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E3: Hands-on from Nintendo
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May 26, 2002 3:42 PM PST
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Update: More games and movies are added, and both Mario Sunshine and Metroid Prime thoughts are updated...
Nintendo knows how to put on a good show, with games that routinely create a show floor space reminiscent of packed sardines. This year, they will be releasing a number of top-tier titles, and we were there to play and form a few thoughts...
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E3: Yet More Movies and Impressions
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May 25, 2002 2:06 AM PST
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Working Designs displayed two coming titles on the show floor, Mystical Ninja Goemon and GrowLanser II: The Sense of Justice for PS2. Both versions were Japanese and Working Designs has yet to announce any release dates for the titles. After the situation with Arc The Lad, Working Designs is no longer promising release dates. Growlanser III: The Dual Darkness was also announced for the American PS2 and will be a separate later release. Let's see how many things they can squeeze into the packaging this time around.
.hack for PS2 is an interesting offering from Bandai, based on the anime of the same name. The game will ship with a companion 40 minute anime OAV episode "for clues on how to solve the game's mystery!" As it is, the game looks an interesting and accesible offering that should entice fans of anime. The ability to choose between English and Japanese dialogue is a very big plus.
Mystic Heroes is an action game for GameCube which looks somewhat like a kiddy version of their Dynasty Warriors series for the PS2. Regardless of how it looks, the title plays extremely well and should be a welcome addition for people who enjoy 3D beat'em ps...
Crimson Sea was only present on the show floor as a looping cinematic with no game play footage. The promise of grand one-vs-many combat is quite lucrative and the cinema is well made.
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance felt better than the earlier Circle of the Moon, but it is still far from a successor to the PSX's Symphony of the Night. A solid implementation of RPG elements can propel the title far, however...
Roll-o-Rama is a fun little game that takes advantage of Nintendo's oft-mentioned "connectivity" utilizing the GBA as a rocking and tilting controller.
Toe Jam and Earl 3 is the long-awaited continuation of the funky series that started on the Sega Genesis. The split-screen is still there. The whacky humor is still there. Now if only the music was decent...
Atlus will soon be releasing Sky Gunner a fun Sony-developed game that puts you in a universe not unlike Miyazaki's Porco Rosso, where air pirates rule the sky, and it's your job to get rid of the baddies. Strong character designs and smooth game play make this a very strong title, coming next month to the PS2.
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E3: Movies and Impressions from Day Two
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May 24, 2002 3:45 AM PST
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Gungrave is excellent. It's got great drama, solid controls, fun gameplay, lots of different, very cinematic attacks, and superb character design. Plus in spite of its being 3D, it feels like a 2D shooter in terms of that pure arcade action. It could be a big one…time will tell. Until then, check out an intro movie and some gameplay. Observe the stylishness! Stylishness!!
I was not blown away by Panzer Dragoon Orta…it looks nice, but seems to lack the architecture of the rest of the series. Also the music was rather mediocre, which would be a big letdown to the fans. I wonder if this isn't why they constantly use Panzer Dragoon Saga music when promoting?
Super Monkey Ball 2 is fun, responsive and addictive. I expected nothing less. You can do a lot more with your balls this time around, I'll tell you that.
RAD for PS2 is an interesting Mech sim with an extensive story mode. It's a goofy game…you pilot a huge mech, but at the same time your human character is on the playing field, seemingly invincible yet getting batted about like a rag doll. A rag doll filled with blood. Presumably the character on the ground is used to help evacuate the citizenry, etc. Although it's kind of fun to have your mech stomp on them instead.
Ratchet and Clank for PS2 is fun, but familiar. This is tried and true gameplay without much innovation. The same goes for Sly Cooper. It's nice, but I've seen it before. Basic platformers with puzzle elements and vibrant backgrounds. It seems to be fashionable to compare Sly Cooper favorably against Metal Gear Solid 2, but to us it seems inappropriate.
The new Zelda for GCN is excellent, but I'm sure everyone has already heard this before. Star Fox looks to be a smorgasbord of gaming genres, from platforming to fighting to shooting. This is definitely a title to watch.
All of Nintendo's first-party GBA games look fantastic visually. Virtually all of the third-party GBA titles (such as Shinobi and Altered Beast) do not (Super Monkey Ball is an exception). Honestly I'm still wondering why nobody but Nintendo can figure out how to make this thing look nice…
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E3: Hands-on with Nyko Air Flo
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May 24, 2002 3:45 AM PST
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All those who suffer sweaty palms during gaming sessions now have a would-be savior in Nyko and their new line of Air Flow controllers. We put our hands on the product and find that it doesn't quite perform up to par...
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E3: More First Day Movies
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May 22, 2002 10:29 PM PST
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On this first evening of E3, we bring you more movies straight from the show floor!
Panzer Dragoon Orta: The latest installment in the series from Sega's Smilebit, now for Xbox.
Contra: Shattered Soldier: The Contra series returns to 2D game play while maintaining an updated, 3D look.
Hunter: The Reckoning: A very promising four player action game from Interplay, based on the pen and paper RPGs from White Wolf.
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Based on the popular anime/manga title, Capcom releases this cel-shaded brawler steeped in story.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance: Konami's update of Metal Gear Solid 2 for Xbox. An atypical video filled with interesting surprises.
Red Dead Revolver: An Old West style shoot em'up from Capcom dark themes and a difficult control scheme.
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E3: Interview with Game Park
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May 22, 2002 10:29 PM PST
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Game Park reveals their plans for US release, future hardware, and software development information in this exclusive interview...
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