Console Reviews
While the game can be quite frustrating at times and there is still an over-abundance of cut-scenes, it also packs a great story and some gripping gameplay. It can also be very cheesy but that is to be expected for a Metal Gear Solid game. It requires patience but it is definitely worth it.
Gameplay: It takes a while to get used to all the changes but it is worth it.
Graphics: Very impressive.
Sound: Quality voice acting and fitting music
Console Reviews
If you enjoy racing through bland environments in twitchy cars while your ears are assaulted by a never ending cacophony of bad voice acting and screeching sirens then Smuggler’s Run is the game for you. If not, stay far, far away.
Gameplay: Might have been fun once upon a time but not anymore.
Graphics: Bad even by PS2 standards.
Sound: Don’t inflict this on your ears
Console Reviews
If you are a fan of the series you will enjoy this game as it is basically more of the same. The visuals have improved over the last game, but since this is for a brand new system I was expecting more. It is not really worth it for single player, but if you have a bunch of friends and want to engage in some tag team battles you might enjoy this.
Gameplay: Bar a few changes the gameplay feels the same as the last game.
Graphics: Improved over the last game, but not really cutting edge for the system.
Sound: It is good they kept the Japanese character voices, but the music is unremarkable
Console Reviews
Dead or Alive 2 is a much faster fighting game than other 3D titles, but with some practice it is a lot of fun. The game might appear to be very simple at first, but mastering all the techniques will take a while. The beautiful visuals will draw you in but there is more than enough gameplay to back it all.
Gameplay: Fast and frantic.
Graphics: Great compared to other fighters on the market.
Sound: Decent
Console Reviews
For a nice multi-player blast fest this can’t be beaten. Single player on the other hand will be over way to quick too make it worth your while. It’s a lot of fun for a launch title however and a brave step for first person shooters in the console world.
Gameplay: Fast and frantic, but definitely geared more towards multi-player than single player.
Graphics: Lots of variety and an interesting visual style.
Sound: Frantic soundtrack that fits the visuals perfectly
Console Reviews
Virtua Fighter 4 is aimed squarely at the hardcore fighting brigade so if you do not have the time and patience to devote to this game you will not get your money’s worth. It seems to be a bit more accessible than previous entries, but is unlikely to wow fans of Tekken and Soul Calibur.
Gameplay: A beat ’em up where the focus is purely on the fighting and not the story or other bonus thrills.
Graphics: Pretty good considering its age.
Sound: A mixed bag, but not bad overall
Console Reviews
After the excellence of the previous game there were a lot of expectations riding on this sequel and gladly it does not disappoint. God Of War 2 is every bit as good as the original and surpasses it in many areas. There are lots of visceral combat sequences and you’ll be cracking just as many tough puzzles as enemy skulls in this epic game.
Gameplay: Brutal and over the top with a nice mixture of puzzles thrown in with the combat.
Graphics: Some of the most epic set pieces seen in a PS2 game.
Sound: Epic orchestral soundtrack and good voice acting
Console Reviews
Jak & Daxter is a good game that checks all the right boxes on the platform 101 list but fails to really captivate. Stages involve collecting the same things over and over while the story will only keep you hooked if you are very young or easily amused. While it does nothing spectacularly wrong it does little to set itself apart.
Gameplay: This is a solid platform title in the vein of Super Mario 64 and similar titles, but unfortunately there’s not much to set it apart.
Graphics: Good draw distance and vibrant colors, but cliched locations.
Sound: The voice acting is good and the music decent, but unmemorable
Console Reviews
There are some interesting new additions to the Burnout formula here and taking out rival cars is every bit as fun as it was in the last game. The traffic checking feature might upset some fans as it removes a bit of the tension from the races but its a lot of fun and overall Burnout Revenge is a worthy successor to Takedown.
Gameplay: Adds some new elements to the Burnout formula, some better than others.
Graphics: Gritty and destructive.
Sound: Solid sound effects and some nice music
Console Reviews
The absence of an online mode and the unbalanced A.I detract a bit from the experience, but there is a wealth of single player modes and features to keep you coming back for more. With impressive graphics and a large roster of characters Soul Calibur III remains one of the best fighting games on the system. Patience is definitely required however.
Gameplay: The CPU can be cheap as dirt in single player mode, but the game remains addictive and feature packed.
Graphics: Without a doubt some of the best on the system.
Sound: The music is good, but the announcer and English voice acting starts to grate very quickly
