Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
February 26, 2004
I have very good memories of Square games on Nintendo systems. These memories go all the way back to the original Nintendo Entertainment System with Final Fantasy. This was the first Role Playing Game I had ever played to that point. It was the start of my passion for the genre and the beginning of my love affair with Square. However, those days did not last forever. Read more
Mission Based What?
February 18, 2004
Seriously, kids. This has got to stop. We can’t keep relying on Grand Theft Auto to control the future of video games any longer. Yes, they’re great games, and I enjoying playing them, but these uncreative copycats are flooding the market and it’s really starting to bother me. If I have to hear one more announcer in a game ad jizz his pants over how the game he’s screaming about has “mission based gameplay” like it’ some miracle innovation, I’m going to shoot out my TV, Elvis-style. Read more
Otogi: Myth of Demons
February 16, 2004
For years and years, since gaming became gaming, ninjas have danced their sword-wielding dance across our screens to save the girl or the world from the evil baddy. This tradition is continued and improved in From Software’s Otogi: Myth of Demons. Read more
Call of Duty
February 14, 2004
When World War two games are brought up, immediately Medal of Honor springs to mind. Medal of Honor has made a name for itself across all platforms. However, the folks at Activision have teamed up with the same developers who brought you Medal of Honor to deliver an even better World War two game. Read more
Metroid: Zero Mission
February 14, 2004
Having exposed players to the world of Metroid Prime (GameCube, 2002) and Metroid Fusion (Game Boy Advance, 2002), the developers of Fusion thought that it would be a good idea to go back and explore the roots of the Metroid franchise to those who may have never known it. Metroid: Zero Mission is not just a port or mere graphical upgrade of Metroid which first appeared on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986. In fact, the first Metroid game has truly been remade to provide a brand new experience in Zero Mission. While Zero Mission follows the same general structure of the original Metroid, Samus has been given new abilities, new areas to explore, new puzzles to solve, and new enemies to defeat. Even those who know every virtual inch of the original Metroid will enjoy the new experience found in Zero Mission. Read more
The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
February 10, 2004
Just a glimpse of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time during E3 2003 lead me to a conclusion that most other journalists also came to… That is, Prince of Persia was one of the best games shown at E3 2003 and that it would become one of the best games released in 2003. We were right. Read more
Metal Arms: Glitch in the System
February 10, 2004
In the middle of a season where a slew of big titles came out, the action title from Swinging Ape Studios and Sierra got lost in the shuffle. That game is Metal Arms: Glitch in the System and offers a single player mode and several gameplay modes for up to four players. But is it worthy of a purchase? Read more
The Arrogance of Nintendo
February 10, 2004
Since the release of the original NES, Nintendo has always been a little arrogant when it comes time to release a new console. They don’t care what the status of the industry is, how many people want a new console, or how many developers and publishers want a new console, Nintendo historically has released a new console only when they are good and ready. And why not? The company has been very profitable and has been a leader in the industry for a number of years. But they have been on a downhill slide for a few years now and have seen two new leaders slowly push them out of the console race. Read more
Halo: Combat Evolved
February 9, 2004
When it was released two years ago, Halo: Combat Evolved was the system-seller for the Xbox. The original developer, Bungie, was making the game for the PC when they agreed to turn it into the exclusive launch game for the Xbox. For Microsoft’s sake, it’s a good thing that happened. Halo was an instant hit, and helped the Xbox get adopted pretty quickly in the US. The First Person Shooter quickly gained popularity thanks to its addictive multiplayer and its sci-fi themed single player campaign. Gearbox Software took on the task of porting Bungie’s game to the PC. Read more
The Haunted Mansion
February 8, 2004
One of my favorite rides at Disneyland is The Haunted Mansion. I am not the only person who enjoys this ride and all the others at Disneyland. For some reason, no matter how popular this park or its rides are, not many games have been made out of these rides. I recall playing a title on the NES that went through all of the rides at Disneyland but I do not remember the title or if it was a popular game. So why should I bring up a game I can’t even remember the title of? This shows just how underused the Disneyland franchise has been used in the game industry. Read more