February Video Game Preview Thread

RC Cola · Jan 29, 2007

FYI,

A demo for Def Jam Icon is scheduled to be released on the XBLM on Thursday. I think a demo for NBA Street Homecourt should be coming out next week as well, not to mention a demo for GRAW2 sometime soon (assuming some sources are correct).

RC Cola · Feb 4, 2007

Don't know if there are any hardcore VF fans here willing to do this, but Virtua Fighter 5 is available now at Play-Asia:
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-ze-49-en-70-1rln.html
Might be able to get that shipped to the US within the week.

I think the game might have both English and Japanese on the disc, but not 100% on that (even if it was 100% Japanese, it isn't exactly like a RPG or something). Also, I forgot if the US version has this, but I think the Japanese version also comes with Virtua Fighter 10th Anniversary for the PS2.

Might as well post the review for Diddy Kong Racing:

Diddy Kong Racing (DS)
http://www.gamespot.com/ds/driving/diddykongracing/review.html?sid=6165306

Diddy Kong Racing DS is a decent racer with plenty to do and some interesting new content, but the seemingly endless amount of tasks you must complete to enjoy all of it may irritate anyone who simply wants to race.
The Good: staggering amount of activities; fun and addictive touch-screen collection stages; neat customization features; online multiplayer is fun and works well, despite some minor flaws.
The Bad: Some of the touch-screen controls are stupid; unlocking content gets tedious; no multiplayer chat makes it difficult to set up races; driving around the island looking for things to do gets old .
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Gameplay 7
Graphics 7
Sound 7
Value 7
Tilt 6
Overall 6.7
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6.7 at Gamespot, no score yet at Metacritic.

RC Cola · Feb 5, 2007

This might be an error, but YesAsia has Wii Play (on pre-order) for ~$12:
http://us.yesasia.com/en/PrdDept.aspx/code-w/section-games/pid-1004622060/

airbulllard · Feb 7, 2007

Just picked up my copy of winning eleven 2007 on xbox 360.

if anybody else got their copy and want to play LIVE, reply back.

gamertag is AirBullard

also wouldn't mind playing some NBA2k7, but just to warn you, i always play rockets.

Castor27 · Feb 7, 2007

I can't believe there is no love for SupCom.

The Demo was just released. You can get it here I played it for about 2 hours. It has the first 2 Cybran missions. Each of the 3 factions has about 6 missions but each mission is broken down into 3-4 parts. I played the first mission and it took almost 2 full hours. The game looks really cool and if you were ever a big Total Annihilation fan, you'll feel right at home. The only complaint so far, is that several reviews have said it has a pretty steep learning curve. I figured the controls out easy enough, but accomplishing objectives sometimes took a few attempts. Base defenses are tough, so if you can get some up you probably will not be tank rushed. You can see screens here

UTweezer · Feb 8, 2007

my "sources" tell me that microsoft is trying to aquire rockstar

RC Cola · Feb 9, 2007

Ar tonelico: Melody of Elemia (PS2)
http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/artonelico/review.html?sid=6165576

Ar tonelico is built on a solid role-playing foundation, but the lengthy character exchanges and lack of any challenge take a lot of the fun out of the game.
The Good: Nicely drawn backgrounds; flashy attack animations; eclectic soundtrack.
The Bad: There's no challenge whatsoever to the battles; constant use of overt sexual innuendo isn't the least bit clever or entertaining; the courtship aspect of the game makes very little sense.
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Gameplay 6
Graphics 6
Sound 7
Value 7
Tilt 6
Overall 6.3
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6.3 at Gamespot, 71 at Metacritic.

Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 (Multi)
http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/sports/winningeleven10/review.html?sid=6160696

Konami's seminal football game finally makes its way to the Xbox 360, but it doesn't fulfil many next-generation ambitions.
The Good: Realistic footballing action; clean presentation; enjoyable multiplayer game.
The Bad: Poor editing options; master league mode unchanged.
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Gameplay 9
Graphics 8
Sound 7
Value 7
Tilt 8
Overall 8.1
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8.1/8.7 for the 360/PS2 version at Gamespot, 80/88 at Metacritic.

MVP 07 NCAA Baseball (PS2)
http://ps2.ign.com/articles/761/761686p1.html

MVP 07 is just a bit outside of being an impressive title. The Rock and Fire system is an excellent way of addressing pitching in a baseball game, but unfortunately the multiplayer complication keeps it from becoming an exceptional feature for this year. As for some of the other changes to the gameplay, MVP 07 is one of those games that PS2 owners will definitely like, but the age of the engine and limited improvements on the overall product will hopefully push this game over to the next gen systems where it will really shine.
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7.5 Presentation
This definitely feels like a college baseball game, but it also feels like this game is just shy of greatness.
7.0 Graphics
Stadiums look good, but players still look generic and many visual hiccups from last year's game are still evident in this year's title.
8.0 Sound
MVP 07 sounds great, and the inclusion of fight songs is definitely a plus. Let's just get Patrick and Peterson some new dialogue, okay?
7.5 Gameplay
Rock and Fire is an excellent innovation to gameplay, but it suffers dramatically in the multiplayer arena. Other changes are limited by the PS2 technology.
7.5 Lasting Appeal
The customization features are a great way to add replay value, but this game really will shine when it has the depth a next gen system can afford it.
7.6 OVERALL
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7.6 at IGN, 75 at Metacritic.

Lunar Knights (DS)
http://ds.ign.com/articles/762/762630p1.html

Lunar Knights retains a lot of the elements that made the Boktai experience so much fun, and opened things up by taking out the sun sensor that essentially tied a hand behind gamers' backs. I'm right there with you: I loved the concept of a real-world sun driving a videogame experience, but it definitely forced when and where I played it. The DS game frees up the Boktai gameplay even as it still has similar, but now in-game restrictions.

The game does, admittedly, lose just a little bit of its individuality, not just due to the lack of its sun sensor, but also in its move towards a more action focus. Konami already has a vampire-slaying action adventure in the form of Castlevania, and even though the storylines and universes are completely independent of each other, it's hard to ignore the similarities.

Still, it's really nice to experience the already-great Boktai game on my terms, and the Nintendo DS is a worthy follow-up to the franchise. Even if it officially isn't one.
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8.5 Presentation
Slick full-motion video clips build up the game's energetic presentation. No sunsensor gimmick this time around, but you can still bring one in if you want.
8.0 Graphics
The game builds off the GBA look, but adds some 3D boss battles that look pretty okay even if there's a bit of slowdown.
8.5 Sound
Love the soundtrack and the voice acting ,even if the voice over's only in bits and pieces.
8.0 Gameplay
A more action-packed Boktai is what you'll get in Lunar Knights. We miss the puzzles, but that's about it.
7.5 Lasting Appeal
Now that you can play this game anytime and anywhere, the game doesn't seem quite as long. But there are single cart multiplayer battles which amount to something.
8.2 OVERALL
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8.2 at IGN, 82 at Metacritic.

Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters (PSP)
http://psp.ign.com/articles/763/763067p1.html

Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters has everything a triple-A PSP game should have. It's packed with fantastic single-player content, has a strong multiplayer element, boasts a great visual and thematic presentation, and excels with razor-sharp gameplay mechanics. Sure its camera may cause problems here and there and its originality suffers when compared to earlier R&C titles, but at the end of the day, Size Matters is still an excellent way to exploit "free time on the go" and it's one of the few PSP titles out there that really shows off the system.
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8.5 Presentation
You'll get the occasional audio pause following certain loads, but for the most part everything is great. Expect plenty of humor, speedy disc access, and that classic Ratchet interface.
9.0 Graphics
In a lot of ways, Size Matters looks better than the PS2 games. Plenty of special effects litter the screen at all times and there's nary a slowdown in sight. Cool details too.
7.5 Sound
The soundtrack isn't the strongest of the series, but the familiar audio effects are decent and the voice acting is top-notch.
9.0 Gameplay
High Impact solved the mystery of how to get by without a second analog stick. Smooth gameplay, awesome weapons, and a nice variety of mini-games are just the start.
9.0 Lasting Appeal
The multiplayer options rule, you can play through the story mode multiple times for extra bonuses, and there are a ton of unlockables.
9.0 OVERALL
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9.0 at IGN, no score yet at Metacritic.

Outlier · Feb 9, 2007

RC, can you please post the review article for Lunar Knights from 1up.com? I can't load that site for some reason.

RC Cola · Feb 9, 2007

http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3156990

Konami's Boktai was a little too clever for its own good. Metal Gear guru Hideo Kojima crafted one of the finest portable games ever devised, but he jumped the gun a bit; Boktai arrived a few years before PSP and DS made it cool for hardcore gamers to like handhelds. And then there was that whole sun sensor business, which was annoying at best and made the game impossible to complete at worst.

So it's little surprise that Konami is all too eager to erase any overt connections between Lunar Knights and its GBA predecessors -- with all the baggage it implies, the Boktai name would make for a weighty albatross indeed. Fair enough. But Knights is very much a game created in Boktai's image. And there's absolutely no shame in that, because the final result is excellent.

Knights retains the basic game design of Boktai; the action is seen from an isometric perspective with an emphasis on both action and stealth. The story and gameplay explore a sort of duality between light and darkness as the heroes seek to put an end to the predation of a race of vampires by harnessing the power of the sun; by attaching spirits called Terrenials to their weapons, both solar gunner Aaron and lunar swordsman Lucian can use the sun's power to add elemental effects to their attacks.

Fear not, though: Despite the game's emphasis on the sun and moon and diurnal rhythms, the dreaded solar sensor plays no part in this game. Instead, players must rely on simulated sunlight from the DS's top screen, where day and night cycle gradually, their light occasionally occluded by clouds, flurries, and squalls. Still, those who enjoyed Boktai as an excuse to game outdoors are in luck -- plugging one of the GBA titles into slot 2 allows you to collect extra sunlight, regardless of the in-game weather or time of day. And even if you're adventuring in the dark, having Boktai or its sequel in slot 2 adds bonus energy to the sun bank as you play.

The virtual weather system plays a large role in Lunar Knights. Day/night cycles are certainly nothing new in games, but the concept is taken to a new extreme here. The time of day has a powerful bearing on your current choice of hero; Aaron draws energy from the sun and Lucian from the moon, making each one best suited to a particular time of day. Clouds and precipitation reduce the available solar power; sleet damages friends and foes alike. Characters can be decked out with gear that offers stat bonuses based on the current humidity or temperature or wind speed. Different climates allow certain perishable goods to be preserved and cause environmental effects that allow access to secret areas.

In short, the weather system adds an extra layer of complexity atop an already intricate game. Once you move beyond the introductory chapters, Aaron and Lucian can be swapped out at any time to make use of their respective arsenals -- guns, rockets, and grenades for Aaron, swords, lances, and scythes for Lucian -- and augmented with half a dozen different Terrenials. Armaments can be forged for extra strength, completed areas can be revisited to find hidden secrets or complete special quests, and defeating the enormous bosses requires finesse and cunning.

Lunar Knights retains the essence of Boktai -- a dose of Metal Gear gameplay with Castlevania aesthetics -- but its gameplay is refined and improved over that of the GBA games. Elements that didn't work, such as the solar sensor, have been abandoned; the annoying coffin-dragging sections have been traded for fast-paced space shooter sequences. Meanwhile, character-building features have been expanded; the graphics have been improved, with full-motion anime clips sprinkled throughout the entirety of the quest; the music is superb. And the dual-character system is easily the biggest improvement, offering multiple tactical opportunities for every situation -- a definite boon in the later portions of the game, as enemies level up and develop new abilities as you progress further into the adventure.

So we'll play along with Konami when they pretend that Lunar Knights has nothing to do with Boktai. Fans of the series know what's up, and what newcomers don't know about solar sensors can't hurt them. Lunar Knights is easily one of the finest games to date for Nintendo DS. Like the bard said, it plays just as sweet by any other name.
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9.0 out of 10.

VicVictory · Feb 10, 2007

Crackdown is one great game. The cell-shaded graphics are nice and the gameplay is very addictive. The world is HUGE. Every time I play i lose track of time and I end up playing for like 3 1/2 hours. Besides NBA 2K7, Crackdown and Gear of Wars are my favorite games on 360.

KePoW · Feb 10, 2007

VicVictory said:

Crackdown is one great game. The cell-shaded graphics are nice and the gameplay is very addictive. The world is HUGE. Every time I play i lose track of time and I end up playing for like 3 1/2 hours
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are you playing the full version or the demo?

VicVictory · Feb 10, 2007

KePoW said:

are you playing the full version or the demo?
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Full version, it's not out yet but it leaked to the internet early. I have my 360 configured to play back-ups so I took advantage.

RC Cola · Feb 12, 2007

For some reason, reviews for God of War 2 are ready, even though the game won't ship for another month or so. Here is IGN's review (fresh off the recently-lifted embargo):

God of War 2 (PS2)
http://ps2.ign.com/articles/763/763624p1.html

The last two things that we want to talk about unfortunately can't be tested yet as we won't have the boxed copy of the game for a few weeks (though what we've reviewed is the final code), though neither would alter the score in any fashion anyway and we want to point them out. The first is that God of War II will not only be playable on the PlayStation 3, of course, but that it will run at a true HD resolution of 720p. We're unsure as of yet whether or not we'll see additional texture detail because of this, but we'll update this section of the review when we can test it.

Secondly, God of War II will ship as a two-disc set with the entire second DVD dedicated solely to bonus content, like a behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of the game. Again, as is the case with the 720p support, we'll update this section with details when we have the second disc in our hands.

Closing Comments
God of War II may in fact be the best action game ever made. It does the original God of War in every way, even if only by a tiny bit as the first was so good to begin with. It's a evolutionary step rather than a revolutionary leap, but it has basically perfected the formula that the original set up. If you own a PlayStation 2 (or PS3) and don't mind excessive amounts of blood, you absolutely must play this game. If you don't own a PS2, find someone who does and sit yourself down in front of their TV for 12 or so hours as you'll otherwise be missing out on one of gaming's most intense and engaging experiences available.
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9.5 Presentation
A fantastic story with great voice acting, tons of extras and unlockables and more.
10 Graphics
It simply does not get any better.
10 Sound
God of War's score was flawless, and the sequel is a perfect follow-up. Oscar worthy to be sure.
9.5 Gameplay
It's more of the same, but that's exactly what we wanted. Can action gaming actually get too much better on next-gen systems?
9.0 Lasting Appeal
A dozen or so hours on your first time through is reasonable, but going back at the higher levels and finding all the extra goodies will take you a long, long time. Tons of bonus modes too.
9.7 Overall
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9.7 from IGN, 9.5 from 1UP. I'm guessing Gamespot and some other sites might put their reviews up later today, or in the next few days.

I'll repost that in the March thread (and maybe a GOW2 thread if anyone wants to make that when the time comes), but I thought I'd post it here for now.

RC Cola · Feb 12, 2007

Here's another big review from IGN:

Crackdown (360)
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/763/763635p1.html

So, you know when you start hearing the sounds of a videogame in your sleep? In my case, it was the throbbing wub-wub of a hidden blue orb, stashed somewhere deep in my subconsciousness. That's the sound of a great game.

But keep a few things in mind. Crackdown won't last that long, it's uneven, and the story and the music are weak sauce. Some things are great while others areas fall flat (even the bosses are predictable and easy after a while). But overall the thrill of jumping like a mutant kangaroo from rooftop to rooftop is unrivaled! The smart blend of collecting orbs in a wildly vertical setting while constantly feeling the reward of powering up creates an unbeatable sensation of addictive fun. You'll have a blast, even if for a short while.
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8.0 Presentation
The minimalist story and the eventually maddening announcer don't garner points. Also, very poor ending.
7.0 Graphics
Improved over earlier builds, the visuals are now palatteable. The big world is wonderfully vertical, and the particles and explosions are excellent. Otherwise, it's visually just pretty good.
6.5 Sound
Other than the excellent sounds of polygonal citizens and Volk screaming as they fly to their death, the music is poor and the dialog is almost non-existent, but what is there is weak.
8.5 Gameplay
Some of the best and most addictive gameplay on Xbox 360. Screw the repetiitve and predictable boss fights -- the best part is leaping from rooftop to rooftop finding orbs. Must have more!
7.0 Lasting Appeal
Not a long game, but definitely made more fun by the addition of online co-op. Also, try this on Psychotic. It will kick your ass.
8.0 Overall
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8.0 from IGN, 84 at Metacritic.

Another take:

Crackdown has the odd quality of being both incredibly addictive and a tad on the empty side of meaningful things to do. When I first started playing Crackdown, the RPG nut inside me was instantly awakened and I was off running around the city searching for agility orbs, taking down bosses, and doing everything in my power to get each of the skills to the highest level. You couldn't drag me away from the game. I had to max out my agent's skills.

It didn't take long before I had reached that goal. It was about then when I came to the realization that there isn't a whole lot to do in Crackdown once you're at the highest level for each skill unless you're absolutely obsessed with getting every achievement point possible. Why weren't any side quests that gave you a reward aside from leveling up skills incorporated into the city? For that matter, why wasn't a meaningful main quest provided? Not being more creative with the boss fights was a pretty big oversight. Creating your own fun in Crackdown can be a great way to waste some time, but it shouldn't be so necessary so quickly.

It's too bad there isn't more to do because the initial fun factor is pretty darn high, especially when you team up with a friend in the excellently implemented co-operative mode. Aside from a few issues with the control (particularly in shooting and aiming), the game runs and plays smoothly enough that you can easily get lost in exploring how much the engine allows you to do. And with the superhero powers, the engine does allow for quite a few awesome ways to exploit your surroundings. There's a great shell here and it is substantial enough to create a good number of quality gaming hours, even if most of them will be spent just trying to max out your character. Hopefully the promised downloadable content will help to flesh out the world a bit more. Even if it doesn't, Crackdown is still a very good game that provides a fresh look at the sandbox genre.
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RC Cola · Feb 16, 2007

Wii Play (Wii)
http://www.gamespot.com/wii/puzzle/wiiplay/review.html?sid=6165957

Few of the nine minigames that make up Wii Play have much staying power.
The Good: Makes good, pervasive use of Miis; comes as pack-in with wii remote.
The Bad: Lack of structure; most minigames are novel for only a short time; good minigames are hurt by a lack of gameplay options.
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Gameplay 5
Graphics 6
Sound 6
Value 6
Tilt 5
Overall 5.4
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5.4 at Gamespot, 57 at Metacritic. Despite the poor reviews, I think most people seem somewhat satisfied with the game since it is basically $10 (assuming you're buying it for an extra controller). Worst comes to worst, you just bought a crappy game for $10.

Monster Kingdom: Jewel Summoner (PSP)
http://psp.ign.com/articles/764/764469p1.html

While Jewel Summoner doesn't soar to the heavens with unique and interesting characters or a battle system that stands the test of the full game time it doesn't fall apart either. It has a steady amount of fun that lasts for the whole game. It's a good and well-presented distraction and for something that you hope to carry in your pocket for a little while it certainly serves that purpose. This is not a game to be held up as a shining example of what RPG's on the PSP should be, but rather a good stepping-stone on the path to what could be.
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8.0 Presentation
Detailed drawings of each character and the voice acting bring the world to life and you barely notice that you're just looking at still images for the story sections.
7.5 Graphics
Great character drawings inhabit the story mode while a moderate variety of monsters inhabit the battles.
7.5 Sound
Solid voice-acting all around, but the script itself is a mess and lets annoying characters prattle on too long while the music is top-notch.
7.0 Gameplay
The elemental group battles have a funky system, but the repeated combat makes random encounters dull with time.
6.5 Lasting Appeal
The battles lose their flavor, but the story keeps this game rolling to the finish.
7.1 OVERALL
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7.1 from IGN, 70 at Metacritic.

NBA Street Homecourt (Multi)
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/765/765719p1.html

NBA Street Homecourt is a great addition to the sports library on next-gen consoles and a step up for EA's vaunted franchise. The Trick Remixer and new Gamebreaker system will have you jumping out of your gaming chair. Visually, the cartoony-art style surely helps keep the framerate at a blazing 60 fps, with an excellent animation system. While the teams rosters could use and update and the Homecourt Challenge a bit more drama, the gameplay is as good as arcade hoops gets. IGN officially gives NBA Street Homecourt "mad props."
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7.5 Presentation
The Homecourt theme is a nice idea that could have been more fully fleshed out. Needs a roster update and a classic Jordan.
9.0 Graphics
The animation system is just about flawless as tricks and combos blend easily together. While the art-style is cartoony, the players appear to be spot-on.
8.0 Sound
A solid funky, soul soundtrack with good sound effects and impressive player chatter on the court.
9.0 Gameplay
As fun as streetball gets. Six-point combos and a ton of OMG moments make this a gem.
7.5 Lasting Appeal
Homecourt Challenge is a little bare, as are the online options. Still, leveling up your personal baller in and out of the Challenge is addicting. An amazing multiplayer game.
8.8 OVERALL
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8.8 from IGN (both 360 and PS3), 88 at Metacritic for 360 version (no score for PS3).

Some games I didn't preview:

The Warriors (PSP)
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http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/warriors/review.html?sid=6165879

A few translation imperfections aside, this is the same great beat-'em-up from 2005. If you never had a chance to experience it on consoles, it's still a game well worth playing.
The Good: Satisfying, smart combat that can be enjoyably unpredictable; environments bust up real good; stretches out a two-hour movie into a well-written, entertaining 12-hour game; plenty of extra modes, including unlockable games and co-op multiplayer; it's only $20.
The Bad: A few quirks that are a result of the conversion to the PSP; core graphics aren't very attractive; a few extremely frustrating sequences.
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Gameplay 8
Graphics 6
Sound 9
Value 8
Tilt 9
Overall 8.1
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8.1 at Gamespot, 83 at Metacritic.

Supreme Commander (PC)
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http://pc.ign.com/articles/765/765601p1.html

We haven't seen a strategy game this complex and this finely tuned in quite some time. Gas Powered Games delivers a monster of an RTS, and despite how long it may be before you fully understand its intricacies, it's a surprisingly addictive game. The strategic zoom and base automation are so intuitive and helpful, it makes many other RTS games seem confining and simplistic. For hardcore Total Annihilation fans and strategy gamers is general, this is your opus. If you're a casual strategy fan, you're truly missing out if you pass this one by. Though the single player is flawed, and unit pathing and behavior occasionally runs into problems, Supreme Commander's online is one of the most intense, enjoyable gaming experiences out there.
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9.0 Presentation
The interface may look awkward and the single player story fails to excite, but the strategic zoom, dual monitor support, construction automation, and queuing options are outstanding.
8.5 Graphics
Impressive unit and environment detail and an informative zoomed out map are only hindered by steep hardware requirements.
9.0 Sound
An epic score accompanied by a polished sound effects and resounding explosions. The only gripe is the voice acting.
9.0 Gameplay
Though many units are similar across the three factions, they have their differences, and the amazing array of attack and defense options are well balanced.
9.5 Lasting Appeal
It's really hard to stop playing this online, though playing too long in one sitting can really wear you out.
9.0 OVERALL
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9.0 from IGN, 86 from Metacritic.

Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure (PSP)
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gi_RKhTJoLs"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gi_RKhTJoLs" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
http://psp.ign.com/articles/763/763944p1.html

Gurumin is one of those pleasant surprises that you wouldn't necessarily expect from its childlike appearance. A ton of difficulty levels, loads of accessories and costumes for Parin and lots of mini-games await players that are willing to give this game a chance. While you'll have to put up with load times and a sometimes questionable camera, this is still an excellent title that should appeal to action fans.
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8.0 Presentation
The story may seem cutesy and simplistic, but that belies the deep action that's underneath the surface of the game.
8.0 Graphics
Engaging anime character models and colorful environments are sometimes hindered by a camera that's too tightly zoomed in on Parin's actions.
8.0 Sound
Great voice acting and solid sound effects balance out the limited soundtrack.
8.0 Gameplay
Loads of action, mini-games and customizable play are only tempered by lengthy load times and some lame plot development points.
8.5 Lasting Appeal
10-15 hour gameplay is easily supplemented with five difficulty levels, four mini-games and multiple costumes and accessories.
8.0 OVERALL
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8.0 at IGN, no score at Metacritic.

Gamespot seems really slow in putting out reviews here recently, so I've been using a lot of IGN reviews lately. Here's some Gamespot reviews for some of the games I've posted already:

Crackdown (360)

7.8

MVP 07 NCAA Baseball (PS2)

7.7

Lunar Knights (DS)

8.4

Outlier · Feb 17, 2007

RC Cola, do you know anything about a PC game called Granado Espada and whether it's free to play online? I'm getting mixed answers.

bladeage · Feb 17, 2007

I played the Crackdown demo, and frankly, I was not impressed. I was thinking of buying it before I played the demo, but not anymore.

RC Cola · Feb 17, 2007

McGrady said:

RC Cola, do you know anything about a PC game called Granado Espada and whether it's free to play online? I'm getting mixed answers.
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Nothing much. Sorry, I don't really follow MMORPGs. I think I've only seen the title from time to time (the US title anyway), and that's about it.

Some searching really hasn't really produced any answers to your question either (outside of basic features for the game). I guess it might be more clear when it gets released later this year.

wesnesked · Feb 17, 2007

RC Cola said:

For some reason, reviews for God of War 2 are ready, even though the game won't ship for another month or so. Here is IGN's review (fresh off the recently-lifted embargo):

God of War 2 (PS2)
http://ps2.ign.com/articles/763/763624p1.html

9.7 from IGN, 9.5 from 1UP. I'm guessing Gamespot and some other sites might put their reviews up later today, or in the next few days.

I'll repost that in the March thread (and maybe a GOW2 thread if anyone wants to make that when the time comes), but I thought I'd post it here for now.
Click to expand...

From looking at IGN right now, it looks like the 720p HD report is wrong.

Editor's Correction: After posting the review, we've gotten word from an SCEA representative that the game will support 480p on the PlayStation 3 but not 720p. Our error was due to crossed information and we're sorry for the confusion. We will report back once we have the final copy in our hands.

Kinda dissapointing, but should be an awesome game regardless.

RC Cola · Feb 17, 2007

Oh yeah, I forgot to correct that. Thanks for bringing that up, or else I probably would have never mentioned it (and some gamers might have been really unhappy when they play GOW2 on their PS3).

FWIW, one of the guys at 1UP said something about Sony wanting reviews for GOW2 to not overshadow the stuff they have planned in early March, so that's why some reviews are getting posted a month early. Seems like a stupid reason, but whatever. Kind of mad that they didn't just release the game a month early.

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