Next-gen Madden is probably one of the biggest next-gen disappointments so far IMO. I wasn't necessarily expecting them to match the things that Epic, Bungie, Konami, etc., are doing, but I thought that they would at least put up some next-gen graphics and animation for sure (kind of like the first PS2 Madden...Madden 2000 I think). They couldn't even do that though (even at half the framerate of past Madden games AFAIK), not to mention keep the same features of the current-gen games. I almost thought that maybe my next-gen expectations were too high, but other developers have shown that they weren't. Funny how EA said that they'd probably do better than the target render they showed a while back; at this point, I don't even know if they'll come close to matching it, at least during this generation. Another review while I'm at it: Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth (PSP) http://psp.ign.com/articles/719/719214p1.html 8.5 at IGN, 80% at Gamerankings (based only on the other review, a 8.0 from 1UP).
Tekken: Dark Resurrection (PSP) http://psp.ign.com/articles/719/719836p1.html 9.2 from IGN, 92% at Gamerankings (only the IGN score counted). Good to see that the PSP finally has a great game.
Actually, it is more like Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection for the Arcade than Tekken 5 for the PS2 AFAIK. Although at this point, it is kind of like SF in the degree that any new game in the franchise is like an older version with updates here and there. I don't think fans of fighting games or Tekken will mind the similarities to earlier titles. The PSP does have the best 2D and 3D fighting games available on a handheld apparently. As for it being IGN, that's true. But I'm assuming other reviewers will like the game too. Maybe not enough to give it a 9+, but enough to still consider it a great game. I read some great impressions from those who played the Japanese versions; some of them didn't even care at all for the console and arcade versions of Tekken, but loved the PSP version.
Super Dragon Ball Z (PS2) http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/superdbz/review.html?sid=6154418 7.3 at Gamespot, ~75% at Gamerankings. Blade Dancer: Lineage of Light (PSP) http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/bladedancer/review.html?sid=6154499 6.8 from Gamespot, 62% at Gamerankings. BTW, Gamespot has a review on Tekken: http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/tekken/review.html?sid=6154503 I think Gamepro gave it a 4.5 out of 5 as well. I think it is sitting at ~92 with the 4 reviews for it so far.
CivCity:Rome (PC) http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/civcityrome/review.html?sid=6154854 6.6 from Gamespot, 69% at Gamerankings. Some games I didn't preview: The Ship (PC) http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/theship/review.html?sid=6154689 8.3 from Gamespot, ~78% at Gamerankings. Painkiller: Hell Wars (Xbox) http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/painkiller/review.html?sid=6154859 7.9 at Gamespot, ~80% at Gamerankings. About time this game came out.
