50" | f DE TACULAR 50 PLAYSTATION GAMES YOU SHOULD HAVE PLAYED * CELEBRATE 6 YEARS OF PLAYSTATION * 50 PEOPLE WHO CHANGED-YOUR WORLD

I; ZIFF DAVIS М : November E

PlayStation

MAGAZINE 50 lic 12. to go!

Devil Мау бгу Find out more of Snake's secrets 82

PlayStatio

Survival horror with attitude. The coolest PS2 game yet

(NALS % 6; О 9721

GRAND THEFT AUTO д

Find out why Rockstar’ s game will ant you away

SSX Tricky Tekken 4

Lucy Liu and Macy Gray It’s everything bring style to the slopes you hoped it would be. And more

The Getaway The reasons why you haven't seen it yet

Licensed by Sony Computer Entertainment of America. PlayStat ЕЕ Е Ее T

1 1»; Ж. EXCLUSIVE D MOSI! PLAY SPIDER-MAN 2-ENTER: ELECTRO E | | | | ! 16: AND X-MEN: MUTANT ACADEMY 2! | “o E O24 06968, MMI 2

Nov. 2001

p PlayStation.

It's pure speed by any measure. Slip into a Kinetic Suit and feel the intense competition in your fingertips. Scale walls. Cling to ceilings.

Pull off ground and aerial stunts on 12 futuristic tracks. Man and machine are united. Fasten your garter belt. www.scea.com

O TO 60 IN 36-24-36

Mild Violence Suggestive Themes rj

3

Blood and Gore

Violence

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HALF-LIFE IS THE MOST | FRIGHTENING, INTENSE ACTION EXPERIENCE AVAILABLE AND ALSO

INCLUDES HALF-LIFE: DECAY

AN EXCLUSIVE NEW SPLIT-SCREEN COOPERATIVE GAME.

|. "EL i б; Ша EXTRAORDINARY REALISM.

“The ‘best action game ever made’ gets even better on the PS2?"

— Electronic Gaming Monthly

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PlayStation

THEMAGAZINE

Editor in Chief John Davison

Managing Editor Gary Steinman

Previews Editor Chris Baker

News Editor Sam Kennedy

Reviews Editor Joe Rybicki

Associate Editor Todd Zuniga

Gossip Columnist Clish MacLaver

Editorial Contributors Zoe Flower, Ravi Hiranand, Ryan Lockhart, Thomas Puha, John Scalzi, Scott Steinberg

Japanese Correspondent Yutaka Ohbuchi European Correspondent Axel Strohm Copy Editor Jennifer Whitesides

DESIGN Senior Art Director Bob Conlon

Art Directors Donna O'Hara, Jim Cordano Illustration Stephen Bliss, Penny Arcade Photography Shuji Kobayashi, Joe Toreno, Michael Sexton, Rockstar

PRODUCTION

Manufacturing Director Carlos Lugo

Senior Production Manager Anne Marie Miguel Assistant Production Manager Teresa Newson Pre-Media Manager Dave McCracken Assistant Pre-Media Manager Mike Vallas

TECHNOLOGY Project Leader Mark LeFebvre Customer Support Analyst Peter Felonk

20 GAME GROUP Vice President Dale Strang Business Director Cathy Bendoff

CIRCULATION

Circulation Director Joan McInerney Circulation Director Shirley Viel

Senior Newsstand Sales Manager Don Galen

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MAGAZINE www.playstationmagazine.com

About our contributors

STEPHEN BLISS

You may have seen our cover artist's work before. He produced the album cover art for Massive Attack V Mad

Car jacking, Italian opera and gangsta rap

We bring you all this, and Professor and has also x John Davison illustrated for GQ, Time more, just from our experi- i

ences with Grand Theft Auto Editor in Се!

and other mags. He's currently designing characters for Disney.

PENNY ARCADE

They make us laugh. And we're betting they'll make you laugh, too. Read the Penny Arcade guys’ strip for the month, then visit their Web site for even more. And don't forget | to order their new book while you're at it.

ZOE FLOWER

Zoe is a multimedia superstar. She works for us, she makes TV shows, she produces rock videos, is an ani- mator and illustrator, she makes very cool Web sites and some- how has time to play games as well.

Ill this month. If you've ever thought that games are just kid stuff, this is certainly proof that the new wave of game design is aiming fairly and ‘squarely at the adult gamer. GTA3 earns its M rating from the ESRB with aplomb, and rightly so. It will no doubt draw attention from “observers” and be declared a disgrace in the news as something that glamorizes violence with its beatings, shootings and firebombings. This isn’t a game that uses shocks to compensate for

www.zoeflower.com www.penny-arcade.com a lack of quality gameplay, though. Sure, the JOHN SCALZI SCOTT STEINBERG content is hardly that of civilized folks, but it's a

game designed to provide a caricature of the mobster way of life. The gang warfare, drug pushing, pimping, driveby-fuelled experience is no more ridiculous than that of an R-rated action flick—which is another form of media that also shouldn't be experienced by minors.

In the past, contentious games have been accused of using controversial themes to com- pensate for inferior storylines, pathetic game- play and cheap thrills. СТАЗ is different. Like the HBO show The Sopranos, this is a quality prod- uct that happens to also have controversial con- tent, not vice-versa.

We've tried our best to convey the way that the game sucks you in and holds your attention, but the best way is to try it out for yourself when the game hits stores in mid-October, with that M rating prominently featured on the box.

Mr. Steinberg writes for Maxim, Playboy, The Source and every other publication Mom warned you about. Hence his privileged and unprecedented access to forbidden territory. See our Project 0 preview for blackmail material.

A writer for the Chicago Sun-Times, the San Diego Tribune, New York City maga- zine and the Fresno Bee, John brings his considerable knowl- edge to our media pages. He also runs the popular www.gamedad.com

SHUJI KOBOYASHI Over the years, Shuji has photographed tons of celebrities and made them look either scary, or cool, or both. He also does a damn fine job with members of the video game com- munity, as ably illus- trated this month.

Www. 7stdesign.com/shuji

P d 4 Wé

‚ Video Games Have Ratings, Just Like Movies

Official U.S.

PlayStation Magazine Mission Statement

The Entertainment Software Rating Board provides information about video game content. ESRB ratings are intended as guidelines only; parents should still mon- itor minors’ purchases.

TEEN RATING

Contains Suggestive Themes, Mild Or Strong Language And Animated Violence. Some Parents May Want To Supervise Children Playing Í Rated Games

CONTENT RATED BY ESR

The Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine is the only Sony Computer Entertainment America-licensed magazine and is pub- lished by Davis Media Inc. through an exclusive agreement. As such, the Official 0.5. PlayStation Magazine (OPM) remains

dependent from SCEA, and is a critical, autonomous voice that helps readers get more out of their PlayStation system by delivering the most current, comprehen- sive and candid coverage of PlayStation software and hardware.

MATURE RATING

These Games Contain More Adult Themes, Such As Blood And Gore, Stronger Language And Sexual Themes. Deemed Not Suitable For Those Under 1].

EARLY CHILDHOOD RATING Deemed Suitable For Children 3 Or Older. Products Carrying This Label Have Absolutely No Material That Would Be Considered Inappropriate By Parents,

CONTENT RATED BY ESRB

ADULTS ONLY RATING

The Extreme Of The Ratings, Suitable For Adults Only. Packs Sexual Themes And Extreme Violence. Console Manufacturers Have Yet To Allow

Ап AO-Rated Game.

EVERYONE RATING

The E Replaced The Previous K-A Rating Last Year, Suitable For Kids Ages 6 And Up, E-Reted Games May Contain Minimal Violence Or Crude Language.

EVERYONE ADULTS ONLY

CONTENT RATED BY ESRB

WWW.ESRB.ORG

Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine [ISSN #1094-6683] is published monthly by Ziff Davis Media Inc., 28 East 28th Street, New York, NY 10016. Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY 10016 and additional mailing offices. Single-issue rate: $7.99 ($8.99 for October and December]. Subscription Rates: One Year (12 issues and 12 demo discs] $49.97 U.S., $65.97 all other countries. We periodically make lists of our customers available to mailers of goods and services. If you do not wish to receive such mailings, please write to us and include a copy of your mailing label, Subscription Service Questions and Address Changes Write to: Official U.S. PlayStation Magazi loulder, CO 80322-5362. For Subscription Service Inquiries call us at: 800.627.6458 U.S. and Canada, or [303] 604-7445 all other countries. Fax us: 850.683.4094 U.S, and Canada, or 303.604.051 ies. Or visit our subscription Web site at htto://service.playstationmagazine.com. The editors and publishers are not responsible for unso- licited materials. Without limiting the rights under copyrights reserved herein, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in ог introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means lelectroni cal, photocopying, recording, ог otherwise] without the prior written notice of Ziff Davis Media Inc. Copyright © 2001 Ziff Davis Media. АП Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part withoi prohibited. For permission to reuse material in this publication or on www.playstationmagazine.com, or to use our logo, contact Ziff Davis Media's Rights and Permissions. Manager: Olga Gonopolsky, Ziff Davis Media Inc., 28 East 28th Street, New York, NY 10016. Tel: 212-503-5438. Fax: 212 503-5420. E-mail: olga, gonopolskyGziffdavis.com. For reprints, contact Reprint Services. at 800-217-7874. TM & © for all other products and the characters contained therein are owned by the respective trademark and copyright holders. All materials in this magazine are subject to change and the publisher assumes no responsibility for such changes. The Canadian GST registration number is 14049 6720 RT. Printed in the USA.

WE KNOW HITZ.

Heads Up. The first adrenaline-style hockey game is here. Only NHU Hitz 20-02 delivers intense action from the NHL's experts of impact. Feel the crushing checks and super-sonic slapshots as eye-popping next-generation graphics bring teams, super-charged players and fantasy arenas to unparalled brilliance. With hits this hard, you won't need a ref to get ejected from the ice.

Q ette ss renee inert ER RMN, С GAME PREVIEW AT WWW.NHLHITZ.MIDWAY.COM `

ТНЕ ОРМ 50 * 122

It's our 50th issue, so here are 50 games you really should have played, and 50 people you really should be aware of. Don't say we don't try to educate you. We

care that much.

In our continuing cover-

Metal Gear Solid 2: mc Sons of liber

J| PLAY SPIDER MAN 2- ENTER: ELECTRO AND X-MEN: MUTANT ACADEMY 2!

GRAND THEFT AUTO III ° 136

Controversial? You bet. But there's a lot more to Rockstar's upcoming gangster title than senseless acts of violence (though they're there if you want them]. There's actually the making of a revolutionary game here, too.

FAME E GAME? SSX:

TRICKY

SSX ТКІСКҮ ° 60

The original was the "killer app" for PS2 a year ago; now EA Sports Big brings us an update to the game. The tracks are cooler, there are more characters, there is a bigger emphasis on tricks, and the soundtrack gets funked up to the max.

age of this amazing game, we offer stealth tactics on how to free up some time for the week it comes out.

SPIN

34 Тһе ОРМ 50 Learn about the 50 most influential people in the world of PlayStation, and read our picks for the 50 best games for the PS one.

56 Calendar 56 Soul Calibur 2

See the sequel to one of the best fighters, ever.

SSX Tricky:

The Fame Game Learn about the many celebrities involved in this hot sequel

Only in Japan Football Roundup

Watch this year's lineup of pigskin titles duke it out on the gridiron,

Dissecting Dante Learn just what makes Capcom's newest action hero so damn cool.

Ай е

PSAT

www.THPS3.com We go head-to-head with the Neversoft boys in Tony Hawk 3...online!

Dream Cast

Eye on London What happened—if any- thing—at this year's ECTS?

PlayStation: Year 1 This ongoing series traces the history of the PS. This

month: The Beginning.

False Starts

Exclusivo! Just what does it mean to

say a game is “exclusive” to a given platform? What you read may surpi you Clish MacLaver CD Reviews

DVD Reviews

Hollywood Banter Top 10 Charts

REGULAR Damn front fasteners, 82 BITS

Demo Disc ° 14 Spider-Man, Spider-Man, does whatever a spider can. And the X-Men. And some other stuff.

Input ° 24

Let us know your thoughts. Write us at our usual address, or send us e-mail at 0PM(gziffdavis.com.

Spin ° 34

It's issue 50! So that gives us ample excuse for producing lists comprised of 50 things.

Top Secrets * 142

Tricks for all the biggest-selling games, including the coolest GT3 trick you'll ever see.

Mawson wo roud 00

y

PREVIEWS

PLAYSTATION 2 Асе Combat 04 Akira Psychoball. Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance112 Blood Omen 2. Burnout . Defender Deus Ex: The Conspirac’ Driven E.T.: Return/Green Planet

RPG Maker..

Soul Reaver 2. Splashdown .

Test Drive . The Thing...

ESPN Int'l Winter Game: Tiny Toons.

FIFA 2002...

Final Fantasy X

Frequency.. World of Outlaws ..

Harvest Moon: WWF SmackDown! J

Jak and Daxter.

James Bond 007 i PS one

Kingdom Hearts Dragon Warrior IV Maximo..... E.T.: Interplanetary Adv. Metal Gear Solid Harry Potter

Mortal Kombat. Mega Мап X 31 Moto GP 2 Monsters, Inc. КЕП Mxrider . Razor Racing .132

NASCAR Thunder Project 0... Rayman Aren:

бурһоп Filter The Weakest Link Aa

REVIEWS

STATION 2 Thunder ....................152 Casper Spirit Dimensions Еу

Gadget Racers.. Extreme 6 III Kinetica Ico ..... Monster Rancher 3...... NFL Quarterback Club 2002 160 NHL 2002. 6 rtal Вип! Silent Hill.

Е Chronicles Crossroad Crisis МВА Shootout 201 One Piece Mansion

' Spider-Man 2-Enter: Electro .168

oons: Plucky's Adv. len: Mutant Academy

Honey, your bra strap is showing, 136

DEMO OISE

Marvel-o Demos!

This month you get not one but two demos of highly anticipated sequels to superhero hits on the PS one. Spider-Man 2 leads off our demo disc, fol- lowed by X-Men: Mutant Academy 2—both of which

we're reviewing this issue. We’ five classic demos to go along

one games feature. And topping it all off, we've got two tasty video previews for a pair of hot holiday releases: Dragon Warrior VII and Syphon Filter 3. Oh yeah—we can't forget about Barbie Explorer!

Did you buy а copy of our magazine that did not contain a demo CD? Simply send the receipt in an envelope marked "OPM Replacement Disc” to the address below with the name and address of the store plus your phone number and address and we'll send you the disc. Make sure you specify which month the corresponding disc belongs to in order to ensure you get the right one.

‘Also, if you have a malfunctioning or non- ‘working demo disc, call SCEA at 1-800-345- ‘SONY. They will provide instructions to obtain repair or replacement services.

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) warrants to the original purchaser of the Official US. PlayStation Magazine that the demo disc included is free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase. $СЕА agrees for a period of ninety (90) days to either repair or replace, at its option, the

DISC PROBLEMS?

ve also assembled with the top 50 PS

Spider-Man 2 Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man returns to pop a Sticky cap in the baddies' col- lective asses.

X-Men:

Mutant Academy 2 Excelsior! This hot-looking fighter returns for a bigger, badder, bet- ter run in the rung.

Barbie Explorer

This season Barbie is sporting a trendy safari bucket hat with matching khakis, set off perfectly by a jaunty leather adventure belt.

CLASSIC DEMO Crash Bandicoot: WARPED

This is the best of the series, and judging by what we've seen of the PS2 version, might still be.

SCEA product. You must call 1-800345-SONY to receive instructions to obtain repair/replace- ment services,

This warranty shall not be applicable and shall. be void if the defect in the SCEA product has. arisen through abuse, unreasonable use, mis- treatment, neglect or breakage during ship- ment. THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES AND NO OTHER REP- RESENTATIONS OR CLAIMS OF ANY NATURE SHALL BE BINDING ON OR OBLIG- ATE SCEA. ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES APPLICABLE TO THIS SOFTWARE PRODUCT, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MER- CHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PAR- TICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED TO THE NINETY (90) DAY PERIOD DESCRIBED ABOVE. IN NO EVENT WILL SCEA BE. LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUEN- TIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM POSSES-

- SION, USE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE SCEA SOFTWARE PRODUCT.

Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine

Some states do not allow limitations as to how long an implied warranty lasts and/or exclu- sions or limitations of consequential damages, so the above limitations and/or exclusions of liability may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

ОРМ Demo Disc is published monthly by Sony ‘Computer Entertainment America Inc, 919 E. Hillsdale Drive, Foster City, CA 94404. All titles shown herein are trademarks of and copyrights of their respective publishers and/or their licensors. See individual screens for details, ©2000 Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Please submit all related demo disc inquiries to: OPM Demo Disc, Inquiries, 919 E. Hillsdale Drive, Foster City, CA 94404

Spyro: Year of the Dragon

If you haven't spent time with this ultra-cute platformer, you

owe it to yourself to check it out.

CLASSIC DEMO Twisted Metal 2

ТМ1 might have been the real

| start of it all, but TM2 is what | caused the genre to explode.

CLASSIC DEMO

Syphon Filter 2

A little bit of Tomb Raider, a little bit of Metal Gear Solid, a whole lot of ass-kickin’.

CLASSIC DEMO Tekken 3

And speaking of ass-kickin'— here's arguably the greatest fighter to ever grace the PS one.

DEMO DISC PRODUCERS 30 ARTISTS

Gary Barth Jason Robinson Manuel Sousa Philip Williamson Michael Tyau PRODUCER MARKETING TEAM Jessi Harrison Shelley Ashitomi PRESIDENT

Jesse Caid Katherine Williams Sarai Sequeira TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Kim Yuen Tim Edwards EXECUTIVE PRODUCER CD ANIMATION Andrew House INTRODUCTION BY MUSIC COMPOSITION Secret Weapon Nathan Brenholdt PRINCIPALS

Ashif Hakik ‘Wes Harris FORMAT QA Ryan Ramirez

Sam Bradley 3D ANIMATORS DeMarlo King Jamie Chu ACCOUNT COORDINATOR “ JonJay Montemayor Eric Ippolito Bryan Poon PROGRAMMING AND ‘SPECIAL THANKS INTERFACE ARTWORK BY Тот Gillan LIFELIKE PRODUCTIONS, Gerald Martin

INC. Jim Williams.

LEAD PROGRAMMER. Steve Williams. William Воһап

Z —2) ZIFF DAVIS MEDIA

ZIFF DAVIS PUBLISHING ING. Acting Chairman and СЕ0............................. Avy H. Stein Chief Operating Officer and Senior Executive Vice President .................. 1 Tom McGrade

President, Business Media Al Perlman

Executive Vice President and Publishing Director .......... Peter Longo (Business Media)

Executive Vice President and Editorial Director . + Michael J. Miller

(Editor-in-Chief, PC Magazine)

Senior Vice President, Business Development ......... | Beth-Ann Eason (Business Media) Senior Vice President (Circulation) ..................... Charles Mast Senior Vice President and Publishing Director ........... 1 Mitchell York (Business Media)

Vice President (Corporate Sales) . . Кеп Beach Vice President (Editor, eWEEK) . . „John Dodge

Vice; President... cs TET AR AAE T., 6. Barry Golson (Editor-in-Chief, Yahoo! Internet Life)

Vice President (Chief Information Officer) . .

Vice President * (Marketing, Integrated Solutions).

Vice President (Editor-in-Chief, eWEEK) Vice President (Technology) . ill Machrone Vice President (Controller) . David Mullen Nice President т СИ Michael Perkowski

«Kim Hoover Charles Lee

„Eric Lundquist

Vice President (Marketing, Business Media) . Tonia E. Ries Vice President (General Counsel) Carolyn Schurr Levin Vice Presidento ЕКОО БОСА АУ БЕКЕТКЕ RAN Dan Schwartz (Publisher, e Davis SMART BUSINESS)

Vice President. „Sloan Seymour (Publishing Dire

Vice President (Editorial Development) .......... Тот Steinert-Threlkeld Vice President (Game Group) .......................... Dale Strang Vice prasidest L... E u... от ES .Stephen Veith (Publisher, % Insight)

Vice President (Events) ...............................4 Scott Wolf President and Chief Internet Officer .............. „Wenda Harris Millard Ziff Davis Media

Vice President, Marketing . + Aimee D. Levine

Vice President, Operations and Product Management . . . . . .Paul S. Mealey

Vice President, Audience Development ................ Stephen Sutton Vice President, Advertising Sales ...................... Jason Young Chief Technology 0Оїсег............................ „Alan Bourassa Managing Director, Business Development ............ Greg M. Schwartz ZIFF DAVIS MEDIA INC.

Acting Chairman and СЕ0............................. „Avy H. Stein Chief Operating Officer... 5 Tom McGrade and Senior Executive Vice President

President, Business Media ............................. Al Perlman ШЕ onean and President ............. Wenda Harris Millard Executive Vice President and General Manager .........1 Mark Van Name eTesting Labs

Vice President and General Counsel .............. Carolyn Schurr Levin Vice President and Controller .........................| David Mullen Vice President and Chief Information Officer .............. Kim Hoover Director, Communications .........................! Elizabeth Estroff Director, International ............................ Christin Lawson Director, Creative $егүїсе$........................... Bobby Sutton Director, Business (Business Media) ................... John Dennehy

Directors, Manufacturing (Business Media) „Rhett Hall, Carlos Lugo

Director, Design (Business Media) Publishing Strategist

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PlayStation.

s, Inc. All rights reserved. Infogrames and the Infogrames logo are the trademarks of PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer ~ All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

Infogrames Entertainment S.A. SEA-DOO, XP, RX, SPX, LRV, and Rotax are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries, used under license to Infogrames, Inc. GTX is a trademark of Castrol Limited, used under license Entertainment Inc. Licensed by Sony Computer Entertainment America for use with the PlayStation’2 computer entertainment system. The ratings icon is a trademark of the Interactive Digital Software Association

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SEGAÍs registered in the US is a registered trademark о!

'eamcast logo age Station" and the SP

. PlayStation.O `

š "т ее ~ — Án epic adventure ж; с awatts you...

А New World.

elcome to a world unlike anything you've experienced before. One where your every footstep could have an

effect on the balance of nature — one where

creatures live and breathe around you. A world where animals have thoughts, feelings and personalities that you must learn to understand and influence. А world where lush, lavish meadowlands are as commonplace as dark, eerie towns. A world where a working food chain is in order — and you're in the

middle of it

А New Hero.

ever before has a videogame offered such depth andinnovation.

Herdy Gerdy's marathon adventure features unique gameplay

dynamies that are integrated within a vibrant world with its own delicately balanced eco-system and a rather unusual population. Herdy Gerdy's gameplay structure is based upon the reactions of the island's inhabitants to their environment and to one another. These reactions are numerous in their diversity. triggering a series of unpredictable and often amusing events! In order to become victorious, the player must learn exactly

what makes each animal tick, what they are afraid of, what they are physically capable of and ultimately how best to contain them in safety.

Gerdy cannot rely solely on his herding skills to manage the local

wildlife mon his travels he'll meet characters that may offer advice or even give him herding tools to make his task easier.

For example. the flute can be used to charm creatures and lead

them in a Pied Piper Style dance across the terrain, and the herding stick’s tinkling bells draw animals toward it like a

magnet. As he journeys across the island, Gerdy will

p also obtain new items of clothing that in turn bring new

b es such as jumping. swimming, climbing and

increased strength to move heavy obj ects.

In Stores

Febru ary 2002

“ап amazing-looking thinking-

man's game." =

Er A

`. 9 bus One of the most beautiful

games to ever grace a console...

and it’s got depth to match its ГЫ М ^

graphics.”

“This non-violent game is brimming with originality and innovation, and showcases some of the most fluid animation ever

seen in a video game.

“What a gorgeous game this is! Bearing a beautiful pastoral aesthetic bathed in a surreal, fairy-tale fantasy,

Herdy Gerdy is a delight to look at.”

`"...one of PS9` s truly next-generation

games."

"Every element in the game — from the largest hill to the smallest

individual flower — is indi-

vidually modeled, and the

attention to detail is exqui-

site.

“the game is highly innova- tive; it's also one of the most impressive docking videogames ever devel-

oped.. period.

EIDOS ль»

Games WiTH CHARACTER

HerdyGerdyGame.com

EVERYONE

Herdy Gerdy, Core Design, Core, the Core logo and related characters are all trademarks of Core Design, Ltd. ©2001 Core Design, Limited. Developed by Core Design. Published by Eidos Interactive. Eidos, Eidos Interactive, and the Eidos Interactive logo are all registered trademarks of Eidos Interactive, Inc. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. The ratings icon is a registered trade- mark of the Interactive Digital Software Association. All rights reserved.

segasports.com

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PlayStatioñ

NFL2K2.-

Frustrated Gamer

Hello, fine gamers at 0PM. 1 hope you are

all well, for | am not. | consider myself a

hardcore gamer. | love obscure titles and

old-school gaming. But recently | have been

extremely frustrated with the video game

society today—so frustrated that | have

compiled a list cleverly titled "Тһе 10 Most

Frustrating Things About Video Games.”

Here it is:

10. When a game is so short it lasts all but Quake III's load times.

9. When a crash during an extreme-sports game takes forever to recover from.

8. When a game is so $%!#ing difficult that even unlimited continues can't help.

7. When a game's box art is the only redeem- ing quality.

6. When conversions from lesser systems are full of glitches and bugs.

5. When people are buying great games only for the demos they come with.

4. When the Army Men series is more popular than Final Fantasy!

3. When only one DDR game is released here.

2. When the GT Force wheel is a "Limited Issue."

1. When two frickin' Spec Ops games are in the Top 10! Thank you for listening to my ranting. | bid

you good day.

EvilAlfie@aol.com

But Isn't the World Flat?

| have found an error in Final Fantasy VII, FFVIII, FFIX and probably a few other games. On the world map, going off the top edge brings you to the bottorn, and going off the left side brings you to the right [and vice versa]. At some point in each of those three games, the world you're traveling through is Shown as a sphere. But that's impossible, given the way the world map is. If you take a piece of paper and make two of the opposite edges meet, then wrap the resulting cylinder around to make the other two edges meet, you would find that the worlds in FFVII-IX are shaped like...donuts. Do you think Squaresoft will ever fix this?

Cotira569@AOL.com

Someone's got waaaaay too much time on his hands!

your September 2001 issue.

l first learned about this game when | pu! Summer 2001 Jampack and played the limite: through. | have to say | can't agree more with comment on the game. | have been trying tı it will be released, but most magazines don’ any release chart.

This game is about intuition and heart. I've k winner ever since my wife was glued to the

when the game with “the little boy and the lad As a past game artist [and current featur

art, both visually and emotionally, yet | strength is also in the subtle way it handles Yorda doesn't just run to Ico when he holds ош calls. Yorda urgently comes running when Ісі

ship between them and indeed the whole game become more complete with this fact. They need each other protective way. [Perhaps this was a gem you were holding back for our delight!)

Regardless, thanks for having the guts to put Ico on the cover and for putting the game into the hands of prospec- tive players on the November PS2 Demo DVD. 1 just ho

game players out there take the time to let themselves be |

drawn in. Wes Burian wburian(dpacbell.net

Ico really is a special kind of game, isn't it? You're right that the marketing surrounding Ico has been a bit quiet, but lately the game has been building up some healthy word-of-mouth ‘ buzz. As for the theory that Yorda is blind, well, it's just a theory. We didn't mention it in the feature because that thought never crossed our minds. Shortly after the September

issue came out, though, this “blind” theory began circulating `

around the Web. All of us here who've played the game don't really think that theory holds up. But it does point to y: another neat thing about Ico: You can add such a variety of dif- ferent perspectives and interpretations to the game. So let's hear some of your theories—tell us what you think is reall) going on in Ico. Send your e-mails to opm(aziffdavis.com, ani mark the subject line ICO IMPRESSIONS.