Issue 18 (March 2002)

Issue 18, March 2002

Editor’s letter

Hey everybody. You’ll notice that there’s a new face at the top of this page. Gone is the sullen fizzog of Mr Mike Goldsmith (once affectionately referred to as “the fat Morrissey”) and in its place, the smiling, carefree countenance of myself, Mr Sam Richards. Don’t worry, I’m usually just as sullen, but the camera caught me on a bad day. I’m also waiting for the moment someone makes an equally disparaging remark about my own appearance. I’m there to be shot at…

The Playstation 2 hasn’t had much competition up until now, but you may have heard about the imminent release of two new consoles: the Xbox and the Gamecube. You may also have heard many people getting excited about these new machines. Most games industry pundits consider competition for PS2 to be a good thing, including ourselves – we reckon it can only lead to an improvement in the quality of games across the board. However, new console launches inevitably come accompanied by their own tornadoes of hype. Before any games are actually available to the public, debate tends to centre around statistics – the processing power of a particular console, how many polygons it can push around the screen, the capacity of VRAM – statistics that are generally so incomprehensible to the non-technical mind, they can be made to look very impressive without actually really meaning anything. Some spectators have therefore drawn the conclusion that Xbox and Gamecube will somehow render the ‘old-fashioned’ PS2 obsolete.

I’m here to reassure you. PS2 will be around for years to come, with the potential to outlast the new kids on the block. The reason? Games.

Sony has always made software a priority, and that’s why you can now walk into a shop and buy a quality PS2 game from any genre you choose. Want racing, there’s GT3 and WRC. Want futuristic, there’s Wipeout Fusion. Want adventure, there’s MGS2 and Devil May Cry. Want football, there’s Pro Evolution. Want cute, there’s Jak and Daxter. Yearning for more truly original videogame experiences? Then check out the reviews of Herdy Gerdy and the amazing Ico in this issue. Oh, and did I mention that all of these games are exclusive to PS2?

Now think of the type of games you’d like to be playing for the rest of 2002, turn to our release schedule on page 51, and peruse the delights that await. The day the line-up for any other games console surpasses this, we’ll be packing our bags. And we’ve got no plans to go anywhere.

Sam Richards, Acting Editor

Features

OPS2 Interview: Warren Spector

Generation Vexx - Vexx

Driving Ambition - Turok Evolution. Jester Interactive fancied a go self-publishing after developing successful games. Their first project as a publisher was Super Trucks.

Notorious BIG – EA Sports Big’s upcoming line-up, which includes Freekstyle and Sled Storm.

Monthly Articles

Character Assassination – Creating Frankenstein’s Monster as a videogame character. This month, the sickest extreme sports dude – Daxter in a snow plough. This should have been his kart in Jak X! Speaking of which, I’m still waiting for Naughty Dog to make Unkarted and The Fast Of Us, but they don’t use the word fun, so I’ll be waiting forever.

Pocket Heroes – This month’s cards are Ulala from Space Channel 5 and Mike Tyson.

30 Days in Tokyo – This month, a Gran Turismo tutorial DVD, and the green guy from Filthy Frank.

The Burning Question – Asking 5 questions to 3 industry figures. This month’s question: Is a console’s success decided by its killer apps?

Designer Genes – Readers write in with their game ideas and pitches. This month, Jamie Oliver Racing, a kart racer with Jamie Oliver riding trolleys around a supermarket.

What If? – This month, what if violence in videogames was banned? Tekken Tag, You’re It! actually sounds pretty fun.

Previews

Final Fantasy X – “The sprawling plot and hefty duration won’t suit all. But those who do indulge will be rewarded with opulent environments and mini-games.”

Virtua Fighter 4 – “A fighting game with brawn and brains, brought to you by the team that invented the 3D beat-‘em-up.”

ISS 2 – “Most game developers hope to make one good football game. Konami confidently hopes to make two.”

Blood Omen 2 – “We’ve seen quite a few third-person action-adventures over the years, but can the fangs of Blood Omen 2 inject new venom into the genre?”

Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force – “It might be a next-generation platform, but will this be a genuine next-generation title? May the Force be with it. Oh, sorry, wrong film.”

Shadow Hearts – “Looks like Final Fantasy, plays a lot like Final Fantasy, but has an unsettling, creepy darkness that sets it apart.”

Mike Tyson Heavyweight Boxing – “Is Codies’ fist-fest a fine example of the noble art or will it just leave you feeling concussed?”

Conflict Zone – “There’s no use in fighting a war if you’re not going to shoot straight. Unless, of course, you persuade the media to tell everyone you did…”

Soldier of Fortune Gold – “It’s not original, it’s not cutting edge, but Soldier of Fortune Gold has a red-raw playability that might just keep you hooked.”

Dark Summit – “An ambitious spin on the ‘value-added snowboarding’ genre that promises a lot, but is currently undermined by sluggish controls.”

Jade Cocoon 2 – “As good as the classic family movie Cocoon, or as bad as the movie Cocoon 2: We’re not getting any younger?”

Reviews

Herdy Gerdy – “An extraordinary game unlike any other on the PS2. It has to be seen and played to be believed.” 8/10

Ico – “For those who look for something deeper in an adventure game than violent thrills, this will be a spellbinding revelation and a game to savour.” 9/10

Maximo – “Capcom has taken some old ideas and given them a 21^st century buffing. The results make for an engaging helping of platform adventure fun with swords!” 8/10

Max Payne – “A classy, atmospheric shooter, with a dark storyline and heart-thumping battle scenes.” 7/10

Kessen II – “Truly gorgeous, but it’s a beauty that’s only skin-deep. Kessen II is fun, but it needs more game.” 7/10

Space Channel 5 – “On its own merits, Space Channel 5 is an imaginative and enjoyable gem. However with a sequel on the way you may do better to holster your ray guns for now.” 7/10

Resident Evil Survivor 2: Code Veronica – “Yet another wasted opportunity to do a really decent, scary first-person survival horror game.” 4/10

ESPN International Winter Sports – “Has a lacklustre and dated feeling. It’s not exactly the developer’s fault, but more to do with the uninspiring subject matter. S’no fun at all.” 5/10

Jonny Mosely Mad Trix – “Offers nothing new, exciting or enjoyable. Mad Trix deserves to be left out in the cold.” 4/10

Shadow Man: 2econd Coming – “Predictable action-adventuring with a sombre twist. Worth a try if you don’t really fancy any of the other big-hitters out there.” 7/10

The Shadow of Zorro – “Such a shame. What could have been an enjoyable, swash-buckling spin on the stealth-‘em-up has been rendered virtually joyless by poor execution and lazy graphics.” 3/10

Godai: Elemental Force – “The odd nice idea ruined by dreadful implementation.” 2/10

Iron Aces 2: Birds of Prey – “A good idea, but a disappointing game.” 4/10

Drakan: The Ancients’ Gates – “A medieval Tomb Raider-a-like, that’s all running and jumping and fighting (but with a dragon.)” 7/10

ESPN X Games Snowboarding 2002 – “It’s a thoroughly mediocre snowboard simulation – and that’s not enough.” 4/10

PSOne Reviews

Mega Man X6 – “Doesn’t try hard enough to be exciting. Don’t expect it to last very long.” 6/10

Final Fantasy VI – “Fantastic in its day and still great. Don’t let looks put you off, it’s a classic.” 8/10

Hardcore

Part one of a Max Payne walkthrough, and walkthroughs for Headhunter and last month’s Metal Gear Solid 2 demo, plus SSX Tricky, FIFA 2002, The Simpsons: Road Rage, Splashdown, Wipeout Fusion, Airblade, Cricket 2002, Legends of Wrestling, Dropship: United Peace Force, Evil Twin and Jeremy McGrath Supercross World.

Disc Content

Playable Demos

Herdy Gerdy

Half Life

Dynasty Warriors 3

Maximo

Drakan: The Ancients’ Gates

Godai: Elemental Force

Footage

Deus Ex

Ico

Stuntman

LMA Manager 2002

Ace Combat: Distant Thunder

Space Channel 5

Virtua Fighter 4

Final Fantasy Retrospective – This short video covers Final Fantasies VI, VII, VIII, IX and X, which were the ones available on Playstation at the time. Some of the earlier ones came soon after this video.

Trivia

·         As you will have already seen from the Editor’s Letter (again), this is the first issue for Sam Richards as editor.

·         This issue’s Herdy Gerdy cover is the magazine’s most infamous one for its badness (although despite the notoriety, it isn’t considered the absolute worst one). Later issues stated that they regretted not putting Ico on the cover instead, and in hindsight, a sinister pink bear stalking Jimmy Neutron in a tunic wasn’t a great choice of cover image. How did it get there? 1. It’s a very original game, so good on OPS2 for hyping that up, and 2. It’s from the creators of Tomb Raider, which is almost certainly the only reason anyone paid the game the slightest bit of attention.

·         OPS2’s recommendation to hold off on Space Channel 5 until the sequel would have been fine, if the sequel’s UK release wasn’t cancelled at the last minute, meaning we had to wait until the PS3 port a decade later before we could play it. I’m not bitter, honest!

·         Silly Jonny Mosley, Trix are for kids!

·         A risqué letters page this month, as David Turner sings the praises of playing games while off your face drunk, and Fran Eckard plays Strip Bomberman with her boyfriend, his friends, and her boyfriend’s dad. She also asks for a male counterpart to Lara Croft.

Give it a few years and your wish will be granted!

Quote of the Month: “It’s like the Secret Seven, only a bit more exotic. And better.” That’s one way of describing the Final Fantasy X party, all right!

Cover price: £4.99

Page Count: 146