MP3 audio files from a PC that’s connected to an SD card reader, you can then take the SD card and put it in a special adapter - Play-yan. This adapter can then be put into your GBA or Nintendo DS (since it plays GBA titles) for viewing or listening. Play-yan will not come with an SD card reader or any connections to your PC. The GBA battery should last around four hours for movie playback and between eight to 15 hours for music listening (depending if you have the screen on). Nintendo has no current plans to bring Play-yan to America. games COME GET SOME UGLY MAJESCO'S NEW ANTI-HERO When You Want Your News Categoi GOOD Anyone with a sweet tooth for bizarre gaming gobbled up Namco's Katamari Damacy, and recently the company con- firmed a sequel. The title should appear on the PlayStation 2 in the next fiscal year, which spans from April 2005 to March 2006. Namco has also announced versions of both Baten Kaitos and Xenosaga for the Nintendo DS. On June 9, Xbox owners will get their second dose of GTA love. Grand Theft Auto San Andreas comes out for Xbox and the PC. We anticipate upgrades of some kind, just ike the last GTA port. Also, a PSP title from Rockstar is also in the works. d With A Sarcastic Editorial Spi NN Walton Freight BAD BAD you can step up to some bigger competition - who are armed with bunny rocket launchers and N ow that you've destroyed all the cute dolls and stuffed animals your little sister got for Christmas, lollipop axes. Majesco's Raze's Hell is a new third-person shooter that lets you visit gruesome death upon a whole world of annoyingly adorable characters exclusively on the Xbox. The spring title spans 20 levels, contains Xbox Live support, and puts you in the shoes of Raze as he goes to war against the Kewletts. Resisting their sick utopian vision, Raze wants his home to stay the same, ugly place #5 always been (no, #5 not Detroit), and he's got over 10 weapons at his disposal to make sure it stays that way. We like his style. R&D PlayStation. Game Informer bri gs the world's worst game ideas to life GoldenGirl: Rouge Agent You were а hero once. As an elite salesperson at the J.C Penny beauty counter, you were the envy of clerks across the store. However, when you failed to powder a virtual nose in a simulator, you were unceremoniously fired. In GoldenGirl: Rouge Agent, the player takes up the role of a maverick beauty technician stripped of rank and honor, driven by a savage thirst for revenge and modestly priced cosmetics. The department store that trained you will now need to find a way to hold you at bay as you spitefully apply mascara and lipstick to all who Stand in your way, making all exits from the store into the mall an impenetrable and uncomfortable gauntlet. Dual-wielding perfume bottles and tubes of lotion, you maliciously unleash glamour upon an unsuspecting, unfabulous world. Using envi- ronmental traps like eyeliner pencil floor-spikes and toxic blush fog, you reap a radiant, alluring harvest of subtle elegance. When you finally corner those who wronged you, as they tremble before your graceful prowess, you ruthlessly proceed to give them erroneous advice about how best to accentuate their cheekbones. Revenge is sweet; they will certainly look the fools at their next high-society gala! Evil never looked so good. Perhaps taking a cue from label mate Gran Turismo 4, Sony's Rise of the Kasai is also ditching its online co-op component. Also spotted оп the bus out of town, alongside online play, was a chunk of the game's former fanbase Forza is going to ridiculous lengths to be like racing leader Gran Turismo. Now the Microsoft simulation game has announced that it, too is being delayed. The title will come out this April 5000 Reflections’ founder Martin Edmondson has quit the Atari-owned studio. Edmondson created the popu- lar Driver series, which unfortunately nose-dived with Driv3r. The good news is that he is planning a return to video games with a new company and IP. We look forward to it. UGLY Gamers receiving demo discs from Sony's PlayStation Underground recently had their memory cards wiped. The disc contained a demo of Capcom's Viewtiful Joe 2, which when played, would erase all the data on any memory cards in the system. Sony issued an apology, but couldn't refund the hours of the victims’ lives. BAD Here's a picture of Christian Slater and Tara Reid desperately trying to stave off the Demon of Irrelevant Movie Stars in the upcoming film Alone in the Dark, You can see the grisly carnage starting January 28. GAME INFORMER 25 DEVELOPER READER Bil Trost JOHNATHON KEY Lead С: Designer, Untold i Legends, Brotherhood of the puo D Blade (PSP) 1 System Shock 2 - PC 1 GoldenEye 2 Eternal Darkness - 007 - N64 GameCube 2 Grand Theft Auto: 3 The Legend of Vice City - Р52 Zelda: A Link to the 3 Need For Speed: Past - SNES Underground - Р52 4 Sid Meier's 4 Psi-Ops: The Pirates! - PC Mindgate Conspiracy - 5 Katamari Damacy - PS2 PS2 5 Final Fantasy X- 2-Р52 Send Тор Ғиев апа а photo of yourself to: Game Informer Magazine/Top Five 724 № Ist St 4th Fl Minneapolis, MN 55401-9022 email: topfive@gameinformer.com (attach digital picture) Lists...Everybody Loves Lists... Top 10 Exclusive Rights Not Purchased by EA 10 The Wayans brothers: Nothing says “Automatic Second Tier” like a Wayans 9 Your high school football team: They haven't proved to be a threat...yet $ Domino's Pizza: Ever since they ditched the Noid, they've got no gaming credibility 7 Foxy Boxing: Fight Night Meets Catwoman! It's a gold mine! 6 CNN: With a name like Wolf Blitzer, you know he's right for video games 5 Pork and chicken: Сап anything withstand the combined power of both white meats? 4 XFL: It never happened...it never happened 3 The Federal Government: Soon enough. One thing at atime 2 The Force: Possibly an EA pseudonym. Observe: “[The Force] surrounds us, and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.” See also: “The power to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force.” 1 Post-it Notes: EA doesn't need help sticking anything to anyone Name That Game Answer: Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri. 26 САМЕ INFORMER OF EA’ NEXT-GEN? EA LEAKS MOCK-UPS FOR MADDEN, NEED FOR SPEED hese two conceptual pictures popped up on T the Internet, and were released by Electronic Arts executives as a prototypical look for two of its biggest franchises on next-generation consoles: Madden NFL and Need for Speed Underground. Game Informer contacted EA about these shots, and while a spokesperson could confirm that they were official, they were only intended as mock-ups and are believed to have been created using only approximate specs of next-gen hardware, EA's new Madden looks very similar to a gorgeous CG commercial Nike put together last year showing Michael Vick and Terrell Owens playing pitch and catch. The commercial was shot by Motion Analysis Studios using 50 cameras and over 20 mo-cap athletes. VIDEO GAMES ATTACKED - YAWN! ‘TIS THE SEASON TO CONDEMN VIDEO GAMES “if NIMF were forthcoming,” said Vance, “it would acknowledge that its own ratings are in sync with the ESRB's virtually all of the time” Meanwhile, a five-member coalition of parent, church, and women's organizations released its own grandstanding list of bad video games, some of which don't even exist! Besides mentioning Hitman: Blood Money, which isn’t even out yet, the list contained Shadow Hearts (it came out in 2001), and some title called Gunslinger Girls 2 (perhaps they ith parents buying video games for their children this W past holiday season, opponents of the industry once again took the opportunity to criticize the industry on Capitol Hill. The National Institute on Media and the Family (NIMF) produced a list of the top ten "Worst Violent Video Games” as part of its ninth annual Video Game Report Card. The report claimed that because the industry doesn't believe that video games are "harmful," it and the ESRB rating system are effectively telling parents to "pay attention to the ratings, but it really doesn't matter if you do” The МІМР 5 Worst meant Gunslinger Girl Vol. 3 — an import In response, ESRB president Patricia Vance Violent Video Games title). Also on the list was Mortal Combat: said in a statement: "The National Institute on * Doom 5 Deception [sic], Half-Life 2, and, of course, Media and the Family report card does a grave * Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Does this disservice to America's parents by suggesting that " m Ke mean we can buy GTA: Vice City and it's * Halo okay? The funniest part of the groups self-righteousness was that the list (and all its errors) was syndicated to newspapers around the country, with all of its misinfor- mation blaring just as loud as the moral outrage. they cannot trust ESRB ratings. The fact is that a new comprehensive study conducted on the reli- ability of the video game rating system found that parents agree with ESRB 83 percent of the time" The games on NIMF's own top ten list have all been given an M-rating from the ESRB, designat- ing them as mature titles for those 17 and older. * Resident Evil: Outbreak * Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy * The Guy Game * Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude * Mortal Kombat: Deception * Rumble Roses THE EPIC JAK TRILOGY IS COMING TO ITS DRAMATIC CONCLUSION. REST ASSURED, IT WONT END LIKE THIS. The conclusion, the answers, the end of the epic. TEEN Comic Mischief Language Mild Violence > курар Suggestive Themes INAUGHT YS "DOG E LIV 5 DAN. 2 Che са www.us.playstation.com. Official strategy guide now available. Free sample downloads at www.piggybackinteractive.com. Jak 3 is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. Created and developed by Naughty Dog, Inc. ©2004 Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "Live In Your World. Play In Ours." is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. 1990 v » ıo с е = 2000 v 2002 Y 2004 v connect g— RR HIGHLIGHTS Big In Japan House, after having taught English in Japan following his graduation from Oxford ае, takes a job in the | |. connect | interview | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA >> Andrew House is a rare breed in today's mercenary business world: a company man. He's spent nearly his entire professional career at Sony, helping to guide the company’s PlayStation brand towards market dominance. We recently chatted with House, getting his views on PSP and the future of gaming. << Talk about how you came to be involved with Sony and PlayStation in the early days. | joined Sony in Tokyo way back in 1990. | started out [in the] corporate communications group for Sony Corp. on the consumer electronics side at the headquarters [in Tokyo]. One of the projects that | got involved with was PlayStation way back in its inception when it was a small project. | gradually became more and more intrigued by the project and its potential. Interestingly enough, internally in the company it was quite looked down upon at the time. | think it was viewed by the Sony establish- ment at the time as being very alien to the core consumer electronics business that was Sony. But thanks to the vision of Ken Kutaragi, here we sit today, 10 years later seeing the company really at the heart of what is successful about Sony. What can we expect from the PSP marketing campaign in America? | think what you'll see us do is some things that are very much in line with the success that we built around PlayStation 2. [We need] the right balance of games front and center because — let's face it — we know that the first buyers of this system are Nintendo DS just launched quite successfully in the U.S. and Japan. Are you worried that it might be stealing some of the momentum for PSP? Absolutely not. | think the products are positioned very differently. | tend to view the DS as an exten- sion of the existing handheld gaming market, which is all very well and good, but what we're trying to accomplish with PSP is something far broader and far more revolutionary. As we've proven since the original PlayStation launch, the industry grew from somewhere around $5 billion to $12 billion a year in North America alone. The potential to recreate that kind of magic in the handheld space is really huge. It looks very likely that Xbox 2 is coming out in 2005. Is that something that you're looking at in terms beginning to market PS3? First, | would say that this is the first company that delivered a ten-year console life cycle, and we have every intention of maintaining a very long com- mitment for the consumer as far as PlayStation 2 is concerned. Secondly, in terms of when #5 right to launch the next generation of consoles, in the the new PS2 doesn’t have hard drive support, is that idea dead? No. You're actually talking to one of the most pas- sionate believers in microtransactions as a far more viable business model for online games than the ones that currently exists. | do not see the necessity of a hard drive; | think there are other client-side storage solutions that we can look at. You'll see us actively roll out those plans very soon. Does that include downloads with PSP? Yes. PSP obviously comes with memory stick stor- age. | think it's a very interesting leap forward that you now have a handheld entertainment and gam- ing device that uses a storage medium that can interact with televisions and PCs. Some people are speculating that digital dis- tribution of games will be a reality in the next generation of consoles. Do you think the time is right for that model? | think that, with the consumption of whole games, if this generation of hardware is anything to go by, what we've seen as a constant is a year-on- year growth as to just how data intensive games The [PSP] really has a potential to be an icon for the consumers. 28 САМЕ INFORMER going to buy PSP for the games. And then gradually offer the idea of other entertainment possibilities around the system. Though, I think you will see us embrace fashion as an element in our marketing mix more than we have before. Although we've had great success in working with entertainers, that'll be even more crucial as we build the right kind of buzz and the right kind of fashion statement for PSP. And finally, think that, in keeping with a long Sony tradi- tion, the goal is to not get in the way of the beauty of the product itself. The product really has a poten- tial to be an icon for the consumers. What is the schedule for PSP movie and music distribution? Is that something that's going to come around the American launch? | think you may see some early, very target-appro- priate releases that emerge around launch. But, precisely because we know that the early adopter of PSP is going to be focused largely on games, | think that we want to establish the system as a very successful handheld gaming system. Then, within the course of the first year, [we'll] start to roll out other plans and show other possibilities for the sys- tem — probably by the fall of 2005. ten years that we've been in the business we've launched consoles both before and after the com- petition. The key is to launch when the technology is right, when there is a quantum leap in the con- sumer experience. And really, those are the factors that will make our decisions. Is Sony looking to a more Xbox Live-style integrated online structure that might incor- porate the PlayStation Portable and the PlayStation 3 in the future? | think one of the most intriguing aspects of PSP is the potential for interactivity between different consoles, and the opportunity to create what | сай pervasive franchises. [Franchises] that not only exist оп your home console but ones you can take with you and enhance the experience. | think that will be an area of focus for us. Our approach to an integrated online service is one that will find the right business model, which we do not believe to be subscriptions. Kaz Hirai has talked about “microtransac- tions” as the future of online - buying indi- vidual vehicles in GT 4, for example. Now that are. When we shipped [PS2] in 2000, we firmly believed we'd never see games that shipped on a DVD-9 and take up almost 9 gigs of capacity. | think, as that trend continues, packaged media will absolutely be the dominant form of how we buy our initial games. What's interesting is the area of episodic content appropriate to certain games. A lot of that is opened up with the possibility of digital distribution. Nintendo has made some statements regard- ing the fact that they don't feel the PSP is a "true" gaming device, but rather a multimedia device. How do you respond to that? The same charges were laid at PlayStation 2's feet when it first launched. There's a reason why PSP. is launched under the PlayStation brand and from Sony Computer Entertainment. That's because we understand gaming and gamers. We're very excited about the other broader entertainment possibilities, but | think we have great experience in making sure that the right gaming content is there first. | think the trend towards convergent devices is already happening; | think those companies that don't embrace it will be passed by. But, with us, that's balanced with a very strong gaming heritage. м. nhi, 00 AA) Ng ÛR Sony's Andrew House will play a crucial role in guiding the company into the next generation of home and handheld consoles GAME INFORMER 29 GUNS DON'T KILL PEOPLE. TRREE-QUARTER INCH HOLES IN THE HEAD KILL PEOPLE. - 7 „ла 2 n2 57 g “ЖЕН ag г 4» ME A » я. вт" қ. > Жа “TIGHT CONTROLS, SLICK GRAPHICS... AND MORE SCRIPTED VIOLENCE THAN EVEN WE THOUGHT POSSIBLE.” - IGN ж зА е. м. et OVER 100 UNIQUE WAYS TO PUNISH CRIME. “,.. THE WAY YOU CAN INTERROGATE YOUR ENEMIES IS JUST AMAZING." - THEPUNISHER.COM THE PUNISHER ORIGINAL STORY BY GARTH ENNIS AND JIMMY PALMIOTTI www.thq.com/punisher PlayStation.e MATURE 17+ Blood and Gore Drug Reference Intense Violence “...DISHING OUT PUNISHMENT HAS NEVER BEEN MORE FUN." - GAMEDAILY www.thq.com ©2004 THA Inc. MARVEL, The Punisher and the distinctive likeness(es) thereof are trademarks of Marvel Characters, Inc. and are used with permission. ©2004 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. \wwwiimarvel.com. The Punisher is produced under license from Marvel Characters, Inc. Volition, Inc.®), THO and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THO Inc. All Rights Reserved. Strong Language Developed by Volition, Inc. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are property of their respective owners. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Xbox, and the Xbox logos are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries and are used under license from Microsoft. 2: connect gear home entertainment SCREENPLAY 4805 Manufacturer: InFocus Website: www.infocushome.com List Price: $1,299 Switching your home entertainment setup to a full HD wonder- land will probably require some finagling. For starters, most TVs won't have enough of the deliciously high-quality component inputs that a multi-console household needs. Pelican's redesigned HD System Selector will let you hook up to four systems through one input, as well as managing the same num- ber of Ethernet connections. For gigantic HD, InFocus' ScreenPlay 4805 will project a high definition 16:9 image up to nine feet wide, and performs better than its predecessors in rooms with windows - blackout curtains are still helpful, but not absolutely necessary anymore. HD SYSTEM SELECTOR Manufacturer: Pelican Website: www.pelicanperformance.com List Price: $79.99 BACK | toys | CLASSIC EA SPORTS TV GAMES Manufacturer: JAKKS Pacific Website: www.jakkstvgames.com List Price: $25 (Single Player), $35 (2-Рауег) With a catchy combination of low price, nostalgically loved titles, and easy no-console-required setup, Jakks Pacific's TV games line is arguably the coolest gamer-friendly gadget of the last year. Still, their titles had all been 8-bit classics riding on fond mem- ories — until now. Madden 95 and NHL 95 each offer full season modes and player stats along with the classic 16-bit titles. It even looks like a Genesis controller! NINTENDO DS SKINS Manufacturer: DecalGirl Website: www.decalgirl.com List Price: $9.99 Since Nintendo went the bland route and has only released the DS in silver, we think that pimping them out a bit might be the order of the day. DecalGirl offers around 50 designs, from sci-fi festering aliens to simulated hardwood. They won't even mess up the factory finish when removed, so you can redecorate your DS as often as you want, girlfriend! шш URBZ: MINIOPOLIS EDITION Manufacturer: Atomic Toys Website: www.atomictoys.com List Price: $5.00 b CHAINSAW CONTROLLER Manufacturer: Nuby Tech Website: www.nubytech.com List Price: $49.99 There's not much to say about this except that we want it. We want it really, really badly. Like kidney-selling badly (or maybe just MINI SETS platelets, because we're kind of squeamish sometimes). Anyway, Nice pocketable characters are becoming more and тоге com- Manufacturer: Joyride Studios Nuby's fully functional controller pays loving homage to the upcom- monplace for action figure lines. Joyride’s Halo 2 series offers a Website: wwwioyridestudios.com ing Resident Evil 4, and even has a speaker onboard that makes bounty of different sets and each three-inch figure comes with 3 rks ЈУ S menacing chainsaw noises! In case you're wondering, no, it doesn't a weapon or two. Atomic Toys' Series One Urbz Miniopolis line List Price: $10.99 (Iwo Pack), get much better than this. features 20 characters (16 people and four pets) which come $29.99 (Five Pack) in five-figure packages. 32 GAME INFORMER Зее ме 2005 MATURE ESRB CONTENT RATING 17% (2771117! CAPCOM CO.,LTD. 200. я crar. E PlayS ta tion.2 eee www.residentevil.com VED. RESIDENT EVIL, САРСО! son ia a годімогой 05, ОСАРСОМ U.S A. INC. 2004, 2 The Online icon is a trademark of Sony Computer Entr ALL RIGI mont America Inc. T Online play requires internet connection, Network Adaptor (for PlayStation2) and Memory Card (8MB) (for PlayStation 2) (each sold separately). АРСОМ LOGO CAPCOM CO., LTD. "Руди соппес! Opinion GAME DESIGN THEORY & PRACTICE RD ROUSE lll, 47 1 DESIGN DIRECTOR, SURREAL ш SOFTWARE, AUTHOR hen | first set out to write Game Design: Theory & Practice four years ago, doing a book purely about game design — and not about game programming — was a tough sell. It took some con- vincing to get my publisher to buy into the idea that such a book would find an audience. Up to that point almost all game development books had focused on game programming. Fortunately, Game Design: Theory & Practice did find an audience, enough for the publisher to request | update the book for a second edition. Today, as the second edition is finally coming out, there are quite a few books dedicated to the subject of game design. What does that say about the state of game development? Optimistically, it would appear today's developers have a keen interest in studying and mastering the fundamentals of game design, with the hope of making our games stron- ger and more compelling than ever before. Compared to game technology — which seems to change dramatically every six months — game design advances occur much more incrementally. Whereas books about game programming typically become outdated within a year of their release, game design principles have a much longer shelf Ше. When | started working on the second edi- tion, | found the original edition of Game Design: Theory & Practice was still very relevant to the challenges of modern game development. Of course, | found plenty to add to the book, since game design is a very complex subject that could never be fully covered in a single text. As a game designer you find that, as you work on more titles, you are constantly discovering new ways of foster- ing compelling gameplay. But at the same time, when compared to game technology, sometimes game design seems to hardly be progressing at all. Though technology marches ever onward, | maintain the public's ability to detect an improve- ment in the visuals in a game from one console generation to the next is decreasing. A friend of mine, a non-hardcore gamer, was barely able to tell the graphical difference between Spyro the Dragon for the PSone and Ratchet & Clank for the PS2. If she could not detect a difference in that extreme case, how will she see the differ- Richard Кош #4 ence between PS2 and PS3 titles? Games are just now reaching the point where they look so good, gamers will be seeking out improvements in something other than the graphics to motivate them to play the hot new game. Game design seems to be the prime area where games have plenty of room left to evolve and grow. One prominent trend in game design over the past four years is the continued blurring of genre lines. The wild popular and critical success of the recent Grand Theft Auto titles is a perfect example of this; they aren't just driving games, they aren't just action games, but they manage to incorporate elements of both to create an entirely new experi- ence for gamers. The mixture of existing gameplay genres can lead to entirely new genres being cre- ated, while at the same time causing old genres to die off. In Grand Theft Auto III's case, the new gameplay may be so compelling it makes games that focus on only driving or only action seem lim- ited and dated. Other recent stand-out examples of game genre blending include Deus Ex, Fable, and Jet Grind Radio, all games that recombined established game mechanics to create something truly innovative. My own game The Suffering sought to be unique by merging elements of first person shooters with survival horror games, something the sequel The Suffering: Ties that Bind will take to the next level. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas seems to have taken genre-blending to its limit by including RPG, strategy, and sim elements into one of the most complex multi-genre games ever. Beyond genre blending, over the past four years games have continued to advance in other slow but steady ways. More innovative in-game storytelling techniques allow us to finally start relying less on cutscenes and more on gameplay itself to communicate our narrative. More games (such as Deus Ex and Fable) are empowering gamers to live out their own "player's stories," instead of being locked into the primrose path of pre-determined "designer's stories" Games have inch by inch started exploring more "verbs" for player expression, moving beyond "to kill" and "to survive" and onto "to protect" (СО) or Чо grow" (Pikmin). Multiplayer games continue to be fertile ground for game design evolution, with MMOs Richard Rouse's | бате Design: Practice Second a Edition provide an interactive experience in a way no other popular art form can. The views and opinions expressed on this page are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Game Informer Magazine or its staff. being one of the few game spaces that allow play- ers to meaningfully explore the verb "to love" from within a game space. Nevertheless, the evolution of game design can seem frightfully slow. Whereas twenty years ago, significant variations in core game mechanics were commonplace from title to title, today new mechanics are significantly rarer. A big part of the successful evolution of game design comes not only from the creativity of designers themselves, but also from the publishers who fund a project's development, the press that reviews a title, and the public that buys the final game. Publishers, press, and gamers alike need to be willing to take а chance on new and innovative games instead of always falling back on the latest urban street racer or historical military FPS. These more conservative games may be perfectly entertaining, but they do little to explore the vast undiscovered country that is the promise of interactive entertainment. The success of a wildly original title like Katamari Damacy brings warmth to the hearts of game designers everywhere who yearn for a chance to really go out on a limb with a radical new game design concept. At the end of the day, games provide an interac- tive experience in a way no other popular art form can. The game's design defines the nature of that interactivity, and so it is innovative and compelling game design that is most likely to make people choose games over novels, films, or other artistic mediums. The promise of games is tremendous indeed. It is the responsibility of those of us pres- ent at the birth of the medium, both designers and gamers alike, to make sure game design con- tinues to evolve. B li Bi Richard Rouse Ш is design director at Surreal Software, a Midway Home Entertainment studio. Most recently, he was project lead, lead designer, and writer on the action-hor- ror title The Suffering, and is currently writing its sequel, The Suffering: Ties that Bind. Rouse has been developing games professionally for over a decade and in addition to The Suffering, his credits include Drakan: The Ancients’ Gates, Centipede 3D, Damage Incorporated, and Odyssey: The Legend of Nemesis. You can find more information and his book, Game Design: Theory & Practice at his web site, www.paranoidproductions.com/gamedesign. Your feedback is encouraged at gdip¶noidproductions.com If you work in the industry and would like to share your opinion, contact senior associate editor Matt Helgeson at matt@gameinformer.com. 34 GAME INFORMER oa Experience the fateful twists of a dynamic, evolving storyline. ila | а а! m M oe Жа ет LESE S S moe F- Ù = 8 Take the battle online with up to 4 players and USB headset support. wer Ma C 3^ JP. 4 4 ЖАУЫ жы Ше Ргоуе your might аз а Champion іп head-to-head агепа combat. Blood & Gore Violence т x Available February 2009 «ЕЕЕ. Arm yourself for the must-have sequel to the fiercest action RPG of 2004, Champions of Norrath? Champions: Return to Arms delivers the ultimate in action-packed, hack ^n' slash adventure! RETURN TO ARMS PlayStation.e srióWbhng SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT a Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth NEW RELEASES * Savage Safari Hunt - PS2 * Phantasy Star Trilogy - PS2 * Call of Cthulhu: Dark Comers of the Earth - PC * Iron Phoenix - Xbox 07 NEW RELEASES Fahrenheit - PC Empire Earth 2- PC World at War - PC Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death ~XbowGC/PC Motorcross Mania 3 - PS2/ NEW RELEASES Outlaw Volleyball: Remixed -PS2 Rave Master: Special Attack Force! - GBA Death by Degrees - Р52 Shadow of Rome - PS2 Phantom Crash 2050 — PS: Ys: Ark of Napishtim -aas -PS2 08 ` IMAGINA FEB 2-05 Held in Monaco, IMAGINA is also known as the European Digital Content Creation Trade Show. The expo brings together experts in all forms of digital content creation, induding animation, design, architecture, and (of course) video games. With so many techies in one place, you know Monaco will be jumpin’! |. The Sam Raimi-produced hor- ror flick Boogeyman creeps into theaters. Will the presence of Xena's Lucy Lawless be enough to keep it from totally sucking? 05 | Master of creepy art НА, Giger turns 65 today, E NY The world's classiest man, Jerry Springer, turns 61. He celebrates with lesbian strip- pers, drunken hicks, and two midgets, NEW RELEASES MX vs. ATV Unleashed - PS2/Xbox Dungeon Siege Il - РС Star Fox Assault - GC NEW RELEASES Sega Classics Collection - PS2 King of Fighters 2002/2003 - PS2 Project: Snowblind - PS2/Xbox/PC Mortal Kombat: Deception - GC Brothers in Arms - PS2/Xbox/PC Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner - PS2 Xenosaga Il: Jenseits Von Gut und -PS2 Tenchu: Fatal Shadows - PS2 Böse NEW RELEASES Champions of Norrath; Retum to Arms - PS2 Brothers In Arms 18 Keanu Reeves’ comic book adaptation Constantine hits theaters. Comic book nerd reaction ranges from extreme rage to less-extreme rage. мель! NEW RELEASES Wild Arms: Alter Code Р - PS2 20 KATUSCON 11 FEB. 18-20 Held in Arlington, Virginia, the convention is touted as а celebration of intemational animation, comics, and video games as serious forms of entertainment. As a video game magazine, we're all for highlighting these hobbies, but even we find Cosplay and Live-Action Role-Playing a little silly. "наи" NEW RELEASES Street Fighter Anniversary Collection - Xbox Shade: Wrath of Angels – N-Gage Tekken 5 - PS2 25 The much-delayed werewolf movie Cursed opens in theaters. It can't be all that bad - it's got Scott Baio! No, seriously. This is the ТЇП of ©. - America s Military Spear. | You’ re on Point. r¬ T the front lines of urban combat in Beirut. Lead a 4-man fire team that executes authentic Marine tactics. Moue aggressiuely, knouing your team gives you 360-дедгее security, and devastate your enemies with precise air and mortar attacks. Experience a first-person shooter so realistic, the Marines use ıt as a training tool. Play single-player, 4-man co-op, or go head-to-head ın the Fire Team Arena. = COMBAT FIRST TO FIGI THE REAL-LIFE COMBAT EXPERIENCES OF THE PROUD FEW. ppi Р TOOL DEVELOPED | STATES MARINES 4. COMING SOON Visit www.FirstToFight.com Visit www.esrb.org for updated rating PC information. CD-ROM [SOFTWARE Ж те Gum aome @ 2% хеох қ : DESTINEER © 2004 by Destineer Studios, Inc. All rights reserved. PC version published by Destineer Publishing Corp. Distributed exclusively by Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Xbox version published by Global Star under license by Destineer Publishing Corp. and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. First to Fight and Ready-Team-Fire-Assist are trademarks of Destineer Publishing Corp. Close Combat ıs a registered trademark of Atomic Games, Inc., and ıs used by Destineer under license. Destineer ıs a registered trademark of Destineer, Inc. Global Star, the Global Star logo, Take-Two Interactive Software and the A Таке? Company logo are all trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software. Microsoft, box, Xbox Live, the Live Logos and the Кох logos are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. The ratings icon ıs a trademark of the Entertainment Software Association. Mac and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. GameSpy and the "Powered by GameSpy" design are trademarks of GameSpy Industries, Inc. RII rights reserved. UNLIMITED ENABLED PLAYSTATION 21 XBOX | GAMECUBE M > STYLE 1 OR 2-PLAYER ACTION > PUBLISHER ACTIVISION > DEVELOPER SEVEN STUDIOS > RELEASE SUMMER " SN N H " iem | ғ» awı k2 2 In the past, video games based on movies were practically guar- anteed a painfully generic action/ latform title that utterly failed to ighlight anything cool about their censes. Fortunately, this trend eems to be turning around with pcoming games like Batman egins, as well as last year's henomenal The Chronicles of iddick: Escape from Butcher Bay. hankfully, Activision's Fantastic our (based on the movie releas- ing this summer) falls right into place amid this changing approach to licensed games. For developer Seven Studios, this project is far more than just cranking out a game in time to coincide with a film's release — it's an honor. It doesn't erae 13 2 5. юс take anything more than а stroll through their offices to realize that the team has a genuine passion for the source material; action figures, comic books, and wind-up versions of the Thing adorn nearly every wall, desk, and bookshelf. “The franchise has such a deep, rich history,” explains Lewis Peterson, the studio's president. “From our perspective, it is a historic opportunity to make a game involving one of the founding fathers of the comic book industry” Throughout their tenure, the Fantastic Four have fought dozens of diabolical villains, had countless disagreements among themselves, and even traveled to alternate dimensions. Yet through it all, one key concept has always remained integral to the series: Individually, they all have great strength, but only together do the members of the Fantastic Four achieve their true potentials. By embracing this notion in several ways throughout the game, Seven Studios ensures that its contribution to the Marvel universe goes well beyond simple licensed product — it gives gamers a chance to interact with the legend- ary foursome like never before. For the first time, players will not only witness, but also control and experi- ence these icons’ extraordinary abili- ties to their full extent. If you've ever wondered what it is like to have a vast array of super powers, you're about to find out. 18 Each character has а limited-use 7 û cosmic attack to use when the going gets tough ш Combining characters’ abilities is critical to success юш Attacks like these will » leave visible scars on the environment video games, it isn't difficult to tell players they are controlling a superhero — all it takes is a reasonable approximation of the character onscreen. The real trick, and the mark of a truly well-made title, is forging a connection with the character and making the powers so engrossing and fun to use that gamers effectively feel like they become the hero. When done well, these are the moments in gaming that are remembered for years. In 2004 alone, Fantastic Four publisher Activision put gamers in superhero-sized shoes as we swung through the streets of New York with Spider-Man, and fought alongside an entire regiment of X-Men. Fully aware of how engaging these experiences can be, the team at Seven is committed to providing a continuous flow of opportunities to use the impressive and diverse abilities of the Fantastic Four. "As a franchise, it lends itself well to amazing gameplay options that games have yet to take full advantage of,” proclaims Peterson. Given the team-centered nature of the subject matter, the most apparent of these options is the potential for cooperative play. Using a third-person action format (strikingly similar to Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone in terms of gameplay and mechanics), Fantastic Four will allow two players to play through the entire game together from start to finish — there are no boring stints re one player is forced to watch the other wander through a mansion. Many sections of the game will have the entire foursome in the fray (regardless of whether you're playing single-player or co-op), which means that you will be able to freely switch among characters with just the touch of the d-pad. This dynamic also allows the player to experience the full range of the Fantastic Four's unique abilities; the second you get tired of Ben Grimm's overpowering might, you can take control of Johnny Storm and start scorching foes from a distance. Of course, anyone who picks up the game will be eager to jump in and start wielding these stunning abilities, and Seven is wasting no time putting players in that position. Only a single stage will deal with the characters before they acquire their powers. "There's an anomaly coming towards the planet, and they go out into space to study it begins Peterson, though art director Damon Conn is quick to interject, "It's not like the nexus in Star Trek: Generations, though. It's a cool anomaly. Not one where William Shatner is riding around on his horse” Orbiting Earth on Victor Von Doom's research station, something goes wrong and the team is exposed to the anomaly's cosmic radiation. The introductory level, which also functions as a tutorial instructing players on basic movement and object interaction, deals with Ben Grimm's noble sacrifice as he systematically closes the station's radiation shields from the outside, protecting his companions within from further harm while exposing himself to even more disfiguring energy. After the mishap, the group finds themselves transformed and confined in Victor Von Doom's research hospital where they are tasked not only with escaping, but discov- ering the nature of the strange powers with which they have been infused. “In the film, the characters discover Johnny's flame attacks can set furniture, drapes, and even human enemies ablaze their powers in the hospital through different means, but in the game, the best way to discover them is through combat,” says lead designer Jeff Gardiner. “You get to experience them along with the character" As anyone familiar with Fantastic Four can testify, this means that there is bound to be a broad range of superhuman skills for each character to explore and develop. Each character's abilities lend themselves to particular gameplay styles. Ben is fairly simple and straight- forward - he's really big, and can punch really hard. He also has extended grapple options, so when he grabs a foe he can perform a series of painful suplexes or rabbit punches. Johnny is better suited for ranged combat, launching fireballs and erecting walls of flame to keep the enemy at bay. Reed In this stage, players will hear Ben’s rate of breathing constantly increase as he is exposed to higher levels of radiation is the most balanced, with considerable close-combat skills as well as long-range grapple throws. Then there is Sue, who has perhaps the most impressive mix of defensive and offensive capabilities. While invisible, she can deliver one-hit stealth kills, and if the enemies enga her at any range, she has the ability to subdue them with force encapsulation (a freezing maneuver), force blasts, and telekinetic throws. With skills like that, it's no wonder she is widely believed to be the most powerful of the group. All told, each character is capable of 40 moves, most of which are unique skills and combos that can be fully upgraded — and that doesn't just mean an additional damage modifier. As the attacks are powered up, they look and feel different, and transform into Se cover story ` Меапу everything you see in the environment can be picked up, destroyed, or otherwise manipulated 4ı # Doombots are actually just probes with other functions - like watering plants - until they sense danger and outfit themselves with armor. Tm Enemy Al features 50 brain variables. Foes break your blocks, strafe, and sneak up behind you. Other times, they just get punched # Though the Moloid King is the immediate „ the real threat is the short, fat guy with glasses: Mole Man E Locking-on to enemies opens a new set of moyements, like dodges and backflips шіп larger brawls, the team dynamics will play an important role A Se cover story ` Y gu j i different moves altogether. Furthermore, these e i modifications can be made at any point in any } س‎ ка L бы. level, providing you've еатед enough points ыз + й % 2 by defeating foes. "We found that with four e. < They've been around for over 40 years, but they've had their available heroes, you're never sure who you're `2 ups and downs іп terms of popularity. In case you've missed going to play next. You want to upgrade your Y ха * the ups, here's a quick primer course for anyone who doesn't character as soon as possible because that's P understand what makes the Fantastic Four compelling indi- what's useful to you at the moment," explains vidually, and how they complement each other as a team. Gardiner. Though there is a meter regulating the use of many of these abilities, it regener- ates quickly, and it is undoubtedly exhilarating to see the area-clearing bellyflops, room-span- ning punches, and psychic swords in full effect. These improvements may result in more astonishing (and powerful) pyrotechnic displays or feats of flexibility, but attack maneu- vers aren't the only way to see evidence of the heroes' special talents — these can be seen even when the powers aren't being used to lay waste to foes. When Reed gets hit in the face, his neck expands as his head is jarred backwards. Sue's block maneuver also functions as a force field that can deflect oncoming projectiles. As Johnny hovers above the ground, a heat shimmer can clearly be seen distorting the surroundings. Between these subtle details and the ostentatious displays of power, the game promises to be so immersive, you'll practically à feel the figure-hugging bodysuit. “What we did example, a boss fight with the Moloid King (a was focus on the experience, and made it so beast released by the infamous Mole Man) -— | that the characters and the levels give a good requires Sue to project restraining force fields | A hothead even before his transformation, feeling for what it is like to be the Invisible ZUM e cezwe mands wille денс E | | other Папа, being put in Ше shoes of these heroes means much more than displaying phenomenal cosmic powers; it makes you part of a team. The Fantastic Four have always been able to put aside individual differences to band together against a common foe, and this is no exception. Regardless of how many Doombots you destroy or civilians you save, the time will come when you need to call on the aid of your companions. The game takes multiple approaches to the theme of teamwork, even beyond its co-op feature. As the levels progress, players will find that it is not just a perk to be able to alternate control of the four heroes. Eventually, it becomes a necessity. Certain bosses cannot be defeated without the well-coordinated соорегайоп of the four team members. For The leader of the Fantastic Four and widely believed to be the smartest man on the planet (though Victor Von Doom would testify to the contrary), Reed is a scientist at heart. The cosmic accident left him with an elastic form, allowing him to modify the size and shape of his body at will. Living primarily in his mind, he is typically emotionally distant, though he does have romantic feelings for Sue. зА „4 Somewhat shy and reserved, Sue longs to be noticed (especially by Reed). Many would argue that if the Fantastic Four were to fight each other, Sue would emerge victorious. In addition to invisibility, she can project extremely powerful force fields as well as manipulate energy to create a wide array of psionic striking weapons. Sue is Johnny's sister, and despite their extraordinary powers, they still argue and compete like normal siblings. Johnny Storm is a loose cannon. With the Woman or Thing,” Peterson confides. On the Johnny attack its weak spot from afar. All the Û " power to surround himself with flames and | manipulate them, һе is wild апа extremely u capable offensively. He and Ben often take part in verbal sparring matches, though they are quick to put away their differences in the face of imminent danger. Though an integral part of the team, Johnny is often the instigator of its internal conflicts. Ben is the tragic hero of the group, sacrificing himself to spare his companions during the cosmic accident. As a result, he was the only one whose physical form was modified to the — point that he can't even pretend to be a normal human (despite ingenious trenchcoat-and-hat disguises). With his immense power, Ben is rock solid and dependable, though he still has trouble coming to terms with his lost humanity. A jungle in Tikal is'one — of the original locations created for the game Each character has 40 attacks, many of which are fully upgradeable while, Ben is tirelessly fighting off hordes of smaller minions to give the other three space to work. The boss fights aren't just about scoring as many hits as quickly as possible; there is an aspect of strategy to all of the major encounters. Another instance requiring the combined efforts of the entire Fantastic Four is in an event taken directly from the film. Still trying to cope with his transformation, Ben finds himself on the Brooklyn Bridge in the midst of a catastrophe. A fire truck teeters precariously over the water, and Ben realizes that only he can stop it from going over. At this point, the player maneuvers Ben over to the vehicle, where a minigame triggers and the buttons must be pressed rapidly in order to build up the strength to hold his grip. As the remain- ing three members of the team arrive, Ben struggles to keep the vehicle from plummeting Reed, Sue, and Johnny must each tackle their own similar minigames to contribute their skills to the rescue effort, as well. However, before moving right to the crisis at hand, the player can choose to use the team's abilities to save other nearby citizens in peril; Sue can create a force bubble to shield people from an explo- sion, while Johnny can pass through flames in order to carry others to safety. Ultimately, the Fantastic Four's cooperation in this mission marks their first, but certainly not their last, succi s a cohesive and unified group. While the entire team will be available for instances like these through much of the game, there are sections that are specifically designed for particular characters. "As for how players will get involved in the game, that is a fundamental," confirms Peterson. "We tailor: the experience to each character, made certain levi »ecifically for certain heroes, especially from a story standpoint" There may even be other surprises in store; though reluctant to give any further details, Gardiner mentions that "there will be portions where the play controlling characters who are not members of the Fantastic Four" With all of the secrecy sur- rounding this tidbit of information, something tells us it has got to be good — we wouldn't even rule out the possibility that it might even be the classic perennial nemesis Doctor Doom. ven if it turns out that he isn't playable, we'll still see plenty of the incomparable Doctor Doom in-game and onscreen. After all, the only way to see heroes’ abilities truly shine is when they are put to test it by a worthy adversary, and there could be no better villain to combat the Fantastic Four than the brilliant and spiteful Victor Von Doom. As the film's antagonist, he plays a key role in the game's events, but he is not the only force of evil at work. Building upon the foundation laid by the movie, other seminal villains such as Annihilus, Diablo, and Puppet Master will also make appearances as the story unfolds, After all, if the game were to exactly follow the movie plot without deviation, not only would it be too short, but we would miss a great opportunity to see some legendary bad guys back in action. In order to expand those areas of the game not covered in the film, Zak Penn, who authored the story for the 2005 blockbuster X2 (alongside Metal Gear Solid voice-over veteran David Hayter), was hired to write the additional material. “We've been talking to the studio to make sure that our experience is similar to their experience," says Jamie Bafus, the game's producer. "We following their storyline exactly, but of we hit on all the big moments that everyone will recognize.” Despite the game's cinematic roots, don't expect those big moments to be relayed purely through cutscenes and dialogue. “Our m The game is designed to accommodate both г - single-player and co-op E playthroughs ` ^ Il By satisfying certain goals, players can unlock bonus levels and arena battles GONCEPTUALÍDIFFERENCES Between the movie and the recent Ultimate Fantastic Four comics, many classic characters have already successfully made the move to the modern era. However, part of the challenge in creating the game is integrating old favorites that haven't seen a wardrobe update since the 70's. "Those versions were awesome, but we felt they might need a little modification," acknowledges lead artist Buck Chantel. Art director Damon Conn is more emphatic about the need to update the look, exclaiming, "In the old comics, they fight Galactus, but he's got short pants on! That was totally cool in 1969, but today it's like [grimaces] holy s@%*!” This is why fans will notice many familiar faces from the series have undergone complete overhauls in the visual depart- ment. Iconic villains like Annihilus and Diablo look sleeker and much more threatening than their previous incarnations. In fact, they bear many stylistic similarities to the redesigned Doctor Doom and Mole Man from the Ultimate Fantastic Four comic series. “Artistically, whenever we've been in doubt, we've looked to the Ultimate series as an example," admits Conn. Emulating an immensely popular comic series (the series has sold over 1.3 million copies to date) largely adored by fans hasn't steered them wrong yet, as these conceptual drawings illustrate. 5 INFO ign philosophy is that the player should feel like a part of the action,” Gardiner insists. “The cutscenes are good for furthering the story, but they shouldn't show you the big explo- sions — you should feel those” The approach fits well with the game's ultimate goal of the player an idea of what it would be like to actually wield the powers of the Fantastic Four. "Of course, we had to do some story settir adds Peterson. “But the bottom line is that people want to play as super heroes, and there are so many chances to explore what is cool and interesting about the characters.” At its core, the game takes the energy and enthusiasm currently revitalizing the Fantastic Four franchise and refocuses it into an interac- tive form that can be experienced in a multitude of ways. Whether creating blazing infernos or projecting energy fields, there is something undeniably fun about such vast power at your fingertips. The Fantastic Four may have som interpersonal issues to contend with, but this isn't a group-therapy game. It's all about action, overkill, and conquering seemingly insurmount- able odds. The world needs to be saved, the enemies’ numbers are staggering, and you control the most powerful humans on the planet. In the words of Ben Grimm: “#5 clob- berin' time” Director of the upcoming Fantastic | Four motion picêdîê At the creative helm of the Fantastic Four filmyTim Story's approach to these important characters and their surroundings has ramifications beyond simply what we see on the movie screen. His vision for the universe affects the feel of the environments, the appearance of the enemies, and the general tone of thé franchise - all of which are also represented in Seven Studio's upcom- ing game. Game Informer recently had the opportu- nity to speak with Story and hear his thoughts on the current state of the Fantastic Four, its characters, and Hollywood's ties to gaming. What is the biggest challenge in translating the Fantastic Four into a modern context? Figuring out how to make the use of their powers within the story organic. In the comic book, Johnny is always on fire, but nothing catches on fire near him We had to make it so he can actually be in a room with people, flame on, and have it make sense. For Sue, we've all seen characters that go invisible, but how do you make it more than what we've seen? The biggest challenge has been taking the comic book and making the powers seem natural for the characters and what they are going through Nhat do you think makes the Fantastic Four such compelling heroes? They're normal people. They don't necessarily like each other all the time, but they love each other. Putting the super powers aside, they're just like you and 1. They respond just as we might if we got zapped by a cosmic storm. The Fantastic Four runs out of milk just like everybody else. You can envi- sion them in the shower getting pissed off when the water goes cold because someone flushed the toilet in the house. That's what makes them compelling. You can relate to everything they are going through How does Dr. Doom differ from your average villain? What I've always loved about Dr. Doom is his hatred of Reed Richards. It's complete jealousy. There aren't a whole lot of villains out there whose intentions are extremely pure. Even when they say “I'm going to take over the world," it isn't as specific as this Dr. Doom just wants to get rid of Reed Richards. It's plain and simple. He just hates Reed, and at the end of the day, it's not much bigger than that. Of course, he's brilliant and able to go toe-to-toe with Reed, so it's a fight of the minds to a large degree. With the release of the Ultimate Fantastic Four ics, have you made any conceptual changes te to the recent re-envisioned Fantastic Four universe? | must admit, | like that series an awful lot. | love the tone of it. They're younger in that comic than we are portraying them, but I've kind of taken what І gotten from the UFF and said, "That's the right tone" It's serious, but it's got some antics to it. They have a lot of fun with the material, but at the same time it's very intelligent. | think it brings a whole other world и \ to the Fantastic Four. I've also borrowed a lot of the film's look from the Ultimate Fantastic Four and Marvel Knights series. We try to keep the spine of what made each of these characters who they are. How does your previous work with Barbershop's ensemble cast affect your approach to characters? | try to keep them at each other's necks. There's always that banter going back and forth. I just love it when families argue - there's no resolution, but at the same time they have to come together and help each other. That's what this film is about. There's not a lot of resolution to what they are going through, but at some point they have to put that fight aside, and go fight something else. It's the rule of the com- mon enemy. What do you think of the game so far? 1 was shown some of the early stuff, and what was really cool about it was that they found a way to make the characters fight in a cool way. One of the biggest problems to solve in the movie was "how do they fight?" It's not that easy to set up a fight with Reed Richards, because the guy isn't super strong, but he can make a fist the size of a body. Does that mean it's more strength or just more mass hitting you? How far does he stretch? You have to take the physics into consideration, and they've done a great job with that the partnership of games and movies =Ipful as bei r is it just another set of suits to satisfy? І knew when | got into this what | was signed up for. Though it is sometimes taxing because there are a lot people to talk to while still trying to be 100 per- cent creative, and it can be hard to be creative when you're exhausted. But the Fantastic Four is practically a culture, and І knew going into the movie, | was just going to be presenting one element of what this universe is. There are toys, other comics, TV series, Halloween costumes, and video games. Although sometimes taxing and frustrating, it is extremely sat- isfying to be a part of a family in terms of product, where you have support from so many different areas, that allows you to put something together that will be supported on so many different levels. | must admit, | can only see the positives of it Se cover story 45 25 feature | contents The Year in Review O EÊ 2004 EZ The Top 50 Games of 2004 . | The Тор 10 Heroes y : @ of 2004 | ul The Top 10 Villains of 2004 The Top 10 Disappointments of 2004 The Top 10 Developers of 2004 The Top 10 Publishers of 2004 The Top 10 Biggest Dorks of 2004 The Top 10 Worst Games of 2004 The sun began to set on this genera- tion of console systems in 2004, as the industry started to look towards the future of gaming. Gamers were rewarded with tons of exciting announcements for the future, as well as a mind-boggling number of great games to play, including the two most anticipated games of all time: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Halo 2. The PC also showed the world that it's still the place to go for cutting-edge gaming. Blockbuster titles abounded, including The Sims 2, Half-Life 2, Doom 3, and the epic World of Warcraft. Even more exiting was the fact that we had two new handhelds to obsess over: the Nintendo DS and the Sony PlayStation Portable. Both have the potential to take handheld gaming to levels we couldn't have imagined a few years ago. To celebrate the year that was 2004, we've put together a Year in Review feature that chronicles the highlights and low points of the last 12 months. Also, we've again picked out the 50 Best Games of the Year, presented to you in chronological order. While we did single out one title as the year's best, the rest are simply put forward as examples of development excellence. Hopefully, you'll see some things you like and a few titles that you may have overlooked. GAME INFORMER. 47 ге feature T H E Y E 1 Marvel appointed Ames Kirshen to head its new games development division. Perhaps eyeing its huge receipts from sales of Activison's $ 2 games, Marvel felt it necessary to focus more of its energies in the profitable game licensing market. .дезпшевз А В EVAN @ Microsoft head honcho and very rich person Bill Gates used the annual Consumer Electronics Show to announce the Xbox Media Extender kit, which would allow users to utilize Media Center PCs to transmit all types of media to their Xbox and televisions. ASME VIN SE МИ 3 The sneaky bunch at Rockstar, noting the numerous game web- sites that track new copyrights online, registered a slew of erroneous names to throw the off the track of the new GTA title. Names claimed by the company included GTA: Bogota, GTA: Tokyo, and GTA: Sin City. 4 Bungie and small firm Nightmare Armor joined forces to create the year's most bitchin’ game accessory: real Master Chief armor! Made of fiberglass and aluminum, and even featur- a blue glow behind the visor, costume was announced to retail for a hefty $3,500. 5 Electronic Arts snagged two quality titles from financially struggling publishers Acclaim and Eidos, buying the rights to Burnout 3 and TimeSplitters 3. Talk about kicking a company when they're down! Burnout 3 was a sign of things to come for EA and developer Criterion. 6 Video games are making money. This might not seem like news, but in January the Entertainment Software Association announced that total sales of PC and console software eclipsed the $7 billion mark in 2003. This was a new record, up from $6.35 billion in 2002. Nintendo and Capcom: The Honeymoon's Over | Capcom and Nintendo to clusives to the GameCube The partnership betwe deliver five high-profile began to show cracks in January when it announced that Killer 7 was coming to the PlayStation 2. By year's end, only one of the "Capcom 5" (the commercial flop P.N.03) would remain exclusive to the ‘Cube. The following months would see an enhanced ort of Viewtiful Joe (and a version of Viewtiful 2) and the announcement that Resident Evil 4 was coming to PlayStation 2 as well. The other of th Capcom 5, Dead Phoenix, dropped off the radar entire and has most likely been cancelled. One thing is clear: Capcom's strategic alliance with Nint ) has proved to be a massive miscalculation on the publish | Сапсу Promotes Porn, Е The Internet is а wild place, a lesson that Ubisoft learned the...um...hard way in January, when it found itself the unwitting dupe of a pornographic website. The scandal started when quick-witted Texas gamer, Tony Ashcraft, noticed that a fictional URL was displayed on the bottom of some posters in a level of Ubi's hit Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3. A quick check of the Internet (or "Internets" as they're khown in Texas) demonstrated that the URL was in fact unregistered. Ashcraft quickly scooped up the domain and sold advertising to several pornographic sites. After ‘ CNN/Money broke the story, the tale was soon the talk of the ‘Net, and Ubisoft was none too pleased. The company promised that, in the future, all websites referenced in its games would be official (and non-pornographic) in nature. In other sexy news, another company, Tecmo, made waves in January with news that a Japanese-only DOA/ Xbox bundle would include not only a special edition blue console but a full-sized “love pillow" bearing the bikini-clad likeness of Kasumi, one of the series’ most popular characters. After a small furor erupted regarding said “love pillow,” Tecmo relented and altered the d to depict Kasumi in a more modest outfit. Which, of course, made the whole thing not the least bit creepy. ake 2 Interactive (parent company of Rockstar Games) released a statement that reduced its projected earn- ings for the quarter ending in January by nearly $30 million. Apparently, this financial hatchet job was pulled by an insider: the famously terse detective Max Payne. Although there were several factors that figured in to Take 2's weakening earnings, the key culprit was disappointing sales of Rockstar's would-be blockbuster Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne. Thankfully, the failure wasn’t enough to sink the franchise for good, as Take 2 later confirmed that there would be a Max Payne 3 in the future. However, Payne developer Remedy appeared to take the fall for the subpar sales, as reports soon circulated that the company had been pulled from the next installment of the series. In one of the year's most surprising internal shakeups, Microsoft Game Studios’ Ed Fries г ед his post as vice president of game publishing. While many in the industry were sad to see one of most visible figureheads leave the company, the split did seem to be amicable on both sides, with Fries waiting a few ) make the official decision while his successor, Shane Kim, got up to speed. Kim initially held the position on an interim basis, but was later given the helm of Microsoft Сате Studios permanently. In the months following Fries' resignation, Microsoft trimmed its jettisoning many projects that were not deemed viable. One of tf games lineup, was Psychonauts, a surrounding his leaving, Fries’ legacy is apparent in many of the 5 work under the Microsoft banner, including Ensemble Studios and FPS geniuses Bungie, which Fries worked to recruit to Xbox. Later in the year, the fruits of this effort would pay off handsomely with the release of Halo 2. 48 GAME INFORMER MYSTIC MICROSCOPIC. — CONQUERER) pee VOU сам Use TH€ POWER OF THE p сар то GET SMALL AND UNLOCK CLUES ON YOUR QUEST: TO SAVE HYRULE. | THE LEGEND ОЕ ZELDA®: THE MINISH CAP. ла Е. ” ONLY FOR GAME BOY ADVANCE. ттт” ù = „Ъэм nr EVERY f Шың Е қ GAME BOY ADVANCE р Е Mild Fantasy Violence И CONTENT RATED BY | ESRB 2004, 2005 Nintendo. TM, ® and the Game Boy Advance log trademar Nintend 004 Nint севашевоз ЕЕЕ M LE ^ Cyan World's much hyped online adventure service, Uru Live, was cancelled by the devel- oper. Myst creator Rand Miller said the project was shelved because it had failed to generate subscriber base. Myst fanatics were understandably devastated by the news. А R LUN 2 The ЮСА announced that veteran designer Mark Cerny would receive its Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming Game Developer's Conference. Cerny has worked on such series as Marble Madness, Crash Bandicoot, and Sonic the Hedgehog. Во ве МОЕ 3 Although Ееаг Effect: Inferno itself will likely never see the light of day due to developer Kronos’ untimely demise, game filmmaker Uwe Boll (House of the Dead) optioned the movie rights to the lesbian thriller title. In other news, Uwe Boll is, like, the worst director ev 4 In February, Nokia CEO Jorma Ollila admitted that the com- рапуз N-Gage handheld “had its work cut out” and that sales “are in the lower quartile of the bracket we had as our goal is like saying the flight of the Hindenberg “failed to meet expectations.” 5 Sensing the flagging fortunes of the franchise, Ubisoft dropped The Matrix Online. In the mean- time, developers Monolith and Warner Bros. continued work on the game, which was eventually picked up by Sega. To celebrate, Larry Wachowski bought a pretty new dress! Б Former Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi said that it would reveal "something new at E3 2005, which will use the GameCube as its parent body” He said that the system wouldn't be "high tech," because "con- sumers aren't demanding for leading edge technology" Game Boy Is The Bomb - Literally! Ah, Americans. Give us a box-like object, and odds are we'll make a bomb out of it. That's just the way we were raised. In February, Houston, TX authorities were shocked to learn that a Livingston Junior High student had actually converted his previously whole- some Game Boy into a bomb. Apparently, the unnamed student had stripped the electronic guts from his handheld and replaced Ne them with gunpowder. Predictably, his plot was foiled by his own big mouth: Another student heard © him bragging about the explosive o scheme and tipped off a police hotline. The student was arrested with the Game Boy bomb on a school bus travelling to a track meet. Fortunately, the bomb didn't ji , го off and по one was hurt during | the incident. = RADAR PIRACY STINGS THE GAME INDUSTRY Game piracy has dogged the industry since its inception, but events in 2004 showed just how serious the problem has become. Early in the year, hacker Sean Michael Breen was sentenced to 50 months in prison for bootlegging over $500,000 in illegal games with members of the Razor1911 piracy ring. Later, in April, the FBI conducted Operation Fastlink, a series of over 120 raids on illegal piracy rings in 27 states and several foreign countries. In an unrelated case, Atari, EA, and Vivendi Universal filed suit against the makers of Games X Copy, PC software that would allow users to easily make copies of their computer games. Despite law enforcement's efforts, matters got worse as the year went on. In August, Valve's Gabe Newell confirmed that source code for Half-Life 2 had been stolen by hackers who had used keystroke recorders installed in Valve’s ‘email system. The year’s other high-profile PC FPS, Doom 3, was also leaked to peer-to-peer sharing networks days before its August release. The BBC reported that at any one time, over 50,000 copies of Doom 3 were being downloaded, resulting in millions of dollars of lost sales. Things were no better on the console side, as both Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and a French-language version of Halo 2 were circulat- ing the ‘Net well before their respective release dates. These leaks were rumored to have origi- nated from employees at DVD manufacturing plants. The Entertainment Software Association estimates that the industry loses at least $3 billion a year from piracy. Based on results of a Macrovision study conducted in 2004, which found that 52 percent of all PC gamers played pirated games, this number will only increase in the future. EA Puts Origin Systems To Sleep Note to developers: You might want to think twice before selling your company to EA. The 800-ІБ. gorilla of the game industry has shown a strong predilection for dissolving development houses that it acquires and assimilating the remaining staff into its existing studios in recent years. In 2003, famed RTS house Westwood got the ax, and this year saw an equally influential developer disassembled by EA. Origin Systems, the house that Richard Garriott built, was famous for it's pioneering RPG series Ultima, which began to explore the vast expanse of cyberspace when EverQuest was yet but a germ of an idea. Garriott, who left for NCsoft after selling Origin to EA, was unaffected by the move, but many staffers who were unwilling or not asked to make the move to EAs Redwood Shores complex were out of a job. Later in the year, EA pulled the plug on Ultima X: Odyssey, but said it would continue supporting Ultima Online. сесто UNnLessHeS mosuermn nınJe ecmo did right by its fans with the announcement of the Master Ninja Tournament, one of the coolest online contests in the history of video games. In February, fans salivated at the prospect of competing for the title against combatants around the globe. Later in the year, this trickle of drool turned into a raging river when Tecmo revealed that the Master Ninja Tournament would actually make use of not one, but two downloadable Gaiden expansion packs - the Hurricane Packs Vol. 1 and II, which featured new enemies plus enhanced and new levels. Throughout two rounds, players the world over battled for high scores and the right to spar in the Master Ninja finals at the Tokyo Game Show. 50 GAME INFORMER me Þ CH ге feature 3 YE Асо | N ВЕ Ус аре ЕМ PA Ы 1 In April, the world was sad- 2 GameCube, which was 3 Bill Carlton's bid to break the 4 Adventure game fans were 5 Black & White and Fable creator © Nintendo thrilled old-school dened by the news that Castle selling so poorly in 2003 that Asteroids world record score angered by LucasArts’ decision Peter Molyneux, who invented the gamers with the announcement Wolfenstein creator Silas Warner production was actually halted, of 41 million points was foiled to cancel the upcoming Sam "God Game" genre, was deserv- of a dassic NES series special was dead. Warner's work in the bounced back following its when the arcade unit he was & Max Freelance Police, the edly inducted into the Academy edition GBA - a unit emblazoned industry helped lay the founda- price drop to $99. Sales were so playing on at the Ground Kontrol much anticipated sequel to the of Interactive Arts and Sciences with graphics reminiscent of tion for the action/adventure strong that the unit was nearly Arcade in Portland, OR broke legendary Sam & Max Hit the Hall of Fame at the annual DICE — the 8-bit console. The unit was genre and also provided the sold out in the U.S., requiring down. At the time, Carlton had Road. LucasArts cited "market Summit. Introducing Molyneux at timed to release with a series inspiration for Wolfenstein 3D, Nintendo to relocate consoles amassed 12.7 million points in place realities" as the reason for the ceremony was none other than of NES GBA reissues, including the first FPS ever made. from other territories to America. 27 straight hours of play. the move. GI's own Andy McNamara. Excitebike and Super Mario Bros. XSN Sports: "We're Not Dead, We're Only Resting!” e U e 2 Q U € ŠS — Microsoft, which had struggled to compete with the likes of Visual Concepts and Electronic Arts in the competitive sports game market, announced that it would not be releasing its PX ЕЗ шу е [= E S usual slate of sports entries in 2004. Affected titles included NFL Fever, NBA Inside Drive, NHL Rivals, and MLB Inside Pitch. Microsoft Game х Studio's Kevin Brown stated plainly, “They're just not m г L. e e Ғ. C ri e as competitive as we want them to be” 2 > 4 E Initially, the company claimed to be only "resting" the franchises in order to work on bringing them back with a greater level of quality. However, later in the year it became apparent that the changes were permanent when Microsoft shuttered its sports studio in Redmond, WA and laid off 76 employees. Rubin Leaves Naughty Dog Naughty Dog co-founder Jason Rubin had a newsmaking year in 2004. It started at the annual DICE convention, where he gave an impassioned speech regarding what he felt was the mistreatment of the development community by publishers. During the speech, he commented, “The extent to which developers are disrespected is extreme,” and went on to suggest that the development community should organize to earn a greater degree of influ- ence over marketing and management. Later in the month, he shocked everyone by announcing that he was leaving Naughty Dog (and Parent company Sony) to strike out on his own. “I now want to take on new challenges and create something new. | want to refuel my passion for the business of gaming,” he claimed. However, he said he bore no ill will towards Sony, who he praised as an excellent partner, and did stay on through the large part of the year to help complete work on the company's excellent sequel, Jak 3. Rumors that Rubin was going to leave gaming for partnerships in Hollywood abounded, but he has yet to unveil his plans for the future. Rubin departed with Naughty Я Dog co-founder апа programming genius Andy Gavin in January of 2005. өр H ka Boxer Arguello g n March 16, Sony Online Entertainment's ultra- Sucker Punches EA © popular MMORPG celebrated its fifth year of Lawsuits are fairly common in video games. continuous play. Although others were first, However, it's never good to get in a legal dispute EverQuest did much to popularize the genre, as its addictive with someone that can knock you out with one gameplay helped spawn such terms as “EverCrack” and “EQ punch. In Match, The Los Angeles Times reported that widows.” While its long-awaited sequel, EverQuest П, wouldn’t be former boxing great Alexis Arguello had filed suit against T x 2 8 5 quer я P E Electronic Arts, Nintendo, and Sony for the illegal use of k released until late in the year, things continued as usual in the his likeness in EA Sports Knockout Kings series. virtual world of Norrath, with over 100,000 people playing at one Although many famous boxers have been recreated in time during peak periods. Knatot Kings, АГ took exception to EAS use of his Over its five year run, EverQuest has sold over 2.5 million physical appearance and boxing style in the title without any 3 T : compensation. Ironically, it was fne game's success that copies, апд изиайу boasts about 420,000 dedicated users. Sony tipped off Arguello - who is not a gamer - to his inclu- estimates that total playtime for all current characters would sion in the Knockout King's roster. Apparently, he was equal about 184,000 years. Scary. Although the MMORPG genre Ша ү В иа youhe оӊ fan ê has had its problems, EQ's continued success demonstrates the ои а. иа Sa eee N strong allure that virtual worlds will hold for many in the years to come. GAME INFORMER 51 feature > S2 PAIL T НЕ AN EE OA SUR. April Fool's Day jokes are a The year's most notable exec- The Nielsen Ratings, the bible tradition in the industry, but utive departure was the exodus of TV advertising, teamed up Blizzard pulled off a particularly of EA president and COO John with Activision to announce funny hoax concerning its epic Riccitiello, who led the company that they would be starting World of Warcraft when they since 1997 and was probably the a new program to track the announced a fictional new most powerful man in the game effectiveness of in-game market- race - the Two-Headed Ogre. industry. Little is known about ing. Hope you like ads in your Gullible fans made it the talk of ^ his reasons for leaving. games! This could get out of the Warcraft boards. hand in a hurry. сезопео ъ-ене- o one paid much attention | d when Majesco announced that it would be releasing new technology that allowed gamers to play full-motion video on their Game Boy Advances. However, in April it became clear that the company meant busi- ness when it was confirmed that it had signed deals to produce GBA video carts for two major licensees - Cartoon Network and Nintendo's Pokémon television series. As 2004 went on, GBA video began to look like the best business deci- sion of the year. The budget-priced carts, which hold up to 45 minutes of video, flew off the shelves and high- profile companies were soon lining up at Majesco's door. Deals were inked to distribute titles from hugely popular kids properties like Nicktoons, 4Kids (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Yu-Gi-Oh!), and Strawberry Shortcake. By year's end, even Disney was on board, with Buena Vista licenses including Kim Possible and Lilo & Stitch. A financial statement Majesco released in September showed a net revenue of $33.9 million, up from $4.0 million the year before, with over 79 percent of total sales being attributed to Game Boy Advance Video product. It's safe to say that the only ones laughing at GBA Video now are Majesco - all the way to the bank. 52 GAME INFORMER Hong Kong cinema legend Silicon Knights, creator of Viacom CEO Sumner Redstone John Woo shocked Nintendo Eternal Darkness, became a filed papers with the SEC allow- fanboys by purchasing the film free agent in April. Founder ing him to purchase more rights to the Metroid series Dennis Dyack revealed that its shares of Midway. Later in the through his game firm, Tiger Hill exclusivity deal with Nintendo year, he did just that, eventually Studios. The director is attached had ended, and that Silicon acquiring over 80 percent of to two other game-related film Knights would be pursuing proj- Midway's shares and nominating adaptations: Spy Hunter and ects on all platforms, including his daughter for the board of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six. Nintendo's. directors. BBC Dishes Dirt On Nintendo The BBC released a controversial documen- tary about Nintendo in April, as part of its Outrageous Fortunes series. According to the BBC, the series' purpose is to "[go] in search of the truth behind the biggest brands in the world and the families that control them” In the episode, host Libby Potter traveled to Japan to interview such Nintendo luminaries as former head (and company kingpin Hiroshi Yamauchi's son-in-law) Minoru Arakawa, who ran the company through the “805 and ‘90s, and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto. Arakawa detailed the struggles related with running the company under the stern leadership of Yamauchi, who was portrayed as a ruthless and demanding businessman that fired his own cousin from the family business. Potter pressed Miyamoto on why he has never received royal- ties on any of his creations (which eamed Yamauchi a fortune of over $1.4 billion), choosing instead to remain a salaried employee. The documentary also made more sinister charges against Nintendo, claiming that it was aware that some of its games could cause seizures in children and chose to do nothing to remove the offending sequences from its titles. According to Potter's report, the company refused to turn over incriminating documents regarding seizures until it was twice found in contempt of court by an American judge presiding over a case brought by the family of a child that had suffered seizures as a result of its products. Strong stuff, which — luckily for Nintendo — didn't receive much press coverage in 2004. Outrageous Fortunes host Libby Potter ON THE RADAR Phantom Phollies! Infinium Labs and its would-be Phantom console made news in April when a former execu- tive sued the firm for fraud and breach of contract, then retracted the claim the very same day. This made April, well, pretty much like every other month of the year in the topsy-turvy world of Phantom. Things started strong when Infinium unveiled the unit at CES in January (which turned out to look nothing like the final retail model). However, shortly after a list of publishing partners was posted to its website, the company quickly pulled it off and deemed it a "temporary list" Despite the egg on its face, the company gained some credibility at the end of the month when it named former Microsoft exec Kevin Bachus COO and president of Infinium Labs. However, the smooth sailing didn't last, as Infinium caused a scandal when it threatened legal action against the Internet site HardOCP, which had published a story regarding the checkered business past of Phantom founder Timothy Roberts. A letter threatening a suit was soon posted on the ‘Net, which caused Infinium to earn the ire of many in the online gaming community. E3 was a highlight of the year for Phantom, as the company won strong press by dem- onstrating a slickly redesigned unit playing actual games. But, instead of capitalizing on this new momentum, things took another downward turn when a September SEC filing revealed that the company had only $124,226 in cash on hand, and a "working capital deficiency of $5,962,226" Despite the grim financial news, several big publishing partners were officially announced, including Eidos, Atari, Vivendi Universal, and Codemasters. All in all, it was a busy year for Infinium, which is probably why the company had to break its scheduled November 15 Phantom launch date to allow its retail partners "more time to plan promotional and merchandising activities" — pushing the release of the console into early 2005. е-епаптфт ) V V СЭГ Г ЛЕЕ. BROADBAND ONLY) RATING PENDING Visit www.esrb.org for updated rating information. ji Li ) FREES PlayStation. RADICAL jlne play not available on all platforms. INTERNET CONNECTION required for online play. PlayStatlond®2 online play requires Internet Connection, Network Adaptor (ог PlayStation 2) and Memory Card (ВМВ) (lor PlayStation 2) (each sold separately), Check platform box for online play. Se feature T mow HE X: E ААВ eT uM ВЗЕХ ЛЕ 1 Konami announced that it would be releasing a comic book series based on its legend- ary Metal Gear Solid franchise in May in partnership with IDW Publishing. Artist Ashley Wood, who worked on the Curse of Spawn series, was tapped as the artist for the project. 3 After receiving a prime spot т Sony's СОС press conference, Backbone Entertainment's PSP title, Death Jr, was optioned for а movie to rected by Larry Guterman (Antz). Not bad foi game that isn't even out yet! 2 In May, Japanese Pachinko giant Sammy revealed that it would be merging with Sega by exchanging stock for the remaining Sega shares it did not already own. Sammy, an up-and- coming game publisher, hoped to merge its financial might with Sega's game know-how. here's no event larger than E3 in video games, and this year's convention had everything you would expect. As usual, big news abounded on many fronts. Increasingly, the really huge revelations happen not on the floor itself, but at the pre-show press conferences. Microsoft kicked things off with a conference that highlighted its strong product lineup for the coming months as well as its highly touted XNA develop- ment platform. The not-so-shocking surprise of the night was the announcement that Electronic Arts had decided to bring its vaunted EA Sports lineup to Xbox Live, a huge coup for the company. Sony and Nintendo focused on their upcoming handhelds, the PlayStation Portable and the Nintendo DS, respectively. Nintendo's conference was handled by its new VP of sales and marketing, Reggie Fils-Aime, who became an instant Internet sensation with a fiery speech. For Sony, the show was the first time it gave gamers the chance to see and touch the PSP, if not actually play it. Other than these highlights, it was largely business as usual at E3, as big games were played, booth babes groped, and free drinks guzzled by the gallon. 54 САМЕ INFORMER 4 The industry (or at least Visual Concepts) breathed a sigh of relief when it was revealed that a rumor printed in The Sports Business Journal that had EA Sports snag- ging the exclusive rights from Players, Inc. to produce NFL games was just that - a rumor. Or, so we thought... ON THE RADAR GAMES GET SLEAZY In May, Eidos announced that its dirty-minded Sims knockoff, Singles: Flirt Up Your Life (which allows characters to perform intimate acts onscreen), would receive the ESRB's rare Adults Only rating. The uncut version was available for purchase online for weeks before a tamer M-rated version hit store shelves. But this was only one of the classy events in a year that saw games turning up the sleaze factor. AtE3, Eidos also hosted an autograph signing by world-famous porn star Tera Patrick, who was also a character in the company's Backyard Wrestling 2. Not to be outdone, Vivendi Universal showed off Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude, updating gaming's original dirty old nerd series for a new generation. Despite depicting everything up to and including sports mascot sex, the title earned an M-rating as well, although an AO PC version was eventually released. Other notable demonstrations of good taste included Top Heavy Studios’ (tee hee!) The Guy Game, which wedded actual Girls Gone Wild-style video footage of topless women to amateurish trivia gameplay in creating the year's most exploitive and shoddy release. Also baring mammaries in public was Majesco's BloodRayne, who “posed” nude in a video game-themed October issue of Playboy. Rounding out the year was MTV 2's Video Mods, which features scantily clad characters from such titles as Jade Empire and the risque Outlaw Golf 2 miming along embarrassingly to current pop hits by Black Eyed Peas and others. Now, why is it that video games don't get taken seriously as an art form again? 5 Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu and the LA Philharmonic thrilled Square fans with an E3 concert featur- ing most of his famous FF com- positions. The show was held at the awe-inspiring Walt Disney Concert Hall, and was an event for the ages. 6 Microsoft showed off its new Xbox Live Arcade service, which would allows gamers to down- load and play classic arcade, puzzle, and casual games for a small fee. The service includes classics like Ms. Pac-Man and Dig Dug as well as cell phone staples like Bejeweled. Warner Bros. Says “Make Good Games - Or Else!” | Warner Brothers, keeper of such high-profile licenses as The Matrix, turned heads in the publishing community when the company's Jason Hall revealed that royalties on WB's licensed video game products would be tied to published game review scores. Basically, if a title fails to receive a 70 percent or above score on sites like Metacritic.com or GameRankings.com, the publisher must pay Warner Brothers higher royalties. "The bad games are over," Hall boasted to the Hollywood Reporter. Many in the game industry took exception to this new policy, including Atari president Bruno Brunell, whose company published the com- mercially successful but critically panned Enter the Matrix. "Are they joking?" Brunell scoffed. Hip-hop fashion icon Marc Ecko decided to get his game on at E3 with the announcement that he had teamed up with Atari to create an urban-themed action/ adventure title called Marc Ecko's Getting’ Up: Contents Under Pressure. Ecko, a longtime gamer, felt that urban culture had never been accurately reflected in a video game, and stated that Getting’ Up would provide the authenticity that the market craves in a post-GTA world. The title itself centers on a young graffiti tagger named Trane, who uses his art to rebel against a corrupt politi- cal system in a fictional city called New Radius. While some wrote it off as just another marketing gimmick, the initial screens and video released of the game look quite promising indeed. / SOMETIMES THE BEST, FRIEND YOU’VE ВОТ IS YOU. е2 BATTLE FROM 1920 ТО 2450. JUMP THROUGH ANNIHILATE ROBOTIC, RESURRECTED OR SYNC-UP ONLINE FOR INTENSE 1 6-PLAYER TIME TO SAVE YOUR PAST OR FUTURE SELF LIVING ENEMIES WITH A WICKED ARSENAL. TEAM COMBAT & DEATH MATCHES 1 Toyota offered fans а playable preview of Sony's Gran Turismo 4 in June, a demo of the game featuring its hybrid Prius car. The disc was offered free to shop- pers that requested brochures on the Prius and other Toyota vehicles on the company's website. 2 Microsoft scrapped Level 5's Xbox Live MMORPG True Fantasy Live Online. Microsoft stated the reasons for the cancellation credibly crowded and е marketplace” and quality issues. No doubt the Xbox's non-existent Japanese user base was a factor as well. 3 Omaha teen Kimber Wilson, 15, suffered a heart attack during a session of Konami's popular rhythm game Dance Dance Revolution. She was revived by paramedics at the scene and later listed in good condition. The heart condition was pre-existing. 4 EA and Rhino Records united to bring a little variety into an industry filled with bad heavy metal. EA Trax announced that it would start utilizing Rhino's extensive back catalog in EA titles, including artists such as Jesus and Mary Chain, Faith No More, and Violent Femmes. 5 Nintendo's Chinese subsidiary, iQue, introduced the popular Game Boy Advance handheld to the country, selling the unit in Shanghai and other Cantonese areas. A Chinese version of WarioWare was released as well. The unit retailed for the equiva- lent of 84 U.S. dollars. 8 Oddworld's mysterious Stranger project got inked to a publishing deal with Electronic Arts. As always, early screen- shots of the game demonstrated the studio's brilliant art style, but with a more action-ori- ented bent. It was later retitled Oddworld Stranger's Wrath. ın cge RR RU3 J7 S Jimi-inpi-JI-I- une was the cruelest month for long-standing publisher % ; Interplay. On the fourth, California state officials closed the company's Irvine offices because the company had failed to provide worker's compensation insurance and pay employee salaries. The state levied fines of $1,000 per worker for the violations. A few days later, business resumed after Interplay secured insurance. Sadly, on that very same day, Interplay's majority shareholder, French publisher Titus, declared bankruptcy proceedings that would necessitate a reorganization of the firm and/or a liquidation of assets. Strangely, as these events were unfolding, Interplay CEO Herve Caen staked the company's future on a risky (and expensive) new project: a MMORPG based on the Fallout franchise. The financial news just got worse as the company announced a quarterly loss of $900,000 based on poor sales of Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 11 and Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel. However, the weakening finan- cial state finally forced Interplay to sell the rights to make console and PC Fallout titles to Elder Scrolls developer Bethesda. Fans were understandably excited at the news. Still, all was not lost for Interplay, which still retains ownership of the IP and the option to pursue the Fallout MMORPG - if it can make it through 2005. 56 GAME INFORMER ESPN and Take 2 Tackle EA Take 2 Interactive and Sega joined forces to take on the industry-leading EA Sports line in Ји with Take 2 co-publishing and distributing the ESPN Sports series. For Sega, the opportunity t tap into Take 25 (and subsidiary Jack of All Games’) distribution muscle seemed to provide a great opportunity. For Take 2, it was a chance to expand its scope into the difficult sports market. ESPN NFL 2K5 was to be the first title released under the partnership, but both com- panies surprised the industry with an aggressive pricing strategy. The game, and all the year's ESPN titles, were to sell for a bargain-priced $19.99 in an effort to crack EAs dominance of the market. In addition, ESPN NFL 2K5's release date was pushed up to July 25, coming out a few weeks before Madden 2005. At first, EA seemed unfazed by the strategy, as company spokesperson Jeff Brown claimed, "There's no compelling reason to change our overall pricing strategy right now... They could give that thing away for free, scotch-taped to a ham sandwich and we're still going to beat them” However, early sales of ESPN were strong, as 792,000 units flew off the shelves in July alone. Madden, predict- ably, had one of the year's best launches as well, but industry analysts speculated that ESPN was cutting into EAs sales. Perhaps in reaction, EA announced that its upcoming NBA Live 2005 was going to retail for $39.99 and instituted а buy-two-get-one-free promotion. At the end of the day, Madden was still tops, but many in the industry praised ESPN's market share growth and revenues. Sadly, this success was all for naught, as EA later scooped up the exclusive rights to the NFL license. [See GI News page 20]. ternally delayed Driv3r was as fpi released in June. With a budget reportedly more than 51 million dollars, this was to be the year's token big-ticket flameout. While initial sales were strong on the back of a half-decade of hype and a huge television marketing campaign, the title failed to become the GTA-sized phenomenon that the company had hoped for. Reviews were tepid at best and scathing at worst, and many users of Internet message boards attacked Driv3r with a malice that’s usually only found in maniacal moustache-twirling super villians. There was а proliferation of reality-based PC first-person shooters in 2004. In June, Kuma Reality games announced that it would be publishing Fallujah Vigilant Resolve, a game based on an April raid of the Iraqi city by U.S. Armed Forces. Some questioned the ethics of making money off the experiences of our fighting men and women, but Kuma's Keith Halper stated that the company sought only to provide “a unique window into real-war news. Later in the year, Kuma grabbed national coverage with a download that depicted two different versions of presidential candidate John Kerry's service as а Swift Boat captain in Vietnam. Even more controversial was Traffic Games’ JFK Reloaded, which allowed players to relive the Kennedy assassination from the perspective of Lee Harvey Oswald. Although the company claimed to be interested in debunking JFK conspiracy theories, there was much public outcry surrounding the game. The Kennedy family soon decried it as “despicable” іп the press. JULY < г N REDE AVE SE 2° feature ми па 1 г з 4 Ave А А It's not often that games help Los Angeles passed an ordi- Producer Shinya Nishigaki Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer A murder of a 14-year-old boy Nintendo finally released animals, but Sony did just that nance restricting the amount died tragically of a heart attack talked a little trash at a con- т the U.K. became а scandal photos of the final retail version with its PS2 title, Dog's Life. In of time minors could spend at the age of 42 in July. Nishigaki ference in July, commenting when it was discovered that both of its DS handheld. The new unit July, the company announced at cybercafes or LAN gaming crafted such eccentric titles as 41 bet we can take Sony next murderer and victim had played was sleeker and more attractive that it would be donating a parlors. Gamers under 18 are the Blue Stinger and ШЫеей4 for generation” He pointed out that, ^ Rockstar's violent Manhunt than the one shown at ЕЗ, and portion of the proceeds of the now banned from any cybercafe Dreamcast. A group of ШЫеей despite the fact that Xbox has together. Sensationalistic press was received favorably by fans game to the Society for the business from 8:30 a.m. to devotees is currently working on по! been profitable, it has made coverage and opportunisticlaw- апа the press. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 1:30 p.m. and from 10:00 p.m. a homebrew sequel to the game. the company a major player in suits followed, with little regard to 8:30 a.m. gaming. for the facts. ез SCOOPS се CmRIÓEemniorn lectronic Arts was on a buying spree this year, but none of its acquisitions made as large a splash a: purchase of the English middleware masters at Criterion Studios. Earlier in 2004, EA had snagged the rights to the company's Burnout 3: Takedown, but in July it went the full monty and bought the whole operation, including the promising FPS Black. Most importantly, EA got ownership of Criterion's industry-standard Renderware develop- ment tools. While this certainly makes sound financial sense for EA as it moves into an expensive period of next-gen console develop- ment, many in the industry worried that EA might restrict other publishers and developers access to Renderware, one of the most commonly used middleware programs in the world, used in titles as diverse as the GTA series and NBA Ballers. Anti-Game Bill Deemed Unconstitutional In a little publicized but very important turn of events, a U.S. District Court in Seattle ruled in July that a law banning the sale of games depicting violence against law enforcement officers was unconstitutional on the grounds that it violated First Amendment protection of free speech. Although the Washington State legislature had passed the bill and Governor Gary Locke had signed it into law, presiding Judge Lasnik rejected the law based on the fact that similar acts of violence routinely appear in works of art, film, and literature. Also, Lasnik felt that lawmakers’ claims that violence in video games could spawn real-life acts against police officers was "not based on reasonable inferences drawn from substantial evidence" Needless to say, the game industry body Entertainment Software Association, which had been fighting the bill since its inception, was very pleased, as president Doug Lowenstein felt that the ruling helped "establish video games as constitutionally protected forms of expression” SONY'S PSX WOES Hey, remember the PSX? You know, that hybrid PS2/hard-drive media device/DVD recorder that was going to revolutionize home entertainment. Well, Sony may be the master of home electron- ics, but it’s also important to remember that even the greatest slugger strikes out at the plate once in awhile, And in 2004, the PSX looked like a product that might be closer to the Betamax than the PS2 on the Sony continuum of success. At the outset of the year, Sony tried to placate peeved PSX owners by announcing a patch that would restore planned features that were left out in the rush to get the unit to stores in late 2003. By either download or a freely distributed disc, owners were able to add 24x speed HDD-to-DVD dubbing, MP3 and TIFF support, some odd bug fixes, and USB keyboard support, among other features. However, sales remained sluggish in Japan, and soon the company was forced to suspend production of new units altogether. Then, in a surprise move, the company released two new, revamped models of the PSX in July. These units had the same price point as the original models, but added the patched features as well as other improvements. Still, sales remained flat, and the company was soon forced to drop the price of the 160GB unit from 59,800 yen ($545) to 44,800 ($409) and the 250GB PSX from 79,800 yen ($675) to 59,800 ($545). This move was sparked by retailers, who were already heavily discounting the PSX in order to clear out stock. Not surprisingly, the PSX's American and European release date was pushed back to sometime in March of 2005. However, if the current trend holds, we wouldn't. be surprised if it never makes it to our shores. Xbox Live Hits A Million, Nintendo Disses Online Microsoft's online initiative, Xbox Live, reached an important symbolic milestone in July, claiming its one millionth subscriber. To put this in a little historical perspective, it took such important entertainment services as НВО, America Online, and ТМО almost three times as long to reach this same goal. At the time, Xbox Live had subscribers in 24 countries that had logged on for 220 million online sessions. Average total Xbox Live usage per day was 265,549 hours. Of course, in the same month, Nintendo looked at these impressive statistics and stated the obvious: Gamers don't want to play online. At least according to Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, who told Japan Spotlight that "customers do not want online games...at the moment, most customers do not wish to pay the extra money for connection to the Internet, and for some customers, connection procedures to the Internet are still not easy" Although he wouldn't rule out the possibility of utilizing online play, Iwata did stress that the current online gaming model was flawed and made profitability very difficult to achieve. As usual, Nintendo seems to be marching to the beat of its own drummer. # Nintendo president Satoru Iwata Swingin’ Ape Snags StarCraft: Ghost In a shocking twist, Blizzard snatched the much-hyped StarCraft: Ghost project from developer Nihilistic and handed the project to Metal Arms: Glitch in the System creators Swingin' Ape Studios. Blizzard will continue working with Swingin' Ape until the project's release in 2005. The game has been the subject of much anticipation and debate amongst gamers since Game Informer debuted it on its cover back in November of 2002, but since then it appeared to have a very troubled development. Blizzard's Ron and Chris Millar, who had been overseeing the project, left the company in 2003, and since then Ghost has seem- ingly disappeared off the radar. Hopefully, Swingin’ Ape will be able to guide the project to completion. GAME INFORMER 57 www.koei.com ! PlayStation. Û PR. ees March 2005 Visit www.esrb.org for updated rating Produced by (DOLBY) information. С Torce FERS Dynasty Warriors and the KOEI logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of KOEI Co., Ltd. ©2005 KOEI Со, Ltd, Ай rights reserved. "PlayStation" and th Family logo are rks of Sony Computer Ente с Association. Dolby’, "Pr and the double-D symbol are trademarks of D К of the Entertainment Software er license from Dolby Lab 4 > ®@ U 6 U 5 t5 т HE MITES ТАР АЕ Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sony confirmed that its next Sega partnered with JC Sakaguchi announced that he PlayStation will use high-density Entertainment to create a mas- had formed his own devel- Blu-ray optical discs. Blu-ray is sively multiplayer online game opment studio, Mistwalker. currently competing with rival based on its Shenmue franchise. Sakaguchi said that the studio format HD-DVD to become the Shenmue Online is scheduled was at work on two new RPG dominant storage format for to be marketed mainly in Korea projects. Former Square produc- | next-generation entertainment. and China, and will likely not er Kensuke Tanaka will serve as Sony and Panasonic are among make it the U.S. Yu Suzuki will Mistwalker's vice president. the companies backing Blu-ray. be overseeing the project. ƏLL-SCƏJA Cesc SIGNS on FOR еооовечпетъ director Uwe Вой а few pages ago, but we have to О give him credit: the filmmaker has assembled an A-list cast for his upcoming movie based on the adventures of kay, we know we made fun of House of the Dead Majesco’s goth vampire seductress, BloodRayne. Playing Rayne herself is Kristanna Loken, of Terminator 3 and making-out- with-that-singer-Pink-in-a-nightclub fame. Also committed to the project is up-and-coming actress Michelle Rodriguez (Girlfight, Alexander) and tough-guy Michael Madsen. Strangely, this game- related project will reunite Rodriguez and Madsen, who both did voiceovers for Atari's Driv3r. However, the most surprising signing, however, was British legend Ben Kingsley. That's right - Sir Ben Kingsley. As in Oscar for Ghandi. As in Sexy Beast. As in House of Sand and Fog. As odd at it might seem, Kingsley expressed enthusiasm for the project and for horror movies in general in an interview with the site Monsters & Critics. The actor commented, “1 think a good horror film can also include sexuality and passion and tensions and sensitiv- ity...if a horror film embraces all these mediums, then it can be a very sensually exciting event for the audience.” Kingsley will play Rayne's father and nemesis Kagan, King of the Vampires, whose rape and murder of Rayne's mother leads the half-human, half-vampire heroine to join a force of vampire hunters. Oh, and one more thing: Meatloaf is in the movie, too! You just can't go wrong with Meatloaf. THQ made the "sure thing" business deal of 2004 in August, when it signed a multi-year, multi-game deal to create titles based on Pixar's upcoming CG Warner Bros., which was already working with the devel- oper on The Matrix Online, bought Monolith Productions. Monolith, a respected PC engine Alice producer American McGee revealed that he would be partnering with Dawn of the Dead director George Romero to make City of the Dead, the self- proclaimed "goriest game ever motion pictures. Later that year, | maker, has worked on such made” McGee commented, "We ТНО released a game based оп games as Tron 2.0, the No One hope to bruise a few psyches the smash The Incredibles. Lives Forever series, and Aliens with this one” Vs. Predator 2. Acclaim Goes Down This was a terrible year for the folks at Acclaim, which suffered everything short of being sued by the Olsen Twins. Oh wait, that actually happened, too, when the Twin Terrors took the Long Island-based publisher to court in April for failure to pay royalties from its Olsen-themed line of video games. As it turned out, Mary-Kate and Ashley were the least of Acclaim's problems. As the year went оп, Acclaim laid off employees, released dismal financial news, lost its venerable Turok and Major League Baseball licenses, and saw its stock de-listed, The ax finally fell in August, when the company announced that it would be filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. It was a bitter event, with employees being denied COBRA insurance coverage and back wages. In the end, after a nearly 15 year run in the games business, all that was left to do was sell used office furniture and equipment in a bankruptcy auction at Acclaim's former Glen Cove, NY headquarters. Doom 3 Hits Stores, Carmack Crashes Legendary Doom creator John Carmack had a decidedly mixed August. On the positive side, id Software's long- awaited first-person shooter Doom 3 finally hit store shelves. The title flew out of retail stores as expected, earning the top spot on the PC charts. Thankfully, Carmack and id are already at work on a new IP and project, despite the rumors that he was to retire and pursue his rocketry hobby full-time. And perhaps it's best that Carmack holds on to his day job. A few days before Doom 3 hit, Carmack's Armadillo Aerospace suffered a setback in its goal to become the first private company to put a manned rocket into space. During some flight testing, the company's spacecraft crashed to Earth, totally destroying the unit. In good humor, Carmack did post a video and pictures of the crash on Armadillo's website. Civil Unrest Rocks Star Wars Galaxies Sony Online Entertainment found out in August that when you create a virtual, living world, real-world problems are sure to follow. In one of the year's most interesting stories, players of Star Wars Galaxies staged a demonstration in Theed, the capital city of Naboo, to protest a rash of account suspensions stemming from a "credit duping" operation. Certain users had discovered a way to illegally replicate large numbers of credits (Galaxies currency), and as a result, the fake credits had permeated Galaxies' economy. When SOE discovered the scheme, the company suspended the accounts of all players who had come in contact with the fake credits. Unfortunately, due to the fact that many Galaxies players are employed as artisans (selling armor and other items) and the common practice of “tipping” other users, many of the suspended players had no idea they had been given duped credits. Angry at SOE, a large group of users gathered to protest the suspensions. As the protest greatly hindered the servers' performance, SOE customer service reps began to break up the crowd by instantly teleporting protesters into space. SOE justified its heavy-handed tactics by releasing a statement regarding mass protests by releasing a statement on its forums: "Occasionally in Star Wars Galaxies, players feel the need to express their discontent with mass protests. With mass gatherings maliciously organized to disrupt other's play experience, we will restrict the number of players gathering in any one area to maintain the stability of the service” The uproar eventually subsided and players were given the chance to appeal their suspensions, but civil unrest is more common in Galaxies than one might expect. Other past incidents include a Wookiee uprising in March and a 2002 demonstration on Tatooine in which Imperial forces killed a handful of protestors. | ¥ The crash, flight, rid aftermath - 1 Electronic Arts and USC broke ground on the Electronic Arts Innovation Lab, a facility within the university's Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts. The build- ing will be used to teach game development, and was enabled by a large donation from EA. 2 Despite rumors that The Rock was slated for the role, actor Karl Urban signed on to star in Universal's film adaptation of Doom. Urban has played roles in such films as The Bourne Supremacy and The Lord of the Rings series. 3 Namco's quirky PlayStation game Katamari Damacy won an intensely loyal following upon its release in September. So rabid was the response, the website Gamespot reported that most retailers were almost completely sold out of the title within a few weeks. Берксетвеня Е Y 4 The hot new trend in video games is...surgery! In September, two Nintendo DS surgery titles were announced in the space of a few weeks. One, Atlus's Caduceus, has a sci-fi bent, while Spike's Tendo Dokuta fea- tures a more realistic plot. Guess we didn't get the memo. А В I N 5 Former Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi announced that he wanted the company to move into the anime business to make movies based on its game properties and...um... ancient Japanese poetry. Hope it's as good as the Super Mario Bros. cartoon! ге feature ВЕ VIEW © Comedy Central funnyman and drunk-about-town Dave Attell signed on with Global Star to provide commentary for the company's risqué golf game, Outlaw Golf 2. He was actually pretty funny, too, even if the game itself was a bit of a dud. PSP coming OUG PƏACY et CGS ince its announcement at E3 in 2003, зз: the PlayStation Portable Наз been the subject of fevered debate and anticipa- tion in the gaming community. We'd all seen the sexy unit on display at E3 2004 and drooled at the gorgeous screenshots of PSP titles released since then. However, the Tokyo Game Show in September was the first time that Japanese gamers and interna- tional press actually got a chance to get their hands around the unit and play. A slew of PSP product was on display at TGS, and models walked the show floor with PSPs strapped to their waists. Overall, reception was mixed, with many coming away impressed with the system's technological power and others decrying the lack of truly innovative games on display. Sony Debuts Tiny New PS2 . Sony has always insisted that its consoles have a 10-year lifecycle and, just as it revamped the original PlayStation when it released the compact PSone hardware in 2001, the company announced that it would be launching a new model of its PlayStation 2 console. Although rumors had been circulating that a "PStwo" was in the works, many were surprised that Sony decided to release a new version of the hardware so early in the console generation. The unit itself drew rave reviews from the press for its amazingly small size (roughly the size of a hardcover novel) and the fact that the unit's broadband and 56k modems were built into the hardware. The only complaint was that the new hardware was not compatible with Sony's PS2 Hard Drive, which released earlier in the year. Given the fact that the new unit did not support the Hard Drive, and the low number of titles (with the exception of Square Enix's Final Fantasy XI) that actually support the add-on, it began to look like Sony was getting ready to abandon the Hard Drive altogether. Molyneux Apologizes To Fable Fans ( While, in our opinion, releasing one of the year's most engaging action/RPG experiences is nothing to apologize for, Fable creator Peter Molyneux did just that in September through a posting on the Lionhead Studios message board. Responding to fans that were disap- pointed that certain features that he has spoken about in interviews were pulled from the game, he explained the situation “Ме strive to include absolutely everything we've ever dreamt of and, in my enthusiasm, | talk about it to anyone who'll listen, mainly in press interviews. When | tell people about what we're planning, I'm telling the truth, and people, of course, expect to see all the features I've mentioned. And when some of the most ambitious ideas get altered, redesigned or even dropped, people rightly want to know what happened to th Molyneux went on to suggest that his habit of talking about games long before their completion was probably responsible for building up unrealistic expecta- tions about Lionhead's titles. Later that year, he commented in an interview with Game Informer, “1 feel that this should be a place for talking about the passion of developing games before they're actually finished...but, if it's going to hurt Lionhead and the games we're making, then obviously | won't do it" Regardless of the controversy, Fable was embraced by gamers, winning generally favorable reviews and becoming one of the fastest-selling Xbox titles to date. GAME INFORMER 61 > OCtOBem T НЕЕ YERE Ach The estate of famed director THQ continued to make power Australia, which has perhaps Smart CEO magazine honored SYNJ Industries' Alien "There's a kizziller on the rizz- the most restrictive rules on one of video games' own in its Hominid, a popular Flash ani- Akira Kurosawa greenlighted moves in 2004. After scooping оаа” Electronic Arts announced video games in the world, took October issue. Jeffrey Briggs mated browser game, made the another game project based on up Relic and the Pixar licenses, an odd musical collaboration the dramatic step of banning of Firaxis (Civilization series, difficult transition from Internet his works, a “historical” game by — in October it re-signed its valu- would grace the soundtrack of Vivendi's Leisure Suit Larry: Alpha Centauri, Gettysburg) was favorite to proper console title. Koei. The title will be based on able Nickelodeon deal and also its upcoming Need for Speed Magna Cum Laude in October. awarded the publications annual 05 Entertainment announced the upcoming film version of the picked up the late Acclaim's Underground 2 soundtrack, The game received an M-rating “СЕО of the Year" award for his in October that the PS2 version script of an unmade Kurosawa street racing title Juiced. THQ a remix of The Doors' classic the U.S. and was available in expert guidance of the develop- of the game had gone gold and film called Oni, to be directed by outbid Take 2 Interactive forthe | "Riders on the Storm" featuring most major retailers. ment house. was ready for manufacture. Kurosawa's son, Hisao. rights to Juiced. Snoop Dogg. fter hype had been building throughout the year e and rumors of its title, cast, and gameplay swirled all over the Internet, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas finally became a reality on October 26. On the eve of its release, Rockstar built even more anticipation for the project by releasing details about the game's cast of voice actors, which included such notables as Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Penn, James Woods, and Charlie Murphy. The game's radio DJs were just as impressive, including hip-hop legend Chuck D. of Public Enemy, P-Funk leader George Clinton, and - most surprisingly - notable hard rock singer/eccentric millionaire hermit W. Axl Rose. San Andreas would mark Axl's first publicly released recorded work since his erstwhile group Guns N’ Roses’ “Oh My God” appeared on the End of Days soundtrack in 1999. As expected, San Andreas burned up the sales charts, moving millions of copies in the U.S. Gaming’s Best Compete At World Cyber Games The concept that video games can be a spectator sport seems more credible with each passing year. In 2004, the world's leading gaming league, the World Cyber Games, held a successful championship event at the Bill Graham Auditorium in San Francisco in October. Over 30,000 fans watched teams from 59 countries compete for medals in such popular online games as CounterStrike: Condition Zero, StarCraft: Brood War, Unreal Tournament 2004, and Halo. Surprisingly, the scrappy upstart team from the Netherlands actually took home top honors, winning gold medals in UT, WarCraft Ill, and Project Gotham Racing 2, earning them the highest total team points of the competition. Before the tournament began, the Korean team was generally considered to be the favorites for medal totals. The U.S. did have a bright spot in Matthew Leto, who eamed $20,000 for winning his second consecutive Halo title. WWE Bodyslams THO, Jakks The WWE filed a lawsuit against its licensing partners Jakks Pacific and THQ in October, leveling charges of bribery and unfair deal- and THQ owning the video game rights to the popular wrestling promotion. According to the suit, the WWE claimed that Jakks executives Joel Bennett, Jack Friedman, and Stephen Berman had bribed a WWE official in order to secure the deal. While THQ has generally done a good job of making and marketing its WWE games, the wrestling league claims that rival publisher Activision had actually made a larger offer which was ignored in the negotiation process. The suit sought to nullify any and all WWE licensing contracts, including the one held by Jakks to run through 2009. : Nintendo : Announces Online : Strategy...in : China s in th tiations that Кеф in Jakks : |. Дони Ша еще : Nintendo, a company that has frequently : appeared derisive about the viability of : online gaming, actually announced a coher- : ent Internet strategy in October. The problem : (for American Nintendo owners, at least) : was that this initiative was for Nintendo's : Chinese iQue subsidiary. The iQue system, : which is a essentially a large controller : that plays N64 games on rewriteable flash : memory cards, has been а success in : China. Nintendo will be selling a USB Cable : Upgrade that allows users to access the : Internet via their PC's USB connection. The and THQ. The original agreement was slated : iQue Internet service would let players down- : load new games onto flash cards, as well 1 as use Nintendo's servers to store games : they've already purchased. In addition, it was : announced that Internet multiplayer gaming : would also be available in the future. Hey, : that sounds pretty cool! But, wait, we forgot : that no one wants Internet gaming. Sorry : about that outburst. and breaking U.K. sales records with a first-day tally of 677,000 units sold. Я Erratic Guns № Roses lead singer Ах! Rose made a rare recorded appearance as a DJ in GTA: San Andreas NOU. - dec. зе feature АВ ороем Ны МКО Н АА. 1 South Korea banned Ubisoft's 2 Longtime Final Fantasy 3 Valve won big in November, il 5 In a year of good decisions, Б Marvel sued Korean MMORPG tactical shooter Ghost Recon composer Nobuo Uematsu left releasing its epic shooter woman...er...chip manufac- Majesco made one more: giant NCsoft in December, daim- 2. The title’s plot focuses on Square Enix in December, his Half-Life 2 and prevailing over turer scorned. After its deal signing on to publish The ing that the company's popular a clash between the U.S. and place of employment since 1986. Vivendi Universal in a lawsuit. to make the GPU for Xbox 2 Chronicles of Riddick developer City of Heroes violated copyright North Korea in the near future. Uematsu vowed to continue Valve sued for damages result- fell through, ia formed a Starbreeze's next title. Based on laws. Marvel claimed that the South Korea, which has a history creating game music and touring ing from Vivendi's distributi rebound relationship with Sony. the comic series The Darkness, game's character creation fea- of conflict with its North Korea, with his rock band, The Black its titles ii i In December, it was announced Ше game is scheduled for next- tures allowed players to make said Ghost Recon's plot went Mages, who perform new ver- violated its limited publishing Nvidia was making the PS3 gen systems. avatars that too closely resem- “too far” sions of Final Fantasy scores. agreement. graphics processor. bled Marvel comic heroes. DS LƏUNCH LIVES UP GO сне Hype hile many questions remain about the Nintendo DS, the company proved that UJ it knows how to successfully launch a handheld console on November 21st. Within the first week in the U.S., Nintendo sold through a whopping 500,000 units at retail. On December 12, the handheld launched in Japan, with gamers quickly scooping up another 460,000 DS units. These encouraging numbers actually surpassed Nintendo's and most analyst's predictions. In | response, Nintendo upped its U.S. shipments, planning to have 1.4 million consoles on our shores by the end of the year. Although neither the U.S. or Japanese launch created the kind of mania | that we commonly associate with new systems, both went very smoothly, with most customers who wanted a DS coming away with unit in hand. In the weeks following, there were some shortages and the inevitable eBay price markups, but overall the DS launch looked like a win for Nintendo, which said it hopes to now sell over 5 million units world- wide by the end of March 2005. Japanese gamers line up for the chance to buy a Nintendo DS A Rough Year For Gran Turismo 4 | What would have been Sony's biggest in-house release of the year ended up not even making 2004. The game, developed by the notorious perfectionists at Polyphony Digital, has seen tentative release dates come and go, but most expected that Gran Turismo 4 would make it to retail by the holiday season. But, despite the fact that Sony announced that it was pulling the game's online features (a move that was quite disturbing to fans), GT 4 just couldn't seem to get finished, and in November it was announced that it wouldn't be released until the first quarter of 2005. EA was the subject of criticism in November, when a spouse of a company employee posted a screed decrying the practice of unpaid overtime on a personal blog. Citing the practice of Switching personnel from crunch time on one game to crunch time on another and the lack of "comp time" (time off for overtime worked), the posting soon became the cause celebré of the industry. Gamespot reported that a San Francisco law firm was filing a class action lawsuit against EA on behalf of its employees. Soon, the International Game Developers Association chimed in with a А statement decrying industry labor practices. Later, | N a suspiciously leaked “internal” email from EA N There are games, and then there is Halo 2. Bungie's highly touted Xbox sequel's release on November 9 saw gamers coming out in droves to finally get a chance to play.the year's best title. Anticipation was so high that Gamespot.com reported that several small Midwestern chains had actually broken the street date and sold copies as early as November 4. Despite the controversy, retailers nationwide saw long lines on November 9, and Microsoft's worldwide marketing vice president, Peter Moore, soon released a state- ment touting the over $100 million generated by Halo 2 sales the first day. That figure was later revised when Microsoft's numbers came in, to a mind-boggling $128 million on day one. By early December, the game had moved a total of 3.3 million units in the U.S. alone. management revealed that the company was in the process of overhauling its employees’ workloads and its overtime policies. GAME INFORMER 63 ——Ó Watch the TV series Own the DVDs АЕ 94 [adult swim] y Ж FUNimation р Productions, Ltd. АМ/РШЕХ www.fullmetalalchemist.com Experience this PlayStation"? computer entertainment system game based on the wildly popular anime series. Fullmetal Alchemist delivers action-packed excitement, unbelievable gameplay and an enthralling story told through high-quality animated sequences and in-game dialogue. Join Edward and Alphonse on this epic adventure of sacrifice, deception, and power as they use the ancient science of alchemy to battle a myriad of foes. Use the limitless potential of alchemy to transmute common objects into weapons, tools, and vehicles to aid your journey. Use alchemy to transmute ordinary objects Call powerful Alphonse to assist you in battle. Based on the hit anime series coming to into a huge array of weapons and tools Cartoon Network! SQUARE ENIX. WWwW.Square-enix.com Published by Square Enix, Inc. TEEN Blood Mild Language Suggestive Themes Emm] Violence ESRB PlayStation. >-> KHE COP 50 БА МЕ 5 О Е 20 04 Metroid: Zero Mission System: Game Boy Advance Release: February 10 It's no easy task to re-tool an 8-bit game for current hardware, but Nintendo did everything we could ask for and more with Zero Mission. Not only did the 2D Metroid formula get tweaked to the best it's ever been, the added epilogue rocks - it's a blast to play and a great story bonus to fans of the series. Even if you weren't alive yet when the original came out, Zero Mission is tight enough in both control and design to easily deserve its own piece of side-scrolling immortality. James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing System: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube Release: February 17 Some characters seem to consistently get the screw when it comes to their video game (mis)adventures. British super-spy James Bond, especially in the third-person, is one of those. But this year it seems that a new page was turned in the Bond saga by Electronic Arts’ Everything or Nothing. The game puts players through their paces and successfully integrates more of the high-flying action seen in the movies by giving us real actors, lots of explosions, and point-of-view switches that makes the action feel fresh. Ninja Gaiden System: Xbox Release: March 2 When a mark of achievement for any gamer is making it past the first boss of a game, you know that the experience is going to be brutalizing. So why do we like to punish ourselves to such a degree? #5 not because gamers are masochists, but because this action title is so grueling (but fair) that you can actually feel your gaming skills growing as you push further through its quest. Fusing unbelievable graphics with deep combat and killer foes, Team Ninja's opus gets better with downloadable content that will make even master ninjas cringe. Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes System: GameCube Release: March 9 To call Twin Snakes a simple port is even more of an understatement than calling Psycho Mantis an "abnor- mal individual With enhanced gameplay, graphics, and re-recorded dialogue from the original cast, Twin Snakes breathes new life into the original Metal Gear Solid, one of the best games of all time. If nothing else, it also gives the world another chance to a watch a heartless cybernetic ninja threaten a pants-wetting, locker-cowering nerd. MVP Baseball 2004 System: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube Release: March 9 The Boston Red Sox finally kicked Babe Ruth to the curb, the Chicago Cubs choked for the 96th time in a row, and EA Sports showed us that baseball isn't just about corked bats and steroids. In MVP Baseball 2004, the cerebral battle between the pitcher and batter is captured brilliantly, showing just how intense these match-ups can be. With a game on the line, anxiety takes over, you start second-guess- ing your actions, and before long, you are sweating bullets and watching your opponent jack a ball into the parking lot. Never before has a baseball game delivered realism and excitement quite like this. ZERO MISSION 47) cHe COP ao Hemnmoes ос гова Prince (Katamari Damacy) He's the strong, silent type thanklessly fixing the mess caused by his overbearing and demoralizing father. It’s really a struggle for the ages, and our Prince pushes through the cosmic disaster with understated grace. Naked Snake (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) The chef's plate offered to 19605 forest combatants is littered with sleepy ‘shrooms and delicious alligator nuggets. This Snake partakes of nature’s aforemen- tioned bounty and still manages to do things so cool that Master Chief and everyone's favorite dark elf are both impressed. Riddick (Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay) . He is a profoundly terrible human being, but players still find Riddick likeable, even endearing. Characters this complicated — despicable, principled, amoral, and charming at the same time — don't come to video game land very often. The Bard (The Bard's Tale) Self-referential humor always does it for us. That's why the Cary Elwes-voiced cad called simply "The Bard" is such a riot. With naughty and nice dialogue options through the whole game, players get to see both sides of this shallow, self-centered blowhard. And we mean that in a good way. Professor Charles Xavier (Х-Меп Legends) Professor X has always been the bomb, but there's a very special section of X-Men Legends that utterly secures his spot on this list. We don't want to give it away, but let's just say that there are few things more bad ass, in this plane of existence or otherwise. T3-M4/HK-47 (Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic Il: The Sith Lords) If a British butler like those in old movies reveled in the suffering and pain of others, it would be HK-47. If your toaster could elicit chuckles and pride with a series of indiscernible bleeps and squeaks, it would be T3- M4. Together, they are a tag team of delicious robot personality. The Arbiter (Halo 2) We won't reveal who he is exactly in case you're one of the four people who hasn't played Halo 2 yet, but we will say this ugly alien is one of the most human and fully realized characters in the game. Halo 2 may be all about defending the Earth, but the Arbiter cer- tainly gives us a sympathetic glimpse at the other side. Ryu Hayabusa (Ninja Gaiden) Ninjas rule. This, like photosynthesis, is an undeni- able fact of nature. Though Ryu certainly couldn't be described as chatty, we do feel that the poetic сатаде he's capable of speaks volumes. CJ (Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas) Hands down, this is one of the most complicated, well- formed, and human characters on this list. Struggling through the harsh realities of San Andreas, CJ shows us what this lifestyle is all about, for good or ill. Gordon Freeman (Half-Life 2) Dork power reigns supreme with our scientist hero Gordon Freeman at the helm of salvation, Supplemented with a super suit, this scientist proves that anyone can be larger than life, as long as they have access to an outfit suped up with space-age polymers. ге feature pa + Ye го wîy epo T FLEA , МДЕ 4 ме! LEM ons i. | bey PY Qu eye Tent n € HB мерев. еМ NU e 0 % IN. Дә ê: Ar єт, ЕМЕВУОМЕ (d вата PlayStation.e e CHINE Те ge PU eimi" тър i T укр with THE pek oN THE BUT ! > KHE COP 50 G AME Ote 9 2059-4 Unreal Tournament 2004 System: PC Release: March 16 For the most part, it's hard to justify putting a yearly update to an annual franchise on this list. UT 2004, though, couldn't have been an easier choice. Lag-free, beautifully rendered matches on maps large or small, old or new, are only the half of it — the brand-new Onslaught mode takes the best parts from Battlefield 1942 and applies them to UT's signature lightning- fast, hectic fragathons. Plus, some of the most unique and entertaining vehicles in all of first-person shooting are new to UT 2004. To date, this title is the bar that all other online FPSs must measure up to. Far Cry System: PC Release: March 25 On top of the technological feat of presenting unprecedented draw distances with a stunning level of detail, developer Crytek came out of nowhere to parlay its wonderful engine into an amazing game. Far Cry's emphasis on combining stealth and action and allowing players to choose their own path through each level has been tried and biffed by many a title, but this game pulls it off in epic fashion. Plus, there's nothing quite like enemy AI good enough that you feel smart for beating it Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow System: Xbox Release: March 25 Also released on PS2 and GameCube, the Xbox version of Pandora Tomorrow is easily the best. Featuring truly stunning visuals with staggering shadows, Pandora Tomorrow looks amazing, has a fantastic story, and has eliminated most of the problems found in the first title. In addition to the fantastic single-player mode, the game features one of the most unique online modes around: four-player spy versus mercenaries scenarios, With each team offering a completely different gameplay style, Pandora Tomorrow's multiplayer mode is unlike anything else, and simply must be played by all stealth/action fans. j. PLINTER ~ E ЭКЕЙ ү" Fight Night 2004 System: PlayStation 2, Xbox Release: April 5 Fight Night 2004 not only rises spectacularly from the ashes of the old Knockout Kings franchise, but it takes EA Sports’ previous flirtation with analog control to all new levels. In the process, it makes a gameplay leap unheard of in the sports genre. With its all-analog punches, players learned real- life boxing lessons such as the importance of footwork and knowing patience. This adher- ence to the sport signals a unique union of gameplay and realism that has players either praying for the bell or keeping victory in their corner. PlayStation.2 70 GAME INFORMER City of Heroes System: PC Release: April 27 Affectionately termed "The Widowmaker" in many circles after its release, NCsoft's MMO revolution taps into something truly primal in this geek world we know and love — superheroes. Abandoning the usual conventions of such a game, City of Heroes takes players into a fast-paced, large-scale battle of good versus evil from the very first moment of play. This gameplay, tied with a ridiculously detailed character creation system, was probably cause n 7 for many a “sick” day іп 1 corporate offices. Onimusha 3: Demon Siege System: PlayStation 2 Release: April 27 Although there have been occasional unsubstantiated rumors saying that another Onimusha game is on the horizon, Demon Siege is (as of right now) the climactic end of a much-beloved trilogy. Capcom clearly intended to send this series off with a bang. The opening cinematic is nothing short of genius, the star power (lending both voice and likeness) offers compelling characters, and an expertly refined combat system combine to make this one of the most frantic, rewarding, and enjoyable games of the year. PlayStation. Red Dead Revolver Playstation 2 System: PlayStation 2, Xbox Release: May 4 Cowboys are the ninjas of America — and like their martial artist counterparts, our mysterious warriors don't get the respect they deserve in the video game realm. Pulling heavily from the spaghetti westerns that brought this era of American history a romantic, hardboiled feel, the main character is an orphaned warrior with a past, the locales are ragged and dusty, and the boss fights are over the top. Red Dead Revolver's emphasis on fast-paced action and atmosphere made it one of the most giddily enjoyable games of the year. The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay System: Xbox Release: June 1 Few other titles have defied the expectations for licensed games more brilliantly than Escape from Butcher Bay. Seamlessly combining stealth action with gunplay and innovative first- person melee, its gameplay is the equal of its stunning visuals. The graphics are among the most gorgeous seen on a console to date, and the story easily edipses that of the movie it was tied into. The voice work by Vin Diesel and the rest of the cast is top notch, proving that the fusion of Hollywood and the game industry can yield some amazing results. Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy System: PlayStation 2, Xbox Release: June 14 There is a great thing going on with home consoles these days — developers are starting to consciously (and consis- tently) mess with what players expect, how they think about combat and puzzle solving, and making stories that we care about. Midway's Psi-Ops does all of these with undeniable skill to truly exhilarating results. Popping a foe's head like a ripe cherry tomato or levitating boxes to make a platform are not gameplay abilities to scoff at - they are actions to revel in. Tales of Symphonia System: GameCube Release: July 13 Combining stunning storybook graphics with an intricate plot, Tales of Symphonia is the savior of many despairing GameCube RPG enthusiasts. Frenzied real-time battles highlighted by a complicated ally Al mechanic keeps the action coming, while the vibrant visuals and clever characters create an immersive and engaging world. This is a perfect example of a game that breaks from several genre conventions and still manages to come out оп top as one of the best RPGs of the year. NCAA Football 2005 System: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube Release: July 14 NCAA Football 2005 finally steps out of the shadow of Madden and delivers a unique experience from its NFL big brother. The influence of home field advantage upon players is both a subtle and sledgehammering way to bring the college football experience to your living room. Adding this new feature to the Dynasty options that the series has long been known for has allowed it to carve out a die-hard fanbase that has almost gone unnoticed. A return to glory for the Fighting Irish? Yes, even that is possible. _, FOOTBALL қ ЕМ 2005 сне COP 10 UILLSINS OF гова Ron Artest (МВА Live 2005 and ESPN NBA 2K5) Here is a character so vile, so annoying, so utterly devoid of any redeeming sportsmanlike code that he was а lock Юг this award, and he's a real person! Mr. Artest, you're hands-down the biggest villains of the year. Congrats. Officer Frank Tenpenny (Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas) А dirty cop who just might make Harvey Keitel’s Bad Lieutenant squirm, this Samuel L. Jackson-voiced bad guy antagonizes us and CJ into a boiling rage. We'd call him a stupid jerkface, but he's Sam Jackson, so we're а little scared of him. Ocelot (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) He's not quite the battle-hardened buttkicker he'll become in later years, but this prequel details how а mean little SOB becomes one of the most feared men ever to grace a battlefield. Darth Nihilus (Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic ЇЇ: Sith Lords) Described as “a wound in the Force" and capable of consuming all life on a planet, Darth Nihilus is arguably one of the most brutal villains in the Star Wars mythos. He eats freakin’ global populations! Black Ninjas (Ninja Gaiden) Perhaps the hardest “goon” type enemies ever in a video game, these jerks will slice you down in seconds flat - and they have a pesky habit of hunting in groups. Bah! We hate the black ninjas, because they make us look like chumps. Big John (Viewtiful Joe 2) He used to get work in Tinsletown, but since the parts are getting slim, John is now spending time hunting down heroes Joe and Sylvia. He does have an excep- tional fashion savvy to go along with the outlandish weaponry, but that doesn't mean that he's a softy. Edgar Barret (Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy) Like all good super-villains, Barret has a nefarious endgame - but he also has exceptionally power- ful psychic abilities. These psi powers, coupled with constants threats of punches to our hero's delicate bits, offer one of the most engaging boss fights of this generation. Dr. Breen (Half-Life 2) Having yourself “elected” as the Administrator of Earth and then selling out the human race for alien rewards Б downright despicable. This and his molding the thoughts of unsuspecting humans make him nothing short of a boil on the backside of humanity. Dr. Nefarious (Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal) He wants to exterminate all organic life, which is cer- tainly not a very nice thing to do. But he’s just so good at being bad, which is why he's earned a spot here despite his common villainous goal. Butterscotch (Alien Hominid) An animate mound of butterscotch pudding whose main attack is throwing globules of custard in your general direction — do we need to say any more? There's nothing to top this, except for maybe some delicious dark chocolate shavings. Those make almost anything better. Бене COP со GAMES ОЕ 2004 System: PlayStation 2, Xbox Release: July 20 Like Barry Sanders, developer Visual Concepts' ESPN series was taken from us before it was time, thanks to ЕА5 recent exclusive deal with the NFL (see page 20 for more). At least the series went out on a high note, however, with this year's installment beating rival Madden for the first time due to its tackle breaking, QB evades, deep franchise оде, eye-opening presentation, and informative online profile system. We can only dream of what 2K6 would have brought us, but this game is good enough that we're going to be playing it for quite a while. Doom 3 System: PC Release: August 5 E 7 ! 4 Ù In Ме had been waiting for id to finally say that the team's horror opus is "done" for what seemed like an eternity, and when it debuted this year, few could say that they were disappointed. The game challenges players with hoards of undead, chilling graphics, and impressive weaponry. We never thought that shadowy corners and pools of light could be equally threatening, but the dark recesses of this game hide unspeakable horrors and the occasional spotlight exposes all of us more than we'd Madden NFL 2005. System: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube Release: August 9 This year the Madden franchise celebrates its 15-year anniversary, and the series is only picking up more steam with each passing year. Reflecting its cover star, Ravens' linebacker Ray Lewis, Madden 2005 gives players a host of options to stop offenses in their tracks, including the boot-rocking Hit Stick. As a testament to the franchise's status as the standard for the sport, the series is literally synonymous with video game football, and is respected by pro players, celebrities, and millions upon millions of gamers the world over. á “, INFORMER Astro Boy: Omega Factor |. System: Game Boy Advance Release: August 17 Don't let the little boy in underoos deter you, this handheld adventure is both a loving homage to old-school side-scrolling action and a skillful execution of modern gameplay conven- tions. Portable games sometimes suffer from the limitations of their platform — Astro Boy: Omega Factor, on the other hand, exemplifies why this format can be unique and vital by providing fast-paced, color-saturated action. On top of all of this wizardry, Omega Factor offers true replay; we're just going to say that the end isn't really the end. Hot Shots Golf Fore! | System: PlayStation 2 Release: August 17 Solid golf gameplay never goes out of style. That's not to say, though, that Hot Shots Golf Fore! by Clap Hanz doesn't rock in the upgrade and innovation fronts. Online play, a bucket of new courses, and more Sony mascots than any self- respecting gamer can shake a nine iron at make this a title that deftly balances the challenge of adding features while keeping what players love best. There are few sports with such a long-standing video gaming tradition, and even fewer series that continue to make the experience this fresh. like. Lesser games have tried and utterly failed at what Doom 3 does best. Pikmin 2 lcm PIKMIN C cHe COP 10 DISSPPOINEMentsS OF гооа System: GameCube Release: August 30 No matter how you look at it, anthropomorphic plant creatures are unquestionably adorable. Improving upon the formula that made the first Pikmin so dam charming, Pikmin 2 adds widely varied troop functions and a strangely addictive multiplayer mode to an already engrossing strategy framework. Thanks to Pikmin 2, when you think of funny- looking short guys digging up junk this year, now you can imagine an amazingly quirky gaming experience instead of Uncle Percy in your backyard sandbox. Burnout 3: Takedown System: PlayStation 2, Xbox Release: September 7 People have often said that metal wrenching car crashes aren't any fun at all. True, having your real-life auto involved in a bender of the sorts shown through beautiful slow. motion in Burnout 3 would be the bummer of the decade. The relief for all of us is twofold: one, games aren't real and two, Criterion knew all of us well enough to stoke the fires of destruction in one of the most exhilarating displays of gaming demolition this side of the millennium. Weep with joy as you cause massive pileups without the guilt, expense, or insurance increases. Driv3r After the debade that was Driv3r, we hear that Tanner can't even get arrested - even for grand theft auto. Over three million gamers worldwide were suckered into buying this piece of garbage that didn't even benefit from the multiple delays in its four-year development. And what the hell is “Driv3r’? Lesson: Never trust a game that can't spell its own name. Marvel Sues NCSoft Comic book company Marvel is suing City of Heroes developer NCsoft, saying that the game's created heroes infringe оп Marvel's own copyrighted band of tights-wearers. Who is Captain Marvel? He's the guy in a suit who sucks dollars out of wallets and shoots lawsuits out of his eyes. Silent Hill 4: The Room System: PlayStation 2, Xbox Release: September 7 Sequestering players in a decaying apartment, forcing them to become morally questionable voyeurs ogling the outside world, and then changing the rules of what is safe are risky and high-concept additions to the sometimes stagnant survival horror genre. Silent Hill 4: The Room terrifies players both with macabre enemies and, through pure design skill, the threat of everyday situations turning into ghastly nightmares. This game will creep into the recesses of your mind and never really leave. Gran Turismo 4 Delayed Sony hits us with a double whammy, not only delaying the game until this spring, but yanking out the title's online portion — one of the game's shiny new features — and putting it on a separate release. Are we going to have to pay extra for that? Someone tell creator Kazunori Yamauchi to shut up about GT 5 and just finish the one he’s already started. No Barry Bonds Looks like Barry was too busy swallowing “The Clear" and rubbing “The Cream” on his arthritis (or was it his hemorrhoids?) to want to appear in any of this year’s baseball games. Instead we had to settle for a Giants outfielder who bore no likeness to Barry. Although that guy probably did steroids, too. Sony's PS2 Hard Drive Support You've got a better chance of getting an ingrown nose hair than coming across a PS2 title that supports this thing, because Final Fantasy XI is the only one that takes full advantage of it. Fable System: Xbox Release: September 14 Up until Fable's release, BioWare virtually had a lock on the open-ended RPG that featured actual choices and consequences. No longer, though — Fable brought a world to life with its multifaceted NPCs, amazing environment design, and player-influenced society. With the abilities you can attain in Fable, the entire world is literally yours to do with as you please, and that's a hard-to-resist power trip. Who knew that being lauded as a hero or cowered from as a villian is, in some ways, better than saving the world? The Death of Acclaim We won't miss the sub-par games, but it's always a shame when а video game company shuts down. The company was on the rebound, but after а history of bad decisions, “Dinosaur Hunter Turok Goes Extinct” was a headline waiting to happen. The Nintendo DS Although it claimed that DS was only a temporary tag, Nintendo wimped out and stuck with the uninspired name. Coupled with a lackluster launch lineup, the handheld doesn't feel as revolutionary as we'd like. But we have no doubt that Nintendo will turn things around. As the saying goes, there’s always next year. Infinium's Phantom Weil probably be threatened by lawyers for calling the Phantom a disappointment (don't ask), but after the encouraging showing at E3, what else can you call the system for missing its launch in November or the company operating under a four million dollar deficit? Infinium is also being sued for fraud and breach of contract. GoldenEye: Rogue Agent Disappointment is exactly what describes this game, especially because some of the origi- nal team worked on it and it lets you play as a villain. It just doesn't live up to the level of quality we've come to expect from EA. Ads in Games Want to know why Need for Speed Underground 2 makes you drive everywhere? So you can stare at all the dumb advertisements in the game. This is a trend that we hope goes up in flames like a zeppelin accident. REY [e] GAME INFORMER 73 > 5H€E COP 50 GAMES ОЕР гоо 4 ене ор 10 eae. System: PC Release: September 14 D e U е С о [m] e [21 5 O е е O O а This franchise is a colossal force in the gaming industry - the original game sold enough copies to outfit entire countries, and the expansion packs have kept players addicted for years now. So, when The Sims 2 came out with its incredible graphical update and family tree systems, we got hooked all over again. Being a cruel puppet master or building a noble lineage to withstand the ages is more rewarding, challenging, and just plain addictive than ever before. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War Valve System: PC Release: September 20 The earth-shaking achievement of Half-Life 2 would be enough to get Valve onto this list er often that a new ES franchise can hang with the of greats, but with the addition of its Steam distribution software, the company assured a x number one spot Automatic updates, server management, and digital distribution are no big boys like Warcraft and Command & Conquer. Dawn of small goals, and Valve has delivered this year. War does so easily by bringing a slew of new concepts to the table and executing them smoothly. Developer Relic somehow makes it look easy to tread the very thin line of That they're awesome, that we'll wait breathlessly for their next release, or maybe that (because of Halo 2) we're having problems making deadline every month? As a whole, Bungie has single-handedly made Xbox’s killer app — again. surprisingly enjoyable brawlers of the year. Team Ninja 5 2 а Both of its games, Ninja Gaiden and Dead ог Alive Ultimate, made it onto our best of the fun between micro and macro level strategy, complexity year list. With nearly complete disregard for what others think, this studio provided gamers and simplicity. It even does all this while keeping the rabid with some of the most blistering difficulty and beautiful graphics of the entire console Warhammer fans happy with their dedication to recreating generation, much less 2004. the tabletop game accurately. Salute! Crytek - El үзі ран practically out of nowhere, German developer Crytek dropped one of the best Def Ja m: Fig ht for NY surprises of the year on unsuspecting gamers in the PC title Far Cry. With a debut as impressive as this, we can't help but look forward to what this company is planning for System: PlayStation 2/Xbox/GameCube the future. Release: September 21 A fusion of a wrestling game and a traditional fighter, Fight Rockstar North for NY combines a robust fighting mechanic with hip hop а | Here's а big challenge: Take a beloved, almost revered, franchise and make it feel fresh. music, highly interactive environments, celebrity fighters, and In the face of hundreds of imitators, Rockstar North managed to do the unthinkable and hundreds of unlockable extras. The bevy of cosmetic changes mold San Andreas into both a solid continuation of the franchise and expand on it so you can apply to your fighter and a compelling story make for much that the series is addictive all over again. an engaging single player experience. Also, the brutal combat 1 is just as fun for up to four players. Featuring multiple fighting Bungie styles, dozens of playable characters, detailed visuals, and a What's to Бе said about the development team responsible for our game of the year? great soundtrack, Def Jam: Fight for NY is one of the most E . PlayStation. m Visual Concepts Katamari Damacy Taking on the industry's unchallenged powerhouse in Electronic Arts sports games by Katamari dropping the price of your football title to £20 is a bold move. Making a game that System: PlayStation 2 Release: September 21 а deserves to knock Madden off of its high horse is another. What we love best is that, year This Namco quirkfest proves one point over and over again: на if after year, ESPN games truly innovate. Bizarre charm coupled with borderline Engrish translation can make an otherwise iffy game one of the events of Blizzard the year. Katamari Damacy took advantage of nonsensical 7 Launching an MMO, as anyone who plays them knows, isn't a task to take lightly. With graphic elements (lots of rainbows, singing ducks, and months of buzz and a widely-lauded beta period, the launch of World of Warcraft wasn't dancing pandas round out the mix) and a great soundtrack perfect, but the team really outdid itself by fixing the problems and letting us revel in the great world it had created. to worm into our otherwise cold, empty shell of a chest cavity. The King of All Cosmos demands that you check this Giarbreezo out, or get left in the dark recesses of starless space. Dangerous territory — that's a place where this Swedish development team was not only treading in, but also running through at full bore. Its Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay is one title that defies both the expectations of a movie-licensed game and what a standard FPS can deliver. Story, combat, and industry-shaking graphics are all X-Men Legends done with such skill that we couldn't put the controller down. a System: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube EA Redwood Shores Release: September 21 Incorporating Maxis (the prolific Sims developer) with Redwood Shores’ other franchises Activision's masterful homage to everything X-Men gets our (anyone heard of Lord of the Rings?), this division of Electronic Arts is a highlight of the unofficial nod for best multiplayer experience. Up to four publisher's giant development stable. Consistently solid titles at a truly impressive rate is gamers can co-op their way through the long main story as the group's defining feature. well as participate in flashback missions and training in the Danger Room, while customizing the abilities and strengths Midway Chicago of more than 15 playable mutants. Inside jokes from the Making gigantic strides by providing startlingly new experiences (Psi-Ops: The Mindgate comics pop up frequently (Colossus and Wolverine's “fastball Conspiracy), innovation (NBA Ballers), and fulfiling fans' greatest wishes (Mortal Kombat: special" comes to mind), and the balance between heroes' Men Midway's Chicago studio is setting the bar higher for the rest of the industry skills and weaknesses is handled well throughout. 74 САМЕ INFORMER Shadow Hearts: Covenant System: PlayStation 2 Release: September 27 Everything about this game is a mix of established features and unexpected tweaks. A standard RPG random encounter system is coupled with a much-improved Judgement Ring that manages everything from attack accuracy to shopping discounts. The somewhat clichéd tale is twisted into a heartfelt mix of truly crazy characters, funny dialogue, and real-world settings. Besides standing out from the crowd for its gutsy modifications of genre conventions, Shadow Hearts: Covenant earns its keep by doing the classics with skill. Mortal Kombat: еі | UBISOFT’ Deception КОМВА " а Electronic Arts System: PlayStation 2, Xbox Release: October 4 Once again in our number one position, the pure force of Electronic Art's publishing Not only does Deception refine and improve the fighting empire cannot be denied. With a huge roster of hits and constantly-improving quality, the engine introduced in Deadly Alliance, it also adds online play company has proven that putting out a lot of product doesn't have to mean that #5 sub- and a bucket of additional features, such as an MK version Standard in the fun or innovation departments. of chess and a puzzle game. An improved training mode is also offered in the form of Konquest mode. With so many сне COP 10 PUBLISHERS OF eooda Ubisoft UE Et ways playa en ci ee hi шогу Supplementing its die-hard franchises with higher-concept, riskier fare has proven smart тъ IS oM d ene GR тоа two years in а row for Ubisoft. Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow changed how we thought ee ibat : ighüng 6 about online competition and Prince of Persia: Warrior Within took chances for the newly 5 74 updated franchise. Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 pen TONY HAWK System: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube Release: October 5 тих AM tently solid. Last year's THUG was a huge departure for the Tony Hawk 2 Microsoft n Suddenly, Microsoft is one smart company. They released great titles that sold through the series, thanks to its shift to a story-based adventure. This year's THUG 2 still offers the Story mode, as well as a Classic roof (two things that don't always go together), and at the same time canceled product mode, which offers the traditional skating action seen in the that they didn't see as profitable. It's sad for зоте fans, but from a business perspective, original trilogy. Not only is THUG 2 two great games for the the moves are what will keep the company's game division alive and well. price of one, it also adds new moves, classic levels, and the great soundtrack the series is known for. Neversoft's baby grows by leaps and bounds each year, and with this entry it has released arguably the best game in the series yet. Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War System: PlayStation 2 Release: October 25 For a lot of gamers, flight simulation titles fall into categories of either inaccessibility or disinterest. If there's one game this year that will change minds, Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War is it. Great graphics, an engaging squad control system, and interesting missions combine forces with one of the best- told stories of 2004. Constant radio chatter between your teammates and the others in the air are the main ways that the tale is relayed, and since it's during missions, the fate of your fellow countrymen seems that much more engaging. Activision Rocking with both licensed titles and original IPs, Activision has had a banner year. Spider-Man 2, Tony Hawk's Underground 2, X-Men Legends, and Doom 3 were each full-fledged events in their own rights, and the rest of the company's lineup was consis- Nintendo A slow year for the GameCube, but 12 gangbusting months for their handheld division earn Nintendo this spot in the top half of our list Gamers begging for more ate up dassic re-releases and the DS launch went smoothly worldwide. The only reason that the N isn't higher is that we're wondering how these moves are really building toward a solid foun- dation in the next round of consoles. Rockstar The controversial publisher doesn't put out many games in a year, but what it banks on is gamers knowing that each game is quality. If Rockstar wants to become a brand that people will buy because they know and trust the name, then the company is well on its way. Midway Chicago-based publisher Midway had a year that no one expected. The last 12 months have been punctuated by impressive new franchises like Psi-Ops and The Suffering, as well as expert updates to its core games like Mortal Kombat Som erê not their most outrageous year from а software-sales standpoint, the company has really laid a great foundation for the next few years leading up to a new console + я launch. The PSP released in Japan, EyeToy support continues to be strong and innovative, Dea d or Al ме U Itim ate and the redesigned PS2 is selling like hotcakes. System: Xbox Release: October 26 Team Ninja's loving update of their premier fighter is flush with fanboy treats. The original DOA (previously unreleased in the States) is included for a little historical perspective and all-new stunningly beautiful cinematic sequences bring to light some of the fighters’ backgrounds; but the crown jewel is undoubtedly the main game mode - a gorgeously updated version of DOA 2 with online play. Taking advantage of Xbox Live, Ultimate provides a brutal arcade feel that's been missing since stand-ups were the machines of choice. Tecmo Making games for the hardcore crowd doesn't seem to be profitable for many publish- ers, but Tecmo's year proves that the plan isn't impossible. Ninja Gaiden, Dead or Alive: Ultimate, and the Fatal Frame series all appeal to those who seek out unique, challenging, and beautiful experiences in video games. NCsoft Redefining a well-established genre is enough to cheer, but NCsoft not only changed how people experience massively multiplayer online games, the company also serves as an illustration about how a good marketing plan can change everything. Players ran toward City of Heroes in droves, and that might be the understatement of the year. GAME INFORMER 75 + „ВЕКА Û 5 |. www.thematrixonline.com THE MATRIX ONLINE, characters, names and all related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s05) Sega is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. SEGA and the Sega logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Sega Corporation. WBIE LOGO: TM & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Developed by Monolith Productions, Inc. MONOLITH and the Monolith logo are trademarks of and € Monolith Productions, Inc. t Y THE MATRIX IS ONLINE. JACK In NOW. b Explore every inch of The Matrix: Mega City—the most realistic urban environment of any MMO. The entire city, including every room of every building, is in play. > Defeat your enemies using devastating martial arts Maneuvers and gunplay. Breakthrough MMO technology produces rich animations and hyper-kinetic battle sequences. b Escape character regret. Reconfigure your character's abilities and performance on demand. > Communicate with people in and out of the game in real-time using AOL® Instant Messenger™ technology. сыне COP So F в0о0 4 Grand Theft Auto: The Lord о па f> <} San Andreas the Rings: $ System: PlayStation 2 Release: October 26 The Third Age ... Evading the fuzz and setting Ше town аМаге Наз never System: PlayStation 2, Xbox been so exhilarating. When you are faced with the Gamecube Ralsasé: Novemb 2 ^ choice of landing a stolen military jet at your private It takes balls for EA to step out of ! qum 5 airstrip or bailing out, skydiving, then the cozy confines of the movie | )\lay%tation.c е И | parachuting to safety, you know trilogy the way it does with The that you have something great on Third Age. This game also finds the | =ч Ф В < your hands. The level of freedom publisher/developer stretching its ` that players have at their fingertips talents into the fealm of tum-based is staggering, and the sheer size of this project is simply daunting. San Andreas also fires direct hits with an incredible story that is chock full of pop culture wackiness and stellar performances from its A-list cast This truly is one for the ages. RPGs. Thankfully, these risks pay off in a rich and involving epic that sells nobody short. Both casual movie fans and hardcore RPG players will find plenty to eat their hearts out here. Although it's hard to take the game's cast of B-list Middle-earth T. heroes seriously, they will have you staying i up late into the night to cast mighty 4 havoc on foes all across the land. PRI PlayStation.e EverQuest Il | System: PC Release: November 9 If it's a large world and endless content to adventure through that Ratchet & Clank you want, EverQuest II does it better than any game to date. The improve- ments that EQ II introduces over ће System: PlayStation 2 Release: November 2 original could fill this entire magazine, Weapon-based platforming has never been so sweet. We loved the but a technical powerhouse of a second game featuring Ratchet and his robotic sidekick Clank, but presentation and much-improved are nothing short of pleasantly shocked with the third entry in the combat and grouping mechanics series — Up Your Arsenal. Insomniac's genre-defining entry is an easily top the list. This MMORPG has absolute must-play for the hilarious story, insane weaponry, and a crafting system that manages to constantly entertaining and exhilarating gameplay. Top all be just as cool, fun, and powerful as of this design mastery with a truckload of online adventuring, which should really be all you need to know al multiplayer options, and action/platform games will 7 how many things there are to do in Norrath these days. never be the same. System: Xbox Release: November 9 How do you describe a game that has captivated so many people so completely? Some are floored with the story mode and its refresh- ingly different take on the tired space marine theme. Others want nothing more than to beat that one guy's time in Legendary mode, J and even more can't stop (no matter what's Ё | ж at stake in their personal lives) playing online ELIS until the wee hours of the mom. #5 no under- [SEI gl == 4 statement to say that this is the best game of Ж Ж OF THE» Ж the year, and what we're happiest about is that the honor is earned for so many different, yet eooa equally valid reasons. 78 V чак 3 System: PlayStation 2 Кейеазе: November 9 As a trilogy, Naughty Dog's Jak and Daxter franchise has consistently made giant evolutionary leaps with each entry, culminating in this climactic finale. Cinematic cutscenes and storytelling rival the greatest that this medium has to offer. While a story of this depth is something that is rarely seen in the action/platform genre, part of its success is how subtly and skillfully the tale is woven through the series’ trademark gameplay mix of gunplay, platforming, and vehicle missions. Half-Life 2 System: PC Release: November 16 One would think that with all of the hoopla and ludicrous expectations that gamers had of Half-Life 2, itd be bound to disappoint. But even the most cynical gamer is hard-pressed to find fault in this title — from dismembering zombies with sawblades to dodging through the ruins of civilization to avoid an attack helicopter, Half-Life 2 provides moment after moment that will stick with you for the rest of your life. We still cringe in fear at the sound that Striders make as they open up with their cannons. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater System: PlayStation 2 Release: November 17 Before its release, even stalwart series fans were skeptical of some of the things Snake Eater promised to bring to Metal Gear Solid. Hunting for food, contextual camouflage, and the conspicuous absence of Solid Snake raised a few cautious eyebrows. However, when the obscuring fog surrounding this title finally lifted, these elements combined with an absorbing story and a compelling cast to form one of the most cinematic and captivating adventures of this console generation. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes System: GameCube Release: November 18 Testing the will, abilities, and determination of the average gamer and rewarding them heartily upon completion, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is a cruel mistress. Dark and Light versions of the world (and the main character) provide an excellent opportunity for interesting weapons, the series' trademark labyrinthine level design, and buckets of enemies. On top of the lengthy single-player story mode, Nintendo and Retro Studios brought gamers a four-player split-screen option as well, satisfying almost all of our wishes. World of Warcraft System: PC Release: November 23 PC gamers have been waiting a long time for a new game from legendary developer Blizzard, and World of Warcraft does nothing to disappoint. Somehow, the long-standing MMORPG format has been tweaked here to make every facet of play simultaneously more accessible, less tedious, and simply more fun. Add on the raucous player-vs-player combat over contested territory, and there are few titles that will put your social life in as much danger as this one. Рета E. ш = < N/OR I.I WARCRAFI ЁТ. + + -не COP ao BIGGeSt DORHS OF 2004 Captain Rhama (Galleon) When one of your attacks involves running around in circles with your arms outstretched, you're destined to become GI's infamous Dork of the Year. We've seen toddlers with better fighting skills, and most of them dressed better, too. Chi and Mu (Seven Samurai 20XX) Funny, we don't remember rollerblading kids who rap in the Kurosawa movie. Must be in the director's cut. The presence of these two losers helps lower the quality of their shabby game even further, resulting in one of the most embarassing titles of the year. Pitfall Harry (Pitfall Harry) Harry’s constant barrage of unfunny jokes is obviously masking his insecurity and loneliness. We know you need to be loved, Harry. We know you need to be accepted. We know, but we still hate you. D-Tritus (Scrapland) We know what you're thinking: How could this guy be considered lame? He's got so much going for him! He's got the looks of a cyborg Muppet, moves like he's controlled by a drunken puppeteer, and speaks with a dreamy voice as grating as Urkel's. How could we dislike him? Maybe we just disagree with his politics. Lazarus Jones (Ghosthunter) A cross between Egon Spengler and AJ from the Backstreet Boys, Lazarus Jones is about as cool as fungus. Sure, he has a ghost inhabiting his body, but she'd surely love to be exorcised just to get away from this nerd. Gerard and Pierre (Shadow Hearts: Covenant) We try to avoid taking potshots at easy targets, but we simply couldn't pass up these delicate litte fruitcups. They make dresses for your doll if you give them male erotica, and they're French. Please insert your own jokes here — they pretty much write themselves. Bam Margera (Tony Hawk's Underground 2) We enjoy Ват5 personality about as much as we enjoy the itching, burning sensation of wearing a fiberglass thong. Yeah, we know being annoying is his whole schtick, but we think it's really a self-loathing cry for help. Hey, if we were Bam, we'd hate ourselves, too. Magnus Tide (Yager) This drunken-looking doofus never stood a chance at not totally sucking. Even if Magnus Tide didn't spout lame, uninspired one-liners, you simply can't be cool if your name sounds like a medieval wizard's laundry soap. You just can't. Nice hair, too - hows the Kid п Play tribute band working out for you? Murray and Bentley (Sly 2: Band of Thieves) Imagine the movie Ocean's Twelve if you removed all the cool actors like Don Cheadle and Bernie Mac, and replaced them with Carrot Top and the guy who played Unde Joey on Full House. A heist just isn't as cool when your partners are dweebs, is it? GoldenEye (GoldenEye: Rogue Agent) Although purported to be "evil," former MI-5 agent GoldenEye is really just a big pouting baby. "Fire me, will you? Fine, I'l go join the bad guys’ team! How do you like that?" But considering he's got the personality of a block of wood, we're surprised that they would want him, either. feature > GHE COP SO GAMES DE 2.00 4 Final Fantasy | & II: Dawn of Souls System: Game Boy Advance Release: November 30 It's true that these two games have been released in other guises on this continent, but Square Enix isn't just shilling out a rehash for the heck of it with this handheld gem. Besides the undeniable quality of the classic source material, this version of the first Final Fantasy games features a seri- ously impressive amount of new content after the original adventures end, improved graphics, and streamlined menu systems (no small feature, if you remember the originals). Е снесор 10 WORSE ШЇ am Gomes oc 2002Q SQUARE cmx Prince of Persia: Warrior Within System: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube Release: December 2 For all the fear that fans of the series had about this sequel (a more mature lead character with an updated combat engine), Ubisoft proved once again that it has the right idea when it comes to this franchise. Offering up a nuanced and engaging action/platform sequel with some of the best level design ever seen in the genre will quiet the critics in no time flat. Leaping, flipping, swinging, and slashing are rarely combined with this level of artistry. The Guy Game Barely qualifying as a video game, The Guy Game is a trivia title that (eventually) awards the player with nearly attractive girls flashing their...um, assets. The horrible commentary team and inane questions manage to make nudity boring, and makes us wonder who is more pathetic: those who made this game or those who play it Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic ll: The Sith Lords System: Xbox Release: December 6 When you have an assassin droid who openly praises each malicious atrocity that you commit, it's hard to pay attention to the Jedi Order's teachings of patience and virtue. Even with a new developer, The Sith Lords rekindles the magic of the original release, and expands upon the Light and Dark Side dynamic. More sinister and less clear cut than the previous chapter, the story is brimming with personality and steeped in Star Wars mythology. They say that lightning never strikes twice, but Force lightning, on the other hand, is another story altogether. This is one jolt of excitement that is well worth subjecting yourself to. Fear Factor: Unleashed Heights and eating bugs simply aren't scary when translated into video games. Then how did this game manage to fill us with such deep, bone-chilling dread? Horrible, horrible broken minigames! We still get nightmares. McFarlane’s Evil Prophecy Todd McFarlane is well known for his creepy monster toys, but this is easily the most fright- ening thing he's yet unleashed. With awful controls, terrible level design, and lame charac- ters, this game truly is an evil creation. Its only saving grace is that it is so muddy-looking and dark that it’s hard to see how crappy it truly is. The Nightmare of Druaga: Fushigino Dungeon When you save your game, it actually forces you to quit and turn off your PS2. But when dying makes you lose almost all of your items and gameplay is just this sluggish, unin- spired, and bland, then there's no reason to ever turn it back on. Viewtiful Joe 2 System: PlayStation 2, GameCube Release: December 7 It may be more of the same, but when the source material is as excellent as Viewtiful Joe, we're not complaining. The iconic graphical style returns as well as Joe and his deliciously madcap action moveset, but he is joined in a bigger way this time by his girlfriend Sylvia. The duo messes with time to annihilate their foes, move obstacles, and solve devilish puzzles through this chunk of cannot-be-missed gaming bliss. Seven Samurai 20XX Boring, linear "kill everything then go to the door" gameplay makes up the bulk of this laughable title. While intended to be a celebration of Akira Kurosawa's masterful movie, this game is more like a giant steaming dump on the filmmaker' grave. Way of the Samurai 2 There's no one overriding problem with this game - it fails on all levels equally. The worthless controls, pathetic graphics, and pitiful combat combine into a "perfect storm" of suck. Between this and Seven Samurai 20XX, it was a very bad year to be a Japanese warrior. Catwoman While graphically decent, painful platforming and downright stupid combat that forces you to hit all enemies into nearby containers pushed this title down into the Basement of Shameful Games. In other words, it's about as good as the movie. MechAssault 2: X «oc EE Cy Girls W j = We know it's a shock, but this game based on a line of dolls simply isn't very good. Your Lo ne olf ТЕШ з= Т E choice of two horrible camera systems awaits in this title, which makes it difficult to see the completely generic action. Plus, it has none of the clever plotting or dialogue typically associated with obscure toy lines. System: Xbox Release: December 28 Adding tons of depth to the MechAssault formula with additional vehicle types, Lone Wolf's campaign mode is even better than the first game's. But where this title really shines is on Xbox Live. In its Conquest mode, players battle each other for control of an entire solar system in a war that rages on whether you're playing or not. Few other games offer such compelling reason to go online, and the frantic, engag- ing gameplay will keep you hooked once you do. Bad Boys: Miami Takedown Loosely based on Bad Boys ll but without either of its stars, Miami Takedown has the dubious distinction of being one of the few instances of "entertainment" ever created that would have been improved with the addition of Martin Lawrence. (tie) A Sound of Thunder/Thunderbirds/Power Rangers: Basically, if it was on GBA and had the word "thunder" in the title, it sucked. 80 САМЕ INFORMER JU Games! Une Winner! TIESTITOTTITETADOTIT for a chance to win all of Game Informer's Top 50 Games of 2004. GAME INFORMER'S TOP 50 SWEEPSTAKES а. Опе entry per person, per day. Sweepstakes begins 12:00 AM Central Time (CT) January 18, 2005 and ends 11:59 PM CT February 21, 2005 ("Sweepstakes Period"). To enter the Sweepstakes, go to www.gameinformer.com. All entries must be submitted by February 21, 2005. Game Informer Online and Game Informer magazine (Ihe "Sponsor") are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete or misdirected entries, 2. PRIZE: One (1) grand prize winner will recelve a single copy of every game found in Game Informer's Top 50 games of 2004 (approximate retail value $2,499.50). Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prize of equal or greater value if prize is unavailable. Prizes are non-translerable and no substitu: tions allowed. 3. WINNER: Winner will be determined by random drawings of all valid entries. Drawing will be held on or about March 1, 2005, Winners shall be notified by email, Please allow six to eight weeks for Gelivery of prizes, 4. ODDS OF WINNING; The odds of winning depend on number of valid entries recelved. 5. ELIGIBILITY; Promotion open to residents of United States only. 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RESTRICTIONS: Sweepstakes and Survey entries will only be accepted by those who are 13 years of age or older. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. | PSP's Launch RPG Unveiled SE ROTHER Uf the BLADE A ^x UNLIMITED ENABLED PLAYSTATION PORTABLE > STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION/RPG (UP TO 4-PLAYER VIA WIRELESS) > PUBLISHER SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT > DEVELOPER SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT > RELEASE MARCH 82 GAME INFORMER he development of launch titles for a new system is a path filled with roadblocks, pitfalls, and a woeful lack of road signs. Nobody really knows the true potential of a freshly released piece of hardware; to this day, four years after the PlayStation 2 debut, new ways of utilizing the power of the machine are still being discovered. However, in the course of our exclusive first look at Sony Online Entertainment's new project, Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade, it quickly became dear that this title will be able to stand on its own merits and not rely on the novelty of the PlayStation Portable hardware. The legend that the game intends to tell is that of an unimaginably ancient city, cut off from the rest of the world by the surrounding wilds. This city of Aven has been isolated for so long that its dwellers no longer even ques- tion it. Even their histories and traditions don't acknowledge a greater world or civilization. As far as they know or care, the entire world consists of Aven and its immediate region. The wilds are a place of fear and superstition to the city folk; their greatest punishment is an exile outside the walls of Aven. However, such outcasts have formed their own society, one just as old as that of Aven, and their jealousy of the city has prompted them to keep the old knowledge alive. In classic RPG form, there will no doubt be terrible truths revealed as the player advances beyond the safety of Aven and (we assume) saves the world from ancient evil. You Can Do That On A Portable? Given the fact that SOE has "Sony" as part of its name, you'd think that it would have unprecedented access to all sorts of tightly guarded internal goodies like tech specs and early development kits for the PSP. According to SOE artist Todd Luallen, however, the team had to start with literally nothing more than guesswork for the kinds of feats this hardware would be capable of. When the first actual unit arrived in the offices, though, the real work could begin. The first step of this phase was a scaling-up of all their assets and expectations. The PSP's power far outstripped the estimates SOE had come up with. The capabilities of Sony's portable are breathtaking. First, consider a monster model with a stunning level of detail. Then put several of them onscreen at the same time, as well as the player's avatar. Oh, and it's snowing - let's draw individual snowflakes drifting through the air. How about some real- time shadows, lighting, and gorgeous particle effects for those monsters? And perhaps some sparkly spell effects coming off of the player character and baddies alike. Put it all in smoothly animated motion, and you've got a feel for what Untold Legends looks like. Of course, it would be a shame to limit the love to the visually oriented abilities of the hardware. That's why you've got limited voice work for characters, ambient sounds like water rushing and fire crackling, and four-player wire- less co-op. The most impressive element, though, is the gigantic randomly generated levels. For one thing, there are over 100 of them. These are created on the fly (though you can save a map if you're not done with it yet and have to take a break) according to a set of criteria laid down by the design- ers. Everything about a particular level is hand-tweaked - the size and number of rooms, weather, lighting, enemy density and types — you name it. The designers Because no fantasy game is complete without dual-wielding ПА t 3 te [4 "No spiders will wreck % my ghost slumber party!" are even able to specify encounters, set pieces, or story events to occur at a certain percentage of the way through a stage. Yes, other games have done it before, but Untold Legends takes it to a new level by piecing them together tile-by-tile rather than room-by-room. In layman's terms, this means that the building blocks that the PSP works with when making a map are much smaller than those in a standard game, which allows for far greater diversity Controlli g Your Destiny As the PSP is two buttons shy of a PS2 controller, adjustments must be made to accommodate control- ling an action/RPG on the unit. The basic scheme is almost identi- cal to Champions of Norrath, but the right shoulder button serves as a shift key, which changes the functions of any other button press while holding it down. This handy mechanic effectively doubles the number of face buttons on the PSP, and if it's a little cumbersome at first, we got used to it quickly — 15 minutes into our playtime with Untold Legends, we had no trouble whatsoever smashing up the hordes of evil. On a note to those with big hands, though, the PSP's analog stick is placed so close to the edge of the unit that your left thumb can get a little cramped during long play sessions. between each instance. Over and above the huge number of levels in the game, Untold Legends offers plenty more content on that little UMD disc for players to chew on. Most of your avatar's equipment shows up cosmetically, and there's a small amount of customiza- tion available in the form of three or four choices each for skin color, hair color, and hairstyle. There are more than 70 total models for enemies and NPCs, and the designers can make special versions of the regular models to give them a different Monster designs are varied and unique Monster designs are varied and unique coloration or new Al and abilities to spice things up a bit. We don't know what the exact number of unique monster types is, but given the presence of over 50 sub- bosses and six or seven true bosses, you can bet that there will be plenty one way or the other. The loot you find varies in quality and effect as much as that of the classic Diablo Il, and uses a similar system of pre- fixes and suffixes to make for a nearly end- less supply of distinct items. There will, of course, also be unique named equipment of great power for you to drool over. (continued on page 85) Bathing in lightning is the only way to remove dungeon-stink GAME INFORMER 83 ù Fm Knignt e These doughty warriors are also known as the Shaeluun Maul and utilize the secret combat arts of their order to smite their enemies. Each individual knight is a descendant of a ceremoniously arranged union between two other knights, and is thus pure of blood and ordained from birth to join the order. Probably the most archetypal of the four playable classes in Untold Legends, the Knight goes about his business in the old-fashioned way: beating things to a pulp. On top of being the most melee-oriented of the charac- ters, the Knight can use his unique skills such as Aura of Valor to bestow beneficial effects that aid himself and his allies in battle. This powerful ability increases the rate of experience gain for the Knight and his companions — a definite party favorite. 84 GAME INFORMER Wildling 4 These fierce berserkers are chosen based on their incredible strength, perseverance, and hunger for vengeance. They are so dedicated to battle and bloodshed, in fact, that it's a common belief among the people of Untold Legends that Wildlings are infected with some sort of bizarre disease. All of that aside, everyone loves a hybrid dass, and the Wildling is a pretty cool one. She can certainly hold her own in melee, but she also possesses great skill with throwing weapons, allowing her to soften up her enemies before they reach her. We don't know how the whole "dedicating your life to bloody vengeance" concept works out in gameplay, but we can only assume that it will be suitably entertaining. If Greenpeace had access to mysti- cal powers (and a propensity toward violence), they'd be Druids in Untold Legends. Sensing a growing corruption in the land, the Druids of the world have come forth to cleanse it wherever it may be. With his ability to call on the beasts of the natural world to protect and aid him, the Druid is a force to be reckoned with. The pets he can summon and his nature magic make the Druid more of an indirect and strategic class than most. He is also the primary healing class in Untold Legends, with skills such as the aura-like Nature's Medicine, which increases you and your allies regenera- tion rates — easily making them sought- after as companions. ча: PEN Alchemist A scientist of incredible brilliance, extreme curiosity, little regard for conse- quences, and the closest thing Untold Legends has to a standard mage, the Alchemist brings something a little dif- ferent to the table. Though she is not helpless in melee combat, her skills focus mainly on doing damage from afar and staying away from her ene- mies. Besides the obvious fireballs and such that are her bread and butter, the Alchemist can actually transmute stored money into potions and even create golems. Best part about the class? You can explode your faithful golem servant to damage everything around it. Sacrificing your minions for personal gain: Priceless. Tried, True, But Also New At first glance, Untold Legends has a lot in common with tried-and-true action/RPGs like Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance and SOE's own Champions of Norrath. Skill trees, character statistics and classes, and an extensive inventory system all come as no surprise. Under the hood of both the technical aspects and design philoso- phies of the game, though, it quickly becomes clear that Untold Legends pays homage to its forebears rather than trying to recreate them. From the story to the down-and- dirty coding, this title has been built from the ground up for the PSP, minimizing its disadvantages and making the most of the system's strengths. Since Untold Legends is on a portable platform, the designers want it to be simple, intuitive, and worthwhile to get on the bus, boot up the system, hook up with anyone in range for some wireless multiplayer, and have a meaningful play session in the time it takes to get to Legends also moves into newer, more interesting ground in terms of skills. For one thing, the character classes (see page 84), break somewhat from the heroic fantasy mold — an Alchemist will play quite differently than the standard magic-slinging nuke machine we like to call a wizard. One ability that has already been confirmed is an odd twist on a regular old charm spell. When an enemy falls under the sway of this skill, it will obviously become friendly to the player and attack his or her enemies. Its Statistics will also be buffed up far beyond its normal power level. When the charm wears off, though, it retains its newfound power and comes after the player again. A careful balancing of risk versus reward will be necessary to keep from reloading your last save. Our hands-on time with an early build of Untold Legends demonstrated, in no uncertain terms, that all of these disparate elements are well on their way to making a fun game. Adventuring out from the city, “Adventuring out from the city, smoothly dispatching hordes of pig- men, and fighting unique bosses in fantastic settings is all part of the package — and we only saw a very small portion of the full game.” your destination. The entire structure of the game is set up to let players digest it in chunks of time as small as a few minutes. Even if you out-level the buddy you've been questing with, you can still play together - the monsters you go up against will scale to the power level of your party. While players will certainly have access to fantasy standbys like lightning bolts and healing spells, Untold smoothly dispatching hordes of pig-men, and fighting unique bosses in fantastic settings is all part of the package — and we only saw a very small por- tion of the full game. Exploring the huge maps that the random generator cranks out is a blast thanks to the enemy variation and the ever-present 7 Wt's against the rules for female adventurers to armor their thighs, apparently $+ feature # Behold - particles оп a handheld! hope for that "über" loot drop. Taking in the rich ambi- ence provided by the lush graphics is a treat. The real kicker, though, is doing it all with a friend or three. Barring some dreadful development implosion, Untold Legends will bring its own flavor of the action/RPG experience to portables like we never imagined would be possible. With a feature list that reads more like a forthcom- ing triple-A console title than a launch game on a new portable machine, Untold Legends has enough going for it to make us even more impatient for the U.S. PSP debut. If what we've seen of Untold Legends so far is indicative of its quality, as well as the possibilities of gaming on the go in the future, we're in for a very entertaining 2005. # ж Nothing like a big агеа-оі-еНесі spell to «impress the ladies NN GAME INFORMER 85 "cui "SHADOW OF ROME LOOKS SET TO BLEND TWO VERY POPULAR VIDEO-GAME GENRES TOGETHER IN AN INTELLIGENT, RAW MANNER THAT SHOULD RESULT IN AN OVERALL EXPERIENCE THAT'S WORTHY OF CAPCOM'S OTHER HUGE FRANCHISES.’ GAMESPY OFFICIAL GUIDE AVAILABLE FROM Blood and Gore Intense Violence 4. PlayStation.c RIGHTS RESERVED. CAPCOM and the CAPCOM LOGO are registered trademarks of CAPCOM CO., LTD. SHADOW OF ROME is a trademark of CAPCOM CO., LTD. "PlayStation omputer Entertainment Inc. The ratings icon is a registered trademark of the Entertainment Software Association. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners. COM U.S.A., INC. 2005 trademarks of Sor ЙЕН ЕЕЕ IS МО MERCY IN JUSTICE. INTENSE GLADIATOR | FAST PACED CHARIOT CHARACTER SWITCHING FOR ARENA FIGHTING RACES AND BATTLES INFO GATHERING AND ча“ PUZZLE SOLVING MISSIONS eee — 44 B.C. ROMAN EMPIRE WELCOME TO THE MOST BRUTAL TIME IN HISTORY. NO TIME FOR REMORSE, NO COMPASSION IN BATTLE, NO WEAKNESS IN THE ENEMY. CAESAR HAS BEEN FXECUTED AND FAMILY HONOR HAS BEEN SHATTERED. YOUR GREATEST FIGHT WILL BE FOR THE TRUTH. FERRITARVY 2005 А D FIND OUT MORE AT SHADOWOFROME.COM МОМЕ Т0 “If they didn't want us to play spin the bottle in their bus they should have just told us!" PLAYSTATION 2 | XBOX | PC Rainbow Six: Lockdown > STYLE 1 TO 4-PLAYER ACTION (UP TO 16-PLAYER VIA ONLINE OR XBOX LIVE) > PUBLISHER UBISOFT > DEVELOPER RED STORM ( TWO MORE SIXES he already-large library of Tom Clanc shooters is about to ge! bigger Ubisoft has unveiled the newest addition to the family: Rainbow Six: Lockdown. Like Ghost Recon 2, the PS2 and Xbox releases will be noticeably different, although they will share the same name (like most Clancy games, the PC version will be nearly identical to the Xbox). It seems that Ubisoft has heard the complaints that the Clancy shooters are all too similar and implemented some major — and much needed — changes. Regardless of which ver- sion you pick up, Rainbow Six: Lockdown has some new features in store, The single-player campaign will be largely the same in either version. Rather than being stuck with the same three teammates as you were before, you will now have a pool of 12 troops to choose from, each with his or her own skills. You can choose your squad mates and their weapons based on the mission >: FOLLOW UBISOFT MONTREAL (XBOX/PC) > RELEASE SPRING briefing and command them with more ease than ever before, thanks to a new contextual order system — the command menu will pop up onscreen when near doors or other important points so you can issue your orders. Your squad won't execute until you issue a Zulu Go Code, however, giving you time to get into position. The command menu isn't the only thing that's changed. The biggest difference is how sniper missions are treated, To increase realism, only your squad's sniper сап sharpshoot, and several designated sniper stages have been added. You'll play a mis- sion as the sniper and cover the Rainbow team, then replay the same mission as the squad. With this change, Ubisoft hopes to further highlight how specialized each char- acter is and add new depth to campaign mode. However, Ubisoft knows online play is a huge draw for this franchise, and has planned unique features for each release. е z Se previews The Xbox version features a better lighting engine than the PS2 mPsiio даа THE Attempts to steal early copies of the new issue of Game Informer have never been successful PlayStation 2 The PS2 release will feature an expanded focus on the community aspect of the game, including friends lists, matchmaking, and other features to more closely mimic those of Xbox Live, It will also sport two exclusive maps, the ability to play as mercenaries, and a new mode called Rivalry. In this game type, the two teams will race to be the first to complete a set of objectives. For example, one team may have to hack into a computer and defend it, while the other must protect it from being hacked. The first team to complete two of their three objectives wins. Xbox Improved graphics with real-time light and shadows will appear on the Xbox version. While this iteration won't feature playable mercs or the Rivalry mode, it does include the exciting Career mode, which allows players to create a unique online character. There are foi character classes to choose from including Spec Ops, Commando, Engineer, and Medic. Each class has its own specialty, and playing online matches earns experience points that can be used to upgrade a character's skills. Each skill has sub-skills, a character's appear- ance can be altered, and equipment can be purchased, allowing for dass d highly individualized characters. The characters created in Rainbow Monter vies Old Mai WES Six: Lockdown may even be usable in future Clancy shooters to add after all! We have to tell Scooby incentive to truly perfect your online avatar. lii II and the gang!" Soe ree ROON" Р ЭМЕНИ “ COCKER ROON . cem. SERVICE“ RECORD™ ووه ب و‎ a ME E TS HELP SKITTSTNTANAGENENT COMMANDO HEAVY WEAPONS NAME Mahub TRAINING POINT SPECIALIZATION COMMANDO SERVICE STARTED 20/10/2004 CURRENT LEVEL 27 NEXT LEVEL CREDIS я = GRANIS THE ABILITY TO USE | WEAPON OF CHOICE ДЫ: ` HEAVY WEAPONS | SIDEARM ОҒ CHOICE | MEDALS OBTAINED CORAC “ж M ARMOR ARM AR! Every skill has sub-skills, which can be individually tweaked f^ SELECT All your important stats are tracked in career mode GAME INFORMER. 89 PLAYSTATION 2 | ХВОХ | РС The Suffering: Ties That Bind > STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION > PUBLISHER MIDWAY > DEVELOPER SURREAL SOFTWARE > RELEASE FALL FREEDOM OF CHOICE 13 ne of the major themes of the first game was the suffering of prison,” says Surreal Software president Alan Patmore, “This game is about the suffering and horrors of poverty." The game in question is The Suffering: Ties That Bind, the second in a series starring Torque, a violent criminal who may or may not have murdered his family. Rather than the prison setting of the first game, Ties That Bind takes place in the slums of Baltimore, in areas that Patmore describes as “an urban prison.’ While themes of pain, imprisonment, and madness run through both games, Surreal Software has many changes in store for the second Suffering title to ensure that the sequel improves on the original in as many ways as possible. In The Suffering, a series of moral choices made throughout the game determined which of three endings the player earned. If you have a save file from The Suffering, the ending you earned will determine which of three beginnings you'll play through in Ties That Bind, and the morality system returns with a greater impact on how the story unfolds. Certain characters may accompany you if the dark path is taken, and ignore you if you lean towards the light. The combina- tion of the beginning you eamed and the way you play will also significantly affect the story. If you earned the evil ending of The Suffering, the ghost of Torque's wife Carmen will treat you suspiciously even if you are ê “Guh! What is that? Poke it and make sure it's dead!” taking the good path. With several differ- ent ways to play through the game, Surreal Software hopes Ties That Bind offers incen- tive to play through the game several times. The morality system also has a noticeable effect on Torque's greatest weapon, the abil- ity to turn into a raging monster. This time around, the look of the beast will change significantly based on how you play, and will even earn alignment-specific abilities. The light and dark paths will both offer unique powers, while the neutral path results in the least powerful insanity form. Regardless of how you play, you will encounter more inhuman beasts than before. Ties That Bind features several new monster types, as well as significant variations on each. Many will return from the original game, as will several char- acters like the nefarious Dr. Killjoy. Your main foe, while new to the series, is a man with a long history with Torque. The crime lord Blackmore may be the man truly responsible for the death of Torque's family, Torque is a bad man, but we certainly admire his impec- cably groomed facial hair and as the grim, mentally unstable convict, you must battle through the demon-infested slums of Baltimore to face him in a final confrontation. While there is a new setting and new enemies, most of what fans liked about The Suffering will return with improvements. Surreal promises that Ties That Bind will blend action and horror even more suc- cessfully than the first, and the puzzles will remain grounded in the real world. The stages will be larger and less linear, and the dunky inventory system has been replaced with a weapon management scheme nearly identical to that found in Halo 2. Not only does this eliminate the cumbersome former System, it also ratchets up the intensity by limiting the amount of firepower the player can carry. This change, along with all others Surreal has made, was designed to improve both the horror and action elements of the game to create a true hybrid of the two genres. Based on what we've seen, Ties That Bind has the potential to be an intense, dis- turbing experience that both appeases and unsettles players. And we mean that in the best possible way. В li ii n 5 "Yeah, 1 know I look gross, but do "Happy Fourth of July; suckas!" „° previews you have any idea how hard it is to find a decent outfit when you have freakin’ sword limbs?" Some of the new crea- „апа taste great when tures are absolutely huge... @ grilled over an open flame "This is the worst prom ever” Steve had no idea that he was about to witness history's worst paintball game massacre кое) NWw.koei.com. Summon destructive beasts of war and elemental fury! Unleash volleys of arrows, ninja stars and musket fire. RATING PENDING Visit www.esrb.org for updated rating information. Choose your generals and launch assaults with An all-new Crowd Engine delivers real-time combat support troops. Command marching routes, battle action in a full 3D world! policies and unit objectives. Emenanmentine ООРОСВУ1 PRO LOGIC п PlayStation.2 “This guy looks like a chump. His wallet is mine!” XBOX 2 | PLAYSTATION З | PC The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion > STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION > PUBLISHER BETHESDA SOFTWORKS > DEVELOPER BETHESDA SOFTWORKS > RELEASE WINTER LOOK INTO THE FUTURE ast October, Game Informer took a glimpse into the future of gaming and brought the world its first look at a next-generation title in development: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Bethesda's next entry in the revered Elder Scrolls series, Oblivion is slated for release on Xbox 2 and potentially the PlayStation 5 as well. Since it is such an important title, secrecy around it is tight, but we still managed to persuade Bethesda's executive producer Todd Howard to share a few more details on the highly anticipated project. As the screenshots clearly demonstrate, graphics are a huge part of Oblivion's appeal, but the next generation of con- soles will be able to bring much more to games. Improved NPC Al is another feature Bethesda is touting as a major change. Characters will exist 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the world of Oblivion, and will have their own goals and motivations. ^What we're focusing on now is how the А affects the player, how you actually see 94 GAME INFORMER that stuff happening," says Howard. "One of the things we found we could do is create other 'adventurers: Guys who go around the world and hunt for treasure, slay creatures, and explore dungeons. So we're experimenting with how the player could interact with them easily and see all this cool behavior" The improved intelligence of the NPCs and the incredible visuals of the game also guarantee the presence of some vis- ceral, intense combat. When asked about the game's swordplay elements, Howard answered, "We're tweaking the combat system now that bows and magic are going in. We're adding the special skill moves you can learn and trying to get the fight moving around more, so the player won't just be standing there clicking away non-stop. We're layering in the Havok physics system more into the combat, which helps push all the people around in fun ways. We're really committed to getting that feel of people bashing swords into each other” The emphasis on combat and the graphics are two things Bethesda is counting on in luring new gamers into the somewhat daunting RPG genre. While role-playing games can tend to be dense and confusing to newbies, Howard is certain Oblivion will be able to overcome that barrier. "There are little things they expect in terms of interface and feedback that make it more appeal- ing," he says. "In Oblivion, when you shoot an arrow at somebody, if you hit them, it hits, blood comes out, and it sticks in their armor. It feels very real; it feels like you actually did it. In a previous generation, your character skill may have had you miss, and if you НИ, а damage number would have floated above his head. The same things are happening in both examples, but one is presented in a way everyone understands and is entertained by" We have no doubt that The Elder Scrolls IV will entertain, but suspect that it will do much more than that. Based on what we've seen, we expect to be completely blown away when Oblivion hits next generation consoles shortly after they release. @ ШШ Bi Interaction with NPCs will be a key part of the quest >> Hal They p пач ап, "di ancy clothes and ЕРИХ perfumes. genet do they ROS 6 Ff and по fiber. That's wits ж " г €mfrid % previews aA Bi The wilderness is full of animals, as well as deadly monsters Ж “I'm sorry, Captain Picard, but the Federation has no authority here.” Se previews е 2 s There's no extraneous punctuation ín this stalker S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl > STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION (MULTIPLAYER TBD) > PUBLISHER THQ > DEVELOPER GSC GAME WORLD > RELEASE MAY FROM RUSSIA WITH AWESOME C gamers, prepare yourselves. We know that you may not have recovered from the recent onslaugl of incredible titles, but publisher THQ is bringing yet another triple-A game out early next year. Developed by Russian company GSC, S. TA.LKER. looks to be ready to hang with the big boys of first-person shooting. After interview- ing GSC Project Manager Anton Bolkashov about this ambi- tious title, we couldn't be more excited about it. The basic idea behind the game is that the player is an artifact hunter in the fallout zone around the site of the Chernobyl reactor failure. Apparently, scientists want objects from the Zone to study their strange powers. Although THQ The environments have been painstakingly modeled 96 is being very secretive with the details surrounding the single- player game, Bolkashov stated, “We are building a certain intrigue around the player's destiny directly related to the happenings in the Zone. The player is to reveal a certain mystery behind the расе: We couldn't learn what that mystery is about, but Bolkashov also said, "We have a creature using telekinesis, while another one makes a good use of telepathy to control zombies and, a what's most dangerous, the player himself!” You can bet your boots that with mind-control powers going around, there's a lot more going on in the Zone than a mere cancer risk. Since the entire game takes place in the irradiated Zone, rec- reating it with real-world accuracy (including the obvious fictional twists) is key in the eyes of the development team. “We are t living witnesses of the accident. Many of our parents took part in evacuating people from the site," said Bolshakov. "Of course, having all that personal experience, and in particular after visiting Chernobyl several times during 2002-2003, we do understand and feel the does amazing things with time-of-day effects atmosphere necessary to render in the game. It's going to be a genuinely spooky Chernobyl-based game" As if a no man's land around a nuclear explosion site wasn't creepy enough. However, the most exciting part of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. isn't even the sci-fi story, twisted real-world setting, or even the incredibly gorgeous graphics. GSC aims to make the title a "survival FPS" On top of the action that being an FPS implies, the game will also require players to find safe places to sleep, supply themselves with food, and avoid radioactivity. А healthy amount of NPC interaction, such as trading and conversing, is promised as well. Additionally, according to Bolshakov, “All the monsters and creatures act independently of the player. The player will witness life in the Zone as it goes on: monsters hunt, feed, and fight with NPCs; computer- controlled stalkers accomplish the same tasks as those of the player. This concept makes the player no longer the cen- terpiece of the gaming universe, but a mere element of the System trying to survive.’ This is quite the impressive list of features for any game, much less one from an unknown developer which already sports visuals comparable to the likes of Far Cry. If GSC can pull off even half of these, though, S.TA.LKER. will undoubt- edly be entertaining. Should the developer come throu; all fronts, we could have a classic on our hands. lli lli mi RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION NOW! САМЕМЕОРМЕР. | өлі 800) ра Don't Delay! Fill out the attached card, MAGAZINE call toll free 1-866-844-GAME (4263) or wv Yes! want to take advantage of this amazing offer from Game Informer Magazine! 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Fill out the attached) call toll free 1-866-844-GAME (4 Art Courtesy of Midway 13635585 PLAYSTATION 2 Shining Tears _ > STYLE 1 OR 2-PLAYER ACTION/RPG > PUBLISHER SEGA > DEVELOPER AMUSEMENT VISION > RELEASE MAY SHINE ON Ithough dormant for several years, Sega's long-runni Shining series is coming back in a big way. The recent Shining Force: Resurrection of the Dark Dragon for the GBA pleased handheld fans, while the upcoming Shining Force title will certainly delight console gamers. But players won't have to wait until that title's release to return to the Shining world, thanks to the action/RPG spin-off Shining Tears. We recently had the chance to check out this title first hand, and while it doesn't feature the tra- ditional turn-based combat of the other games, we're confident that fans won't be disappointed. Shining Tears features one of the most interesting combat mechan- ics in the genre today. In battle, players control not one but two characters in real time. Your primary character is controlled with the left analog stick and attacks with the circle button. The secondary character follows your lead and attacks automatically, but can also be controlled directly with the right analog stick. Using the two characters in con- junction is key to defeating the hordes of foes that swarm your way. Hitting the R1 button sets up a linked attack (the results of which vary based on the characters used), and hitting it again executes the attack. These linked attacks are the most devastating tactic in the game, and can decimate multiple foes if used wisely. Of course, those who don't want to worry about two characters at once or simply want Two players can work through the quest cooperatively “We should be fine: to play with a friend can hand the reins of the com- panion off to a second player. With many different linked attacks to learn, figuring out the best way to use them obvi- ously involves a bit of strategy. But the depth of the combat (which at first appears deceptively simple) doesn't stop there. Each character also has a special attack, some of which are triggered by the link activation and others are unveiled when dashing with the R2 button. One character, for example, breathes fire when the link attack is initiated, while another is surrounded in a halo of ice while dashing. Characters can also unleash combo attacks with careful timing of the attack button, and new skills are learned as characters level up. While the combat is a departure for the series, the plot is the stuff of classic role-playing games. The main character Xion is a young man in possession of _ 55 previews у 31уз4 A2 kasê Hesan sos SP 64/64. EXP a legendary set of jewelry called the Twin Dragon rings. One ring is magically affixed to his hand, and when a partner dons the other, both are endowed with incredible power. However, one wearer is filled with the power of light, the other the power of darkness. Xion and his friends each have a light and dark version, altering both their abilities and personality. Together with a band of warriors called the Weissritter, Xion enters into battle with the invasion force of the sinister Rune Geist. Of course, this is just the beginning. Those who want to learn how the story unfolds will have pick up the game when it hits stores this March. IM lli i The dashed ring shows the area of effect for linked attacks Every environment sports the game's unique, hand-drawn work If the Lion's Mane were ever to Бе broken, Shildia would be doomed It must be defended at all cost! » = BURN? be. — SIDES TROY, Nothing is off limits. Nothing is E E impossible. Drive any vehicle. Use à : 222 VA POSE any weapon. Destroy anything and * everything. You are a mercenary in ч > a completely interactive battlefield environment and the only rule is this: there are no rules. PlayStation.2 ESRB CONTENT RATING www.estb.org VANNIHILAT E 2 pim c же "nù É (M 19 8 ЗАВОТАСЕ MFRCENA PLAYGROUND ОЕ DESTRUCTION LucasArts and the LucasArts logo are registered trademarks of Lucasfilm Ltd. Pandemic and the Pandemic logo are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of Pandemic Studios, LLC in the United States and/or other countries, respectively. © 2004 Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. and Pandemic Studios, ЦС & ® or TM as indicated. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Xbox, and the Xbox logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries and are used under license from Microsoft. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. 5% previews PLAYSTATION 2 | XBOX | GAMECUBE Medal of Honor: Dogs of War > STYLE 1 ТО 4-PLAYER ACTION (UP TO 16-PLAYER VIA XBOX LIVE OR PS2 ONLINE) > PUBLISHER ELECTRONIC ARTS > DEVELOPER EALA > RELEASE MARCH 15 CRY HAVOC! edal of Honor has offered us many of the finest WW II recreations of the past, but EA's latest mili- tary shooter is promising several new features to assure that excellence is maintained as the series moves into the future. By giving the player even more power over the changing landscape of the European theater than ever before, Dogs of War promises to reinvigorate the fran- chise with new features and leadership capabilities. You'll play the role of US Army Lieutenant William Holt, a field agent for the recently formed Office of Strategic Services. While many previous games in the series have cast you as a heroic ground trooper, the approach this time places you in the lofty and challenging position of leader- ship. Of course, you'll still participate just as heavily in the ground offensive, but this time you'll have the added chal- Don't turn around, uh-oh, Der Kommissar's in town, uh-oh lenge of helping to plan the attack. You'll be offered choices both before and during missions that allow for multiple approaches to completing a mission. Each objective will be ranked for its relative difficulty and danger to you and your men. Beyond this, in your role as an OSS agent, you'll rapidly switch roles as the game progresses. In one mission, you may be accompanying a crack team of snipers, while the next has you manning heavy artillery. While in battle, you'll be able to direct your fellow troops with squad com- mands, which should flesh out the strategic elements of the game to a much higher degree than previous console offerings. One particularly enigmatic element of Dogs of War is the new Rally Meter, a sort of adrenaline-charged boost that may be activated when you're backed into a corner “Everyone aim in different directions and start firing! We're sure to hit something” or in serious danger. The feature is sure to be a necessity against the constant onslaught of German forces you'll be facing. Among these opponents will be 36 SS boss fights. Defeating these foes gains you one of three dozen tactical deployment cards, which you'll then be able to use to your advantage in troop dispersal. Beyond single-player, there will now be nine unique mul- tiplayer game modes, which can all be played on the nine new game maps. For those who care deeply for the history and heritage of the era the games represent, Captain Dale Dye has returned as military technical advisor to the devel- opment team. His added expertise continues to shape the series as it moves into a more leadership oriented approach. So congratulations, soldier — you're looking at a promotion when Dogs of War releases later this year. lii This guy's clearly filled with the power of Dentyne Ice gum Peter Gabriel's videos just keep getting weirder and weirder We're so tired of the same old “summon lightning Batman” attack. It's in, like, every game these days! UNLIMITED ENABLED XBOX Se previews Phantom Dus > STYLE 1 OR 2-PLAYER ACTION (UP TO 4-PLAYER VIA XBOX LIVE OR SYSTEM LINK) > PUBLISHER MAJESCO > DEVELOPER М! GAME STUDIOS JAPAN > RELEASE WINTER A PHANTOM NO MORE any rea may be wondering why we haven't covered the gorgeous Japanese-developed Xbox title Phantom Dust for quite a long time. That's because Microsoft had no intention of releasing it stateside, despite positive word on the game from the Land of the Rising Sun. But now Majesco has had the good sense to bring Phantom Dust here, so American gamers will finally be able to check out this online-focused psychic warfare game. The world of this game is a battle-torn and polluted Earth in which mankind has retreated underground. A mysterious sub- stance in the air has wiped the minds of you and your friends, but also endowed you all with fantastic psychic powers. Over the course of the single-player game, you'll duke it out with other psychics on the rav- aged planet's surface and discover your lost identity. The plot, while cool, is a bit familiar, but that's not the main draw of this title. Thanks to Xbox Live and System Link support, it's all about duking it out with your friends online. At its core, Phantom Dust is like a card game, only ramped up with incredible graphics and explosive action. At the start of each match you can choose which psy- chic powers to equip from a huge pool of options. You can select up to four powers at a time, each one mapped to a different face button. However, those you start with won't always be the ones you end up with. Some abilities can steal powers from other players, and you can even find new abilities on the battlefield. These powers overwrite those you started with, so you may find your arsenal constantly evolving over the course of a single match. While there are many defensive powers and special abilities like levitation, most of the psychic skills are focused on causing as much destruction as possible. Not only do these massive attacks look gorgeous, they can actually destroy everything in a stage. But the destruction is far more than cos- metic — flying chunks of debris can cause as much damage as an enemy attack. With so much carnage going on in every match, defensive powers are just as important as offensive attacks. Regardless of which powers you choose, you'll have to consider your selection care- fully. You only have a certain amount of slots to fill with your abilities, and those same slots are used to pick up Aura par- ticles, the battlefield drops that power your psychic skills. If you overload on powers, you won't have much space to pick up par- ticles, which will leave you vulnerable when your Aura is depleted. But on the other hand, if you leave too much space in your arsenal for particles, you'll be outgunned. It just goes to show that while Phantom Dust is all about frantically paced action, it's a much deeper game than most shoot- ers. Fortunately, it's now one that the U.S. gaming community will be able to experi- ence for themselves. lii li IN САМЕ INFORMER 101 $ previews Each weapon is unique and upgradeable PLAYSTATION 2 | XBOX | PC Pariah Earth in the future isn't a nice place to visit, and you definitely don't want to live there > STYLE | TO 4-PLAYER ACTION (XBOX), 1-PLAYER (PC) (ONLINE AND XBOX LIVE MULTIPLAYER ТВА), PS2 (TBA) > PUBLISHER GROOVE GAMES > DEVELOPER DIGITAL EXTREMES (XBOX, > RELEASE MARCH PRISON PLANET EARTH he original creators of Unreal are ready to branch into something new, and we'll be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor when Pariah shows up this spring. We got the chance to chat with James Schmalz, founder and creative director of Digital Extremes, and he filled us in the new project. "We have been working on the Unreal uni- verse for eight years now. It was time to do something fresh and new and exciting" From all that we've seen, Pariah looks to be all those things and more. Set in the distant future year of 2520, Earth has long since been abandoned by the rich and powerful, as they colonized far flung planets that had not been strip mined and deforested down to the wasteland that is now Earth. Now, A heavily modified Unreal Engine and Havok physics power the visuals 102 САМЕ INFORMER PSEUDO INT ACTIVE (PS2) those colonies send their prisoners back to their once beautiful home planet, where they live out their lives amid the polluted desolation. Enter Dr. Jack Mason, a disillusioned doctor sent to Earth to accompany an off-planet prisoner transfer of a diseased young woman. That is, until their ship is shot down over the prison lands of Earth, leaving Jack and his infected patient stranded and in search of an escape. One of the coolest features of Pariah is the new M.A.P. (Make and Play) Editor. Designed to be a fully functional yet easy to access map creator, it should allow for Xbox owners to enjoy for the first time the excitement of multiplayer level design and file sharing on Xbox Live. “Anybody can jump in with it, mess around, and you don't have to worry about breaking things. We tried to give as much flexibility and power to the user as possible, to allow them to create whatever they want. On top of that, you can make your map, save it, and then go to Xbox Live and share it with other people. #5 giving the power of creativity to people and then allowing them to share that with their friends," Schmalz told us. Within the МАР. Editor, you can set player starting spawn points, create terrain, ramps, vehicles, weapon emplacements, and more. Of course, your created maps as well as the developer created multiplayer maps will be available to play in all the on-and offline game modes, including deathmatch, assault and defend, and a unique playground mode. “We want to Vehicles have been created by Earth's prisoners from ancient salvage Qo [ JUPE An online enabled map editor for Xbox? Sweet have our own flavor of multiplayer. We've got upgradeable weapons, so it's a very different feel from any other multi- player game, especially on Xbox" The upgradeable weapon functionality is one of the most interesting components of both the single and multiplayer experience. As you play, you'll encounter weapon energy cores, and these can be used to improve your weapons through three levels of power. The improvements will affect not just damage, but visual effects as well. Schmalz gave us an example: "The final upgrade to the grenade launcher is a mag grenade. So imagine you shoot out this incredible mag- netic device, and it's sucking up bits of metal and debris from the ground as it's flying through the air, and then it lands and explodes in this big huge ball of flak, slicing apart your enemies in the distance" We were also told that the team is working hard to com- plete a co-op mode for the main story, wherein the second player would adopt the role of a guard who manages to sur- vive the initial crash. Between that, the involving single player story, and the creators of Unreal handling multiplayer, Pariah is shaping up to be one of the most exciting possibilities of 2005. li a8 те the ultimate Demon Slayer un Multiple Fighting Styles to choose From 3 “.. „гот the moment the game begins, the badass meter is likely to flat-out shatter” E і m. Hell — ме, oos M, the CAPCOM LOGO and DEVIL MAY CRY are registered trademarks of CAPCOM CO., LTD. "PlayStation" and the "PS 15 a registered;trademark of the Entertainment Software Association. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners. Ta | ЖЕ | 9..6 PLAYSTATION 2 Resident Evil Outbreak File #2 > STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION (UP ТО 4-PLAYER VIA BROADBAND) > PUBLISHER C. > DEVELOPER CAPCOM > RELEASE MARCH 15 DOOM AND GLOOM hose crazy kids trying to get out of Raccoon City have even more trials and tribulations to work through - and the mutated madness only looks to be more insane this time around. We recently got some hands-on time with Outbreak File #2, and from what we've seen, there's a lot to talk about. This is no mere pack of new stages - Capcom has plumped up the sequel with gigantic new enemies, updated play mechanics, and some really great maps (including an old fan favorite). From the start of the game, four areas are available and a fifth opens after you successfully complete the first set. It might not sound like a lot, but when you think about the fact that one of the stages is the police station from Resident Evil 2, the scale becomes a bit more clear. You did read that right — the level entitled “Desperate Times” features the entire station from RE 2. Fanboys, start your engines. supposed to be a boss, but if you kill him early in the level, the game will find another super enemy for you to \ face Almost every character has a new starting item, and many of them can be transferred to another player. This stun gun starts with Alyssa, for example, but is shown here with Yoko 104 GAME INFORMER Another area, called “Wild Things," shows off some of the game's new features to horrifying and grotesque effect. Essentially, Raccoon City is going to be the target of a military airstrike and one of the places to pick up survivors for evacuation is the city zoo. The sad thing is that it hasn't been a good day for the transplanted flora and fauna on display. Gigantic predators like alligators, lions, and elephants have been mutated along with their flying brethren in the bird (hornbills are new enemies) and insect families. The opening cutscene shows zombies hunched over a fallen rhino, tearing off chunks of flesh like feral beasts. Icky for sure, but the level offers more paths to completion and interesting-looking environ- ments than anything in the first entry. From a gameplay stand- point, Capcom is cleaning up some of the methods and abilities of the games’ many playable characters. In solo mode, players pick their controlled character along with the support crew (in the first Outbreak, your team was dictated by the level). They've also included a first for the RE series as a whole - the ability to walk and aim at the same time. It sounds silly to trumpet a fea- ture so common in other games, but with this franchise, it really is a big deal. Multiplayer online mode still won't have voice chat or in-game keyboard functionality, The elephant is ^ AE ^ os RUE These giant demon lizards (our name, not Capcom's) hide in deep waters Outfitting everyone in a group with weapons is easier in File 42 something that causes us great grief, but the team still insists the decision is designed to maintain realism and heighten fear. We're not entirely sold, but the development team has added the ability to point to rooms on a map (even if the player you're talking to hasn't been to that area of the stage before), to ease navigation. In all gameplay options, it's clear that all of the levels, char- acter moves, and items have been expanded on or improved in some way. We'd spill more specifics (and there an immea- surable number of tweaks in every part of the game), but we've got to leave some surprises for those brave enough to face this biohazard offshoot in just a few short months. And thank Capcom for the nightmares that zoo level will surely leave you with. Wi ШШ The zoo is a genius place for the RE franchise to go - mutated big cats rule! ш Hints of Episode Ш? XBOX | PC St Republic Commando > STYLE 1 TO 4-PLAYER ACTION (UP TO 16-PLAYER VIA XBOX LIVE OR INTERNET) > PUBLISHER LUCASARTS » DEVELOPER LUCASARTS » RELEASE MARCH 1 EPISODE 2.5 е know you're excited about this one. Well, you're not excited enough. The joment you see it in action, you'll know why. After extensive hands on time with the game, it was clear just how impressive Republic Commando is turning out to be, and we literally can't wait for the final version. As the harrowing years of the Clone Wars begin, the Jedi are leading the clone army into unending combat with the Separatist forces. But behind the scenes, a specially trained group of clones has been created. These commandos think more indepen- dently and are fiercely devoted to their own squad. You are the leader of this covert Delta Squad, and you are the Republic's secret weapon. Those familiar with the controls of Halo should immediately feel at home as you begin your first mission, set during the explosive opening battle of the war on Geonosis. From the very beginning, the thing you'll notice most is the incredible action occurring at all times in the periphery. While you are fighting your own battles against droids and the bug-like Geonosians on the ground, ship to ship combat is occurring overhead, and artillery laser fire is bursting forth from nearby cannons. On the ground, it's not long before you begin to hook up with your squad mates. These "brothers" have all developed unique personalities due to their specialized individual training. As the game progresses, you get to know each one's quirks and tendencies, both in conversation and in battle. As their leader, you're tasked not only with completing objectives, but also keeping your squad alive т You can order your squad to focus their attacks on a single target M Close range melee attacks are often essential and functional. All of the commands you give are based on a single button press and are contextual to the situation. If there's a door that must be breached, you just look at it and press A and the squad will immediately move into position. If, instead, there's a good spot for your sniper to take up firing, look at that area and press A, and he will set off on his ordered task. Almost every action imaginable is available this way, from healing teammates to slicing computer terminals. But more importantly, it prevents constant distraction from the action since the command functions are so intuitive. Wl There аге some new heroes іп the Star Wars universe - they're called the Delta Squad 2 previews M Droidekas can take a licking and keep on kicking your butt Visuals throughout the game are uniformly ехітаог- dinary. Explosions and heavy weapons fire will send you reeling, and temporarily blur out your vision. When in the dark, your low light visor reveals a washed out world of grays and blacks where hidden figures lurk in the shadows. When the greenish blood of Geonosion foes splatters your visor, a sort of laser window wiper Sweeps across your view as your armor's automated systems clean your view port. And as your companions take fire, you'll see the crackle of their shields as those force fields take the brunt of the damage. While admir- ing the view, you'll be accompanied by the memorable strains of John William's music, and we suspect some of the music may even be pulled from the Episode III score. As the game continues, your crack squad will move on through the Clone Wars, and each new level acts as a snapshot of that mysterious time period between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. It's also V clear that the latter part of the game helps to introduce one of the movie's newest villains: General Grievous and his nefarious team of bodyguards. When you're finally done with the campaign, you can start to tackle the four- player split screen multiplayer component (on Xbox), or take the game online with up to 16 gamers. For years, fans have hungered to delve into the heart of the Clone Wars. While lightsabers and Jedi are great, it's nice to see another side of this galaxy-spanning conflict. You can also be assured that Republic Commando's release in March should thoroughly whet your appetite for the movie, which at that point will only be a couple of months away. Wi Wi ADVANCE тф CORESHIP M The Orkin Man level is a little odd A Se previews HA GAMECUBE Donkey Kong Jungle Beat > STYLE | OR 2-PLAYER ACTION > PUBLISHER NINTENDO > DEVELOPER NINTENDO > RELEASE MARCH 14 BEAT IT eave it to Nintendo to combine two of our favorite things: big monkeys and frantic pounding on inanimate objects. Ever since it was unveiled at E3, we've been dying to check out this drum-controlled platformer in greater depth. Fortunately, we recently had a chance to get hands on with the game and check out its unique charms. Now we can safely say that Jungle Beat is as much fun as a bunch of liquored-up monkeys loose in a sporting goods store. While the basic gameplay of Jungle Beat is incredibly simple, the unique method of controlling it adds more challenge than you might think. DK is steered by hitting either the left or right bongo, and his speed increases the faster you beat. Hitting both at once makes the ape jump, and clapping (or hitting the side of the bongo controller) unleashes a sonic wave attack. Jumping on certain enemies causes the camera to zoom in, and you can make DK unleash a can of hot monkey rage by beating on both drums. This technique is used frequently in boss fights, as well as several other places in each stage. It can be somewhat tricky at first to adjust to the control scheme, but once you do, the bizarre method really adds to the fun. A standard GameCube controller can be used, but doing so really strips this title of a lot of its charm. Each stage in the game is broken into three DK is a part-time spider mechanic, and will change your spider's oil for only $14.95 106 GAME INFORMER smaller levels. The goal of the first two levels in each stage is to go through it and collect as many bananas as possible. Walking into a banana adds one to your total, while clap- ping near it multiplies its value. Bananas are everywhere in a stage and are even released by enemies when defeated, and it is in your DK's willingness to do anything to get bananas is a clear sign of obsessive/compulsive disorder "This is what you get for telling mom about my Big Bananas magazines!” best interest to collect as many as possible, because they serve as your hit points in boss battles. Since you run and jump through each level and attempt to clap near all bananas, your hands tend to fly all over the ^ bongo controller, creating a really energetic, almost chaotic feel to gameplay. In the final area of each level, DK squares off against a boss, each of which requires a different strategy to beat. The first boss simply forces you to dodge him, then jump in with a flurry of monkey punches, while another requires you to stun your foe by hitting back the fruit he throws before using him as a punching bag. It's quite easy to figure out how to beat each boss, but pulling it off is not as easy. The simplicity of this game's basic concept somewhat masks what a fun and original title it truly is. The inventive control mechanic instantly sets it apart from other platformers and earning medals based on performance adds replay value. The graphics are nice and sharp, and the sound brims with classic Donkey Kong appeal. And, if nothing else, it's nice to play a game with the bongo controller that doesn't penalize us for our freakish lack of rhythm. "Yeah, there's definitely something stuck under here. A scuba diver by the taste of it" PLAYSTATION 2 | ХВОХ Super МопКеу Ball Deluxe > STYLE 1 TO 4-PLAYER ACTION > PUBLISHER SEGA > DEVELOPER SEGA STUDIOS > RELEASE MARCH TAKE THE CHIMP CHALLENGE n the GameCube, a system known for its excellent party games, both Super Monkey Ball titles were standouts. In March, the PlayStation 2 and Xbox are getting their own hot simian injection. For those who haven't rolled the monkeys yet, the basic idea is to navigate goofy mazes Marble Madness-style to earn points that unlock party games. These minigames are the true draw of the title, ranging from hang-gliding to tennis and bowling. Even though Super Monkey Ball Deluxe is more of a special edition than a new title, it will nonetheless give GameCube-impaired gamers the chance to experience the best that Sega's star chimps have to offer. SMB Deluxe features a similar story mode to the one that the second title offered, but with one primary concern addressed. Many people justly felt that АР 1 00'00"00 а good portion of ће mazes in SMB 25 single-player relied more on blind luck than skill, and Sega has identified and removed them. To keep things on par with the other games, SMB Deluxe contains 250 of the best maps from both original titles as well as 50 new ones. Ideally, this will result in а much-improved single-player game, and remove the need to save your points to unlock whichever minigame you want to play and simply reset the console to play a different one. Since SMB Deluxe also includes every single minigame from the first two titles for your partying pleasure, it should be a slam dunk for anyone who hasn't played those games. Because, in all seriousness, rolling around a little ball that has a monkey in it has to be one of the quirkiest, most enter- taining ideas to ever hit consoles. lli il lli сом COM UNLIMITED ENABLED previews PLAYSTATION 2 Phantom Kingdom > STYLE 1-PLAYER STRATEGY/RPG > PUBLISHER NIPPON ICHI SOFTWARE > DEVELOPER NIPPON ICHI SOFTWARE > > RELEASE TBO — — BÓ т" NO RELATION ТО BRAVE rolific publisher/developer Nippon Ichi Software has recently announced the forth- coming release of another strategy/RPG for the PlayStation 2 in Japan. Though the company hasn't com- mitted to a U.S. release yet, it seems unlikely that it wouldn't bring it stateside given the recent opening of NIS America Offices. Phantom Kingdom looks to share the same anime stylings as Nippon Ichi’s previous offerings (Disgaea, La Pucelle, Phantom Brave), but features a totally dif- ferent combat system. You know a game doesn't take itself too seriously when the story concept is that the lord of the netherworld (and main character), Lord Zetta, blew up his own kingdom and convinced three evil gods to remake it. The catch is that Lord Zetta is a nobody in this new world - he has to build up an army and conquer it all over again. Of course, the gods he made the bargain with in the first place, being evil, amuse themselves by messing with Zetta as he tries to regain The story cutscenes are as anime as can be 5 09141-5 IA DAMAGE. () his throne. It's worth noting that if this follows at all in the footsteps of Nippon Ichi's past projects, "evil" translates much more to "mischievous" than "cruel" The big twist to the strategy in Phantom Kingdom is that you'll have to use the INVITE system to field your troops. What this boils down to is sum moning buildings onto the battleground, from which your soldiers pour forth to crush the opposition. How exactly this works is unknown, but Nippon Ichi's pedigree regarding playing around with the strategy/RPG formula is impeccable Also promised is a variety of randomly- generated settings in which to fight it out. Everything from modern warfare (complete with rocket launchers) to more traditional fantasy swords-and-sor cery will appear in Phantom Kingdom If Nippon Ichi's last three titles аге any indication whatsoever, this game will provide another gigantic, tactically deep, and mischievously funny title. We'll let you know as soon as a U.S. release date is announced. lli li IN М” А. А... “т” GAME INFORMER” 107 Мегсепапез Suikoden IV We Play The Crap So You Don't Have To Mario Party 6 MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf Our crack (or crackhead, we can never decide which) review team tates games in a number of cat- egories to help you sort out the great from the stuff you'll hate. Most games are reviewed by two staff members, and you will find both their opinions on each review. To make things a little easier we have put together some definitions of what the numbers mean, what we look for in a game, and also a cheat sheet so the newbies can understand our advanced video game jargon. It is important to note that the Game of the Month is determined only by the main review score, not an average of the two opinions. 108 САМЕ INFORMER THE SCORING SYSTEM 10 Outstanding. A truly elite title that is nearly perfect in every way. This score is given out rarely and indicates a game that cannot be missed. Superb. Just shy of gaming nirvana, this score is a high recommendation because the game reviewed is head-and-shoulders above its competition. Very Good. innovative, but perhaps not the right choice for everyone. This score indicates that there are many good things to be had, but arguably so. Average. The game's features may work, but are nothing that even casual players haven't seen before. A decent game from beginning to end. Limited Appeal. Although there may be fans of games receiving this score, many will be left yeaming for a more rewarding game experience. Passable. It may be obvious that the game has lots of potential, but its most engaging features could be undeniably flawed or not integrated into the experience. Bad. While some things may work as planned, the majority of this title either malfunctions to varying degrees or it is so dull that the game falls short as a whole. Painful. If there is anything that's redeeming in a game of this caliber, it's buried beneath agonizing gameplay and uneven execution in its features or theme. GAME, IWRORMER The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap Melding the best traditions of previous Zelda games with some incredible new features, The Minish Cap is the classic tale retold in a new light. Shrink to the size of a thimble and explore the tiny world beneath your feet. Battle evil sor- cery, fight diabolical monsters, and save the princess. Sometimes the oldest for- mulas are still the best. With clever puz- zles, a world-spanning adventure, and a boy hero with nothing but a big heart (or maybe three) to sustain him, the legend is as alive as it ever was. Get ready to start humming that familiar tune ~ Link's new game is on page 124. > Concept: What new ideas the game brings to the table and how well old ideas are presented. > Graphics: How good a game looks, taking into account any flaws such as bad collision or pop-up. > Sound: Does the game's music and sound effects get you involved or do they make you resolve to always play with the vol- ume down? > Playability: Basically, the controller to human interface. The less you think about the hunk of plastic in your hands, the better the playability. Entertainment: Flat out, just how fun the game is to play. The most important factor in rating a game. 7 Replay Value High - You'll still be popping this game in five years from now. Moderately High - Good for a long while, but the thrills won't last forever. Moderate - Good for a few months or a few times through. Broken. Basically unplayable. This game is so insufficient in execution that any value would be derived in extremely small quantities, if at all. = | N | CO > сл с) | Co со Infernal. Forged by lesser demons from the steaming pile of Mephistopheles’ excement, these damned games managed to escape the confines of Hell's eighth circle. Moderately Low — After finishing it, there's not much reason to give ita second go. Low - You'll quit playing before you complete the game. This is where GI breaks down multi-plat- form games. So whenever you see this logo, there is important multi-system infor- mation regarding that product. Content suitable for persons ages 3 and older. Content suitable for persons ages Content suitable for persons ages 13 and older. World of Warcraft It's been a while since a Blizzard Entertainment game hit shelves, and fanboys the world around have been anticipating the release of the famed developer's MMORPG the whole time. In what has become a nice little trend for PC gamers, the final product lives up to expectations and more. Whatever your style of play, regardless of whether you've tried the whole MMORPG scene, World of Warcraft delivers in nearly every way possible. Check out the full review on Page 122 1080i - A resolution specification used for HDTV. : cel shading - A technique used to create 3D REVIEWS INDEX Mercenaries... The Punisher. Hot Wheels Stunt Track Challenge. NFL Street 2. Pinball Hall of Fame: The Gottlieb Collection Scale: Suikoden IV. Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel The Getaway: Black Monday.. Ghost Recon 2 Shadow of Rom Mario Party 6 MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf. Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. Gungriffon: Allied Strike Oddworld Stranger's Wrath World of Warcraft EverQuest | The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Сар... Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 Fear Factor: Unleashed.. Need for Speed Underground Pathway to Glory.. Pocket Kingdom: Own the World The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age The Urbz: Sims in the City. For our newer readers, here is a glossary of terms and acronyms that commonly appear in the magazine. Video game veterans should move along (these aren't the droids you are looking for). i 15Р- Intemet Service Provider. The company that 1080) stands for resolution of 1920x1080 pixel rendered objects that resemble hand-drawn 2 — provides you with access to the Intemet : Mario and Crash Bandicoot The 7 means that the video is being interlaced animation cels : jaggies - Graphical lines that are jagged when: pop-up - When onscreen objects, usually distant, 480p — Progressive scanning, this option (p= : CG - Computer-Generated graphics t they should be straight + suddenly appear progressive), creates a picture signal with double : E3 — Electronic Entertainment Expo. The worlds : LAN - Local Area Network Connecting computers : PS2 - Sony PlayStation 2 aa a Fede чз : largest convention for video games + of consoles together within a small space to : PSone - Sony PlayStation Picture, 480i (i = int , to create a 1 fighting- Mortal alow nication between them. Provides: = noticeably sharper image. The 480p image : жейік: rede ub games like PÊŞE Hye ЧАА ee ere ; кей es term we use for games like Tetris and offers higher picture resolution and eliminates — : : Virtually ke artifacts in a 640x480 ркі : РММ- Full Motion Video. Usually refers to an — : mene - A small, simple game within a š racing - A term we use for games like Gran resolution setting animated CG о/5селе нин Turismo and Mario Kart 720p - A resolution specification used for HDTV. 720p stands for resolution of 1280x720 pixel The "p" means that the video is in progressive. 1 FPS — Frames Per Second. How many animation t frames happen in one second. Also used to denote First-Person Shooters like Halo, Doom, Е motion-capture - Using human models and t infrared cameras to record movement for game animation. Also mocap 5 motion blur - Phantom frames follow an object format г апд Call of Duty Final Fantasy and Xenosaga Content suitable | action - A term we use for games Ше Devi Мау : framerate - The frames of animation used to 2 to give the impression of realistic speed 1 shooter - A term we use for games like Ikaruga for persons 17 Cry and Viewtiful Joe + Greate the illusion of movement + N64 - Nintendo 64 and Gradius ages and older, | ^ adventure - A term we use for games like Myst: frontend - A game's menus and options 1 NES - Nintendo Entertainment System 1 SNES - Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Евсаре From Monkey Island 2 funnyhat - What bumt-out editors wear when | МРС- Non-Player Character. Those people sports - A term we use for games like PS М - Artifical Inteligence. Usually used to refer £ they need inspiration to come up with a joke no : алі creatures you see wandering around Po MaddenNFL RO | Content suitable to how well the computer reacts to a human : Опем read anyway Мате мола DERE охе DEAS че аш ада lh uds only for adult. ‘opponent : GBA - Game Boy Advance : homens : Pucelle and Front Mission board - A term we use for games like Jeopardy! : GBC ~ Game Boy Color ; partide effects - Things Ще smoke or sparks © third-party - Something made for a console by a RETÎ productis and Mario Party : GC- GameCube : срв o ebd company other than the console manufacturer bum ing - A technique where light : -Hi т 2 3 Я awaiting final тех тыф varying ligh ноту ea ARS on kiling newbie or vulnerable characters in rating. StarCraft or Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance. MMORPGs or shooting their teammates in games like Counter-Strike GAME INFORMER 109 ; platform - A term we use for games like Super RPG - Role-Playing Game. A game that involves character improvement through collecting and spending points. A term we use for games like $ reviews PLAYSTATION 2 | XBOX Mercenaries > STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION > PUBLISHER LUCASARTS > DEVELOPER PANDEMIC STUDIOS > RELEASE JANUARY 11 > ESRB T YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVING FEALTY aybe you've heard this one before: as a battle-hardened badass, it is your job to explore an expansive free roaming envi- ronment by stealing vehicles and using overpowered assault weapons to clear your path. Of course, the landscape is also peppered with various characters eager to assign you missions and reward your efforts. Sound like a tune you've been dancing to for a while? Thi you may not find Mercenaries incredibly original or compelling, it gets a ton of mileage out of the fact that it is always fun to watch things explode. Always. Set in a politically unstable North Korea (with several foreign powers vying for supremacy), Mercenaries puts you in the shoes of one of three elite soldiers-for-hire. Though each character techni- cally has particular strengths, the effect they have on actual gameplay is negligible — any character can use any weapon and drive any vehicle. Fortunately, there is a ton of each to experiment with, leading to some truly hilarious carnage. | especially loved flying around in a helicopter, lowering a winch to grab a passing civilian car, and then slinging it into m “Hmm. think the Jeep | and the truck need some alone time" 110 САМЕ INFORMER enemy fortifications. Then again, it's hard їо beat that warm feeling you get after brutalizing an inter- national criminal and leaving him lying handcuffed and prone next to some C4. Though | certainly enjoyed dinking around like this for a while, Mercenaries banks on the appeal of wholesale destruction rather than genuinely engaging gameplay. Though it is to be com- mended for trying to expand the standard “cruise around doing missions” experience, the things it adds don't really contribute much. For instance, though the concept of warring factions and fluctuat- ing loyalties is cool, it is painfully weak in execution. If you work with the Chinese, you cheese off the Russian Mafia. However, if you bribe them, then — "ы # From tanks to chop- pers, nearly every vehicle can be hijacked everything is fine again. In other words, who you work for and who you blow up doesn't have any real repercussions; if you've got cash, you've got friends. Much like the impressive and abundant explo- sions the game contains, whatever spark of interest Mercenaries may ignite quickly fizzles out due to lackluster mission objectives, flat story and char- acters (though Matthias, the Swedish merc, has some funny moments), and a generally derivative feel. Like the boring guy the girl always dumps in romantic comedies for the dynamic and spontane- ous “Mr. Right,” Mercenaries can temporarily fill a void in your life, but you won't want to hang on to it forever. —JOE # The physics and particle effects spice up some other- wise standard action BOTTOM 7.5 Run and вип while pledging your allegiance to who- ever has the deepest pockets > Graphics: Apart from some really pretty particle effects, noth- ing stands out visually > Sound: The game's high point. The mayhem is accompanied by а rousing and majestic score > Playability: Great job giving each vehicle a unique feel, but none of them are particularly fast or fun to drive > Entertainment: Your enjoy- ment directly depends on how long you can stand the “go here and kill these people” formula > Replay Value: Moderate world i" the Mag а сех \5 qe Капиваша м se and Champior Throw in power T Tw «a ISA available \ WA online а reviews | "Look at my fireplace! Notice the hand-carved molding and hand-painted gold leaf!” “Look at this shirt! It's from J.Crew! It's 50/50 cotton-poly blend! It never needs ironing and breathes in the summertime!” PLAYSTATION 2 | XBOX The Punisher “Look at my fish! It's a rare breed of blue-finned mackerel. They only live in certain rivers in Brazil! His name is Zippy!” “Look at these knives! These are Chef Tony's Miracle Blade Cutlery. They can cut paper thin slices of tomato and never need sharpening!” "Look at this coffin! Notice the silk lining and brass handles. the finest that money can Бш "Look at this truck! It's a vintage World War II era Jeep! I've had it restored with the original factory paint colors!” > STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION > PUBLISHER THQ > DEVELOPER VOLITION > RELEASE JANUARY 11 > ESRB M VIDEO GAMES’ NEW BAD BOY ntil a developer creates a game that puts players into the shoes of a severely demented protagonist who disembowels his adversaries with a plastic fork and wears their intestines as suspenders, The Punisher will hold the notorious distinction of being the most grotesque and violent game to date. While most of the gameplay unfolds through fairly tame and enjoyable shootouts reminiscent of the Max Payne series, it paves its own bloody path with a unique interrogation system that shows just how ruthless and psychotic The Punisher can be. Whether you are holding an adversary at gun- point, dangling them off of a ledge, or threatening to grind the flesh off of their face on an electric sander, The Punisher knows just how to make people talk. It's what happens after they squeal that is truly disturbing. You can do the humane thing and let them go, or you can finish them off in a way that usually leaves a blood smear the size of Rhode Island. Horror movie fanatics like myself will appreciate just how creative Volition has been with the vast array of deaths in this game. Limbs and heads are lost in fans, bodies are crushed in compactors, humans are added to shark and python diets, facial cosmetics are taken to the next 112 GAME INFORMER level in deep fryers, and I've learned that wood isn't the only thing that burns in fireplaces. These execu- tions are so grisly that you can't help but grimace at each drop of blood that is spilled. They are sick. They are wrong. But they are also executed brilliantly. If you think that a specific execu- tion may be too much for your heart to handle, don't do it. Just get the info you need and release your prisoner. The player is the one who deter- mines how violent the action gets. Do you value your ethics? Or do you want a gruesome thrill? The choice is yours. Mechanically, the interrogation system is easy to use and the array of actions that The Punisher can utilize is quite impressive. Volition also did a phenomenal job with level design. No two stages feel alike, and each is brimming with unique death traps, scripted events, and questioning techniques. The game also embraces the atmosphere of the comic series to such a degree that it also feels like you are playing through one of its stories. Several of Frank Castle's recent affairs in the comics are recreated, and Volition even enlisted the talent of longtime Punisher scribe Garth Ennis to give this script that authentic feel. To much surprise (this is going to floor you), this game isn't nearly as gory as the comic book. Regardless though, The Punisher still takes video game violence to the next level. In many ways, it makes Manhunt look as meek and mild as Sesame Street. It's a decent play, but it doesn't stack up to other run and gun shooters like Max Payne and Psi-Ops. Laughable enemy Al, a poor targeting system, and sluggish movement really hold it back from being anything more than average.— REINER BOTTOM LINE 7 5 > Concept: Enter the sick mind of Frank Castle and obliterate countless foes with guns ablaze or by torture > Graphics: The environments leave much to be desired, but the detail in the character models is very impressive and the black and white polarizing effect rocks > Sound: The Punisher's dialogue (voiced by Thomas Jane) is both witty and rightfully disturbing > Playability: General move- ment is a bit sluggish and the targeting system is not very precise. The interrogations are great, however > Entertainment: It delivers something new with its shocking kills, but remains a middle of the toad action game > Replay Value: Moderate game stays truer to its source book games out there, It really captures the violence and black humor of the cour beyond that, the game starts to grow really no PLAYSTATION 2 | ХВОХ MULT! QUICKIES Hot Wheel Stunt Track Challenge > STYLE PS2: 1 OR 2-PLAYER RACING (UP TO 6-PLAYER VIA ONLINE), XBOX: 1 TO 4-PLAYER RACING (UP TO 6-PLAYER VIA XBOX LIVE OR SYSTEM LINK) > PUBLISHER THQ > DEVELOPER CLIMAX > RELEASE NOVEMBER 9 > ESRB E Climax makes some of the best mediocre games in the business. While that sounds like damning by faint praise, | mean it as a compliment. Like its recently released Crash ‘n’ Burn (published by Eidos), Stunt Track Challenge makes the most of what it's working with. It does u the Hot Wheels license proud by sticking to the over-the-top maneuvers that we all imagined our lil' cars could do when we were kids. Now, don't expect the next Burnout 3 or GT 4, but the bite-sized, stunt-oriented stages are for the most part well-executed and keep things fresh between the more conventional races - even with the painfully dorky "host" character. The single-player is fairly short, but | do applaud the fact that they've included online contests, assuming you can actually find some other people out there that are playing this game. Good fun — nothing more, nothing less. —MATT XBOX | GAMECUBE Scaler > STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION > PUBLISHER GLOBAL STAR SOFTWARE > DEVELOPER A2M > RELEASE OCTOBER 20 > ESRB Е Wow, generic platform games have reached a new pinnade of dull and cliché. It's not so much Scaler's fault as it is poor timing and the fact that eight bizillion games have come out with essentially the same features (multiple animal forms and sliding on rails/wires/vines, for example). This collect-a-thon featuring a “wise-cracking 12-year-old” offers some seriously dull lead characters, hyper- repetitive action, and a babysitting-required camera that makes the unoriginal platforming even more of a pain. Did | like this game? Oh my word, no. Do | see a future with the characters and universe? Not so much, which is the main reason that | can't give Scaler any bonus points for the nicely consistent art style that is its one highlight. —LISA " LINE Pinball Hall of Fame: The Gottlieb Collection > STYLE 1 TO 4-PLAYER ACTION > PUBLISHER CRAVE ENTERTAINMENT > DEVELOPER FARSIGHT STUDIOS > RELEASE NOVEMBER 16 > ESRB E PLAYSTATION 2 | XBOX Rather than offer the ultimate in over-the-top video pinball, Pinball Hall of Fame aims to educate the masses on the history of the legendary arcade amusement. It features seven Classic Gottlieb tables from the '50s through the '90s, complete with historical information on қ ^ each. While | love the concept, you can't hide the fact that some of the older tables seem a bit pedestrian by today's standards. Still, I'd definitely go back for more flipper action with T'eed Off, Genie, and Black Hole (which features a cool recessed lower playfield). | also wasn't crazy about the camera, which zooms in close to the ball so you can't see the complete table when the ball is at the top. Still, it's interesting to see how pinball has progressed through the years, noting the considerable point score inflation that's taken place.— MATT PLAYSTATION 2 | XBOX | GAMECUBE NFL Street 2 > STYLE 1 TO 4-PLAYER SPORTS (2-PLAYER VIA XBOX LIVE OR PS2 ONLINE) > PUBLISHER EA BIG > DEVELOPER EA TIBURON > RELEASE DECEMBER 22 > ESRB E TOUGH GUY TOWN his series' mixture of show- boating flash and primetime play is an intoxicating combo that hides its simple premise as a pick-up-and play, multiplayer- on-the-couch game. This brand of football was defined in the original NFL Street perhaps a little too well. | say that because it's sequel time and all NFL Street 2 can come up with on the field is one new move. The game has expanded in other ways, but this was mainly to diversify and get away from the grinding, boring structure of the first title. You can play through challenges with your created team (NFL Challenge), take your favorite team against all the other NFL franchises (NFL Gauntlet), or cruise the city picking up players and playing Street Event minigames (Own the City mode). When you step back and think about it, NFL Street 2 has diversified to essentially offer three different ways to play the game. l'm torn as to which way | like to play best, and #5 almost a shame there isn’t one ultimate way to experi- ence the entire title. For instance, 1 like the feeling of building up the skills of each team member in NFL Challenge, but this is absent in Own the City. For its part, however, this mode changes things up with Street Event minigames — some of which are better than others (all are online, Because of the easier, streamlined controls, each console plays identically. However, the Xbox clearly runs away from the others in the graphics department however). Despite the myriad ways to experi- ence the game, at its heart, this sequel is virtually unchanged in the gameplay department. | loved the wall jump, which works really well as an evasive manuever, but the GameBreaker 2 (see below) is a big, fat egg. Apart from the lack of addi- tions, there are problems that aren't cleaned up as well. Players’ response to your commands can be sluggish, there are no hot routes, and defenses lack any kind of ball swat move. | also don't like how the impact gear isn't prevalent. This series is one that posits itself as of the pick-up-and-play variety, which is certainly true. But that doesn't leave it long enough legs to help it run away from the moniker of "mediocre" —KATO : THE DEAL BREAKER : Two beefs that | had with the first ; Street were that you didn't use your * : GameBreakers enough, and that : 1 they were too powerful. Neither has € } changed. Also, GameBreaker 2 isa : : crock because you don't control it. : + Your reward for filling up your meter ; twice is to sit back and watch a non- i interactive sequence of your team £ £ stealing ће ball. That's a fumble all : $ right - and EA committed it. i > Concept: You'll love the wall moves, but the majority of the changes this year are structural > Graphics: | was surprised that there didn't seem to be a lot of new tackle animations > Sound: Contains the usual host of EA Trax tunes, including a dutch of exclusive songs > Playability: Players’ response to your controller inputs is a tad slow, but signature moves are easier to pull off > Entertainment: More fun than the first, but not by much. This is the game last years’ should have been Ryan Leaf comes to mind when | think of the new GameBreaker 2. All this hype and excitement, and they turn out to be the most disappointing aspect of the game. It's a major buzz kill ables, At its core, this is stil Bal 1g game, but the jority of new content just docs st не. REINER GAME INFORMER 113 # The 108 Stai г5 of Destiny return. If they have a character portrait, odds are you can recruit them. PLAYSTATION 2 Suikoden IV > STYLE 1-PLAYER ROLE-PLAYING > PUBLISHER KONAMI > DEVELOPER KONAMI > RELEASE JANUARY 11 > ESRB Т 108 HEROES FOR SAIL ny game featuring a hero with an extreme bowl cut is going to have to try a little bit harder to endear itself to the gaming community. Fortunately, with outstanding gameplay trumping its predecessor and a plot to rival today's global power struggles, Suikoden IV covers more than enough ground to compensate for the fashion follies of its nameless hero ("Buster" in my playthrough. Try it. It works). From the little touches like dilated pupils and oddly satisfying death animations to the grand world-enveloping storyline, Suikoden IV is a unique and gratifying RPG experi- ence for gamers seeking something a little different. As fans of the series have come to expect, the battle system for Suikoden IV has been entirely reworked. Though characters can still perform combo attacks with each other, the pairing system from the previ- ous game has been scrapped in favor of a more traditional four-person lineup, with each warrior acting individually. To give the combat a little more variation, you'll occasion- ally have fights that depart drastically from the standard form: Ship battles have you 114 GAME INFORMER “At its best moments, Suikoden IV sits right up there with the most outstanding RPGs ever created" firing your rune cannons across a grid-based battlefield, and the one-on-one duels (think "Rock, Paper, Scissors," but with swords) make a return. Though these additional combat styles are simplistic, they are still great fun, and а wel- come deviation from the normal pattern. With the numerous entertaining battles and engaging story, part of me wants to wholeheartedly recommend Suikoden IV, but it gets hamstrung in a couple of important places. First of all, with the advent of recorded dialogue, the whole "silent hero" concept has ceased to be endearing, and instead makes every story point surrounding him awkward. The supporting cast typically won't even do the ^What was that? You want us to attack?" work- around, which renders your main hero a strangely mute non- presence in the events determining his fate. Perhaps the biggest detriment to Suikoden М can best be char- acterized by Milhouse Van Houten's immor- tal utterance: “When are they going to get to the fireworks fac- E Duels and ship battles are two ways the combat stays fresh 38 А party full of cat people? |. Jeremy's dream come true! tory?" There are always exciting events just looming on the horizon, but many require bouts of oceanic exploration before they unfold. Here's the problem: your ship moves like a landmass with sails, and random encounters spring up every five seconds or so. This means that every time you need to go exploring, the game is artificially extended by about 45 minutes because of the inordinate amount of time it takes to traverse even a small expanse of the ocean. Fortunately, between these bouts of tedium (which aren't a constant problem), the story pro- gresses at a respectable clip, with plenty of revela- tions and a steady influx of new members to keep your party interesting. Add to that several moments in the story that will leave you staring at your screen slack-jawed in awe, and you have an outstanding adventure that rewards you well for your persever- ance. Wisely borrowing elements from classics like Final Fantasy X and Chrono Cross, at its best moments Suikoden IV sits right up there with the most outstanding RPGs ever created —JOE BOTTO LINE 8 5 > Concept: Another 108 Stars of Destiny are in desperate need of rallying. Get crackin’! > Graphics: Crisp, colorful visu- als (especially running in 480p) and a stunning oceanic setting puts this entry leagues ahead of its predecessors > Sound: The score is beautiful, and the addition of voice act- ing (except for the silent hero) breathes life into the world > Playability: The new battle system is fast and fun, but con- trolling your ship is like driving a soggy sweater > Entertainment: When it’s good, it’s amazing. When it's bad, it utterly stifles the urge to continue playing > Replay Value: Moderate Ii The game could use more animations or types of special moves UNLIMITED ENABLED PLAYSTATION 2 Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel > STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION/RPG > PUBLISHER SQUARE ENIX > DEVELOPER КАСИМ > RELEASE JANUARY 18 > ESRB T DUBIOUS SCIENCE have hope for this series, more so for Fullmetal's cartoon version airing now in the States, but | have a cautious optimism about the games as well. | know that's weird, considering the score that Broken Angel is receiving, but it's more a testament to the franchise than this one entry's failed execution. For gamers who don't know anything about the series, it revolves around two broth- ers who have trained in the mojo power/magic/scientific discipline of alchemy. As a gameplay device, you have two characters at all times (the brothers) one of which can transfigure environmental objects into weapons and other useful items. Ed, the stronger alchemist, spends a lot of his time making weapons and telling Al (the younger brother whose soul is bound to a giant suit of armor - it's a long story) when to follow, charge, and defend. This sounds like an engaging combat mechanic that should be both laden in strategy and compellingly action-packed. It is neither of these things. What this Fullmetal Alchemist game brings us is a long list of interesting ideas that are either not developed in any mean- ingful way or are faulted by another game design faux pas. The RPG elements, for exam- ple, fall into the first camp. You gain experience from each enemy slain that gives you bonus points to be allocated between the brothers in usual categories like attack and defense. Sadly, these upgrades have little to no discernable effect on gameplay. Essentially, RPG aspects are non-features. Also, the list of small issues | have with the game stack and compound on each other to bring the entire experience down to something I'm most likely to describe as borderline misery. Targeting is bad, there's no crosshair for projectile weapons, the camera is a constant problem, the level designs are prohibitively linear, the enemies (while cool) are too often repeated and they spawn in waves of annoyance. The combat system offers little outside the realm of pressing square repeatedly, and there is way too much unspoken dia- logue. There's a lot that | have issue with here, obviously. All of these complaints aside, | couldn't help but be charmed by the characters (especially when А! gets actual spoken dialogue — his voice is hysterical) and | think that the overall story arc holds a lot of promise to make some cool games. The execution of this entry is almost unplay- able because it's just so darn dull and clunky, but the ideas are there to make something interesting —LISA BOTTOM LINE 4 > Concept: Bring nebulous interpretations of science to an odd couple pair of brothers, insert anime hilarity > Graphics: Nice character models, weird animations, and undeniably blocky environ- ments make a mixed bag > Sound: For some reason, the Gazy music appealed to me in a very nostalgic way > Playability: it's just so dull and unbelievably repetitive that | don't know why anyone would 80 for more than a single two- hour session > Entertainment: Starts off well and dives down from there > Replay Value: Low Second Opinion 5.25 PLAYSTATION 2 The Getaway: Black Monday > STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION > PUBLISHER SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA > DEVELOPER TEAM SOHO > RELEASE JANUARY 11 > ESRB M BLOODY 'ELL! f Guy Ritchie and Quentin Tarantino collaborated on а crime film, only to realize that they hated each oth- ег5 guts halfway through film- ing and wanted nothing more than to sabotage the project, a cinematic failure along the lines of The Getaway: Black Monday would likely be the result. Amid hardhearted action sequences and vulgar cockney dialogue, the plot unfolds through flash- backs, flashforwards, blurring time periods, and maybe even some wormhole-related anom- alies. | applaud Team Soho's grand scope and attempt to bring ambitious storytelling to the video game front. With beautifully animated and well- acted sequences fueling every second of the story, it definitely feels like an interactive motion picture. Sadly, #5 also a bit hard to follow, and not nearly as gripping as Charlie Jolson's twisted mind games from the original entry in the series. Additionally, you never really get the impression that the three playable characters are connected to the events at hand. In the original title, you really got the sense that you knew who Mark Hammond was, and would go to any length to help him exact revenge on Jolson. In this entry, Sergeant Ben Mitchell's personality is paper thin, Eddie comes across as a cheap attempt to diversify the action with hand-to-hand combat, and Sam's hard-edged ways just gnaw at your nerves. It is nice that you can alter the events at hand to bring about multiple endings, but as you can imagine, my disinterest with the plot to begin with didn't necessarily transition into the desire to see different outcomes. Without a truly engaging story to fall back on, it was up to Team Soho to create a thrilling gameplay experience. Sadly, the game is still firing blanks and driving on four flat tires. Team Soho did little to improve upon this series’ shoddy gameplay. Targeting is still incredibly frustrating, your character movements are very mechanical, the vehicle phys- ics are painfully inaccurate, and although improved, the enemy Al is still prone to blindly running right into the barrel of your smoking gun. The changes or new additions that Team Soho has implemented are minimal at best. The game now boasts a pause screen map system, you can fire a gun while driving, and motor- cycles can be jacked. The game does have moments of brilliance, and | was impressed with the diversity of mis- sions, but in an age where Grand Theft Auto continues to improve with each passing release, a mediocre Getaway sequel gets beat down in a bad, bad way.— REINER OTTO! LINE > Concept: A hard-boiled British crime caper that will make you scratch your head in confu- sion over the plot twists, and shake your fist over the shoddy gameplay > Graphics: London's gorgeous details are diminished by the bumbling animations of its occupants > Sound: The only area of the game that doesn't have faults. The voice-acting and score are perfect > Playability: Bollocks! > Entertainment: Very ambi- tious, but also very disappointing > Replay Value: Moderate direction during missions to impressive GAME INFORMER 115 PLAYSTATION 2 Ghost Recon 2 > STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION (UP TO 16-PLAYER VIA ONLINE) > PUBLISHER UBISOFT > DEVELOPER RED STORM > RELEASE NOVEMBER 30 > ESRB T GHOST REJECT applaud Ubisoft for trying something new by making the Xbox and PS2 versions of Ghost Recon 2 entirely different games. However, like most titles in the Tom Clancy shooter library, they simply don't feel that different. Basically, if the Xbox version Ghost Recon 2 had a minor stroke and lost some of its motor skills, but could still function, you'd get this game. The typical Clancy squad-based shooter setup remains in place, but everything suffers from a lack of polish. Each level is as linear as could possibly be — you pretty much follow a set path to your objective in every level, with few (if any) alternate routes. Your squad has been reduced in size to three Al teammates, which is just as well, since they're about as useful as a one-legged man in ап ass-kicking contest. They're so vestigial that | didn't even notice they were gone when playing the occasional lone wolf missions. The linear missions and worthless squad Al were my biggest issues with this game, but those are just two instances of Ghost Recon 2's overall lack of polish. Character models are nice, but the environments are fairly barren and drab. Online options are scant, and the lack of co-op mode is completely weak. Hit detection feels slightly off, and the story is paper-thin. It lacks the original Ghost Recon's strategic focus, opting for a more straight-up action feel. Yet, since it has the tradi- tional Tom Clancy squad-based control scheme, it plays too slowly and feels too clunky to suc- ceed as a run and gun shooter. Occupying a gray area between traditional and tactical shoot- ers, Ghost Recon 2 attempts to bridge the gap between the two that results in a title which fails on both fronts —JEREMY 116 САМЕ INFORMER BOTTOM LINE 6.5 > Concept: Simplify the original Ghost Recon and add a healthy dose of boring > Graphics: Character models are good, but there's nothing here you haven't seen before > Sound: | suggest cranking a John Williams score while play- ing this to add some excitement and drama > Playability: The controls are simpler and easier than the original, but all of the missions аге FUBAR > Entertainment: War! Uhh! What is it good for? Absolutely... nothing! > Replay Value: Moderately Low PLAYSTATION 2 Shadow of Rome > STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION > PUBLISHER CAPCOM > DEVELOPER CAPCOM > RELEASE FEBRUARY 8 > ESRB M SALVOS FOR SAVAGERY enerally, games that try to bunch together multiple gameplay types fall prey to a handful of frequent issues — illogical control schemes, lack of depth in a particular gameplay mechanic, and/or unbalanced cool- ness between the main characters. Capcom's Shadow of Rome still loses steam in certain areas because of these common pitfalls, but does do an exceptional job of avoiding them оп most occasions. The premise, for those who haven't been following the title, is to set players in the time immediately fol- lowing Julius Caesar's assassination. Frequently, the game will switch back and forth between two characters: Caesar's nephew Octavianus, who handles the stealth side because he's kind of a weenie, and Agrippa. This character's father has been accused of the murder and his mother was killed because of the scandal. He has turned to the life of a gladiator in hopes of saving the father and aveng- ing the mother. It's heady stuff, and the friendship between these two is the main reason that players will want so desperately to be success- ful — we'd really like to make them both heroes. While Octavianus' covert portions of the gameplay mix work well enough, distracting the guards through whistles is never really a sure thing, and the level design doesn't really help to make these sections more compelling or rewarding. Most of the segments are a welcome relief from the intense action (more on that later), but lack the finesse shown in the combat portions. Climbing down from a box shouldn't require a hotspot-enabled action button press. Overall, they aren't bad or broken, but they do suffer from some dull spots. While Octavianus is creeping around, Agrippa (a military mus- deman) is recruited as a gladiator. This is where the game soundly earns its mature rating. You will beat men to death with their own arms, you will burst heads like ripe melons, and when you've caused enough spewing blood, you will cheer for the crowd and they will shower you with affection. And all of that is mighty fun — not entirely because of the gore, but also because gladitorial combat is much more complicated than one would first guess. Simply beating enemies isn't the hardest part of a bout, appeasing the crowd and fueling their bloodlust is. With that in mind, Capcom developed the Salvo system, which rewards players and gauges the crowd's response by set- ting certain moves at a higher value. More often than not, #5 much harder to entertain the morally bankrupt spectators than just survive. While this is historically accurate, there are few games in memory that caused me such a moral dilemma. It's a blast, and the combat is а great balance between a wrestling and a fighting game, but | felt like a terrible human being. | guess that's the price you pay for being а gladiator. —LISA > Concept: Mix gladiatorial combat, stealth action, and a quasi-historic look at ancient Rome > Graphics: Really sharp and nicely colorful - characters pop off of the screen > Sound: The music is pretty subdued and | feel like it could have made more impact during the gladiator combat, but the voice acting is generally good > Playability: Switching control schemes between gameplay types is done well, with each having their own quirks and strong points > Entertainment: А blood- spewing good time, if you can bend your moral code a bit while you play > Replay Value: Moderate Second Opinion 8.5 break a sword off on your ass” was coined in Rome eher 5 ШЫ С.) you will like і.--КАТО In this minigame, you'll shout numbered commands into the microphone as the Shy Guys scr+amble to do your bidding If Contra had a Happy Mode... Button mash to your heart's content Does anyone else wonder why we haven't seen a Mario Snowboarding game yet? за aN EXTRAS INCLUDE: Tribute to Harry Goz Commentaries Tour of 70-30 Ronnie È J 5 б. PRICE ОҒ 2! ) SEALAB 2021 20 Questions with the Cast Rough Cut of Der Dieb GAMECUBE Mario Party 6 > STYLE 1 TO 4-PLAY > RELEASE DECEMBER BE BORED WALK t's not that Mario Party can't be a kick from time to time. But when the greatest fun and laughter you get from a game happens when you're laughing at it, (and not in the nice way, mind you), then something's wrong. This installment is in several ways a step up from previ- years, but the new gloss doesn't hide some of the glaring flaws that remain in the franchise, and | was left with a general sense of disconnection both from the game and the beloved characters within it. The biggest change this year comes in the form of the micro- phone, a packed-in peripheral that allows for a few unique game types. Unfortunately, several of these just aren't very much fun, requiring the logical functionality of a golden retriever in order to complete. Nonetheless, it can be pretty funny your friends shouting wildly at character: screen if the new minigames themselves aren't that great. The other game types have seen BUY TWO DVDS! FOR THE THE BRAK SHOW EXTRAS INCLUDE: Commentaries Cartoon Planet Segments Brak Presents the Brak Show Starring Brak Adult Swim News Never Before Heard Radio Play Production of the Brak Show PLUS: BRAK SINGING MENUS! _ WHY WATCH IT FOR FREE WHEN YOU COULD PAY For т? [adult swim] ЧА ДТ О міток] adultswim.com > PUBLISHER NINTENDO > DEVELOPER HUDSON SOFT a cursory overhaul, and party mode can be fun, but only if you have the full four players. Playing against the Al is tedious and boring in the extreme, as you're forced to watch every last move they make on the board rather than getting on to your own actions. There are dozens of minigames packed away inside the game, which keeps the variety fresh. Unfortunately, several of them are won or lost on sheer dumb luck, and many others are kind of boring. The best of them are so inane and silly that they tend to elicit some laughter, and that can be good. The new Mario Party may be a decent choice for your game sessions with less experienced players, if for no other reason than the simplistic con- trols should even the playing field for everyone. Still, | can’t help but draw comparis: o that party your one friend throws every year. You know the one. Everyone feels compelled to show up, and it's nice to see some familiar faces, but no one's really having a very good time.— MILLER Se reviews 6.25 > Concept: Candyland-esque board game crammed with mini blowouts, this time with the addition of a microphone BOTTOM LINE Bright and colorful, до justice to both the iconic characters and the recog- nizable art style > Sound: Genre appropriate, but largely uninteresting > Playabil а fault, although some of the minigames control quite poorly > Entertainment: Slightly less banal this year, but mostly more of the same > Replay Value: Moderate Second Opinion 5 Mario Party 6 has all the fun of taking turns, wait- ing patiently, and watch- ing repetitive interludes. Admittedly, Mario Party and 1 did have a few chuckles, but not in that “two chums enjoying each other's com- pany” way. It was more of а “playground bully point- ing and laughing at the kid who wears a cape to school.” If you win a round of Mario Party, you simply feel ashamed of yourself for being praised by a game in no position to judge qual- ity—JOE UNLIMITED ENABLED XBOX MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf > STYLE | TO 4-PLAYER ACTION (UP TO 16-PLAYER VIA XBOX LIVE OR SYSTEM LINK) > PUBLISHER MICROSOFT GAME STUDIOS > DEVELOPER DAY 1 STUDIOS > RELEASE DECEMBER 28 > ESRB T ROCK ‘EM SOCK ‘EM ROBOTS echAssault was, in my opinion, the best Mech game of this console generation. MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf builds on this solid foundation by adding new gameplay features, vastly improved graphics, and new online functions. With so many clear improve- ments, Lone Wolf is an even better game than the first, but also has a few flaws that the original didn't. The biggest difference in Lone Wolf is that there are other types of vehicles to pilot besides giant robots. Besides Mechs, you'll control battle armor, tanks, and VTOLs over the course of the game. You can even get out of your vehicle at any time during a mission and run around. All of the different vehicle types control well, but the missions that require you to spend a lot of time on foot somewhat suck. My pilot character tended to stick to the environment a lot, leading to many deaths | couldn't avoid. These on-foot missions, as well as a few others, contributed a lot to the uneven difficulty level of the 118 САМЕ INFORMER campaign mode. While | beat the game in about 12 hours, much of my time was spent repeating a handful of tough stages scattered throughout the game, which made for some uneven pacing. Okay, now that I've covered what | didn't like about Lone Wolf, | can move on to what | loved about it. The core gameplay is just as fun as the first, and | really liked the variety of missions. | personally found the tank levels especially enjoyable — using its cannon as a sniper rifle will never get old. The ability to switch vehicles really emphasizes the scale of the Mechs - much more so than in the first title, | felt like | was piloting an unstoppable engine of destruction. The inclusion of both new and old Mechs makes for a good selection of the giant war machines. The addition of a couple of classic boss battles is also a really nice touch. The final boss is one of the coolest-looking foes I've faced in a long time, and overall the graphics are great. Both the Mechs and ڪڪ BOTTOM LINE 9.25 > Concept: Destroy everything that moves in a giant robot or other vehicle. When you're done with that, destroy others online > Graphics: The Mechs look great, the cutscenes amaze, and blowing things up looks just swell > Sound: Throw the horns up for some rockin’ metal and the soothing sounds of futuristic war > Playability: 1/5 never been easier to rain horrific destruction down upon your foes > Entertainment: Giant, heavily armed robots plus online play equals a ton of fun уто! allow you to carry Supplies, as well as punish fools from the ай. while tanks can handle smaller Mechs or act as snipers > Replay Value: High * deserves the huge following it will certainly develop." environments are much more detailed than in the first game (although there are some heavy draw dis- tance issues), and the cutscenes look fantastic. The soundtrack is really fitting, and the story is engaging, while a bit sparse. Of course, online play is a huge part of the MechAssault franchise, and in this arena Lone Wolf certainly doesn't disappoint. It plays much like the first title's online mode, although the new vehicle types add a lot of flexibility within individual maps. It's fast and frantic to the point where it can be dif- ficult to formulate a strategy, but seldom frustrating. The new vehicle types have allowed for some inter- esting game types and maps, so Lone Wolf's online play really offers something for everyone. Conquest mode, in which different teams vie for control of the solar system in a persistent war, will no doubt become one of the biggest draws on Xbox Live. While some of MechAssault 2's new features came with unexpected side effects, Day 1 must be applauded for doing so much with this sequel. Despite its flaws, Lone Wolf is a terrific game that deserves the huge following it will certainly develop.— JEREMY Despite the additional vehicles, Mech combat is f still the heart of the game \\ NLL - | Дог ASS;.. )- 7 S) | (8 3/ EES IMA |" Е-Е Ra Ў 4 С H ~ E 0 کک‎ А. Ы m a A fuel gauge? Or a gauge of intelligence? 47 city. 48 highway: The Civic Hybrid. MAHONDA XBOX Star Wars Kni Republic ІІ: Th ghts of the Old e Sith Lords > STYLE 1-PLAYER ROLE-PLAYING GAME > PUBLISHER LUCASARTS > DEVELOPER OBSIDIAN ENTERTAINMENT > RELEASE DECEMBER 6 > ESRB T LONG LIVE THE SITH mug Statement: The Sith Lords is smart, deep, dark, and stands as the best thing to happen to Star Wars since Timothy Zahn penned the extraordinary Heir to the Empire trilogy. Much like a Padawan learning the ways of the Force from a Jedi Master, Obsidian Entertainment has embraced the teachings of BioWare, built upon the original formula, and forged a powerful sequel that will take your breath away faster than Vader ever could. In the five years that have passed since the fall of Lord Malak, the Dark Side of the Force has spread across the galaxy like a disease. Sith Lord attacks have devastated the Old Republic, and the Jedi guardians are on the verge of extinction. The Republic's only hope of survival lies within your uncertain hands. Awakening in a battle-damaged vessel that is spinning uncontrollably through an asteroid field, you have no recollection of your past, yet you can feel the Force flowing through your veins. Will you side with the Republic and battle the Sith scourge? Or will you fade into darkness and let evil reign? This compelling introduction pulls you into the plot, keeping you completely transfixed as you tip the scales between the light and dark and scour the cosmos for clues that will unearth your enigmatic past. The tale is paced to perfection and never once feels like it is making unnecessary detours to lengthen the experience. W “Pay attention, T3! This i: 120 GAME INFORMER - you give а lightsaber enema” From HK-47's amusing “droid prejudice” banter to Kreia's cıyptic messages, the game is overflowing with fascinating personalities and some of the most believable characters to ever be brought to life in a game. Again, pacing is used expertly to develop relationships with the player. As the plot unfolds, you'll be forced to decide who to trust, who to keep close, and who to keep a watchful eye on. When you communicate with your allies, your choice of words will affect your standing with them. If you have a high enough influence over them, they may open up to you and follow your ways (be it light or dark). The game also dives deeper into Star Wars lore as it utilizes a much wider selection of alien species, weapons, and gear, as well as planets that we really haven't seen much of in the movies or games. Obsidian can also be commended for creating not one, but two of the most fearsome and awe-inspir- ing nemeses in the Star Wars universe. Discovering who these Sith Lords are is another of the games exciting mysteries. On the gameplay front, Obsidian stuck to the formula of the original game, but has built upon it with little additions and subtle tweaks. Of course, this still means that your supporting party will blindly run over a clearly visible mine, load times are just as extensive, some of the loose ends in the plot are not tied up (what's up with the HK droids?), and slowdown occurs when too many characters # Anakin Skywalker is not only the most powerful Jedi in the universe, he's also the inventor of the galaxy's favorite extreme sport, Bug Surfing! Ж Femmie [zrt] purple [bzt] lightsaber does not [zot] compute A Taste of the Dark Side Listed below are a handful of hate-filled responses that your character can make. As you can probably guess, those on the receiving end are never pleased with the tone you take. > "Your ‘bad feeling’ is going to be replaced by blinding pain if you don't be quiet." > “If you have anything else useless to say in the future, keep it to yourself." > "When they find your body, they'll have to sew you back together for your funeral." > "The next time someone calls me a Jedi, they'll be lying in a pool of their own blood." > “1 kill who I want, when I want." engage in battle. In short it still has its annoyances, yet the new material more than makes up for them. As you engage in conversation, you can now tap into your skills to add a new level of persuasion. For instance, if your character is knowledgeable to the subject matter, you may be prompted with an awareness option. Another interesting addition is the ability to break down items into components that you can turn around and use to create a wide variety of things. The missions that you'll undertake are just as varied, and the consequences to your actions can be just as cataclysmic. A raised level cap won't stunt your characters growth this time around, and the variety that stems from the new character interactions only heightens the reasons to play this game numerous times. Many of the visuals are a bit underwhelming, but the detail in the facial modeling is much more defined, and you won't see as many unintentional identical twins throughout your journey. It's almost impossible to deny the charms that emerge from this title's expertly crafted story and unbound freedom. The Sith Lords is a crowning accomplishment for video games and one of the finest Star Wars stories ever told.—-REINER BOTTOM LINE 9 L] 25 > Concept: A Star Wars mystery set in the old times that offers up a fantastic story and role-play- ing bliss > Graphics: Better facial models, but the environments are still bland and slowdown does occur > Sound: The score fits perfectly into Star Wars canon, and the character dialogue is some of the best to date > Playability: The same engine with a few enhancements around the edges. Influencing characters and making items are done well > Entertainment: You abso- lutely have to play it twice to see where the story goes for light and dark > Replay Value: High Second Opinion 9 i Duracell Batteries... helping you slaughter Kath hounds since the Mandalorian Wars! XBOX Gungriffon: Allied Strike > STYLE 1-PLAYER АСПОМ (UP TO 8-PLAYER VIA XBOX LIVE) > PUBLISHER TECMO > DEVELOPER GAME ARTS > RELEASE DECEMBER 14 > ESRB Т LACKING POLISH play a lot of mech games. | like the more strategy- based offerings just as much as the titles that are all about an enjoyable mindless scrap. Allied Strike purports to be both, but isn't really either. Instead, it feels like a war machine that is too far behind the times, and it gets blown away by its competi- tors before it can even begin the battle The first feature that will strike you as off-kilter about Gungriffon is the visuals. There's a vague sort of blur about them that makes it seem like you're looking through a mesh screen. Everything looks flat and col- orless. The next thing you'll discover is that you don't know what the heck you're doing. There's no semblance of a tutorial to give you any guid- ance, so you're left to learn the controls on your own. Without any story introduc- tion and very little in-game dialogue, you're left to wonder why you're fighting and whom you're fighting against. There are a bevy of weapons, mechs, and other customizations to explore, but it's never clear what should work best in any given situation. Consequently, your first hours with the game end up being a guess and check period filled with much cursing, foot stomping, and gnashing of teeth. | have to admit to being a fan of switching between first- and third-person views on the fly. | also appreciated that the enemy Al seemed intel- ligent enough to try and flank me from time to time, but my ally Al would often dive in way over its head and get destroyed quickly, which was annoying. Online multiplayer is a worthwhile addition to the series, and | was glad to see it present. If enough people end up playing, there could be some rewarding strategy/action gaming to be found. However, | can't help but conclude that there's too little innovation and produc- tion value to really make that a genuine option, particularly when there are some other mech games of significantly higher quality available on the console.—MILLER BOTT LINE > Concept: The tried and true model of mech combat in a post- apocalyptic future > Graphics: Remarkably drab given the console #5 running on. Colors are washed out and weapon effects are lackluster > Sound: Poor balancing of Music and sound effects makes it seem like you're hearing everything from a distance or through a tube, but some of the explosions are impressive > Playability: Way too many options right out of the gate and no tutorial to explain them lead to several hours of frustrating trial and error > Entertainment: For mech fans that want a taste of tactics with their explosions, there might be something worthwhile here, but most players will be either dumbfounded or bored > Replay Value: Moderately Low Second Opinion 5 XBOX Oddworld Stranger’s Wrath > STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION > PUBLISHER ELECTRONIC ARTS > DEVELOPER ODDWORLD INHABITANTS > RELEASE JANUARY 25 > ESRB T P: reviews | stunning and exqui- sitely realized mas- terpiece that delivers a gaming experience unlike any that we've seen before, Stranger's Wrath rekindles the artistic allure of Oddworld's previous works, and is truly visionary in its deliv- ery of gameplay. Once you set foot in this imaginative world, you won't want to leave it. Players assume the identity of the Stranger; a drifter turned bounty hunter that hides a secret that requires a specific, yet unrevealed, surgical pro- cedure costing twenty grand. With each criminal that you bring to justice, you'll inch doser to this goal — a goal that leads to a shocking twist in the game. | gasped when | found out exactly what the Stranger was hiding. Leading up to this point, the majority of your time is spent chasing down wanted criminals. By communicating with villagers via a streamlined Gamespeak system, players will learn the location of their targets, among other amusing things. The new Gamespeak interface is not as complex as it has been in previous Oddworld titles — it now requires just one button press — but it is just as humorous. | was often in tears over some of the things that were being said between Stranger and the inhabitants of this crazy world. ORIGINALITY CAN GO A LONG WAY As remarkable as the presen- tation is, the true star of this title is gameplay. | was blown away by the game's ability to seamlessly transition between frenzied FPS and harrow- ing third-person platforming. Oddworld has also created a highly innovative ammo system. Not only are you using wildlife as “live” ammo, you actually have to scour your sur- roundings and hunt for more munitions. The ammo that you unload produces a variety of results. Firing a Bolamite at a foe will tie them up in sticky webbing. Stunkz scent will make anyone near it gag. Boombats explode. And the Chippunk is just so dam cute that enemies will go to any length to squish it Boss fights are demanding of different strategies, and even the way that the health system is man- aged is a complete departure from what we are accustomed to, as you shake off damage like a wet dog does water. All told, the gameplay package is creative, fun, and the perfect fit for an Oddworld game. If you are of the belief that you've seen everything that video games have to offer, getting to know the Stranger will make you realize that we haven't even begun to scratch the surface of what can be done in game develop- ment REINER е769%% MH Here's a look at the critters that you'll be able to fire from your crossbow > Concept: Oddworld just got odder. .but in a very pleas- ing way > Graphics: There's a little draw in, but it doesn't take away from the magnificence of the vistas and the creatures that inhabit the land > Sound: You'll be hard-pressed to find better character voices in а game. The soundtrack is also a perfect fit, and hearing your ammo take jabs at you is just flat. ‘out funny > Playability: Excels in both first- and third-person. The origi- nal ideas that are applied to boss fights, ammo, and healing are mighty impressive > Entertainment: Genuine and completely satisfying, this is an adventure that everyone has to take > Replay Value: Moderately GAME INFORMER 121 Soloing is fun, but group combat is ungodly sweet РС | МАС World of Warcraft > STYLE MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER ONLINE ROLE-PLAYING GAME > PUBLISHER BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT > DEVELOPER BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT > RELEASE NOVEMBER 23 > ESRB Т GAME INEORMER TU GAM Er: WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD IT 15 aving had the privilege of playing in the World of Warcraft beta for the last several months and logging several days playing in the retail version, | feel qualified to say this to all the haters and the doubters: You are wrong. Blizzard has done it again, succeeding in epic fashion to craft a title that once again makes me fear for my social life. Though WoW doesn't radically differ from the tried-and-true MMORPG formula, the subtle tweaks, additions, and special layer of Blizzard polish make it an amazing and fresh experience. From the moment you log in to WoW, it draws you in and keeps you enthralled with its endless content, entertaining combat, and delightful presentation. Perhaps the single thing that makes adventur- ing and crafting in WoW so captivating is the way that you can choose your own pace and style of play. Whether you are popping in for half an hour before dinner or pulling a 16-hour power session on the weekend, you'll be able to find something to do, accomplish it, and feel like you actually got somewhere. This has largely to do with the quest system — throughout my playtime, | was on a variety of quests, ranging from simple delivery to intense dungeon crawls. Unless you're trying to get a crew together to do something very specific and all of 122 GAME INFORMER MONTH Go ahead and make fun of the Ancient of War for living in a pink town, We dare you The ghost world is cool enough to almost make your friends are offline, #5 awfully unlikely that you'll be sitting in town looking for a group like some other MMOs are infamous for. The sights of the world of Warcraft are any- where from grandiose to chilling to simply beauti- ful. While the Forsaken (my race of choice) battle to keep the evil Scourge and do-gooder humans from eradicating their fledgling undead society in the corrupted Tirisfal Glades, the night elves work ceaselessly to purify the towering forests of Kalimdor of the aftermath of the great war against the Burning Legion. These struggles are epic, and the way that they are presented hammers the point home. Also, the world is drawn in the slightly off-kilter Warcraft style, which lends that extra little immersive touch. Though WoW doesn't sport the sheer bleeding-edge technology of EverQuest ll, it nonetheless is one of the best-looking games I've ever played. Plus, this allows WoW to run acceptably on even low- to mid- end machines. WoW also does many more things that almost completely remove the tedium and “grinding” com- monly associated with the genre. Tradeskills are easy to learn, simple to use, and allow you to craft useful items. Combat is fast and fluid, with little “sit on auto-attack until the monster is dead" going on. No matter where you go, the world is simply gorgeous dying fun Travel times are not bad at all, since all of the towns and cities are linked by quick transit. Basically, noth- ing ever feels like a timesink that's just there to keep you playing and paying the monthly fee. It really says something when I've yet to be bored or annoyed for a single moment after playing an MMORPG for weeks. Some people have been afraid that WoW sacri- fices its long-term appeal in favor of ease of use, much like the way certain folks think of City of Heroes. To this criticism, | say humbug. WoW offers both depth and breadth of content for players to experience, and | seriously can’t imagine anyone getting bored with the game before the inevitable expansion comes out. Between tradeskills, questing, exploring, high-level dungeons, and player-vs-player combat, there is so much to do in WoW that it seems silly to think that there’s not enough content. What really blows my mind, though, is that it's all fun. This truly is the best online role-playing game to date. Now if you'll excuse me, | have to defend my people from a filthy human invasion.—ADAM > Concept: Perfect the model that EverQuest made popular > Graphics: Colorful, diverse, and a gorgeous fit for the Warcraft universe > Sound: Mood music, thunder- ing effects, and limited Warcraft 3-style voices make a rich environment > Playability: The default user interface has its limitations, but there are already wonderful mods out for it > Entertainment: Simply the best, most polished, and flat-out fun MMORPG to date > Replay Value: High Second Opinion 9.5 5 reviews 8.5 > Concept: Revisit the world of Norrath with improved graphics and interface > Graphics: For all the graphical effects, the look is a tad bland, but the animations are spec- tacular > Sound: Unbelievable amounts of voice-over bring the game to life > Playability: The new Heroic Opportunities give the game a fantastic and engaging new play mechanic > Entertainment: You can and will spend months in this game Once you get past its rather slow beginning > Replay Value: High CO ` F i ў воттом B There are | Д 2 5 0 yw LINE still zones, fips Wi: D but they are huge...and gorgeous © Travel is much easier this time and there are numerous instanced zones to keep populations. down т Combat is far more intense UNLIMITED ENABLED bid CENE ) » Av РС EverQuest Il x LL. a > STYLE MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER ONLINE ROLE-PLAYING GAME > PUBLISHER SONY ONLINE 8 немее але ak ENTERTAINMENT > DEVELOPER SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT > RELEASE NOVEMBER 8 уялы >ESRBT THE RETURN OF EVERCRACK за long time fan of the original, | went into this game expecting a lot. Unfortunately, | walked away from my experience with EverQuest II with both excitement and a little bit of disappointment. Obviously, the game is impressive graphically. Especially the animations of the characters, particu- larly in battle where the avatars unleash a dance of death that far exceeds anything you would expect from an MMORPG. Combine the awesome looks with the thousands of hours of voiceover work, and Norrath comes to life like never before (though, at times, it does feel a tad bit too renaissance festival for my tastes, but it's good nonetheless). In fact, | was giddy for my first four or five hours with the game as | worked my way through the training isle. At this point, | was convinced that Sony had learned from some of its previous mistakes and had a created a game that was not only deep, but easy to get into and not so much of a grind, but an adventure. Unfortunately, this excitement was short-lived. The game design quickly reverts to classic EQ once you choose your home city and the game truly begins. Over the next 20 hours, EQ Il had me killing vermi in droves and basically wishing that | was playing E Dungeon crawls with a great group is what ЕО is all [| about any game other than this. In fact, | was so distraught | was ready to call it quits. Then it happened. | hit level 10 and | finally got to choose my class (this begins with the player as one of four archetypes, which lead to dif- ferent classes, then eventually at level 20 to a sub- class), and the game finally showed me what it had to offer. Yes, l'm a little annoyed that it took this long to get into, and shame on EQ II's level designers for making it so difficult to get into, but once the flood gates open, it hits you with a tide of fun. Most impressive of which is the ingenious Heroic Opportunities gameplay mechanic. Basically, it's a combo system, which gives the player something to Pay attention to during combat. Start an Opportunity solo and various actions flash on screen that you can link to unleash different attacks or effects. Do it in a group, and it moves from class to class, letting the players feed off each other to create devastating feats. It's surprisingly fun, and lets good groups be great, and bad groups. ..well, playing with crappy players is never a joy. # The effects in the game are second to none 8.5 т Enemies are labeled so you can easily find mobs to solo or take on with a group For the most part, EQ II is impressive and really tights a lot of wrongs from the original, but at the same time, many of the gripes from the previous game quickly surface. Basically, EQ Il is a game where grouping makes all the difference in the world. Sure, mobs are labeled for groups or solo, and soloing is definitely possible, but that doesn't mean that it's all that fun. If you have the time, EverQuest II is, in my opin- ion, the best group-orientated MMORPG on the market. Its one major drawback being that it still requires a serious commitment of time to experi- ence the game the way it was intended. While other games like World Of Warcraft went out and made an everyman's MMO, EQ stuck to its guns and made another grinder that didn't go out of its way to make it easy to play for those just looking for a quick and fun adventure.—ANDY # Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the killer graphics TWEEN GAME INFORMER 123 # Familiar enemies and į environments set the tone ... Bi Boss fights are a tad easy, but still exhilarating GAME BOY ADVANCE The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap > STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION/ADVENTURE > PUBLISHER NINTENDO > DEVELOPER CAPCOM > RELEASE JANUARY 10 > ESRB Е SMALL HERO, BIG ADVENTURE here's always been a certain magic to Zelda games. The classic formula should have gotten old by now, but it hasn't. Perhaps it's because we all identify on some level with this shy, unlikely hero. Maybe the games remind us of our own childhood. Or perhaps these titles are consistently of such high quality that we can't help but love them. Regardless, The Minish Cap succeeds in all these ways — simultaneously embracing its links to the past while offering numerous innovations that keep gameplay fresh, exciting, and a true joy to play. The greatest of these novel concepts is the ability to transform from normal size down to the diminu- tive form of the Minish, a race of tiny people living right under the noses of the humans. This opens up entirely new realms of gameplay, as puzzles and even combat must be accomplished in differ- ent ways. When miniaturized, the smallest puddle becomes a deep lake, and the most mundane crea- tures become monstrous foes. There's a new item called the Gust Jar that allows you to suck up obstacles and enemies before blow- ing them back out in a burst of air. It's one of the cooler new power-up items I've encountered in any # Surprising locations abound WWhen you're tiny, the world looks totally different 124 САМЕ INFORMER of the Zelda games, and adds yet another level of complexity to how you play. Another new ability allows Link to double himself, creating a ghostly after-image that mirrors his moves for a brief time. As you might imagine, this results in some clever and unique brainteasers that are a nod to the recent Four Swords games. In all these ways, the game challenges you to think in multiple dimensions and carefully remem- ber details on your journey. A large cast of characters fleshes out the land of Hyrule, and monsters both large and small await your blade. To further connect you to the world's people, you will now collect items called Kinstones — broken halves of coin-like objects that can be fused with the Kinstones that other characters in the world have collected. By doing so, you'll open up portals, treasure chests, and secret doors all over the map. It's an addictive side quest that serves as a worthy compliment to the main adventure. One of my few complaints is that while the ще E Fusing kinstones becomes ` _ an addictive hobby # Link can create a spectral > double of himself Ш Dungeon puzzles are as devious as ever puzzles in the game are uniformly challenging, some of the combat is easier than | might have iked, especially against the bosses, who were often one-trick ponies requiring minimal skill. Even so, the ights are satisfying in their simplicity, and you have access to all the familiar weapons and techniques, including the boomerang, spin attack, and bow. The old and new features combine to make a game that feels both true to the Zelda heritage while offering an entirely unique experience. But more than any of this, the game charms you with its stalwart hero. This silent little boy with ruf- led, messy hair is faced with seemingly insurmount- able odds. Through him, the game establishes a hero whose pure heart and will are carrying him orward. All the elements of The Minish Cap (even its presence on the GBA) contribute to the idea of a tiny force for good that strives to triumph against a huge evil. It's a classic adventure that more than ives up to the legacy of a classic series. —-MILLER somehow still exciting > Concept: The time-honored Zelda tale retold in yet another new form > Graphics: Mixing the familiar images of previous Zelda games with humorous and detailed new character designs results in an impressive success for the GBA > Sound: Some of the most memorable and recognizable tunes in gaming sound great even on those little GBA speakers > Playability: Responsive and flexible with a nearly perfect learning curve that moves from simple to challenging > Entertainment: Like many of its predecessors - a true classic > Replay Value: Moderate last three ‘hours. Long story short, “Ym having the time of my life, For any of you who © played the remarkable Super | itle A Link to the Р nish Cap will a tear to your eye. This is Zelda gameplay in all its glory. The journey QUICKIES The Urbz: Sims in the City > STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION > PUBLISHER ELECTRONIC ARTS > DEVELOPER GRIPTONITE GAMES > RELEASE NOVEMBER 10 > ESRB E You know those teen movies where the obviously attractive girl is cleverly hidden behind baggy clothes and glasses until the popular chicks dress her up so everyone in school can appreciate her true beauty? With the handheld Urbz titles, it's like the GBA version is the heroine at the beginning of the movie, and the DS version is the one at the end. Sure, all the ingredients for a rewarding experience are there from the start, but by the climactic conclu- sion on a whole new handheld system, the DS version walks away prettier, smoother, and more...um, interactive. The occasional control wonkyness is the one new negative, which is counteracted by the added minigames and location (Splicer Island), so I'm giving the ver- sions the same score.—LISA Need for Speed Underground 2 > STYLE 1 OR 2-PLAYER RACING > PUBLISHER ELECTRONIC ARTS > DEVELOPER POCKETEERS > RELEASE NOVEMBER 15 > ESRB Е NINTENDO DS BOTTOM LINE 3.9 | would love to give this game some bonus points for technical wizardry, of which it displays quite a lot, but ninja coding does not a fun game make. Instead, this is a pockmark on the face of driving games everywhere. Because of the extremely bizarre physics, the drift and drag modes are the only ones that feel even remotely predictable, except that it says I'm pull- ing a 300-foot serpentine drift at 95 miles per hour — that seems close to reality, right? Well, it doesn't, and this weird ass-end swing out makes circuit racing all but impossible until you ге-еат the concepts of physics, weight distribution, and even gravity. Little touches are there, but this is a package that, overall, should be Bondo-ed, buried, and left for future generations to get a chuckle out of —LISA BOTTOM 3 Fear Factor: Unleashed LINE > STYLE 1 TO 6-PLAYER ACTION > PUBLISHER ARUSH ENTERTAINMENT > DEVELOPER DIGITAL CONCEPTS STUDIOS > RELEASE NOVEMBER 17 > ESRB Т GAME BOY ADVANCE In real life, eating a bowl of cockroaches or jumping between moving helicopters might be excused as spontaneous eccentricities of being young. In Fear Factor: Unleashed, these same tasks start to take on a less capricious feel as they are hastily cobbled together into a mourn- ful facsimile of a video game. Of the meager 12 “challenges” offered, two are identical, one is virtually impossible, and all of them are completely broken. In your twilight years, you will have to answer for the inglorious mistakes of your youth; stuffing maggots in your craw is an excusable error, but if you play Fear Factor: Unleashed, you deserve to find forgiveness in the heart of no human.—JOE BOTTOM 8 The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age LINE > STYLE 1 OR 2-PLAYER STRATEGY/RPG > PUBLISHER ELECTRONIC ARTS > DEVELOPER GRIPTONITE GAMES > RELEASE NOVEMBER 2 > ESRB T GAME BOY ADVANCE This is EA's second title called The Third Age, and like the console game, we see the pub- lisher fortifying its place as an RPG purveyor of some skill. A pure strategy game, | loved the combat's flank system, where you receive a semi-random amount of command points to spend on actions per flank. Since you can move characters and attack between flanks, there are plenty of ways to out-maneuver your opponent. Smart strategy also means using ter- rain and choosing your companions wisely. Despite its adherence to the genre, battles can be frustratingly long, and surprisingly, the lack of a driving story make this title a little dry for some. Not for me, however.—KATO BOTTOM 7.75 Pathway to Glory LINE > STYLE | TO 6-PLAYER STRATEGY (UP TO 6-PLAYER VIA WIRELESS OR N-GAGE ARENA) > PUBLISHER NOKIA > DEVELOPER NOKIA/REDLYNX > RELEASE NOVEMBER 29 > ESRB T GAME BOY ADVANCE Pathway to Glory, while undoubtedly one of the standouts of the N-Gage lineup, nonetheless falls short of being an amazing title on its own merits. | do very much enjoy the turn-based combat, presentation, and deep strategic concerns presented by the environments. However, the game's interface simply doesn't give you enough information to make sound tactical decisions. Ranges, lines of sight, and move ranges must all be eyeballed. Also, it's often dif- ficult to tell what exactly a feature of the environment is - my guys were getting blown away for a good three tries through a mission before | figured out that the hill | was hiding behind was actually a trench. PtG is still a solid portable strategy game, but it can't stand up to the likes of Advance Wars.---ADAM BOTTOM LINE Pocket Kingdom: Own The World > STYLE 1-PLAYER STRATEGY/RPG (MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER VIA N-GAGE ARENA) > PUBLISHER SEGA > DEVELOPER SEGA > RELEASE NOVEMBER 23 > ESRB T N-GAGE Pocket Kingdom is just the kind of clever and ingenious medicine the N-Gage needs to appeal to the gamer crowd. Basically, the game has a series of menus that the player navi- gates to set up groups that you send to various locations to collect items and do battle. It can at times be a tad tedious since you find yourself constantly flipping from menu to menu, but if you dig deep enough you will quickly find yourself addicted to its charming, albeit basic gameplay. Plus, the game's "leet"-speak dialogue is some of the funniest | have read in a long time—ANDY N-GAGE You'd best get to steppin’, son! [921212423] NINTENDO DS Tiger Woods PGA Tour > STYLE 1-PLAYER SPORTS (UP ТО 4-PLAYER VIA WIRELESS) > PUBLISHER EA SPORTS > DEVELOPER EA REDWOOD SHORES > RELEASE DECEMBER 14 > ESRB Е ГО RATHER CLUB BABY SEALS ou'd think that there's BOTTO not much to a golf game. LINE 4 Some green textures, a > Concept: EA Sports attempts ball, and a selection of clothes that make you look like a total rube. But, as this game to bring a hands-on golf swing akin to the consoles’ use of the analog stick . proves, it's a lot harder than you ызан per Да m think. For all of those who are hed а dreaming of pulling the club back nes а еба and letting it rip, you'd better think > Мег лү ар Ны again. This series just doesn't trans- -links should sound late to anything enjoyable or even > Playability: With litle sem- workable. blance of continuity between Like a pizza covered in choco- your Р ih naran " ' to your golf ball, | suggest you late, this game's touch screen Fel eranl swing is appealing for about half a second before you swear it off forever. Let me rephrase that. Its not that | don't like the touch screen swing, it's that what my ball subsequently does that is so baffling. Many times | was told | had a perfect shot hit at the perfect percentage, only to see the ball dribble from my impotent club. Putting was better, but also an inexact science. Because of the slippery touch screen, your target reticle slides all over the place. Aiming your putt often takes more than a few tries. This wasn't helped by the automatic camera changes which would take place, meaning you often had to start putting all over. Furthermore, the graphics weren't crisp enough for you to accurately read the green when the caddy couldn't give you hints. And | still haven't figured out how to put backspin on the ball. Although the DS seems like a perfect place for Tiger's brand of hands-on golf, I'm afraid that — beyond the inconsistency issues I've pointed out - the touch screen simply doesn't imbue the kind of fun, responsive feel that a console analog controller does. Instead, it makes me want to shove the stylus up my nose in an attempt to manually stimulate my brain in the hope of releasing some pleasure endorphins. ---КАТО > Entertainment: | wouldn't miss my root canal appointment for this game > Replay Value: Moderate 6.5 Second Opinion GAME INFORMER ТОР 20 1 HALO 2 \ 5 WWE SMACKDOWN VS 126 САМЕ INFORMER Listings Based Upon NPD Data For October 2004 Based On Units Sold T Rank Title System ЕЕ Dragon quest vit PS2 Rank | Tile L Mo. [System] Score [Release] Price [ЕЮ Ratchet а Clank: Up Your Arsenal — МА Р52 EN Momo Taro Densetsu USA NA PS2 Halo 2 МА XBOX | 10 |11-04) $49 | Ш Mario Party 6 NA GC ЕН Slot Up Core 5 МА PS2 Grand Theft Auto: + | so! 10 Но sso | : xm NA вс San Andreas Eã Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories N/A GBA Nala Û oragon Ball Advance Adventure МА GBA Halo 2: inqua N/A |хвож| 10 |1-04| $55 | E Pokémon Emerald 2 GBA Collector's Edition | 10 | Advance Wars 1 + 2 N/A GBA Need for Speed: МА | PS2 | 8 [11-04] $49 Underground 2 WWE Smackdown Vs. ТОРО PES NN Raw Madden NFL 2005 9 | PS2 | 875 |08-04| $31 Metal Gear Solid 3: “2-20 ът Snake Eater ЕЕ word of Warcraft Ê The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap МА The Incredibles N/A | GBA | N/A |11-04| $28 Star Wars Knights of the Old edible Republic ll: The Sith Lords WA Xbox [ETÊ Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater — 1 Р52 Need for Speed: мА |хвох| в (11-04 $49 | ВЕЩ Halo 2 4 Xbox Underground 2 Ей MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf N/A Xbox Í Oddworld Stranger's Wrath N/A Xbox Super Mario 64 DS N/A | DS | 85 |11-04) $30 | IJ] Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas PS2 ЕТ Prince of Persia: Warrior Within Multi Ratchet & Clank: NA | eso | 10 (11-04) sag | Жие? PC Up Your Arsenal ~ Metroid Prime 2: Echoes | V^ СС | 95 1104| $49 НВА Live 2005 2 | PS2 | 825 |09-04| $32 Dragonball Z: Budokai 3 | WA | Ps2| 5 |11-04 97 0P 10 РС Rank Title World of Warcraft Jak 3 МА | ps2 | 9.25 |11-04| $40 SR The Sims 2 Û Tony Hawk's 5 | Ps2 | 9.75 |10-04| $46 200 Тусооп 2 Underground 2 Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 6 $39 The Sims 2: Special Edition 3 $44 Pokémon Leaf бгееп 13 | GBA | 8 |0904) $30 | А Rome: Total War 4 $38 ЕСІ sia Meier's Pirates NA $43 Ê zoo Tycoon: Complete Collection | МА $29 4 |PS2| 9 109-04 519 ESPN NBA 2K5 ЕП Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault — МА 93 Pokémon Fire Red 11 | GBA} 8 |094) $32 Spongebob Squarepants: ТЕСЕ ê n ЕЕ The Movie Based On Monthly Units Sold ARCHIVE PLAYSTATION 2 ‘Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War 9 Alien Hominid 8 Аре Escape: Pumped and Primed 5.5 Armored Core: Nexus 725 Asterix & Obelix XXL 6 Astro Boy 55 Atari Anthology! 85 Athens 2004 ATV Offroad Fury 3 Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes TheNeighborhood Bad Boys: Miami Takedown Bard's Tale, Тһе Battle Assault 3 Featuring Gundam Seed Blood Will Tell BloodRayne 2 Bujingai: The Forsaken City Burnout 3: Takedown: Cabela's Deer Hunt 2005 Call of Duty: Finest Hour Capcom Fighting Evolution Самотап ChoroQ 625 Combat Elite: WWII Paratroopers — 3,5 Conflict: Vietnam Corvette. Crash 'n' Burn Crash Twinsanity Crimson Tears Dance Dance Revolution Extreme Def Jam: Fight for NY Dog's Life Dragon Ball Z Budokai 3 Drivir Dukes of Hazzard: Return of the General Lee 6 Dynasty Warriors 4: Empires 7 Echo Night: Beyond 6 ESPN College Hoops 2K5 9 ESPN МВА 2K5 9 ESPN МА. 2K5 9. ESPN NHL 2K5 8 EyeToy; AntiGrav 7 EyeToy; Groove 6 FIFA Soccer 2005 Fight Club 55 Final Fantasy XI: Chains of Promathia 775 Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone Front Mission 4 Funkmaster Flex Digital Hitz Factory Future Tactics: The Uprising Galactic Wrestling Featuring Ultimate Muscle 425 Gallop Racer 2004 825 Get Оп Da Мк 5 Ghosthunter 65 Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Godzilla: Save the Earth GoldenEye: Rogue Agent Gradius V Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Gretzky NHL 2005 Growlanser: Generations Guilty Gear вика Gungrave: Overdose Guy Game, The Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Headhunter: Redemption Hitman: Contracts Hot Shots Golf Fore! Incredibles, The Inuyasha: The Secret of the Cursed Mask Jak 3 Juiced Karaoke Revolution Volume 2 Karaoke Revolution Volume 3 Katamari Damacy killzone King Arthur King of Fighters: Maximum Impact Kuon La Pucelle: Tactics Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude 75 Цетопу Snicket's А Series of Unfortunate Events 625 Lord of the Rings: The Third Age, The 85 Madden NFL 2005 8.75 McFarlane's Evil Prophecy 4 Mega Man X Command Mission | 6 Mega Man Anniversary Collection 9 Mega Man X8 Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater 9.5 Dec-04 Dec-04 Jan-05 Sep-04 Sep-04 Sep-04 Jan-05 Aug-04 Jun-04 Nov-04 Jan-05 Dec-04 Oct04 Jun-04 Oct-04 Jun-04 Jul-04 Oct-04 Dec-04 Sep-04 Dec-04 Dec-04 Jan-05 Oct-04 Dec-04 Jan-05 Jan-05 Dec-04 Nov-04 Oct-04 Jul-04 Oct-04 Jun-04 Sep-04 Jan-05 Jan-05 Nov-04 Oct-04 Aug-04 Nov-04 Oct-04 Dec-04 Nov-04 Nov-04 Nov-04 Jun-04 Nov-04 Jan-05 Dec-04 Sep-04 Aug-04 Oct-04 Ju-04 Jan-05 Jan-05 King Arthur 725 М№оу-04 Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, The 8 шым Lemony Snicket's А Series of Unfortunate Events 625 Jan-05 Lord of the Rings: The Third Age, The 85 Пес04 Madden NFL 2005 875 Sep-04 Mario Power Tennis 85 Jan-05 Mega Man Anniversary Collection 9 0:04 Mega Man X Command Mission 6 05:04 Metroid Prime 2: Echoes 95 Jan-05 Midway Arcade Treasures 2 9 Od04 NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup 875 Sep-04 NBA Live 2005 825 Моу04 NCAA Football 2005 925 шю4 Need for Speed: Underground2 8 Оес04 NHL 2005 85 беро4 Paper Mario 2: The Thousand-Year Door 675 Моғ04 Pîkmin 2 875 Augo4 Power Rangers: Dino Thunder 6 Deco4 Prince of Persia: Warrior Within 925 ` Jan-05 Rainbow Six 3 5.75 Sep-04 Ribbit King 7 шым Second Sight 85 Sep-04 Shark Tale 65 Оес04 Shrek 2 7 шо Spider-Man 2 8 Aug-04 Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow 8.75 Aug-04 Spongebob Squarepants: The Movie 6 Dec-04 Spyro: A Hero's Tail 65 Моу04 Street Racing Syndicate 675 00:04 Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams 725 Моу04 Tales of Symphonia 875 30:04 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus 6 Моуо4 Terminator 3: Redemption 8 06:04 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 85 0904 Tony Hawk's Underground 2 975 Nov04 Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue 675 Nov04 Urbz: Sims in the City, The 775 Dec-04 Viewtiful Joe 2 9 Оес04 Virtua Quest 55 Jan-05 WWE Day of Reckoning 825 0:04 X-Men Legends 9 Мокод Midway Arcade Treasures 2 9 06.04 MLB Slugfest Loaded 625 10:04 Monster Hunter 5 Nov-04 Mortal Kombat: Deception 95 06:04 МТМ Music Generator 3 8 АщО4 NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup 875 Sep-04 МВА Live 2005 825 Моу04 МСАА Football 2005 925 Juk04 NCAA March Madness 2005 825 Dec-04 Need for Speed: Underground 2 8 Оесо4 Neo Contra 775 Nov-04 NHL 2005 85 бер04 Nightmare of Druaga: Fushigino Dungeon, The 4 Nov-04 Onimusha 3: Demon Siege 9 ' Jun04 Outlaw Golf 2 75 Oct-04 Phantom Brave 8 5ер.04 Power Rangers: Dino Thunder 6 Оесо4 Prince of Persia: Warrior Within 925 Јап-05 Psi-Ops: Тһе Mindgate Conspiracy 9 4804 Puyo Pop Fever 725 Aug-04 Rachet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal 10 ^ Nov-04 Rapala Pro Fishing 825 Oct-04 Red Dead Revolver 8 2004 Red Star, The 75 Oct-04 Ribbit King 7 ше Robotech: Invasion 65 0:04 Rocky: Legends 65 Оесо4 Rumble Roses 775 Jan-05 Samurai Warriors Xtreme Legends 675 — Jan-05 Second Sight 85 бер04 Sega Superstars 8 Оесо4 Shadow Hearts: Covenant 8: 00:04 Shaman King: Power of Spirit 65 Jan-05 Shark Tale 65 Оесо4 Shellshock Nam "67. 6 00:04 Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne 75 Nov-04 Showdown: Legends of Wrestling 6 Aug-04 Shrek 2 7 2004 Silent Hill 4: The Room 85 Sep-04 Sly 2: Band of Thieves 875 09-04 Smash Court Pro Toumamen2 5 10:04 Sonic Mega Collection Plus 75 Dec-04 Spider-Man 2 8 Aug-04 Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow 8.75 Аш О4 Spongebob Squarepants: The Movie 6 Dec-04 Spy Fiction 75 0:04 Spyro: А Hero's Tail. 65 Nov-04 Star Ocean: Till the End of Time 825 Aug-04 Star Wars: Battlefront 8 06:04 Street Fighter Anniversary Collection 8 бер-04 Street Racing Syndicate 675 0904 Strike Force Bowling 5 2404 Taiko Drum Master 775 Оесо4 Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams 725 Моу04 Technic Beat 75 Nov-04 Terminator 3: Redemption 8 0904 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus 6 Коу04 Test Drive: Eve of Destruction 775 Ов04 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 85 0904 Time Crisis: Crisis Zone 675 Nov-04 TOCA Race Driver. Ultimate Racing Simulator 75 Моу04 Tony Hawk's Undeground 2 975 Nov04 Transformers 7 Jun04 Trivial Pursuit Unhinged 5 — Aug-04 Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue 675 Nov-04 UEFA Euro 2004 Portugal 725 10:04 UFC Sudden Impact 65 4004 Under the Skin 8 Oct-04 Urbz: Sims in the City, Тһе 775 Dec04 Van Helsing 7 04 Vietcong: Purple Haze 5 Пес04 Ни Joe 95 бер-04 Viewtiful Joe 2 9 Deco4 Virtua Quest 55 Jan-05 Way of the Samurai 2 325 04 WWE Smackdown! Vs. RAW 85 Dec-04 X-Men Legends 9 Nova Yu Yu Hakusho: Dark Tournament 3.25 Dec-04 Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monster Coliseum 6 Jan-05 Alien Hominid Dec-04 Amazing Island Sep-04 Bad Boys: Miami Takedown Dec-04 Baten Kaitos: Wings of Etemity and the Lost Ocean ux ГТТІТІТІТІТТІТГ! | | | | [ L Call of Duty; Finest Hour 85 Jan-05 Catwoman 475 Sep-04 Def Jam: Fight for NY 875 09-04 Donkey Konga 7 Моко4 FIFA Soccer 2005 775 Nov-04 Future Tactics: The Uprising 525 Jun-04 GoldenEye: Rogue Agent 6.75 Јат05 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 65 0.04 Incredibles, The 65 Jan05 Army Men: Sarge's War Atari Anthology! Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes The Neighborhood Bad Boys: Miami Takedown Bard's Tale, The Blinx 2: Masters of Time & Space BloodRayne 2 Bumout 3: Takedown Cabela's Deer Hunt 2005 Call of Duty: Finest Hour 85 575 5 825 Oct-04 Oct-04 Jan-05 Catwoman 475 5ер-04 Chronides ot Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, The 95 01-04 Colin McRae Rally 2005 825 00:04 Combat Elite: WWII Paratroopers 35 Aug-04 Conflict: Vietnam 7 0904 Crash "т Bum 7 Deco4 Crash Twinsanity 6 Nov-04 Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 2 775 Dec-04 Dead ог Alive Ultimate 9 Decoa Def Jam: Fight for NY 875 09-04 Drivsr 6 Aug04 Dukes of Hazzard: Кешті of the General Lee 6 Oct-04 ESPN College Hoops 2К5 9 Оес04 ESPN МВА 2К5 9 Nov-04 ESPN МА. 2К5 95 5ер04 ESPN NHL 25 8 Sep-04 Fable 95 Oq04 Fatal Frame И: Crimson Butterfly Director's Cut 925 Оес04 FIFA Soccer 2005 775 Моу04 Fight Club 55 Jan-05 Full Spectrum Warrior 825 54:04 Future Tactics: The Uprising 525 Jun04 Galleon 425 08:04 Ghost Recon 2 8 Janos Godzilla: Save the Earth 6 ес GoldenEye: Rogue Agent 675 ізп05 Guilty Gear X2 #Reload 825 бер-04 Guy Game, Тһе 3 05:04 Halo 2 10. DecO4 Hany Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 65 104 Hitman: Contracts 725 Jun-04 incredibles, The 65 Jan-05 IndyCar Series 2005 65 Augo4 Juiced 575 Ос04 Karaoke Revolution. 775 бес04 King Arthur 725 Моу04 Тһе Really Ugly Page Where You Сап See 1015 ОҒ Old Review Scores Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders 775 Моу04 Leisure Suit Larry Magna Cum Laude 75 Nov04 Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events 625 Jan-05 Madden NFL 2005 875 Sep-04 Mafia 8 Jun-04 Malice 55 Аш 04 Manhunt 9 од Men of Valor 775 Nov-04 Metal Siug 3 8 о Midway Arcade Treasures 2 э 10004 МІВ Slugfest Loaded 625 1:04 Mortal Kombat: Deception 95 Od-04 МТМ Music Generator 3 8 Aug-04 NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup 875 Sep-04 NBA Live 2005 825 Моу04 NCAA Football 2005 925 04 NCAA March Madness 2005 825 0ес04 Need for Speed: Underground 2. 8 — Deco4 NHL 2005 85 Sep-04 Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors 7 0904 Outlaw Golf 2 75 0904 OutRun 2 65 бес04 Prince of Persia: Мато Within | 925 Jan-05 Pro Fishing Challenge 425 Sep-04 Psi-Ops: Тһе Mindgate Conspiracy 9 1004 Pure Pinball 575 Oct-04 Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow 8 бер04 RalliSport Challenge 2 725 Jun04 Red Dead Revolver 8 Jun-04 Red Star, The 75 Oct-04 Rocky: Legends Robotech: Invasion Samurai Warriors Second Sight Shadow Ops: Red Mercury Shark Tale SheliShock Nam '67 Showdown: Legends of Wrestling Shrek 2 Silent Hill 4: The Room Sims 2, The Sonic Mega Collection Plus Spider-Man 2 Spongebob Squarepants: The Movie Spyro: А Hero's Tail Star Wars: Battlefront Steel Battalion: Line of Contact Street Racing Syndicate Strike Force Bowling Sudeki SVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcom Syberia И Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus Terminator 5: Redemption Test Drive: Eve of Destruction Thief: Deadly Shadows Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 TOCA Race Driver 2 Tony Hawk's Undeground 2 Trivial Pursuit Unhinged Tron 2.0 Killer App Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue UEFA Euro 2004 Portugal Ultra Bust-A-Move 7 Dec-04 Urbz: Sims in the City, The 775 бес04 Van Helsing 7 м4 Vietcong: Purple Haze 5 Dec-04 Wings of War 65 Nov-04 X-Men Legends 9 №04 Yager 7 0:04 Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dawn of Destiny 6 Jun-04 Armies of Exigo Aura: Fate of the Ages 725 Axis & Allies 775 Battlefield Vietnam 8 6 5.75 Call of Duty: United Offensive 875 City of Heroes 9 Chris Sawyer's Locomotion 7 Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from. Butcher Bay Developers Cut, Тһе 925 Codename: Panzers 775 Desert Rats vs. Afrika Korps 6 Doom 3 9 Evil Genius 85 Far Су 925 Gangland 65 Ground Control ll: Operation Exodus 8.5 95 Half-Life 2 Immortal Сібе: Children of the Nile 8 Joint Operations: Escalation 8 Joint Operations: Typhoon Rising 85 Aug-04 Kohan Il: Kings of War в 0494 Lineage І: The Chaotic Chronide 725 20-04 Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth, The 85 Јап-05 Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault 85 Јап-05 Missing: Since January 65 Sep-04 Myst IV: Revelation в Nov-04 Nemesis of the Roman Empire 775 Jun-04 Painkiller 85 Jun04 Painkiller: Battle Out of Hell 8 Јат05 Perimeter 775 04 Political Machine, The 7 Nov04 Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots 9 1404 RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 875 Dec04 Rome: Total War 775 Моу04 Sacred 775 Jun-04 Scrapland 6 Пес04 Sid Meiers Pirates! 85 Јат05 Singles: Flirt Up Your Life 7 Аш ОЛ Soldiers: Heroes of World Маги 5 Аш 04 Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed 8 Jan05 Thief: Deadly Shadows 725 04 Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: ‘Athena Sword 725 May-04 Tribes: Vengeance 85 Оес04 Unreal Tournament 2004 95 May-04 Uru: The Path of the Shell 825 бер04 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 75 Jan-05 Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 9.25 Моу04 Warlords Battlecry Ш 775 Aug-04 GAME BOY ADVAN ‘Advance Guardian Heroes Astro Boy: Omega Factor Banjo Pilot Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django Catwoman Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rage Donkey Kong Donkey Kong Country 2 Dragon Ball 7: Buu's Fury Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors Duel Masters: Sempai Legends Final Fantasy | & 1: Dawn of Souls F-Zero: GP Legend 7 Dec-04 Aug-04 Jan-05 Dec-04 Sep-04 Jun-04 Jun-04 Jan-05 09-04 Ѕер-04 Ай 04 Jan-05 Nov-04 Grand Theft Auto Advance Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 8 Jan-05 Jul-04 Its Mr. Pants 8 — Jan-O5 Kingdom, Hearts: Chain of Memories 775 Јат05 Kirby and the Amazing Mirror 775 0%04 Madden NFL 2005 7 Sep-04 Mario Golf: Advance Tour B — Jun-04 Mario Pinball Land 75 Oct-04 Mario vs. Donkey Kong 75 Jun04 Mega Man Battle Network 4 Red Sun/Blue Moon 7 шо Mega Man Zero 5 675 Oct-04 Metal Slug Advance 7 Dec-04 Mighty Beanz Pocket Puzzles 6 бер04 Pokémon Fire Red/Leaf Green в 06:04 Power Rangers: Dino Thunder 35 Dec04 River City Ransom EX 8 — Jun04 R-Type Ш: The Third Lightning 625 May-04 Sabrewulf 65 Aug-04 Shining Force Resurrection of the Dark Dragon 75 — Jun-04 Sonic Advance 3 675 Ju04 Spider-Man 2 7 Аш 04 Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow 8 May-04 Spyro Orange: he Cortes Conspiracy 575 Jun-04 Star Wars Trilog Apprentice of the Force 6 0904 Super Mario Bros. 3 Jun-04 Thunderbirds 575 Oct-04 Tron 2.0: Killer App 65 Моу-04 Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2 Bush Rescue 6 Dec-04 Ultimate Card Games 7 Sep-04 Urbz: Sims in the City, The 75 Nov-04 Wade Hixton’s Counter Punch 75 May-04 WWE Survivor Series 75 Јат05 Yu-Gi-Ohl: Reshef of Destruction 45 бер-04 Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2004 65 May-04 Feel the Magic ХҮ/ХХ 85 Јат05 Madden NFL 2005 65 Jan05 Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits T Jan-05 Ridge Racer DS 7 Janos Spider-Man 2 6 Jan-05 Sprung 6 Јат05 Super Mario 64 DS 85 Jan05 GAME INFORMER 127 Code of the Month Grand Theft Auto: Here's a handful of secrets straight from Rockstar North! Extra Income - A great way to make some quick funds is to kill the drug dealers that are harassing the citizens of San Andreas. You can spot drug dealers by looking for shady people wearing black sweatshirts. Not only will they drop a ton of cash, each one you down will add to your running respect level. Of course, this technique will allow CJ to wear whatever he pleases, and still maintain a high respect level. REAL WORLD TIES Once again, Rockstar has created a handful of websites and phone numbers that you can dial up from your computer or phone. Неге5 the complete list 1-866-505CRIM 1-866-505-2746 Crimson Executive Wife Removal Inversion Therapy Epsilon Program 1-866-FACEFEAR 1-866-FUNCULT 1-866-322-3332 1-866-386-2858 www.cluckinbellhappychicken.com wwwfearitdoit.com www.westcoastraplegends.com www.epsilonprogram.com www.exsorbeo.com www.maccer.net PHOTO OP When you walk past certain people on the streets, they will flash signs in your direction and make small talk with you. If you have a camera, some of these characters will pose for pictures. EARLY BULLETPROOF SAVANNA Finish the 'High Stakes, Low-Rider' mission, and you'll notice that Cesar and his car stay at the finish line. Unfortunately, the doors are locked...but not for long. Push the car to the nearest garage and the doors will become unlocked. On an interesting note, this car will stay bulletproof. FLYING HIGH WITHOUT A LICENSE As you probably learned, you need a pilot's license to fly a plane in San Andreas. That is, unless you know how to break into Los Santos airport. To get in, head over to the man in the little building outside of the airport. He's the guy who says "Only people holding a valid pilot's license may enter!" Park any car in front of the building he is in. Now, jump on top of this car and leap towards the building. If you do this correctly, CJ will grab onto it. Pull yourself up and enter the airport. Just enter a plane and you can hit the friendly skies. GREAT LOVE The girlfriend portion of San Andreas may feel like a minigame of sorts, but there's actually a lot that can be gained by courting a girl. They'll fix your cars, get you out of the hospital or jail with all of your weapons, and a ton of other things. Here's how to make them fall head over heels in love with you. Bringing roses to them always helps. Just whip them out by pressing L1 to surprise them. Denise Robinson - After you rescue her from the burning apartment, don't show up at her house without tons of sex appeal. Complete dating with her and you'll have a Pimp Suit delivered to your wardrobe. 128 GAME INFORMER San Andreas Michelle Cannes - This girl loves men with a bit of weight to them. Eat tons of fatty foods then go see her when you put on some serious pounds. If you date her enough, Hippie Clothes will be delivered to your wardrobe. Helena Wankstein - You really don't need to do anything fancy for her. Don't have too much muscle or fat and she will eventually reward you with Country Overalls! Barbara Schternvart - She likes her men gigantic. Eat a lot, but make sure that you look nice. Woo her and she'll give you a SAPD uniform. Katie Zhan - This girl loves muscles and sex appeal. Max them out and take her out on the town enough and she will give you a EMT uniform. Millie Perkins - If you don't have patience for Millie in the 'Key to Her Heart' mission, just off her and take the card. C) PHONE HOME Input the code A, L ,O (x2), (x2), Lt, L2 (x2), RI, R2, then grab a bike and bunny hop when the moon is out to recreate a familiar movie scene. MAXIMUM MUSCLES Enter the code A, Up (x2), Left, Right, ripped. , Left to make CJ FATTY FAT To make С) fat, input A, Up (x2), Left, Right, ) Down. THEM BONES To make С) skinny input A, Up (x2), Left, Right, Cl , ©, Right. BEACH PARTY Enter the cheat Up (x2), Down (x2), ) L1, RI, A, Down to make all girls wear swimsuits and all vehicles beach related rides STUNT PLANE Input O, Up, L1, L2, Down, RI, L1 (x2), Left (x2), ><, a stunt plane. to spawn HYDRA JET To make a Hydra Jet drop in front of you, enter / (x2), X, Lı (2), Down, Up. VEHICLES OF DEATH Any vehicle that you drive becomes invulnerable and any vehicle you touch explodes when this code is entered: L1, L2 (x2), Up, Down (x2), Up, R1, R2 (x2). HIGH JUMP Enter Up (x2), A (x2), Up (x2), Left, Right, times higher than normal. , R2 (x2) to jump 10 Attention АП Cheaters! Cheat codes, by their very nature, are in many cases buggier than Virginia in August. So, unless you don't mind re-doing those 70 hours you put into the latest game, do yourself a favor and back up your save before using any codes. On a lighter note, you can send your codes to Secretaccess@gameinformer.com for a chance to be featured here and win a very special prize! MULTI-SYSTEM GoldenEye: Rogue Agent | > PLAYSTATION 2, XBOX, GAMECUBE From the main menu, go to the Extras menu. Enter these codes there. A message will confirm correct entry. Unlock All Skins - Down, Left, Up, Left, Right, Down, Left, Up Paintball Mode - Right, Left, Right, Left, Down (2), Up (2) YSTATION 2 From the main menu, select Options, then Player at the level select screen, hold Up on the second controller and, on the first controller, enter this sequence. Unlock All Levels - Start, Select (х2), О At the main menu, scroll to the bottom and hold (in order) L2, ©, R2. Then release them in the order O, R2, L2. Enter these codes in the window that appears. Gameplay Cheats Health 536117 Indestructible Buildings 812304 No Energy Recharge 122574 Player 1 Cheats Invulnerable 338592 Invisibility 531470 Super Damage 259565 Super Energy Recharge 819342 Player 2 Cheats Invulnerable 259333 Invisibility 118699 Super Damage 927281 Super Energy Recharge 324511 Player 3 Cheats Invulnerable 953598 Invisibility 507215 Super Damage 500494 Super Energy Recharge 651417 Player 4 Cheats Invulnerable 198690 Invisibility 198690 Super Damage 988551 Super Energy Recharge 456719 Unlockables 100,000 Unlock Points 532459 150,000 Unlock Points 667596 200,000 Unlock Points 750330 Unlock All Challenges 975013 Unlock All Cities 659996 Unlock All Monsters 525955 Unlock Everything 246518 Unlock Gallery 294206 Unlock Godzilla Final Wars 409014 Enter these at the title screen (the one where it says Press Start). $1,000 (Career Mode, “No Save” only), RX-8, And Skyline (Quick Race) - Left (x2), Right, O (x2), Right, L1, RI Start With $200 (Career Mode) - Up (x3), Left, RI (x3), Down Unlock Best Buy Vinyl - Up, Down, Up, Down (x2), Up, Right, Left Unlock Hummer H2 Capone (Career Mode) - Up, Left, Up (x2), Down, Left, Down, Left Unlock Performance І Parts - L1, RI, L1, RI, Left (x2), Right, Up Unlock Performance II Parts ~ R1 (x2), L1, RI, Left, Right, Up, Down Unlock Visual I Parts - R1 (x2), Up, Down, L1 (x2), Up, Down Unlock Visual II Parts - L1, R1, Up, Down, L1, Up (x2), Down From the main menu, choose Options and then Cheats. Enter these codes there; the relevant entry will highlight if you did it correctly. You re-enter any code to disable it. Free Spirit Energy P1 - O, X,O O, X, Free Spirit Energy P2 ~ Down, Up, O, Left, XX, Right No Damage P1 -O, C, Down, Left, O, J] No Damage P2 - Up, О, Left, ПО Turbo Mode ~ O, ><, Right, X, Up, O Unlock All Chapters - Up, Down, XX, O, C, Right Unlock All Environments - Up, Right, Left, Right, 62) Unlock All Fighters - C, Up, , O, Down, Unlock All Modes - Left, Right, Down, Right, X, Unlock All Tokens -O, O, ) L1 (x2), Down During gameplay, pause and go to In-Game Options. From there, select Enter Cheats. Enter these codes there; a message will confirm entry. Complete Mission - В (x2), X, Y Refill - B (x2), X (x2) Superman - В (2), ХА Team Superman - В (x2), Х, В “GI Droid” (location unknown - last seen with Karl Malone's wife) Enter these at the title screen (the one where it Says Press Start). $1,000 (Career Mode, "No Save" only), RX-8, And Skyline (Quick Race) - Left (x2), Right, X (x2), Right, L, R Start With $200 (Career Mode) - Up (x3), Left, R (x3), Down Unlock Best Buy Vinyl - Up, Down, Up, Down (x2), Up, Right, Left Unlock Hummer H2 Capone (Career Mode) - Up, Left, Up (x2), Down, Left, Down, Left Unlock Performance I Parts - L, R, L, R, Left (x2), Right, Up Unlock Performance II Parts - R (x2), L, R, Left, Right, Up, Down Unlock Visual I Parts - R (x2), Up, Down, L (x2), Up, Down Unlock Visual II Parts ~ L, R, Up, Down, L, Up (x2), Down Pinball Hall of Fame: The Gottlieb Collection — Enter these at the Codes screen, Factory Tour - DGC Love Meter Machine - LUV Payout Mode - LAS Playboy Machine - PKR Хойеп Machine Army - XTN Enter these at the title screen (the one where it says Press Start). Start With $200 (Career Mode) - Up (x3), Left, R (x3), Down Unlock Best Buy Vinyl - Up, Down, Up, Down (x2), Up, Right, Left Unlock Hummer H2 Capone (Career Mode) - Up, Left, Up (x2), Down, Left, Down, Left Unlock Performance І Parts - L, R, L, R, Left (x2), Right, Up Unlock Performance II Parts ~ R (x2), L, R, Left, Right, Up, Down Unlock Visual I Parts - R (x2), Up, Down, L (x2), Up, Down Unlock Visual II Parts ~ |, R, Up, Down, L, Up (x2), Down | Earth from a terrible fate. Fortunately, you'll | One final word about DvG - it might secret access Some sort of space-time anomaly must be gripping the Earth, because David vs. Goliath started out development as a retail game, and at some point, a wonderful madness seized the developers, because they decided to release the full version for free over the Web. Sure, you have to put up with the occasional advertisement, but it's still a free game that's way more polished than your standard Java Arcade ditty. The premise behind DvG is twofold: Goliath is an alien, and David an action hero. So, logically, you'll have to use your slingshot to battle Goliath’s invading hordes and save the be able to scavenge some alien technology to aid you in your struggle - there's nothing like rocking the cradle of civilization with rocket launchers and lasers. While DvG certainly doesn't have the kind of technical prowess on display in Half-Life 2, it’s a quick, fun romp through 30 levels of old- school Ikari Warriors-style 2D action. And, in case you weren't convinced of DvG's sense of humor, the highest difficulty level is Ninja. If the | concept of controlling a ninja David cutting his way through Goliath's robot alien hordes with lasers doesn't appeal to you, you might want to have your blood awesome level checked. be wise, as with all free software, to run SpyBot (security.kolla.de), AdAware (www.lavasoftusa.com), or your anti-spyware software of choice after installation. Remember, the Web is a dark and scary place, and your best defense against questionable things popping up on your desktop is safe surfing. GAME INFORMER 129 secret access EverQuest Il (PC) Community Manager Steve Danuser (a.k.a. Moorgard) Shares Leveling Tips DO EVERY QUEST YOU CAN FIND While grinding for experience may be the norm in other games, EQ ІІ has put the “quest” back in EverQuest. As you explore the cities and the world beyond, NPCs may beckon you and ask for help. Be mindful of your surroundings; you may also find that a quest begins when you examine an item, use an object, or encounter a specific situation. Accepting such quests may lead you to slay a threatening foe, search for a missing companion, assemble a powerful weapon, or perform a variety of other tasks. Quests provide an array of different rewards including experience, money, weapons, armor, prestige items, titles, and more. Be sure to talk to everyone you encounter in your travels or you'll be missing half the fun and challenge of the game. MAKE FRIENDS While you can solo to your heart's content, grouping lets you earn experience much faster — and provides access to better loot, too. Of course, not everyone who plays a massively multiplayer game knows what they're doing, so you want to remember the smart players you group with so you can hook up again. Right-clicking on another character lets you add that player to your friends list so you can keep track of them when they're online. Hitting the Y key opens your Community window where you can see which of your friends are online. It also lets you keep an ignore list so you can block out anybody who annoys you. KNOW YOUR CLASS Nobody wants to group with players who don't know the basic abilities of their class. While you can figure out a lot on your own by reading the game manual, sometimes you need a bit of guidance to really maximize your potential. Be sure to check out the Class pages on the EQ2Players.com website, which features plenty of tips and tricks for playing your character successfully. Follow the links to class- specific fansites that provide additional strategies that will transform you from a clueless noob into a highly sought-after expert. Once you develop a reputation as a good player, you won't have to look for groups - they'll come looking for you. UPGRADE YOUR SPELLS AND COMBAT ARTS Spells and combat arts are the bread and butter of every class. While you are granted most of your spells and combat arts through normal character advancement, a majority of these can be upgraded in a variety of ways. There are many different ranks for each spell and combat art, ranging from Apprentice to Adept and even Master. The higher the rank of the 130 GAME INFORMER spell or art, the more powerful it will be. Apprentice 1 spells and combat arts are usually granted to you automatically for gaining experience. Others can be acquired by purchasing them from a merchant, having an artisan craft them for you, or finding them as loot throughout the world. KNOW YOUR ENEMY Norrath is filled with creatures great and small, and you need to be able to tell which will provide a worthy challenge from those who will grind you to dust with a single hit. Fortunately, EverQuest II includes an incredibly detailed "con" system that tells you everything you need to know about an enemy with a single mouse click. You can see whether the encounter is made up of one foe or several, as mobs that are linked together will all highlight when you click on one. The target window tells you not only the color con of the enemy (from grey, which provides no challenge or reward, to red, which will generally pulverize you), but also whether the opponent is intended for soloing or a group of three or more players. Additionally, if the opponent is tougher than normal there will be a varying number of arrows above their name. The more arrows above the name, the greater the challenge. EXPLORE THE WORLD Norrath is a vast and dangerous land, and exploring it can be a difficult but often rewarding endeavor. When you discover new points of interest throughout the world, you will receive experience points toward your adventure level. The more difficult the area is for you to get to, the greater the experience reward will be. There are other less tangible benefits to exploration as well. Knowing your surroundings can be an invaluable tool in your adventures — you will know where to find creatures, how to get to other areas of the world, and will have a greater chance to get out of a potentially lethal situation. Sometimes the road less traveled is exactly where you will find the most personal benefit, so discovering these areas can be very worthwhile. MAINTAIN YOUR EQUIPMENT The most successful adventurers are always equipped with the best weapons, armor, and other beneficial items and equipment. No matter what class you are, never neglect the benefits of proper armor and equipment; some of it may provide you with enhanced attributes, greater resistances, and other valuable effects. Jewelry and other accessories can also enhance your character in many of the same ways as weapons and armor. You must also take care to choose the proper items for your character; using a ring that bestows improved strength, for example, will not be as useful to a mage as it would be to a fighter. Seek the right equipment for your class and level, and you will find it a boon for your success as an adventurer. And don't forget to stop at a mender for repairs if your gear becomes damaged due to an untimely death. EAT WELL, DRINK HEARTY A true adventurer needs more than stale bread and murky water to stay healthy and energetic. Acquiring appropriate food and drink is necessary for proper health and power regeneration. Food increases the rate at which your health regenerates, while drink increases the rate at which your power regenerates. If you aren't eating and drinking meals intended for your level, you aren't regenerating as quickly as you could be. You can find out what the value of food or drink is by examining it and checking the color con, satiation level, and duration. Contact your local provisioner if you wish to obtain the best food and drink. HEROIC OPPORTUNITIES While battling your foes, your actions have the chance to initiate heroic opportunities. Completing a heroic opportunity will yield a variety of beneficial effects, such as direct damage, group heals, and debuffs on your opponents. The ability to coordinate such opportunities with members of your group will greatly enhance your overall efficiency and can provide for some interesting tactical combat. If your group isn't using heroic opportunities, then you aren't fighting up to your full potential. Don't forget to take advantage of heroic opportunities when battling alone, as they will prove equally beneficial in solo play. LEARN A TRADE So your plan is to head to the nearest dungeon and slaughter beasties until you're decked out in a full set of bronze armor with cutting-edge weapons, eh? Not so fast, Galahad. Regularly upgrading your armor, weapons, spells and arts, and food supply is a costly business. While you can make some cash selling the drops you get from your fallen opponents, consider another alternative to building up your bank funds: crafting. Don't worry, EverQuest II doesn't use the mind-numbingly boring click-and-combine method of previous games - crafting is a much more interactive process. Besides building up a nice bank of coin, the artisan lifestyle allows you to become a more self- sufficient adventurer by building your own gear or spell upgrades. You may also find that your fellow artisans are willing to provide discounts on other crafted items in exchange for your services ~ never underestimate the influential power of a tradesman. World of Warcraft (PC) Keep Yourself Intact PvP Tips From Senior Сате Designer Tom Chilton, Blizzard Entertainment MASTER YOUR CHARACTER'S ABILITIES Every character class in World of Warcraft has a unique set of abilities. Mastering these abilities by becoming familiar with their effects and their power costs (mana, rage, or energy) is critical to success in defeating enemy players. You will want to know without hesitation which abilities to use when you need to deal damage quickly, efficiently, or to control your opponent's movement speed. KNOW YOUR ENEMY'S STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES Each class match-up requires a different strategy in order to maximize your character's chance of success. Duel friendly players of varying classes in order to. learn how best to handle an opponent of that class. Against some classes, you may wish to charge into combat and deal damage as quickly as possible. Against others, you may wish to play a game of hit and run. There may also be situations where you have to wear the opponent down over the course of a long fight, in which case it may serve you well to pace yourself and conserve some of your more powerful but less frequently usable abilities. Each match-up will present a different set of problems, and you certainly don't want to be taken by surprise when the enemy reaches into their bag of tricks. USE CONSUMABLE ITEMS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE One thing that can tip the scales in your favor or compensate for a disadvantage or mistake made during battle is the use of a consumable item such as a potion. Your choice of potion use is also a decision that should be made with care. A healing potion might always seem like an obvious choice, but if you're in a really bad situation, it may only prolong the inevitable. In some cases, it may be better to use a potion of swiftness in order to give yourself a chance to recover and perhaps to fight once you've gained better control over the terms of the encounter. There are also times when a healing potion may not even be the best option for healing. For example, if your character has the ability to heal, it can sometimes be more advantageous to drink a mana potion, cast a heal spell, and have some mana left over for offense. ALWAYS BE ON THE LOOKOUT There is almost nothing that will tip an otherwise fair fight in favor of the enemy more than being surprised. While in contested territories, it is crucial to learn to move and fight in such a way that you are aware of approaching enemies. While running from place to place, learn to scan the field, looking to your sides and occasionally behind you too, all while still moving toward your destination. While fighting, pan the camera around to scan the horizon in any direction an enemy might approach from. TURN THE ENVIRONMENT AGAINST YOUR ENEMY One of the more subtle, but key factors in building an advantage for yourself is learning how to take advantage of the environment. This not only applies to the tactical use of terrain (such as using the terrain and camera angles to spy on an opponent so you might attack at the best possible time), but also to the use of nearby creatures. For example, if your enemy is likely to use abilities that have an area of effect, it can be wise to get a monster to chase you into the fight, knowing that as soon as the enemy's area effect ability is used, it will cause the creature to attack them. This is especially useful if your character has some method of manipulating the monster's decision about who to fight. For example, using the vanish ability as a rogue will cause any monsters that are fighting you to attack a new nearby target (like your enemy). ANTICIPATE YOUR ENEMY'S REACTIONS As often as you are likely to panic when things start going wrong, it is worth remembering that your opponents are likely to do the same when the tables are turned. When given a viable opening, it is often valuable to sacrifice efficiency in order to pressure your opponent, putting them on the defensive. Knowing what characters of their class like to do when in such situations is invaluable. Be prepared to interrupt a key healing spell, to slow their movement just as they want to escape, or to put a damage over time effect on them just as they're thinking of vanishing. SET UP A PVP ACTION BAR If you expect to engage in PvP, it will definitely be worthwhile to set up a special action bar to use for PvP. This way, you can have the most critical PvP abilities available to you for swift use by not including any abilities that you may only use against Al opponents (i.e.: abilities that add or remove threat from monsters). CHOOSE YOUR TARGETS WISELY In any group encounter, a key factor in determining the outcome is using the firepower of your group wisely. Are there any targets that you can kill quickly to thin their numbers? Is there a healer that must be distracted or killed first? Good target selection and teamwork can easily make the difference between a convincing victory and total defeat. MAINTAIN A SPEED ADVANTAGE One of the most effective methods of controlling an encounter is to maintain a speed advantage over your opponent. Any abilities or items that provide a speed boost will grant you a very strong advantage in PvP since you will be able to prevent the opponent from escaping, or give you the ability to get out of harm's way should the tide turn against you. REMAIN CALM Take a deep breath and have fun. After all, you won't win many battles if your hands are shaking. ^| turn dot.coms into money. —Justan Brandt А. in Technology Commerce Class of 2004 Available online or on-campus. GAME DESIGN VIDEO PRODUCTION DIGITAL ANIMATION NETWORK SECURITY ARTIFICIAL LIFE SOFTWARE ENGINEERING MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT WEB DESIGN GAME PROGRAMMING KING OF FIGHTERS PROTECTOR OF THE SECOND DIMENSION Where The Past Comes Alive Ж” хх ۱ A а) а consoles could provide any- thing more visually astound- Į: simpler times, before home : Live was nothing more than a were the place to go for serious gaming. In addition to superior graphics, the quarter-devouring game cabinets also provided an opportunity for competitive gam- was best exemplified as 2D fighting titles rose to prominence as the most popular arcade machines. Everyone remembers the contributions of games like Street Fighter II in kicking off the fighting craze, but for 10 years there has been one noteworthy franchise holding vigil over the 2D fighting genre, keeping it alive year by year by infusing it with new energy and innovations: SNK's King of Fighters. 132 GAME INFORMER : been underrated by much of the American gaming public 1 for years, save for a cult follow- a : ing that Наз sprung up around it. ing than Mode 7, and when Xbox : Though it is far kê the only 20 : fighter on the market, KoF is the twinkle in Bill Gates’ eye, arcades : : vanguard that still sees a yearly : entry and protects the gameplay : elements that elevated the fighting : genre to its current glory. : recently celebrated a decade of brawl- ing unlike any other. This attitude : : At its inception in 1994, King of Fighters : brought together some of the most popu- : lar warriors from SNK's other fighting : franchises (like Fatal Fury and Art : of Fighting), and even a few select 1 characters from unrelated games : (Athena from Psycho Soldier, as well : as the Ikari Warriors). Building on fan : response, every year there are new : additions and cuts from the fight- : ing roster. We had a chance to : speak about the colorful crew : with Tsuyoshi Mieno, а plan- : ner for the series. He explains, : “The entire development staff : always discusses which characters : to add or take away for every new KoF. There's only one main factor we look at when deciding what characters will make the next KoF roster — will the pres- ence of this character be enjoyed by KoF fans” In other words, fans never need to worry that their favorites like lori and Kyo (or some genetic equivalent) will leave in favor of a lame write-in combatant. In addition to its legion of fighters, another way KoF has set itself apart is through the use of storytelling. If asked to explain the story of most 2D fighters, most gamers would maybe shrug their shoulders and offer some- thing like "a bunch of people need to beat each other up" Even Mieno himself admits that "combat Though quite popular in Japan, this classic series has only one left from the original Even though the series itself ing, many of its characters are even older. т King of Fighters 1994 is always a priority, and more important than storytelling. When it comes to creating a character's background, we design the characters first and create background stories for them later" Even with the focus on the battles, King of Fighters still stands out in the fighting genre as having the most intricate and involved plot on the market. The past 10 years has seen the culmination of two main arcs (the Orochi and the NESTS sagas), and the series is still going strong with a new chapter surrounding a mysterious hero named Ash. Involving bloody feuds, ancient cosmic forces, and genetic cloning, each entry takes the player deeper into the interconnected lives of the participants. Much like a non-sports gamer might view the yearly foot- ball entries as simple roster updates, many casual fighting fans are generally unaware of the delicate updates that King of Fighters undergoes for each iteration apart from the obvi- ous changing of the guard. One of the defining aspects of the franchise constantly getting tweaked is the team mechanic. In fact, the team-based structure incorporated into so many : rience by giving players three characters to control in turns. : The system has been altered over the years, experimenting Re al [-— Real World Education Game Design & Development Bachelor of Science "These Guys vs. Those Guys" games actually got its start in the first King of Fighters. When other series were focusing on single-character combat, KoF was broadening the expe- with four-person teams and companions who act as "strik- ers,” but the spirit has always remained intact: Becoming the King of Fighters isn't a solo effort. "Every fighting game was one-on-one until we launched the KoF series," says Mieno. "By focusing on teams, it has created a variety of options during battles. Also, it has expanded a player's fighting strategy. Since we started focusing on team battles in the early stage of KoF's development, KoF has become one of the best games of its kind" Despite the fact that it has been striving for years to improve everything that makes the 2D fighter appeal- ing, KoF isn't the first series that comes to mind in the genre. After all, Capcom's Street Fighter Il did reinvent the one-on-one fighting system. Fortunately, though Capcom nd SNK are in direct competition, they have occasion- ally pooled their collective knowledge to create games that fuse their two unique styles together. However, even with their three cooperative SNK vs. Capcom titles, the rivalry between the companies hasn't died down, though it may have turned a bit more friend- ly. Mieno expands upon the attitude the Fighting on the Fringes King of Fighters is more than a yearly arcade title fol- lowed by a console port. The following are just a few examples of the other forms the series has taken: KING OF FIGHTERS R-2 | This title for the NeoGeo Pocket Color features child- — like, caricatured depictions of Paums KoF favorites. Associate of Science & Bachelor of Science y Û всһооі оғ Digital Media Entertainment Business Moving to a handheld sys- tem people actually play, the GBA's Neo Blood fea- tures the classic gameplay * and style of the series, but in a smaller form. Film Game Design & Developmpnt | Recording Arts за „ Show Production & Tourind KING ОЕ FIGHTERS: MAXIMUM IMPACT | Exclusive to the PS2, this 800.226. 7625 title marks the series' first foray into the realm of 3D fighting, How KoF will continue down this 3300 University Вошемаг Winter Park, FL 32792 e дин е CT branching path remains to be seen. Financial aid availab classic gi feature SNK team takes toward its major 2D rival: “We always enjoy seeing the differences in the titles Capcom creates using the same materials that we do. And our teams work especially hard to one-up them. It is a great challenge. We compete in the same genre, so we believe that we have a stronger rivalry than ever before” There is no denying that the face of gaming has changed over the years. 20 games are now regarded as “niche” or “hardcore” titles, and the arcades, once a hotbed for competitive gaming, are now filled with unwieldy gimmick machines in an attempt to offer something you can't find at home. “ln the early 90's, arcades had a much bigger role in , m King of Fighters e m ЕЛШІ “These days, arcades have much less impact. However, arcades are still great places to play games with friends and communicate with other players.” It is with this mindset that the KoF has continued on its course of releasing yearly updates (usually with console ports following a year or two «0000 5т1 Е King of Fighters 1999 CHINESE KASUMI % CREDITS ОЗ > ( û / J y / @ (3 ( ` } Á Кай 3 j 134 o INFORMER P, determining what gamers played at home,” theorizes Mieno. The Sincerest ` Form of Flattery * — 24 Though no one will give any "d official comments, there appears to be a little bit of friendly sparring going on between SNK and Capcom's com- peting fighting franchises. Addressing the fact KoF’s Ryo bears a striking resemblance to Street Fighter's Ryu, Street Fighter Alpha retaliated with Dan Hibiki, a generally useless fighter largely believed to be a pure parody character. Dan's moveset is suspicious- ly similar to Ryo's, except he's much weaker and sports a stylish pink gi. teryear alive. The future looks like it will hold even more innovations for SNK's stalwart combatant. Even ; though the latest KoF game actually made the treacherous jump to 30, Mieno is quick to point out that this doesn't mean that the series is finally abandoning the 2D format that has sustained it for so long. "We believe 2D and 3D Î fighting are both attrac- tive to our fans," he tells us. "KoF games in 2D and 3D may go in differ- : ent directions in the future. However, our ultimate goal is : to create a better KoF world every year" This approach has : led to a decade of quality fighters that are accessible to : casual gamers, yet feature the balance tweaks that diehard : fanatics demand. As long as King of Fighters is around, you : can count on at least one arcade game that doesn't cost : $2 to play, doesn't rely on firehoses or plastic ATVs, and : still manages to rekindle the joy you felt feeding your hard- : earned quarters to a machine in hopes of testing your : mettle in a pixilated proving ground. later), doing its part to keep the frenzied 2D combat of yes- : = 2 ж li King of Fighters 2001 24% [Some 1 SUPER METROID > FORMAT SNES You first start out at the Space Colony where you left the Metroid hatchling from Metroid ll: Return of Samus. You find all of the scientists dead, and the hatchling missing. You reach the > PUBLISHER NINTENDO end of the colony to find the Hatchling and Ridley! You immedi- ately start fighting him, but he gets away and, in classic Metroid style, a time bomb 5 set and you must escape, After chasing Ridley to Zebes, you find the planet dead. But, after you collect your first item, the place comes to life - there are enemies everywhere now. The game doesn't have much of a story, but it has a ton of exploring and very deep gameplay. You can do over 30 different things with your beams alone, and then there are still more gameplay elements that aren’t necessary to beat the game, but they are in there The work where to go, but | enjoyed exploring for you to discover. is huge, and it can be frustrating trying to figure out the detailed environments; you can see seed pods falling in Brinstar and electricity climbing all over broken wires in the wrecked ship. The music fits exactly the place you're in, and it gives the game a creepy feel at times. There are amazing boss fights too, from the huge Kraid and the haunting lifeform Phantoon to the best battle in the game, Mother Brain herself. All of these bosses require different strategies to defeat, keeping the game fresh from Crateria to Tourian. Late in the game you even find enemies that have been drained of their life and crumble at your touch; there is no detail that has been overlooked. You even find some Chozo statues on the planet - some help you while others aren't very happy to see you. The game is all about exploring, and you will spend about 10 hours playing your first time through. The items are cleverly hidden and finding them is one of the best parts of the game, though it can be difficult at times. This game is the very essence of action/adventure, and a must have for any fan of the genre. THIS MONTH IN GAMING HISTORY Though | of video feet, whil to his ca Mario is the undisputed king game icons, he has seen many challengers to his throne over the years. Some have fallen under his lle others have been turned use. An era of rivalry ended in February 2002 when Mario's fiercest competitor joined him on Ninteno's hardware: Sonic the Hedgehog. On February 5th that year, Sonic Advance released for the GBA, followed shortly by Sonic Adventure 2 Battle (an enhanced port of the Dreamcast's Sonic Adventure 2) on the GameCube. These occasions mark the first time Sonic appeared on any Nintendo system. Even with Sega no longer in the con- sole wars, its good to know dassic gaming legends like Sonic can still find a home. PSONE ODDWORLD: ABE’S ODDYSEE > STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION > PUBLISHER GT INTERACTIVE > DEVELOPER ODDWORLD INHABITANTS > RELEASE 1997 ith a new Oddworld game on its way to store shelves, it might be a good time to track down the original in the series, a title that has aged remark- ably well, remaining a truly exceptional gaming experience as the years have passed. You play as Abe, a forlorn and frightened slave trying to escape his abusive corporate masters. Abandoning the traditional platforming methods of eliminating your foes, Abe's frail body forces him to run from his captors as often as con- front them. When you do stand your ground, #5 often in order to possess your enemies’ bodies for mischief. You can interact with the other slaves using the truly innovative GameSpeak actions, allowing you a limited vocabulary of vocal communication. Delving heavily into themes of environmentalism and brains over brawn, Abe succeeds at being one of gaming's great heroes, even as a complete and total weakling. Hilarious, quirky, and gorgeous even now, Abe's Oddysee belongs in your gaming library. ЧЕ PlayStation! > ге classic gi | PSONE SKULLMONKEYS > STYLE 1-PLAYER ACTION > PUBLISHER ELECTRONIC ARTS/DREAMWORKS INTERACTIVE > DEVELOPER THE NEVERHOOD > RELEASE 1998 ne of the most unique platformers of all time, Skullmonkeys is the pseudo-sequel to the cult hit PC game The Neverhood. Like that game, all of the characters in Skullmonkeys are made of clay, and ani- mated in full Tim Burton-esque claymation. The levels all have = a look that compliments the clay characters, and the graphics @ hold up remarkably well. Between stages, players are treated to brief claymation vignettes starring the characters that are simply hilarious. Unfortunately, many who played this game never saw many of its best bits, as it is almost relentlessly hard. Tricky platforming makes up the majority of the game, and these myriad jumps and obstacles are made all the more difficult by slightly slippery controls. But despite the challenge of this title, nearly every second of gameplay is fun, thanks to the unique look and Klayman, the likable protagonist. Special praise must be given to the sound as well - the song that plays in bonus rooms might just be the funniest thing you'll ever hear in a video game. ы 4 اڪ‎ SNES THE COMBATRIBES > STYLE 1 OR 2-PLAYER ACTION > PUBLISHER AMERICAN TECHNOS INC > DEVELOPER TECHNOS JAPAN CORP > RELEASE 1995 he popularity of side-scrolling brawlers like Double Dragon led to a slew of imitators, some more successful than others. One of the weaker clones came to Super Nintendo cour- tesy of Technos. A port of an arcade title of the same name, The Combatribes pits three selectable characters Ф against the unified gangs of New York City. These ene- mies include such threatening foes as clowns and hockey players, and look uniformly silly, as do the playable characters. You only have a handful of attacks to use against your foes - only two of the Super Nintendo's buttons are used. Despite the incredibly short length of the game (it can be beaten in about 20 minutes), there is only a handful of enemy types, and you even fight all the bosses twice. The levels (save for the last stage) are only two screens large, but each stage still feels like a chore. With its short length, tiny stages, limited combat, and handful of enemy types, The Combatribes might be one of the most underachieving games in history. GAME INFORMER 135 "Score given to the game when it first appeared in Game Informer. Skullmonkeys (GI #59 3/98), Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee (GI #52 8/97) knowledge compares to these hot new musical releases. What is the name of the girl that PaRappa the Rapper is trying to impress with his mad skills? A. Um Jammer Lammy Most gamers know that the Super Nintendo was released : in 1991, but what year saw the i release of the redesigned top loading NES? В. Sunny Funny A. 1991 с. Paula Fox B. 1992 D. Chop Chop Master Onion с 1993 D. 1994 2 Despite its terrible cover and lame title, Mobile Light Force 2 is actually a port of a respectable Japanese shooter. What was its origi- nal name? You may remember the Make : My Video series for the Sega E i CD as one of the most popular : franchises in history. Which of : these still-huge music groups : did NOT star in the series? What company developed A. INXS the underrated NES title Snake B. Kriss Kross Rattle ‘N Roll? с. En Vogue A. Gottlieb D. C&C Music Factory B. Sega MER C. Namco D. Rare : 7 How many points does each : i minigame cost in Super Monkey : Ball? E Remember Bubsy the Bobcat? : д. 500 Probably not. What was the last : в. 5,000 game this failed platforming i с.250 hero starred in? D. 2,500 A. Bubsy 3D B. Bubsy in Fractured Furry Tales C. Super Bubsy D. Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind VIDEO GAME TRIVIA Hollywood loves the video game industry, and there are more and more shows dealing with games on TV. Games are melding with all other aspects of entertainment, so it seems natural that they start to merge with the music industry. Game soundtracks are now available on CD, but it's high time that video game characters started releasing their own albums. Take our test to see how your ` release of two completely dif- : ferent NES games with the : same name, one by Taito and : evil counterpart Wario make his : first appearance? BREAKDOWN 83% of the time, parents agree with the ESRB rating for a game - after personally examining the Ше, according to a recent study. Five percent of the time, parents said a game's rating was too strict. 50% of the men's bathroom in the Game Informer offices is in functional condition. Thanks, Miller! The character Karnov starred in his own game, and was also a playable character in the Fighter's History games. He also appeared as a boss in which other Data East title? A. Karate Champ B. Bad Dudes vs. Dragon Ninja C. Two Crude Dudes D. Bloody Wolf 3796 of Americans said they expected to give or receive a video game this holiday season. But thanks to our tampering at the North Pole, everyone got socks. Take that, chumps! 98% of the GI staff spends all of their free time playing Halo 2 on Xbox Live. Matt can't play with his old timey hand-crank Internet connection. 50% of all video games are sold during the holiday season, approximately. The rest are sold when Reiner goes out shopping. x Trivia Score & Rank ж What classic movie saw the the other by Ubisoft? A. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade B. Ватап C. The Rocketeer D. Darkman Crash Bandicoot: Has-been Mascot Blues In which game did Mario's A. Wario's Woods B. Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins C. Wario Land D. Mario Party MC Sonic: Blazin’ Rhymes Game Informer Magazine” USPS 009-524 (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) 486-8101. For subscriptions, back issues, or customer service inquiries Toll Free (866) 44-4263. Periodicals postage paid at Minneapolis, MN, and Mario Sings the Songs Solid Snake: Metal Gear Solid Gold Hits of Dean Martin 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 in U.S. dollars and must include $20/year additional postage per year. Game Informer* does not claim any copyright in the screenshots herein. Copyright in all screenshots contained within this publication are owned by their respective companies. Entire contents copyright 2005. Game Informer Magazine®. All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Game Informer? is а trademark of GameStop. Products named in these pages are trade names, or trademarks, of their respective companies. 136 САМЕ INFORMER Video Game Trivia Answers: 1.8 2.C 3.D 4A 5.C 6.C 7D 8B 9A 108 "m Mea Take college courses’on board.ship. Earn college credit-while you serve. All white seeing the world and getting the experiences of a lifetime. It’s the ultimate accelerated learning program. Check out the Life Accelerator" at navy.com or call 1-800-USA-NAVY. @ 2004. Paid for by the U.S. Navy. All rights reserved. Resident Evil reinvents itself as the series moves in a terrifying new direction. U.S. agent Leon Kennedy has been tasked to look into the abduction of the President's daughter and his ` investigation has led him to a % mysterious location in Europe. + As Leon encounters unimaginable horrors, he must find out what is behind the terror. ау A Н Н Н Н : : H | N x 4 ^ 4 4 | И И 4 И Н b Н HI z Н 5 e. | Н " в в " “ * Fast paced, edge of your seat action. stic 3D graphics and effects - never has Resident Evil looked so good...or so terrifying. * New behind the back camera view allows for intuitive movement. ` * Cunning enemies use their abilities to team up and attack the player en mass. * Commandeer vehicles... but don't expect a safe ride. Y { иж 4 3 pr. le HI j \ i$ е "I MATURE 17+ Е NINTENDO YGAM WWW.RESIDENTEVIL.COM GAMECLIBE Blood and Gore 8, Nintendo GameCube are trademarks of Nintendo. © 2001 Ni гї езг, Intense Violence CONTENT RATED BY ESRB ©САРСОМ СО. LTD. 2005, @CAPCOM U.S.A., INC. 2005 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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