Issue 41, Christmas 2003
We spent a lot of time wondering whether we were doing the right thing putting The Sims Bustin’ Out on the cover. An OPS2 cover is a valuable thing, with every game maker hoping their title will appear on the front of the UK’s bestselling games mag, so we always try and choose very carefully.
The thing about The Sims, you see, is that it’s not for you. At least, that’s what the marketing people think. It’s not a gamers’ game, apparently.
We disagree. Quite a lot. We love it. We loved the original on PC and we love the fact that we can now play it on our PS2. We love that it’s online and we love creating characters and seeing what crazy ass stuff we can do with them. And while we will soon be back to the murderising, the racing, the jumping and the PES 3, we are looking forward to a long, cold winter of getting Johnny Opstwo out of his mum’s home and hooked up with a couple of hot young things. Don’t let yourself be pigeonholed into only liking certain types of games. Break free. Give The Sims a chance… You won’t regret it.
Oh, and enjoy the free preview magazine. We spent a lot of time arguing about the line-up, so make sure you tell us if we’ve got it right or not.
Have a great Christmas…
Richard Keith, Editor
Features
Central Station – A feature showing off all of PS2’s online capabilities besides games.
Ride the Lightning – The Suffering. As part of the feature, Tim Clark visits the West Virginia State Penitentiary in Moundsville – one of the most violent prisons in America, which was closed in 1995 due to the living conditions being so poor that the Supreme Court declared imprisonment there to constitute cruel and unusual punishment.
Ten Reasons Why You Have to Play SOCOM 2 – SOCOM 2: US Navy SEALs
Monthly Articles
Funny Nicknames – This month, everyone names their favourite thing about Christmas.
“But this is good!” – Replacing “Oh good gawd!” is the best promotional item sent to the magazine, which is a remote control car that has wheels on the top and bottom, so it can drive either way up. Between last month’s instalment and this one, we can consider this feature Running Gagged.
Previews
Headhunter: Redemption – “Headhunter: Redemption feels familiar. Whether it’s the game’s cinematic influences or the switch to a more violent style of gunplay, we can’t wait to play more when we preview it next issue.” Hot
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines – “Like its movie counterpart, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines is unlikely to bring anything new to the franchise but, at the same time, we don’t think it’s likely to embarrass Arnie too much.” Warm
Killzone – “Killzone’s early imagery will be a thing of the past once you get to play it next year. And it looks brilliant already… What will it be like in 12 months? We can only wait in open-mouthed anticipation.” Meltdown
Transfomers – “Transformers isn’t just going to be for the kids. Explosive and explorative action across huge levels means that fans of the original will get a great game and get to be Optimus Prime.” Hot
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence – “Castlevania: Lament of Innocence is a welcome overhaul for Konami’s venerable 16-year-old Vlad-battler, and sets the Castlevania series on course for eternal life.” Hot
Maximo VS Army of Zin – “On first inspection, Maximo VS Army of Zin looks like it’s offering up a much improved sequel. Whether it’ll suffer from the same lack of depth as its forebear is yet to be seen.” Hot
Mission Impossible: Operation Surma – “Although not as pretty as Splinter Cell or as smart as MGS, Operation Surma looks like it could be a thoroughly decent stealth shooter. There’s still work to be done, mind.” Warm
Alias – “So far so good. This is a great licence. Let’s hope the game doesn’t get too bogged down in trying to recreate the show at the expense of making the game work.” Warm
Forbidden Siren – “Forbidden Siren finally gets our undivided attention, and we quite like the idea of sightjacking. If the game keeps up the original ideas and avoids horror clichés it could be well worth a pop.” Hot
Kill.Switch – “While Kill.Switch’s look and premise feel a little generic, the potential of Namco’s arcade nous and Sony’s high production values should not be overlooked. This could be a killer…” Hot
LMA Manager 2004 – “LMA 2004 is looking smoother and smarter than last year’s version with more packed in and a much better match engine to boot. We’ll be lacing up our Predators for the full preview soon.” Warm
I-Ninja – “It isn’t as ambitious as Jak 2 or as polished as Clank, but I-Ninja is sneaking surprisingly close to the top tier of PS2 platformers. It we gave out black belts for lethal cuteness, this’d be first dan.” Hot
Updates for Rise to Honour, Richard Burns Rally, Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain, Arc: Twilight of the Spirits, Blowout, Muppets Party Cruise, America’s 10 Most Wanted and Nightshade.
Reviews
The Sims Bustin’ Out – “Bustin’ Out builds on the first Sims with a broader range of options, but the gameplay’s still an acquired taste.” 8/10
Roadkill – “Mind-shatteringly unoriginal it may be, but Roadkill is well worth getting stuck in to nonetheless.” 7/10
True Crime: Streets of LA – “Swings between gleeful brilliance and car-crash awfulness. True Crime is good, but by no means great.” 7/10
Eyetoy Groove – “It’s Eyetoy for God’s sake, and thou shalt not kick it in. But... it’s not the best use of the cam we’ve seen yet.” 6/10
Fame Academy: Dance Edition – “Abysmal, clueless version of a horrible TV series interpreted through the medium of dance. Avoid.” 3/10
Pop Idol – “A missed opportunity has been squandered on an average game that relies entirely on its franchise.” 5/10
WWE Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain – “We may have been cynical, but we can’t fault the quality. Brilliant if you’re a fan, but still fun if you’re not.” 8/10
Dynasty Tactics 2 – “War strategy with very complicated rules. Approach with caution (and a degree in ancient Chinese history.)” 6/10
Bloody Roar 4 – “It’s no match for Soul Calibur 2 but for fighting fans and completists, it won’t shame your collection.” 6/10
Need for Speed Underground – “Street racing + huge wodges of cash = fast, furious game that’s executed with filmic sheen. Simply irresistible.” 9/10
Total Club Manager 2004 – “Hugely playable management sim with an innovative link to FIFA 2004 that takes it to another level.” 7/10
Legacy of Kain: Defiance – “Elegantly-honed combat action and the power of telekinesis make Defiance the finest instalment yet.” 8/10
Secret Weapons Over Normandy – “It’s hardly a Blitzkrieg of gaming fun but SWON gets by on accessibility and lively pace.” 7/10
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – “If Woo-Ping Yuen were dead, he’d be spinning in his grave. This is an insult to the good name of the film.” 3/10
Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu – “Holy tedium, Batman! Average graphics and extra modes can’t save us this time. To the bargain bin!” 3/10
ESPN NFL Football – “Brilliant, and the first-person mode means it is different enough from Madden to make that matter.” 8/10
Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance – “Conveys the scale of its cinematic namesake, but some annoying faults ensure a decent meal for the lions.” 5/10
Celebrity Deathmatch – “It’s a promising licence, but wipe away the gore and Deathmatch becomes just another button-basher.” 5/10
Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup – “This could’ve been a cynical money-spinner, but it has been produced with real care. Potter fans will love it.” 7/10
Crash Nitro Kart – “A workmanlike karter that presses the right pedals but offers nothing in the way of innovation.” 6/10
Dancing Stage Fever – “Better tunes are needed next time or it’ll be laughed out of the club with its knickers tucked into its skirt.” 6/10
The Hobbit – “Endearing in many ways, and crisply presented. The Hobbit is built to a formula, though, and suffers for it.” 7/10
Jimmy Neutron: Jet Fusion – “A game for the younger end of the kiddie market, Jimmy offers just enough adventure for the young ‘uns.” 5/10
Bombastic – “An addictive puzzler that combines reaction gaming with sneaky strategy. Highly recommended.” 8/10
ESPN NBA Basketball – “Despite a pretty flawless execution, somehow there’s no wow factor here to blow you away.” 8/10
ESPN NHL Hockey – “This is a potentially impressive game that’s sadly ruined by a few easily correctable bugs. Shame.” 6/10
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 – “This is visually impressive but the cel-shaded graphics hide a shortfall of combat complexity.” 6/10
Whiteout – “Bottom-of-the-scale vehicles trying, and failing, to be interesting in a bottom-of-the-scale game.” 4/10
Grand Theft Auto Double Pack – “It couldn’t be screaming “Buy me!” any louder if it pointed a gun at you and screamed “Buy me!” into your ear. Buy it.” 10/10
Hardcore
The final instalment of Hardcore includes walkthroughs for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and Ratchet and Clank: Locked and Loaded, plus SSX 3, Pro Evolution Soccer 3, Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter, Dynasty Warriors 2 and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003.
Disc Content
Playable Demos
Pro Evolution Soccer 3
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds
The Simpsons Hit and Run
NHL Hitz Pro
Dancing Stage Fever
Ghost Recon: Jungle Storm
Kao the Kangaroo: Round 2
Jimmy Neutron: Jet Fusion
Scooby Doo: Mystery Mayhem
Super Farm
Hulk
Footage
Dynasty Warriors 4
Jak 2: Renegade
Mission Impossible: Operation Surma
Urban Freestyle Soccer
Destruction Derby Arenas
The Making of Jak 2: Renegade
The Making of Ghosthunter
Save Files
Auto Modellista
Enter the Matrix
Metal Gear Solid 2
Silent Hill 3
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter
Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner
Trivia
* I’ll be honest and admit that I’m not a fan of this issue’s cover, because the two women hugging each other while staring seductively at the reader has a softcore feel to it, appealing to horny teenage boys in a “girl-on-girl is hot” way. Then again, looking at this issue’s contents, it’s slim pickings for a cover-worthy game as most of the big Christmas releases were reviewed last month. Maybe The Suffering, or would that be too intense? Credit where it’s due though, “SOCOM all ye faithful” is a damn good pun.
* This is the final issue for both Paul Fitzpatrick and production assistant Claire Howlett. However, Fitz would continue to appear on a semi-regular freelance basis for the rest of the magazine’s run.
* Another iconic aspect of the PSOne demo disc makes the leap to PS2 this month, with downloadable save files.
* Kao the Kangaroo is on the demo disc well ahead of schedule, as at this time, it was a PC title released only in Poland (CD Projekt Red aren't the only game developers in Poland, you know.) The rest of the world didn’t get it until 2005, which is also when the other versions, including PS2, were released.
* According to this issue, Gran Turismo 4 Prologue was going to be a Japan-only release. Evidently, Sony changed their minds at some point.
* Here Comes the Pain is the only WWE game released during the magazine’s lifetime that didn’t make the cover (aside from Crush Hour, but that’s a spin-off, so I’m not counting it.) Ironic, since it's generally considered to be among the best in the series.
* Jimmy Neutron: Jet Fusion is not a racing game, even if the title makes it sounds like one.
* The Grand Theft Auto Double Pack is an odd one, in that re-reviews are few and far between for OPS2. In fact, this is the first one that’s not due to an updated re-release with additional content. Think of it as a retroactive 10/10 for Grand Theft Auto 3, because they felt embarrassed about underestimating the influence it would have on the videogame industry. That’s the most likely reason why it was reviewed, considering there’s no new content in either included game.
Quote of the Month: “We haven’t witnessed this level of MacGyver-ing since Richard Dean Anderson made a grenade out of an acorn.” Cold Winter being a darker-and-edgier MacGyver reboot is now my headcanon.
Cover price: £5.49
Page Count: 162
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