Issue 6 (April 2001)

Issue 6, April 2001

Editor’s letter

“You may see lame jokes, you may see overly-obscure references and you may even see the odd typo given I’m writing this the day before deadline, but what you won’t see is a rundown of what’s in this issue. Too many mag intros are wasted repeating exactly what you’ve (hopefully) read via a zillion coverlines plus our lovely contents and disc pages. It’s repetitive, it’s redundant, it’s a complete waste of…

Sod it. This issue is damned fine and I’m going to use possibly too much space telling you why – and not because we’re smug about it but because it answers some of the queries raised in your replies to Issue 2’s Reader Survey. In order then.

(a) We’ve gone to DVD-ROM. Technical gremlins meant we couldn’t this format from OPS2 #1 but it’s finally here, saucy case and all (as requested). This move means the playable demos you’ve all raved about will be getting more regular as the months go on – fans of Red Faction, Star Wars: Starfighter, Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec and, yes, Metal Gear Solid 2 should keep an eye out for the same thrills ZOE fans are experiencing now. DVD-ROM also means far better quality for our video footage plus a lot more of it, as this issue attests. Oh, and that’s playable DVD-ROM, not watchable DVD-Video so play it in your PS2, not in a stand alone DVD player.

(b) A few of you reckon that despite the likes of SSX, Timesplitters, Tekken Tag, Summoner et al, the PS2 doesn’t have any good games. Take a look at this issue’s reviews section for some real treats including cover star Star Wars: Starfighter, ZOE, Quake III and the destined-to-be-a-hit Sky Odyssey. Convinced now?

(c) The future. While PS2 remains very much a games console at heart, OPS2 has always looked ahead to a future of online gaming, Hard Disk Drive downloads, new game interfaces and stupid Bemani controllers. Our Spy section has been full of it since day 1 (and the Reader Survey says you lot out there like it) and this issue is no different with Sony’s deal with mobile phone giant Vodafone. Add that to our feature on e-distribution for a hint of what’s to come before Christmas.

(d) A message to the fella who said “Your magazine is the greatest thing since Eminem” – we love you.

(e) Keeping with Spy, yer man Sefton is now bugging developers hourly to satiate your cries for even more exclusive game news. A quick flick to Spy will exclusively reveal such new heroes as Herdy Gerdy, Evil Twin, Run Like Hell, Rune and – and this is a weird one – Manic Miner. Add to that our Sega feature and you’ll see it’s not just GT3 and Metal Gear Solid 2 that are whetting our proverbials.

(f) Well, there’s no (f) except to say that hopefully we’re giving you what you want. Let us know what you think via Postal or just drop us a mail at PS2@futurenet.co.uk. You never know, you could just change the way this magazine looks…

Especially if you say “Your magazine is the greatest thing since Eminem.”

Mike Goldsmith, Senior Editor

Features

OPS2 Interview: Jeremy Heath-Smith

Even Better Than the Real Thing: Tomb Raider wasn’t the only video game movie of 2001. This article offers a behind the scenes look at Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.

Under the Bonnet: Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

Where the Streets Have No Games: This is the e-distribution article mentioned in the editor’s letter. This article was actually ahead of its time in predicting digital game marketplaces like we have today.

The Lotus Position: Lotus Challenge

Dreamcast R.I.P.: A feature on some of the Sega games confirmed for PS2 after Sega abandoned the Dreamcast, including Crazy Taxi, 18 Wheeler, Space Channel 5, Virtua Fighter 4 and Zombie Revenge, although the PS2 version of Zombie Revenge was later cancelled.

Monthly Articles

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

30 Days in Tokyo – This month, a Parappa the Rapper café. I wonder if they serve Beard Burgers there.

The Grid – A head-to-head comparison of multiple upcoming games of a similar genre or theme. This month, celebrities in games.

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

The Ladder of Lust

Designer Genes – Readers write in with their game ideas and pitches. This month, Teen Spirit, which from the summary sounds a bit like Grand Theft Auto meets Psychonauts. The gangs have superpowers and there’s a talking dog, so you know this would be a good game!

Game Over – Oni. The shattered glass represents Konoko’s fractured psyche, according to the artist.

Previews

Onimusha Warlords – “Sold 850,000+ copies in Japan already. If this is anything to go by, it should do just as well in the UK when it is released.”

Formula 1 2001 – “It’ll make you work if you want to get the most out of it, but the level of detail gives F1 2001 a head start over the chasing pack.”

Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing – “Refreshingly, it looks as though Star Wars has finally grown a sense of humour and inserted a little self parody into a game.”

Pro Evolution Soccer – “Impressive aesthetics, the widest possible range of moves, fantastic player AI… How much better can the PAL code get?”

MDK 2: Armageddon – “MDK 2 looks both refreshing and highly playable. While it may not be the most original game, it plays solidly enough.”

Rumble Racing – “Rumble Racing won’t have the boys at Polyphony too worried – but the fresh take on the genre could bring in the xtreme sports crowd.”

Kuri Kuri Mix – “Insane looking, insane gameplay and possibly the first game to promote love and understanding between videogame characters.”

Reviews

Star Wars: Starfighter – “LucasArts’ first PS2 title is a mesmerising, 3D Star Wars blaster. Buy this game, you will.” 9/10

Zone of the Enders – “One of the best PS2 games we’ve seen so far and an absolute must for every console owner. Buy it now!” 9/10

Quake III: Revolution – “A bolt out of the blue but it’s a great surprise. We urge you to check it out. You will die for this game…” 9/10

F1 Racing Championship – “As comprehensive as any other F1 game to date, but while offering entertaining moments it remains a little less engaging than the competition.” 5/10

NBA Hoopz – “Easily the most enjoyable basketball game on the Playstation 2, but lacks the long-term appeal that a true sim can deliver. The choice is yours.” 6/10

Sky Odyssey – “Sky Odyssey gives flight sims a very good name indeed and there’s a wealth of gameplay to prevent the in-flight entertainment stalling.” 8/10

4X4 Evolution – “Boy racers in search of arcade thrills or sim fans lusting after the ultimate ride will both be disappointed. It has the spark but fails to fire on all cylinders.” 5/10

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2001 – “An enjoyable golf sim that will satisfy Pringle aficionados everywhere. Unlike Tiger himself however, it plays things just a bit too safe.” 6/10

Evergrace – “An ultimately depressing role-playing game, which fails to engage on any meaningful level.” 2/10

Robot Warlords – “Behind its slick visuals and involving gameplay, Robot Warlords is all frills and no thrills. A sadly tedious disappointment.” 4/10

PSOne Reviews

C-12: Final Resistance – “An action-packed look back at the PSOne’s best ideas, but way too generic as a whole.” 7/10

Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix – “Syphon Filter 3 is a long way off, so this beauty will keep you well entertained in the meantime.” 7/10

Toy Story Racer – “With classic power-ups, loads of challenges and a respectable two-player mode Toy Story Racer is a slice of the good cake.” 7/10

Panzer Front – “Lacking the building-blasting of Gun Griffon Blaze, but enables you to manhandle classic tanks. It’s fun and engaging stuff.” 8/10

Hardcore

More SSX maps, and hints and cheats for Shadow of Memories, Ready 2 Rumble: Round 2, Wild Wild Racing and Dynasty Warriors 2.

Disc Content

 
Playable Demos

 

Zone of the Enders

Dead or Alive 2

Footage

Star Wars: Starfighter (Both trailer and making-of feature)

Silpheed: The Lost Planet

G-Surfers

NBA Hoopz

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within movie trailer

The Making of Extermination

Voyage of Emotion: Anger – Some of the games included this time are Tekken Tag Tournament, Dead or Alive 2, 007: Agent Under Fire (which hasn’t actually been in the magazine yet, so a bit of an early bird cameo here) and Zone of the Enders, among others. Watch it here.

Trivia

·         Following several months of mostly duds up for review, the PS2 release calendar is finally starting to pick up, with 3 9/10 games this month. They’re also the first games since SSX and Timesplitters back in Issue 1 to score 9/10.

·         “If you go to www.evergrace.com, you’ll discover a site where you can have a personalised romance novel printed with your name in.” I tried this, and sadly, the site’s dead. Anyone else fancy having a go?

·         Starting with this issue, the demo disc switches from CD-ROM to DVD-ROM, which means there’s room for a lot more content. That content is limited to footage for now, however. We’re still in Stage 1 of the Demo Disc Lifecycle: Not many playable demos because the console is still new and getting full games out takes priority, but most of the demos are new.

·         Speaking of demos, this issue also sees them switch from CD cases to DVD cases, which would be used for most of the magazine’s run.

·         How many different Formula 1 games do we need? Seriously, this is getting ridiculous! At least the developer of F1 2001 stuck with the licence as everyone else moved on.

·         In case you’re wondering, Bombad is a Gungan slang term meaning superb or superior. So, Star Wars: Super Superior Racing, as named by the Department of Redundancy Department. According to Urban Dictionary, Bombad also means being sat on with a furry bottom.

Quote of the Month: “I am from a planet far, far away called YNOS. If it wasn’t for the PS2 our people and planet would have died.” The oddest letter sent in so far, courtesy of Dave Cherry.

Cover price: £4.99

Page Count: 146