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PlayStation 2 Software Synopsis
rubbadubdub writes: "OK, so the cat's outta the bag with the PS2 but SEGames is continuing their
coverage and for those of you that were able to actually get a Playstation2, they've done a complete
round-up of all the current games, which might be worth an Xmas list
placement or not. It seems as though the launch titles, bar a couple of
exceptions, aren't all that."
Finally, a chance to get it off my chest...
Smuggler's Run has been ingnored by some (including this page) and dissed by others as useless, but it's the most compelling game I've played in a while. I finished it a couple of days ago, and my life seems emptier now.
Before you give up, this isn't a game review as much as an observation on gaming.
Smuggler's Run is an off-road car game; you bounce all over the hills and dales while avoiding myriad cops. The game has little by way of extras; there's no finishing movie, the intro movie is perfunctory at best, and the graphics would have looked only average on a Playstation One. However, the game itself is ridiculously addictive.
Remember all the Crystal/Design Design games on the spectrum? This is like that. It's designed with the gamer in mind, not the dolt who's more impressed with pretty graphics. When you restart the game, you start immediately. None of that crappy 360-circling views; you press (X) and you start. Similarly, there's nothing to delay the advance to the next level.
When I play a game, it's a game. I'm not being lara croft, I'm guiding a bunch of pixels around the screen. No matter how realistic the graphics get, that'll always be the case, and I'll always be aware that that's the case. I don't care about pretty graphics, fancy sound effects or end-of-level movies. I just want a good game.
To encapsulate: Review Smuggler's Run, You bastards. It's great.
If you're going to post a halfassed "story", at least do it right.
Many gaming sites, like IGN have full PS2 launch game overviews, and they at least aren't forgetting games like Ridge Racer V or Tekken Tag Tournament. The newsworthiness of this story is, um, sketchy at best.
...for FAR better coverage of the PS2 launch games (that's right everybody, it's called PS2, NOT PSX2, nor PS/2. Just plain PS2).
It's amazing that this is what passed for SharkyGames' PS2 "coverage". A large number of games were just plain left off the list (Armored Core 2, Midnight Club Racing, Dynasty Warriors 2, Ready 2 Rumble Round 2, Smugglers' Run to name a few). The reviewer also seems to be confused as to which games were out at launch and which came out later (such as Nascar 2001). If we're going to include recently released games, why not include Gradius III/IV, Fifa 2001, Super Bust-a-Move, Theme Park Rollercoaster, etc.)
For those of you who have obtained a PS2 (hooray for camping out at WalMart the night before launch!) and are unsure as to what to get, here are my reccommendations:
-SSX: Everyone seems to agree that this is probably the best launch game out there. Buy it/rent it and you'll see why.
-Madden/Fifa 2001: for the sports fans out there, these games are great.
-Super Bust-a-Move:Yeah, it looks childish, but good grief is it addicting! A puzzle game that's the latest in a long series, you can't go wrong with this one. Girlfriends/fiancees/grandmothers/people who've never seen a console before can pick this one up and become addicted, quickly I might add.
-Tekken Tag Tournament: Great fighting game, lots of extra fighters to unlock, and once you unlock the Bowling Mode (you heard me right), you'll do more bowling than actual fighting. Too cool.
-Dynasty Warriors 2:Imagine a 3D clone of Final Fight with strategy elements and a morale meter, set in 2nd century China. You can have up to 40 other characters on screen at the same time, shortly before you whupp the tar out of them, that is. Oh, and plowing through the ranks of the enemy on horseback, bowling enemy soldiers over left and right is just a little too fun...
-Theme Park Rollercoaster: Umm, Sim City meets Roller Coaster Tycoon, only you can wander your creations in 3D and even ride your coasters. Prepare to lose some sleep.
Games to watch for in the coming months:
-Gran Turismo 3: All I can say is: wow! If you've seen any of the gameplay movies from this upcoming racing game, then you've begun to witness the future of driving simulations. It's eerie how lifelike the replays look.
-Zone of Enders (Z.O.E.): Should be hitting the US lat 1st quarter. Think to yourself: Neon Genesis crossed with a bit of Gundam Wing and Escaflowne. Oh, and it comes with a playable demo of Metal Gear Solid 2. Yowsa.
-Metal Gear Slid 2: Sons of Liberty: If you haven't played MGS for the PSX or the PC, do yourself a favor and do so. Then go watch a trailer for MGS2 and try not to drool on yourself.
Just my $.02.
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I wish I had a kryptonite cross, because then you could keep Dracula and Superman away.