Issue 45, April 2004
Editor’s letter
From the spine to the Star Wars Battlefront feature on page 58 to the bits on the team on the left there, you’ll find a lot of stuff in this issue asking you if you’re a Star Wars or Lord of the Rings type of person. It’s a discussion that’s been raging round the office all month and now we want to know what you think. We really do. Even if it’s Rings.
Why? Well apart from settling some office scores (Clarky says no one cares about Star Wars anymore) we really want to know. We spend a lot of time wondering exactly what it is you want from a game and from this magazine. This is, after all, your mag and we want to make sure OPS2 is everything you want it to be.
With this in mind we’ve come up with a novel twist on the usual magazine questionnaire. For a start it’s in the magazine itself this year, not on a bit of black and white paper stuck inside. And – this is the best bit – it comes with the best prize any magazine has ever given away. And we mean ever. Head straight over to page 103 and you’ll see what I mean. And while you’re there thinking about being a character in The Getaway 2 or winning a new game every week for a year, make sure you actually take the time to fill in the form. There are more than prizes to win…
Richard Keith, Editor
Features
This Game Mashed Our Brains – Mashed. In addition to OPS2 themselves, three readers contribute as game testers.
Send in the Clones – Star Wars Battlefront. There’s also a leaked plot summary of Episode III (which is spot-on), and seven reasons why Star Wars is better than Lord of the Rings. Remember that short-lived rivalry?
Don’t Wrap It, I’ll Use It Now – Hitman: Contracts.
So… Who the hell are you? – This year’s reader survey. As an added incentive, there’s a whole load of prizes, the biggest of which is the chance to appear as a character in The Getaway: Black Monday.
Monthly Articles
Funny Nicknames – This month, everyone’s favourite Star Wars character, to tie in with Star Wars Battlefront. Dexter Jettster for the win!
Could Be a Classic – An original non-sequel gets some focus. This month, Dark Wind, a first-person fighting game that uses the GameTrak controller, which resembles a box with gloves on wires attached to it.
She’s Got Game – A column from Kirsten Kearney from the perspective of female gamers. This month, are girls rubbish at games? No, the real issue is that boys don’t encourage girls who show an interest and mock or patronise them instead. A serious point addressed in a humorous way.
Replay – Revisiting Ratchet and Clank 2 and ATV Offroad Fury 2, reader reviews for WWE Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain and Max Payne 2, cheats for Castlevania: Lament of Innocence, Max Payne 2, Final Fantasy X2, Stuntman, WWE Smackdown! Here Comes the Pain and Timesplitters 2, and walkthroughs for James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing and Manhunt.
OPS2 Investigates – This month, Jeremy and Adrian Heath-Smith give a post-mortem interview after being fired from Core Design and losing the Tomb Raider franchise following the poor reception of Angel of Darkness.
Back page list – This month, 11 things you never should have believed about gaming.
Monitor
Headhunter: Redemption – “We’re trying not to count our chickens, but currently the nice visuals fail to make up for some rather dumb gameplay and repetitive shootin’ action. Change and change quick, Headhunter. Or else.” Warm
World War Zero: Ironstorm – “Perhaps not set to muster up too big a storm, the fact remains that this is a nice looking shooter. Claustrophobic atmosphere and white knuckle combat should please those with trigger fingers come release day.” Warm
Fight Night – “Still on course to be the GOAT.” Boiling
Go Go Copter – “Go Go Copter looks like a refugee from PSOne when it should be screaming next gen. Add to lacklustre production values a less than thrilling subject and we’re not holding out for a 21st century Airwolf.” Tepid
The Suffering – “Adult ultra violence in a prison gone to hell? If Midway can keep the fight or flight gameplay taut throughout, then we reckon The Suffering has a very good chance of making it on the outside.” Hot
Riding Spirits 2 – “This is shaping up to be a respectable and comprehensive sim.” Warm
Firefighter FD18 – “An original take on the action genre but possibly a little limited.” Hot
Project Zero 2: Crimson Butterfly – “Project Zero was one of the most genuinely chilling videogames ever devised and the sequel looks set to extend that legacy. Creepy, thoughtful, enigmatic. The thinking person’s survival horror.” Boiling
Driv3r – “Driv3r is arguably the most ambitious game ever attempted on PS2. But although the physics and visuals are undeniably impressive, there’s a worrying lack of actual ‘game’. There’s still time, though….” Boiling
Van Helsing – “Van Helsing looks very much like a movie flavoured Devil May Cry clone. No bad thing but we’re concerned there’s not enough variety in the evil twatting to make this fly…” Warm
Red Dead Revolver – “There’s never been a decent Western on PS2. This makes us sad. Fortunately, against all the odds, Red Dead Revolver now looks like it might be good. This makes us happy. We’ve even put a new spittoon in the office.” Hot
Shellshock Nam 67 – “Is it okay to look forward to war this much? We can’t wait.” Boiling
Gran Turismo 4 – “On the strength of this playtest the fourth Gran Turismo is certain to be the purest, most unblinkingly realistic driving experience ever burned to silicon. The question is, can you handle it?” Boiling
Combat Elite: WWII Paratroopers – “Combat Elite should be fighting fit for PS2 – if it pulls its socks up.” Hot
Onimusha 3 – “Maybe you didn’t bother with the last Onimusha game. Hey, your loss. But for Christ’s sake make sure you don’t miss this one. You wouldn’t want people to start pointing you out in the street.” Meltdown
Burnout 3: Takedown – “Burnout 3 is the Stones to Gran Turismo 4’s Beatles. We’re convinced it’s going to be the fastest, dirtiest… hell, just plain nastiest racer on PS2. Bring it on.” Meltdown
Killzone – “Killzone feels even better to play than it looks – and that’s saying something. Super-sharp AI and a deeply satisfying arsenal are just a great beginning to what promises to be an incredible PS2 experience.” Meltdown
Area 51 – “Area 51’s got a solid premise so we’re cautiously optimistic.” Hot
Monster Hunter – “Weird, but also rather wonderful. We need to spend more time online to get a real feel for the gameplay but assuming you can ignore the slight whiff of beard, Monster Hunter could make a man of you.” Hot
Reviews
Rainbow Six 3 – “All this squad-based shooting should be getting a bit tired, but RS3 works the formula brilliantly, and arguably outfights SOCOM.” 8/10
This is Football 2004 – “A long way off the league leader in terms of playability, but it’s the best-executed online footie game, so worth a look if that’s your bag.” 7/10
Alias – “If it were a movie it’d be Die Hard 2. We feel guilty for enjoying it, but while it’s uncomplicated it doesn’t treat you like an idiot either.” 8/10
Tak and the Power of Juju – “Pleasant and harmless platformer that’s ever so polite, but lacks the bite and zip that makes Jak and Ratchet such firm favourites.” 6/10
Ghost Recon: Jungle Storm – “Only a marginal improvement on the original but a thoroughly enjoyable helping of shooter with plenty to keep you busy.” 7/10
Cabela’s Big Game Hunter – “Despite initial satisfaction in tracking down your prey, BGH is a little too one-dimensional to be worth hunting out.” 6/10
World Championship Rugby – “It’s slightly simplified but still a hugely playable and mildly addictive version of the sport of the moment.” 7/10
LMA Manager 2004 – “Without question, LMA 2004 is the finest football management game for PS2, but like all legends there’s still room for improvement.” 8/10
MX Unleashed – “A slow burner this one. Neither flashy nor instantly gripping, MX Unleashed gives up the goods the longer you play.” 7/10
Risk: Global Domination – “By going online, Risk undermines the usual gripes about console board games’ relevance. A great game given a decent rebirth for PS2.” 6/10
.Hack/Infection – “It’s by no means perfect but absorbing enough to make you forget you aren’t actually online.” 6/10
Pacific Theatre of Operations IV – “Details? Check. Worthiness? Check. But next time Mr Publisher, can we please keep in mind that it’s just a videogame?” 5/10
Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel – “The action RPG genre, such as it is, could do with a few less examples cut off the same block as Baldur’s Gate. Plenty to like here, though.” 6/10
Champions of Norrath – “Although a revamped Baldur’s Gate in all but name, this is still top notch console RPGing boosted by the four-player and online options.” 7/10
Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII – “Pretty incomprehensible to the casual observer and very slow paced, but dull looks conceal involving possibilities.” 5/10
Lethal Skies 2 – “By-the-book combat flight sim that screams ‘average’ from take-off to landing and is extremely uneasy on the eye.” 5/10
The Cat in the Hat – “A migraine-inducing below-average platformer. This is one cat that should in absolutely no circumstances be let out of the bag.” 2/10
Pitfall: The Lost Expedition – “Indiana Jones meets Crash in an average platform outing that’s squarely pitched at young ‘uns. Shallow but worth a look.” 5/10
Bad Boys 2 – “Slipshod shooter which keeps your interest for 15 minutes or so of repetitive blasting before its many faults make it almost unplayable.” 3/10
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – “Sadly the retro arcade battling soon becomes little more than endless button bashing. Leave these turtles in the sewers…” 5/10
Disc Content
Playable Demos
SOCOM 2: US Navy SEALs
Broken Sword: The Sleeping Dragon
R: Racing Evolution
Forbidden Siren
This is Football 2004
Final Fantasy X2
Firefighter FD18
Kya: Dark Lineage
Footage
Driv3r
Transformers
SOCOM 2: US Navy SEALs
Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain
Save Files
Ratchet and Clank
Ratchet and Clank 2: locked and Loaded
The Getaway
Onimusha 2
Trivia
* See that cover? This is a lovely cover, one of the best ones in my opinion. It’s a simple image, but a striking and iconic one, enhanced by effective lighting.
* This month’s new franchise is one of the biggest ones yet: none other than God of War makes its debut! First impressions describe it “Like The Mark of Kri with more Greeks.” From humble beginnings came one of Sony’s most valuable franchises…
* Games that would never be made today #6: Virtual board games. There are two reasons for this: Either it’s just the board game on a console, in which case you may as well play the real thing, or the game gets jazzed up to justify being a videogame, which more often than not overcomplicates things and causes the game to lose the appeal of its source material.
Quote of the Month: “You stupid idiot, you just murdered someone.” That’s an understatement, all right.
Cover price: £5.49
Page Count: 146
ABC Sales Figures: The figures have seen a minimal increase from the last 6 month period, suggesting that the Summer 2003 redesign had little impact. The readership hasn’t grown significantly, despite the attempt at going more mass-market, but any readers who did drop the magazine were at least replaced by new ones.
Jan-Jun 2003 – 188,079
Jul-Dec 2003 – 188,322 (Up 243)
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