 "Driven by a storyline of considerable depth, Airblade melds objective-based missions with trick-oriented gameplay. The game tells the story of Oscar, an employee of the GCP Corporation who discovers how to create a perpetual energy source. The company however, stands to lose a lot of money in the lucrative oil market and Oscar is subsequently abducted. Shortly before his capture, Oscar gives his prototype hoverboard -- the Airblade -- to his friend Ethan, who must now set out to rescue his friend. The game's story mode requires the player to complete various objectives such as destroying security cameras or subduing guards. An arrow leads you to the next objective, though traversing the many miles of in-game terrain requires deft control of the hoverboard, as Ethan leaps across rooftops and glides over obstacles. Levels are timed and all objectives must be completed within the time limit or else the entire stage will need to be replayed. Cut-scenes are used to move the story along. A Score Attack and Freestyle mode are available in addition to others which are unlocked by completing the main game. Multiple players can compete in a variety of disciplines, one of which is the Ribbon Tag mode. Players must find a ribbon hidden within the stage, and once found it gradually lengthens. Players must steal it from each other and the person with the most steals is deemed victorious. A show-off mode rates players in a number of categories as they attempt to perform as many combos and grinds as possible. Whoever comes out on top in the majority of categories is declared the winner. An eight-player elimination mode also exists in which players are given turns to accumulate as many points as possible in the allotted time limit. After each round the person with the lowest score is eliminated until only one player remains. |
 "Capcom combines classic street-racing gameplay with highly-stylized graphics in Auto Modellista. While cel-shading creates a distinctively cartoonish look, the believable physics and rich detail are designed to drive this game far beyond standard Saturday morning fare. Players can choose a car from a number of licensed Japanese manufacturers, including Honda, Mazda, Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and others. Once a favorite car is selected it's time to hit the streets, for organized competition or pick-up dragging. Winning players earn the opportunity to upgrade their cars by adding new parts and kits. Like the cars themselves, the game's urban areas are all modeled after real-life locations in Japan. To offer more extensive enjoyment of Auto Modellista's distinct look, players can enter a special "VJ" mode to enhance their replays with camera angle cuts, special effects, and music. |
 "FlatOut 2 continues the demolition racing series with a number of enhancements over its 2005 predecessor. After selecting a vehicle from a choice of four classes (muscle, sports, pickup, and compact), players will compete against seven AI opponents that possess individual driving styles and personalities. The heart of the game is the championship mode, where the object is to enter multiple cup races, win cash prizes, and unlock new events or vehicles. Each track features an assortment of jumps, ramps, signs, alternate routes, and buildings to crash into while engaging in high-speed collisions with rivals. New stunt mini-games are available in FlatOut 2, sporting the same twisted takes on daredevil driving as in the original game. Instead of jumping across objects or navigating through obstacle courses, the aim in each of the 12 events is to propel the driver out of the windshield and into (or onto) various targets. Players can also enter their vehicles in six demolition derby arenas, where the last car left sputtering is declared the winner. Tournaments, stunt challenges, and individual races are supported online via broadband connection for up to six drivers. |
 "Freedom Fighters offers a blend of strategy and action as players fight to reclaim New York City from Soviet invaders. After winning the Cold War, the Soviet Union launched a nuclear missile at Washington, D.C., killing the President. Soldiers then started flooding across Canadian and Mexican borders to establish control in each of the largest U.S. cities. Cast in the role of a New Yorker whose brother was kidnapped by the Red Army, players must solicit and then lead a group of ragtag freedom fighters to accomplish various objectives. From an underground base in the sewers, players plan out their missions using a turn-based system. Once on the streets, the action takes place in real-time as players fight using such weapons as machine guns, grenades, and Molotov Cocktails. As players capture key military installations and rescue prisoners, their character's charisma rating will increase, thereby helping the recruiting process. Yet as players send fighters into battle and experience casualties, their charisma rating will diminish. Battles take place within evolving environments marked by rain, snow, billowing smoke, and explosions. Up to four players can battle it out on a split-screen. |
 "Rockstar Games' cornerstone Grand Theft Auto series returns for a third run through the 128-bit generation, with this violent, mature-themed third-person shooter and mission-based driving game. Set in the early-'90s gang culture of "San Andreas," a fictional U.S. region modeled after California, the adventure plays out across the entire virtual state, with action centered in its three main cities: Los Santos (based on Los Angeles), San Fiero (San Francisco), and Las Venturas (Las Vegas). Like its immediate predecessor, Vice City, San Andreas strives to provide a wide, deep foundation for its free-form criminal gameplay by setting the story in a slightly exaggerated representation of a familiar (if not glorified) American subculture. As Vice City seemed inspired by Miami Vice, and the pastel-decked, "me generation" ideals of the early '80s, San Andreas is set in a time and place suggested by films like Boyz N the Hood, Menace II Society, or Colors, where riots eventually brought a whole city to a halt and awakened new consciousness across the country. Players take the role of a young man named Carl "C.J." Johnson, who thought he had escaped the gangland lifestyle by moving away from his Los Santos home. When his mother is murdered, he returns to the neighborhood of his childhood, only to become embroiled with threats and danger from all sides. Because of his family and friends who remained in Los Santos, he's considered an enemy-on-sight to rival gang members. Even worse, perhaps, the corrupt local law enforcement frames him for a crime he did not commit. To clear his name and save his family, C.J. sets out on a long journey that will lead him all across the state. More than any earlier GTA game, San Andreas features strong elements of role-playing and character development, encouraging players to customize their version of C.J. as they play through his adventure on their own terms. Unlike the protagonist of GTA 3, or Vice City's Tommy Vercetti, C.J. isn't really working for some underworld organization or crime boss mastermind -- he's out to take care of himself and his own family. He is not driven by the immediate promise of wealth or promotion; his goals are far more personal. He must steer the direction of his exploits, to follow them to a satisfactory end. Also in the theme of giving more control over the lead character's development, players will take care of C.J.'s day-to-day needs. Food presents the easiest way to replenish lost health, so when he is hungry, he'll need to eat -- perhaps at one of San Andreas' fast food chains, like "Cluckin' Bell" or "Burger Shot." If he doesn't eat enough, C.J. will become thin and weak, but too much fast food without any exercise will cause him to grow fat and slow. Players can also choose the clothes that C.J. wears, and have him get customized tattoos. C.J. has to come up with any money he needs for these things on his own, however, since there won't always be some boss character waiting to pay him off as he completes his missions. One way to scratch up some quick cash is by robbing homes at night. When he jacks the right kind of van and puts on his ski mask, C.J. enters a stealth mode, and is more likely to be able to sneak into a house, nab some valuables, and head off to the local fence before the residents even wake up. Overall, San Andreas is in the same format and style that won millions of fans for GTA 3 and Vice City, but it features a number gameplay adjustments and improvements. In addition to C.J.'s stealth mode, he can also swim; a wrong turn off the pier will no longer result in an instant trip to the emergency ward, and if all else fails, the protagonist may even be able to evade pursuers by taking a quick dip. The game's targeting system has also been adjusted. Using triggers and both analog sticks (à la Manhunt), players take more complete control of C.J., and can have him run and strafe, change targets, and shoot in almost any direction, even while moving in another. The special edition package includes a 30-minute prequel to the game and a documentary feature. The prequel offers more background information about the game's main characters and sheds more light on the events that bring C.J. back to Los Santos. The documentary Sunday Driver, the first film from Rockstar Games, is an examination of the history and impact of the California low-rider culture. |
 "The Guitar Hero series offers its biggest lineup of songs to date with Legends of Rock, the first game developed outside of Harmonix. Fans of the finger-fiddling franchise will rock out to over 70 tracks, many of which use master recordings from the original artists. The core play mechanics are nearly identical to previous iterations, with players using a guitar-shaped controller to quickly match colored notes as they cascade down the screen. By keeping up with the song, hitting the right chords at the right time, and strumming to the beat, players will rack up points and advance to more challenging tunes. Once again players can embark on a career, earning money to unlock new characters, guitars, songs, and other surprises while competing in an assortment of colorful venues. For the first time, players will test their technique against real-life guitar gods. Rock stars Slash, Tom Morello, and others will confront players at various points, where the object is to drain their "rock meter" by outperforming them at their own songs. Players can also directly challenge a nearby friend. Completing tricky "star power" riffs earns players random power-ups to use against rivals at any time. Player-sabotaging power-ups include doubling the number of onscreen notes, switching control to left-handed play, and more. Non-competitive types will appreciate the career co-op mode, allowing two guitarists to work together through each song list. Among the featured tracks are "Paint It Black," "Cherub Rock," "Slow Ride," "Barracuda," "Rock and Roll All Nite," and "Sabotage." Guitar Hero III for PlayStation 2 is available as a standalone purchase or as part of a bundle including a black, wireless guitar controller patterned after the Gibson Kramer. |
 "Hyper Street Fighter II: The Anniversary Edition is a competitive fighting game by Capcom that was originally released for the PlayStation 2 in 2003 in Japan and in 2004 in North America and Asia. Released to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Street Fighter series, Hyper Street Fighter II is a modified port of Super Street Fighter II Turbo in which players can control any versions of the main characters from the five Street Fighter II games previously released for the arcades. Although, originally released as a home console game, an arcade port was released shortly afterwards in limited quantities, turning it into the sixth and final arcade iteration. |
 "The sequel to 2001's best-selling Jak and Daxter once again follows the exploits of the elfin hero Jak and his churlish sidekick, a weasel-like creature named Daxter. Using the same 60 frames per second graphic engine as its predecessor, albeit with a number of refinements for more dramatic visual effects, Jak II takes place in a darker, more futuristic world than the original game. The titular hero, now older and wiser, has a number of new moves and abilities this time around, all of which are available right from the start. As players make their way through this mystical world, acquiring power-ups and interacting with an assortment of characters, they will unravel over an hour of cinematic cut-scenes to further the story. Jak's new skills have him zipping around the world atop a hoverboard, using multiple weapons such as a laser rifle to neutralize foes, and performing a number of acrobatics to escape from harm's way. The game blends action sequences with light puzzle-solving situations, whether it's shooting through a series of rotating pipes on the hoverboard, traveling at high speeds in a vehicle, or aligning multiple objects in a specific direction to trigger a gateway. For this second game in the 3D platform series, developer Naughty Dog (Crash Bandicoot) called upon the talents of Hirokazu Yasuhara, designer and co-producer of Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog series on the 16-bit Genesis, to assist with level planning. |
 "This curious blend of big-name brands tells the earlier parts of the Star Wars story in a version of films' universe that's been built from scratch with Lego parts and people. The game highlights the action of Episodes I through III (the more recent, prequel films); players take control of thoroughly Lego versions of heroes such as Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Princess Amidala, Anakin Skywalker, and others, to battle through action-oriented levels based on the films' settings, but constructed entirely with Lego blocks. Different characters have different special skills, and this leads to some exploration and puzzle-solving gameplay along with the 3D platform-style action and combat. As they progress, heroes earn credits which can be spent to unlock new characters. The main game features unlimited lives, encouraging players to explore the secrets hidden in each area. LEGO Star Wars was developed by Traveller's Tales, a studio previously known for its handling of licensed properties in games such as A Bug's Life, Finding Nemo, The Weakest Link, and Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex. |
 "Mafia takes place in the fictional 1930s city of Lost Heaven. The player takes the role of a relatively innocent cabdriver who becomes involved in the underworld of organized crime through a random accident. While between fares one night, the hero is suddenly approached by two shady characters in urgent need of a ride. Fearing a quick shot to the head if he refuses, he accepts the passengers and, thanks to his excellent driving abilities, is able to help them escape the rival gang members that had been chasing them. Quick thinking and good driving skills save the day for the thankful mobsters, who make it a point to remember the main character. When he finds himself out of work a short while later, the hero is graciously welcomed to "the Family." The third-person adventure in Mafia has the player moving about a 12-square-mile city, designed from authentic photographs and architectural plans from the 1930s. The player will have almost complete freedom to move about the city, exploring and interacting as he sees fit. Each building is unique, providing a sense of location and allowing the players to learn landmarks as they travel through Lost Heaven. A wide variety of missions will have the protagonist racing cars, investigating seedy hangouts, and even executing hits (if his conscience will allow it). Mafia is designed to envelop players in the look and feel of the classic gangster movies that were its inspiration. |
 "As alluded to by the title, Medal of Honor: Rising Sun focuses specifically on the Pacific Theatre of Operations in this installment of EA GAMES' best-selling first-person shooter series. Players slip into the fatigues of Marine Corporal Joseph Griffin on a mission to rescue his abducted brother from a Japanese prisoner of war camp located somewhere in the Philippines. The tour of duty can be completed alone or with the help of a friend in a new cooperative multiplayer mode. The game begins on board the USS California, stationed at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack, as players fight to survive the ensuing chaos. From that point on, Griffin will lead his troops through the jungles of Guadalcanal and journey to three other locales set within the Pacific Theater. Captain Dale Dye, USMC (ret.), who helped ensure authenticity in films such as Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July, and Saving Private Ryan, once again lends his expertise to the development staff. |
 "Smuggler's Run 2: Hostile Territory is Rockstar's sequel to one of the first games released for the PlayStation 2. Like its predecessor, Smuggler's Run 2 takes some elements from the racing genre and some of its style from car combat. The resulting gameplay is something like Crazy Taxi set in the third world with guns. In Smuggler's Run 2, you take on the role of a smuggler working for a mysterious and wealthy benefactor. The storyline, full of twists, turns and double crosses, is presented in full-motion video clips. Parents take note: the protagonists refuse to smuggle drugs, so you can rest safe in the knowledge that they're only trafficking in things like guns and explosives. There are over 30 different missions to conquer, ranging from simple tasks like following your partner through rough hills and deep valleys, to more difficult stages that require several pick ups and drop offs, all the while fighting with other smugglers for your precious cargo. Throughout the game, players have to deal with the law. Toward the beginning, they are little more than a nuisance, but as the game progresses they'll do everything they can to smash into your vehicle and cause it to explode. To counter this threat, players have a host of different vehicles to choose from that are unlocked over the course of the game. If players want to simply race, they can do so by choosing to go through a checkpoint race right from the menu. Smuggler's Run 2 also includes three different multiplayer games: Crooks and Smugglers, Loot Grab, and Bomb Tag. You can also Joyride in levels, riding in an area for as long as you like. |
 "Sonic Gems Collection is a compendium of the best-kept secrets in Sonic`s gaming history. Includes three rare titles that until now have only been available on Arcade, Sega Saturn or PC as well as six of your favourite Game Gear titles and some additional surprises to uncover along the way. Featuring Sonic Fighters, Sonic R and the much loved Sonic CD. Sonic Fighters: In this 3-D arcade fighting game, join forces with all your favourite Sonic characters including Tails, Espio, Fang, Bean, Knuckles, Amy, and Bark and take on Dr Robotnik and the evil metal Sonic. Sonic R: Our favourite blue haired hedgehog features in a twisting, turning, upside-down corkscrewing race faced with the challenges of fierce competitors, hidden track smokers and five blistering circuits. Sonic CD: Play as Sonic as he travels through past, present and future and explores over 50 levels of adventure, plus amazing 3D hidden bonus levels.For Sonic fans of all ages this is a fantastic opportunity to discover some of the hidden treasures in this best selling series. Three Sonic games previously only available on SEGA Saturn, Arcade and PC: Sonic CD Sonic R Sonic Fighters Six Sega Game Gear games: Tails Adventures Tails` Skypatrol Sonic Drift Racing Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Sonic Spinball Additional unlock able games to discover along the way. |
 "Originally conceived as a PlayStation title, The Getaway is a mission-based game set in London, England. Inspired by such films as The Long Good Friday and 1968's Get Carter, The Getaway has players slipping into the shoes of an ex-con named Mark Hammond. Hammond finds himself reluctantly drawn into a life of crime again after his wife is brutally murdered and his son abducted by the Bethnal Street Mob. Now Hammond must complete 12 missions on behalf of a once-powerful crime boss named Charlie Jolson, whose control over London's East End is as frail as his health. If Hammond fails to comply, he'll never see his son again. The result is a cinematic adventure encompassing car chases, gunfights, stealth, and a second playable character in the form of embittered Detective Frank Carter, whose 12-mission storyline runs concurrent with Hammond's. The 3D city captures an estimated 20 square miles of London, complete with authentic storefronts and landmarks. Players will also be able to walk into mission-related buildings such as restaurants, pubs, warehouses, and hotels during the course of the game. Actors were filmed using an advanced form of motion-capture technique, where up to five people could be recorded at once (along with their dialogue) inside actual sets. Each actor's face was also digitally scanned and mapped to his or her character model. The main adventure in The Getaway consists of 52 objectives spread across the 24 missions, with driving representing nearly half of the action. The game distinguishes itself from others in the genre by its lack of on-screen indicators for targeting enemies or viewing health. Instead players must rely on subtle visual cues rather than obvious meters to advance through the game. Once the main mode is complete, players can embark on a scenic tour of London to visit various landmarks and notable attractions without worrying about time or having to complete objectives. |
 "The Simpsons Road Rage brings the lighthearted mission-based driving of Crazy Taxi to the characters, settings, and amusing sense of ennui cultured in the popular animated television series. Play as one of over 20 Simpsons characters to run driving errands and deliveries at breakneck speeds through a dozen Springfield neighborhoods featuring over 100 recognizable landmarks. The world and its characters are rendered in full 3D for a sense of space and speed, yet the familiar people and places of Springfield are designed to match the 2D essence of their television counterparts. The physics model is purposefully exaggerated to allow impossible trick maneuvers and arcade-style control. Homer's boss Mr. Burns lives up to his reputation as a true capitalist pig when he buys the local transit system and raises all the fares to outrageous rates. The resourceful citizens of Springfield begin to drive themselves around instead of paying the ridiculous mass transit fees, so the streets soon become crowded with frustrated motorists. Only by running errands and making deliveries can the downtrodden masses of Springfield earn enough money to buy back the transit system and return the roadways to their former state of relative efficiency. The game's Story Mode offers at least 40 different challenges that can help earn money for the cause. The more open-ended Sunday Driving mode lets players make deliveries and cruise virtual Springfield at their own pace. |
 "Inspired by the March 2007 CGI film, TMNT takes the fearsome foursome through a series of acrobatic battles amidst the dark and gritty streets, sewers, subways, and rooftops of New York City. To faithfully capture each turtle's signature fighting moves and athletic prowess, developer Ubisoft Montreal designed the game with the same "Jade" graphics engine used in the acclaimed Prince of Persia series on home consoles. The heroes in a half-shell will confront enemies new and old, including the Foot Clan, the Purple Dragon Street Gang, and monstrous creatures loyal to the film's antagonist, Max Winters. Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo are all playable, despite the combat-oriented action being strictly reserved for solo gamers. Each character offers an assortment of attacks using his trademarked weapon, from Raphael's Sai throw to Michelangelo's nunchuck face slap, and can block or evade impending blows. Navigating each level involves jumping from rooftop to rooftop, climbing buildings, diving into sewers, and more, with new areas unlocked by performing temporary tag-team moves with a computer-controlled character. TMNT is the first game in the franchise to be published by Ubisoft, who acquired the license from Konami in January 2006. |
 "Virtua Tennis 2 on PS2 adds nearly every element fans of the Dreamcast's excellent Virtua Tennis longed for. The game features eight female players, including the Williams sisters and Monica Seles, along with eight male players, including Patrick Rafter and Yevgeny Kafelnikov. As if that's not enough, you can create your own male and female players--selecting from a range of faces, hairstyles, heights, and weights--and train them to conquer the new World Tour mode. The gameplay is slightly deeper than in the previous instalment thanks to separate topspin and backspin buttons and a lob button to foil opponents who rush the net. You'll need all the tricks you can muster to beat the revamped AI opponents, who put up a fight even on the easiest difficulty setting. The amazing graphics engine from the original game has been tweaked to look even better, with smoother animations and more detailed players. Squint and you'll almost be fooled into thinking you're watching a TV broadcast. The fun minigames from the original are back and better than ever, but it's the depth of the World Tour mode that keeps us coming back for more, and that puts our copy of Virtua Tennis in permanent retirement |
|
|
