Doom 3 (PC) Review

 

    In 2006, I took my 2005 tax return money, and headed to Alienware's website with one goal in mind. I know buying a prebuilt is a big no-no among the PC gaming elite, but at the time I had no idea how to build my own. This was when Alienware was the real Alienware, and when it was a lot more common to buy prebuilt Machines. I did skimp on a few things when I ordered it, knowing I would upgrade eventually, so ended up paying just over a grand for the system in it's entirety.

    What was it that drove me to buy a brand new PC you might ask, for me, that time frame was the last great era in PC gaming. I'm not saying that PC gaming is dead, or isn't going incredibly strong nowadays, but in that era of gaming when the consoles were jumping from the 6^th generation, to the 7^th, PC gamers saw the release of Half-Life 2, Doom 3, Quake 4, FEAR, Swat 4, and so many other epic game releases that came with a huge jump in graphical technology with the Source engine, id Tech 4, and Unreal 3 just around the corner.

    If you weren't there at the time, think back to the first time you saw ray tracing, and look at how coveted modern GPU's are that can do ray tracing. It was one of those periods where there was a drastic jump in technology for all platforms including the PC. It's the difference between 2003's chaser, and 2004's Doom 3. It was drastic, and was also incredibly exciting to see at the time. I enthusiastically jumped into modern PC gaming at that time, and never regretted it.

    For me, this was the last truly exciting time in PC gaming as far as the games coming out. The seventh console gen hit, and most of the big developers focused on console-first, then PC development, taking formerly exclusive PC franchises, and shifting development to a console-first focus. When PC gamers complain that console technology is holding PC game technology back, this really kicked off full steam during the 7^th gen when developers decided to push PC gaming aside for the consoles.

    Doom 3 is a game that I see a lot of misunderstanding about in the modern era. There was some controversy over the flashlight mechanic in it's day, however, in light of the direction modern Doom games have taken, and in comparison to the original Doom series, Doom 3 is probably the most misunderstood, because people are either unaware of what era of first person shooters it came out in, or just kind of forgot.

    The original Doom was revolutionary for it's time, it changed gaming forever. In 1996, Quake hit, and like Doom before it, it changed gaming forever. In 1997 Quake II hit, and while not as revolutionary as the original, was a fantastic specimen of it's era. It's hub-world design was looking forward to something different. Something that had not quite been achieved, but it's design showed hints of looking forward to something new in first person shooters. However, as much as I love Quake II, it did not achieve it, but it was close.

    In 1998, Epic Megagames, and Digital Eclipse released Unreal which is another top-tier specimen of it's era and was another game that was also hinting at how FPS games could be more than just level to level shooting. Unreal was a little closer to it than Quake II in it's designs. The end of 1998 came, and what both Quake II and Unreal were hinting at but didn't quite achieve happened, and first person shooters were forever changed. I'm obviously talking about Shogo of course....OK, I'm joking, but here's what really happened that forever changed FPS games:

 

     Doom 3 is Doom in a post-Half-Life era. While there were other big first person shooters that came out in the time between Half Life and Doom 3, and other games that created their own sub-genres in the genre, I think it's safe to say the three largest leaps in first person shooters were Doom, Quake, and Half-Life. Of course you have games that came out between 1998 and 2004 like Rainbow Six, Tribes, Deus Ex, and of course, Halo, but Doom 3 ignored all of those, and it's design was very much Half-Life inspired.

    Simply put, at the time of Doom 3's release, had id Software brought out a prettier version of the original series, it would have been a critical, and commercial flop. You've gotta remember, Half-Life changed things, and at the time, we thought forever changed things. There was no going back. At least not yet.

    The idea of the throwback shooter was only present in two games I can think of at this time, Serious Sam, which started out as an indie game that came out at a $20 asking price, and Painkiller. Both were and still are very enjoyable games, but if id was going to go with bleeding edge graphical technologies, it makes more sense that they would make a game that was trying to top Half-Life, which was the bleeding edge of design philosophy of it's day. That they would aim to not make a throwback shooter, but a modern shooter with few homages to the original.

    It's sort of like the jump from 2D games to 3D games where the challenge was taking Doom and translating it into the new, and at the time, revolutionary style of the day. Half Life was a big deal, and to take Doom strictly back to it's roots would have been seen as a giant leap backward. id was always that company trying to leap forward, setting new standards in design and tech.

    The end result is Doom 3 and resurrection of Evil stand by themselves as the most uniquely their own Doom games, standing in that time period between Half-Life, and when Call of Duty would come in and become the new thing everyone had to copy, add nauseam. In fact, this whole era of FPS games, still has such a unique flavor, because coming out of the 7^th console generation, FPS games had changed so much with the NEW new style, that there really haven't been a lot of shooters like the ones from this era since, outside of sequels.

    Games like Doom 3, Half-Life 2, FEAR, Crysis, Farcry, the original Prey, Quake 4, and even early 7^th gen console games like Resistance Fall of Man still have such a unique flavor, and their own individual identities. This was a great era in first person shooters, and, arguably, one of the last great eras at least for traditional fps single player campaigns. Online is a different beast altogether as are games like Fallout, and the other open world variety styles. I'm talking traditional campaigns in tradition style shooters here.

    Doom 3 starts out very much mirroring Half-Life. Your marine just landed on Mars for his first day, and quickly gets a seemingly simple assignment of finding and escorting a scientist back to HQ when all hell breaks loose, literally. Basically, it's the same story premise as Half-Life. Secret research facility running unethical scientific experiments, but instead of opening a portal to an alien dimension, they open the portal to hell.

    From the story premise, to the levels and story designs, to NPCs that help you along the way, to the health system, and even portions of the game that directly copy Half-Life, Doom 3 was mostly inspired by exploits of Gordon Freemon. Or, as I said, this is Doom in the Half-Life era.

    Doom 3 borrows heavily from Half-Life, but so did most FPS games at the time. However, aside from borrowing design elements, and health system, id put their own spin on the formula. The gunplay and atmosphere were completely different for one. Doom 3 went for a horror atmophere, and nailed it.

    Not only are the monsters, most of which get an epic intro in the game, detailed in horrific ways, using all the technology of the day (bump mapping, normal mapping, etc) to give them some truly disturbing-looking details, but id tech 4's dynamic per-pixel lighting system capabilities are on full display, taking them, and making them an actual gameplay mechanic through the use of the flashlight. Using the flashlight in the game becomes just as integral gameplay mechanic as the in-your-face gunplay.

    Was the flashlight a gimmick to show off the lighting capabilities of the engine? Yeah probably, but having to choose between holding the flashlight or holding your firearm added to the incredibly tense horror atmosphere of the game. I know this mechanic divided fans of the game, but I love the flashlight mechanic in the game.

    The Duct tape mod, and BFG edition just don't feel right for the pacing and horror atmosphere of the game. I like BFG edition due to the fact that it has a ton of content, and still has a good version of Doom 3, however, I really wish they would have just given players the option to play it in either mode instead of ruining the experience by forcing the change.

    BFG edition is OK, but isn't the right way to play this game. I would like to thank everyone who whined about the flashlight mechanic for tainting the experience in BFG Edition for the rest of us. It's like taking Super Mario 64, and adding an auto jump to it because people can't be bothered to press a button themselves. It would still technically be the same game from a design standpoint, but it still wouldn't be the same game.

   BFG edition does have a lot of content, and is still worth a purchase, but it's not the same experience. It does improve the weapon sounds from the original, and the change in the flashlight does make it seem a little more action-focused, so it's good for more action oriented types who don't want to feel the vulnerability of having to choose between flashlight or gun, However one of my favorite things about the original is thumping zombies with the flashlight to save ammo, or thumping corpses to make sure they won't spring to life on you which is something you can't do in BFG edition. I'll eventually play all the way through BFG edition, and if I decide I was wrong to hate the changes, I'll let you know someday.

    I really enjoy the gunplay in Doom 3, even though it's certainly not as intense as the gunplay in the original Doom series, or even the Quake series that preceded it. It has it's own, slower, but still methodical pace to it. They finally added ammo magazines, and reloading which adds to the more methodical pace. I know, who reloads in Doom? This was also a standard feature of FPS games of it's era.

    The game eases you into the action. It doesn't throw nearly as many enemies your way as retro Doom, but since the engine was chunky and cutting edge, this was obviously to save system resources. The slain enemies also disappear into thin air which deprives players of going back and admiring the carnage they have carved in their path throughout the course of each level. This, no doubt, was also to save resources, and not chug down the chunky engine more.

    By the end of the game, it does throw a gauntlet of enemies your way, feeling a lot more like retro doom. There is a buildup of story and arsenal before things get too crazy, however. I am, also, a fan of how they decided to go about monster placement. Sometimes they come out of nowhere, other times, the developers make them just warp in through portals.

    I can understand this can seem pretty cheap, constantly having monsters warp in and shoot you from behind, but it really does add to the uneasy feeling where you rarely feel safe in the game, because you never know when another enemy will just pop in. Sometimes you can predict it, but other times, you make the wrong prediction only to be surprised by a monster popping out of the place you didn't expect.

    Having enemies just pop in can get annoying at times, but it was an obvious way to save system resources, and it adds to the atmosphere by keeping you on your toes. Between the dark areas, unnerving atmosphere thanks to the gruesome visual and excellent sound design, mixed with the constant harassment by enemies that come seemingly out of nowhere, Doom 3 gets incredibly intense. If you have ever had someone knock on your door while playing this game, you know just how intensely this game can pull you into, because I jumped out of my chair.

    Combine the solid gunplay, half-life inspired levels designs where the game takes you on a journey, and the unnerving atmosphere, and you have one of my favorite shooters of that legendary era of PC shooters. On top of the previously mentioned gameplay and design features, id also gave the game probably the coolest UI systems in any first person shooter ever. Instead of just pressing a button to activate something on the computer, your cross-hair becomes a mouse, allowing you to click individual items on the computer screen, which adds a really cool level of interactivity that I haven't seen duplicated much since.

    Another cool addition that adds tot he game is the way your marine collects new PDA's throughout the game. These PDA's belonged to various staff members of the mars facility, and not only do they open doors, but they contain various audio logs, and emails you can listen to or read to find codes to supply cabinets, or doors. They are also there if you want to delve deeper into the story and lore of the game.

    There even used to be a website mentioned in emails in the game called martianbuddy.com that at one time was a legitimate website id software setup which contained a secret cabinet code to use in the game. Remember when Metal Gear Solid asked you to look on the back of the game box to find Meryl's codec frequency, Doom 3 had it's own website you could look up to find the code for a cabinet in the game. I always found that to be a really cool touch. Unfortunately, the actual URL just takes you to Bethesda.net now, but you can find it with the wayback machine.

    I don't fully remember how long the game is, as I haven't played all the way through it since I captured this footage almost two years ago. It's a game that I occasionally play through enough to not fully remember everything in the game, so I still get surprised by enemies popping in when I don't remember them. I had to look up full longplays on Youtube, and it looks to be anywhere between 6 to 10 hours for the single player. By today's standards, that's a pretty lengthy single player mode. At the time it would have been around the average length of a first person shooter single player give or take. It will definitely take you longer your first time through, or your first time in a while.

    As much as I love the single player mode, I think I have only played this game once or twice online ever. It's kind of the Quake issue where I am weary to jump on in a game I know I'll do terrible at. I can jump into Quake II with confidence, but Quake, and Quake III, not so much. I am the same way with Doom 3's deathmatch. Plus, the first time I ever played it online, I didn't know you had to hit F1 to ready up for the match, so they yelled at me, well, texted aggressively that is.

    However, if you're not the weary type, and don't mind getting destroyed online until you learn the game, there are still a few servers up for this game to this day, and people still play it online sometimes. You won't find a ton of people online, but that's the beauty of old PC games, there always seems to be people playing them decades later.

    Graphically, for it's time, this was bleeding edge, and the lighting effects were out of this world. I had never experienced anything like it. This was the game people used to benchmark their rig. Until Crisis came out, your rig was only as good as it could play Doom 3. I still think Id Tech 4 is a beautiful engine, and it has such a unique look about it, without knowing for sure, when I was playing Prey on the Xbox 360 later, I could tell it was the Doom 3 engine it was using, and not just because of the UI.

    By today's standards, the Doom 3 engine obviously looks dated, and you can run it on a potato with little problem. I still thing the lighting effects are awesome, and still worth seeing, even in the era of Ray Tracing. It's pretty cool to see how developers found ways to improve lighting techniques in the days of single core processors, and the Radeon 9800XT, or the Geforce 6600.

    Granted, and next gen as the tech was, Vicarious Visions did manage to port the game for the original Xbox, which was an excellent port. They obviously had to make some cuts to the levels, and rework some things to get it to run, but it's plays and feels as good as the PC version. Xbox GPU was a variant of the Geforce 3 which was a 64 MB card, the minimum required GPU to run Doom.

    It was nice to see the Xbox flex it's muscles without worrying about PS2 ports which according to the fanboys were holding the Xbox back. Doom 3 with Farcry, both of which have unskippable cuteness to hide an incredibly long loading boot sequence, combined with Butcher Bay are, for my money, the three best looking original Xbox Games. Halo 2, not in the same tier. That being said, does anyone else remember the joke people used to repeat on forums: “What do you get when you take the word Graphics out of an Xbox fanboy's vocabulary?....silence”

    On top of being a great port, the Collectors Edition of the Xbox version also had an awesome port of the original Doom with four-payer coop play. That's a pretty awesome deal in case you are collecting for the Xbox, keep an eye out for the collectors edition.

    The controls, well, not to sound like the PC elitists, but nothing to report, it's keyboard and mouse, need you anything else. The only thing to get used to is the flashlight mechanic, assuming you aren't one of those weenies who needs a duct tape mod. Also a bit different for shooters of this era, is there is a sprint button in this game. Sure, retro Doom had one, but the always run option took over in early 3D shooters. Doom 3's sprint is handeld a lot more like modern FPS games where there is a sprint meter at the bottom of the screen, so you have to use it more sparingly.

    The sound design is excellent, and adds to the spooky atmosphere. At first, Id Software was going to bring Trent Reznor back to help with the sound design, but that fell through, but Chris Vrenna, who previously played drums in Nine Inch Nails, and his band Tweeker took up the reigns on the sound design which outside of the epic intro theme, features only ambient, and creepy sounds in the background, adding to the atmosphere. I do agree that the weapon sounds in the game are a bit paltry depending on the weapon, but the rest of the sound design is excellent. It helps pull you into the game.

    The Bottom Line: I think people are coming around to Doom 3, but in light of the new Doom series, I find that a lot of people look back wondering why the game is how it is. Honestly, I love this game, and the vanilla version with the flashlight mechanic and all.

    I think nostalgia will eventually come back around to this amazing era in PC First Person Shooters. The current crop of Throwback shooters are cool, but I think over saturation and fatigue is starting to set in to 90's throwbacks. While not as fast, and furious as the quakes, or the Duke 3D's, the post Half-Life era of shooters was amazing in it's own right.

    Doom Eternal is awesome, and will no-doubt, be the premiere throwback shooter franchise for years to come with any future sequels. Other recent throwback shooters I have found have some really great gameplay and mechanics as well, but the mainstream FPS of today have all been watered down in gameplay and design.

    I think we will eventually start seeing throwbacks to the post Half-Life, pre, whatever garbage they call modern first person shooters (call of Duty), soon. Games that slowed it down over the twitch elements of their 90's brethren, but made up for it with more thoughtful designs that took the player on a journey from start-to finish. The more story-focused, more scripted (but not as heavily scripted as the incredible linearity of modern first person shooters) shooters that push the player through a larger story overall.

    If you are too young to remember this era, go back and play some of these games just to see how different their style stands out even now. You may find yourself becoming as big a fan of this era of shooters as I have always been.

Katamari Damacy REROLL Review

Katamari Damacy is an evergreen game experience that brings a sort of blissful childhood glee to all those who play it. Coming from the imagination of Keita Takahashi, Katamari can best be described as a game that hits on that sense of childhood imagination where as a kid, you may have said, hey what if I could roll up the whole world into a ball. Not only is this game imaginative, it's simple concept makes for some incredibly addictive fun to boot.

Every now and again a game so zanny comes out of nowhere and carves it's own niche, Becoming both memorable, and profitable enough in the mainstream to warrant sequels. Katamari Damacy is a decidedly Japanese-style game that normally would never see the light of day in North America. Luckily for us, Namco decided to localize it anyway. It seems, however, Europe missed the original, but did get it's followup We Love Katamari.

I also missed picking up the first two on PS2 back in the day, but did win a free copy of Beautiful Katamari on the 360 from a Gamepro.com offshoot site, so while I wasn't completely Katamari-less in my day, seeing Katamari Damacy REROLL available on Steam for a $15 sale price finally netted me a copy of the original. And since I've had most of this footage on my external hard drive since may of last year when I was planning on reviewing this game, I have also since gone back and picked up both PS2 Katamari games which were more reasonably priced than I expected them to be.

When the king of the Kosmos accidentally destroys all the stars in the sky, he orders his pint-sized Princely son to help him restore the cosmos by rolling anything and everything into clumps he will then use to turn back into the stars and constellations in the sky.

The concept of Katamari Damacy is simple, you roll things up with your Katamari to increase the size until you can roll up larger objects to increase the size to roll up larger objects, rinse and repeat until you reach the required size for the level within the time allowed. The growth-gameplay design makes it incredibly addictive with the time limits giving it a sense of urgency.

On top of the growth-gameplay, the zany, eclectic list of items and areas you are rolling up are the star of the show. A strange collection of childhood toys, cards, to even a Sega SG 1000 Mark II lead to eventually rolling up, dogs, cats, and humans themselves who's comical screams and reactions to being rolled up always put a big smile on my face.

That is a very basic, maybe even poor description of the items you collect in this game. There are so many wacky yet humorous sights to see in the game, like why is a guy riding a panda, and why are sumo wrestlers twirling each other around. In fact, the best part of the game is that nothing makes sense, yet it still makes sense in the strange childhood imagination world presented in Katamari.

Eventually your Katamari grows big enough to roll up houses, skyscrapers, and even huge chunks of land in later levels. The game has a deep sense of humor, with a lighthearted atmosphere, and some addictive gameplay. The comical game concept mixed with the comical objects to roll means game definitely doesn't take itself too seriously, despite it's seriously fun gameplay. This game is a timeless classic that is fun in all generations.

When I first booted Reroll on my PC, it was, strangely, windowed, and while there is a way to play it with keyboard and mouse, I decided to pick up an Xbox One controller I found on clearance at my local Walmart, because the way the game controls using both analog sticks to move, turn, and even dash doesn't translate well on the PC without a controller.

The game is also available on the Switch, PS4, and Xbox One, and Series X, but having not bought a new console since the Wii I bought over a decade ago, Steam was the only option I had to play it. For the Steam version, you'll want to get a controller to play it.

REROLL makes some changes to the original. For example extra time has been added to some of the constellation levels, making ReRoll a little easier than the PS2 original. However, the visuals are the most obvious upgrade, adding a widescreen perspective to see more, and higher resolutions. This is, however, a remaster, and not a remake, so not a whole lot has been changed graphically outside of higher resolutions, and some of the character art. This is a good thing, because REROLL retains mostly the same unique art direction as the original, along with the cheerfully bright color pallet.

Not just the interesting art direction, but also the brightness makes this a game you can tell is meant to be a happy experience. This is a game that has an uplifting air about it. The entire visual design from the Flamboyant King of the Kosmos, the story cutscenes featuring a family that bear witness to the goings on, to the art direction and the uplifting, bright look of the game are a throwback to the days when games didn't take themselves so freaking serious. Having a bad day, play some Katamari for a happy place.

The tracks that play in certain levels in the game have also been shuffled a little in REROLL, and there are some other minute changes, but playing almost entirely through the PS2 version while writing this review, and then also playing REROLLalong side it, it turns out, I was too busy just playing the game to notice any changes. Look, I'm not addicted. I can quit at any time, I swear. I don't really need it, I just don't wanna quit.

My only disclaimer with this game comes with listening to Katamari on the Rocks, the main theme. Once you hear the theme, it attaches itself to your soul, and it will never leave you. At random you will find yourself La, la, lala, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, lala, la, laing it out for the rest of your life.

OK, I can't lie, I love the title theme in particular, and the rest of the songs, while not my usual taste in music is also fitting for the game. The sounds are well done, and some of the sound bytes, like the screams of people when you roll them in are hilarious. REROLL also changes the story scenes back to Japanese voice over with English subtitles, whereas the PS2 was English dubbed.

The game controls great once you learn their idiosyncrasies, so long as you have a controller to use. There were supposedly some control changes according to the game's wiki page, but jumping from the PS2 version to REROLL, I can tell you I haven't really noticed much difference. Again, I was too absorbed in the gameplay to notice.

If I have any complaints with Katamari, it's that the game is rather short. I completely beat it in about 5 hours on my first try. That being said, I obviously found replay value in coming back to the game every now and again, but your mileage may vary. My only other complaint I could think of has to do with the constellation levels where instead of rolling up as much stuff as you can, you have to roll up a bunch of one type of thing to create a constellation, or other similar type objectives.

I did these missions just to complete the game, but never found them to be as enjoyable to the main levels. I understand they were added for variety sake, but honestly, this is one of those games where the main concept is so fun, that any side missions distract more than improve.

Beautiful Katamari on the Xbox 360 would later add these kinds of objectives to the main level objectives. Though I still enjoy that game, the straight simplicity of the original just makes for a more fun experience without further unneeded convolution to the formula. Adding further, pointless objective on top of the formula, focussing on DLC, and online play are also probably why Beautiful Katamari is one of the least favorite games in the series. That and Keita Takahashi's not being involved in the development. I still think it's a fun game, but, yes, not the best in the series now that I have played the first two. Still worth a look, and it is backwards compatible to the One, and Series X.

The Ba, ba ,ba ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, bottom Line: Katamari Damcy will always be fun, and always be engaging. This is a game that still stands out as one of the most imaginative, unique experiences in gaming history, and it's an uplifting ode to how bright the world can be in the imagination of a child. If you're having a bad day, play some Katamari. If you're feeling down, play some katamari. If you're having a great day, play some Katamari. If you've never played Katamari, just play this game. REROLL is available on every platform under the sun, or you can find it on the PS2. This is one of those forever fun games that every gamer should experience at least once.

And if you are a Wii owner who likes the growth gameplay deisgn of Katamari, look into Elibits, and Namco's own The Munchables for similar experiences. Just don't play The Munchables on an empty stomach.

Donkey Kong Country Review (Snes)

Here's a game that needs no introduction. Unless you were living under a rock, or a Sega Fanboy, there's a very good chance that if you didn't own this game, you definitely rented it, or played it at a friend's house back in the day. Donkey Kong country set new visual standards we could never imagine were possible on the 16-bit consoles thanks to Rare's ingenious idea to take 3D models created on silicon Graphics workstations, and digitize them into two dimensional sprites for the Super Nintendo to handle. Thus creating graphics that looked light-years above anything we had seen on any of the 16-bit consoles. If everything else in the fourth generation was 16-bit, this game had to be at least 17-bit.

Donkey Kong Country was more than just pretty graphics. On top of it's shiny visuals the game showcases fantastic level designs putting Rare's development talents on full display. Sure, you've got your underwater levels, your barrel levels that require fast reflexes and perfect timing, and your mine-cart levels of dread. However, the core experience features levels permeated with hidden areas and objects to find, giving it a ton of depth for those who care search for it.

Like any great 2D platformer, DKC leaves the choice in the player's hands as how to play the game. Player's can simply run from start to finish just to beat the level, or choose to explore the levels a little more carefully, trying to find all the hidden areas that are skillfully honeycombed throughout the levels, find and collect KONG for an extra life, and even collect three animal tokens to play an extra mini-game where every 100 tokens you collect equals an extra life after the timer runs out.

The levels aren't as complex in design as the levels in a Sonic game where there are ten different paths to get to the end, Donkey Kong Country has a more simple and straightforward design structure like Mario. One main path from left to right, but with tons of hidden items and areas to find along the way. The secret areas usually contain mini games where you collect golden bananas to gain extra lives. Like the coins in Mario, 100 bananas equals an extra life.

There are also other kinds of levels besides the traditional platoformer kind thrown in for good measure. These are some of the toughest levels in the game, for example, moving platforms, and mine carts that require memorization, and trial an error. Most of these are the toughest levels in the game, and require precision, and lots of restarts. These levels are tough, inventive, and some of the most remembered levels in the game, because they probably tormented a lot of gamers in cildhood, but man, that feeling of accomplishment when you finally beat one.

I didn't play a lot of platformers during the 16-bit era, personally. My Genesis came with Sonic 2, but being a late Snes adopter, we chose the Snes that had Link to the past as the pack-in by choice. That was the game that finally convinced my brother and I that we finally needed a Snes. Once we got the Snes, we played mostly RPGs, and in general, the whole era, we played beat 'em ups, fighting games, and various other genres. I did play quite a bit of Super Mario world as friend's houses, because everyone owned that.

I didn't get Donkey Kong country until almost a decade after it's release. I bought it for 10 dollars from a friend, who later sold me the rest of his Snes games for $20, which also scored me both of it's sequels, and a few other less interesting games. This means that I got to finally play through it years removed from the hype, and even after the graphical luster had faded. Ten years removed from it's highest height of popularity, when I was already enjoying PS2, Gamecube, and Xbox games, I still came away from Donkey Kong Country saying, “Man, this is a great game.”

By default, Sonic 2 will always be my favorite 2D platformer of that entire generation, however, I can honestly say that Donkey Kong Country is probably my second favorite 16-bit platformer of all time. No disrespect to Super Mario World, or other top tier platformers of that generation, Donkey Kong Country just hit better 10 years later. From it's exceptional level designs, to it's wells designed gameplay mechanics, and it's amazing sound, I came away loving this game.

The controls are smooth, and spot on, yes, even in the mine-cart levels, and the other various maneuvers are easy to pull off as well. The mechanic where you can swap between diddy and donkey at anytime to take advantage of their different abilities is also a great design choice that becomes an integral part of fully exploring the levels, and is seamless with the responsive controls, as are all the tough barrel levels which require split-second timing. Rare perfected the controls in this game.

The music is another high spot in the game. The soundtrack is so good, they even released, and sold it separately. If you have an extra two to seven hundred dollars, you can pick up the American version of the soundtrack on CD. You can even pick up a three pack of the Japanese CD versions for all three Donkey Kong country games for the super cheap price of 5,382 dollars. Smoking deal folks, smoking deal.

The sound effects in this game are also an incredible part of the sound designs. I don't know what it is, but they have always had almost and ASMR effect for me. They are actually pleasing to my ears.

I remember when the Game Boy Advance version came out, seeing a terrible review in Electronic Gaming Monthly tearing into the game saying the game was always overrated, and one it the big reasons was look at the graphics. I would show you the review if I could find the magazine it was in, but all may gaming mags are buried in storage at the moment, however, it was a terrible review where it was obvious, just by the screenshots, the GBA version had some issues. It's not a terrible playing port, but all you can say is, well, they tried, bless their little hearts.

There was also later backlash against Rare from Nintendo fans after Microsoft bought them where they suddenly came to the realization that, “All of Rare's games are overrated. I never liked them.”

I think that phase has passed, but for a while there, there was a bit of a consensus floating around that Donkey Kong Country was overrated, pushed by gaming publications, and disgruntled Nintendo fanboys. So, was this game way overhyped because of the graphics at it's release, yeah probably, but looking from a gameplay and design standpoint, this is still one of the best-playing, best-designed platformers of the fourth generation, periot.

The bottom Line: Nothing against Super Mario World, it's a great game with masterful design, however, with the rise of Sonic, the 16-bit era brought a new crop of 2D platformers that were fresher than your mix tape. I'm not sure what generation of 2D platformers the fourth console generation was in, but the genre, arguably, reached it's highest peak in both popularity, and design, leading to the creation of so many timeless classics in the genre, and Donkey Kong Country is one of the best to come out of that generation, hands down. It's sequels were also cut from the same cloth, and are on the top tier in quality as well. Even if you are in the class that now considers the game to be overhyped, and overrated, you still can't deny the quality the game presents. Donkey Kong Country wasn't just the game that helped the Snes pull far ahead of the Genesis in sales, it was also one of the best platformers, and one of the best games in general for that whole generation, just as worthy to join the likes of Marion, and Sonic in that classification.

Bujingai: The Forsaken City (PS2) Gameplay Sample

The Ultimate PS2 Launch Guide (VHS Version)

It's Finally here, after over a year of anticipation and drooling over the tech demos, oohing and awing over the reported specs and capabilities of the console, the somewhat controversial unveiling of the system's final design, DVD movie playback, backwards compatibility to original Playstation games and peripherals, and all the hype and excitement surrounding the system and what it offers, one still can't help but feel as if they are on the precipice of history as Sony is about to release the Playstation 2 in North America.

Already in the hands of Japanese gamers for over 7 months now, it is, finally, North America's turn to take part of the biggest video game console launch in history. That's right, it's the new millennium, and the PlayStation 2 is leading the charge. Sony has put all their cards on the table, and is about the release the most powerful gaming console in history. History is, literally, unfolding before our eyes, and it's gamers who will reap the rewards.

Sony has come off at the risk of sounding arrogant, naming the Custom-built processor in the system The Emotion engine. The idea behind it being, that developers will be able to transcend merely playing a game, and gamers will now be able to laugh, cry, and feel true emotions along with their in-game characters. Worlds will be vibrant, and the characters, thanks to the power of the system, will now be able to show true emotions, bringing in a new form of immersion to gaming that has never been experienced before.

However, abstract thoughts about immersion aside; and dreams of the PS2 being an entertainment hub of your living-rooms through things like DVD playback, the real question on a true hardcore gamer's mind is a simple one. Are the games any good? We at 3.5D gaming have the scoop on all of the north American launch games; the ones you need to buy, rent, or avoid should you be lucky enough to get your hands on at PS2 this October the 26^th. That's right, stay tuned for reviews of all twenty nine launch games, as well as previews of the hottest new PS2 games on the horizon. Welcome to 3.3D Gaming's ultimate Playstation 2 launch guide.

Armored Core 2 (Agetec)

No Gran Turismo at launch, no problem. Agetec is gracing gamers with the Gran Turismo of mech games, in Armored Core 2. Technically the fourth actual game in the series, AC2 allows gamers to build their own custom mechs to take out on 30 new varied missions, or to take on opponent-mechs in the arena battles. Once you get past the steep learning curve in the controls, you'll find beautiful, eye popping graphics and particle effects, and a richly deep experience in the customization. If you're a fan of the series, this is a must-have launch title, however, if you're not a hardcore gear head, you should rent it first.

DOA2: Hardcore (Tecmo, Fighting)-

Look out Tekken, there is a new contender in town for Playstation fighting game dominance. Already in the hands of Dreamcast gamers, Dead or Alive 2, might just be the best fighting game released at launch. Featuring voluptuous, bouncing beauties, a deep fighting system with easy counters, and multi-tiered environments with environmental hazards, which make tekken's look flat an uninteresting by comparison, and beautiful graphics, Dead or Alive has it all. Unless you're a hardcore Tekken fanboy, Dead or Alive is the fighting game knuckle-heads should pick up first at launch.

Dynasty Warriors 2 (Koei, Action)-

Shedding the one-on-one fighting game system of the original, Dynasty Warrios 2 takes Koei's Romance of the three kingdoms strategy games into the world of a giant, open-ended beat 'em up, Streets of Rage style. The polygon pushing power of the PS2 ensures that you have never seen so many enemies on screen at one time. Koei really did recreate the feeling of a big open battle. The general graphics seem a bit blander, with even some pop in, but the grand scale of the game makes up for it. The beat ,em up gameplay does get a bit repetitive, but the added experience points give the game an almost hack-n-slash RPG feel. This game is really fun, but definitely repetitive. If you're a fan of the repetitve nature of beat-em-ups, pick this game up at launch, you won't be disappointed, the rest of you should be satisfied with a weekend rental.

ESPN International Track and Field (Konami, Sports)-

With the 2000 Sydney Olympics just concluding, it seems there is always a couple of track and field games released to coincide with the Olympic games. While track and field games are nothing new, I truly doubt this will be anyone's first pick amidst the PS2's launch lineup. While a very solid game as track and field games go, replete with all kinds of carpel-tunnel causing mini game disguised as the events, It's short length won't hold the average gamer long. However, the true appeal here is playing with your friends, and this game is definitely a good weekend rental for hours a friendly competition with a couple of buddies.

ESPN X-Games Snowboarding (Konami, Sports)-

If you are one of the two simulation snowboard fans out there, This game will be right up your alley. With 15 professional riders, a steep learning curve in the controls, two-player head-to-head support, and all the typical modes you would expect in the average Snowboarding game, this game has a lot to offer. Konami also added a new mode where players can create their own snowboarder, and work their way up to the X Games. This game does offer a lot to the sim gamer, and the snowboarder mode can be quite addictive, but We at 3.5D gaming predict that most gamers are going to go with EA's more accessible SSX instead. If you're not a hardcore Snowboarding fan, this game has pure rental material written all over it.

Eternal Ring (Agetec, RPG)-

Early Playstation adopters might be familiar with King's Field which was a snail-paced dungeon crawl in the vein of Ultima underworld. Eternal Ring comes to us from From Software, who also developed King's Field, and like King's field, there are likely to be two camps when it comes to this game. The first camp is a small handful of King's Field fans who will be wondefully immersed in this game's gameplay, graphics, and environments. The second, no doubt, will be the majority of gamers who will find this game to be a slow, plodding, chore of a game to play. King's Field fans will enjoy Eternal ring, but for everyone else, rent it to see if it's your cup of tea. At the very least, you'll enjoy the beautiful graphics provided in the game.

Evergrace (Agetec, RPG)- 2 characters

Speaking of King's Field, From Software is also gracing us with Evergrace which plays similar to King's Field, were it a third person action RPG. The combat system is similar to King's Field, but the game takes advantage of the PS2's analog face buttons, where the intensity of a strike, depends on how hard you press the button. There are also two characters you can swap to at any time to play their storyline, instead of having to play through the game as one or the other. The game's biggest claim to fame is that fact that the outfits you choose to wear throughout the game, actually show up on your character during gameplay. The graphics area bit rough in some areas, as this game started development on the PS1, and then was shifted to the PS2 along the way. This is a solid action RPG that will appeal to more gamers than Eternal Ring, and should be the next RPG you play after Summoner.

FantaVision (SCEI, Puzzle)-

Fantavision is one of the most fun tech demo's you will ever play. While, technically, it is a puzzle game where you string together color combinations of fireworks into a satisfying explosion, the game is really just a very pretty way for Sony to show off the system's much heralded particle effects capabilities. Taken on it's own, the game is too short to be anything more than a rental, even with it's added two-player mode, added for the North American release. Fun game, but way too short.

Gun Griffon Blaze (Working Designs, Action)-

If Armored Core 2 is too sim-heavy for you, Gungriffon Blaze takes the arcade route of allowing you to jump into a giant mech, and blow stuff up to your heart's desire. Gone are the worries about your mech load-out, all you have to worry about is completing the objectives and blowing stuff up nicely. The Gungriffon series has it's roots on the Sega Saturn of all things, but moves nicely to Sony's new console as a well, made mech game with a good variety to it's missions, and better controls than AC 2. Gungriffon will satisfy action, and mech fans with a weekend rental. Look for that shiny box that says Working Designs on it.

Kessen (EA, Adventure)-

Following real events in Japanese history, hardcore strategy nuts will lose hours to Kessen. While it is more accessible than Koei's Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, there is still a ton of deep strategy to be had here. Kessen features epic battles, beautiful eye-popping next gen graphics, and engrossing strategy gameplay that will appeal to patient gamers. Strategy fans, put this in your collection, action gamers, move on, and everyone in between, give this a rental to see if it suits your tastes.

Madden NFL 2001 (EA, Sports)-

    Believe it or not, you're not watching an actual football game on TV, you're watching the raw power of the Playstation 2 on display. The graphics in this game are mind-blowing. The graphical polish details, and player animations are surreal in their movement, and tackles look real. The game looks so lifelike, you'll be hard pressed to notice this isn't a real broadcast. Players are beefy and move in a lifelike manner, details from the reflection of the stadium lights off helmets, to bumps on the ball, to even the bottom of the players shoes show how the extra power can allow EA to focus on polishing even the smallest visual details of the game. If you want to know what all the hype about the PS2's graphical capabilities are, We give you madden 2001.

    Without exaggeration, this is the greatest Madden game we have ever seen. Going beyond pure visuals, madden has that same polished sim gameplay the series is known for, but the new momentum-based control scheme will take some getting used to. It has all the extra modes the series is known for, franchise, create-a-player, The Madden Challenge, and etc. However, it adds a new madden card system where completing challenges in the game unlock cards that can be used to purchase unlockables in the game. This means that not only is this the best Madden ever in graphics and gameplay, but all the extra unlockables means hardcore pigskin fans will put RPG levels of hours into this one. To sum up the hype of the PS2 launch with one game, we give you Madden 2001.

Midnight Club (Rockstar, Racing)-

Rockstar games is making a strong showing for the PS2's launch with games like Midnight club. For PC gamers, you might remember last year's Midtown Madness, Angel Studios, the same developer has, essentially brought the formula from Midtown Madness to sony's 128 bit gaming machine. For those not familiar with Midtown Madness, think the racing portions of driver where the player is forced to race in an expansive, living, breathing city, avoiding traffic, pedestrians, and running from the police, all while hitting checkpoints before their rivals do. The gameplay is fun, but can be frustratingly challenging, the controls and physics are solid, and the graphics, while not the most detailed of the launch crop, still have in impressive scale with so much going on on the screen. If you are looking for a non-traditional racer that will keep you coming back no matter how many times you fail, Midnight club is at least worth renting. Plus, as big fans of Driver, Midnight club shows off the system's capabilities, and makes us even more excited for what Reflections will be able to produce for Driver 3.

Moto GP (Namco, Racing)-

Moto GP treads the line between arcade, and simulation racing, and combines them with beautiful graphics. Pure sim enthusiast can turn on the sim mode for a more realistic experience, while more novice players can turn the handling to arcade. The game offers a season mode, where you can work your way up, two player mode, and even a challenge mode where you can complete up to 50 challenges. The only drawback to the game is the mere 5 tracks it offers which hampers replay value. However, sim racings fans, pick this game up to fill that Gran Turismo void, you won't be disappointed, everyone else will be satisfied with a rental.

NHL 2001 (EA, Sports)-

Not a Madden fan? EA didn't forget hockey fans for the PS2 launch. FIFA fans may still have to wait, but NHL 2001 is here in time for launch, and EA has given it the same treatment as Madden, making this the best looking hockey game ever released. Beyond graphics, the game has a plethora of modes, and tweeking options. Though it's missing the franchise and challenge modes of Madden, there is enough to keep hockey fans satisfied for months, especially if you spring for a ps2 multitap. Though it's missing some of the passing options of it's predecessors, and the difficulty comes off as a little easy, even on hard, this is still a must-buy for all hockey fan.

 

Orphen (Activision, RPG)-

Based off a Japanese Manga, Orphen is a unique mixture of Action-RPG, and Turn-based RPG. The game shifts between action RPG mechanics, to real-time turn-based battles. Instead of choosing a command from the menu, all attacks are assigned to a button on the Dualshock 2, and players can attack or defend in realtime at the press of a button. Orphen takes a unique spin on the RPG formula, and gets points for trying something new, however, the overall game comes of as not bad in any way, but also not great in anyway. It's simply, just middle of the road. This is a rental at best.

Q-Ball Billiards Master (Take-Two Interactive, Simulation)-

Even with the advanced processing power, and physics of the PS2, Q-Ball is still just a pool game, and a decent one at that. You can play 8-ball, 9-ball, and it even offers some challenge modes. However, you'd have more fun dropping some quarters at you local pool hall, then you will with this game. Not a bad game, but, even as Video game pool games go, it's average at best, and a rental at best.

Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2 (Midway, Sports)-

The original Ready 2 Rumble made it to shelves in time for last years, superb, Dreamcast launch, and Round 2 has made it in time for the PS2 launch. Taking the Midway approach to sports, this game is all about cartoony, over-the-top aracde action, making it more approachable to hardcore and casual gamers alike. Player build up their rumble meters in the match in order to unleash a bombardment of attacks on their opponents without losing stamina. On top of head to head, and exhibition, the game features tons of unlockable characters like Michael Jackson, Shack, and even the president of the united states. There is also a championship mode where players take on weekly regiments of fights, and training in order to build their stats up, and work their way up the championship belt. This is a great pickup for fans of the original, and a great rental for anyone looking for some simple, arcade boxing fun.

Ridge Racer V (Namco, Racing)-

What would a playstation system launch be without a Ridge Racer Game, and a beautiful one at that. Everything about this game is smooth, from the controls, the buttery smooth framerate, and the eye-popping graphics, featuring details right down to reflecting the background off the back windshield. Even with the aliasing and shimmering visual glitches that have plagued early PS2 games, this is, possibly, the best looking racing game of all time. At least until Gran Turismo 3 hits.

Ridge Racer 5 takes the series back to it's roots, bringing back the single-branching track designs of the original, as opposed to R4's varied selection of tracks. There are also only 14 cars to unlock, as opposed to the 300 plus in the fourth game.

For those who aren't familiar with Ridge Racer, this series is known for it's pure, unadulterated arcade racing with power-slide heavy gameplay. Sim fans will scoff at this game, but this series has always chosen playability over simulation, and PS2 owners looking for the best car-based racing game to play at launch need to put this in their collection. Beatiful graphics, smooth gameplay, tight controls, great soundtrack, and an abundance of cars and race modes to unlock, Namco has shown up big for the PS2 launch with Ridge Racer 5.

Silent Scope (Konami, Shooter)-

The original Arcade cabinet for Silent scope comes equipped with a really cool sniper-rifle lightgun which allows players to look through the scope to take out enemies. Unfortunately, the PS2 version does not come with a rifle controller, in fact, as of yet, no lightguns have even been released for the system as of yet. Playing this game with a controller sort of kills the novelty of the arcade original. That being said, this is a fun, arcade shooter that quickly wears thin. Even Silent Scope's putting the USB port on the front of your shiny new console to use with full USB mouse support can't make up for the lack of the Rifle, and certainly can't lift this game beyond pure rental-only territory.

Smuggler's Run (Rockstar, Racing-Adventure)-

Smugglers run is a rip-roaring, seat-of-your pants mission-based driving game that has players driving across massive landscapes to complete a variety of illegal missions. Imagine Driver, except not in a city, but in spawling landscapes, and you're not the good guy. Smugglers throw a good variety of missions your way, from capture the flag against competitors, pick up and drop off missions, to even straight races, Smugglers has enough variety, and extra modes to keep you playing. Like Driver, some of the missions in the game are hair-pulling, frustratingly difficult, but you always find yourself giving even the hardest missions just one more try.

The size and scope of the the levels is massive, and the maps are filled with hair-raising jumps, and even populated with pedestrians, and wildlife. Unlike Midnight Club, Smugglers has no qualms about running them over, Grand Theft Auto style. The gameplay is high strung, there are three large environments to explore and do missions on, and the gameplay is challenging, yet, addictive. The controls take a getting used to, and the physics are a little bouncy, and it's easy to get overturned. Graphically, the detail isn't the best looking of the launch crop, but the size of the maps make up for it. Overall, if you're a big fan of driver, pick this game up, otherwise, this is a must-rent for everyone else.

SSX (EA, Sports)-

This may sound a little strange, but, if after you drop $299 on your shiny new console, and $34 dollars on the required memory card, you find that you only have enough money in the bank for just one of the 29 launch games, plop your money down on Snowboard Super Cross. This needs to be in every PS2 gamer's collection.

SSX is more than just a mere Snowboarding game, most of which give you a bunch a random modes, and focus on either tricks or racing, but none of them combine tricks, and racing in the way SSX does. In SSX, doing tricks builds your boost meter, which allows players to boost their speed throughout the racing. The game forces you to tread the line between doing sick tricks, all of which are easy to pull off, and focusing on the race at hand. There is a risk verses reward to the racing.

Do you try and pull off a sick trick to get some boost, or do you skip the tricks to pull ahead of you competitors. The reward gives you boost, but the risk is, potentially not landing the trick, eating it, and losing position. This game combines racing a tricks like no other snowboarding game before. Tricks aren't just a means to get an arbitrary score while racing, they are an essential part of winning the race, and wining all three runs per track gains you experience points to use to up your character's stats.

The tracks themselves steal the show as, possibly, the most intricately designed tracks in any racing game ever made. The power of the new console has opened up the door for each track to be it's own open world, full of hidden paths, and shortcuts. While, Ridge Racer 5 uses different variations of the same track for each of it's different tracks, you'll swear there are at least five or six different variations of each track in SSX all hidden in the same tracks. While games like Cool Borders would occasionally have some branching paths, but hampered by the PS1's hardware limitations, often kept the edges of the track obvious with an invisible barrier always keeping you on the main track, in SSX, there are no barriers.

Often times in this game, you'll swear you are going off the track to an area where you are not supposed to go only to find out that it leads to a secret shortcut that was put in by design. The added power of the PS2 had opened the doors for EA Canada to add so many secret areas, and new areas in each track that you'll be finding new areas for months, if not years, the sheer size, scope, and attention to detail mean these tracks are like none you have ever experienced before. This is what the next generation is all about.

If you aren't sure why you needed to upgrade to the PS2 from the PS1, SSX is not only the best game at launch, the best snowboarding game ever, and easily one of the best games this year for any console, it is also one of the few actual next generational offerings in the PS2 launch lineup. Most of the games on this list are prettier PS1 games, meaning, from a design and gameplay aspect, has been done before, and could be reproduced on last gen consoles. SSX, along with a couple of others in the lineup, is a true next generation game that's size and scope could not be reproduced on the PS1, Saturn or N64 in any playable form. Until Metal Gear Solid 2, Final Fantasy 10, and Gran Turismo 3 hit the shelves, this is the best reason to own a PS2 for the time being.

Street Fighter EX3 (Capcom, Fighting)-

EX3 is definitely the third-string contender for the PS2 fighting crown, and should only be looked at by hardcore Street Fighter fans, or fighting game fans who have already mashed their way through Tekken Tag and DOA2. EX3 improves over the Japanese game by eradicating most of the slowdown that plagued the Japanese launch version, and it does have some unlockble characters, and even a cool character edit mode where you earn experience points and special attacks by beating challenges. Not a bad mode, but the overall package is, this will only appeal to Street fighter fans, and specifically Street Fighter EX fans. Street fighter will always play the best in 2D, but EX3 is worth a look, but not worth a buy to most gamers.

Summoner (THQ, RPG)-

Summoner is the best RPG to play on your new console. All the RPG offerings are a mixed bag, and none of them are traditional. Luckily, for Final Fantasy fans who get their hands on the new console, backwards compatibility to PS1 games means they won't have to miss out on the soon to be released Final Fantasy 9. However, if you plopped down the money for a PS2, and want to play the best next gen offering at the moment, pick up Summoner.

Summoner tells the story of Joseph, a summoner with a storied past, who wakes up to find his village on fire, and so the game begins. Summoner plays like a PC RPG. The battles are a mixture of reatime with some menu commands to do things like control you cohorts, cast spells, and even summon monsters. There is a chain system that allows players to chain attacks, think Vagrant Story, and leveling up allows the player to add stat points to customize your character.

As the game goes one, you get summonable creatures, and three new members added to your party. You can only control one player at a time, but the rest can be controlled via a mid-fight menu. Cities in the game are massive in scope, you can get lost for days wondering, just taking in the sights. Talking to NPC's will not only gain you much needed information, but a myriad of side quests. You can ignore these quests, or choose to play them to gain new items. The size and scope, and extra gameplay options in this game are beyond impressive. There are even random battles on the world map which put you in large environments fully of enemies.

Overall, despite some first gen-graphical issues, some major pop-in issues, slowdown, and even weird character models and undetailed textures in some spots, Summoner is the best RPG available on the PS2 at launch. Final Fantasy fans might be disappointed, but PC RPG fans will be pulled into Summoner's deep storyline, and varied gameplay. Everyone else should rent it to see, and traditional RPG fans should just pick up Final Fantasy 9 when it hits in November instead.

Swing Away Golf (EA, Sports)-

If you're a fan of Hot Shots Golf, Swing Away Golf will be right up your alley. Going for a more accessible game of golf, Swing Away will appeal to a wider market who find the idea of playing simulation golf as appealing as watching paint dry. Like Hot Shot's Golf, Swing Away manages to package deep enough simulation aspects into a very playable, fun golf game that is packed full of extra modes, including a course editor. With added features, and some decent next gen graphics, it still doesn't quite top Hot Shot's, but hardcore golf fans, and gamers looking for an addictive way to spend a weekend with a rental should look into Swing Away.

Tekken Tag Tournament (Namco, fighting)-

Last year, Namco wow Dreamcast Gamers by porting Soul Calibur to the system with brand new graphics, amazing gameplay, and tons of unlockables, making for, arguably, the greatest 3D fignting game ever made. Namco is giving Tekken the same treatment by releasing Tekken Tag Tournament for the PS2's launch, but with mixed results.

The graphics are amazing a beautiful, you've never seen Tekken, or possibly, any other fighting game look so good. The new tag feature works well, and is even worked into tag-team combos, and the roster plays like a greatest hit's version, a who's who of tekken characters, combining most of the roster of all three games into one, super tekken. Without a doubt, this is the greatest Tekken game of all time.

That being said, beautiful graphics aside, for Tekken fans, this is retreading old ground. If you played Tekken 3 to death, there is very little here to warrant a purchase. While Soul Calibur's gameplay was a breath of fresh air, and added the incredible edge master mode to earn new unlockables in the game, Tekken Tag's only special mode, outside of the standard modes you expect is the very well made Tekken Bowl mode, which is fun, but not a replacement for something as in-depth as the edge master mode in Soul Calibur.

If you are already bored with Tekken 3, Tag won't bring enough to the table to bring you back, it's graphics are beautiful, but the backgrounds are still the same, flat, psuedo-3D, endless scrolling backgrounds the series has always had. By comparison, DOA2's backgrounds feel light-years ahead with fully 3D gameplay and backgrounds. IF you want to play something fresh that feels truly next generation, go with DOA2 over Tekken Tag. Tag is great Tekken game, the best one ever made to be sure, but doesn't feel like the truly next-gen Tekken game we wanted to see on the PS2, meaning it takes second place behind DOA.

TimeSplitters (Eidos, First-Person Shooter)-

Free Radical design is debuting for the PS2 launch with Timesplitters, aptly named Timsplitters due to the incredible speed the game runs at. For Goldeneye fans, Timesplitters should look, play, and even sound similar, that's because Free Radical design is comprised of original members of the Goldeneye/Perfect Dark Team, and that heritage shows through in both the single player, multiplayer, and overall feel of the game.

The only gripe that can be levied about the game is how basic the single player missions are in the game. This was a game rush for launch, as the single player missions amount to a simple game of capture the flag, and the visuals aren't a giant leap forward from even the N64.

Players start at the beginning of each map, hunt down a simple artifact, and then run to the exit as the Timesplitters show up to stop them. The A.I. Is well programmed, especially on harder difficulty levels. The single player levels show promise in the case of a sequel, but one can tell the devs spent most of their time on the multiplayer aspect of the game, and that's where this game truly shines.

Not only is there an incredibly in depth map editor in the game that will keep you designing and tweeking your homemade maps for hours, the the sheer mayhem of the multiplayer will keep you coming back for more. Not only is this game the best reason to pick up a PS2 multitap at launch to play with up to four people, and up to 14 bots can join in on the action, so even if you are short a person or two, you will be able to kill hours blasting away, at death match, team deathmatch, capture the bag, bag tag, and more. The multiplayer is the most fun you can have in console first person multiplayer, even by yourself. Despite the platry single player, Timesplitters is a must-buy launch game for Goldeneye fans, and a must rent, must play for all PS2 gamers. Pick this game up.

Unreal Tournament (Infogrames, First-Person Shooter)-

1999's PC Game of the year is making a huge splash on consoles, seeing release on both the Dreamcast, and the PS2 at launch. Like Quake III, Unreal Tournament ditches the single player campaign to focus on what is truly important, it's the multiplayer stupid.

The poly counts in the PS2's character models get a boost, looking even better than the PC version, and the gameplay is fast, and mostly smooth. The game generally hovers around 30 frames per second, but there is some noticeable slowdown in certain levels, especially the larger ones. The slowdown doesn't hamper the experience much, but it's especially noticeable when using a mouse to aim.

That's right, not to ignore the hardware features of the PS2, Epic has added full keyboard and mouse support for Unreal Tournament, which can even be used in the four-player split screen matches if you have a USB hub to use. The biggest downer with the PS2 version is beyond Epic's control, whereas Dreamcast owners can enjoy this game for up to 8-players online via Seganet, Sony's network plans are still yet to come.

However, not to be defeated by lack of online play, Epic has included system link play through the firewire port on the front of the PS2 to create what's called a local area network. Those rich enough to own four PS2 systems, four copies of Unreal Tournament, four TV's and a firewire hub can link them all together for full screen four-player fragging fests.

Overall, while Unreal Tournament is an excellent launch offering, coming with 51 maps, mutators, and up to four player split screen, framerate issues bog the game down. Given the choice of which one to get, buy Timesplitters, and rent Unreal Tournament.

Wild Wild Racing (Interplay, Racing)-

Ever played a racing game where the wonky physics ruin the experience? Wild Wild Racing is a mediocre offering at best due to some poor design choices on the side of Rage Software. While the challenge modes the game offers can be pretty fun, and the game's only saving grace, the wonky physics and flawless AI opponents quickly turn the racing elements into a practice in frustration. The most aggravating part of the controls has to do with what happens when you buggy even so much as taps a wall in the game. Instead of bouncing off the wall, and continuing on, your cart will, instead be pulled in to face the wall, thus stopping all forward motion, and leaving you stranded there until you reverse, away from the wall, and correct your course. This problem shows up so much that half the races you'll be going in reverse as much as you will be going forward. The challenge modes are the highlight, but overall, this is only rent if you have nothing else to play. There aren't even any pretty graphics to look at here.

X-Squad (EA, Action)-

X-Squad is a squad-based shooter developed in partnership by Square EA, and wile it has an innovative gun upgrade system, the rest of the game is standard fare. The squad-based elements are interesting, but under developed, and the missions lack any real variety. The controls are well done, mimicking fist person shooters like Timesplitters, but overall, the gameplay is a little basic. Some of the graphics are nice to look at, but the game's short length make this pure rental material. If you have played any of the Syphon Filter games, you have already played better than X Squad, but for a weekend rental, this game is worth a playthrough.

A dozen for the future:

Gameday 2001-

The preview version of NFL Gameday is still early from what we can tell. The graphics and animations aren't up to snuff, and the whole game is glitchy. If 989 can iron out the many rough edges before the game is released, this could be the restart of the old Madden verses Gameday fued.

Rayman 2-

Rayman 2 has been ported to every available platform under the sun, now it's the PS2's turn to get an upgraded version of the game with new graphics and some new refinements to the formula, 3D platformer game fans are in for a real treat when this game hits in January.

Winback-

Koei is porting their above average action game Winback to the PS2 from the N64. On top of updated graphics, they are adding several new multiplayer modes to go along with it. The solid gameplay should tide PS2 action gamers over for a while until more high profile games hit the system.

Oni-

Oni is an anime-inspired third person shooter from Bungie Software, best known for The Myth series on the PC. The art style of the game feels like you are playing a real Japanese Anime movie. If the gameplay matches the quality of the art style, PS2 gamers will have another great action game to immerse themselves into this january.

Red Faction-

3.5D managed to get their hands on footage of the Red Faction Demo that THQ was showing behind closed doors at E3, and man are we excited for this game. Coming from Volition, the devs behind Summoner, Red Faction's main claim to fame is it's revolutionary geo-mod engine, standing for geometric modification. What this translates to is, environment in the game like pillars, and walls, can be blown up, and are deformed in real time. Things like walls, and locked doors are literally no longer a hindrance as the player can now just blow holes around them. This is one of our most anticipated upcoming PS2 games.

Soul Reaver II-

The original soul reaver hit the Playstation last year, and quickly became one of our favorite dark, action adventure games of all time. A huge world to explore with a very dark color pallet and art direction. The game was moody and brilliant. Soul reaver II has us drooling in anticipation to find out what happens after the cliffhanger ending in Soul Reave.

Dark Cloud-

Is this Sony's Zelda killer in the making? Probably not, but Dark Cloud mixes elements of Zelda with elements of a really old Super Nintendo Game called Actraiser where players find items in the game that allow them to build the town around them. So it's a mixture of Zelda with world building elements, mix that with beautiful graphics, and you have one of the most hotly anticipated PS2 games coming your way.

 

Onimusha-

Think Resident Evil with Samurai and you have only part of an idea of what onimusha offers. PS1 gamers might be familiar with Soul of the Samurai, and Onimusha plays similar. While there are horror elements to the game, it is primarily and action game, but with the same controls as resident evil, and the same prerendered backgrounds. Capcom started developing this game on the original Playstation, but moving it to the PS2 means Onimusha is slated to be the system's first high profile killer app.

The Bouncer- 

Coming from the same developers as the Tobal series on the playstation, the bouncer showcases amazing graphics, and is said to have incredible interactivity with objects in the environment. With a good story focus, and character designs that look like they were ripped straight out of Final Fantasy 8, the Bouncer is one of the most hotly anticipated PS2 games on the horizon. We can't wait to get our hands on this one.

TMB-

Twisted Metal is back and black with Twisted Metal Black, and looking to revitalize the faltering franchise for the next generation with a much darker art direction, and a new development house made up of members of the original Twisted Metal Team. We can't wait to get our hands on this game.

GT3-

The previously anticipated Gran Turismo 2000, and now morphed into a full blown Gran Truismo sequel in Gran Turismo 3. The graphics in this game are mind blowing. Never has any racing game on any platform come close to looking as good as this game, and beyond that, it has the same, amazing sim-gameplay we have all giving hundreds of hours to with the first two games in the series. This series is amazing, and we can't wait to get out hands on this game next year. Outside of Metal Gear Solid, and Final Fantasy X, this is the real reason to own a PS2. We can't wait.

MGS 2-

Were it medically possible, we at 3.5D would gladly volunteer to be put into a medical como for a year just to pass the time till Metal Gear Solid hits. There is no game on the system that is more hotly anticipated than 1998's game of the year. The original Metal Gear Solid is easily one of the greatest games ever made, and what few snippets of footage we have been able to get our hands on of Metal Gear Solid 2 show us that it is on course to top the original in every conceivable way. The graphics in this game are unreal, and unrivaled. Chances are, if you pick up a PS2 at launch, it's to play this game. We can't wait any longer for this game to hit, unfortunately, we are still a year out from this game. Why is life so unfair? Metal Gear Solid 2 is undoubtedly going to be the biggest killer app for the Playstation 2, and the best reason to buy one unless some other unforeseen game can dare come in an unseat it, which is highly unlikely. This will be a generation defining game for the PS2.

Thank you for watching 3.5D's ultimate PS2 launch guide. If you manage to grab a PS2 at launch, there are so many good to solid games to choose from, but this a a system we are buying more for the games coming out in the future. Only time will tell if the PS2 will manage to stay on top of this generation. Sega is amping the pressure up this year by releasing, arguably the best lineup of games for any system this holiday season, and Nintendo's Dolphin is still on the horizon as is the new competitor Microsoft's super secretive Xbox project. With four contenders in the home console market, the future is uncertain as to who will ultimately come out on top. One thing that is for sure in this console market, with so much competition, ever contender is going to have to put out their best efforts in order to gain the top spot, which means, in the end, no matter who wins or loses, it's gamers who win.

Sample This- Lethal Enforcers II: Gun Fighters (Genesis)

I still have my Justifier light-gun in storage somewhere, and maybe someday I can dig it out, along with my old standard-definition Dazzle Capture card and play some footage using that. 

When we first bought this game, we didn't have the justifier, we played it just like this, with controllers, and man, we still loved every second of it. Great game, and I have so many good memories of playing this with my brother. It's perfectly playable with a controller for the most part. 

We used to have an auto-fire/Turbo controller, and would set the reload button to auto, and the fire button to turbo, and shoot like a machine gun. However, I definitely worked out my thumb and forearm in this footage. It plays more like a rail shooter without the Justifier. 

I like Lethal Enforcers II better than the original. The original forces you to replay a level if you accidentally merc an innocent. Konami really wanted your arcade quarters. I love this game. 

This HD footage is courtesy of the Retron 5. And if you are interested in picking up a Retron 5, and want to help my channel out a bit, consider using my affiliate links to purchase the Retron 5

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Sample This: Shinobi (Master System)

I am using my Retron 5 to play this footage off the cart. 

For a while there, I was trying to perfect this game to the point where I had all the enemie placements in the first couple of levels memorized. I wouldn't even take a hit till the boss battle at the docks, which I could never beat for some reason. As you can see, my memory of enemy placements has long-since eroded. 

 For Master System owners looking for a Castlevania style fineness-style game, Shinobi is one of the few I have played. If you are more methodical in your gaming, this is the SMS game for you. This or Kenseiden which I am extra terrible at. 

I say, this is definitely a must-play for SMS owners. Fantastic arcade port. The Retron 5 appears to be using the FM sound by default, and I am not sure if you can change it. I just know that the music and sound effects sound differently on my Master system consoles. 

To play Master System games on the Retron 5, you can use the Power Base Converter, or you can buy Retron's own cart that allows you to play SMS, SMS Card games, and, the reason I bought it, Game Gear games. None of my Game Gears have working screens anymore. 

 And if you are interested in picking up a Retron 5, and want to help my channel out a bit, consider using my affiliate links to purchase the Retron 5

 ==================================== 

Here: https://amzn.to/3Doei4x 

And also here: https://amzn.to/3ai4jkW

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 If you are interested in the Game Gear/Master system adapter ==================================== 

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