MEMBER PROFILE FOR VAN
Average Overall Score Given: 8.75000 / 10
Total Forum Posts: 920
Reviews
Crimson Sea
Crimson Sea, by Koei Games Corporation, offers fans of epic space battles a large helping of intergalactic carnage with a side order of crappy controls and crude camera work. If you want to show off the graphical powers of the Xbox system, invite your friends over and slide this disc in?just don?t let them attempt to play the game. Tragic. Absolutely tragic. After being treated to a spectacular opening cinematic which preps you for battle and sets the tone of the game, you quickly realize that this game is a looker and not a player. Think of a Ferrari with square tires and a three inch steering wheel. Gorgeous to behold, but an absolute nightmare to control.
While walking in a straight line is a relatively simple task, it is unfortunate that 99% of the games battles require you to move laterally or?heaven forbid?turn around.
Couple the dodgy player controls with some of the most horrendous camera work ever to be given a gold seal for inclusion into a game, and you have a recipe for an extremely frustrating game with an extraordinarily steep learning curve. Besides, how lame is it that the most frequently used defensive maneuver is called ?shuffling?-- a term typically reserved to describe your fat co-worker scurrying to retrieve the last remaining donut.
If there is to be a saving grace for Crimson Sea, it would have to be the graphics. Spanning the gamut from the truly awe inspiring, to the downright hokey, Crimson Sea?s visuals are anything but consistent, but at least they are nice to look at. Character models are reminiscent of those found in a game like Final Fantasy, and they work well here. Environments are well-crafted and tremendously expansive, though features such as foliage and water would seem more at home on a console like the PS1 or N64.
Stage bosses are easily the most visually stunning aspect of the game, as their sheer size and complexity of design makes you sit back and say ?Wow.? Just don?t sit there with mouth agape for too long, or you will quickly find yourself being handed a severe beating.
The ladies and gentlemen of Koei?s audio department deserve kudos for providing gamers with an outstanding orchestral soundtrack. Effects are top notch, and while the voice acting can become a little over-the-top at times, in no way does it detract (or add) to the overall enjoyment of the game.
Suggestions: If a sequel is planned, please work on the dodgy controls and incredibly unforgiving camera work. You have created a visual masterpiece with Crimson Sea?unfortunately the control and camera issues render it nearly unplayable, and definitely unmemorable.
Overall Score: 6.0 / 10
NFL 2K3
When I was first handed this game and asked to write up a review, I cringed. As many of you know by now, I am not the world?s biggest sports fan?let alone sports game fan. I put off reviewing this game for at least a week, just because I knew I would not enjoy it. I don?t know pass rushing from my elbow, nor a linebacker from a line drive.Putting aside my painfully obvious dislike for the sports genre, I popped this disc in and proceeded to go head to head against the computer. I chose the Cardinals?just because they had cool outfits, and the computer played as the Lions?I think.
To my amazement, I actually enjoyed my time with this game. The visuals are absolutely amazing, and the controls were easy for even a non-sportsfan such as myself to pick up.
The game is great fun playing against the AI teams, but truly shines in online multi-player mode. There is nothing quite like going head to head with a living, breathing human opponent, and thanks to Xbox Live, what was once a dream is now a reality.
Whether you are a die hard football fan or not, this game belongs in your collection.
NFL 2K3 makes excellent use of the Xbox controller setup. One thing I noticed immediately while playing this game is that, just as in real football, you will NOT always throw a complete pass. In previous football titles, you could throw consecutive 200+ yard passes and your receiver would suck it up regardless of coverage. In this game, you must actually think before you throw. Yours truly has always had a hard time on the defensive end, and usually resorts to furious button mashing in an effort to take down the charging ball carrier. Cycling to correct players in 2K3 was a cinch, and my thumbs thank Sega for their well-thought-out control system and not so forgiving AI.
While I have not played many next gen football titles, I have at least SEEN them all first hand. NFL2K3 is easily the most gorgeous footballer out there, and the player models have been created to near lifelike quality. Guys who are hulking behemoths in the real world, are hulking behemoths in the game. Little scrawny placekickers are appropriately scaled, as are all other players. Where other sports titles seem to place various faces over 2 0r 3 generic body frames, 2K3 seems to have gone the extra mile and re-created each players likeness as it should be.
The stadiums are gorgeous and grand, though the crowds could use a bit of work. (why is it so hard for a developer to make realistic crowds?) Turf, be it artificial or real looks fantastic, and weather effects are top notch. One aspect of the game that really sets it apart from the pack is the integrated scenes from ESPN news anchors. Mixing this with game footage gives you the impression that you are watching an actual televised broadcast.
Not much to write home about here. All the standards are present and accounted for. The roar of the crowd, the grunts of the players, the squeal of the whistle, etc. The one downside to the sound is the repetitive announcer voices which can quickly become annoying and distract you from the game. Thankfully, Sega has allowed us to disable this feature in the game settings, so I can?t really deduct points here.
All in all, the sound is just as you would expect. I mean, it sounds like a real football game, so what more could you ask for?
Suggestions: I wouldn?t know what to suggest. I?m not a sports fan, so how about adding some guns and stealth combat during halftime? J/k
I?ll be on the lookout for NFL2K4, folks. Good job on this one!
Overall Score: 9.0 / 10
RedCard Soccer 20-03
I've said this before, and I'll say it again. I HATE SPORTS GAMES. It is for this reason alone that it becomes quite difficult to impartially review a game belonging to a genre that I admittedly despise. Now after reading that, you may expect series of low scores for RedCard Soccer 20-03. Quite the contrary. I actually ENJOYED this game! Amazing, huh? Yes, folks, miracles can happen.
RedCard soccer is a blast to play, and I will probably be playing this one for quite some time.
Everything from the User Interfaces, to the Voice Samples, to the Weather Effects have all been included to near perfection.
If you enjoy soccer, this is *the* game for you. Bar none.
There is a definate learning curve with this game. It took me quite a bit of playing to get down the subtleties of passing, shooting, sliding, tripping, etc. The auto-aim feature makes passing a breeze, and it's not too often that an attempted pass will not reach it's target--perhaps it is *too* easy to make a succesful pass.
The game features a TON of play modes, options, stadiums, and teams, so you will not quickly tire of gameplay. Multiple weather and time of day settings have also been included to add to the fun. (try playing at night in the rain--now thats some fun soccer!)
Visuals. This is where most games are either a hit or miss. RC 20-03 has definately put together some fantastic graphics. Player models (despite their rather &t; looking appendages) have been beautifully rendered, and the faces are some of the best I've seen in any sports game. Unfortunately, I can't tell you if they are dead-on likenesses or not, since I have never watched a professional soccer game.
The stadiums look fantastic, and the turf varies from place to place. One of the coolest things I noticed was that the playing surface actually deteriorates in real time. If you slide through the grass, you leave a noticeable skid mark.
If you score a goal in a particularly remarkable manner, the game slows to Matrix-style bullet-time animation and you are treated to a really cool goal-scoring animation.
Beatiful game, all things considered. It's just those darned "Popeye Arms" on the players. Hmmmm....
The sounds in this game are top notch. Everything you would expeact to hear is present and accounted for, and represented to near perfection. The ambient sound of a cheering crowd is very well done, but the best part for me was the running commentary.
The commentators play calls were dead on. If you head the ball, the commentator takes notice and announces what you've done. There were a few times I noticed an incorrect call, but that is to be expected due to latency, and in no way detracts from the gameplay.
Subtle sounds such as kicking the ball, sliding on the turf, and blocking a shot on goal have all been impeccably recorded, and these minor details really add to the experience.
Suggestions: I honestly don't know what to suggest. Perhaps being able to mix and match players to form one "ultimate team".
Overall Score: 9.0 / 10
Hunter: The Reckoning
This. Game. Rules. Halo, take a seat. Hunter: The Reckoning is the new top dog on the Xbox. Survival horror has never been more fun, and in this game, survival won't be easy.
This game has it all. Action, blood, chicks, blood, kick !&%$@#* tunes, blood, likeable characters, and of course...blood. In fact, there is probably more blood in a single level of Hunter than in the entire game of Max Payne. Feeling a bit squeamish? The developers were kind enough to include an option to disable blood in the game(though I would bet my last donut that it will never be used.)
The game features 4 playable characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, so players who beat the game once will definitely want to go back through with each of the other 3 heros to see how well they "hunt". With multiple gameplay modes (standard, nightmare, and alternate), lots of hidden areas, unlockable costumes and weapons, the game affords a replayability factor rarely seen these days. If you are a veteran gamer, you may find the game a little on the easy side, so these added features are sure to give you your dollars worth. So what's the bottomline? Read the first line again and you'll have your answer.
This game is a thumb-buster! You will quickly discover that no matter how much you try to develop a strategy with which to attack the legions of undead, you are better off mashing buttons faster than a first-time DoA player. The Xbox controller works well, though I can't help but think that the smaller Controller-S is better suited for hours of zombbie slashing. Occasionally the game suffers from a poor camera angle, but this is indeed a rarity. Combos are simple to execute, and the ability to run and attack in 2 different directions makes it a bit easier to deal with dozens of baddies.
It's going to be very hard for me to talk about the graphics in this game w/o resorting to the use of gratuitous expletives. The visuals &%$#!*$@ rule, man! Who would have ever guessed that dead "things" could look so beautiful? If theres one reason to buy this game(and trust me, theres more than one reason) it's the gorgeous artwork depicted in the game. Character models, environments, and weaponry are all extremely well represented in crisp detail, and fog and particle effects abound. Sadly, I cannot say the same for the games introductory cinematic or cut-scenes. The opening sequence to RE:2 on the old PSX looked far superior, and given the Xbox's capabilities, I was disappointed that the hardware was not utilized to its fullest potential in these 2 areas. Disappointing, but not unforgiveable. The gameplay visuals more than make up for the poor cut-scenes and opening movie.
Searing hard rock soundtrack provided by the hard rock band "Coma", combined with some of the finest sound effects and foley work really help this game shine.
The howl of graveyard spectres, the screams of terrified children, the rustling of leaves beneath your feet, and the splash of water in the sewers. These sounds are all represented in crystal clear detail. Individual weapon sounds are extremely well done, and the voice acting is actually good! Crank the volume up when playing Hunter: The Reckoning and get ready for some truly sweet ear candy.
Suggestions: I smell a sequel! I would double the character count from 4 to 8, so a 4th buddy doesnt end up stuck with the "worst" hero.
Auto-centering cameras would be a HUGE plus. Where you look, the camera should look.
You could bump up the difficulty a notch or 2 to make the next game last a bit longer.
Fantastic game, ladies and gentleman. My hat is off to the folks at High Voltage.
Overall Score: 10.0 / 10
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath Of Cortex
Crash fans rejoice! After a two game break, that beloved orange bandicoot has finally come back to his roots...the 3-D platform!Sure, Crash Team Racing, and Crash Bash were fun, but Crash Bandicoot has and always will be a 3-D platformer, and I'm glad he has returned.
I have been a huge fan of the Crash Bandicoot series ever since the first game debuted on the PSX. I have owned (and still own) each game in the series, and I have adored them all. I'll admit that I was a bit nervous when I found out that the newest CB title was not going to be developed by the folks at Naughty Dog, who had done an excellent job in making Crash Bandicoot a household name among gamers and non-gamers alike.
Well, Traveler's Tales has raised the bar with this latest game in the Crash Bandicoot series. If you are a die-hard Crash fan, then this is a must-have title. If you are a dyed-in-the-wool FPS gamer, or an RPG fan, perhaps the whimsical theme to this hop & bop 3-D platformer may not be for you. All other gamers need to give this game a play, and to be perfectly honest, even the FPS and RPG guys should fork over the few bucks it would cost to rent this fantastic game.
Veteran Crash players will have little or no trouble in acclaimating themselves with the control scheme utilized in the game. You start out with your familiar spin and slide attacks, and as you progress, more moves are made available to you.
A welcome addition to this newest incarnation in the CB library is the ability to play as Crashes cousin, Cocoa. While her moves seem a bit on the sluggish side when compared to the lightning fast responsiveness of her co-star, the ability to play as another character is appreciated.
As with all 3-D platformers, there are some issues with depth-perception, and poor camera angles at certain points in the game. I can't count the number of times I killed Crash while hopping from one platform to another, only to fall short by a good 3-4 feet. This was frustrating at first, but with a little patience and practice, I was able to put Crash wherever I wanted him to go. Every time.
Luckily, the game is filled with 1-ups galore. Be grateful for this, since you will undoubtedly spend several of Crashes lives while maneuvering him about each of the 25 new 3-D worlds he has been dropped into.
With multiple-modes, and tons of hidden areas and items to seek out, this game provides the gamer with a tremendous replaybility factor. I still go back and play the original Crash from time to time, so I can assume that this latest game will be played over and over and over again.
While the graphics of Crash will not bring home any trophies in the "breathtaking" category, they are extremely well done. For the first time ever, the maligned marsupial has FUR! Yes, fur. Utilizing custom shaders, the development team has beem able to wrap Crash in a truly fuzzy coat. To see this on screen is truly amazing, and you can bet that this technology will be used more in future games.
Any of you who doubt the graphical power of the Xbox, need only play through level 10 of this game to be quickly put in your place. This is the underwater level that we have always dreamed of, and it is now a reality. Rent this game....play to level 10....and tell me it ain't the most gorgeously rendered underwater environment you have ever seen. Go on...I dare you.
The sound effects, dialogue, and ambient noise used throughout this game are pretty much standard Crash Bandicoot fare. Nothing ground-breaking, but quite enjoyable nonetheless. Clancy Brown has returned once again to provide the voice for Dr. Neo Cortex, and he hasn't lost his touch. All in all, a wonderfully designed game.
Suggestions: Traveler's Tales has done a bang-up job on their first Crash game, and I applaud their hard work.
In future Crash titles, I would like to see new villians. Cortex and his cronies are great, but I think it's about time for Crash to meet up with some new baddies.
Overall Score: 9.0 / 10
Triple Play 2002
Admittedly, I am not the best person to offer a review of a sports game. Not since the days of the NES and Jaleco's "Bases Loaded" have I found myself interested in console-based sports games. However, given the superior quality of today's sports titles, I just mayhave to increase that portion of my game library.
Triple Play 2002 is a good, solid baseball game. Not extraordinary by any means, but it's a well designed game nonetheless.
Die hard baseball fans will enjoy this game, but those who are craving a bit more realism from an Xbox baseball title, may want to hold out just a bit longer.
Gameplay is surprisingly simple to adjust to, though it will take quite a bit of practice before you can ever get your batter to connect with a pitch. This is frustrating at first, but if you stick with it, you'll be slammin' 'em out of the park in no time.
The real-life counterpart of the batter you use will play a large role in his ability to hit the ball consistently. A player such as Barry Bonds can connect with a pitch with little effort, while a player with a far inferior batting average will have a difficult time connecting.
Those of you with less than stellar reflexes need not bother with this game. Your timing must be precise to the millisecond if you have any hopes of getting on base. Further, if your thumbs are lacking in the rapid button mashing department, you may find it difficult to chase down outfield grounders.
Bottomline: The gameplay is ultra-realistic--perhaps to a fault--so be prepared to fire off a few expletives while you adjust to the controls.
Quite simply the best looking baseball title currently available, regardless of console. 200+ MLB players have had their mugs scanned into the game, and painstaking motion capture sequences provide an extra degree of realism.
Ballparks from all over the country have been digitally re-produced amazingly well, though the animated crowds could have benefitted from a bit of extra attention to detail.
This is a great looking game no matter how ya slice it.
The audio in Triple Play 2002 is standard baseball fare, though it outshines the audio from baseball games past.
We have veteran sportscaster Bob Costas and ESPN's Harold Reynolds. The color commentary presented is excellent at worst. 95% of the time, Costas' remarks to a play are dead-on accurate, further adding to the games realism. The occasional comic quips by Reynolds don't really help the game any, but nor do they hurt it.
Subtle ambient sounds such as the stadium announcer mic checking and announcing certain events is hardly noticible, but enough to make you think you're playing in a real live stadium.
Suggestions: The ability to create a custom lineup of players, or even a brand new team altogether would have greatly added to the replayability, though I don't see myself tiring of this game anytime soon, regardless.
Overall Score: 8.0 / 10
Rallisport Challenge
I've always enjoyed racing games. When I first plugged RSC into my Xbox, I was breathless in anticipation. After a short while, I began taking note of some of the games downfalls, and, perhaps prematurely, passed poor judgement on the game.Now 8 hours into the game, I can honestly say that it is truly one of the greatest racing titles I've ever played. Bar none. Gorgeous graphics which must be seen to be appreciated, a solid control set, and tons of race modes and challenges make for a racer that has lasting value, and is deserving of shelf space in any gamers collection.
The control scheme in RSC is pretty straightforward. Steering can be accomplished using either the left analog stick, or the D-pad, while braking and acceleration is controlled by the shoulder-mounted triggers of the Xbox control pad. Pressure-sensitive braking with the left trigger works surprisingly well. Controls are solid and the vehicle responds wonderuflly.
One complaint that I have in regards to gameplay itself is one that many people before me have mentioned. The fact that the computer seems to choose at random when you have veered too far off course can quickly become frustrating. Sometimes you can drive quite far off course and still manage to get your car turned around, while other times if you barely graze the outskirts of the track, your car will be re-set by the computer.
The default HUD contains a poorly placed navigation map which really makes it difficult to see the road ahead of you. This can be disabled in the game options, but I would have preferred to have the map placed in a corner of the screen instead. This is only a slight problem, and in no way detracts from the overall appeal of the game.
Adjusting to the controls, as with any game, will take some time, but once you have spent some time "behind the wheel", they become second nature and you'll be able to spend more time appreciating the games breathtaking visuals.
RSC is easily one of the most (if not THE most) visually stunning racers ever released. Period. The environments have been re-created in amazing detail, with nary a stutter in framerate. Textures such as snow, ice, sand, and concrete have been represented to near photorealistic quality.
The vehicles in RSC, while a little on the blocky side, look just like their larger, real-life counterparts, and each one is a blast to drive.
Subtle details such as vehicle spark arrestors periodically flaring from the exhaust pipe help to add to the realism of the game.
This is the one area in which I feel the developers could have taken a little extra time. By default, the game is played with engine and voice sounds cranked up, while the background music is barely audible. This problem is easily corrected to provide a better balance in the games set-up options.
Ambient sounds are present, but not over-powering, and the voice of your brave navigator is clear and crisp--though slightly irritating after a few hours of gameplay.
The vehicles themselves have no distinct engine sounds. Whether you choose to pilot a Ford Focus Cosworth, a Suburu Impreza, or a Mitsubishi Lancer, you'll be hard pressed to notice a difference in sound. Engine noise is more of a monotonous, droning sound than a complimentary auditory addition, and it really detracts from the gameplay, so I recommend cranking the level way down in the games options.
There is a custom soundtrack option, and since the games pre-loaded music library is rather limited, you may want to load up some custom tracks. I recommend System of a Down, Metallica, or P.O.D.
Suggestions: I would really enjoy a "create-a-car" (similar to that in Nascar Thunder 2002)feature where I can build my own rally racer from scratch.
Overall Score: 9.0 / 10
Project Gotham Racing
Project Gotham is not your average racing title. I remember when I first heard the name, I assumed it would be a comic racer featuring the Batmobile and other vehicles from the Batman film and TV series. Well, luckily I was mistaken. Those of you who played "Metropolis Street Racer" on the Dreamcast (which has nothing to do with Superman) will be familiar with the "Kudos" points system utilized in this game. Kudos points are awarded to those drivers who flawlessly execute risky powerslides and other insane maneuvers while
at the same time jockeying for a first place finish.
The game features several gameplay modes, including your standard "get to the finish line first" mode, but at the heart of the game is the Kudos Challenge Mode, where only the best drivers will succeed--and only if they drive fast, as well as stylishly.
Project Gotham Racing is simply breathtaking. Enormous replayability, stunning visuals and and killer sound innovations combine to make this one of the best titles currently available for the Xbox console.
A tight, solid control scheme is probably the most important factor in any driving/racing title developed today. Who cares how many jillions of polygons's a particular map contains, or how many spiffy cars there are to choose from
if I start my race only to discover that the vehicle I have chosen handles about as nicely as a manure-laden rickshaw?
Fortunately, it has become decidedly difficult to develop a racing game today with a bad control scheme. Afterall, there are only 3 basic operations that need to be performed while playing--Stop. Go. Turn. Simple, eh?
The folks over at Bizarre Creations have really nailed the control scheme in PGR, and have assigned common game functions
to the most appropriate controller buttons--and yes, you can modify the default controller settings if they are not to your liking.
Turning corners in the game is nice and smooth, and can be accomplished using either the analog thumbstick, or the standard directional pad.
Undoubtedly the most important button you'll be using
is that which controls the hand brake. The ability to pull off
perfect corner-hugging powerslides is imperative to progress in this game, and I recommend acclaimating yourself to this procedure as early as possible.
Since the controls are so solid, learning to pull off the risky powerslides is quite easy. However, the 360 slides take a bit more practice--as would be expected.
The only negative comments I have regarding the controls are in reference to how they are applied to each vehicle. Take the SS Camaro for example. This car is easily one of the poorest handling vehicles in the game, yet in the real world, this car handles extremely well. This is a minor complaint, and in no way detracts from the fun factor of the game. If you don't like the way a particular car drives, simply choose another. To be quite honest, I have spent most of my game time behind the wheel of the Volkswagen Beetle, solely because it is an absolute blast to drive.
Project Gotham Racing is easily one of the most graphically stunning titles currently available for the Xbox console--regardless of genre. It seems that every detail, no matter how small, has not
been overlooked.
At the heart of the game is of course the vehicles....and they are gorgeous! This is a case of quality over quantity, where each of the 20+
vehicles has been represented in startling detail. Thanks to an outstanding vehicle damage engine, you can be assured that hitting a guardrail at over 100 MPH will NOT be forgiving to your beautiful new paint job. Vehicle lamps can be broken out if you are not careful, and when driving at night this is especially hazardous. I have raced a few night circuits, and once you bust out both headlights, you may as well call it quits.
There are over 200 highly detailed racing circuits in PGR, divided into 4 distinct locales. New York, Tokyo, San Francisco, and London. You can literally play this game for weeks--even months--and still come across
a track you have not yet raced. This affords tremendous replayability.
The lighting and weather effects in the game are truly amazing. The real-time reflections in the shimmering paint of each car as you drive under trees, lights, and other objects are amazing to say the least.
A truly gorgeous game.
For the most part, racing games typically rate about average when it comes to sound and music. Afterall, all you really need is engine noise, the screech of brakes, and the occasional sound associated with bumping other vehicles, or even worse, stationary objects.
PGR's developers obviously realized that sounds in racing games past were a bit lacking, and they pulled out all the stops for their latest offering. Along with the typical sounds of driving (mentioned above) PGR features 12 actual radio stations that you can listen to while driving. If you happen to be cruising the streets of San Francisco, you can choose one of 3 radio stations that actually
exist there...including the actual disc jockeys. You can coose anything from R&B, to Electronic, to Hip Hop, to good old fashioned Rock and Roll.
One real innovation in PGR is made possible by the built-in hard drive housed inside the Xbox console. Utilizing the hard drive, you can rip tracks from your favorite CD's directly to the hard drive and play them back during the game. With this feature, it is literally impossible to find fault with the sounds
in the game, since you are given carte blanche to design your own in-game soundtrack for playback during gampeplay.
Suggestions: I would like to see the inclusion of a few more vehicles, as well as additional cities. The 200+ racing circuits are amazing, but at times it becomes difficult to discern one track from another.
I want a sequel!
Overall Score: 10.0 / 10
