Issue 1 (December 2000)

 Issue 1, December 2000

 

Editor’s letter

“You’re not stupid, you know what this is all about. It’s about technology allowing us to dive deeper. It’s about the beginnings of a unique form of entertainment, where stories, characters and emotions merge with breathtaking visuals. It’s about imagination, ingenuity and vision. It’s about being free to play, watch and experience an unimagined level of gaming. It’s about potential not polygons, emotions not glitter and you, not anyone else. It’s about Playstation 2 - and that says all of the above, and so much more.

                Friday, 24 November sees the launch of what Sony is rightly calling the future of home entertainment. Yes, it’s a games console – that’s the reason we’re here in the first place. But that’s only the beginning of what it is. From the immediate possibilities (like scanning your facial features into a game) to a future where games, movies and music are beamed directly into your front room, Playstation 2 is poised to transform mainstream home entertainment into something bigger. Something better.

                There’s a world of possibilities out there, and you’re going to need a guide. That’s where we come in. Every issue, we’ll showcase the best of the now with our definitive reviews of today’s hits. Meanwhile, exclusive previews and news reports will unleash the games of tomorrow, while our unrivalled features will take you behind the scenes with the future’s stars. Along the way, we’ll be interviewing the industry’s top creators, and charting the many courses Playstation 2 may take. DVD reviews will show you the new digital worlds Playstation 2 is touching, and as new technology arrives, we’ll be there with the lowdown before it hits the shelves. Guaranteed.

                But this is about your experience, and that’s where a certain blue platter comes in. Unlike any other magazine, Official Playstation 2 Magazine’s exclusive demo disc will allow you to check out the games you read about. Featuring the latest playable demos, plus video footage of the hits of tomorrow, we plan to expand the disc’s capabilities with movie trailers, show reports, interview footage, music videos and more. Other magazines just talk about games. We let you play the games for yourself.

                In-depth reviews, breaking news, intelligent features, hardcore tips, insider information, playable demos… Official Playstation 2 Magazine is your official guide to everything Playstation 2. Read our words, look at our pictures, and by all means let us know what you think. But most of all, breathe in the heady aroma of possibility. Folks, we’re going somewhere here.

                Just a game console? Yeah, right.”

Mike Goldsmith, Senior Editor

Features

OPS2 Interview: Hideo Kojima

Gran Turismo 3: The Sound & the Fury – This article is on the sound design of Gran Turismo 3, and the recording of the engine noises for the game’s featured cars.

Orient Express – An article on the Tokyo Game Show.

Who D’you Think You’re Looking At, Sunshine? - The Bouncer

The House That George Built - Star Wars: Starfighter

The Journey Begins – This feature serves as an introduction to PS2, including a timeline, technical info, peripherals, console options, first impressions from the general public and more.

Behind the Scenes – The process behind acquiring the Official Playstation 2 licence and the planning stages for the general direction of the magazine. Notable for also including a few pages from an unreleased test magazine made as a sales pitch.

Monthly Articles

The Beautiful Game – Stealing bits from other games and mashing them together to make the ultimate super-game. This month, football.

30 Days in Tokyo – This month, Aibo the robot dog and Pikachu cupcakes.

5X5 – Asking 5 questions to 5 industry figures. This month’s theme: Videogame music.

The Ladder of Lust – Ranking PS2’s female characters. Lara Croft is number 1. Oh come on, you could at least pretend to be surprised. This article is written with tongue firmly in cheek, unlike the later Would You Have a Go On?, which played the idea straighter.

Game Over – Tekken Tag Tournament. This month, Jin’s arcade ending is given the back page artist’s treatment.

Previews

Gran Turismo 3 - "So, how good's GT3 looking? From the rave above you might think, "Very good indeed." And you'd be right...

Wipeout Fusion - "Wipeout Fusion is currently 70% complete, but should be speeding towards the finish line in early 2001." (With the benefit of hindsight, you'll want to add an extra year to that estimate.)

Dynasty Warriors 2 - "Swordplay and hordes of enemies have wowed us so far, as have the intense battle systems. But will longevity let the side down?"

Dead or Alive 2 - "Fighting fun doesn't come much slicker or in-your-face than the Dead or Alive series. Now its on the PS2 with added tag action!"

Red Faction - "It's over half a year away and Red Faction already looks immaculately presented. With the physics stable, they'll now be working on the game."

Ephemeral Fantasia - "Ephemeral Fantasia is keeping its bigger innovations close to its chest, altough the unique method of narrative steering is evident even now."

7 Blades - "Even at this relatively early preview stage, 7 Blades looks to be impressively fluid - and indecently fun to play."

Moto GP - "Virtually complete apart from conversion, Moto GP is looking fast realistic and highly playable. Every bit the game we expected it to be."

Reviews

Tekken Tag Tournament – “Tekken Tag is fantastically playable despite the bare-faced cheek of pretending to be something it clearly isn’t. Undeniably brilliant – but it could’ve been so much more…” 8/10

Timesplitters – “Timesplitters is a fun, frantic and inventive first-person shooter that every Playstation 2 gamer should buy. Yesterday.” 9/10

Ridge Racer V – “Ridge Racer V will please as a launch game, but it’s just not as good as you thought it was going to be. Lack of originality and unforgivable graphical failings mar a great game.” 7/10

SSX – “If Playstation 2 ever needed an advertisement, SSX is it. Slick, speedy and extremely addictive.” 9/10

Smuggler’s Run – “A launch game that looks how you expect a PS2 game to look. Impressive both graphically and technically, and, most importantly, extremely good fun to play.” 7/10

Ready 2 Rumble: Round 2 – “A great ‘pick up and play’ title, but it can’t compete for long-term thrills with the likes of Tekken. Mind you, Tekken won’t have you wetting yourself with laughter.” 7/10

International Superstar Soccer – “What appears to be a simple title reveals itself to be a brilliant kickaround. A warm up for the potentially ace ISS Evolution, but still a fine game in its own right.” 8/10

Silent Scope – “A welcome respite from heavier PS2 fare. The gameplay may be of the ‘lite’ variety, but Silent Scope walks the thin line between frustration and progress with grace.” 8/10

ESPN X-Games Winter Snowboarding – “Realistic snowboarding with novel touches. Won’t melt the digital winter sports community, but rewards those prepared to look beyond the initially bland demeanour.” 6/10

Orphen: Scion of Sorcery – “A disappointing action RPG that doesn’t have enough to satisfy adventure fans, and is short of the depth that hardcore role-playing gamers demand.” 4/10

Gradius III & IV – “Fans of the series will probably enjoy this, but it’s numerous failings will ensure Gradius III & IV is of minority interest only. A waste of time, really.” 2/10

Madden NFL 2001 – “Easily the best sports sim so far on Playstation 2. Packed with options, pumped-up with addictive gameplay and draped in outstanding visuals. This game demands respect.” 8/10

Fantavision – “Thanks to its modest size, Fantavision isn’t quite a must-own game. Even so, you really should consider it – just for its original concept and playability.” 7/10

ESPN International Track and Field – “A disappointment. The capabilities of the PS2 called for something bigger and more original, but what we get is a polished package devoid of any meaty substance.” 6/10

Wild Wild Racing – “WWR is a fine, if not immediately accessible, off-roader. Give it time, and you’re highly unlikely to come away dissatisfied.” – 6/10

Aqua Aqua Wetrix 2.0 – “A great first puzzle game for PS2, and at a tempting price. A vast improvement on previous incarnations, but the concept could be taken a little further yet.” 7/10

Midnight Club – “Although it’s tempting to be blown away by slick graphics and speed, Midnight Club feels dated. Not awful, but the PS2 can do much better.” 4/10

PSOne Reviews

Tomb Raider: Chronicles – “It’s tricky to keep ideas fresh after five outings, but new development blood has kept Tomb Raider at the top.” 10/10

Medal of Honour: Underground – “Deeply atmospheric, Underground could be described as merely a mission pack, but it’s just as exciting and immersive to play as the first game and should be described as a grande Victoire.” 9/10

Incredible Crisis – “This kooky game is the sort you’ll get out after a night on the pop to show your mates. After the initial novelty of the bizarre levels wears off, you probably won’t be back very often.” 6/10

Spyro: Year of the Dragon – “With new characters, moves and sub-games, it’s plenty big enough to occupy you for days. If we ever gain a platform game on PS2 that can match it for fun it will rock indeed. Spyro 4, anyone?” 9/10

Hardcore

A guide for Tekken Tag Tournament, as well as cheats and tips for Ridge Racer V, Silent Scope, Ready 2 Rumble: Round 2, Smuggler’s Run, ESPN International Track and Field, Gradius III & IV, Bust-a-Move 4 and Wild Wild Racing.

Disc Content

Playable Demos

International Superstar Soccer

Wild Wild Racing

Footage

Ready 2 Rumble: Round 2

Dead or Alive 2

Tekken Tag Tournament

Moto GP

Gran Turismo 3

EA Sports Reel (Includes Madden NFL 2001, NHL 2001, F1 Championship Season 2000, Knockout Kings 2001, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2001, FIFA 2001 and NBA Live 2001)

Trivia

·        - This first issue has a different logo. PS2 is written in huge letters above the magazine title. The giant PS2 is gone starting from issue 2.
 *      - The Spy news section includes info on Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness (post-launch DLC levels, which ultimately didn’t pan out), Driv3r, and Silent Hill 2, and what seems to be an early version of the EyeToy.

·        - Tekken Bowling is given a mini review as part of the main Tekken Tag review, and scores 7/10. How has Tekken Bowling not been released as a separate downloadable game yet? Get on it, Namco Bandai!

·        - The DVD reviews include Pokemon: The First Movie, which I mention because seeing a Pokemon review in a Playstation magazine is pretty surreal to me. It scored 3/10, in case you’re wondering.

Quote of the Month: “I once visited a nightclub where the bouncer looked very fierce. Luckily, he opened the door to let me in.” Tetsuya Nomura reminisces on his inspiration for The Bouncer.

Cover price: £4.99

Page Count: 178