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Entries in Playstation 2 (3)

Tuesday

18Mar

GTA III : Give Me Liberty

Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 20:08

Ahead of the release next month of that big-name game-of-the-year sequel, recently i've gone back to revisit Grand Theft Auto III, released an amazing whole seven years ago. How time flies. The backlog of uncompleted games still exists under above the consoles on a shelf, but what's the point in keeping older games if you're not going to play them impulsively in a few years time? Either way, playing through GTAIII is more than a refreshing nostalgic lark, just a further reminder of why I love the game so much.

It's interesting though, because despite having a PS2 at the titles time of release, it wasn't something I was originally interested in. Naturally being Rockstar the game hadn't been promoted heavily during it's development, but that legendary unique excuse and chance of buying it for myself solely based on playing it at a friend's, well, the game came from nowhere, and i'm pretty sure it was a similar feeling for those thousands that bought a PS2 solely to play it. But it's an innovative game; where Super Mario 64 introduced the player to 3D worlds, GTAIII gave that world depth and substance, populating it in the process with figures all the more interesting than Goombas. The last 3D action-adventure, and the first 'sandbox' title.

That feeling of depth and immersion within the game for me was one of the biggest draws. Sure, as a teenager that bizarre lust for violence that plagued my gaming mind was another force, but being able to not play within a game world and rather, belong, it was a one-time feeling. Cruising past the LCPD in a Yellow Taxi, listening to Chatterbox FM and Head Radio, passing fictional shops and rubbernecking at the product placements on the billboards overhead, with a passenger in the back, and all the while, wondering what was over that hill across the sea. The game world is limited of course, of course it's limited, but that unique sense of freedom driven purely by curiosity- not towards the next level or mission, but to the geography, street, and experience- it kept me going. There might be a flame-thrower, a hidden package, or even better, one of those shiny red cars i'd seen earlier in a cut-scene. Things to collect, out of curiosity, later, out of obsession. Finally a game where the Pokémon tagline of Gotta Catch 'Em All was not only motto, but mantra.

It's a game full of great moments, one that keeps on giving. These are more than mere virtual memories, they're stories from Liberty City, that place you long to visit after work or school, and that place that lingers in your mind for several hours after your daily visit. Moments that are unique, but moments that compare to your other favourite videogame memories such as rescuing Yorda or entering the 3D Mushroom Kingdom for the first time. This game has them. Moments and ideas that were not simply supplementary to the success of the PS2, but pivotal, the game that launched it's own genre and meaning for a console; the day when videogames not only grew up, but realised their potential. A game story so optional the majority of your time wasn't spent obeying the game's narrative structure, but rather, obsessively spent carving and creating your own.

Though I did not realise it the first day I played GTAIII -or the week after i'd reached the Shoreside Vale in the game, or even in the months after i'd completed the game 90% and lost interest- it would become one of my all time favourite games. A challenge and reputation that it's next sequel released next month will hopefully not only match, but obliterate completely.

It's going to be tough.

RichardAM |

Canis Canem Edit

Saturday, July 21, 2007 at 20:04

It was announced earlier this week that Rockstar Games' 2006 GTA school-em-up Canis Canem Edit is going to be ported to the Wii and X360. With my games collection full of half-finished and never started games, I returned to the game a few weeks ago with intentions of playing through fully, and that I did, finishing off the game last weekend.

With a plot early on as simple as "you are Jimmy, you go to School", from the outset it's quickly established that this title follows in the crime-ridden footsteps of it's bigger brother Grand Theft Auto, except the only felonies you'll be committing here are egging teachers, and the only worry being on time for class. The game is played entirely through an adolescent perspective, meaning that, obviously, the cars of this city are not for driving, and bed-time is no later than 2am, cutting back immediately on the freedom offered in many other sand-box titles, but by contrast, making the game a lot more tighter, both in gameplay and plot structure.

The game demands that you go to class twice a day, but as expected of every title nowadays, there's a story to play through as well should you have time between classes. Like the GTA titles it's the standard tale of going from the gutter to somewhere popular and influential, however one given with a high school twist. Girls are there to be made-out with while nerds picked on and bullies given the wedgie, and the plot centres around the factions of the school, and your relationship towards them, all the while training you up for your once friend now sworn enemy, in a plot straight out of any US teen drama. The story here isn't remarkable by any means, but it does it's job, and for the most part is enjoyable, falling apart only towards the closing stages of the game and the new locations.

The game opens up almost expectedly within the high school, and for the first hour or so of the game, this is the only setting you're allowed to play in. The game soon opens up considerably shortly afterwards however, with the full town of Bullworth there for a walking, skating, cycling or swimming through. In regards to other titles of this nature the play area is significantly smaller, but through the eyes of a young protagonist and with the first chapter spent entirely in class, the game seems immediately full of freedom and mischief-making possibilities. A funfair, beaches, a BMX park, and a lighthouse, all landmarks of the town, and perhaps the hidden appeal of the game, in that, yep, it's another virtual town, but this time one with it's own personality, architecture and character, and one that from the outset is an absolute joy to explore.

The other signature trait of the game is the distinct soundtrack that accompanies many of the missions and cutscenes. With a 80s guitar vibe throughout the proceedings often with retro electronica, they couldn't be a bigger contrast to videogame soundtracks if they tried, and one that despite feeling a little vintage, is entirely at ease with the game as a whole and well-suited throughout, especially during chase scenes. Voice acting additionally is also successful in it's execution, perhaps the only thing holding it back being the dialogue and story in general, but compared to the other GTA games (and certainly a relationship that can't be ignored) the general population and other NPCs in this game world aren't very chatty, and completely devoid of appeal or humanity. Supporting character in the story however are all with their own charm and eccentricities, as are for the most part the students that roam the halls of Bullworth and wander the town locales with you. Ultimately they are stereotypes yes, but along with the mission structure and gameplay in general, they do make those feelings of school life come back to the forefront of the mind.

Canis Canem Edit is an interesting game, and one that despite poor commercial success does need to be played. As a little brother to other free-roaming videogame franchises it is a remarkably easy playthrough and far from being head-scratchingly difficult, but the game as a whole is full of adolescent charm and mischief that makes up for any other shortcoming, and certainly, makes the game what it is.

Labels: Playstation 2, Videogames

RichardAM |

Ten fantastic PS2 games.

Sunday, March 25, 2007 at 23:32

The launch of the PlayStation 3 this weekend marks all but the end of this current generation, and perhaps to an extent too, Sony's reign as console kings if recent sales figures are to be believed. But ignoring the future, the PS2 has had a fantastic run, and certainly, a games catalogue full of triple AAA titles. So with that in mind, here's ten that stick out for me-

SSX
Undoubtedly the jewel in the PS2 launch, SSX is still incredibly playable today. Running at a fantastic framerate, SSX is a neon explosion of light and colour all set to the foreground of being a snowboard arcade-racer where the emphasis is purely on speed and style. Though the sequels meddled with the formula and exaggerated some of the title's defining features, for pure retro joy and simplicity, this is the best iteration of the series.

Grand Theft Auto III

The series' first foray into a 3D playing environment, and for many, the first memories associated with the PS2. Laden with pop-culture references and jokes on culture, GTA3 is such a joy to play because it does everything so well, whether it be exploration, shooting or driving. But it's the fact that there is so much freedom within the gameworld in the first place that makes the game successful. As with all games nowadays there's the obligatory storyline, but the notion of just being able to do whatever you want in a constricted environment previously had been unheard of. It's not revolutionary by any means, but in terms of evolution of game worlds, that it is. Like SSX it's spawned numerous sequels, but again, this is the one you want to play.

God of War
While housing numerous genres, the PlayStation 2 will always be the home for 3D action adventures, as is the Xbox(es) to First-Person-Shooters. God of War is far from revolutionary, and on the surface is just another one of those generic adventures, but a quick play and it's evident it's more than this. While far from revolutionary, GOW is an absolutely incredible playing experience with solid execution throughout. Set in ancient Greece, visual design within the game is at an all-time high. As much a platformer as it is an adventure, this is the free-roaming beat-em-up genre brought back to life and up to today's game standards. Perhaps the game lasts a little too long, but certainly, it's a game-playing experience you'll never forget upon completion.

Ico
At it's simplest level, Ico is a platformer involving the usual jumping and rope swinging, but for perhaps the first time in a videogame, the story is the main focus and admirable quality of the game. It's incredibly surreal and dark of course, but the tale of a young boy outcast from his village and a mysterious girl of light traversing a big castle while helping each other out on the way is just too charming not to care about. For once, the NPC becomes more than just that and suddenly transforms into someone you do genuinely begin to care for- not a goal, not a screen nuisance, and certainly not a chore, Ico is certainly a game that invokes emotions towards videogames you never knew possible. Visually stunning and engrossing throughout it's platforming with an adult spin.

Dragon Quest- The Journey of the Cursed King
In terms of progressing the RPG genre, Dragon Quest is far from revolutionary. In fact, the game is very decadent, free from a lot of the malarkey that current plagues the genre. But despite both these points, Dragon Quest is an absolute joy to play. A back to basics approach, everything in this title is by-the-numbers, but that's why it's so good in the first place- this is simply an old-school RPG in a "next-gen" environment. As should be the case with all RPGs, character design is a real highlight with cel-shading illuminating the game visually, and while in regards to many free-roaming titles this title is pretty restrictive, it's still a lot of fun. And hey, that's what all games should be about, right?

Canis Canem Edit
Originally titled "Bully", Canis Canem Edit ran into problems with the media very early on in it's lifespan. From Rockstar, the similarities to Grand Theft Auto are very clearly there, and Canis could easily be best described as just being "GTA with schoolkids", but that's a lazy comparison. A third-person "action-adventure", Canis Canem sees you playing young Jimmy Hopkins- trying to dodge the school bullies, find his way and life, and generally just survive his time at school. On it's concept alone it just sounds like another chance to revisit your horrible adolescence, but the game is incredibly quirky and full of humour- much like it's bigger-brother of a game. Aesthetically the game has that washed-out visual grain that's familiar with so many PS2 titles, including of course the GTA games themselves. Not that it matters, because despite this, Canis Canem is a game full of interesting ideas, and a gameplaying experience that few games can house.

Metal Gear Solid III- Snake Eater
The third installment of the popular stealth-em-up, MGS3 turns things on their head early on in the game when you soon realize that for the first time in the game, you are alone, and you are exposed. On paper the notion of placing MGS in a jungle setting doesn't sound too revolutionary, but the game is radically different from it's predecessors (and all the other stealth genre titles) as a result. The production of the game is impressive to ensure that you do really feel as if you're in a jungle, with leaves and grass slowly blowing in the wind, waterfalls heard from a distance and choruses of wildlife the number one priority on the soundtrack agenda- it truly is such an immersive gameworld. The game still sticks to series traditions however as the endless cutscenes show, but this is a great story of worldwide fear and panic on a small scale. Plotholes and absurdities are present naturally as there is in all MGS games, but for cut-scene game endings, there really is no better than the one featured here- it truly is incredible.

Final Fantasy X
The series' first title on the second PlayStation, but certainly not the last with the twelfth edition coming out only recently. Final Fantasy X is like the other games in the series, and if you've any general experience of RPGs you'll know what you're up against here. New features present in this title are the Sphere-Grid means of levelling-up and Overdrives. As with all titles in the series, the storyline is undoubtedly the main concern of the game, and while in some cases it's a masterpiece, in other areas it's completely awful. Again, if you've experience with the series you'll know what kind of things to expect, but as a newcomer it can be quite enjoyable, and dare I say it, emotionally engrossing, so much so that after eighty hours you'll still be playing. The game starts off reasonably slow but with interesting characters and locations, once you're in you'll be staying for a while.

(the) Ratchet & Clank (series)

Developed by the same team that brought you Spyro the Dragon to the original PlayStation, Ratchet & Clank is a reinvention of the platformer genre. Introducing guns and weaponry to the genre, there's times of course where the titles feel more like third-person adventure games than anything else, as well as to an extent, "shooting games". But the weapons present in this game thankfully aren't shotguns et al, but rather are comically dangerous, in a style not so distant from Nick Park's Wallace & Gromit series of films. The focus then is on fun and laugh-out-load moments rather than gore and violence, and the game (and the series) is built on this foundation. A quick glance at any platform game will tell you just how effective this notion was. But besides the arsenal, the series is naturally humourous on it's own- ripping pop-culture and bringing a new dimension to "comedy in games"- the end result of it's quirky, silly and yet interesting character design.

Okami
Released earlier this year, currently, the last great title of the PlayStation 2's legacy. Developed by the renowned Clover Studio you know automatically that this title's going to be a winner. With a fantastic visual and audio design throughout, Okami is an incredibly enchanting title that wows on all fronts. With Japanese culture and history being such a pivotal focus for the game it's easy to feel distanced at times in particular with the plot, but on the gameplay and visual front the game is wonderful. Graceful yet strong, bold and yet frail, this is a third-person adventure game like no other. The similarities to Zelda are of course there, but artistically and on the notion alone, this game is unique, and a real gem not just in the PS2 games catalogue, but the last generation in it's entirety.

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Notable mentions of more fantastic titles
Katamari Damacy, the Eyetoy technology, Resident Evil 4 (not included because of it's release on the GC), Tekken 5, Devil May Cry, Timesplitters and Lego Star Wars.
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RichardAM |

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