Issue 70, March 2006
Editor’s letter
You don’t often get a second chance in this business. (Well, that’s what HR keep telling me.) So it was with some trepidation that we took delivery of this month’s cover game Driver: Parallel Lines. After the Driv3r debacle, nothing less than a ballsy return to form would do. Our unflinching verdict starts on page 74, but of course you can also sample the game for yourself thanks to the shiny majesty of this month’s disc. For my money, Parallel Lines is a significant improvement on its predecessor – but the problem is that the open-world crime genre is now so competitive, that it inevitably struggles to feel truly special. For a real reinvention, perhaps we’ll have to wait for PS3. Which segues us nicely into this month’s ‘Phoenix from the Flames’ feature. We drew up a list of the forgotten PSOne classics we’d like to see rebirthed on next-gen. But rather than just speculating wildly, we tracked down the original development teams to find out what they wanted to see. The imminent (and long overdue) release of Dragon Quest has also forced us to rethink our position on the stats-‘n’-swords scene. From page 38 we detail the most exciting RPGs heading to PS2 in what promises to be a bumper year for orc fans. Elsewhere you’ll find exclusive reviews of Commandos Strike Force and Outrun 2006: Coast to Coast, the first ever shots of Mortal Kombat: Armageddon and hard info on Reservoir Dogs. Oh, and if you simply can’t wait, spin to page 22 where we reveal who’s really voicing Lara in Tomb Raider: Legend. (It’s not who you think.) Exclusive review and massive demo next month. We’ll call it a date, shall we?
Tim Clark, Editor
Features
We Heart RPGs – A feature on the RPGs coming to PS2 in 2006, including Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, Kingdom Hearts II, Final Fantasy XII and plenty more.
Playstation Phoenix from the Flames! – OPS2 return to some dormant PSOne franchises such as Colony Wars, Nightmare Creatures and Fear Effect to assess the possibility of a PS3 revival, as well as asking members of the original development teams how they would like to see the games use more powerful hardware. There’s even a look at some of the PS2’s more obscure games too.
First you get the money, then you get the power, then you get the women – Scarface: The World is Yours
Monthly Articles
Funny Nicknames – This month, what era would you most like to visit?
Could be a Classic – This month, Samurai Champloo: Sidetracked, the tie-in game to the popular anime. Cult favourite SUDA51 was involved in its development.
A Brief History – Retrospectives of some of PS2’s most popular franchises. This month, WWE.
Replay – Online reviews for Call of Duty 2: Big Red One, Ratchet: Gladiator and Star Wars Battlefront 2 and what the other mags said about 24, TOCA Race Driver 3, We Heart Katamari and Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure.
OPS2 Investigates – This month, “Okay... so you want me to hang from a bridge for longer than Solid Snake?” OPS2 writer Joel Snape is tasked with a series of tests to beat PS2 characters at their own game, including carrying a body up flights of stairs, hanging from a bridge by his fingertips, and competitive pizza eating. This is one of my favourite instalments of this feature!
Endgame – Game endings. This month, all three endings for Fahrenheit.
Monitor
Fight Night Round 3 – “The best boxing game around has gone up a level. Superior graphics, more realistic action, a bile-spitting new rivalry mode and, as if all that isn’t enough, this time it’s online.” Boiling
Field Commander – “It might sound like chess with tanks but this is compulsive, brainy stuff. Word is the game will miss its March release date, which should give time to fix the few niggles with the presentation.” Hot
Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams – “Onimusha reborn has thrown away the series’ appeal.” Tepid
Football Manager Handheld – “Sports Interactive tells us that it’s trying to make Football Manager Handheld ‘The perfect game to play while having a dump.’ If what we’ve played is anything to go by, it’s time to stock up on the Andrex.” Boiling
Splinter Cell Essentials – “This is deep, satisfying and perfectly adapted. It’s so well designed it feels like it was always meant to be this small. We haven’t been this excited about a PSP game since Liberty City Stories.” Boiling
Dance Factory – “A dance game with an unlimited track listing sounds incredible. In practice, though, we fear the PS2’s memory may be stretched too far. There’s still a little time to perfect the recognition software though…” Warm
Talkman – “Embarrassing factor aside, Talkman’s an amazing achievement and surprisingly fun to mess about on. It won’t beat a phrasebook, but we’re looking forward to having a go on the Euro version.” Hot
Ape Escape 3 – “Entertaining but familiar ape-chasing action.” Warm
Pilot Academy – “It’s always interesting to see a new genre on PSP, and Pilot Academy delivers enough variety and depth to keep planespotters sated. An injection of personality wouldn’t go amiss, though.” Warm
Urban Chaos: Riot Response – “It might have a made-for-TV feel compared to Black’s triple-A Hollywood sheen, but this is still shaping up to be a quality shooter. Its fast, rewarding gunplay and sharp looks mean you have the right to get excited.” Boiling
Yakuza – “Sega’s latest has the looks and the action to match. We’re just hoping that the game doesn’t lose any of its appeal in translation, because it could end up being a real corker.” Boiling
PS2 Reviews
Driver: Parallel Lines – “Improves on its predecessor, but still marred by frustrating design. A strong second half showing prevents it from being a write-off.” 7/10
Outrun 2006: Coast to Coast – “A handsome looking and crazily addictive arcade racer remake that’s only limited by its overly faithful take on the ‘80s original.” 8/10
Zathura – “A charmless adventure that’ll make little Jimmy more violent than a 20-hour San Andreas session. Avoid like Truth or Dare with the in-laws.” 3/10
Sega Classics Collection – “A shoddy collection of oldies that could have been so much better. It’s only rescued by Space Harrier and the still-superb Columns.” 5/10
Jacked – “The fact it’s a budget title doesn’t excuse Jacked’s dated graphics and tired gameplay. Motorbikes shouldn’t feel this tame.” 4/10
Karaoke Stage 2 – “You can probably pick up a couple of Singstars for the same price, and they let you ogle Beyonce when you’re hungover.” 6/10
Commandos Strike Force – “Commandos has greatness in its sights, but it can’t overcome the strong opposition offered by Call of Duty 2 and Black.” 7/10
Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows – “Enjoyably frantic, brief and basic. Gauntlet is showing its age but still offers a decent few hours of mindless maiming.” 6/10
Drakengard 2 – “Repetitive and just plain boring, this is the gaming equivalent of writing your weekly shopping list. Put us down for some dragon burgers please…” 4/10
Devil Kings – “A poor man’s Dynasty Warriors. The hacking and slashing remains the same from the first minute in and never introduces any real variety.” 5/10
Trapt – “A kinky maiden luring unsuspecting men into her vicious trap? It’s exactly what mother warned us about, and wisely avoided.” 4/10
FIFA Street 2 – “You can produce flashier football in PES and FIFA without having to hit ten buttons. Think about that before buying Street 2.” 6/10
Rugby 2006 – “Don’t bother if you own the last edition of Rugby, but give it a try if you don’t – you’ll be scrumming like a pro in no time at all.” 7/10
Tak: The Great Juju Challenge – “This platformer should be applauded for trying something original. There’s plenty of crossover with previous Taks, and enough new features to keep the series fresh.” 7/10
Dora the Explorer: Journey to the Purple Planet – “Its flaws prevent it from being anything special, but Dora’s inoffensiveness and general charm means Mum can pick a copy for a couple of hours’ peace.” 5/10
The Plan – “A half-hearted approach, crap graphics, terrible speech and soul-destroying repetition sully what should have been a quality game.” 4/10
Project Zero 3: The Tormented – “It’s not perfect but it is creepy. The mix of investigation and scares easily outweighs the clunky controls and occasional lulls in the action.” 7/10
King of Fighters 2003 – “Up against the likes of Soul Calibur III and Tekken 5, KOF 2003 is like a pensioner furiously waving a walking stick, telling you to get away from his bins.” 4/10
Pac-Man World 3 – “Not an awful game by any means, but one totally devoid of anything to recommend it. You’d have more fun with the super-addictive original Pac-romp.” 4/10
Namco Museum 50th Anniversary – “A decent retro package for folks who like that sort of thing. 14 games is a bit stingy but at least six of them remain endlessly playable, especially the timeless Pac-Man.” 5/10
Ford Street Racing – “One of the best budget driving games available, offering comprehensive options and quality racing. You’re still better off with a second-hand Burnout, mind.” 6/10
PSP Reviews
Tokobot – “It’s good to see developers trying something new but this is more of a solid template for a sequel than a top game in its own right.” 6/10
Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max – “Swamped with characters and modes, Alpha is a fine example of how good golden oldies can be when revived in miniature.” 8/10
Mega Man X: Maverick Hunter – “Mega Man’s slow, limited range of movement and attacks make this a frustrating play that never comes close to being fun.” 4/10
Breath of Fire 3 – “An archaic yet charming RPG, Breath of Fire III is the sort of gaming popcorn that tastes plain but keeps you munching anyway.” 6/10
Exit – “A stylish puzzler, whose slightly unwieldy control system and inevitable repetition are the only minor spanners in the works.” 7/10
Lemmings – “A puzzle game that ranks alongside Bust-a-Move and Tetris, Lemmings is ideal for PSP play. One reservation? It’s an old game and should really be a budget title.” 8/10
Key of Heaven – “Key of Heaven is an action RPG with a couple of genuinely good ideas, but they’re lost in a flurry of game-hobbling annoyances.” 5/10
Frogger: Helmet Chaos – “A frustrating, repetitive adventure. The unforgiving controls are the only reason the simple action is any challenge at all.” 5/10
FIFA Street 2 – “If you’re looking for a new football game on PSP, then Street is the friendliest option. Cane it past the urban stylings, and it’s a blast.” 7/10
Disc Content
Playable Demos
Driver: Parallel Lines
We Heart Katamari
Commandos Strike Force
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness
Drakengard 2
The Sword of Etheria
Footage
Key of Heaven
Sly Cooper and the Gang in: Goodbye My Sweet, Part 2
Trivia
* There are two variant covers this month, one 1970’s themed cover and the other is set in the present day.
* It may have taken a while, but this month Tim Clark is finally promoted to Editor.
* A photo of PS2 spelled in game boxes is met with derision: “Why don’t you try a house of cards-style construction? But it must be at least waist high to impress us. Preferably illuminated, too.” In a later issue, a photo was sent in of exactly this.
* As well as the games mentioned earlier, the RPGs feature also includes Grandia III and Radiata Stories, two games that weren’t released in Europe, and Code Age Commanders, which never left Japan.
* Sadly, Fear Effect is to date the only dormant series from the Phoenix from the Flames feature to have since gotten a revival. Technically, Doom and Duke Nukem did as well, but those franchises were still active at the time, even if they weren’t on PS2.
Quote of the Month: “The end result feels like arriving at a sumptuous restaurant only to discover the key ingredient in the Lobster Bisque is the chef’s piss.” Was not researching the menu first part of The Plan?
Cover price: £5.99
Page Count: 146
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