Issue 99 (June 2008)

                                                                Issue 99, June 2008

Editor’s letter
       So here we are – the awkward 99th issue. With so much activity focused on delivering a cracking centenary mag here at OPS2 towers, you’d be forgiven for thinking we’d decide to take it easy the month before.
       But with Hulk, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Harry Potter, Star Wars and Alone in the Dark all stuffed into one issue, we’ve set the bar high for ourselves. Topping all this PS2 goodness with an even better Issue 100 is going to be a real challenge.
       One thing that’s going to be particularly tricky to top is our enormous Incredible Hulk feature. We had to get real angry with Sega for the skinny on that game.
       Similarly, Atari was reluctant to let us go hands on with Alone in the Dark, but after we threatened them with a flaming chair (For ‘flaming chair’ read ‘stern email’) they relented. You’ll find an in-depth report on p20.
       So, onwards to Issue 100, via an action packed Issue 99!
                                                            Andy Hartup, Acting Editor

Feature
You’ll only like him when he’s angry… – The Incredible Hulk

Monthly Articles
Google Fight – This month, King Kong beats King Arthur, with 13,700,000 hits to 6,620,000.

Mouth Piece – A staff member gives their view on a particular topic. This month, Kim explains why we need unlockables.

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

Reader Reviews – This month, SSX 3 and Scarface: The World is Yours.

Your Game in Lights – Readers submit their own game ideas. This month, Worldwide City Circuit. Despite what the name might suggest, you actually race around Europe.

The PS2 Games you Should Own – PS2 cult classics. This month, Shadow of the Colossus.

The Greatest – This month, battles.

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

Quit or Retry? – This month, can games teach us anything? – Andy says yes, freelance writer Dave Harrison says no.

Scene Stealer – PS2’s best scenes. This month, Travis remembers his dad in Silent Hill Origins.

Where the Hell is? – Honourable mentions for the Hall of Fame. This month, Makai Kingdom: Chronicles of the Sacred Tome.

Brief History – This month, Tomb Raider.

Collector’s Item – Gaming merchandise. This month, Viewtiful Joe action figures.

Great Game Ingredients – What goes into the best games? This month, Guitar Hero.

Top 10 – This month, OPS2 Facebook group discussions.

Playstation Workout – Get into a gaming genre through four games of increasing difficulty. This month, god sims. Easy – Thrillville: Off the Rails. Medium – The Sims 2 Castaway. Hard – LMA Manager 2007. Killer – Age of Empires 2: Age of Kings.

Top Chumps – PS2’s worst characters. This month, Tidus from Final Fantasy X. In case you’re wondering, the laughing scene isn’t mentioned once.

The Year in Playstation – This month, 2004. The Best – Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. The Worst – Miami Vice. Underrated – Silent Hill 4: The Room. Overhyped – Mortal Kombat: Deception. Forgotten – Final Fantasy XI. Never Again! – Catwoman.

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

Split Screen – Playing a game two different ways. This month, the first act of Tomb Raider, circa 1996 and 2007.

Previews
Alone in the Dark
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
TNA Impact
Dancing Stage Supernova 2
Guitar Hero Aerosmith
Williams Pinball Classics
Cid the Dummy
Dead Space
Mafia II
Ferrari Challenge
Everybody’s Golf 2
Secret Agent Clank
Buzz! The Master Quiz

PS2 Reviews
Iron Man – “One of the poorest movie tie-ins to date, Iron Man is ugly, tedious, boring and broken. No, we didn’t like it very much, and neither will you.” 5/10

Ultimate Board Games Collection – “An uninspiring collection that’s poorly presented and underwhelming to play. You have been warned…” 3/10

Doctor Who Top Trumps – “While we always enjoy a good Trump, we reckon there are more exciting ways to make a Doctor Who game.” 5/10

Soul Nomad and the World Eaters – “Far from the best effort from the NI stable but still a serious treat for fans of this plucky yet obscure Japanese dev. Worth a rental, at least.” 7/10

PSP Reviews
Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core – “FFVII convinced many people to buy a PS1, and Crisis Core is the game that will spur you on to buy a PSP.” 9/10

Coded Arms: Contagion – “Simple, repetitive gaming, that offers immediate fun, but very little real substance.” 6/10

Bomberman Land – “Although once a trusty friend, Bomberman is too old and tired to compete on PSP.” 4/10

PS3 Reviews
Grand Theft Auto IV – “The most involving, witty, well-rounded and goddamn exciting GTA ever.” 10/10

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue – “Needs to make serious progress if Gran isn’t to become an indication of age.” 7/10

Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan – “Japanese or no, the lush 17th century looks and stunning sword play will kiss your eyes.” 8/10

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 – 8/10

Disc Content
Playable Demos
Black
Timesplitters 2
Rainbow Six: Lockdown
Second Sight
Medal of Honor: Frontline
Ghost Recon: Jungle Storm
Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30
Metal Slug 3
Killzone
24
Conflict: Desert Storm
Return to Castle Wolfenstein
Rez

Trivia
* The page count is reduced again for the final two issues, this time down to 98 pages.
* Rez and Wolfenstein are two bonus demos, not listed on the demo page or sleeve.
* Gaydar: This month, Daniel Gay is in favour of video game movies, and also writes another poem.
* When the Dalek uses its special ability, it screeches “Exterminate! Exterminate!”, whereas the other characters let the robotic announcer handle it. That’s got to be worth an extra point, surely?
* Although Metal Gear Solid 3 was released in 2005 in Europe, it was released in November 2004 in America and December 2004 in Japan, so I’ll give it a pass.
* This must have been a quiet month for PS3, as Gran Turismo 5 Prologue was already reviewed in Issue 95, and Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan is a Japan-only import review (and also referred to as Yakuza 3 throughout.)

Quote of the Month: “The day you stop being able to have a giggle by messing around inside videogames, then sir, you may as well stop playing them all together.” Wise words indeed!

Cover price: £5.99
Page Count: 98