Issue 58, April 2005
Editor’s letter
You’ve just made the month’s best possible buying decision. You’ve just bought this magazine. Why am I so confident? Well, for a start OPS2’s got more pages than any other PS2 magazine. And more features. And more reviews. Also, we only run real first look exclusives. And real world first reviews. The same experts that review the games also write our regular tips books. And don’t forget, we’re the only PS2 magazine that lets you try the games before you buy, with an exclusive playable demo disc each and every month. It’s no wonder we sell 100,000 more copies per month than our nearest rival.
We’re not stopping, either. Over the next few months expect more secret new games for both the PS2 and the PSP, a load of massive world first exclusives, and demos of the PS2’s best that you don’t just watch, you play. We’ve also got a bunch of superb free gifts lined up, as well as money-off opportunities for the games you really want to buy.
Need even more convincing? How about the fact that a recent rival PS2 magazine hilariously managed to include just two reviews (this month we’ve got 19)? Or that another such pamphlet recently managed to find just two game previews (count ours, we’ve got 12). Pretend exclusives, recycled ideas, and ‘demos’ that you can’t play… dear oh dear. Keep it locked to OPS2 people; the best is about to get a whole lot better. And as for other PS2 magazines? Forget it. We read ‘em, so you don’t have to.
Stephen Pierce, Editor in chief
Features
Sex, Art, Death, Terrorism, Laughter, Suicide – Killer 7
The PS2’s Stupidest Cheats! – Some of my favourites include hats in Medal of Honor: Frontline, the nailgun in Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, playing as Indiana Jones and Han Solo in Mercenaries, and big head mode in Spider-Man. They don’t mention the cheat to play as Mary Jane, which is surprising considering that Mary Jane kisses herself at the end of the game if you use it. You’d think they’d be all over that.
Busted – A look at all the crime games coming over the next year, including The Godfather, Scarface: The World is Yours, Hitman: Blood Money and more.
31 Reasons Why You’d Be an Idiot Not to Buy a PSP – In addition to the reasons, which include a number of the PSP’s capabilities, there’s also a 24 hours with PSP timeline.
Are There Any Aliens at Area 51? – George Walter visits Area 51 to find out. There aren't any aliens, but there are plenty of cows, as well as intimidating guards with sniper rifles.
Monthly Articles
Funny Nicknames – This month, what was the last thing you did in the dark?
Could Be a Classic – This month, the psychedelic psychic platformer, Psychonauts.
Replay – Revisiting Ratchet and Clank 3, reader reviews for The Getaway: Black Monday and Conflict: Vietnam, an online review for Call of Duty: Finest Hour, and The Crib and The Boot Room.
OPS2 Investigates – This month, Are Pro Footballers Better at FIFA 2005 than you? A team of OPS2 readers take on four members of Fulham FC football team.
Back page list – This month, 9 simple steps to making a videogame sequel.
Monitor
Medal of Honor: European Assault – “There are several encouraging moves in the right direction for what used to be the best first-person shooter out there. The odds on Medal of Honor winning back its crown have definitely got better.” Boiling
Red Ninja: End to Honour – “Red Ninja will need more than a short skirt to please us.” Warm
Juiced – “The game’s been stylishly overhauled, but the core racing does feel essentially unchanged. No bad thing, but a lot of racers have passed the release finish line while Juiced has been getting its retune.” Warm
Worms 4: Mayhem – “Worms goes back to basics with comedy and creativity high on the agenda. The new ‘weapons factory’ is a brilliant idea, and we can’t wait to design more outlandish devices. Razor sharp footie boot, Sir Alex?” Hot
Destroy All Humans! – “Being a genocidal alien still rocks (obviously), but we’re also glad the developer has been given some extra time to ensure the gameplay matches the overflow of ideas.” Hot
Enthusia – “It would be easy to criticise Enthusia for its premature claims of Gran Turismo-beating realism, but we’re not going to. Konami’s racer is shaping up to be a more-than-decent driving sim in its own right.” Boiling
God of War – “Onimusha, Prince of Persia - even Devil May Cry – they’ll be mere memories once this one arrives, you mark our words. God of War is shaping up to run through the lot of them. Astounding stuff.” Boiling
Fahrenheit – “An interesting idea played out with cinematic gloss.” Hot
The Suffering: Ties That Bind – “Ties That Bind lays on the horror thicker than blood, and ramps up the atmosphere, too. This sequel is one that deserves recognition alongside shockers like Silent Hill and Resident Evil.” Hot
Conflict: Global Storm – “The fourth Conflict game is easily the most diverse and coherent in the series, and unless they drop the ball (or it explodes) then it should also be the best.” Hot
The Regiment – “The UK setting could lift this above other squad shooters.” Hot
Without Warning – “Beneath the familiar surface there are some genuinely exciting ideas. As ever, a huge amount will depend on getting the gameplay to feel right. But consider our interests aroused.” Hot
Reviews
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory – “A darker sneaking experience than MGS3, Chaos Theory is everything that was good about the last Splinter Cell, plus so much more” 9/10
Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening – “A worthy closer to the trilogy, and a return to form for Dante. Now, if he can just get some decent dialogue…” 9/10
Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 – “This is a deep, edgy shooter that will shred your nerves and test your brain power. Very impressive indeed.” 8/10
Playboy: The Mansion – “A real copy of Playboy magazine provides ample more filth and hiding it from your parents provides a lot more strategy.” 5/10
Champions: Return to Arms – “Champions won’t trouble your thinking box, but it might satisfy your blood lust. Rewarding and enjoyable, in a very simple way.” 7/10
Stolen – “Soulless and almost completely without originality, Stolen simply can’t compete with the games it tries to imitate.” 5/10
La Pucelle Tactics – “This game’s heritage shows its age in both the graphics and gameplay, but the series’ DNA is in place and still sturdy enough.” 6/10
The Bard’s Tale – “Not quite the fun-filled poke at the world of the RPG it wants to be. Spoilt by un-engaging gameplay and a script that lacks edge.” 5/10
Kao the Kangaroo: Round 2 – “A challenging platformer that can be a little too challenging at times. At 30 quid you’ll certainly get your money’s worth, though.” 7/10
Altered Beast – “Drab at best, Altered Beast does nothing you’ve not seen plenty of times before, and it does it rather badly. A true monster.” 3/10
Bujingai Swordmasters – “Bujingai is so obsessed with looking good – which it pulls off – that it forgets to be anything other than just above average.” 6/10
Rugby 2005 – “By uncovering the rapid excitement at the heart of the sport, Rugby 2005 has converted even us Pro Evo 4 fanatics. It’s just a shame that this isn’t as polished as it could be.” 7/10
Spy VS Spy – “Playing on your own is dreary, playing with others will leave you friendless – and the ‘hilarious’ attacks wear thin in minutes. Spy VS Spy simply isn’t worth investigating.” 3/10
He-Man: Defender of Grayskull – “The plastic toys that accompanied the cartoon are more fun to play with than this lame rubbish, and they’re more articulate, too.” 3/10
Energy Airforce Air Strike – “Slightly faster and more exciting than a paper plane. But not by much. Wise gamers with pounds in their pockets will surely take off with Ace Combat instead.” 4/10
Operation Air Assault – “Despite the fairly exciting premise behind it, Operation Air Assault is a game that’s remarkably devoid of any real excitement. Even at £15 it’s still not worth a spin.” 3/10
Fight Night Round 2 – “Enjoyable and engaging, but unlike last year’s instalment, Round 2 feels like it’s punching slightly below its weight.” 7/10
Eyetoy Antigrav – “There’s not much to it, but it’s still impressive and entertaining. We probably haven’t seen the end of this body-tracking idea for Eyetoy.” 7/10
Full Spectrum Warrior – “Full Spectrum Warrior is a great and original concept that’s only held up by the resulting game’s hugely repetitive nature.” 8/10
Disc Content
Playable Demos
Area 51
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Eyetoy Antigrav
Cold Winter
Constantine
Juiced
Ratchet and Clank 3
WRC 4
Jak 3
The Getaway: Black Monday
Trivia
* This issue has the most creative use of the hole cover variant, as Sam Fisher cuts through the cover using his shiny new knife.
* This month’s demo disc is the first one to have playable demos only and no game footage or other features.
* Gaydar: It’s been a while since we last saw Daniel Gay, OPS2’s most prolific reader, and to make up for it, there are two letters from him this month! The first is about the mud in Rumble Roses, and the second is a poem about generic enemies.
* The Predator: Concrete Jungle article says a that a xenomorph cameo is very unlikely. You’ll notice they didn’t say impossible…
* Area 51 isn’t the only jet-setting George does this month, as he also gets to go to an African desert to give a desert jeep a test drive.
Quote of the Month: “I’ve wanted to make a Lord of the Rings team on PES 3, but I’ve been held back by the lack of beards.” It’s only just occurred to me that not many professional football players have facial hair. Is there some sort of rule against it while they’re active players?
Cover price: £5.99
Page Count: 146
ABC Sales Figures: The sales figures don’t increase in the second half of the year for the first time, which means this is likely the point where we’ll see a steady decline. That said, the reduction is only half as much as the previous sales drops, and the figures are still very high.
Jan-Jun 2004 – 177,450
Jul-Dec 2004 – 172,593 (Down 4,857)
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