Issue 98 (May 2008)

                                                                    Issue 98, May 2008

Editor’s letter
       I have a confession to make. Several years ago, when the first Lego Star Wars game appeared on PS2, I wasn’t a big fan.
       Alright: I thought the idea was daft and, in a review, I gave the game a bit of a kicking, saying it was too easy and full of cliches.
       Looking back, I can admit those criticisms were too harsh. Lego Star Wars was a bit of silly fun, and I was too much of an angry young man to see it. So, sorry.
       To atone for my error, the team and I have fought tooth and nail to bring you the biggest scoop on the new Lego Indy game that we can manage.
       You’ll find the glorious fruits of our labours on p48. And we challenge you to find a more action-packed preview anywhere else.
       Elsewhere in the mag, we’ve got the skinny on the new Hulk game, Yakuza 2, Iron Man and a review of the super-spooky Silent Hill Origins.
       It’s all the gaming goodness you’ll need to see you through the month!
                                                            Andy Hartup, Acting Editor

Feature
If adventure has a game, it must be… – Lego Indiana Jones

Monthly Articles
Mouth Piece – A staff member gives their view on a particular topic. This month, Andy asks if modern games are too easy.

The World According to Playstation – Various locations around a specific theme. This month, gangs.

Reader Reviews – This month, The Matrix: Path of Neo and Need for Speed ProStreet.

Your Game in Lights – Readers submit their own game ideas. This month, SFX League: Sonic Sound Team, a music competition against demons and ghouls to win a magic crystal and save the world.

The Level – Celebrating the PS2’s best levels. This month, Siberia from Alien Hominid.

The PS2 Games you Should Own – PS2 cult classics. This month, We Heart Katamari.

The Greatest – This month, furries.

Unsung Hero – PS2’s best characters. This month, Captain Qwark from Ratchet and Clank. I can think of at least four reasons he’s worthy: charming, sexy, brilliant, iron hard abs!

OPS2-O-Meter – Measuring games along a certain theme. This month, evil.

Quit or Retry? – This month, are games racially diverse? – Freelance writer Dave Harrison says yes, Kim says no. Another heavy topic, handled in a respectful manner.

Scene Stealer – PS2’s best scenes. This month, the bassist from Guitar Hero 2.

Where the Hell is? – Honourable mentions for the Hall of Fame. This month, Fur Fighters.

Brief History – This month, Star Wars again.

Collector’s Item – Gaming merchandise. This month, Final Fantasy potion drinks.

Great Game Ingredients – What goes into the best games? This month, God of War.

Top 10 – This month, disappointing games.

Playstation Workout – Get into a gaming genre through four games of increasing difficulty. This month, puzzle games. Easy – We Heart Katamari. Medium – Puyo Pop Fever. Hard – Bombastic. Killer – Lemmings.

Top Chumps – PS2’s worst characters. This month, Hermione from Harry Potter.

The Year in Playstation – This month, 2003. The Best – Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The Worst – Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Underrated – Worms 3D. Overhyped – Enter the Matrix. Forgotten – Ghosthunter. Never Again! – Mary Kate and Ashley: Sweet 16 Licensed to Drive.

Playstation Education – Demonstrating various examples of a certain item in PS2 games. This month, hands.

Split Screen – Playing a game two different ways. This month, Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude. Will you woo the cowgirl or the quiet girl?

Previews
Yakuza 2
Iron Man
Diabolik: Original Sin
The Incredible Hulk
Speed Racer
Ultimate Board Game Collection
Soul Nomad and the World Eaters
Hawx
Haze
Golden Axe
Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core
Boulder Dash Rocks!
SBK-08 Superbike World Championship

PS2 Reviews
Silent Hill Origins – “There are moments that’ll have you on the edge of your seat, but unwieldy combat and easy enemies takes away from the fear.” 7/10

Star Trek: Conquest – “Despite a budget price, Conquest still feels like a wasted attempt at Star Trek strategy. Fans and gamers deserve better than this.” 5/10

UEFA Euro 2008 – “The perfect accompaniment to the upcoming big cup and one in which England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland all have a shot.” 9/10

Samurai Warriors 2: Xtreme Legends – “A poor excuse of an expansion from a poor excuse for a sequel from an utterly knackered series.” 5/10

Singstar Summer Party – “A decent addition to your Singstar library, but Rocks! or Rock Ballads are better if you’re new to this karaoke franchise.” 7/10

Off Road – “The previous Ford games at least had some character, but this is dreadful. It’s too slow, too ugly and too pricey for what it is.” 3/10

George of the Jungle – “You’ll have to be a huge fan of the cartoon to get any joy from this. The slow pace and dreadful combat are just too hard to ignore.” 3/10

PSP Reviews
Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles – “Proof that Konami love us, this is a very generous thank you to fans and a great introduction for newcomers.” 9/10

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus – “Disappointing. Should have been a download – as it is, it simply gets us down.” 5/10

Off Road – “Lacks the spark of passion or layer of imagination that would have made it stand out.” 6/10

PS3 Reviews
Viking: Battle for Asgard – “Where you should feel like a Norse action hero, you only feel like a dumb meathead, and no amount of entrails can make up for that.” 6/10

Turning Point: Fall of Liberty – “Why would you play this when you have the Olympics of shooters on hand in CoD?” 3/10

Dark Sector – “Worth weathering the doldrums for the good bits, but don’t rush through or you’ll miss them.” 7/10

Disc Content
Playable Demos
Burnout Revenge
Need for Speed Carbon
Outrun 2006: Coast to Coast
TOCA Race Driver 3
Stuntman Ignition
WRC: Rally Evolved
Mashed
Juiced
Moto GP 3
Ferrari F355 Challenge
Formula One 2006
Micro Machines V4

Footage
The Making of the Spiderwick Chronicles

Trivia
* In the spirit of this month’s Lego Indiana Jones feature, the team are represented by Lego versions of themselves instead of the usual photos.
* This is the final issue for Sophie Mason.
* The Spiderwick video is the last new content on the demo disc. Speaking of which, it’s a shame it wasn’t on last month’s disc, or even better, a playable demo. It would have been a perfect fit there.
* The Manhunt 2 saga ends this month, as after two rejected appeals by Rockstar, the Video Appeals Committee overrules the BBFC’s decision to reject the second appeal. As a result, the BBFC were left with no choice but to approve the game for release with an 18 certificate.
* Gaydar: Daniel Gay’s reader profile is featured this month.
* I’m in this issue too! This time, I’m gushing over Tombi following Issue 96’s PSOne feature. I even received a copy of Sega Superstars Tennis hot off the presses on release day as a prize!
* San Andreas wasn’t released in 2003, and was one of the big Christmas blockbusters of 2004, so how about we pretend another game is the best of 2003 instead? Soul Calibur II sound good?

Quote of the Month: “Yes, it was a bit weird but that’s the appeal.” This excerpt from my letter was highlighted as the letter quote of the month, so I will do the same. I think I’ve earned the right to toot my own horn here!

Cover price: £5.99
Page Count: 114