Perfect Stu
01-13-2003, 05:08 PM
Perfect Stu and Darkmaster present:
http://members.shaw.ca/commencer3/gt/ttr.jpg
(part one)
Darkmaster and I (Perfect Stu) have spent hundreds of hours to bring you the latest GameTavern exclusive. Mind you, most of that was spent gaming. But we all know how much work that can be. (:sneaky: ) After many sleepless nights, we’ve come up with countless reasons why one should own a Playstation 2. After many more sleepless nights, we’ve narrowed them down to the top 10. You may notice that here at PS2 Central, it’s all about the games. We’re about to show you why. Starting with number 10 and counting down to number 6, here they are, the Top 10 Reasons to own Playstation 2 (part one of two…our top 5 will be posted later)
10
http://www.swapusa.com/%5Cebay%5Cpics%5CPS2%5Cssx.jpg
Stu: When I first had my Playstation 2 back in fall of 2000, SSX was one of two games I owned. I can’t tell you how much fun I had with this snowboard racing game. Spot-on controls and smooth, colorful visuals contributed to my best gaming experience of 2000. The courses are beautifully crafted, and very non-linear. The sheer amount of creatively constructed shortcuts in this game is one of its best attributes. Months after I bought the game I was still finding new ways to shred my course records. Like most others, the one thing that keeps this game fresh is the gameplay.
At first you may find yourself falling behind in races because all you’re doing is racing down the track, or just pulling off insane trick combos. In order to excel in this game, you’ll need to mix in a variety of tricks (which give you boost) with your racing. The difficulty level in this game is moderate. I didn’t have much of a problem unlocking the hidden courses, but the game provides enough of a challenge to keep it fun. You’re probably going to want to play this game for about 20 hours until you move onto something new, but if you keep this game in your collection you’ll find yourself wanting to play it now and again many months down the road.
Another part of the game that shines is the sound. A great variety of music and sound effects play a big part in the overall SSX experience. You might notice the sound of the breeze as you hop from one hill to another, or the WOOSH of a competitor passing you at top speed. EA Big obviously put a lot of emphasis on sound, and it’s very much appreciated. Throw everything I’ve mentioned together, and you easily get one of PS2’s best offerings. Gaming sites have mentioned that SSX3 is in the works, and personally…I can’t wait.
9
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/224799.jpg
DM: Gee, what can I say about Suikoden 3? It was awesome, to say the least. For the past few years I have over looked the Suikoden series, unfortunately missing out on two great games (Suikoden 1 & 2). I tried not to hype myself too much over S3. From the first time I saw it I knew it would be a game worthy of my collection. But still, I didn't pay attention to the previous games so I didn't know what to expect. My good friend Crono bought the game on release and told me of its greatness, so instead of waiting till Christmas, I left for Electronic Boutique that night to pick up my own copy. When I put the game in my PS2, I was a little weary, after all I had knew next to nothing about the game. The game started up, and I watched a kick ass anime video. Now that I was hyped up to play, I quickly picked my character Hugo at the Trinity Sight selector, and I was off to begin my epic quest in the world of Suikoden.
S3's story is told through the Point Of Views of three main characters. Hugo, the Karayan warrior of the Grasslands, son of Lucia chief of the Karaya Clan. Chris, the leader of the Zexen knights, the "Silver Maiden" as she is called. And Geddoe, the captain of the12th Unit of the Southern Defense Force of Holy Harmonia. Each character comes from a different background in a different country/territory. They each have their own problems and goals, and meet up with different people. To watch 3 opposing characters come together bringing their own little armies to make one super alliance in order to attain the greater good is a magnificent process.
The gameplay is a mix of traditional RPG style with some Suikoden flavor. There are three (yes, 3) different types of combat. The standard party battle, the one-on-one duel, and the army strategy battles. The graphics certainly don't compare to such games as MGS2 or FFX, but needless to say, they are still quite good and in fact give it somewhat of a cartoon-ish anime look. From the music side, some tracks are great, some are not so great, but all in all tis a fine soundtrack indeed. I'd love to get into all the combat aspects and story details but I'm afraid this summary is going on too long. Overall, Suikoden 3 is a game no RPG fan should miss. It may not be the flashiest looking game, but it has substance and depth a mile long. Be prepared for a good 40-50 hours your first time through, add in secret character Point Of Views, and plenty of side quests, you can't go wrong with Suikoden 3. I only wish I had picked up on the series sooner.
8
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/203365x.jpg
Stu: It was in the middle of august. Evening, if I recall. I open IGN’s review of SOCOM: US Navy SEALS, which was being described as Sony’s flagship online title of 2002. I scroll to the bottom and see “Gameplay: 5.0”. FIVE? This can’t be right. I thought SOCOM was supposed to be at least a PRETTY good game. I skim over the review, think about canceling my preorder for the game but decide not to. And thank god for that. When I came home after picking up my copy of SOCOM along with Sony’s Network Adapter I was skeptical. The number 5 would not leave my train of thought. I popped the game into my PS2 and elected to try out the online feature. That was the beginning.
Since that day, SOCOM has received more play time from me than any other game. Oh, and I’ve never touched the single player mode. The online aspect of SOCOM is just that damn good. Gameplay is quite simple: SEALS vs. Terrorists in 3 modes; Elimination, Hostage Rescue, and Bomb the Base. Your main purpose in each mode, however, is to kill all members of the opposing team. Rescuing hostages and bombing bases are thrown in to add a little variety in some maps. One of the best things about SOCOM online is the quality of the maps. I honestly haven’t played an online shooter with such creative maps. Bridges, tunnels, underground walkways, nests, hills, sniping points, caves, bases, broken buildings, ancient ruins. The maps are full of them, and they are all placed and used creatively.
Another great part of SOCOM online is the voice communicator. This headset allows you to speak to your teammates, which allows for a much more organized, precise battle plan. When used effectively, voice communication could mean the difference between winning and losing. After you die each round, you are only able to talk to other members of your team who have died, and you can discuss your battle plan for the next round, or just talk. I’ve found myself talking about everything from which weapon I should use to what good shows are on TV. Overall, the headset is a great and welcomed addition to PS2 gaming.
Other areas of the game excel, including sound (surround sound speakers work wonders for this game, as you can tell exactly which direction enemy fire is coming from) and control. Graphics are nothing special, but good enough not to take anything away from the game itself. SOCOM: US Navy Seals is a terrific game, despite that awful looking 5 that IGN gave it for gameplay.
7
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/181981gh.jpg
Stu: Gran Turismo 3 was my first game in the GT series. I had heard nothing but great things about the first two games, and was expecting nothing short of excellence for the third addition to the series. And that’s what I got. Pure gaming excellence.
The GT series has been known as the most realistic racing games on the market. GT3 adds to that, becoming undoubtedly the deepest, more immerse and realistic racing game ever created. The graphics are absolutely gorgeous, the framerate is solid, and the physics are so close to perfect it’s hard to describe. When I found out just how many licensed cars were in the game I nearly crapped my pants. The only notable absences on the list of car retailers are Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini. Everything else is there from the Nissan Skyline to the Dodge Viper.
The tracks look and feel so real it’s truly unbelievable. The gameplay is deeper than the pacific ocean, as you have an almost unlimited amount of ways to customize your car. Earning money in the GT circuit will allow you to buy more expensive, flashier, faster cars which will give you opportunities to win the tougher races. The control takes a little time to get used to, but when you do, you’ll feel just how realistic this game truly is. Turning at top speed will get you nowhere but smashed against a wall. In order to master GT3, braking is absolutely vital. Professional racecar drivers have been quick to commend Polyphony Digital in making such a great, true-to life racing game. And I’m no different. This is a gem, and would be much higher on our list if Darkmaster was a fan of racing games.
6
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/219947.jpg
DM: Very seldom do I enjoy a game so much that the memories of playing it will live in my mind for years to come as an experience most grand. Kingdom Hearts was considered by many to be nothing more than a little kiddy game created only to be some cheap company crossover project. Disney and Square, a match made only in heaven, a match that some think should never have been made. The very mention of the word Disney is a complete turn off to the majority of the general public. Unfortunately, anything without guns, violence, blood, and the often sexual content is considered "not cool". Of course, you'll hear a bunch of people who've never played the game call it "stupid" or "kiddy". But come on, seriously, Donald Duck? It must be gay. Little do these people know the amazing gaming experience they are missing out on.
Kingdom Hearts is every bit a Square game. An epic journey and an astounding storyline (not to mention one of the greatest endings ever). Fans will love seeing some of their favorite Final Fantasy characters make cameos. The gameplay is both fun and engaging. Action oriented combat with RPG style additions. The camera can be a bit of a fuss, but any true gamer can find their way around that. Smooth graphics with wonderfully fluid animations, and a superb artistic design by renowned Final Fantasy artist Tetsuya Nomura (who also plays the director's role). Square's top notch FMV skills are used in a fantastic manner and live up to the quality (but not quantity) of those used in Final Fantasy X.
Voice acting is done remarkably, some big name actors (Haley Joel Osment, David Gallagher, Billy Zane) lend their voices to the main characters. It was also fun to see the original voice actors for some of the Disney characters return (James Woods as Hades), and Dan Castellaneta voicing the Genie from Aladdin was just as good as Robin Williams. The soundtrack is one of Square's best, composed by Yoko Shimomura, and the theme song Simple And Clean written by Utada Hikaru is awesome, download now! Lasting near 30-40 hours with side quests and secrets, Kingdom Hearts is a game that no gamer should pass by (and really, Donald Duck kicks ass).
That’s all for today, folks. Be sure to stay tuned for the second and final part of our Top 10 Reasons to own PS2. You’re in for a treat.
http://members.shaw.ca/commencer3/gt/ttr.jpg
(part one)
Darkmaster and I (Perfect Stu) have spent hundreds of hours to bring you the latest GameTavern exclusive. Mind you, most of that was spent gaming. But we all know how much work that can be. (:sneaky: ) After many sleepless nights, we’ve come up with countless reasons why one should own a Playstation 2. After many more sleepless nights, we’ve narrowed them down to the top 10. You may notice that here at PS2 Central, it’s all about the games. We’re about to show you why. Starting with number 10 and counting down to number 6, here they are, the Top 10 Reasons to own Playstation 2 (part one of two…our top 5 will be posted later)
10
http://www.swapusa.com/%5Cebay%5Cpics%5CPS2%5Cssx.jpg
Stu: When I first had my Playstation 2 back in fall of 2000, SSX was one of two games I owned. I can’t tell you how much fun I had with this snowboard racing game. Spot-on controls and smooth, colorful visuals contributed to my best gaming experience of 2000. The courses are beautifully crafted, and very non-linear. The sheer amount of creatively constructed shortcuts in this game is one of its best attributes. Months after I bought the game I was still finding new ways to shred my course records. Like most others, the one thing that keeps this game fresh is the gameplay.
At first you may find yourself falling behind in races because all you’re doing is racing down the track, or just pulling off insane trick combos. In order to excel in this game, you’ll need to mix in a variety of tricks (which give you boost) with your racing. The difficulty level in this game is moderate. I didn’t have much of a problem unlocking the hidden courses, but the game provides enough of a challenge to keep it fun. You’re probably going to want to play this game for about 20 hours until you move onto something new, but if you keep this game in your collection you’ll find yourself wanting to play it now and again many months down the road.
Another part of the game that shines is the sound. A great variety of music and sound effects play a big part in the overall SSX experience. You might notice the sound of the breeze as you hop from one hill to another, or the WOOSH of a competitor passing you at top speed. EA Big obviously put a lot of emphasis on sound, and it’s very much appreciated. Throw everything I’ve mentioned together, and you easily get one of PS2’s best offerings. Gaming sites have mentioned that SSX3 is in the works, and personally…I can’t wait.
9
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/224799.jpg
DM: Gee, what can I say about Suikoden 3? It was awesome, to say the least. For the past few years I have over looked the Suikoden series, unfortunately missing out on two great games (Suikoden 1 & 2). I tried not to hype myself too much over S3. From the first time I saw it I knew it would be a game worthy of my collection. But still, I didn't pay attention to the previous games so I didn't know what to expect. My good friend Crono bought the game on release and told me of its greatness, so instead of waiting till Christmas, I left for Electronic Boutique that night to pick up my own copy. When I put the game in my PS2, I was a little weary, after all I had knew next to nothing about the game. The game started up, and I watched a kick ass anime video. Now that I was hyped up to play, I quickly picked my character Hugo at the Trinity Sight selector, and I was off to begin my epic quest in the world of Suikoden.
S3's story is told through the Point Of Views of three main characters. Hugo, the Karayan warrior of the Grasslands, son of Lucia chief of the Karaya Clan. Chris, the leader of the Zexen knights, the "Silver Maiden" as she is called. And Geddoe, the captain of the12th Unit of the Southern Defense Force of Holy Harmonia. Each character comes from a different background in a different country/territory. They each have their own problems and goals, and meet up with different people. To watch 3 opposing characters come together bringing their own little armies to make one super alliance in order to attain the greater good is a magnificent process.
The gameplay is a mix of traditional RPG style with some Suikoden flavor. There are three (yes, 3) different types of combat. The standard party battle, the one-on-one duel, and the army strategy battles. The graphics certainly don't compare to such games as MGS2 or FFX, but needless to say, they are still quite good and in fact give it somewhat of a cartoon-ish anime look. From the music side, some tracks are great, some are not so great, but all in all tis a fine soundtrack indeed. I'd love to get into all the combat aspects and story details but I'm afraid this summary is going on too long. Overall, Suikoden 3 is a game no RPG fan should miss. It may not be the flashiest looking game, but it has substance and depth a mile long. Be prepared for a good 40-50 hours your first time through, add in secret character Point Of Views, and plenty of side quests, you can't go wrong with Suikoden 3. I only wish I had picked up on the series sooner.
8
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/203365x.jpg
Stu: It was in the middle of august. Evening, if I recall. I open IGN’s review of SOCOM: US Navy SEALS, which was being described as Sony’s flagship online title of 2002. I scroll to the bottom and see “Gameplay: 5.0”. FIVE? This can’t be right. I thought SOCOM was supposed to be at least a PRETTY good game. I skim over the review, think about canceling my preorder for the game but decide not to. And thank god for that. When I came home after picking up my copy of SOCOM along with Sony’s Network Adapter I was skeptical. The number 5 would not leave my train of thought. I popped the game into my PS2 and elected to try out the online feature. That was the beginning.
Since that day, SOCOM has received more play time from me than any other game. Oh, and I’ve never touched the single player mode. The online aspect of SOCOM is just that damn good. Gameplay is quite simple: SEALS vs. Terrorists in 3 modes; Elimination, Hostage Rescue, and Bomb the Base. Your main purpose in each mode, however, is to kill all members of the opposing team. Rescuing hostages and bombing bases are thrown in to add a little variety in some maps. One of the best things about SOCOM online is the quality of the maps. I honestly haven’t played an online shooter with such creative maps. Bridges, tunnels, underground walkways, nests, hills, sniping points, caves, bases, broken buildings, ancient ruins. The maps are full of them, and they are all placed and used creatively.
Another great part of SOCOM online is the voice communicator. This headset allows you to speak to your teammates, which allows for a much more organized, precise battle plan. When used effectively, voice communication could mean the difference between winning and losing. After you die each round, you are only able to talk to other members of your team who have died, and you can discuss your battle plan for the next round, or just talk. I’ve found myself talking about everything from which weapon I should use to what good shows are on TV. Overall, the headset is a great and welcomed addition to PS2 gaming.
Other areas of the game excel, including sound (surround sound speakers work wonders for this game, as you can tell exactly which direction enemy fire is coming from) and control. Graphics are nothing special, but good enough not to take anything away from the game itself. SOCOM: US Navy Seals is a terrific game, despite that awful looking 5 that IGN gave it for gameplay.
7
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/181981gh.jpg
Stu: Gran Turismo 3 was my first game in the GT series. I had heard nothing but great things about the first two games, and was expecting nothing short of excellence for the third addition to the series. And that’s what I got. Pure gaming excellence.
The GT series has been known as the most realistic racing games on the market. GT3 adds to that, becoming undoubtedly the deepest, more immerse and realistic racing game ever created. The graphics are absolutely gorgeous, the framerate is solid, and the physics are so close to perfect it’s hard to describe. When I found out just how many licensed cars were in the game I nearly crapped my pants. The only notable absences on the list of car retailers are Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini. Everything else is there from the Nissan Skyline to the Dodge Viper.
The tracks look and feel so real it’s truly unbelievable. The gameplay is deeper than the pacific ocean, as you have an almost unlimited amount of ways to customize your car. Earning money in the GT circuit will allow you to buy more expensive, flashier, faster cars which will give you opportunities to win the tougher races. The control takes a little time to get used to, but when you do, you’ll feel just how realistic this game truly is. Turning at top speed will get you nowhere but smashed against a wall. In order to master GT3, braking is absolutely vital. Professional racecar drivers have been quick to commend Polyphony Digital in making such a great, true-to life racing game. And I’m no different. This is a gem, and would be much higher on our list if Darkmaster was a fan of racing games.
6
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/219947.jpg
DM: Very seldom do I enjoy a game so much that the memories of playing it will live in my mind for years to come as an experience most grand. Kingdom Hearts was considered by many to be nothing more than a little kiddy game created only to be some cheap company crossover project. Disney and Square, a match made only in heaven, a match that some think should never have been made. The very mention of the word Disney is a complete turn off to the majority of the general public. Unfortunately, anything without guns, violence, blood, and the often sexual content is considered "not cool". Of course, you'll hear a bunch of people who've never played the game call it "stupid" or "kiddy". But come on, seriously, Donald Duck? It must be gay. Little do these people know the amazing gaming experience they are missing out on.
Kingdom Hearts is every bit a Square game. An epic journey and an astounding storyline (not to mention one of the greatest endings ever). Fans will love seeing some of their favorite Final Fantasy characters make cameos. The gameplay is both fun and engaging. Action oriented combat with RPG style additions. The camera can be a bit of a fuss, but any true gamer can find their way around that. Smooth graphics with wonderfully fluid animations, and a superb artistic design by renowned Final Fantasy artist Tetsuya Nomura (who also plays the director's role). Square's top notch FMV skills are used in a fantastic manner and live up to the quality (but not quantity) of those used in Final Fantasy X.
Voice acting is done remarkably, some big name actors (Haley Joel Osment, David Gallagher, Billy Zane) lend their voices to the main characters. It was also fun to see the original voice actors for some of the Disney characters return (James Woods as Hades), and Dan Castellaneta voicing the Genie from Aladdin was just as good as Robin Williams. The soundtrack is one of Square's best, composed by Yoko Shimomura, and the theme song Simple And Clean written by Utada Hikaru is awesome, download now! Lasting near 30-40 hours with side quests and secrets, Kingdom Hearts is a game that no gamer should pass by (and really, Donald Duck kicks ass).
That’s all for today, folks. Be sure to stay tuned for the second and final part of our Top 10 Reasons to own PS2. You’re in for a treat.