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The waiting is over. Nintendo 64© is Finally here, on the shelf, waiting for you to snatch it up. But what's the big deal, you're probably asking yourself. 1t took long enough. Was the wait worth it? You bet, and here“s whu.

The Nintendo 64 controller is the most revolutionary video game interaction device ever. lt all starts with the analog Control Stick. Unlike the traditional all-or-nothing digital Control Pad (it's got one of those too), the analog Control Stick is sensitive to even the slightest movement. Move it a little to make Mario tiptoe. Crank on it and watch him take off in a full-tilt sprint. Best of all, the Control Stick gives you 360 degrees of control. The three grips on the controller let you hold the controller three different ways, depending on what works best for the game you are playing. For saving your records and high scores, the controller has a handy slot for your personal Memory Pak. Now when you go to your friend's house for some multi-player action, you can bring all your É ` personal data with you, snug | s inside your favorite color controller (it comes in six stylin“ colors).

It gets better. Most new gaming technology looks cool when it first comes out, but by the time you get it home, something bigger and badder 1s on the way. Fortunately, the Nintendo 64 was designed with maximum capability for future upgrades in mind. Four controller ports mean four-player gaming from the get-go. Expansion ports allow for more system RAM and new peripherals (can you say readable-writable storage media?). The bottom line: The Nintendo 64 1s currently the most advanced video game system ever, and it ıs the only system that ıs designed to change with technology.

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| Super Mario Kart RY Wa

Better get used to being in this position again.

idway Manufac turing Company. All rights eserve

sr license by Williams Entertai i

Registered Trademarks of Nintendo of America ine Nintendo of America inc, Lai by iena Ltd. for play on the E اد‎ Sega and Genesis are trademarks of Sega Enterprises, Ltd. All rights ni

SUPER NINTENDO GENESIS

ENTERTAINMENT

54 PlayStation © Saturn

22 | intendo ae 43 Killer Instinct Gold, Wave Race Bubsy SD 64, Shadows of the Empire : PlayStation

Super Puzzle Fighter. Pitball

26 PlayStation Star Gladiator, Epidemic, ون‎ di

Tempest X, King's Field 2, Iron 47 60 i & Blood, 2Xtreme, Ten Pin Alley, 7 NBA Live 97, NHL Hockey 97,

GameBreaker, Formula 1, Disrupt

Nintendo 54

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delayed, and tons _ That Game!, Trivia, and GI's Top Ten.

2 Classic GI

Form of.. Shape of... 8 Dear Game Informer

_ GI readers from across the globe ıı War of the Mascots. interact with Game Informer. 1 Game Informer PE Envelope Art Erik reviews Deadlock, Star Control 3, and | You Can't Win If You Dont Enter GI's The Neverhood Chronicles, as well as PC Monthly Envelope Art Contest news from the Mg. . . 60 .

-line, ۶ Tips from our readile and the infamous Platinum, Mortal lisa at sl gets Game م۳۳‎ Shark w Shop.

Game Informer Magazine (SSN 1057- 6392) is pitched monthly at a subscription price of $19.98 per ‘year, or five trial issues for $9.98 by Sunrise Publications, i West 76th Street, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. (612) 946-7245 or FAX (612) 946-8155. For subscriptions only (612) 946-8105. Second-class postage paid at Hopkins, MN, and additional mailing offices. SUBSCRIBERS/POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Game Informer Magazine, 10120 West 76th Street, Eden Prairie, MN 55344- kr Foreign or Canadian orders must be prepaid in U.S. dollars and must include $20/year additional postage.

Entire contents copyright 1996. Game Informer Magazine. All rights reserved, reproduction in whole or in part without ی ی‎ bre Game Informer i isa tradi of FUNCO, Inc. i -

Products named in these pages are trade names, or trademarks, of their respective companies. —

Game Informer | |

November Issue 1996 Volume VI + Number 11 + Issue #43

Richard A. Cihak Publisher

Andrew McNamara Editor

Paul Anderson Senior Associate Editor

Andrew “Drew” Reiner Erik Reppen Jon Storm Associate Editors

Thomas Blustin Art Director Graphic Design

Timothy J. Laurie Production Director Graphic Design

Curtis Fung Production Assistant Graphic Design

Ryan MacDonald West Coast Correspondent

Sarah Anderson Gia Garbinsky Copy Editors

Terrie Maley Circulation / Marketing Manager (612) 946-7274

Advertising Sales Kimberley Thompson-Benike National Advertising Sales Director 10120 W. 76th Street Eden Prairie, MN 55344-3728 (612) 946-8159 Fax (612) 946-8155

Tony Sureau West Coast Advertising Sales 11531 197th Southeast Snohomish, WA 98290 (360) 668-7978 Fax: (360) 668-9350 Manufactured and printed in the United States of America

Game Informer Magazine (ISSN 1057-6392) is published monthly at a subscription price of $19.98 per year. five trial issues for $9.98 by Sunrise Publications, 10120 West 76th Street, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. (612) 946-7245 or FAX (612) 946-8155. Periodicals postage paid at Hopkins, MN, and additional malling offices. i

1 Editor. Game Informer Magazine, Eden Prairie. MN. 55344. Editon: . . «are ňčted above. Unsolicited may "returned or acknowledged s „ Entra egntents copyright 1996. Game Informer Magazine. "All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Game Informer is a trademark of FUNCO. Inc Products named in these pages are trade. names, or trademarks. of their respective companies. For subscription inquiries please write to sur Customer Service Department: Hy

Cripis cannot سوه‎ ron

10120 Wesi 76th Street Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Attn: Customer Service

PUBLISHER LIABILITY FOR ERROR

The publisher shail not be table for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The publisher's liability for other errors or omissions in connection with an advertisement is mitted to republication of the advertisement in any subsequent issue or the refund of any monies paid for the advertisement.

INDEMNIFICATION

The advertiser andior Advertsing Agency agrees to defend and indemnify the publisher against any and all liability, (oss, or expense arising from claims of fibel. unfair competition, unfair trade practices, infringement of trademarks) copyrights. trade names, patents, or proprietary fights or violation.of rights of privacy, resulting from the publication of the Advertiser's statement.

Audit Buteau of Circulation Membership. Applied*For 12/95

Ca

Game Informer = November ‘96

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By Andrew McNamara

FORM OF...SHAPE OF...

nce again, Game Informer proves it is an ever-changing video gamin’ magazine. Not only have we given you a new and improved At-a-Glance this month, but we have also added One-Liners, a section of quick reviews. I know it’s kind of a cheap way to get more games into the magazine, but generally these games can be summarized in just a couple of sentences. Plus, we feel that the information this section provides is pretty important, although we generally try to avoid writing a bunch of schlok about the really lame games in order to focus on the better ones (but we certainly wouldn't want you to end up buying a stinker just because we couldn't find someone in the office who could stomach playing it). Li Another bit of important news is that Game Informer has finally made a move on-line. GAMEINFORMER.COM went live on August 30th and hasn’t stopped since. Basically, it’s set up to give you a daily dose of video games from the worlď s greatest magazine (well, at least I think so). While GAMEINFORMER.COM isn’t perfect yet, it certainly doesn’t suck, so check us out. Otherwise, it’s business as usual here at Game Informer. Enjoy the issue and we'll see

“1 think I just swall Owed a t. late and een swarming fone i i n’t think it has t i OM gaming. But I je gra Ypothesis on the whole locust ia

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“I've always made it my goal to púť the FUNK back into video A iar ی‎ have a number of new sports games to put | throug! | the paces, I’ve given Madden ‘97, R Golf, NF , and Formula 1 long and looks. The Internet has also sucked —— away plenty of my days. Be sure to check out the brand new GAMEINFORMER.COM as I’m uploading chances to win a bunch of video game stuff. As I’ve said before, Pro Set/All-Streak is good for six. Later.” ” -Paul, The ProPlayer

“I’ve got to tell you I am SO glad I get to review a games, because right now there are some great one there. In the months to come, look in your local ar for X-Men vs. Street Fighter, and in the arcades

coming any day now, let's all hope it’s as good as

” everyone says. Finally, a little advice from the man with > all the moves’ it’s cheaper to buy your tokens in bulk.”

re il —Ryatt,. ©. The Arcade Alchemist.

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“It’s time fora ctual confession % i n a PC. ľve ors, folks, | don't. E People’s PC's. They shot l off of

“look for DieHard. Don’t forget Virtua Fight

cate reot The-Greedy Gamer:

you next month.

S E great month here at Game Informer, Not onl : ve ۱ been raiding enough tombs to make even Howard ~~ Carter cringe, but l’ve also had the pleasure of meeting a . few real life Lara Crofts (see GI News). It’s great to see a low down on Tomb Raider, o | c ۱ , open up and get the bottom ine, As sn ph rest of the stories, with ali the info and lews and play tips, GI really is a GAMING | | guess that makes me Dante.” 7 n i rrii i

| game featuring a woman as the protagonist, so for the real .

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Never: ever ever: have YOU experienced anything like this.

© fever: COG, COCE have you been able to fly, Mutd and free, M realtime SC 0

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THE MOST REVOLUTIONARY NEXT-GENERATION GAME EVER. THE FIRST TRUE SHOWCASE OF SEGA SATURN'S STUNNING CAPABILITIES. THE TECHNOLOGICAL TOUR DE FORCE THAT HAS EVERYONE IN THE GAMING WORLD ABSOLUTELY SPUN.

THE STORY ONE OF THE MOST IMMERSIVE, MYSTICAL GAMING

EXPERIENCES EVER, NIGHTS ESTABLISHES AN ENTIRELY NEW GAMEPLAY PARADIGM,

THINK OF IT AS PSYCHODRAMA, AN EXPRESS ESCALATOR INTO THE SCHIZOPHRENIC,

x

JM „A MIND-BENDING VIRTUAL WORLD OF YOUR DREAMS. RICOCHETING BETWEEN Ino LON LIGHTER-THAN-AIR REVERIES AND DARK, MACABRE NIGHTMARES, NIGHTS BRINGS YOU FACE TO FACE WITH BOTH YOUR GUIDING SPIRITS AND YOUR INNERMOST DEMONS.

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CREATED BY THE RENOWNED SONIC TEAM, NIGHTS IS A FULL-ON 3D MASTERPIECE. A WORLD WITH SOME OF THE MOST VIBRANT, INSPIRED, ORIGINAL GRAPHICS EVER CONCEIVED BY FEVERED IMAGINATIONS. A WORLD WITH DEEP, LUSH, DREAMSCAPE REALITIES, ITS OWN MICRO-CLIMATES,

EVEN ITS OWN NATURAL ORDER. IMAGINE. SMOKE, FOG, CLOUDS, RAIN, AND WATER THAT APPEAR IN MULTIPLE LEVELS OF TRANSPARENCY. WATERFALLS, CURRENTS, WIND, AND, YES, A TORNADO THAT ALL FOLLOW THE LAWS OF FLUID PHYSICS. INDEPENDENT LIGHT SOURCES THAT PLAY ON BOTH ACTION AND BACKGROUNDS AT DIFFERENT, SHIFTING Pr LUMINOSITIES. ALL BACKED BY A RAGING

SOUNDTRACK THAT BLENDS JAZZ, ORCHESTRA, ROCK, WORLD MUSIC, AND EFFECTS.

NIGHTS SCREAMS ALONG AT BANSHEE SPEED. DESPITE MASSIVE 3D DEMANDS,

ITS ADAPTIVE SPEED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SUPPORTS BOTH BREAKNECK GAMEPLAY AND BREAKTHROUGH ENVIRONMENTS. WITNESS ITS ABILITY TO REPLICATE THE TRUE SENSATIONS OF FLIGHT. ITS LIGHTNING MULTIPLE MORPH SEQUENCES. ITS OVER TWENTY TRACKING CAMERA ANGLES THAT SCROLL-SHIFT

IN REAL TIME. AND ITS OMNIPRESENT SYMPHONY OF 3D POSITIONAL SOUND.

THE NEW 3D CONTROL PAD ENGINEERED SPECIFICALLY TO INTENSIFY THE NIGHTS EXPERIENCE, SEGA SATURN'S 3D CONTROL PAD ESTABLISHES A NEW BENCHMARK IN SMOOTH AND DYNAMIC OPERATION. IN ANALOG MODE, ITS PULSE-SENSITIVE THUMBPAD ENABLES UNPRECEDENTED MANEUVERABILITY AT BREATHTAKING SPEEDS. SWITCHING TO DIGITAL MODE ALLOWS COMPATIBILITY WITH ALMOST ALL OTHER SEGA SATURN GAMES.

(PLEASE CALL 1-800-USA-SEGA FOR ANY COMPATIBILITY QUESTIONS.)

She Benediction Theres more, of course. But the rest is up to you. So kick of you walking shoes. Sey your rages. And fly. 7 7 LA 7 7 id € € € € ( ( ( ( 4 No OY YOU M sleep. But You U have wt hed good dreams.

ONLY ON

KIDS TO ADULTS

O © SEGA SATURN

WWW.SEGA.COM

and money of buying back iss that simple answer?

Dear Gl, PS Please be generous. Thanl

What ever happene Namco Museum Vol. 1 supposed to be released thi spring but so far I've yet to se it. I also heard that Namco be releasing a Vol. 2. Is that ti and if it is what games will on it? i

We always ftractive to babies ane your question, “Wh rest?“ Hmmm... Paul, where'd you put that thing, you had it last... oh sorry. Go . Da 4 the Crow/Picture room and click on m 1. the pictures youngest to ۵ Well Mike, N. Mez ; 2 I picture at the end of the hall will give j € d M e m Vol 1 2 + | you the Star Crest. As for back issues, released Museum and as "you don't necessarily need them, but „they may have tips you need like this one. So basically, they're „gaming investments for ‘serious gamers. (Also you can check out GAMEINFORMER.COM for a guide to „Resident Evil)

speculate > occurred i n eitl

I was looking back August issue

Plus, Vol. 2 is on the way, ana once again its packed with. classics. Super Pac-Man, DragonBuster, Mappy, Xevious, Grobda, and Gaplus are all here in their original forms with many exhibits on each as well.

of designing anything like * that in the United States or

Dear Gi, Japan.

First of all, | want to start off by saying that your mag rules! I always turn to you guys when it comes to video games. ľd just like to say hi to all of you at Game Informer and to my friend Roberto Rosa. No offense, When | first played NiGHTS, I ough, but ľd like to ask you - is Reiner all right? He doesn't was corny. As soon as I read the instruction | seem normal. One day, | watched the movie “Planet of the hang of the game. | played for hours, and | soon the Apes” and I saw a monkey that looked just like realized that there is no game like 1 Reiner. it I then gave the game a score ofa @

I'm a crazed MK fan and I own most of the systems ۰ 9and began to read Game Informer out on the market. So far, I have every MK and ľm issue #41. The total score of planning to get them all. | appreciate the Kombat NiGHTS was an 8.5, I can't Kodes in your September issue for UMK3. ľm also a believe you rated Crash big fan of Resident Evil and | also appreciated that Bandicoot higher tha walk-through in the June issue. | think that Resident NiGHTS! NiGHTS i: Evil is the bestgame to hit the PlayStation, so far. much more original than I would like to ask you a few questions. that copycat! It's not even e MKs plans for the future, after full 3D!!! If anyone agrees o! _ i disagrees with me jus ideas that Boon and Tobias have write to GI and tell them 4 rs for the future MK's? how you fe anning on making a second about this Gi

Sherief Candel

Richfield, MN This is what we call a video game duh. Of course Sony, Nintendo,

come up with new systems to outdo each othe how these companies make their mone releasing a new machine so close to the previ one’s birth would irritate more than impress. $ and Sega probably already have new machines rai to go, but why would they switch over when theyre just starting to make profit on the 32s? Don't expect to hear any ‘real about new Sony, Sega or Nintendo machines until late or ‘98 or ‘99.

ask you some questions DO and Saturn. First, I own a think it's the best system on I play it and enjoy it very 2-bit system. Don't ask t I do. Should | get the 3D0 or Saturn? 1 31005 hardware and specs are far better Saturn. ! would get the 300, but I'm d that the 300s time is coming (you know, „the ol’ chopping block). I like Quarantine, PO | Killing Time, Road Rash, and Foes of Ali for 3DO, Rally, Need for Speed, and Virt i Also the 300 only costs $189.99 aturn costs $199.99. Please tell me wh would buy and why? i

3) Is Cape Resident Evil 4) Will the MK series continue for a long time or with me. Peo will it come to an end soon?

> È ® D = =

ould vote (write in) fo their opinions. If ther are more people who agree with me than ys have to raise the NiGH 8

PS Thank you for your time. PPS Bow to me you stupid monkey. (Just kidding) PPPS I am not crazy! Hi Mom!

Alexandre Silva New Bedford, MA

Thanks for the praise on our mag, codes, and walk-through. Now to the ۲ insult..Reiner, if you didnt

know, is actually a retired » Hollywood star. That IS him in Planet of the Apes. He just doesn't like to talk about his past fame, like his role. as Yoda in Star Wars, or x Ghandis double for the long. - desert scenes. He was a very versatile actor, but he thought ` he'd become too famous so he gave it up and tarted playing vids for a living. 1 and 2) We'll answer these together. Right now, there

are only rumors about MK4 and | think you might have given them a gre cter idea — Apeman I had your M

‘Il be happy in the short-term, | the Saturn will tickle your video game ly for a lot longer.

Reiner. as al 3) Yes, and you'll be seeing t Stuff on it soon. 4) Who knows? It sells m right now, why ruin

_ that? ا‎ probably keep ‘em rolling until the

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hat games are like just from the pictures. Id get a job at the Psychic Friends Network. TI 4 is really cool, and everyone in the office enjoy it | ensely. However, we love the Sony PlayStation a aturn as well. The next gen wars won't havi

` Nintendo stay load time. y different gamers machines. You li

Your magazine is the best. I have si some dosti ` about Final Fantasy VII - do you only get to control three people? Also, will you be able to learn about the same

amount of magic spells as in Final Fantasy 3? Thanks, ۲ MO

۱ و David Marullo‏

for your help.

Milwaukee, WI

“Final Fantasy Vil is going to be huge! At last count there will be at least six different playable characters

in the game, but only three can be in your party at one

time. Ye know Square Soft as well as we do, so you know that there will be constant charactor and plot

m Size: 1 CD-ROM

m Style: 1-Player Third-Person Action/Adventure

m Special Features: Rotatable Lara Cam, Numerous Gymnastic Moves, Multiple Weapons, Hidden Secrets, Dizzying Heights, Massive Level Design, A Special Secret at the Heart of Atlantis

m Levels: 15

m Created by: Core for Eidos Interactive

m Available: Mid November for Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn

> THE BOTTOM LINE PLAYSTATION 9 SYSTEM MATCH-UP SATURN 8.7 0

THE STORY

It lies just beyond our memory like a dream; our ancestors, the original civilization. Ancient scriptures tell of its existence. Plato spoke of its influence, obscure maps point to its relative position. But for all this, it's never been found, and Atlantis remains a mystery.

Popular theories speculate that a great civilization had once existed, at or above our current level of technology. The other theory, popularized on television shows (and at the Core development center), is that Atlantis was a great civilization, yes; but this civilization was created by alien visitors.

Lara Croft, though a skeptic, soon finds out that Atlantis means more than just mystery. Hired gun, exploress extraordinaire, scholar, she’s our heroine...Lara Croft. Her quest...the Scion Gem. Though Lara is hired out to undertake the mission, she knows that her employer, the evil Jaqueline Natla, cannot be trusted. In addition, the Scion Gem is no secret, and Lara will no doubt encounter some human competition within the game.

One of the arguments behind a belief in Atlantis is the overwhelming diversity of reference fo its existence within ancient cultures. Lara, Knowing this, will visit Incan temples, Egyptian pyramids, and ancient Grecian ruins. This will all culminate in the discovery of Atlantis itself, and the grim secret it holds.

REINER, THE RAGING GAMER

“Eidos Interactive had a solid game plan in mind with making Tomb Raider the biggest adventure game ever, and they didn't bow down to console gamers by placing emphasis solely on the action. The key elements in this game are exploration and discovery, with a handful of action on the side. Mario 64 explored this realm, and Tomb Raider just upped the ante. This game won't appeal to everyone, since it lacks the trigger happy action that console gamers dig; however, 5 definitely the next step in gaming, and it shouldnt be missed. It's a beautiful game in every aspect.”

THE SEARCH FOR ATLANTIS BEGINS

PSX SS Concept: 9.25 9.25 Graphics: 9.5 5 Sound: 8 8 Plavahility: 9.25 9.25 Entertainment: 8.75 8.75 Overall: 9 8.75

JON, THE GREEDY GAMER

“The edge graphically goes to the PSX, but within the Saturn library, Tomb Raider (TR) is one of a kind. The clas- sical overtones and the mysterious plot twists kept me captivated (just wait ‘til you see the Atlanteans), and views from cliffs and towers have to be seen to be believed. The bounty hunter is a nice touch, and his Al is interesting since he waits to pop out only after you obtain certain items. However, there's just not enough action, because solving puzzles is never as fun as killing stuff. My other major gripe is the sound. Anyone who's going to put in the long hours that it will take to complete this game, would certainly enjoy a little company, and sound can be a very good friend. Aside from this, TR is an intense and groundbreaking 3D experience that caters to a specific gaming crowd.”

PS-X 5 Concept: 9.25 5 Graphics: 9.25 5 Sound: 8.25 8.25 Playability: 8.70 8.76 Entertainment. 9 9 Overall: 9 8.75

ANDY, THE GAME HOMBRE

“HUGE is the best word to describe this game. It takes all the control elements of Prince of Persia and puts them into an immense 3D world that you must explore and most importantly, survive. The action, at times, is difficult, but most of your time will be spent solving the numerous puzzles that you'll encounter on each level. Overall, the graphics in this game are outstanding (though the Saturn version is a little muddy) with lots of textures. The play control takes a little while to get used to, but once you master it you'll be doing backflips and long jumps like they were second nature. About the only thing that didn't impress me about this game was the sound effects, but otherwise you'll find plenty to keep any Indiana Jones wanna-be happy.”

PS-X 5 Concent: 9 9 Graphics: 9.5 8.75 Sound: 8 8 Playability: 9 9 Entertainment: 9.25 9.25 Overall: 9 5

GAMEPLAY Playing Tomb Raider is different than anything you've played, yet it is the melding of many different game-styles. Typically, you spend much of your time in Tomb Raider looking for something...anything...that will help you advance through the levels. Many times, you'll find yourself wondering aimlessly throughout a level, and then discover the key that unlocks another portion of the game. This rush is the unique thing about Tomb Raider. You'll need all your jumping and blasting skills to play this game, but ultimately you'll need a sharp mind and nerves of steel to unravel the mystery of the Scion.

STRUCTURE

The structure of Tomb Raider follows a basic scenario. Four geographical areas are composed of numerous levels. Lara first travels to Peru, where she encounters four levels of Incan ruins. Next, Lara will travel to Greece, home of the ancient philosophers. Greece is composed of five levels, and then Egypt has three levels. The story culminates on Atlantis itself, and three levels here will find you battling mysterious enemies and uncovering haunting secrets.

MOVES

One of the reasons Tomb Raider is such an exciting game is the number of moves that Lara can execute. Different jumps and actions will all be needed in order to advance through each challenging stage. The action button performs a number of specific activities such as lever pulling, key insertion, item acquisition, firing, and machine assembly. An important feature is also the Lara Cam. Used extensively, simply hold the camera button to look up, down, right or left. Mastering the camera is crucial, and will help you judge jumping distance as well as assisting in finding secret areas. Items that will help advance your quest include med kits, shotguns, magnums, uzis, keys, machine parts, and scion pieces.

PUZZLES

. The most important and difficult aspect of Tomb Raider is the puzzle solving. Each level proceeds

_ through a series of puzzles. In earlier stages, these puzzles are most often a succession of throwing switches and opening doors. Later, water levels are important, and rivers must be dried or diverted in order to flood other areas. There are also numerous keys that must be used, or machine parts needed to repair gears. A common task is the scaling of cliffs. It can be quite difficult discovering the correct jumps and moves for certain situations. There's nothing more exciting then to be perched far atop a cliff, thousands of feet off the ground, and have to risk the whole game on a jump that seems impossible.

ENEMIES There are a host of enemies that Lara encounters, and each demands a specific strategy. Ammunition is scarce, but pistols hold unlimited shots, so it’s best to learn to kill enemies with a pistol. Some of the easier enemies are bats, rats and wolves; however, as the game gets more difficult so do the enemies. Raptors and a T-Rex will be encountered, as well as black panthers, lions, alligators, gorillas, and the mysterious Atlanteans. In addition, there will be a bounty hunter competing against you. He also seeks the Scion gem, and will wait for you fo first obtain keys and items, which he'll then attempt to steal from you. But by far the most difficult enemy you'll encounter is yourself. Mental errors are the most common cause of death. There's no cure for falling off of a cliff.

A LEVEL WALK-THROUGHS

If nothing else, Tomb Raider is a game defined by its enormous size. The levels are massive, and it can often take up to ten minutes to run from one end to the other. Crucial mistakes can result in an endless and meaningless search through past territories. In order to help you conquer the first few levels, consult these level walk-throughs.

LEVEL 1 CAVES (INCAN) This is a relatively easy level meant to get you into the rhythm of the game. After finding your way to the bridge room, move along the outcropping and across the bridges, stopping to kill the wolves from above. Inside the next room, jump the pit, and before you go downstairs, look for a med kit to your left. You'll then come to a room with a switch. You must pull the switch, jump to the center block, then jump up to the door before it closes.

AMBA (INCAN) lved, with many switches and two keys. A good strategy is to first circle the d ammo. Then jump into the water and at the bottom turn right. As you reach ier with the light and pull the lever, opening a trap door above you. Then dive the SW corner of the room to find the other lever, opening a secret door in ۱0۵060۲ and proceed on your way. Eventually vou ll come to an area with a push block. Move this block into the next room and obtain the gold and silver keys. Use these keys to gain access to the great hall. Open each door of the great hall (watch out for knives in the middle passageway). This will bring you to a water room with a bear. Find all the switches and use the gold key to finish the level.

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LEVEL 3 LOST VALLEY (INCAN) In order to find the lost valley, fall into the water and go over the waterfall. Proceed through the opening, and to your left will be a cliff. Scale this cliff and enter the lost valley. Your job here will be to locate three machine parts (cogs). The first cog is inside the structure at the far end of the valley. After exiting the structure, be sure to turn left and scale the cliff, there ll be a healthy host of items on the roof. Then, if you're facing the large structure, there is a tunnel to the left, here you'll find the second cog. For the third cog, jump beneath a waterfall, emerge from the water and jump the bridge, the cog is on the other side. Then, bring all three cogs back to where you started the level. Work upstream along the banks and repair the machine. A door will move and flood a passageway. Take this to the end, and the exit will appear where the waterfall once flowed.

Tomb Raider is a bold

into the realm

adventure

of 3D gaming, combining

elements of Mario 64, Resident Evil, Prince of Persia, and Indiana Jones. In addition, at the

center of the plot

LEVEL 4 TOMB OF QUALOPEC (INCAN) When entering this level, be aware of raptors and the rolling ball. As you exit the tunnel into the first

room there is a switch to your right. Follow the open door to a room with four tunnels. The three new tunnels each contain a task. We suggest leaving the western tunnel for last. Through the west tunnel, the first switch will control the location of towers in the main room. Throw the switch, enter the room, and follow the logical progression of actions. Remember to look up and right when on top of the towers. The key to jumping over the spikes into the last room is to rearrange the towers so that one is in the middle of the room. The last switch will unlock a passage at the beginning of the level, where you will obtain an important artifact.

is the age old search for

Atlantis. Since the plot twists

are exciting, in-depth and

unexpected, well let you

discover the secrets yourself.

If you're a gamer who enjoys action, but who also fancies stunning

graphics and an

incredible depth of level

LEVEL 5 ST. FRANCIS’ FOLLY (GREEK)

This is the first of five Greek levels, and perhaps the most difficult. Proceed with caution, as one fall will mean certain death. In the first room, move the block onto one of the omega signs, opening a first floor door. After visiting this room, move the block again, opening the second floor door. Jump from the block to the tower, then to the bonus room where you'll have to execute three successive jumps off of angled platforms. Then use the towers to jump to the roof and move around to the open door. Go down the slide face first and jump at the end for a bonus room. After you drain the water and kill the alligator, you'll emerge into the heart of the level, an immense room with a center structure. Four switches are located on this center structure, found by first descending, then ascending in order to visit four rooms. The order of switches are Thor, Damocles, Neptune, and Atlas. We recommend visiting rooms in the following order: Damocles, Thor, Atlas, then Neptune. Each room houses a dangerous task as well as a key. Collect all four keys and use them fo finish the level.

design, Tomb Raider just might

be the game for you.

LEVEL 6 COLOSSEUM (GREEK)

A visually stunning level, but straightforward in terms of tasks and puzzles. In order to find the colosseum, go to the second level of the large structure and jump to the cliffs. Kill both alligators and go hand over hand across the pit. Halfway across the pit is a room with ammo. When you find the switch, activate it and then move upstairs to view the colosseum. It’s easy to kill things below by standing at the edge of the colosseum. If you look around, you'll notice three corner rooms, each containing a door. First, drop into the colosseum and go through the opening in the east wall to activate both switches. In between the rock structures, a door has opened. Complete the next set of puzzles and you'll emerge onto a cliff. Walk forward and jump to the rock structure below, and then jump to the great hall. In order to find the silver key, you'll move a block to reveal a switch. Move that block again to reveal a secret room. The rest of the level is a walk in the park.

http://www.gameinformer.com

ne Informer's

The much anticipated Nintendo 64 (N64) has been unleashed upon the world, and the results are much as expected. Ten weeks after its release in Japan, Nintendo Of America announced that the N64 hit the one million mark. Since nearly every purchase included an additional expenditure for Super Mario 64, Mario himself has gone Platinum.

Here in the States, there was a little anxiety amongst US retailers concerning the availability of N64s for the Sept. 30 release. Although US retailers had requested nearly one million units, Nintendo has only managed to ship one half that number. Nintendo plans on shipping the other half million units during the first three months of 1997.

Nintendo and its subsidiaries have sold more than one billion video games worldwide; however, the quality of their products has always been more enjoyable than that other company with the same claim to fame. Maybe that’s why we've never seen a Nintendo game featuring Grimace and the Hamburgler.

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Game Informer magazine has been developing and publishing its World Wide Web site for nearly a year now. In that time, it has undergone sweeping changes that have given it more information and news relating to our favorite thing: video games.

You lucky surfers with access to the Internet and the World Wide Web can point your browsers to WWW.GAMEINFORMER.COM. Here you'll find news, previews, and reviews for all your favorite games, sometimes even before it reaches the printed pages of GI. Take a peek into the Game Informer offices with shots from the GI Cam. or browse through past issues | on our Back Issue pages. | Rest assured, you'll find the same no-nonsense, hype- 7 | free, honest coverage at GAMEINFORER.COM that you've | | come to expect from the printed version. |

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EA Sports and Mitch Richmond - They II Capture Your Emotion

EA Sports has really changed its tune. Hopping onto the 32-bit bandwagon, both NHL 97 and NBA Live 97 present a whole new look and feel. Traditionally happy with their sprite based characters, it comes as somewhat of a surprise that EA has recently revolutionized its approach to animation.

Using Sacramento Kings and Dream Team Ill star Mitch Richmond, EA Sports worked with motion capture technology. In NBA Live 97 you'll find the most fluid, vibrant and realistic characters to date. NHL 97 also features motion capture technology and is chock full of texture mapped polygons.

It’s not that motion capture is anything new, but this time EA transfers the motion capture images onto an SGI workstation. Through the manipulative power of the SGI station, each of the many polygons per character is texture mapped with care and precision.

The change to a. polygon based animation is quite timely for EA. Having just been elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame on the basis of their technological contributions, EA Sports captures the emotions of gamers everywhere.

Mitch 5 smooth moves are captured by EA Sports.

Demo Discs for PS-X

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) will begin to produce quarterly demo discs for the Sony PlayStation. The discs, to be packaged alone, will include both video footage and playable demos of select PS-X games. The unofficial word is that SCEA will ultimately begin to package the demo disks in every PS-X game sold.

SCEA is said to have finalized their demo disc strategy and contacted third- party developers for inclusion on upcoming editions. Putting game footage or playable demos on the disc won't be a cheap proposition for developers, as SCEA will require licensees to pay a fee to have their game on the disc.

The PlayStation demo discs should start to appear in stores by the end of the year, but there is no word as to pricing or as to when the demos will be packaged with actual games.