Issue 20, May 2002
Editor’s letter
Last night, I pulled my copy of Rez off the
shelf and decided to play through it again. Once I started, I was immediately
seduced anew by the experience. Even though it’s a game that I had already ‘completed’,
I was thoroughly content to replay the levels with only a vague intent to
increase my high score and more of a desire just to relax and lose myself in
another world. Rez’s creativity and attention to detail in the fields of
music and graphics as well as gameplay means that it isn’t simply a sense of
achievement on completing a level that appeals. In fact, that sense of achievement
is arguably secondary to the general feeling of satisfaction gained from the
whole Rez experience, which is why I didn’t feel as if I was just
treading old ground when I replayed the game.
People who haven’t ‘got’ Rez have complained
that the game is “too short”. If that means it only takes a few hours to
complete the five levels, then they certainly have a point. But Rez isn’t
about completion and closure. I’ve found myself using Rez like I would use
a favourite CD or film, as something to come back to for a burst of escapism. You
don’t discard a good CD or DVD after one play, even though you can experience
all it’s got to offer sometimes in less than an hour. Your enjoyment of a film
or album can increase with repeated plays, so why not the same for a game?
Sure, there’s very little in the same category as Rez when it comes to
sensory fulfilment, but it’s something to bear in mind. If developers would
like games to become more like movies, why not consider how we approach great
movies from the standpoint of replayability?
Judging by our mailbag, there are plenty of you out
there who have issues with the length of some PS2 games. Rez is a name
that regularly crops up, and Metal Gear Solid 2 also has its share of
critics for the amount of time spent working through cinematic cut-scenes as opposed
to controlling anything yourself. Then again, there are equal numbers of you
willing to defend both of these games as the most amazing things you’ve ever
played. On OPS2, we like to applaud developers who can successfully
augment the challenges set by gameplay with a degree of emotional attachment
you might usually feel for a good movie. Thankfully on PS2 we have the choice between
the ‘new Hollywood’ of MGS2 or the near-infinite gameplay variations of
two-player Pro Evolution Soccer, as well as much else besides. Keep
writing in and let us know what you think on the subject.
Sam Richards, Editor
Features
OPS2 Interview: A double whammy this month, with Hideo Kojima and Mat
Hoffman.
The Great Escape – Prisoner of War
Racing Lines – Auto Modellista
Monthly Articles
Character Assassination – Creating Frankenstein’s Monster as a
videogame character. This month, the perfect rhythm action hero – Ulala from Space
Channel 5 accessorises with Parappa’s woolly hat and Crash Bandicoot’s
shoes.
Pocket Heroes – This month’s cards are Gitaroo Man and Tidus from Final
Fantasy X.
30 Days in Tokyo – This month, the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Media
Arts festival awards ceremony.
The Burning Question – Asking 5 questions to 3 industry figures. This
month’s question: Are developers still prepared to seek out new genres?
Designer Genes – Readers write in with their game ideas and pitches.
This month, Soopa Poopa Scoopa. Space Invaders gets a dog poo
themed makeover.
What If? – This month, what if PS2 games gave off smells? Grand
Theft Auto 3, Fantavision and any given tennis game would be
excellent in smell-o-vision. Any other suggestions?
Previews
Spider-Man – “Making a clone of the Neversoft Spidey games would
have been the easy option, but Treyarch has given this one a personality of its
own.”
Medal of Honor: Frontline – “EA’s decision to pile on the atmosphere
with Medal of Honor: Frontline makes it the most hardcore of the series yet.
We can’t wait.”
Smash Court Tennis Pro Tournament – “It’s not out until June and still
at an ‘unfinished’ stage. Which means only one thing: it could get even better.”
Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX 2 – “Plenty of promise, but also some cause for
concern. Pro BMX 2 needs more polish in order to challenge its benchmark
stable mate.”
Commandos 2: Men of Courage – “So far, it looks as good and plays as
well as the PC version. It also seems satisfyingly tough.”
Premier Manager – “Less stats, more face-to-face interaction. Is Premier
Manager’s approach to football management going to work?”
Rally Championship – “The battle for supremacy in the rally market isn’t
going to be pretty. So, what sort of chance does Rally Championship have?”
Britney’s Dance Beat – “It may not wow the State of Emergency demographic
but Britney’s Dance Beat is looking to be a fine and funky rhythm action
title.”
Red Card – “It’s football, but not as you know it. In reality, violence
is frowned upon. In virtual reality, it’s actively encouraged…”
Reviews
Final Fantasy X – “The Final Fantasy you know (and quite
possibly love) dressed up finer than you’ve ever seen it before.” 8/10
Deus Ex – “A triumphant multi-genre fusion that will leave you
shell-shocked in amazement. Buy it now!” 9/10
LMA Manager 2002 – “Sets the bar high for any football management games
to follow. It will be a tough one to beat.” 8/10
Blood Omen 2 – “A powerful story line is let down slightly by gameplay
that offers little originality. Blood Omen 2 is definitely enjoyable,
but we were hoping to get our teeth into something juicier.” 6/10
ISS 2 – “A solid arcade footy game. But with Pro Evolution Soccer on
the block who needs a new kid?” 7/10
Sled Storm – “Playing like a motorised version of SSX Tricky, this
is indecently enjoyable to play. It may not be original but its formula
is a winning one and you can’t knock quality.” 8/10
Super Trucks – “A full-on simulation of truck racing would have been
welcome, but this arcade interpretation lacks sophistication and is just too
tiresome.” 4/10
Grandia 2 – “An RPG of trade-offs. A big game, but poorly visualised;
interesting combat, but repetitive, rarely captivating gameplay.” 5/10
Conflict Zone – “Solid and functional, Conflict Zone does little
you haven’t seen before in an RTS, although media intrusion makes for a novel
twist.” 6/10
Lake Masters Ex – “Don’t be tempted by the price tag, this is like
being slapped with a wet kipper.” 2/10
Casper: Spirit Dimensions – “Tricky to start with, then fun for about
24 minutes.” 4/10
Eve of Extinction – “Some good ideas, but they just don’t gel. The end
result is a tedious, button-bashing trudge through the burnt-out shell of a
great game.” 5/10
All-Star Baseball 2003 Featuring Derek Jeter – “Highly detailed, very
playable and well worth a look for sport sim fans.” 7/10
Dune – “Just about the worst action/adventure on PS2. An inept take on
a decent story.” 3/10
Mad Maestro – “Thanks to innovative use of the Dual Shock 2’s analogue
buttons and a unique setting, this builds to a challenging crescendo. A fine
addition to the rhythm action genre.” 6/10
Top Angler 2 – “Actually reels in a few good fish amongst the old bikes
and wellies.” 5/10
Atlantis 3: The New World – “If you want something illogical and
frustrating, get a girlfriend instead.” 2/10
Mr Moskeeto – “Beyond the innovative game concept and neat control
method, Mr Moskeeto is a little limited. Would have suited a lower price.” 6/10
G1 Jockey – “Horse racing comes to PS2 at a steady canter rather than a
gallop. A veritable Grand National for the grey cells, this is nothing if not
intriguing.” 5/10
Panzer Front Bis (PSOne review) – “Even if you completed the original
game, don’t be afraid to shell out for this.” 8/10
Hardcore
Part 2 of the Metal Gear Solid 2 walkthrough, and a Herdy
Gerdy walkthrough, plus Rez, Capcom VS SNK 2, Paris-Dakar Rally, Fantavision,
Drakan: The Ancients’ Gates, Quake 3: Revolution, Parappa the Rapper 2, Maximo and
Madden NFL 2002.
Disc Content
Playable Demos
Final Fantasy X
Rally Championship
Space Race
Taz Wanted
Moto GP
Footage
V Rally 3
Blood Omen 2
Shadow Hearts
Barbarian
Downforce
Red Faction
Star Wars: Starfighter
The Making of Jak and Daxter
Trivia
·
Starting with this issue, the magazine’s price
increases to £5.49.
·
I’ll be honest and say that this issue has one
of my least favourite covers. There have been several ‘close-up of the main
character’s face’ covers by now, but the previous ones have done something more
interesting with it, like the last issue’s cover having the flaming background
for example, or issue 1 having a rougher, more stylised look to it. I feel that
this is a generic cover that doesn’t do Final Fantasy X justice, as
there is plenty of potential for a more unique, memorable image. The cover art for
the demo disc would have been lovely blown up for the magazine cover, and there
are plenty of other renders to choose from too. At least Yuna isn’t doing the
Dreamworks Face.
·
Acting Editor of the previous two issues, Sam
Richards, drops the acting part for this issue and settles in to the position
of full-time editor.
·
Another new franchise debut! This month, Ratchet
and Clank is introduced in some screenshots prior to the official unveiling
at E3 2002.
·
Eve of Extinction has one of the more
unique weapons on PS2 – the main character wields a lightsaber powered by the
soul of his deceased girlfriend. It turns out the Bionic Commando reboot
wasn’t the first game to do that!
·
Some loon texts in, “MGS2 would be better
if it had magical killer monkeys.” Hideo Kojima must have seen this, because
how else do you explain the Ape Escape / Metal Gear Solid crossovers in Metal
Gear Solid 3 and Ape Escape 3?
Hideo Kojima's interview in this issue makes him the first person to be interviewed for the OPS2 interview twice. The first time was in Issue 1.
Hideo Kojima's interview in this issue makes him the first person to be interviewed for the OPS2 interview twice. The first time was in Issue 1.
Quote of the Month: “There’s no chance of a random bloke trying to
stick his tongue in your girlfriend’s ear.” One of the benefits of Mat Hoffman’s
photo mode.
Cover price: £5.49
Page Count: 146
