Issue 20 (May 2002)

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.

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