Overview
Here’s the second installment of my monthly Playstation 2 article. Just as with March, this is just a way to let PS2 readers know what big games are coming up in the month, and what great games were released last month that they may have missed.
April Releases
Def Jam Vendetta: April 1st
Midnight Club 2: April 8th
Splinter Cell: April 8th
Battlebots: April 14th
Chessmaster: April 15th
X2 Wolverines Revenge: April 15th
Tomb Raider: April 21st
Colin McRae Rally 3: April 22nd
NBA Street Vol 2: April 28th
Choplifter- Criss Shield: March 29th
Not as big a month as March, which was simply huge. Here’s the April releases you should keep an eye on.
Def Jam Vendetta
Genre: Wrestling
Developer: AKI/EA Canada
Publisher: EA
Release Date: April 1st
# of Players: 1-4
Also On: GCN, XBox
Check it yo, tired of dem weak ass wresslin games with all those wack mofos all tweaked out on steroids? Well den, dis be your joint right here. This game got all da phat rappers, cept that bony bastad Ja Fool. I wanna beat that wanksta straight down, homie.
Yea.. sorry. DJV is your basic wrestler, with a hip-hop flava. Not only are the wrestlers all stars in the hip hop business, but the game is laced with presentation that backs up with basic premise for the game. Hell, even the moves are renamed to add to the feel. Instead of an over the shoulder/hip toss, you have "get out da way". Instead of a simple slap, you have the "grit slap", among others. The developer is AKI, well known for their brilliant early N64 wrestlers, and even though I think the later ones were stale and uninspired, their experience will add lots to this game. Should add a new twist to a struggling genre. I just watched a "making of" video on MTV and it really looks like this game will fuse hip hop and wrestling into one fun game.
Midnight Club 2
Genre: Racing
Developer: Rockstar
Publisher: Rockstar
Release Date: April 8th
# of Players: 1-2(8 online)
Also On: XBox
Midnight Club was a pleasant suprise at the Playstation 2 launch. The blend of arcade racing, speedy gameplay and huge cities was a nice change of pace from typical console racers. The sequel is finally set to hit shores, and this one comes with more tracks, more cars and more modes, including the all-important online play. If you have a broadband connection you can log in and choose from multiple race types for up to 8 players.
Splinter Cell
Genre: Action
Developer: Ubi Soft
Publisher: Ubi Soft
Release Date: April 8th, 2003
# of Players: 1
Also On: XBox/PC/GCN
XBox owners have been enjoying Splinter Cell for months, now it’s time for PS2 owners to get a turn. Splinter Cells story is, in my opinion, about as lackluster and cliche as you can get. The gameplay though, is what makes this game so great. The stealth aspect of the game is probably the best in the business, even compared to the Metal Gear series. If you’re an action fan, this one’s a no brainer.
X2 Wolverines Revenge
Genre: Action
Developer: Warthog
Publisher: Activision
Release Date: April 15, 2003
# of Players: 1
Also On: Everything
The XMen franchise has really been represented poorly in videogames. Not since the Genesis XMen games have we seen anything resembling a quality XMen title, unless you count Capcoms VS series. Activision is looking to chance all of this when they release Wolverines Revenge in about two weeks, on every electronical device know to man. PS2, GCN, XBox, PC, GBA. You name it, it’s getting some sort of version. The game itself it a 3rd person action game, focusing on Wolverine and his search to uncover his past. Logans mutant powers come in to play and are focused on in the game, with ferocious attack moves and animal like senses such as smell and heat vision. All of these things are blended into the gameplay to provide XMen fans the most true to form game possible.
Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness
Genre: Adventure
Developer: Core
Publisher: Eidos
Release Date: April 21st
# of Players: 1
Also On: None
This game was announced a very long time ago and it’s been delayed quite a few times. Judging by the very little amount of interest this game is getting, one of two things has happened. Either the game has again been delayed or the game was delayed so long it’s now utter crap and the developers aren’t hyping it up and just want it out of the gate ASAP. Well, here’s hoping the developers get it together and get this series back on track and back to where it was around Tomb Raider 2-3, and quit with the yearly updates. AoD introduces quite a few new elements into the series, such as a new control scheme, a new look and multiple characters to play as. Tomb Raider was always a good series, people just got jaded after 5 straight years of it. After a few years off, this one should bring the series back to the top.
NBA Street Vol 2
Genre: Sports
Developer: EA Big
Publisher: EA
Release Date: April 28th
# of Players: 1-4
Also On: GCN, XBox
It’s been too long since I’ve played NBA Street. For once EA hit gold with a series and chose not to milk it with yearly updates. NBA Street is like NBA Jam, only good, and with a very cool combo system. The gameplay itself it pretty simple. You run around and shoot the ball. Where the depth comes in is the combo system. Different combinations of buttons executes different special moves, which can be chained together to get even higher scores. You tour the world beating different teams of players, adding players to your team as you go. With improved graphics, deeper gameplay and multi-tap support, Vol 2 should please both newcomers and the Street vets.
Games You Might Have Missed
Tenchu: Wrath of Heavens
I just started playing this one and I’m having even more fun with it than I did Tenchu 1. Great control and amazing gameplay. Any fan of either of the first two games should pick this one up.
Auto Modellista
Another one I just started playing, it’s a great game but with the cel-shaded graphics and rally-style controls, it’s definitely an aquired taste.
MVP Baseball
Ties High Heat for best baseball game this year imho. Solid graphics and the most innovative gameplay the genre has seen in years, MVP Baseball is amazing considering it’s a 1st year franchise. If only it had online play.....
Dynasty Warriors 4
I’ve yet to even FIND a copy of this game around my town. I have played it though, and it’s just as chaotic and solid as DW 2 and 3. If you have a friend that also loves action games, there’s nothing on PS2 better suited for you than Dynasty Warriors 4.
Amplitude
Frequency is one of the best games I’ve ever played, and Amplitude is suprisingly even better. It’s deep, involving, and even has tons of great artists like Weezer, POD and Garbage. Oh yea, online play is incredible. If you enjoyed Frequency, you should already own this game.
Well that’s it for April, another good month for PS2 owners. You got a wrestler, quite a few action games, adventure, sports. Even a good online title. Cya in a month.
