Kameo: Elements of Power
November 29, 2005
Kameo: Elements of Power is a game that many felt would never be released. Originally palnned for the Nintendo 64, this title spent multiple years at Nintendo’s E3 booth. A year after Kameo was first shown at E3, the game was moved to a GameCube launch title. Unfortunately Rare did not finish the game for the GameCube launch and the title became heavily delayed. When the decision was made to allow Rare to be sold off to Microsoft’s First Party Games Division, Kameo was set to be an Xbox title. The game looked and played very well on the Xbox but for some unknown reason, Rare would not ship the game. Three console generations after the game was originally set to release, Kameo: Elements of Power has finally arrived. Was it worth the wait? Surprisingly it has. Read more
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
November 28, 2005
Rockstar has made a name for itself ever since Grand Theft Auto III was released on the PlayStation 2. Since that time, two follow-ups to GTA III have been released to massive sales and a lot of controversy. Now entering the handheld arena for the first time with a serious GTA title, Rockstar has released their long-awaited PSP title. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories takes players back to Grand Theft Auto III where players control Toni Cipriani and become the right-hand man to Salvatore Leone in his gang wars. During the course of the adventure, players will encounter a few technical issues. However, overall this is a very worthy title in the GTA series. Read more
X-Men Legends II: Rise of the Apocalypse
November 26, 2005
When I first heard about X-Men Legends, I was very excited. This was the first X-Men game that actually allowed players to use the various Mutant powers at any time. It seemed too good to be true. When the title was released, it stayed in my GameCube for months and months. Although I loved the original, I was a little skeptical when X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse was announced. Why? Because 9 times out of 10 sequels aren’t as good as the original. Thankfully, Raven Software not only knows how to make a good quality game… they also know how to make a sequel. Read more
Xbox 360: Unmasked
November 25, 2005
So, it’s finally here; the next generation of gaming was ushered in last week by the arrival of Microsoft’s Xbox 360. The significance of this launch, I believe, is not really in the games themselves, but in the system’s capabilities. I was definitely excited about getting my hands on this console, and luckily, I preordered a long time ago and was able to get one on launch day. However, I wasn’t looking deep enough; I wanted the console so I could play cool new games with outrageous graphics. Oh, I got this, no worries there, but after spending some time with the system, I realized that it is much more than just pretty visuals and processor upgrades. Read more
VanaDiel_November2k5
November 23, 2005
Greetings fellow citizens of Vana’Diel, we’re back with another update on the all the going-ons from the world FFXI. Actually, there’s not a whole lot to report on this time around. November didn’t see a serious version update; the first time that’s happened in several months. However, there were a few announcements made that should make the next update a doozy. Read more
Xbox 360: Lets Do Launch
November 22, 2005
The birth of a new console is met with much optimism and excitement. No matter how one feels about a given company, new technology is always something that drives gamers who are passionate for the industry. However, in all my years of covering games and being a hardcore gamer, I have never witnessed a launch of a new console with as much energy and domination as that of Xbox 360. Read more
Gun
November 18, 2005
There is something about a western that captivates our imagination. I recall playing Cowboys and Indians as a kid, watching old black & white movies, and wanting to experience the thrills of gun battles and horse riding in a video game. Despite the use of the setting in Hollywood and television, few videogames have utilized the “Wild Wild West” in their games. Those that have were easily forgotten. But now that Gun is here, there is a new sheriff in town.
Who would have ever thought that Neversoft, best known as the Tony Hawk developer, could bring us any other type of game. Gun is not only a fun, but short, title–it is the start of what could be a great new franchise for both Neversoft and Activision.
You control Colton White–a young gun-slinger that loves his six shooter. After learning the ropes in a tutorial mission from Ned, players are led onto a steamboat where the first real gameplay mission begins. Although you are ultimately successful and completing the mission, Colton barely escapes with his life and Ned dies–along with everyone else onboard. Ned’s dying wish is that you go to Dodge City and learn the truth.
The vast majority of the storyline is a bit shallow and the game is very short. However, I loved each and every cinematic sequence between missions due to the very high quality voice acting. The biggest crime Neversoft committed was not giving players more content.
Visually Gun looks nice. The Xbox 360 version is the best looking but it is not what I would consider “Next-Generation” quality of visuals. What we get on the X360 are slightly better graphics, the inclusion of achievements, a $10 higher price tag, and not anything else different from the current generation of systems. Because of this, it is hard to recommend players to go out and spend $59.99 for the same game they could buy for $49.99 on the PS2 or Xbox.
Despite which version you decide to play, there is plenty of action. Also, due to the inclusion of a large variety of difficulty levels, players of all skills can enjoy the adventure. Players collect and upgrade a variety of different guns. Each one is best used in different circumstances. There is also the inclusion of horses in Gun. But this portion of the title feels a bit rushed. For example, when I first got my horse, I was riding it around and was ready to venture into Dodge City. However, I saw a spotted horse that I liked better. I left my newly acquired steed and jumped on this other horse. Unfortunately there isn’t any real ownership involved in horses. So don’t worry about yours dying. Just find any other and hop on.
One of the most enjoyable gameplay elements is the Quick Draw. This allows you to magically hit enemies without reloading and is in slow motion. Once the meter is emptied, you will have to fill it up again before using it. With other weapons, like the shotgun, you can look down the barrel of the gun for some intense action. Ammo is unlimited for your six shooters but everything is limited but can easily be replenished off fallen enemies or bags on the ground.
Each mission in Gun must be completed before continuing on. If you fail a mission, you can restart without any penalty. This takes a lot of the challenge out of the game–no matter what difficulty setting you are playing on. To add a bit of variety and challenge, there are several side missions you and optional items you can locate. Unless you are trying to obtain a higher Achievement Score on the Xbox 360, I felt little need to complete any of these except when I was broke and needed more cash for upgrades.
Despite a short storyline and little replay value, Gun is the best western game I have played in a very long time. It is definitely worth a look but due to the length you may find little value in purchasing it over renting it. I fully expect Neversoft to revisit this game in the near future and deliver a longer storyline.
MS Unveils Launch Marketplace Content
November 16, 2005
Exciting day one line-up provides gamers with more than 400 pieces of exclusive content on November 22 Read more
Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest on X360?
November 16, 2005
Yahoo/Reuters recently conducted an interview in Japan that said Square Enix will begin to produce Final Fantasy XIII and Dragon Quest IX on both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. This move would go completely against anything that has been done by Square in the past. They have produced their big franchies only on one console–while providing smaller titles on other competing platforms. Read more
Nintendo WiFi Issues
November 15, 2005
Today in the US, players had a chance to witness a taste of history. Nintendo DS owners could play, for the first time, games over the Internet. While only Tony Hawk’s Sk8land and Mario Kart DS are currently available, this is a bold new step for Nintendo. However, the launch of this new service has not been without problems. Nintendowifi.com has had postings saying that the Wi-Fi service is currently experiencing problems. This does not appear to involve Tony Hawk’s Sk8land. Only Mario Kart DS has had connectivity issues. But no reason for the problems or an ETA on a resolution has been posted. Read more