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October Video Game Preview Thread

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by RC Cola, Oct 1, 2006.

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RC Cola Contributing Member

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PC:
Battlefield 2142 (Sci-Fi FPS) 10/17
Sam & Max Episode 1 (Adventure) 10/17
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic (Fantasy FPS…like Oblivion I think) 10/24
Neverwinter Nights 2 (Computer RPG) 10/31
Might end up putting more here later, as usual. The Desperate Housewives game might turn out to be good.

Xbox 360:
Nothing really exclusive to the 360 here AFAIK. Might add to this later.

PS2:
Tales of the Abyss (Action RPG) 10/10
God Hand (Action) 10/10
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner (RPG) 10/10
Bully (Modern Action Adventure) 10/17
The Red Star (Action) 10/17
Final Fantasy XII (AWESOMENESS) 10/31

PSP:
Tales of Eternia (RPG) 10/2
Mercury Meltdown (Puzzle) 10/3
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception (Jet Sim) 10/17
WTF (Puzzle) 10/17
Medal of Honor Heroes (Historic FPS) 10/23
Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony (Action RPG) 10/23
Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded (Compilation) 10/24
GTA: Vice City Stories (Modern Action Adventure) 10/30
EA Replay (Compilation) 10/31 (note that the press release says Nov 7th, but the retail sites I checked online say 10/31)
Power Stone Collection (3D Fighting) 10/31
Killzone: Liberation (Modern Shooter) 10/31

DS:
Nintendogs: Dalmatian and Friends (Virtual Life) 10/16
Contact (RPG) 10/17
Fullmetal Alchemist (Action RPG) 10/24
Touch Detective (Adventure) 10/24
Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam (Skating) 10/24
Children of Mana (Action RPG) 10/30

Multi:
Scarface (Modern Action Adventure) [PC, XBX, PS2; PSP has a strategy version of the game I think] 10/8
Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (3D Fighting) [PS2, XBX; Wii later on] 10/9
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Double Agent (Modern Action Adventure) [PC and all consoles, PS3/Wii version later on] 10/17 for 360 version, 10/24 for current-gen versions
Justice League Heroes (Action RPG) [PS2, XBX, DS, PSP, GBA] 10/17, except for PSP version which is out next month I believe
Destroy All Humans! 2 (Sci-Fi Action Adventure) [PS2, XBX] 10/17
Family Guy (Adventure) [PS2, XBX, PSP] 10/16 for PS2/XBX, 10/23 for PSP
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (Action RPG) [Everything] 10/24, launch title for Wii/PS3?
Phantasy Star Universe (Action RPG) [PC, PS2, 360] 10/24
NFS Carbon (GT/Street Racing) [Everything] 10/31, launch title for Wii/PS3?
I left out FIFA 07, which will be out on pretty much everything this month.

Note that I left some games out that I’d usually leave in (if they get good reviews, I’ll add them later). Another crazy month, with some strong games for the PC, PS2 and PSP (IMO).

Speaking of which, I guess this will be the last month without PS3/Wii releases in the thread. Not a big deal I guess, but I just realized that and thought it was interesting.

#1 RC Cola, Oct 1, 2006

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BF 2142 (PC)

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/companyofheroes/news.html?sid=6155465

Though other first-person shooters introduced vehicular and infantry combat first, the Battlefield series from EA and developer DICE does it best. In Battlefield, teams of up to 32 players each can fight, drive, fly, and shoot their way across a vast virtual battlefield. Having hit a home run with last year's hit multiplayer action game Battlefield 2, the two companies are now putting the final touches on the next game in the series, Battlefield 2142. With the game scheduled to ship next month, EA gave us a chance to check out the latest work-in-progress version of the game.
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Sam & Max Episode 1 (PC)

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/sammaxep1/news.html?sid=6157351

Graphical adventure games such as Myst and Escape from Monkey Island, which let you focus on solving puzzles and mysteries using inventory items, character dialogue, and your wits (rather than a rocket launcher) used to be popular and plentiful. They're fewer and farther between these days, but fortunately for fans, there are still some game developers out there who continue to produce these games, including Telltale Games, a California shop whose staff includes some of the same talent that helped create such classic adventure games as Sam & Max: Freelance Police. Telltale is finally ready to take the wraps off of the next Sam & Max adventure, and we got the first look. Please be advised that this story may contain minor spoilers.
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Dark Messiah of Might and Magic (PC)

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/darkmessiahofmightmagic/news.html?sid=6157553

Playing through the Temple of the Spider level reinforced our sense that Dark Messiah is providing an immersive, gritty take on both fantasy combat and the first-person action genre. There's nothing quite like it on the market, and the intense, visceral melee combat is refreshing in a genre that relies all too much on shooting at enemies with guns. The good news is that the game is in the final stages of production, and we can expect to see Dark Messiah of Might and Magic ship in October.
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I think there is a demo available for this.

Neverwinter Nights 2 (PC)

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/neverwinternights2/news.html?sid=6155712

Neverwinter Nights 2 stands to become the same kind of successful, all-in-one RPG package that the original Neverwinter Nights was, just better--with more content, a more-powerful editor, and an even more-substantial campaign with bigger party sizes and much more compelling character interaction. The sequel is scheduled for release in October.
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Tales of the Abyss (PS2)

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/talesoftheabyss/news.html?sid=6148428

Tales of the Abyss, which derives most of its influence from Tales of Symphonia, even down to using the exact same development team, begins with a story completely different from all of the previous games in the Tales series. It's not entirely a stand-alone product, however, since people who have played games such as Symphonia will definitely be able to jump right into Abyss, quickly adapting to the game's style and noticing that some of the language and skill names, for example, have carried over.
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God Hand (PS2)

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/godhand/news.html?sid=6156940

Based on what we played so far, God Hand is shaping up to be a fun brawler with some cool perks. The game looks solid and has a definite personality that comes through. The bizarre sense of humor and quirky story are a great combo that has you playing through to see what other bizarre things will come your way. The gameplay feels very good. Once you've gotten the hang of the combat system down--not to mention have gone ahead and customized up a storm--the game is very fun. The action may a bit too simple for some, but regardless, it seems as though there's a respectable amount of fun to be had here. Anyone looking for a fun brawler in which they can take out the frustrations of their day on a pack of hoodlums and demons should keep an eye out for God Hand when it ships later this year. Look for more on the game in the coming week.
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FYI, God Hand is a budget-title ($30) from Clover Studios, the guys at Capcom who made Okami and some of the Viewtiful Joe games.

SMT: Devil Summoner (PS2)

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/devilsummonerkuzunoharaidou/news.html?sid=6151063

The Shin Megami Tensei series continues to push the boundaries between the everyday and the occult, combining the two into crazy and wonderful worlds and storylines. Devil Summoner is the latest title in the series, and it seems as though we're in for another long ride into the bizarre, which is always a good thing. We picked up the Japanese PS2 demo at the E3 Atlus booth to see what's on offer this time around.
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I think this is a port of a PSP game that came out almost a year ago in Japan (but not here).

Bully (PS2)

http://ps2.ign.com/articles/736/736308p1.html

Bully is all about the details. At least, that's our impression after playing through the entire first chapter of the finished version. Headed for stores in just under three weeks, Rockstar's teenage opus is pretty much what we had hoped and expected it to be -- a downsized version of Grand Theft Auto sans the language and violence. But what does that mean exactly? Well, it means that the game is exceedingly big, exceptionally funny, and so far, extraordinarily entertaining.
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The Red Star (PS2)

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/redstar/story.html?sid=6103190

We recently got to take a look at a new build of The Red Star, the action game based on the comic book of the same name, to check out some new features that are being included in this surprisingly hardcore shooter-brawler hybrid. The Red Star envisions an alternate-reality version of Russia that has both pervasive communist undertones and a military that relies heavily on the magical powers of a set of gifted warriors. The game is similar to many classic action games in that it throws hordes of enemies at you and forces you to dodge hails of bullets at all times.
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Note that this preview was from July of 2004. I think The Red Star was one of the last games Acclaim was working on before they went bankrupt. This game has kind of been in limbo since then, and it is finally getting released. I remember it getting some hype, but I’m not sure how good it will be now (thought I read the code hasn’t been touched in a while…basically the same game from 2004).

Final Fantasy XII (PS2)

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/finalfantasy12/news.html?sid=6159004

After a seemingly interminable wait, the latest adventure in the long-running Final Fantasy series is at last poised for its English-language release. Arriving in the wake of the well-received Final Fantasy X and the massively multiplayer Final Fantasy XI, Final Fantasy XII blends seamless real-time combat with the traditional cinematic fanfare and gorgeous lands that fans have come to expect from the franchise. Our time with the North American release version of the game let us more fully explore the game's new "gambit"-based battles, its license board upgrade system, its expansive world, and, of course, its new English translation.
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The game that will make me forget about the PS3, at least for the remainder of the year. Early reviews/previews seem extremely positive, and I remember hearing a lot of great things about the game when it came out in Japan (EX:best FF since FF7). FYI I think there is a Collector’s Edition that is only available by pre-ordering the game at EB/GS; anyone interested in the game might want to check that out (assuming it is still being offered).

#2 RC Cola, Oct 1, 2006
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Tales of Eternia (PSP)

http://psp.ign.com/articles/594/594030p1.html

Finally, someone's done it! The PSP has already seen some great games (we're thinking along the lines of Ridge Racers and Lumines here), but most of the titles released so far have suffered from lengthy load times that have left players tapping their fingers, toes and other extensions. Well there'll be no tapping with Tales of Eternia, as Namco has addressed the issue.
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That preview is a year and a half old…the game has been out in Japan and Europe for quite a while IIRC.

Mercury Meltdown (PSP)
I think I previewed this game once or twice before…this is one of those games that switches release dates every couple of weeks.

Ace Combat X (PSP)

http://www.gamespot.com/psp/sim/acecombatxskiesofdeception/story.html?sid=6148822

Though our look at Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception was pretty early, the game is headed in the right direction. Development appears to be focusing on the key points that have made the franchise's name: solid gameplay, accessible control, and crisp visuals. From what we've seen, the game is making positive progress to hit those marks, so we're eager to see more of it as development continues. Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception is currently slated to ship this October for the PSP. Look for more on the game from this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo and in the months ahead.
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WTF (PSP)
Previewed this last month.

MOH Heroes (PSP)

http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/medalofhonorheroes/story.html?sid=6157350

Heroes is shaping up to be as fully featured a Medal of Honor game as you could want on the PSP, with visuals that come close to the PlayStation 2 installments in the series, along with full voice acting and the now-requisite World War II film clips that set up each mission. The multiplayer aspect is quite a bit more robust than we were expecting (and more so than we've seen from other online PSP games, really), so we'll be curious to see how well the game takes hold in the online community when it ships later this fall.
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FYI they’re planning on having 32-players in multiplayer for this game, which seems crazy for a handheld. Not that I care one bit about the game itself, but that’s pretty cool I guess.

Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony (PSP)

http://www.gamespot.com/psp/rpg/dungeonsiegethroneofagony/news.html?sid=6155338

Since the primary action in the game is hacking-and-slashing, it's encouraging that the game looks so good at this point. Particularly impressive are the smooth visuals and animation, especially as your character romps along the countryside. And, in some cases, the PSP version has better lighting effects than those seen in the PC version. 2K senses that there's an opening in the action role-playing genre on the PSP, and from what we've seen, Throne of Agony could fill that gap quite nicely. The game is scheduled for release this fall.
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Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded (PSP)

http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/capcomclassicscollectionreloaded/story.html?sid=6157373

Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded is Capcom's second classics compilation for the PlayStation Portable, and it refits the Capcom Classics compilation, which was released last year on the PlayStation and Xbox. The game wisely follows the feature-rich precedent set by last year's Capcom Classics Remixed for the PSP and offers up a mess of extras ranging from control customization to a grip of unlockable content. We had the chance to get our hands on a work-in-progress version of the game to see if it matches its slick predecessor.

You'll find five options on Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded's main menu: play, slot, collection, sharing, and extras. Play lets you dive into the collection's 19 titles: 1942, 1943, 1943 kai, Ghosts 'n Goblins, Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Commando, Mercs, Street Fighter II, Street Fighter II Championship Edition, Street Fighter II' Hyper Fighting, Son Son, Vulgus, Pirate Ship Higemaru, Exed Exes, Gun.Smoke, The King of Dragons, Knights of the Round, and Eco Fighters. Each game will feature customization options for controls, screen configuration, and in-game save states that will let you save on the fly and resume playing at your leisure.
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GTA VCS (PSP)

http://psp.ign.com/articles/732/732639p1.html

In pure series tradition, VCS promises to improve upon every aspect of its predecessor. The improvements range from the cosmetic down to the way the game actually plays. The first thing anyone will notice, of course, is how the game looks. Rockstar actually doubled the amount of polygons on the screen from what players saw in LCS. And honestly, the visual improvement is hard to miss. The look of Vice City, from an abandoned street corner and liquor store, to the densely populated downtown, looks almost indistinguishable from its PS2 counterpart. Not only that, some of the environmental and material effects look better.
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EA Replay (PSP)

Not really any previews/impressions for the game. Just know that this is a $20 game that includes the following:

B.O.B.
Budokan
Desert Strike
Jungle Strike
Haunting starring Polterguy
Mutant League Football
Road Rash
Road Rash II
Road Rash III
Syndicate
Ultima: The Black Gate
Virtual Pinball
Wing Commander
Wing Commander: Secret Missions
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Again, it might be more like a November release, but some retail sites are listing it as being released on 10/31.

Power Stone Collection (PSP)

http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/powerstonecollection/news.html?sid=6157716

Currently scheduled for release next month, Power Stone Collection boasts enhanced versions of both Power Stone and Power Stone 2 (originally released for the Sega Dreamcast), along with a host of unlockable bonus content. We recently had an opportunity to spend several hours with some near-finished copies of the compilation, and we're pleased to report that both games are shaping up to be every bit as good as, if not better than, the 1999 and 2000 originals.
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Killzone: Liberations (PSP)

http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/killzoneliberation/news.html?sid=6157305

With its notable shift in design and perspective, Liberation is an unexpected follow-up to the original Killzone, but so far, it's looking like a worthy one. There's more to see of the game, including its arsenal of upgradable weaponry--which features some new weapons, like a heavy pistol and an explosive crossbow--and drivable tanks and hovercrafts in some missions. Liberation has also done a good job of maintaining Killzone's striking visual style, with the early missions set in the same dusty trenches and bombed-out industrial areas seen in the early parts of the first game. We're told the later levels will reprise the jungle and urban environments from Killzone's later missions, though we'll have to play further into the final game before we can determine the veracity of that claim.
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Nintendogs: Dalmatians and Friends (DS)

Don’t really see any previews for this either…guessing it will play like the other games, so it should be good (assuming you like these kind of games…or whatever you want to call them).

#3 RC Cola, Oct 1, 2006
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Contact (DS)

http://www.gamespot.com/ds/rpg/contact/news.html?sid=6150979

One of many interesting and very Japanese games on display at Atlus' booth space at the Electronic Entertainment Expo is Contact, which seems like a standard role-playing game from a very cursory glance but seems to have many unique touches to it on closer inspection. The game combines retro-style 8-bit graphics together with the look of traditional 16-bit console RPGs and features an unusual "trick seal" system that lets you peel off and slap on magic stickers to make strange effects happen. The game "shatters the fourth wall entirely," according to press materials. What else would you expect from SUDA-51, the mind behind Capcom's completely mind-boggling Killer7, who has aided in the production of this game?
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This should be an interesting game.

Fullmetal Alchemist DS (DS)

Don’t think there are any previews for this yet.

Touch Detective (DS)

http://ds.ign.com/articles/708/708468p1.html

For Touch Detective, no trailer was necessary. Atlus didn't need to dig around for the best bits of the games to toss into a montage. Neither did they use need phrases zooming across the screen describing the gameplay and features. During our meeting, the Atlus rep simply showed us the intro movie, both a parody and homage to the noir genre, with jazzy music and characters lurking around in shadows. And that was enough to have us thinking this has potential to be among the best DS games ever.
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Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam (DS)

http://www.gamespot.com/ds/sports/tonyhawksdownhilljam/story.html?sid=6154539

Downhill Jam on the DS has a similar look to Tony Hawk's American Sk8land, the first Tony Hawk game to appear on the handheld, though the downhill nature and high speed of the game means that the levels are structured much differently. These race courses are full of big downhill lines, and since the focus is on getting there quickly, the trick system has been softened up a bit. Instead of having to keep one continuous combo going, now a counter appears whenever you stop doing tricks. When that counter runs out, the combo ends. So you can work a little flat ground in without having to continually manual, but not so much that you'll be easily able to combo your way through the entire course.
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Children of Mana (DS)

http://www.gamespot.com/ds/rpg/childrenofmana/story.html?sid=6150890

All in all, Children of Mana is looking like a high-quality action RPG for the Nintendo DS. The game is scheduled to be released in the fourth quarter of this year, so we'll have more details on the title as they become available.
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Scarface (Multi)

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/scarface/story.html?sid=6153931

Earlier this week during a meeting with representatives from Sierra, we had an opportunity to spend some quality time with a work-in-progress PlayStation 2 version of Scarface: The World Is Yours. In case you haven't been following our previous coverage of the game, The World Is Yours is a Grand Theft Auto-style action game that sees you assuming the role of Tony Montana--the foulmouthed gangster played by Al Pacino in Scarface back in 1983. The game's premise is an interesting one, because rather than playing through the events of the movie or simply being dropped into a world inspired by it, you'll be stepping into Montana's shoes just in time to rewrite the movie's ending by preventing his death in the mansion shoot-out scene.
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Mortal Kombat Armageddon (Multi)

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/story.html?sid=6149011

It's hard to believe that Midway's Mortal Kombat series is now on its seventh installment, Mortal Kombat: Armageddon. The title, which was announced earlier this year, is being crafted to be the ultimate entry in the series, with a roster of more than 60 fighters that are drawn from every entry in the series. To complement the encyclopedic collection of characters, the game features a comparable assortment of stages that spans the series. This year's E3 will see Midway showing off a sampling of nearly everything the game has to offer. We recently had the opportunity to get an early look at the demo running on the Xbox to see how the ambitious game is shaping up. Although the game is still a ways off and in a work-in-progress state, we're excited by what we've seen.
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Splinter Cell Double Agent (Multi)

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/splintercell4/story.html?sid=6158405

The sun is shining in Kinshasa, but this is not a happy place, at least not in Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent. In spite of the hullabaloo happening this week at the Tokyo Game Show, we got ourselves a work-in-progress Xbox 360 build of the next game in the excellent stealth action series and made a beeline for the level we last played at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. As the name implies, Double Agent deviates from its predecessors by forcing secret agent Sam Fisher to infiltrate a terrorist organization while still accomplishing objectives for his highly classified American agency. The result should be a careful balancing act all the way to the end.
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Justice League Heroes (Multi)

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/rpg/justiceleagueheroes/story.html?sid=6157487

Currently scheduled for release in North America next month, Justice League Heroes is an action role-playing game in which the titular DC Comics superheroes are tasked with saving the world from the evil forces of Brainiac. The game can be played either solo or cooperatively with a friend, and we recently had an opportunity to check out both options--not to mention a number of different levels and playable characters--when Warner Bros. Interactive paid us a visit.
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Destroy All Humans! 2 (Multi)

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/destroyallhumans2/story.html?sid=6150778

Though it wasn't the deepest or most engaging action game of last year, Pandemic's Destroy All Humans! was a game that couldn't be ignored. Starring a homicidal alien named Crypto Sporidian 137, Destroy All Humans! took place during a particularly campy version of the 1950s, with Crypto on a mission to save his Furon race of clones by stealing the brains of humans and harvesting the precious, delicious DNA inside. That game ended with the President of the United States (or Robo-Pres, as he was known) defeated, Washington DC in ruins, and Crypto in charge of things. In the upcoming sequel, Crypto faces a new, vile threat to contend with. The nastiest, most horrific enemy possible: hippies.
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#4 RC Cola, Oct 1, 2006
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Family Guy (Multi)

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/adventure/familyguy/news.html?sid=6156812

There appears to be no shortage of varied gameplay in Family Guy, then, and if you're a fan of the show, you'll be pleased to hear that there's also plenty of its trademark humor in the game. In fact, watching someone play Family Guy felt a lot like watching an episode of the show at times, the main differences being that the numerous non sequiturs took the form of brief minigames and many of the gags were, as one of the 2K Games representatives described them, "too raunchy for TV."
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This game will probably suck, but I can’t help laughing when I see some of the screens. Maybe worth a rental if you’re a Family Guy fan.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance (Multi)

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/marvelultimatealliance/story.html?sid=6156514

What does it take to defeat a supervillain? That's easy, all you need is a superhero, right? But what if you need to defeat a supervillain who commands an army of angry robots and insidious mutant freaks? For that, you need a whole team of superheroes, and when it comes to superhero teams, it's impossible to beat Marvel's starting lineup. If you can name all of the members of Alpha Flight, or if you think of Stan Lee as much more than a mere mortal, you'll definitely want to take note of the latest game from Activision and Raven Software. Marvel Ultimate Alliance is an action role-playing game that lets you build a team of some of the greatest, most well-known superheroes in comic book history and use them to pound the evil out of Dr. Doom and his cohorts. We did just that at the 2006 Games Convention in Leipzig, Germany, and based on the short demo level we played, Ultimate Alliance feels very similar to the X-Men Legends games--but that's certainly not a bad thing.
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Phantasy Star Universe (Multi)

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/phantasystariv/story.html?sid=6156141

So far, the first three chapters of PSU are getting off to a slow start but certainly leave enough loose ends to be dealt with in the rest of the game. The cast of characters and the offline story haven't hooked us yet, but these early chapters are still setting things up. The gameplay takes some getting used to, especially for those used to PSO, and hasn't won us over just yet. Right now the experience is feeling a little dated. We're curious to go through a bit more of the game to see what the experience is like when we're fully tricked out with a mag and the ability to synthesize things. Look for more on Phantasy Star Universe in the coming weeks. The game is slated to ship this October for the PC, PlayStation 2, and Xbox 360.
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NFS Carbon (Multi)

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/driving/needforspeedcarbon/story.html?sid=6158916

While Need for Speed Carbon doesn't look like a dramatic departure from Most Wanted, that might just turn out well, as the previous game in the series had a sweet mix of challenge, depth, and gorgeous graphics that kept gamers coming back, even if they were late to the party to start with. We have the same high hopes for Carbon and will be keeping our eyes out as the game approaches its release in late October.
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#5 RC Cola, Oct 1, 2006
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Ninetendogs is bad ass.

#6 Kam, Oct 1, 2006
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wow, I thought PSU came out later. eh, maybe I'll give it a rental.

w/o a doubt THE game I'm looking forward to is Tales of the Abyss. Haven't decided if I'll pick it up right away or not though.

FF12 ... I'm interested but I can wait longer on that. I played the demo and was lukewarm on it.

Godhand looks fun.

Devil Summoner ... eh maybe.

Not sure about PSU. Wont be going online with it, so don't know if it'll be worth trying out despite their assurances otherwise.

If you have a PSP and like fighters, pick up Power Stone. I have them both for DC and they are definitely fun.

#7 CriscoKidd, Oct 1, 2006

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CriscoKidd said:

FF12 ... I'm interested but I can wait longer on that. I played the demo and was lukewarm on it.
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I noticed that in some of the reviews and impressions of the Japanese version of the game, a lot of people mentioned how the demo didn't do the game justice, or that he/sje didn't like the demo but loved the game. I didn't get a chance to play the demo until after FFXII came out in Japan (and I saw some videos of the game in action), so I was slightly disappointed in the demo...but only because it seemed like I couldn't do some of the cool things from the videos I saw (IIRC...the demo seemed kind of limited compared to the little bit I know about the full game, from what I can remember anyway).

I'm sure there will be some people disappointed with the game, but it does seem as though the game is much better that what the demo made it out to be.

#8 RC Cola, Oct 2, 2006
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RC Cola said:

I noticed that in some of the reviews and impressions of the Japanese version of the game, a lot of people mentioned how the demo didn't do the game justice, or that he/sje didn't like the demo but loved the game. I didn't get a chance to play the demo until after FFXII came out in Japan (and I saw some videos of the game in action), so I was slightly disappointed in the demo...but only because it seemed like I couldn't do some of the cool things from the videos I saw (IIRC...the demo seemed kind of limited compared to the little bit I know about the full game, from what I can remember anyway).

I'm sure there will be some people disappointed with the game, but it does seem as though the game is much better that what the demo made it out to be.
Click to expand...

I'm still going to get it most likely(as a greatest hit). I am a ff fan(tho not enough of one to buy into the recent milking, or the online stuff). Just not looking as forward to 12 as I once was.

It feels like parasite eve to me, and I really didn't like that battle system. I'm sure it'll be improved, but eh, we'll see.

shameless bump

#9 CriscoKidd, Oct 2, 2006
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Yeah, I haven't really gotten into all that stuff either, and I usually think of myself as a big FF fan. Last FF game I played was X-2, which I rented (didn't buy). I actually liked it better than most people did (partly because I thought the gameplay was pretty good), but I didn't think it should have been made. FFX and FFVIII were my last 2 FF purchases (played FFIX, but like X-2, only as a rental). Basically, I never touched the FF7 spinoff games or FFXI (not even through a rental)...or FF:CC either for that matter.

But I'm still pretty pumped for FFXII. It might just be because it is a brand new world (unlike X-2 and the FF7 spinoffs), and that it is single-player only (unlike FFXI). Plus as I mentioned, the impressions I read when the game came out in Japan seemed positive (especially since the people giving them seemed to share some of the same interests I had). Kind of hard not to get excited when some of them claim it is the best FF since FF7 or the best FF period.

FWIW, I really liked Parasite Eve (the first one anyway). More so for the story though instead of the gameplay...of course, I ended up quitting early on in PE2 because of the gamplay...so yeah.

#10 RC Cola, Oct 3, 2006
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I pre-ordered NWN2 a long time ago (when it was scheduled to be released in August). That Marvel game looks pretty good too, so I will probably pick that up.

#11 StupidMoniker, Oct 3, 2006
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I know this game will not be out for awhile and there's no real pictures that I found for it, but Halo Wars looks pretty cool from its trailer:
http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/strategy/halowars/video_player.html?id=dic6wjTw5bgMvjXd
As for the upcoming releases:
1.SC: Double Agent
2.Call of Duty 3
3.Battlefield 2142
4.Gears of War
They all look good and will all be out within a month.

#12 AXG, Oct 7, 2006
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I guess this would be the thread to post this in...

the FIFA 2007 Demo is now available onthe XBOX Marketplace for those of you with XBOX360...

FC Barcelona Vs Manchester United...

one half (like the FIFA World Cup Demo...)

November 1st...

#13 Drizno, Oct 8, 2006

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South Park Meets World Of Warcraft

#14 Faos, Oct 8, 2006
RC Cola Contributing Member

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Scarface (Multi)
http://xbox.ign.com/articles/737/737782p1.html

There are a whole lot of little things about Scarface: The World is Yours that make it fun, but it’s the sum of its parts that make it the overall great game that it is. It does a whole lot to fix many of the problems with other games in the genre, and it does an absolutely fantastic job of bring the world of Scarface to gamers. While it isn't quite perfect, we won't hesitate for a second to recommend it to action fans everywhere.
Click to expand...

8.5 Presentation
Great story/setting, nice phone system that lets you manage your empire and lots of little touches here and there that add to the experience.
8.0 Graphics
Not amazing, but extremely competent. Tony himself looks fantastic and everything runs quite well, but nothing will blow you away.
9.0 Sound
Absolutely fantastic voice acting for Tony. Weapon and other sound effects are very solid if not great. Soundtrack is really damn good, as well.
8.5 Gameplay
Nice shooting mechanic, the Balls meter is fresh (if not perfect), and there's a LOT of stuff to do. It's the deepest open world game we've seen yet.
8.0 Lasting Appeal
Lengthy single-player storyline and the open world means you can $#&@ around for a long, long time.
8.7 Overall
Click to expand...

8.7 from IGN, 73 for both the PS2 and XBX version at Metacritic. So either IGN was given a nice donation from Vivendi shortly before this review, or this game is really awesome (despite the reviews from pretty much everyone but IGN).

That's the only notable review from the last week or so. Along with that review, I'd like to add that there is a demo for BF 2142 available online. You can find it via the download tabs in the Gamespot link I gave earlier, or you can probably find it on any major gaming site that provides downloadable demos.

Also, for those interested in Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, I believe you can start "preloading" it (or whatever Valve/Steam calls it) via Steam. It is around 10GB IIRC, so you might want to get started on that a while before the release date (unless you go out and buy the game...which might be a better option in this case). I guess that makes it the largest (major) game ever...at least until the PS3 ships (Resistance will be 20+GB).

#15 RC Cola, Oct 9, 2006
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A few notable games have gotten reviewed recently, so I'll post those now. I'm also going to put the scores in a spoiler tag in an effort to put more emphasis on some of the written parts of the reviews (the good and bad parts of the game vs just the score).

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (Multi)
http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/mortalkombatarmageddon/review.html?sid=6159520

The umpteenth Mortal Kombat game bombards you with characters and modes but does little to bring the underlying one-on-one fighting action to the next level.
The Good: Dozens of selectable fighters spanning the Mortal Kombat series' entire history; konquest mode is a much better action adventure game than last time.
The Bad: Gameplay hasn't evolved much and feels stiff and clunky at this point; new custom fatality system is a disappointing replacement to the classics; presentation recycles a lot of graphics and sound from years-old games.
Click to expand...

Gameplay
6
Graphics
7
Sound
7
Value
7
Tilt
8
Overall
7.0
Click to expand...

7.0 from Gamespot, 81 and 83 for the XBX and PS2 versions at Metacritic.

God Hand (PS2)
http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/godhand/review.html?sid=6159463

God Hand's pure focus on ridiculous martial arts brawls makes this simple action game fun and challenging. Bonus points for the wild sense of humor and surf rock soundtrack.
The Good: Grueling martial arts combat rewards skill, precision, button mashing; great, goofy presentation; large variety of moves to experiment with; well-balanced challenge leads to rewarding victories.
The Bad: Repetitive gameplay doesn't throw many surprises at you; bland level design.
Click to expand...

Gameplay
7
Graphics
8
Sound
9
Value
7
Tilt
9
Overall
8.0
Click to expand...

8.0 from Gamespot, 65 from Metacritic. The low score at Metacritic seems to mostly come from IGN's review, which gave the game a 3 (which is by far the lowest score for the game at MC...4 sites gave it a 79+) . Most people who played the game REALLY disagree with IGN's review. I'm not sure what to think about it, but the game is like $27 at Amazon, so if the reviews seem nice to you, might be worth checking out.

Mercury Meltdown (PSP)
http://www.gamespot.com/psp/puzzle/mercury2/review.html?sid=6159621

By scaling back the difficulty a smidge and coloring up the presentation, Mercury Meltdown provides an even better puzzle game experience than its predecessor.
The Good: Challenge level is far more balanced this time around; tons of single-player stages; bulked-up multiplayer and new party games are handy additions; bright, colorful graphics; much-improved camera system.
The Bad: There are still some intensely frustrating stages; not all of the party games are fun; soundtrack is overly bouncy.
Click to expand...

Gameplay
8
Graphics
8
Sound
7
Value
8
Tilt
9
Overall
8.2
Click to expand...

8.2 from Gamespot, 78 from Metacritic.

Tales of the Abyss (PS2)
http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/talesoftheabyss/review.html?sid=6159629

Tales of the Abyss is a familiar but entertaining role-playing game with a charming cast of characters that helps sustain the lengthy story.
The Good: Interesting characters convey a lot of personality through extensive, funny, and sharply written dialogue; fast-paced battle system is easy to learn but is still involved and rewarding; the lengthy story and numerous side quests can easily keep you playing for 50 hours or more.
The Bad: The graphics have some noticeable rough spots; the non-boss battles tend to rely too heavily on frenzied button mashing.
Click to expand...

Gameplay
8
Graphics
6
Sound
7
Value
8
Tilt
9
Overall
7.9
Click to expand...

7.9 from Gamespot, 80 at Metacritic (Gamespot's score is the lowest of the 4 reviews so far...though only by 1 pt).

FWIW, Gamespot gave Scarface a 6.4. Remember IGN gave it a 8.7. Looking at some of the reviews at Metacritic, it seems like the reviews are pretty far apart, so if you're interested, you might want to rent it to see if you like it. Of course, I suppose the difference in reviews could just show which reviewers got paid off...

#16 RC Cola, Oct 11, 2006
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AXG said:

I know this game will not be out for awhile and there's no real pictures that I found for it, but Halo Wars looks pretty cool from its trailer:
http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/strategy/halowars/video_player.html?id=dic6wjTw5bgMvjXd
As for the upcoming releases:
1.SC: Double Agent
2.Call of Duty 3
3.Battlefield 2142
4.Gears of War
They all look good and will all be out within a month.
Click to expand...

Great find on Halo wars!!!!!!!! cant wait to played that game and halo 3 !!!!!!!! thats why i bought a 360

#17 MiddleMan, Oct 11, 2006
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XGC clan representing gamertag MATAQUAZ 281 xboxlive

#18 MiddleMan, Oct 11, 2006

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Sam and Max Episode 1 (PC)
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/adventure/sammaxep1/review.html?sid=6159963

Sam and Max return to the PC adventure game scene with the same great sense of humor and solid production values, but some may be turned off by the game's episodic nature.
The Good: Really funny dialogue; great, expressive characters and graphics; fantastic music and voice work.
The Bad: Limited inventory makes puzzle-solving pretty easy; short and easy enough that you might not want to replay it; car bomb is not included.
Click to expand...

Gameplay 7
Graphics 8
Sound 9
Value 7
Tilt 8
Overall 7.7
Click to expand...

7.7 From Gamespot, 83 at Metacritic.

Splinter Cell: Double Agent (360)
http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/splintercell4/review.html?sid=6159920

Agent Sam Fisher's latest assignment turns out to be a fairly routine stealth action operation, but improvements to Splinter Cell's innovative multiplayer mode more than make up for this.
The Good: Features an overhauled version of Splinter Cell's innovative multiplayer mode; the campaign's trust system presents a few interesting moral dilemmas; tried-and-true stealth action gameplay still offers complexity and variety; high amount of replay value overall.
The Bad: Campaign recycles a lot of the same graphics, sound, and gameplay from before; some frame rate problems bog down the visuals.
Click to expand...

Gameplay 8
Graphics 8
Sound 8
Value 9
Tilt 9
Overall 8.5
Click to expand...

8.5 from Gamespot, 87 from Metacritic.

Destroy All Humans! 2 (Multi)
http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/destroyallhumans2/review.html?sid=6160071

Killing foolish earthlings was more fun the first time, but this sarcastic sequel to last year's inventive action game is not without merit or amusement.
The Good: Crypto's back, and snarkier than ever; lots of bizarre self-referential humor; new weapons and abilities are all pretty good; excellent voice work.
The Bad: Basic gameplay hasn't changed much and still comes with the same issues in tow; a few ugly issues with texture popping and character detail; humor isn't as consistently funny as in the first game.
Click to expand...

Gameplay 7
Graphics 7
Sound 8
Value 7
Tilt 7
Overall 7.1
Click to expand...

7.1 from Gamespot, 79/80 at Metacritic for the PS2/XBX version.

Nintendogs Dalmatian & Friends (DS)
http://www.gamespot.com/ds/strategy/nintendogsdalmationandfriends/review.html?sid=6160131

Dalmatian and Friends is still a charming, endearing game, though it's also essentially the same game that was released in previous versions.
The Good: Lifelike, endearing puppies; easy-to-use training interface; lots of unlockable accessories, dog breeds, and other items; great in short and medium-length bursts.
The Bad: This version has no significant new additions; a few restrictions at times feel unnecessarily limiting.
Click to expand...

Gameplay 9
Graphics 9
Sound 8
Value 6
Tilt 8
Overall 8.2
Click to expand...

8.2 from Gamespot, 82 from Metacritic.

Bully (PS2)
http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/bully/review.html?sid=6160199

Bully's unique setting and quality gameplay make for an exciting and memorable action adventure game.
The Good: Inventive setting; quality dialogue and voice acting; great cutscene animation; nice character upgrades; amazing soundtrack.
The Bad: real 15-year-olds don't pass out at 2 a.m..
Click to expand...

Gameplay 8
Graphics 8
Sound 9
Value 8
Tilt 10
Overall 8.7
Click to expand...

8.7 from Gamespot, 89 from Metacritic.

Killzone: Liberation (PSP)
http://psp.ign.com/articles/739/739150p1.html

It seems wherever Liberation can go the extra mile, it does. It delivers on all fronts, from a thoroughly engrossing single-player campaign to an addictive multiplayer component. Liberation also shames most other PSP offerings through its presentation, which blends excellent visuals and sound with a clean and user-friendly interface. It has a few quirks, but in the end, they seem almost negligible. Definitely recommended to fans of the action genre, but also to anyone who dislikes bad games.
Click to expand...

9.0 Presentation
Top notch visuals, sound and interface. Fine-tuned gameplay.
9.0 Graphics
Everything from the character animation to the environments look fantastic.
8.5 Sound
While the sound effects are irrefutably cool, it would have been nice to have more in terms of actual music.
8.5 Gameplay
A few questionable design choices aside, gameplay is a great example of fine-tuned mechanics.
9.0 Lasting Appeal
The multiplayer modes will not dissapoint action fans, even without the promise of online stuff.
9.0 Overall
Click to expand...

9.0 from IGN, 80 from Metacritic.

Justice League Heroes (Multi)
http://xbox.ign.com/articles/740/740156p1.html

Justice League Heroes is a good starting point for a new franchise. Though the game is a bit of a disappointment, particularly for its restrictions on character choice and number of players, it has promise. The sequel, if handled properly, could be considerably better and capable of competing with Raven Software’s Marvel action-RPGs. For that to happen, Warner Brothers needs to let loose a bit and give Snowblind a free pass to utilize any characters and storylines they want.

Though it has some serious issues with game balance and tends to get a bit monotonous, JLH is enjoyable in short spurts. The story is good and the unlockable costumes are pretty cool. The core of the game works well. In fact, if you just admired it from afar, you might mistake JLH for a great game. But the level design is as basic and uninspired as it can get and the enemies are just an endless throng of nameless robots and Martians. Had JLH come out four years ago, it would likely receive high praise. But this is 2006 and the swan song of the current-gen consoles is upon us. There's no excuse in failing to deliver a bigger and more innovative experience.
Click to expand...

7.0 Presentation
There’s not a lot of frills in the menus or with bonus material, but the game is chock-full of cut scenes and a story that could easily air on Justice League Unlimited.
7.5 Graphics
The environments are gorgeous. The character models and animations will put a smile on any DC fan’s face. Some pop-in and slowdown occur, but not enough to harm the experience.
7.5 Sound
Solid score and decent voice acting, but the environments could have used some more ambient noise to spruce things up.
6.0 Gameplay
Proving too simple for its own good, Justice League gets monotonous at times. The game’s imbalances hurt a lot.
6.0 Lasting Appeal
Searching every nook to find all the shield tokens will extend the game to about 10 hours. There are no other modes and it’s really not worth a second go-around.
6.4 Overall
Click to expand...

6.4 from IGN, 69 at Metacritic.

Contact (DS)
http://ds.ign.com/articles/740/740546p1.html

Contact is an amazingly interesting title, and while it isn’t necessarily for everyone, gamers who get into the design are going to find themselves rewarded with a ton of awesome content. Contact operates in a unique way, and the detachment from the main character may be something that certain players don’t exactly understand, while others will defend it to the bitter end. The amount of depth in the game is staggering at times, as literally every step taken can influence the character’s stats, and the potential lasting power is huge, teaming a job system with unique items, cooking, fishing, and the odd – but loveable – sticker system. For anyone looking for Wi-Fi support, Contact allows players to link with their friends and share data, putting a virtual representation of each other in the game. It isn’t online co-op, but it’s a fun little extra just the same. The game’s music is solid, and the presentation makes a fun (though sometimes a bit shallow) use of the two DS screens. It may not be for everyone, but if you’re looking for something unique, immersive, and unconventional, Contact is calling you.
Click to expand...

8.0 Presentation
It’s a crazy concept, and it makes solid use of both DS screens in an interesting way. Contact is truly one of a kind.
7.5 Graphics
It has a solid look, but there’s nothing overly-impressive going on. The game’s backgrounds are by far the most impressive aspect.
6.5 Sound
It’s basic, but it works fine. There’s no character VO, but the soundtrack is solid nonetheless.
7.5 Gameplay
Stylus control feels great, but most of the battles will be watched rather than played. It’s a pure action-RPG with interesting quirks.
7.5 Lasting Appeal
Every step matters, every character can be killed. The game has a ton of items, skills, costumes, decal stickers, and a basic Wi-Fi extra. Solid.
7.5 Overall
Click to expand...

7.5 from IGN, 74 from Metacritic.

#19 RC Cola, Oct 20, 2006
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Bunch of reviews put up this week...

Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception (PSP)
http://www.gamespot.com/psp/sim/acecombatxskiesofdeception/review.html?sid=6160375

One of the best names in flight combat delivers another standout installment in Ace Combat X for the PSP, which features its own story and well-designed gameplay twists.
The Good: Intense flight combat provides an excellent balance of simplicity and complexity; original storyline and branching mission paths enhance the campaign; dozens of different flyable aircraft include a number of upgradable jets; great graphics, sound, and music.
The Bad: Multiplayer mode only supports four players locally; unimpressive artificial intelligence for enemy fighters.
Click to expand...

Gameplay 8
Graphics 8
Sound 8
Value 7
Tilt 9
Overall 8.2
Click to expand...

8.2 from Gamespot, 82 at Metacritic.

Family Guy (Multi)
http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/familyguy/review.html?sid=6160437

Though it gets the show's style of humor down pat, Family Guy is derailed by frustrating and uninteresting gameplay.
The Good: An amusing storyline rife with offensive humor; great voice work from the cast of the show; attractive cel-shaded graphics.
The Bad: None of the gameplay styles are developed enough to be fun for more than a few minutes; too many weirdly frustrating moments in what is otherwise a pretty simple game; a hefty chunk of recycled dialogue from episodes of the show.
Click to expand...

Gameplay 5
Graphics 7
Sound 8
Value 6
Tilt 7
Overall 6.4
Click to expand...

6.4 at Gamespot, 53/54/56 for PSP/XBX/PS2 version at Metacritic.

Medal of Honor Heroes (PSP)
http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/medalofhonorheroes/review.html?sid=6160505

Medal of Honor Heroes proves that a good, albeit extremely short, first-person shooter can be done on the PSP.
The Good: Solid controls; nice presentation and sound effects; 32-player multiplayer is impressive; fun, yet mindless gameplay.
The Bad: The game is very, very short; not enough mission variety; dumb artificial intelligence; getting shot through walls is never fun.
Click to expand...

Gameplay 7
Graphics 7
Sound 8
Value 6
Tilt 8
Overall 7.3
Click to expand...

7.3 from Gamespot, 74 at Metacritic.

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner (PS2)
http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/devilsummonerkuzunoharaidou/review.html?sid=6160516

The newest installment in the Shin Megami Tensei series suffers from repetitive battles and a slow-rolling narrative, but its fascinating premise makes it worth a look.
The Good: Oodles of fascinating demons to capture; easy-to-use fusion system lets you adapt your demons as you choose; unique world combines japanese tradition, early industrialization, and demonic folklore to good effect.
The Bad: Random enemy encounters are extremely frequent and occur everywhere; story takes some time to fully gear up.
Click to expand...

Gameplay 8
Graphics 7
Sound 7
Value 7
Tilt 7
Overall 7.3
Click to expand...

7.3 from Gamespot, 78 at Metacritic.

Dark Messiah of Might & Magic (PC)
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/darkmessiahofmightmagic/review.html?sid=6160563

Dark Messiah wraps a dull story around repetitive combat. It's not a bad game, but its technical glitches really bring it down.
The Good: Good death animations.
The Bad: Numerous crashes and glitches get in the way; minimal character building and progression; most of the game's combat is unsatisfying; storyline is almost completely transparent right off the bat.
Click to expand...

Gameplay 7
Graphics 7
Sound 7
Value 7
Tilt 6
Overall 6.7
Click to expand...

6.7 from Gamespot, 80 from Metacritic. Sounds like there are some really bad bugs for the game.

Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam (DS)
http://www.gamespot.com/ds/sports/tonyhawksdownhilljam/review.html?sid=6160634

Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam takes the old Tony Hawk formula and puts it into a downhill racing game, with very mixed results.
The Good: Fast-moving visuals; contains online play.
The Bad: Nearly impossible to get a four-player match going without using friend codes; tony hawk trick system doesn't adapt all that well to this downhill racing format; occasionally buggy, locked up completely on multiple occasions.
Click to expand...

Gameplay 6
Graphics 7
Sound 6
Value 7
Tilt 7
Overall 6.6
Click to expand...

6.6 from Gamespot, 80 from Metacritic.

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (Multi)
http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/rpg/marvelultimatealliance/review.html?sid=6160646

Raven improves upon the great work it did with the X-Men Legends games, creating a lengthy adventure that touches upon nearly every last corner of the Marvel Universe.
The Good: Huge, eclectic cast of Marvel heroes and villains; deep yet largely optional character customization system; great variety of environments; seamless local and xbox live co-op play.
The Bad: Presentation a little technically uneven; some customization options seem contradictory.
Click to expand...

Gameplay 8
Graphics 7
Sound 8
Value 9
Tilt 9
Overall 8.3
Click to expand...

8.3 from Gamespot, 84/85/86 for PS2/XBX/360 version at Metacritic.

NFS Carbon (Multi)
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/742/742381p1.html

Need For Speed Carbon isn't a revolutionary game and it's far from a stinker. Instead, it's what EA does best, usually. It creates pretty good games with lots of features. Carbon switches out drag racing and Pacific North West backgrounds for drift racing and inner city urban streets. The freaky FMV filtered stuff is back and there seems to be more than ever (too much?). The drifting is an acquired taste (but it's good), the canyon duals are decent changes (though not great), and the crews...well, they suck. Of the myriad new features, the addition of muscle cars and the online functionality are the best. The muscle cars bring real challenge and change to the races and the online games (when lag isn't hampering you) are great cop-chase endeavors.
Click to expand...

8.0 Presentation
More trippy-dippy FMV-treated cutscenes and sadly, more cutscenes filled with geekier FMV actors. A great map system, good GPS, and good progression structure.
8.5 Graphics
EA returns the series to the flashy streets of the city, like in Underground 1 and 2. Great looking cars made better by Autosculpt.
9.0 Sound
Great sound effects nicely split in 5.1 plus the least obnoxious EX TRAX songs ever.
8.0 Gameplay
The muscle cars are the biggest change the series has seen in years. The canyon duels are OK (kinda easy actually). The non-career mode mini-races are startlingly deep.
8.5 Lasting Appeal
There is the meaty 12 hours-ish Career mode, the four-person co-op mode (split-screen or online), and the eight-person cop races, which are great (if you have a good connection).
8.2 Overall
Click to expand...

8.2 from IGN, no average scores available at Metacritic yet.

One game that I didn't preview was FEAR for the 360, which I either missed when I was setting this up or the game was moved up after I made the thread.

FEAR (360 FPS) 10/31 (Also a PS3 launch title IIRC)
Screen of the game and review within the spoiler tag:

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/741/741860p1.html

F.E.A.R. is great experience that isn't without its faults. The repetitive environments and less than ideal online and multiplayer situations are a letdown, for sure. F.E.A.R. has made it from the PC to 360 with everything that made it an outstanding experience along with a few new additions including the fantastic Instant Action mode, making it hard to lodge any huge complaints against the game. Those who have played F.E.A.R. on PC may not find enough of a reason to purchase the game again as the added content is fairly limited. If you haven't yet seen why F.E.A.R. has attracted so many fans, this port to the console is your chance to experience a truly scary game with some great combat. Just don't say we didn't warn you when you are lying in bed too scared to find out what is making that shadow on your ceiling.
Click to expand...

8.6 Presentation
A great port from the PC to 360. The lack of true controller customization options and certain multiplayer modes are questionable omissions.
9.1 Graphics
Outside of repetitive environments, F.E.A.R looks phenomenal.
9.3 Sound
The creepy sound effects add volumes to the atmosphere.
9.0 Gameplay
Excellent AI provides powerful combat sequences. Oh, and the game is very scary.
8.2 Lasting Appeal
Having played the game several times already, it still was fun and Instant Action is great. The lack of online post-game lobbies may cause some to give up playing multiplayer.
9.1 Overall
Click to expand...

9.1 at IGN, no score yet at Metacritic (IGN got an exclusive review IIRC).

#20 RC Cola, Oct 27, 2006

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