Month: April
Rating: 7/10
These spring slow months really stink (even though April isn't spring). Microsoft has showed their hand and has released some amazing games, but that was March and they've had a quiet April with little to write home about. There's no getting around the lack of any quality games - there's nothing there that's worth mentioning. That's why you'll find a hell of a lot of previews on PowerGamerz for April. But fret not, we're not turning into a dodgy site with nothing there - we do reviews when there's something to review and thankfully next month (May, if you didn't know) will see the release of the GameCube and with it a massive wave of quality. Who can resist Luigi's Mansion, Star Wars: Rogue Leader and Wave Race: Blue Storm to name but a few? The low price point of �199 makes it irresistible, had the price been that of the PS2 on launch its worth would have been questionable. The X-Box has had a bit of a shaky month, from the initial impressive sales in March things aren't so bright looking for them - it's selling but not in any great number. They're not on a course for a Jaguar-type disaster, but they're not going to win any wars with sales like that. Still, early days and early sales - nothing is ever for definite at such an early stage and knowing Microsoft a lot of advertising is going to be done. Here at PG we've added a few new Walkthrus over the month and we may do a few more over the course of the month (May) so keep your eyes peeled.
Game Of The Month:
With such a small selection to choose from, it's a hard decision between a meagre bunch of games. Well, having sifted through a stack of games we've decided on Legacy Of Kain: Blood Omen 2. It's not the most original of games ever but it's certainly one of the most polished and has enough flashes of brilliance to warrant it's good score and our Game of the Month reward.
Hero Of The Month:
A hard one to call since so little happened, but without a doubt, hands down winner is Nintendo for cutting the price of the GameCube before the European launch - why they done it, considering the low price anyway, is unknown but it's a brilliant marketing move to have your console half the price of the cheapest competitor, PSOne excluded. If you have some cash lying about and you want to buy a console but just don't know then we have to recommend the GC - it's got good 3rd party support and has a wide variety of games coming out for it between now and this time 2003. We don't want to sound like fan boys so here's an explanation: the Xbox is overpriced and yes while it does have a lot of grunt under the bonnet and a good selection of quality games (with more to come), it's expensive, very expensive and it's not the cutest thing ever. The PS2 we'd recommend if it weren't for the GC's price point. The two consoles are very evenly matched in the games stakes so it comes down to price really and because of that the GC gets our vote. Also, a special mention to the gods that are resurrecting Super Ghouls N' Ghosts - we are truly not worthy.
Villain Of The Month:
Another hard one to call since so little happened, but we'd like to nominate the fools who spread the annoying rumour that Rare are leaving Nintendo to go multi-platform -it's not going to happen and if you don't stop posting on forums about it we're going to have to ruffle a few feathers and set things straight.
Forum Ramblings:
Since we were offline for so long (a good five weeks it must have been, we've lost count) through a few server ownership problems it got deleted and we lost all our forum data, so we had to get a temporary one. We've gone for a board that isnt actualy hosted by us, a Proboard - we wanted to use something reliable and we've been rewarded with a more than competent forum with a good design and good navigation. Will it stay? Probabaly not, but a joint Invision Board with Active Gamers is looking a mighty exciting prospect, only time will tell our decision. :)
James' Bit
This month i have ben very busy writing a Walkthru for Devil May Cry on the PS2, I haven't added it yet but i will when it's done in about 2 weeks. I have also written a review on Final Fantasy X, it took 8 hours so it should be good and acurate! ;)
Apart from that I have made a new design on the main page and we have undergona a small update. We put up a temporary forum & have done a lot in the PS2 section.
If you'd like to write a monthly column in this very space (it doesn't have to be big, about 100-300 words will do fine) then feel free to E-Mail Us and we will get in contact with you ASAP. Please tell us your Real Name, E-mail Address & a short bit a but you.
Next Month:
Next month the GC launches and with it a few reviews on the site - look out for those. Elsewhere we'll be looking forward to a few more X-Box and PS2 games and we'll be keeping you up to date on all the latest news, as ever. We'll also see if we can get Final Fantasy XI previewed in time, we'll just have to make sure whoever previews it can drag themselves away long enough to write something about it. :)
Until Next Month,
The PowerGamerz Team