Sunday, October 20, 2002

Review of Time Splitters 2 for Xbox     Publisher: Eidos     Developer: Free Radical     Genre: FPS     # Of Players: 1-4     A wacky time-traveling shooter if there ever was one, the original Time Splitters had a wild variety of unique psychos and while they provided a decent and entertaining multi-player mode, the single-player was extremely lacking.  Well, it’s two years later, and once again you are chasing aliens through various time periods in order to restore your history.  And while it has some of the best multi-player ever, it’s still lacking an entertaining one-player mode. Graphics: There is some great shot animation (you can literally make enemies dance if you shoot their feet), and I really like the great design of the levels.  Although filled with massive amounts of gunplay, the game is surprisingly bloodless (you can only blow body parts off of mutated zombies), whether that’s a plus or minus is up to you.  There are a large amount of characters, but many of them are literally palette swaps of other character.  And quite frankly, it suffers from the same problem as most games that are multi-platform, in that while everything looks good, nothing looks great. Sound: Music is fantastic, fitting very well in every single era.  Voices are kind of stale, and honestly in the one-player even though the main character is a guy, he often has very effeminate grunts when he gets shot, which is just weird.  The sound effects are great however; especially in multi-player you can hear the massive firefights going on. Gameplay: Ok, let’s make short work of the single-player since everyone else will.  The storyline mode is short and dull (I was halfway through it in about an hour then realized I was bored stupid and didn’t want to play anymore).  The challenge/arcade mode is interesting but ultimately either boring because it’s way too easy or extremely frustrating because you need to be an FPS god to beat the challenge.  But then there is the multi-player.  The maps are all really intricately designed; there are a ton of cool weapons (my personal fave being the dual tommy guns), but the targeting is a tad floaty.  I like that the tons of characters all have varying abilities, and that you can turn them off for a completely even game.  There are a huge variety of game types, and you can custom make your own maps, which is very rare in console FPS games. The bots in the game are really good even on the easiest difficulty level.  However, each map has a memory limit, which I think is just weak, especially on the Xbox. Features: Literally tons of modes to choose from one-player and multi.  And there are tons of characters to unlock, but unfortunately they all have to be unlocked through single player modes, which sometimes make it not worthwhile (do you really need 50+ different characters to choose from?). Funfactor: Ok, if you play games all by your lonesome, you won’t find much here.  But if you are all “Haloed” out, or looking for a quality multi-player shooter for PS2 and especially for Gamecube, this is simply one of the best multi-player games ever made for console, so do yourself a favor and pick this game up. --Final Scores— Graphics: 8.0-I really like the character and level designs (and especially the shot animation), but nothing looks that great and some of the characters really are palette swaps of each other. Sound: 8.5-Music is great, as are the effects, but the voice is just stale and sometimes very ill fitting.  Gameplay: 6.0-Multi-player is great, some of the best ever, but single-player just lacks any sort of punch. Features: 10-Just absolutely loaded with tons of modes and a mapmaker, which is really rare on console. Funfactor: 8.5-One of those rare games that is great on all platforms.  A desperately needed breath of fresh air on Xbox and Gamecube, and a really solid addition to the PS2 library as well. 11:14:36 AM    comment []

Review of Blinx: The Time Sweeper for PS2     Publisher: Microsoft     Developer: Artoon     Genre: Platform     # Of Players: 1     Microsoft tries to bring it’s own mascot into the platform genre with Blinx.  You are a basically a janitor of time.  You, along with hundreds of other cats (why cats? nobody knows) make sure every planet gets enough time to survive and keep that time in order (whatever that means).  But time bandits known as the Tom-Tom Gang steal time and sell it to other planets, and when they take over a planet with a princess that Blinx has a crush on, he goes off alone to save her planet and restore the balance of time.  Blinx has a really unique approach to it, as you can pause time, rewind, and basically do VCR functions.  But at the end of the day, it’s an interesting gimmick that isn’t nearly utilized to its full potential, and we are left with an interesting but ultimately unsatisfying experience. Graphics: What a mixed bag this is.  The cinemas look nice; but aren’t fantastic (and it’s pretty easy to do fantastic cinemas on the Xbox).  Blinx himself has a great look to him and animates very well, but most of the enemies (including the bosses) are very simplistic and some of them are just literally poorly animated blobs.  The levels have a nice distorted look to them, and some freaky acid-induced effects on the walls, but there is nothing going on in the cities, and there are no great little details.  And finally, the collision detection in the game is god-awful.  The trash I fire literally passes right through many enemies. Sound: Music is forgetful, there are no really cool effects, and there is no voice acting except in the cinemas (and Blinx makes a really annoying meowing sound often in the game).  The enemies make weird indistinctive sounds. Gameplay: Again, the collision detection in this game is awful, and there is no lock on, so it’s occasionally very hard to hit enemies, and except where they are absolutely needed, the time effects are completely useless.  They are basically a cheap gimmick that doesn’t really add anything to the game; it in fact just makes the game a ton easier.  The levels are also pretty short, which is good because you only get 10 minutes to finish each level, which is extremely stupid.  I hate time limits, they are just a cheap way to try and add challenge. Features: You can look at some Xbox previews, but other than that, it’s just the basics. Funfactor: This isn’t a bad game, but it is a gimmick game that doesn’t even come close to fully utilizing its very unique ideas.  It’s the only platformer game on the Xbox other than Munch’s odyssey, so if you only have an Xbox and are a little tired with Munch, this is an ok choice, but, again, this is one of those only pick up if you are bored and have nothing else to play games (and with Xbox having such a small slew of worthy titles, that might be a real possibility). --Final Scores— Graphics: 6.0-Levels look great, as does Blinx, but there’s no great details, and the enemies are poorly done and the collision detection is way off. Sound: 5.0-Music is forgettable, and effects are just plain lacking. Gameplay: 6.0-Time control is interesting, but gimmicky and ultimately doesn’t really add anything to the gameplay, and time limits are just stupid. Features: 6.0-You can look at some new upcoming stuff, which is cool. Funfactor: 6.5-Again, an interesting idea, but in the end, that’s all it is. 11:05:44 AM    comment []

Review of Sub Rebellion for PS2     Publisher: Irem     Developer: Metro 3D     Genre: Action     # Of Players: 1         Sub rebellion is a rather unique game, as I can’t remember the last time a game where you control a sub actually came out.  In it, it’s the future and now 2/3rds of the earth is covered by water and many people now live in underwater cities.  But the dominating and cruel Empire, which has a massive army, runs the sea.  You are part of a rebellion called The Alliance, and you are put in command of an experimental super-sub that may finally help turn the tide of the war.  While it may not appeal to everybody, Sub Rebellion is a solid and original action game that offers that rare unique experience that gamers looking for something new might enjoy. Graphics: Well, everything runs really smoothly, but that’s because nothing looks that good.  The submarines, choppers, and bases are all low color and resolution, as are the underwater levels.  The explosions look like they are from a PS one game. Sound: The effects are good, as you can hear enemy subs calling for help and such (although what they say doesn’t vary much) and you can really hear torpedoes whizzing by.  But the music is just odd.  It’s not bad, but it just doesn’t fit with the atmosphere of the game.  It’s too relaxed. Gameplay: Enemies are for the most part genuinely challenging, and you can buy new weapons for your sub.  But how about some new parts so I can go faster, have more shields, etc.?  The controls are thought out very well, but it does control just like a sub, and subs are awkward and clunky.  There isn’t a lot of variety in the missions, but all you wanna do is blow stuff up anyways so that’s ok.  I like that there is a good variety to the types of enemies you face, but it should be a little more clear on how to actually damage big bosses, because it usually takes quite a few tries to really figure out how to even damage many of them. Features: Other than being able to choose your difficulty, which I really think should be a basic feature of almost all games; there are just the extreme basics (I think you should get something cool for uncovering lots of treasure). Funfactor: Again, this game might not appeal to everybody (there hasn’t been a sub game for many years, there might be good reason for it) but it is a game that offers something new and different and doesn’t suck, so that should be reason enough to pick it up for those gamers who need a break from all those first-person shooters, rpgs, sports, fighting and racing games out there (hell even I occasionally feel there’s too many and I’m pretty picky). --Final Scores— Graphics: 5.0-Yeah, there’s no slowdown, but that’s because the graphics are just poorly done. Sound: 7.0-Effects are done very well, but the music is just weird and doesn’t fit. Gameplay: 7.5-Controls just like a real sub, for better or for worse, but genuinely challenging enemies and bosses is a nice touch. Features: 5.0-Very basic features (hidden subs, anyone?) Funfactor: 7.0-A solid action game that really offers something original so be sure to try it out if you’re tired of the same old games. 11:01:09 AM    comment []

Review of Ty the Tasmanian Tiger for PS2     Publisher: Electronic Arts     Developer: Krome Studios     Genre: Platformer     # Of Players: 1     I could start off by telling you that this is the latest attempt by a company to create a lovable mascot and desperately try and dethrone Mario or at least compete with him (let’s face it, only one to come close was Sonic, and now he’s on the same damn system).  I could start off by telling you that Ty is sounds a hell of a lot like that Crocodile hunter guy.  But what I am going to tell you is that Ty the Tasmanian Tiger is a cheap, poorly done blatant rip-off of Jax and Daxter, literally stealing almost every concept from that great game and doing it very, very poorly. Graphics: The cinemas are just ok, but have a good cartoony feel to it.  The in game graphics are just very simplistic with low resolution and stiff animation and just plain bland character and enemy design. Sound: The voice acting is solid.  The music actually fits the atmosphere of the game, but it’s not great.  The sound effects are appropriately cartoony and fit the game well, however. Gameplay: Ok, this is just a blatant rip-off of Jak and Daxter without the variety and humor.  You do various tasks to collect thunder eggs, which you use to locate magical stones.  The game plays just fine; it’s just that it is such a complete rip-off of Jax and Daxter that it’s just plain insulting.  I don’t mind borrowing, but there’s absolutely nothing worthwhile or notable here. Features: There are some really cool extras such a making of, looking at cinemas and an art gallery. Funfactor: Yes, this is a perfectly all right game, but the fact that it steals so blatantly from the best platformer on the PS2 gets it nothing but negative points from me.  I have no problem with stealing an idea here and there, but Naughty Dog should honestly sue for stealing this much from their great game, and not doing it nearly as well. --Final Scores— Graphics: 5.0-Cinemas are ok, but in game graphics are just low-colored and poorly textured and character design is bland. Sound: 7.5-Music, voices and effects are all pretty solid. Gameplay: 2.0-I don’t give points for so shamelessly copying another game. Features: 7.5-Surprisingly good amount of extras with art gallery, making of, and movies. Funfactor: 4.0-Just do yourself a favor and pick up Jak and Daxter.  It’s a much higher quality version of the same damn game. 10:51:23 AM    comment []

Review of Wild Arms 3 for PS2     Publisher: Sony     Developer: Media Vision     Genre: RPG     # Of Players: 1     Welcome to a throwback in more ways than one.  In an age where RPGs are almost all a mix of medieval fantasy and futuristic apocalypse, Wild Arms has a very unique wild west flavor to it.  The style of characters, the fact that everybody uses guns, and even the musical style sounds straight out of a classic western.  In it, you take on the role of a party of drifters, which are basically traveling mercenaries, who take on a quest to save the planet, which is slowly dying.  And although it doesn’t offer anything really revolutionary, Wild Arms 3 is a good traditional RPG with a very unique flavor to it. Graphics: Oh joy more cel-shading.  Luckily, this is one of the few cel-shaded games that has a great look to it.  The characters and enemies all have a great, detailed, and distinct look to them.  But honestly the areas don’t look all that great (they look fine, but their aren’t any good details and the towns aren’t very lively), and pixels do occasionally bleed into each other. Sound: No voice acting.  Effects work well for the game, but as in most RPGs, they are occasionally lacking (no running water.  The music is very well done and again, most of it sounds like it’s straight out of a classic western (although the theme song has a lot of Japanese influence and doesn’t really fit with the theme of the game). Gameplay: Very traditional turn-based battles but with a bit of an original engine.  Your guns technically have unlimited ammo, but a limited number of shots so you have to reload every few rounds which really adds to customizability.  There are no armor upgrades really or new weapons, but your guns are extremely customizable as you can add shots, power, etc.  My only major beef is the area map “sonar” you use to find things.  If I can find hidden things, that’s great.  But you need to use it to find every single town and maze, and it’s just annoying.  One town it took me over an hour to find, especially since places don’t appear until you are supposed to go there. Features: I like that you get to play the 4 main characters prologues in any order you want, but other than that, it’s just the extreme basic features for an RPG. Funfactor: Again, if you like your RPGs with new battle systems and revolutionary ideas (which is pretty much what every FF does), you won’t find much satisfaction here.  But if you are looking for a traditional RPG that’s actually fun and has a very original style to it (can you think of any RPG westerns?) look no further than Wild Arms 3, the best turn-based RPG of the year (of course, it’s only competition is Legaia 2 and Grandia Xtreme, both of which are fairly disappointing). --Final Scores— Graphics: 7.5-Great look and design of the characters and enemies, but there is occasional pixel bleeding and none of the areas look all that great. Sound: 7.0-Great music that really fits the theme of the game, but no voice acting. Gameplay: 8.0-Greatly done turn-based gameplay, but I hate having to use the extremely stupid sonar to find everything. Features: 5.5-I like that you can start from several different perspectives, but maybe they should’ve only had one per game, and there’s nothing else extra. Funfactor: 7.5-If you like traditional rpgs, add another point and go grab this game, it’s may be one of the last of a dying breed, but it’s a pretty good one. 10:43:03 AM    comment []