September 29, 2000

Best PSX games? - Comments (17)
Posted by @ 4:23 PM, EDT
We want to know which PSX games you think are the best.
Make your voice heard

Star Wars Starfighters screens - Comments (2)
Posted by @ 4:22 PM, EDT
Lucasarts released some new screens of its PS2 shooter:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5, pic #6, pic #7, pic #8
Thanks to Gamers.com for the screens.

GT 2000 = GT3 - Comments (19)
Posted by @ 4:20 PM, EDT
Gamespot reports that Gran Turismo 2000's title has been changed, and it will now be known as Gran Turismo 3.

IGN posted 40 new screens of the GT3:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4
Go here for the rest

Gamers.com posted some new details about the game:

Another gameplay innovation will be weather changes -- that aren't just cosmetic. You may be racing in Seattle and the fog will become so thick, you'll have difficulty seeing the track, or the rain will come down so hard that if you're not careful, your speed machine may start to hydroplane right off the course.

Full article

is reporting that you will be able to hook up two PS2s with the iLink cable to play each other using two TVs. There will also be a split-screen mode.

New games announced - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 4:21 PM, EDT
Twisted Metal Black was announced yesterday at SCEA's Gamer's Day.
IGN posted details about the game along with some screens:

With the intention of restoring the series to a more dignified level, Jaffe said that this new version in the series, just like the original product, is meant to be a fighting game played in vehicles. In the demo shown today, players get the chance to play brand new versions of old favorites, such as Sweet Tooth, but to explore new vehicles and experience a new sense of destruction and mayhem.

Screens: pic #1, pic #2
Go here for more info & screens

IGN posted some more info about the Gamer's Day event.
A bit:

The PS2 officially will not include a pack-in demo disc in the North American PS2

Sony confirmed that it is working on all of its major licenses for PS2, including Gameday, Twisted Metal and Syphon Filter

Sony is in the works with several new franchises for PS2, two of which are coming from Insomniac and Naughty Dog, which both claim second-party status.

Full article

Warriors of Might & Magic screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:20 PM, EDT
Gamefan smacked up new screens of 3DO’s PS2 action game:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4
Go here for the rest

World Destruction League: Thunder Tanks screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:18 PM, EDT
Gamefan also posted new screens of 3DO’s BattleTanx sequel, World Destruction League: Thunder Tanks:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for the rest

US Tekken Tag Tournament screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:14 PM, EDT
Lastly Gamefan posted screens of the anti-aliased US version of TTT:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4
Go here for more

ESPN X Games Snowboarding screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:16 PM, EDT
IGN kicked up new screens of Konami’s snowboarding game.

September 28, 2000

PS2 Exposed - Comments (4)
Posted by @ 7:09 PM, EDT
For all of you worried about launch day shortages, Aaron has put together an article to brighten your day. Check it out for pictures of what you have to look forward to on October 26th.
Check it out

European launch details - Comments (3)
Posted by @ 7:13 PM, EDT
Some nice cut n’ paste:

LONDON September 28th 2000 - Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) confirmed that PlayStation2 would be launched in 17 countries on November 24th 2000 (namely all EU countries plus Switzerland and Norway.) To be followed by Australia and New Zealand on 30th November 2000 and Poland, the Czech Republic, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iceland and South Africa and some Mediterranean countries before Christmas.

In addition, SCEE announced that a total of 33 software titles would be available during the launch period with a further 63 titles by the end of March 2001, the largest ever library at launch by any platform.

Commenting on this announcement, Chris Deering, President of SCEE said: ‘’We are launching PlayStation2 simultaneously in 17 territories, with more than three times the number of units than when we launched PlayStation in 1995.

We will have around 500,000 units of PlayStation2 during the initial launch period, 1,000,000 units are planned to be produced by the end of December 2000 and 3,000,000 by the end of March 2001. Even so, indications are that demand will far exceed initial supply.

Read the full press release to see the 33 launch games.

PS2 marketing campaign - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 7:13 PM, EDT
Gamers.com posted some details about Sony’s PS2 marketing campaign.
Here’s a bit:

Full print support begins in October and ads will of course be in the gaming enthusiast press (they already are), along with such publications as Maxim, Playboy, FHM, Gear, Entertainment Weekly, Spin, Vibe, Source, Shift, Wired, Yahoo!, Blackbook, Detour and the Manhattan File.

Full article

Star Wars Starfighter interview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 7:10 PM, EDT
Daily Radar smacked up an interview with Star Wars: Starfighter Production Manager Reeve S. Thompson about Lucasarts’ upcoming PS2 shooter.
A slice:

DR: Where does the game fit in the gameplay scale? Arcade action like Rogue Squadron or more simmy like X-Wing?

RT: Starfighter's gameplay is situated right in between Rogue and our X-Wing series. We wanted to keep Rogue's pace and level of action, but we also wanted to bring in some of the more complex gameplay elements that made the X-Wing games great, like realistic AI. The PS2 is the perfect platform for such a game, because it's a console, and people expect "arcade style" gameplay, but it's also extremely powerful and can handle the complex features we want add to the game.

Full interview

Gift screens & demo - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 7:11 PM, EDT
Gamespot UK posted a demo (PC) and new screens of Cryo’s action platformer Gift: (PC screens)
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for the rest

US Kessen movie - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 7:08 PM, EDT
Gaming Age posted a movie of the US version of Koei’s strategy war game Kessen:
Movie (1.1 MB)

Win a PS2 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 7:09 PM, EDT
Blockbusters is having a huge PS2 contest, giving away one PS2 every day in October and November.
Go here to check it out

Only 500,000 PS2 units for US launch - Comments (3)
Posted by @ 7:29 AM, EDT
Cut n’ paste from Reuters’ article:

Sony said delays would not affect projected North American PlayStation2 shipments of 3 million units in its 2001 fiscal year, which ends in March. It added it still expects to produce 10 million units worldwide in the same time period.

After the 500,000 units available at the U.S. launch date, Sony estimated it would be able to supply 100,000 units per week to the U.S. market.

Tretton said that each retail outlet would get half of the amount of originally expected quantities for sale, spreading the diminished supply evenly across the country. Sony has discouraged retailers from pre-selling the consoles and would not factor existing orders into its supply plans, he said.

Sony said it was working to fix the component supply problems. It planned to increase production capacity to more than 1.0 million units from 400,000 a month to a target 1.4 million units monthly by the end of the calendar year.

The company anticipated shipping 1.3 million PlayStation2 units in North America through the winter holiday season. It said it would have 26 software titles available at launch time, rather than an originally expected 15 titles.

Full article

IGN posted a list of the launch games:
Wild Wild Racing
Unreal Tournament
Midnight Club
Orphen
Ready To Rumble: Round 2
DOA2: Hardcore
Gun Griffon Blaze
Silpheed: The Lost Planet
FantaVision
Dynasty Warriors 2
ESPN X-Games Snowboarding
Silent Scope
Madden NFL 2001
SSX
Kessen
X-Squad
Swing Away
Street Fighter EX3
Tekken Tag Tournament
Ridge Racer V
Summoner
Evergrace
Armored Core 2
Eternal Ring
TimeSplitters
Jet Ion GP
Smuggler's Run

Check back later today for more updates.




September 27, 2000

Two X-Men titles for PS2 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:29 PM, EDT
Gamers.com reports that Activision is working on two X-Men games for the PS2.

President and COO Ron Doornink said: "With the power of the PlayStation 2 and the strength of the X-Men franchise, Activision will be able to deliver a new dimension to fighting games and launch the series into the popular action-RPG genre."

Summoner - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:28 PM, EDT
Volition released a new screenshot of its PS2 RPG Summoner:
Screenshot
Gamespot is doing a Summoner character countdown, posting details about the different characters each weekday until the game is released at the PS2 launch.

IGN posted an interview with Summoner’s story write, Jason Scott.
Here’s a bit:

IGNPS2: What are the story's influences? Dungeons and Dragons? Science fiction? Star Wars? J.R.R. Tolkein? What?

Jason: All these influences you mention are definitely present in Summoner. Sometimes the allusions are conscious, but often it's simply in our bloodstream.
For example, we do have an evil emperor served by sinister masked warriors who are hunting down a hero with a destiny. That emperor came to power through the betrayal of a priesthood and government he had sworn to defend. The secret of the emperor's power is the long-forgotten lore of the Nhuvasarim, a sect of evil sorcerers who worshipped Laharah, the goddess of death. These are not deliberate parallels to Star Wars, and I do think they are archetypal elements of the heroic narrative. Nevertheless, it's funny when these connections become visible.

Full interview

Daily Radar also posted a Summoner interview.

Beyond Games interview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:27 PM, EDT
Gamespot posted an interview with Beyond Games, the developer that is working on the vehicle combat game Motor Mayhem for PS2.
A slice:

GS: How do you think you'll introduce new concepts in the car combat genre with Motor Mayhem?

CS: Immersion into the feel of hard-core vehicle combat would be one. These cars don't feel like toys - they are fast, powerful, and diverse. These characters have depth, and you are closely involved with them as the player and closely involved with their careers in the Vehicle Combat League. It also bears mentioning that the Brainstorm Engine, upon which Motor Mayhem is based, will show some of the most spectacular special effects ever seen in gaming.

Full interview

Unreal Tournament impressions - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:26 PM, EDT
IGN posted some impressions along with movies of Epic’s PS2 shooter Unreal Tournament.
A bit:

To be honest, the play was both great -- simply because finally got to play it here at the offices for the first time -- and a little rough. Despite Epic's great efforts to bring Unreal to the consoles, the difference between the PC and console first-person experience is so vast that they can't even be compared. It's just not the same, so we won't compare them. Having said that, UT for PS2 is a respectable piece of code. Once all of the customizable selections are fully in place, and players settle in with the PS2 Dual Shock, or hook up their USB compatible keyboards and mice, the real game can begin, and PS2 will finally get a great version of Unreal Tournament.

Full article

Daily Radar posted new movies and screens of UT.

Infogrames just sent a word that the official UT site has been re-launched, go here to check it out.

Generation of Chaos screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:28 PM, EDT
Core posted screens of Idea Factory’s RPG Generation of Chaos (tiny screens):
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5
The game will be released next spring in Japan.

Bloody Roar 3 trailer - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:29 PM, EDT
They boys over at IGN posted a trailer of Bloody Roar 3.

Rayman 2: Revolution screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:28 PM, EDT
IGN kicked up new screens of Ubi Soft’s platfromer, Rayman 2 Revolution:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for the rest

September 26, 2000

Theme Park: RollerCoaster preview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:25 PM, EDT
We added a preview of Bullfrog’s sim title Theme Park: Roller Coaster.
Here’s a bit:

You know that you’ll have your hands full touring the park once it is up and running, but how do build a successful park? Bullfrog promises that the gameplay has been designed specifically with the Dualshock2 in mind; as anyone who has played a simulation on a console before knows a clunky interface can kill the game.

Full preview

Dark Cloud media - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:20 PM, EDT
Game Informer kicked up new screens of Sony’s RPG/adventure game Dark Cloud:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4
Go here for more
Gamespot posted a movie of the game:
Movie (7.7 MB)

Starwars Starfighter details - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:24 PM, EDT
Lucasarts updated the “Ask the Team” section with a new question for the Starfighter team:

In Starfighter, can you tell me more about the character Nym?

Nym's alien species is new to Star Wars: he is an original creation by the Starfighter team. However, since his creation, Nym has been identified as a "Feeorin". Feeorins are hulking humanoids found in small colonies on a few Outer Rim worlds. Their planet of origin remains a mystery, but it is believed that Feeorin colonists abandoned their homeworld eons ago following a radical climate change. The Feeorin colony transports spread out to the far reaches of the galaxy in search of habitable planets; unfortunately, many of these ships were lost or destroyed. Those Feeorins who survived founded settlements on Outer Rim worlds, where they had difficulty adapting and were sometimes viewed as unwelcome scavengers by the locals. Currently, less than a million Feeorins still survive. Like humans, Feeorins display a wide array of personalities, although many Feeorin explorers and spacers are considered gruff and dangerous. Feeorins come in many hues, from coal black to pale white, but green, yellow, and blue are the most common skin colors.

Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer for PS2 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:21 PM, EDT
Activision today confirmed it has a surfing game in the works for PS2.
Here’s a bit of the press release:

Slater is working closely with Activision to develop the title and is also a spokesperson for the game. The announcement underscores Activision's continued commitment to partnering with award-winning athletes in the creation of high-quality, cutting-edge action-sports games.

"Our partnership with Kelly Slater over the past nine months is enabling us to bring the ultimate surfing game to market," states Ron Doornink, President and COO, Activision, Inc. "The technological advancements of the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system allows us to recreate the dynamic wave motion and physics that are essential to producing an authentic surfing game."

Ace Combat 4 movies - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:17 PM, EDT
Gamepro posted two movies of Namco’s PS2 flight sim Ace Combat 4:
Movie1
Movie2

Tekken Tag Tournamnet review (US version) - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:20 PM, EDT
Tekken Zaibatsu smacked up a review of the US version of TTT.
Here’s a bit:

On top of our priority check list was Practice Mode, which is horrible on the Japanese version. We get out first glimpse of TTT in game graphics, the decision is unanimous. The game looks GREAT, no doubt about it!!! Much smoother then the Japanese version. More about graphics later on.
Our prayers have been answered. The first thing we see on the Practice Mode screen is Command Capture instructions in the lower right corner. No secret code needed like in Tekken 3, it is right there ready for you to use. This feature comes in very handy to practice countering attack string, escaping questionable combos (let's face it, practice mode doesn't offer all possible get ups or escapes to a juggle) and brushing up on those chickening buffers on your own.

Review Part I
Review Part II

Timesplitters movie - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:14 PM, EDT
Gaming Age kicked up a new movie of the PS2 first-person shooter Timesplitters:
Movie (8.2 MB)

Hitman sequel for PS2? - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:17 PM, EDT
C&VG reports that IO Interactive is working on a sequel to their soon to be released PC title Hitman.

Timesplitters site open - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:07 PM, EDT
Eidos recently opened up the official site for the PS2 first-person shooter game Timesplitters
Go here to check it out

Kessen movies - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:06 PM, EDT
Gaming Age posted 8 new movies of Koei’s strategy war game Kessen.

X-Squad trailer - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:06 PM, EDT
Gaming Age also posted a trailer of EA’s squad-based action title X-Squad:
Movie (8 MB)

Ring of Red preview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:08 PM, EDT
GIA kicked up a preview of Konami’s Strategy RPG Ring of Red.
A slice:

Unlike most mech titles, Ring of Red plays out its combat in a revised version of the past. The obligatory combat acronym is here as "AFW," which basically stands for "mech," while the typical variety of warring nations is replaced with a Japan torn by civil war in the 1960's. In this past, Japan continued fighting World War II after the dropping of the atomic bombs and was eventually occupied and divided a la post-war Germany. As expected, the U.S. occupies the southern half while the USSR and China occupy northern Japan. By 1964, all out war between the two halves has begun.

Full preview

TGS wrap-up - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:07 PM, EDT
IGN posted a wrap-up of their TGS coverage, so if you think you missed something go here to check it out.

Playable MGS2 demo featured on Z.O.E. - Comments (4)
Posted by @ 5:06 PM, EDT
Konami’s mech fighter Zone of the Enders will feature a playable demo of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.
Z.O.E. will be available for PS2 in February next year.

September 25, 2000

No updates today - Comments (3)
Posted by @ 5:50 PM, EDT
Just received a new PC and it will take some time to configure it. So this week’s updates will start tomorrow.

September 23, 2000

TGS update #2 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 8:04 AM, EDT
More goods from Tokyo Game Show:

Movies

7 Blades
Movie1 (2.2 MB) (Gamersrepublic)

Blood The Last Vampire
Movie1 (DailyRadar)

Choro Q
Movie1 (DailyRadar)

Cool Boarders Alien
Movie1 (4.3 MB) (Gamespot)
Movie2 (DailyRadar)

Dance Summit 2001
Movie1 (DailyRadar)

Dark Cloud
Movie1 (DailyRadar)

Extermination
Movie1 (DailyRadar)
Movie2 (DailyRadar)

Gran Turismo 2000
Movie1 (DailyRadar)
Movie2 (DailyRadar)
Movie3 (DailyRadar)
Movie4 (2.5 MB) (Gamersrepublic)
Movie5 (1.5 MB) (Gamersrepublic)
Movie6 (1.9 MB) (Gamersrepublic)

Gundam
Movie1 (DailyRadar)
Movie2 (2.3 MB) (Gamersrepublic)

Kengo: Master of Bushido
Movie1 (3.5 MB) (Gamersrepublic)

Kessen 2
Movie1 (DailyRadar)

Klonoa 2
Movie1 (DailyRadar)
Movie2 (3 MB) (Gamersrepublic)
Movie3 (2.7 MB) (Gamersrepublic)

Moto GP
Movie1 (DailyRadar)

Onimusha
Movie1 (DailyRadar)
Movie2 (DailyRadar)
Movie3 (Spinned) (Note: not direct linked)

Pilot Ninarou
Movie1 (DailyRadar)

Shadow of Memory
Movie1 (DailyRadar)

Shutokou Battle Zero
Movie1 (DailyRadar)

Sky Gunner
Movie1 (DailyRadar)
Movie2 (2.2 MB) (Gamersrepublic)
Movie3 (2.2 MB) (Gamersrepublic)

Sidewinder MAX
Movie1 (4.5 MB) (Gamespot)
Movie2 (DailyRadar)

Silent Hill 2
Movie1 (2.3 MB) (Gamersrepublic)

SSX
Movie1 (DailyRadar)

The Bouncer
Movie1 (DailyRadar)

Theme Park 2000
Movie1 (DailyRadar)

Winter X Games Snowboarding
Movie1 (DailyRadar)

Z.O.E.
Movie1 (1.9 MB) (Gamersrepublic)
Movie2 (2.5 MB) (Gamersrepublic)


Screens

Onimusha
Screens @ Spinned

The Bouncer
Screens @ Gamespot

Silent Hill 2
Screens @ IGN


Articles

Angelique Trois
Article @ IGN

Baki the Grappler
Article @ IGN

Bust A Move
Article @ Gamespot

Carrier: The Next Mutation
Article @ Gamespot
Article @ IGN

ESPN NHL Hockey Night
Article @ Gamespot

Gundam
Article @ IGN

Ikuze! Onsen Takkyu
Article @ IGN

Kengo: Master of Bushido
Article @ Gamespot

Onimusha
Article @ Gamespot

Silent Scope
Article @ Gamespot

Snowboard Heaven
Article @ IGN

Z.O.E.
Article @ IGN


Misc. Stuff

Gran Turismo 2000 FAQ

Core posted an article about the different PS2 Peripherals.

September 22, 2000

Movie reviews - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:45 PM, EDT
This week Aaron reviews Almost Famous and Woman on Top.

TGS update - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 4:47 PM, EDT
The Tokyo Game Show is open and tons of information has hit the web. Instead of quoting from articles I’ll provide direct links to the different stories:

Speech recognition controller
Taito today announced that they will release a speech recognition controller for the PS2.
They will also release two games compatible with it, a mahjong game and a soccer game.
Picture of the controller

7 Blades
Article @ IGN
(Screens)

Air Ranger
Article @ IGN
Article @ Gamespot

Choroq HG
Article @ IGN

ESPN National Hockey Night 2001
Article @ IGN

ESPN NBA 2 Night
Article @ IGN

Goemon
Article @ IGN (Screens)
Article @ IGN
(Screens)

Gran Turismo 2000
Article @ IGN
Article @ Gamespot


J-Phoenix
Article @ IGN

Kengo: Master of Bushido
Article @ Gamespot
Article @ IGN

Moto GP
Article @ IGN
Article @ Gamespot

Onimusha Warlords
Article @ IGN

Shadow of Memories
(Screens)

Shutokou Battle Zero
Article @ Gamespot
Article @ IGN

Silent Hill 2
Article @ IGN
(Screens)
Article @ DR (Screens)

Silent Scope
(Screens)

Taito PS2 Soccer game
Article @ IGN

Winback
Article @ IGN

Zone of the Enders
Article #1 @ Gamespot
Article #2 @ Gamespot
Article @ IGN
(Screens)

New Red Faction screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:43 PM, EDT
Volition released new screens of their PC/PS2 FPS Red Faction:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3

New Summoner screen & giveaway - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:42 PM, EDT
Volition also released a new screenshot of their PC/PS2 RPG Summoner:
Screenshot
Want to win a PS2 and/or the game Summoner?
Head over to Volition’s PS2 giveaway.

Resident Evil title for PS2 confirmed - Comments (8)
Posted by @ 4:37 PM, EDT
Capcom has confirmed a RE game for the PS2. It is supposed to be released in Q1 next year.
Thanks to Gamespot for the info.

Gekikuukan Pro Baseball review - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:36 PM, EDT
Gamespot smacked up a review of Square’s baseball title.
A slice:

Had it not been for the absolutely horrible control scheme, this game could easily pass for mediocre. The game does away with current baseball control standards like guessing the pitch, changing your batting stance, negotiating your batting angle, or even controlling your fielders. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find a simple player-control indicator in the whole game - because there isn't one. The game simply guesses what player you'd like to control and assumes you know which player that is. This leads to plenty of confusing moments and frustration, as it's never altogether clear whether your fielder is actually headed anywhere near the ball.

Full review




September 21, 2000

More Gran Turismo 2000 screens - Comments (12)
Posted by @ 4:05 PM, EDT
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5, pic #6, pic #7, pic #8, pic #9, pic #10, pic #11, pic #12, pic #13, pic #14, pic #15, pic #16, pic #17, pic #18, pic #19, pic #20
Thanks to Spinned for the screens.

Tokyo Game Show 2000 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:04 PM, EDT
The show will start tomorrow, but the boys from ign were already able to sneak in at the pr only pre-tgs party.
Head over to this page to get some juice on some of the games that will be shown to the public tomorrow.

Three new games from Konami - Comments (3)
Posted by @ 4:02 PM, EDT
Konami announced they are bringing Jurassic Park III, Crash Bandicoot and The Thing to PlayStation 2, PC, Xbox, Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Color.
Hit for more info.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 for PS2 - Comments (2)
Posted by @ 4:01 PM, EDT
Activision has officially announced that a THPS title will be released for the PS2.
Here’s a bit of the PR:

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater established Activision as the leader in the action-sports category and we are continuing to build the brand by bringing innovative products to market," said Ron Doornink, president and COO, Activision.
"By harnessing the power of PlayStation 2, we can deliver an even more realistic skateboarding experience as players tear up the asphalt with Tony's signature style and moves."

Thanks to FGN for the info.

Red Faction details - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:01 PM, EDT
DailyRadar posted an article about Volition’s PC/PS2 FPS Red Faction.
A slice:

Loftus detailed further the freedom the gamer will have. "What we use is Geometry Modification, so certain weapons -- like a rocket launcher or an explosive, or if you are in a vehicle -- you can cause the world to be destroyed in a way that is not precalculated. So, for example, you may have a guy in a sniper tower shooting at you, and the best way to take him out is to shoot the base of the tower. Or if you had a vehicle, you could crash into the tower to make it collapse. And that isn't scripted, so how you want it to be destroyed is up to you. You could shoot it at the bottom and make the whole thing fall over, or you could shoot the platform where he is standing to make him fall off."

Full article

Smuggler’s Run screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:00 PM, EDT
Gamespot UK posted five new screens of Angel Studios’ racer:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5

Keyboardmania details - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:58 PM, EDT
Gamin Age posted some information on Konami’s music title.
Here’s a bit:

At the bottom of the screen there are your keys, and the “special” key on the left. Once the music starts, colored bars above each key will scroll up from the bottom, and as soon as these colored bars hits a certain line toward the top, the key has to be pressed. Depending on how accurate the presses are, the game will give out a grade accordingly.

Full article

Goemon for PS2 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:57 PM, EDT
Gamespot reports that Konami is developing a Goemon game for the PS2:

The game will follow the action-RPG style found in Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon on the Nintendo 64, but it will add more ninja-style gameplay elements and RPG-influenced magic.

Full article & screens

Top Gear Dare Devil preview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:58 PM, EDT
Gamespot kicked up a preview of Kemco’s PS2 racer.
A slice:

While the nature of Top Gear Dare Devil allows you to drive wherever you wish, to succeed at the game you must follow your route carefully to ensure that you pick up enough coins before time expires. Most of the objects in the cities are fully interactive. You may drive through bus stops, shattering the glass, or plow through a sidewalk caf, sending chairs and tables into the air. The cities are heavily populated with 75 different types of vehicles, and - as if this weren't enough to overcome - rival gangs and police officers are out to stop your antics as well.

Full article

Snowboard Heaven screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:53 PM, EDT
Gamespot also posted some awful-quality screens of Capcom’s Snowboard game.

September 20, 2000

The Bouncer - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 7:17 PM, EDT
Gamespot posted new details along with screens of Square’s The Bouncer.
Here’s a slice:

The gameplay is broken down into three main parts - movies, real-time events, and action. There is loading time between the action and story events, but it is kept to a minimum. The movie parts of the game will also have an option that lets players skip the cutscenes.

Screens: pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for more info & screens

IGN also posted new screens of the game.

Red Faction preview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:59 PM, EDT
We added a preview of Volition’s first person shooter; Red Faction
Here’s a bit:

Red Faction is a first person shooter that seeks to revolutionize the genre by incorporating completely deformable environments that are truly interactive and play just as predominant a role in the gameplay as the characters themselves. The design team is labouring through the complexities of creating ultra realistic environments that are also destroyable and the end result could lead to many new gameplay frontiers never before reached in a FPS.

Full preview

New Gran Turismo 2000 screens - Comments (20)
Posted by @ 1:58 PM, EDT
Sony released new screens of this awesome looking racer:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5, pic #6, pic #7, pic #8, pic #9, pic #10, pic #11, pic #12, pic #13, pic #14, pic #15

More launch games - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 2:00 PM, EDT
Gaming Age reports that Agetec will release three From Software games for the US PS2 launch; Armored Core 2, Evergrace and Eternal Ring.

Eidos Interactive has also confirmed that Timesplitters will be available at October 26th.

Activision announced today that Orphen: Scion of Sorcery will launch on October 26. Activision will also release Sky Odyssey on October 26.

Wild Wild Racing review - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:58 PM, EDT
IGN smacked up a juicy review of Rage’s off-road racer, Wild Wild Racing.
A slice:

Any promises of catching wicked air are also nullified by the physics engine – jumps are few and far between in the actual races, and more often than not send your car spiraling into a collision course with a wall. Beating the championship mode is incomparably hellish, since your opponents seem to enjoy ramming you from behind, which sends you spinning out of control and facing the wrong direction. Yeah, that's real fair. Another "unique" track design feature is the usage of lengthy snow and ice patches – when you hit these, you no longer have the ability to steer.

Full review

Activision grabs Sky Odyssey - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:58 PM, EDT
Gamespot reports that Activison has secured the North American publishing rights for SCE's action-adventure flying game, Sky Odyssey.
Go here for more info & screens

Playstation2 is hot - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:58 PM, EDT
Since I’m lazy I’ll just copy&paste from the press release:

PriceVideoGames.com Tuesday said that, despite being more than a month from delivery, the PlayStation 2 video game console has been the most frequently searched-for item on the site.

"Over 50% of all searches on the site have been for this hot platform," said Larry O'Connor, chairman and president of Price.com Inc. "We have never seen such intense interest so early. PriceVideoGames.com has prices and sources for nearly 50 games compatible with the PlayStation 2, and over 40 accessories, and all of them are looking to be of great interest to our shoppers."

Full press release

Spiderman 2 heads to PS2 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:57 PM, EDT
C&VG reports that Activision has confirmed a Spiderman title for PlayStation 2.

September 19, 2000

Golf Paradise review - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:41 PM, EDT
We added a review of T&E Soft’s golf title; Golf Paradise.
Here’s a bit:

Story Mode is where I spent most of my time, as it allowed me to experience the game as most people will play it. Upon starting Story Mode, you will be asked to choose your character. There are seven characters available initially, and there are three more available to be unlocked. The story mode takes place as a season of golf, one where you are able to pick and choose what you want to do. You can head off to the driving range, challenge a rival to a match, play in a local amateur event, or once every few weeks, play in a pro tournament.

Full review

Gaming Age recently posted a movie of the game: Movie (4.6 MB)

Konami tennis game - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:37 PM, EDT
New information on Konami’s upcoming PS2 tennis game: (From the Nihon Keizai Shimbun Tuesday morning edition)

TOKYO --Major software developer Konami Co. will next spring release video game software featuring tennis stars, including Martina Hingis and Ai Sugiyama. The firm has signed a licensing agreement with the Women's Tennis Association, which represents players worldwide.

The company concluded similar licensing contracts with Japanese sumo, baseball and other professional sporting bodies.

The agreement, in addition to enabling Konami to use the images of players and data supplied by professional organizations, allows the firm to sublicense the rights to other software producers.

PS2 compatible camera info - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:36 PM, EDT
Asiabiztech posted an article about the PS2 compatible digital camera.
Here’s a bit:

The camera can take both still and moving pictures, and it can generate animation by advancing the frames on the camera. The animation can be transmitted to color i-mode mobile phones.

Full article

New Getaway screens - Comments (3)
Posted by @ 1:39 PM, EDT
TotalVideoGames posted some new screens of this nice looking racer. They also went out in London and took photos of the real places the screenshots resemble.
Here’s one of the screens (screenshot->left, real photo->right):
Screenshot
Go here for the rest

FIFA 2001 screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:33 PM, EDT
Gamespot UK posted new screens of EA’s PS2 soccer game:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for the rest

Unreal Tournamnet PS2 features - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:36 PM, EDT
FGN had a little chat with Cliff Bleszinski of Epic games, talking about the PS2 version of UT.
A slice:

"There have been a significant number of changes and improvements. First, we're taking existing UT characters that were kind of 'just there' on the PC version and we've rounded out their personalities quite a bit.

Full article

Wild Wild Racing impressions - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:36 PM, EDT
Core kicked up some impression on Rage’s PS2 racer Wild Wild Racing.
Here’s a bit.

The tracks are designed to keep the players on their toes; nice long straight-aways will almost invariably end in hairpin turns. There are lots of strategically placed hills and ridges for catching air, and in a few places you can actually end up flipping your vehicle if you’re not careful. Wild Wild Racing’s tracks are extremely long, so long in fact that most races consist of just one lap. Most tracks offer more than one path through obstacles.

Full article

Summoner impressions - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:35 PM, EDT
Gamespot posted a hands-on preview of Volition’s RPG Summoner.
A slice:

The combat system is pretty interesting. All of the combat is done in real time, and it's handled much like a real-time strategy game. You pick who you want to command and assign him or her a target. You can then either give commands to a different character or try to improve the original character's attacks with special button presses. Once characters are given a task they simply go to it, and they only stop when the job is done. If you tell Joseph to attack a golem, he simply attacks until the golem is dead. You don't have to press buttons or select different attack types, although you can expend an extra amount of energy to chain attacks together.

Full article

Maximo preview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:35 PM, EDT
Gamespot also posted a preview of Capcom’s Ghosts 'N Goblins sequel; Maximo.
A bit:

So what will Maximo, the spiritual successor to Arthur's ghoul-busting legacy, have to offer? Capcom still knows the value of 2D and the art of side scrolling (see Strider 2 for the PS), but Maximo will be a 3D action game with 3D characters. Capcom bigwig Yoshiki Okamoto mentioned that the game might be comparable to Mario 64, so you can probably expect a mixture of platform and action elements.

Full article

Tekken Tag Tournament movies - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:34 PM, EDT
IGN posted 14 new movies of Namco’s PS2 fighter. They are from the US version and don’t suffer from aliasing or flickering.

Metro3D interview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:32 PM, EDT
IGN also smacked up an interview with Metro3D, talking about their upcoming multiplayer online PS2 game; Armanda 2
Here’s a bit:

IGNPS2: Can you describe what kind of game Armada 2 will be, and what systems you plan on bringing it to?

Mark Jordan: A2 is an action game that emphasizes long-term growth and exploration. You pilot a star ship around a large universe, blasting away at diverse aliens. You gain experience points and increase your skills. You collect money and artifacts to upgrade your ship. A2 will most likely be on the DC, PS2, and XBox.

IGNPS2: How will Armada 2 work on PlayStation 2? I mean, is it both offline and online game?

Mark: You can play Armada 2 as a single player game, or with four persons on one PS2, offline. If you want to play on-line, you connect to our server and join the whole A2 community to trade or go on adventures. [The two versions,] online and offline, don't mix data. For instance, you can't take a character from offline to on-line, in order to prevent cheating. For online, your character is "official" and means something since you for certain worked hard to earn your power and ownership of guildspace.

Full interview




September 18, 2000

Mailbag updated - Comments (3)
Posted by @ 1:01 PM, EDT
The mailbag has been updated with new questions and answers.

Summoner details - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:00 PM, EDT
FGN posted some new details about Volition’s RPG Summoner:

"Secondly with the style, having the Oriental and European influence definitely gives it a new flavour. Another thing that makes Summoner unique is the ability to summon creatures at will. In games like Final Fantasy when you summon creatures for a battle, they leave afterwards but now you can control them. They become a member of your party when they're around. It's a different style of RPG."

Go here for more

New media - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:56 PM, EDT
C&VG posted new screens of Capcom’s Samurai title; Onimusha:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4


Gamespot UK posted new screens of Team 17’s racer; Stunt GP:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for more screens & info

Gamespot posted three new movies of Konami’s strategy-simulation game Ring of Red.

IGN kicked up some new screens of Volition’s fps game Red Faction.

IGN also posted screens and movies of Taito’s Super Bust-A-Move.

Ganbare Nippon Olympics 2000 review - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:54 PM, EDT
Gaming Age posted a review of Konami’s Olympics game.
Here’s a bit:

The game feels rather disjointed despite the gameplay being exactly as you would expect it. Again, if you're familiar with Konami's games in the past, you know to expect the button tapping style of gameplay at the core of most of the events. I don't find anything wrong with this, as it is how it has been in the past, and it is what I expect out of Konami - easy and simplistic gameplay. I do have to admit that one of the main reasons I picked this up was because of the Rhythmic Gymnastics event. Not because I'm a fan of the sport, but because it was based on the Dance Dance Revolution style gameplay.

Full review

PS2 launch lineup - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:54 PM, EDT
Gamespot posted the game lineup for both the US launch and the European launch.

September 15, 2000

Movie review - Comments (3)
Posted by @ 1:49 PM, EDT
This week Aaron reviews Duets.

New Movies - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:49 PM, EDT
Madden 2001
Gaming Age posted 8 new movies of EA’s football game.

Midnight Club: Street Racing
IGN posted four new movies of Angel Studios’ racer:
Movie1 (3.5MB)
Movie2 (3 MB)
Movie3 (3.4 MB)
Movie4 (3.8 MB)

New Screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:46 PM, EDT
Theme Park World
Gamespot UK posted new screens of EA’s sim game:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for the rest

Gift
Gamespot UK also slapped up some screens of Cryo’s platform-based action game, Gift:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for the rest

Wild Wild Racing
Core smacked up new screens of Rage’s nice looking PS2 racer:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5, pic #6, pic #7, pic #8
Go here for the rest

Cool Boarders Code Alien
Gamespot posted screens of Uep System's Cool Boarders Code Alien:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for more screens & info

The Bouncer
Gamespot also posted new screens of Square’s action game:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for the rest

Tokyo Xtreme Racing Zero
Yup, more from the boys at Gamespot…. This time they posted some awful-quality screens of Genki’s Dreamcast port of Tokyo Xtreme Racing 2 for the PS2.
Go here to check them out

World Destruction League: Thunder Tanks
IGN kicked up new screens of 3DO’s BattleTanx sequel, Thunder Tanks:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4
Go here for the rest

RC Revenge Pro
PSX Nation scored some new screens of Acclaim’s RC racer:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for more

Army Men: Sarge's Heroes 2
Gamefan posted new screens of 3DO’s PS2 Army Men game:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for the rest

UK PS2 pre-order situation - Comments (6)
Posted by @ 1:37 PM, EDT
The lads over at Gamespot UK posted an article about the current UK PS2 pre-order situation. They also listed retailers that still have pre-order forms.

Konami’s TGS PS2 lineup - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:36 PM, EDT
Konami recently released the list with the PS2 games it will show at the Tokyo Game Show next week:

Age of Empires 2
Beatmania IIDX 3rd Style
Drum Mania 2nd Mix
ESPN X Games Snowboarding
ESPN International Track and Field 2000
Goemon (tentative title)
Guitar Freaks 3rd Mix
Jikkyou G1 Stable
Jikkyou Pro Baseball 7
Keyboardmania
Live World Soccer 2000
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
National Hockey Night
NBA Power Dunks 6
Ring of Red
Seven Blades
Shadow of Memories
Silent Hill 2
Silent Scope
World Soccer Winning Eleven 5
WTA Tour Women's Tennis
Z.O.E.

There will be a total of 65 PS2 games at the show.
Thanks to IGN for the info.

Dead or Alive 2: Hardcore preview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:39 PM, EDT
Gamefan posted a hands-on preview of Tecmo’s PS2 fighter, DOA2: Hardcore.
Here’s a bit:

But wait, there’s more! Tecmo has included several all-new features to spice things up a little more. First of all, players will be able to record their battles to a memory card, and show off their most righteous ass-kickings to friends (or gloat over past victories, whichever the case may be). A new cinema mode will contain new cut-scenes that give players a better idea of just where these characters came from and what they’re fighting for; and the more industrious players will be able to unlock secrets and a tantalizing gallery of CG images, which have been hidden in the game!

Full preview

CART Fury for PS2 - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 1:39 PM, EDT
Gamespot reports that Midway will bring its arcade racer, CART Fury, to the PS2.
Hit this link for more information about the game.

Two PS2 titles from Metro3D - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:38 PM, EDT
IGN kicked up an article about Metro3D’s upcoming PS2 games, Armada 2 and Dark Angel: Vampire Apocalypse.
Here’s a bit of the article:

The first Armada was a mission-based shooter that gets under your skin with fast-paced action, lots of complexity in dialog, interaction with other races, and slid 3D graphics. But Armada 2 is planned as an online game that's due sometime in late February or early March. Coincidentally, the game is planned to arrive right when Sony's online plan is delivered in the US.

Full article

Shutokou Battle Zero - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:38 PM, EDT
IGN also posted an article about Genki’s recently announced PS2 racer, Shutokou Battle Zero.
A slice:

The Shutokou Battle games are built around a one-on-one racing system, with brief drag encounters that are decided when one racer or the other maintains a lead for a certain amount of time. You hop in your car and cruise around the highways, looking for other racers to challenge. When you find somebody to race against, two energy bars appear up at the top of the screen, and you tear off down the road trying to pull ahead and stay there. When one racer falls behind, his energy starts to drain - slowly if he's only a little bit behind, but the rate of loss increases as the leader pulls farther ahead. The race is over when one driver's energy is gone.

Full article




September 14, 2000

Hideo Kojami interview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:14 PM, EDT
DR UK posted an interview with Konami's Hideo Kojami, talking about the upcoming mech fighter Z.O.E.
A slice:

DRUK: The movies showing the battles are much more fluid and acrobatic compared to other mecha games. Can you tell us a bit about the control and battle system?

HK: We've created a very interesting program where when you lock on to a certain enemy, the camera always tries to keep both of you within the frame of the camera, so you fight in an anime style, but use very simple controls. When you see what's going on it looks complicated, it's but actually very simple.

Full interview

F1 Championship Season 2000 preview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:31 PM, EDT
We added a preview of EA’s upcoming PS2 F1 game.
Here’s a bit.

While racing games are looking to be a dime a dozen on the new system, Electronic Arts think they’ve got a winner in: F1 Championship Season 2000. As you’ve come to expect EA promises a host of new features and improvements to make sure F1CS2000 stands out from the crowded genre.

Full preview

Alex Ferguson's Player Manager 2001 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:30 PM, EDT
Gamespot UK scored some info on the PC/PS2/PS soccer manager game, Alex Ferguson's Player Manager 2001.
Here’s a bit of the article:

The biggest change, say the developers, is the new game engine, with 50 new and improved features - the overall aim is to improve the speed and accessibility of the in-game menu and option system.
PM 2001 will also include 120 new motion captures, in an attempt to enhance the realism of the matches as they are being played. Strategies can be changed in-game in this new version while post match stats will give an idea of how those tactics actually worked.

Full article

TWINE interview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:34 PM, EDT
Checkout posted an interview about EA’s PC/PS2 Bond game; The World Is Not Enough.
A slice:

What was behind the switch from third-person to first-person perspective?

We think that the first-person perspective really helps put you into the world of the game better. We think that people would much rather "be" James Bond than just see him running around. The core reason we switched to first-person is because that perspective really helps bring more intensity to the game, when you're there and you're running and there are people right in your face with gunshots flying everywhere. It also makes aiming and shooting much easier.

Full interview

Gekikukan Pro Baseball impressions - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:33 PM, EDT
The boys at Gaming Age posted their impressions of Square’s baseball game.
Here’s a bit:

In the short movie clips the animation was good enough to fool, especially in small windows, but it ends up being a bit of a mixed bag. The motion capturing there is well done and better than that of the competition. However, there are times where you wish that the animation could improved or added to make the transitions better. One annoyance occurs after you throw to a base or any other player. No matter what the situation is they get into this ready position to throw. The only exceptions are the basic plays at first base where the first basemen won't do it.

Full article

Moives - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:32 PM, EDT
Gamespot posted two movies of Square’s action game, The Bouncer.

IGN posted 10 movies of EA’s snowboard title; SSX.

Klonoa 2 details - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:27 PM, EDT
Gamespot posted some new information on Namco’s adventure title, Klonoa 2.
A slice:

The levels themselves are constructed to allow freedom of movement, according to Namco. Players can move freely from one stage to another, as they can seamlessly backtrack to a previous stage and play again.

Full article

Metal Gear Solid 2 screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:26 PM, EDT
IGN posted seven high-resolution screens from the ECTS video:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5, pic #6, pic #7

Z.O.E. screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:25 PM, EDT
IGN also posted 10 new screens of Konami’s beautiful mech fighter.

September 13, 2000

Hresvelgr review - Comments (3)
Posted by @ 4:23 PM, EDT
We added a review of the Wipeout clone Hresvelgr.
A bit:

When I did try to blow someone away it seemed to have little effect on them. The same held true for when I was fired upon. A warning message would pop-up warning me that I was in someone’s sites, yet I never noticed getting hit even though I’m sure I did. Even though you don’t want to lose a race because of a cheap rocket shot, they should affect you in somewhat. If you have friends, they’re in luck; Hresvelgr is one player only, so they don’t have to suffer along with you.

Full review

New Summoner screenshot - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 4:23 PM, EDT
Volition released a new screenshot of the PS2 RPG Summoner.
DR has a Summoner feature with tons of info on the characters.

Klonoa 2 screens - Comments (2)
Posted by @ 4:22 PM, EDT
Konami released new screens of its 2.5D adventure game, Klonoa 2:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5, pic #6, pic #7, pic #8, pic #9

Konami PS2 movies - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:21 PM, EDT
Gaming Age kicked up four movies of various Konami games.

FIFA 2001 movie - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:19 PM, EDT
Gamespot UK posted a new movie of EA’s soccer game:
Movie

Red Faction level design - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:18 PM, EDT
FGN scored some info on Volition’s PC/PS2 first person shooter.
Here’s a slice:

Loftus said, "The level designers really need to think about the fact that the player can shoot through a wall, but they have to think about where the player can go because normally in a FPS game it's very linear in terms of where you can go.

Full article

Unreal Tournament media - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:17 PM, EDT
Gamefan smacked up a new movie of the PS2 version of UT:
Movie (27.1 MB)
Voodooextreme posted new screens of UT.

Wild Wild Racing preview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:17 PM, EDT
Gamefan also posted a hands-on preview along with new screens of Rage’s Wild Wild Racing.
Here’s a bit:

…but since the preview version of Wild Wild Racing is the first quality PlayStation 2 game playing experience I’ve had in a long time, I couldn’t help myself. Tight handling, a realistic physics engine, and jaw-dropping good looks are all helping to make Wild Wild Racing the surprise gem of Sony’s now-crowded launch lineup.

Full preview

Real Pool screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:16 PM, EDT
IGN posted new screens of Infogrames Real Pool (EX Billiards in Japan): pic #1, pic #2
Go here for more

Infogrames mailed me a fact sheet of the game:

Real Pool combines realism, variety and fun. Learn and practice tough trick shots, play all your favorite pool games and challenge your skills on new tables such as the cloverleaf table. To become the ultimate pool shark, you have to match skills with eight computer opponents; each with its own characteristics.

Key Features:

• Test your skills in more than 12 different pool games including 8-Ball, 9-Ball, Rotation, and additional games such as Carom and Bowliards.
  
• Real-world physics - every shot behaves like it’s on a real pool table.
  
• Line up and sink the perfect shot with complete 360 views!
  
• Unique Puzzle Mode challenges you with over 25 devious tables including triangles, stars and more.
  
• Go one-on-one in exciting Tournament Mode; defeat 8 strong AI opponents to become the ultimate pool shark!
  
• Learn winning techniques and master tough trick shots.
  
• 1 or 2-player competitive action
  

Top Gear Dare Devil screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 4:14 PM, EDT
IGN also posted new screens of Kemco’s PS2 racer.

New layout - Comments (8)
Posted by @ 7:43 AM, EDT
After over a year online we finally have a new layout :)
Right now only this page has been edited, the section pages will be done later today and in a day or two the rest of the pages should have the new layout.

A review of Hresvelgr will be up later today along with the regular news.

September 12, 2000

Dropship preview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 6:05 PM, EDT
We added a preview of Sony’s action game, Dropship.
A slice:

In this game the player’s main goal is to navigate a dropship (among other vehicles) and deliver troops, tanks and other military units to the battle field while shooting down enemy aircraft and defending their ship. The missions seem to be quite varied as sometimes you’ll be transporting the goods and other times you may be assigned to take the offensive and destroy an enemy camp.

Full preview

PS2 camera and printer - Comments (2)
Posted by @ 6:04 PM, EDT
Gamefan posted an article about the recently announced PS2 compatible camera and PS2 printer.

Commandos 2 interview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 6:03 PM, EDT
Gamespot UK posted an interview about the PC/PS2 game, Commandos 2.
Here’s a bit.

GameSpot UK: Why was the original game so popular?

Gonzalo Surez: It was a new-fashioned game already in the design stage. Even before we started on it, we decided it was to be something new. We managed to make a tactical game in which it was the user who could intuitively resolve situations. We used as support the licence and icons of World War Two, recognisable by everyone through hundreds of films and because of history itself. We gave it the appearance of a diorama, a scale model. Everything around it was strictly for the game. But undoubtedly the success was due to taking on the project in a mature way, methodically and working very hard.

Full interview

Shadow of Memories screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 6:01 PM, EDT
C&VG posted new screens of Konami’s adventure title, Shadow of Memories:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3

Super Bombad Racing screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:57 PM, EDT
Gaming Age posted new screens of Lucasarts’ PS2/DC/PC/Mac StarWars kart racing game, Super Bombad Racing.

SSX screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 6:00 PM, EDT
Core smacked up new screens of EA’s snowboard game, SSX:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5, pic #6
Go here for more

Onimusha media - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:58 PM, EDT
Gamespot posted screens and a movie of Capcom's upcoming action-adventure game Onimusha.

Ready 2 Rumble: Round 2 media - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:57 PM, EDT
IGN posted screens and movies of Midway’s PS2 boxing game, R2R 2.

Madden 2001 screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 5:54 PM, EDT
IGN also posted new screens of EA’s PS2 Madden game.

September 11, 2000

Red Faction interview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 2:24 PM, EDT
Ultor Corp. kicked up an interview with Volition talking about the PC/PS2 first-person shoot, Red Faction.
A slice:

Q: What are the main influences for RF?

A: The story and consistent design of Half-Life was definitely an influence. After we started developing the story and game, we saw some similarities between RF and the movie Total Recall. This has influenced the game somewhat since then, for example the inspiration for our driller vehicle comes from the drilling machine in Total Recall.

Full interview

posted the first PS2 screens of the game: pic #1, pic #2, pic #3

NHL 2001 screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 2:18 PM, EDT
C&VG also posted new screens of EA’s NHL game:
pic #1, pic #2

Orphen's PS2 Exploits - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 2:20 PM, EDT
FGN asked Orphen’s developer, Kadokawa Shoten, how it exploited the PS2 technology.
Here’s a slice:

The representative continued, "Kadokawa Shoten has managed to maximize performance even with up to 16 light sources simultaneously on the same screen. And particle system implementation allows realistic flowing motion of fog and smoke in reaction to player's motions.

Full article

Mille Miglia - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 2:12 PM, EDT
FGN also got some new details on Climax Mille Miglia racer:

Beckwith was also keen to point out the work his team is doing on realism such as the heat haze effect, an essential for the hot Italian tarmac of the thousand mile point to point racer. "It'll look brilliant," Beckwith promised.

Full article

Movies - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 2:15 PM, EDT
GranTurismo 2000
ECTS movies of GT2K have been popping up on the web:
Replay Movie (13 MB; Gaming Age)
Movie (spinned.com)
IGN has a few movies of the game here.

Dropship
IGN also posted new movies of SCEE’s action game, Dropship.

Famitsu reviews - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 2:11 PM, EDT
The Japanese gaming mag Famitsu reviewed two PS2 games:

Wild Wild Racing, 8,7,7,7, Recommended
G-Saviour, 7,6,7,7

(Four people review each game)
Thanks to DR for the info.

Silent Hill 2 for PS2 - Comments (3)
Posted by @ 2:05 PM, EDT
Gamespot posted first details and screens of Silent Hill 2.
Here’s a bit:

Silent Hill director Tetsuhiro Imamura comments, "The use of mist [fog] and darkness was partially due to the limitation of the PlayStation hardware, but it eventually became a trademark for Silent Hill. We intend to keep these elements in the sequel, except we will present them in more realistic manner. For example, we can show a thick mist disperse as a person passes through it."

Full article

Klonoa 2 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 2:05 PM, EDT
Namco recently announced they are working on a Klonoa game for the PS2.
Screens: Pic #1, Pic #2
The game is expected for a March release in Japan.

Snowboard Heaven - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 2:07 PM, EDT
According to Gamespot, Capcom will show its PS2 snowboard game, Snowboard Heaven, at the Tokyo Game Show.

September 8, 2000

Movie reviews - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:42 PM, EDT
This week Aaron reviews Nurse Betty, Turn it Up and Backstage.

New Summoner screenshot - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:42 PM, EDT
Volition released a new screenshot of the upcoming PS2 RPG, Summoner.

Namco interview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:39 PM, EDT
Core kicked up an interview with two members of Namco’s graphic design department talking about their PA2 RPG, Seven: Morumosu Cavalry.
Here’s a bit:

Question: What about the characters? Can you tell us about them?

Takahashi-san: At first we envisioned generic-style characters based on early background sketches from Mr. Kawaguchi. But when they progressed, I saw he was designing a completely unique world. Until now I've used the same style of drawing, but that changed in order to maintain Mr. Kawaguchi's style. I had a preconceived idea of what the character designs should look like, and I filled in the details as they progressed.

For a game this visually distinct, it wouldn't suffice to simply make a generic looking hero. We had to add something different based on the overall concept. We wanted the characters to have flaws, but appear charming at the same time.

Full interview

Unison screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:42 PM, EDT
Core also posted new screens of Tecmo’s dance title, Unison:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5

Movies - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:37 PM, EDT
Gamespot posted two movies of Koei’s recently announced Kessen II.

IGN also posted a few movies:
Dark Cloud (6. 6 MB)
Three Wipeout Fusion movies can be found here and four The Bouncer movies can be found here.

Square Baseball sells out - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:35 PM, EDT
Core reports that Square’s recently released Gekikuukan Professional Baseball was entirely sold out to retail preorders. So far 500 000 copies have been shipped (600 000 were ordered by the retailers). More copies are expected to ship next week.

Soul Calibur 2 for System 246? - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:34 PM, EDT
IGN reports that Namco might be developing the Soul Calibur 2 arcade game for the PS2 arcade system System 246. If that’s true then there is a big chance there also is a PS2 version of the game in the works.

September 7, 2000

Bouncer demo for Square event - Comments (2)
Posted by @ 1:52 PM, EDT
C&VG reports that Square will unveil full gameplay aspects of The Bouncer at its Harrington Gardens, London event this Saturday.

Unreal Tournament movie - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:52 PM, EDT
also posted a new movie of Infogrames’ PS2 UT:

G-Saviour movie - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:53 PM, EDT
Core posted a movie of Sunrise Interactives' PS2 shooter; G-Saviour: Movie (12 MB)

Smuggler’s Run website opens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:51 PM, EDT
Rockstar opened up the official website for the PS2 racer, Smuggler’s Run.
Check it out to see three new movies.

Colin McRae Rally for PS2 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:49 PM, EDT
According to , Codemasters has confirmed there is a Colin McRae Rally title in the works for PS2.

Kessen II Unveiled - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:48 PM, EDT
Gamespot posted an article with information about Koei’s Kessen sequel, Kessen II.
A slice:

Shibusawa explained the Kessen II concept as "more dynamic and more dramatic." What he meant by "dynamic" is that the number of soldiers displayed onscreen during battle has increased from 100 to 500. Also, in Kessen II, players can use magic spells as well as conventional warfare tactics. The 30 stages in this sequel will feature castles, rivers, and night battles.

Screens: pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5
Full article

TimeSplitters media & impressions - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:44 PM, EDT
Gamespot also posted a new movie (10 MB) and impressions of Free Radical Design's first-person shooter; Timesplitters.
Here’s a bit:

From a gameplay perspective, most importantly, everything unfolds rather well. During the single-player mode, the action was flowing at upward of 60 frames per second, and, even during the four-player, split-screen matches, the frame rate remained quite healthy and never took a substantial blow. Indeed, even with five bots in the arenas and four players blasting away at each other, the game remained wonderfully playable and technically intact.

Full article
The boys over at DR also posted their impressions of the game.

16 PS2 tiltes from Ubi Soft - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:46 PM, EDT
Ubi Soft recently confirmed it will release 16 PS2 games from launch to the end of 2001.
The confirmed titles are:

Rayman Revolution (launch)
F1 Racing Championship (launch)
Disney's Dinosaur (mid-December)
Donald Duck Quack Attack (mid-December)
Jungle Book Groove Party (mid-December)
Evil Twin: Cyprien's Chronicles (spring 2001)
Stupid Invaders (spring 2001)

There will be a real-time strategy war game, another Rayman title and a sequel to Speed Devils. The rest haven’t been announced yet.
Thanks to for the info.

DOA2: Hardcore - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:44 PM, EDT
IGN posted new screens and movies along with information of Tecmo’s PS2 fighter, Dead Or Alive 2: Hardcore.

Gun Griffon Blaze screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 1:42 PM, EDT
IGN also posted new screens of Game Arts’ mech game.
Go here to check them out

September 6, 2000

NHL 2001 preview - Comments (4)
Posted by @ 2:40 PM, EDT
We added preview of EA’s PS2 NHL game.
Here’s a bit:

That’s right, no more disappointment after scoring your third goal and getting no special recognition. You’ll be showered with hats from the home crowd, just like in the Genesis versions. Players will also taunt each other, and according to EA have "emotional outbursts", hopefully that doesn’t mean that they will break down and cry.

Full preview

New layout - Comments (4)
Posted by @ 2:37 PM, EDT
This site will soon (maybe a week or two) get a new layout (finally!). I posted a screenshot of the new layout (will be some minor changes to it).
Check it out

Wipeout Fusion movies - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 2:36 PM, EDT
DR UK smacked up two movies of Wipeout Fusion. They are taken with a video camera but still worth a download:
Movie1
Movie2

PS2 Tekken Tag anti-aliased for Europe - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 2:37 PM, EDT
C&VG reports that TTT has been fixed up for the western launch, the little amount of “jaggies” who were present have been fixed now with FSAA. They also say that the aliasing in RRV will be present in the western launch :/

PS2 pre-order disorder - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 2:31 PM, EDT
C&VG also posted an article about the PS2 pre-order mess in the UK.
Here’s a bit:

Shop floor staff at some high profile branches of several major games retailers simply don't understand how the first-come first-served scheme works. They are giving punters inaccurate information which might mean they miss out on the chance to get a PS2 before Christmas.

And some stores have been operating pre-pre-order schemes - taking orders for PS2s before Sony's offical pre-order launch this week. Which could mean that some stores may have already used up many or all of their pre-order allocations before they even open their doors tomorrow - a situation that would be certain to outrage punters queuing on Thursday morning to ensure they get a PS2 before Christmas.

Midnight Club: Street Racing website opens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 2:32 PM, EDT
Rockstar opened up the official website for the PS2 racer, Midnight Club: Street Racing.
Check it out to see two new movies.

Wipeout Fusion Q&A - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 2:29 PM, EDT
Gamespot posted an interview with one of Wipeout Fusion’s designers.
Here’s a bit:

GameSpot: What are some differences, as far as the features are concerned, between Wipeout Fusion and the games that came before?

Nevin: Basically, we have changed the truck structure and some of the environments. Instead of one track we now have three tracks per environment and each the tracks have its own unique theme. One of the tracks is a city level with an intricate sewer network. Then there is a jungle level that will have waterfalls, rivers, temples, and things like that. In terms of the tracks, we've made the game a lot bigger. There are three tracks per environment, as I said, and we currently have 23 tracks altogether. We also have a number of extras and new teams in the game. There are 8 teams in total, three old teams and 5 new ones. There are also two pilots per team as well, for a total of 16 unique racers.

Full interview

Kengo: Master of Bushido preview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 2:28 PM, EDT
Gamespot also posted a preview along with screens of Light Weight’s PS2 Kengo title.
A slice:

Though the basic gameplay is the same, Lightweight is making several changes to differentiate Kengo from the Bushido Blade games. Foremost among these changes is the new ki, or spirit, meter, which gauges a character's remaining stamina and attack power. Repeated use of special moves, for instance, will drain ki, so more powerful attacks will require judicious use to remain effective.

Screens: pic #1, pic #2
Full article & more screens

New The Bouncer screens - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 2:26 PM, EDT
Square released some new screens of The Bouncer:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5, pic #6, pic #7, pic #8, pic #9, pic #10, pic #11

Silpheed: The Lost Planet media - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 2:25 PM, EDT
IGN posted some impressions along with screens and movies of Game Arts’ shooter.
Here’s a slice:

The tentacled beasts that swarm all about this world are similarly rendered all in 3D - the only sprite-like objects in evidence are small destructible shots. They're all of them pretty sharp-looking, and some of the bosses (which in typical Treasure fashion show up early and often) are extremely impressive, filling the screen with their bulk and shining attack effects. There are great background lighting effects, bright explosions, and excellent particle effects for sparks and the like.

Full article

Madden NFL 2001 vs. NFL2K1 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 2:24 PM, EDT
IGN also posted a huge comparison of the DC NFL2001 and the PS2 Maddden NFL 2001.
Go check it out

September 5, 2000

Dynasty Warriors 2 preview - Comments (1)
Posted by @ 3:06 PM, EDT
We added a preview of Koei’s action-based fighting game.
Here’s a bit:

Depending on how well you do in battle will affect your reputation with allies and the enemies. If you are considered a skilled and bloodthirsty opponent for example, the enemy in the next battle will prepare stronger defenses against you. As time goes on your character also gains strength in his abilities.

Full preview
We also updated the Gran Turismo 2000 preview.

Mailbag - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:07 PM, EDT
The mailbag has been updated.

ECTS update #2 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 3:06 PM, EDT
More from ECTS:
(If you want to see what the show floor looks like check out these screens: pic #1, pic #2, pic #3. Thanks to ChicksHardware (nope, I didn't make that up) for the screens).

World Destruction League Thunder Tanks
Gamespot UK posted three screens of 3DO’s tank game:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3


Silent Scope
Gamespot UK posted hands on impressions of the PS2 shooter, Silent Scope.


Wipeout Fusion / GT2000
The boys at TVG posted their impressions of Wipeout Fusion and Gran Turismo 2000.


Warriors of Might and Magic
Gamespot UK posted 19 screens of 3DO’s Warriors of Might and Magic:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for the rest


ESPN International Superstar Soccer
Gamespot UK posted hands on impressions of Konami’s soccer game.


Rayman 2 Revolution
TVG posted new screens of Ubi Soft’s PS2 Rayman game:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for the rest


Midnight Club Sequel
Gamespot reports that Take Two will release a sequel to its racing game Midnight Club: Street Racing.


The Sky Odyssey
IGN posted an article about a new flying game developed by SCEE.


7 Blades
Gamespot UK posted new screens of Konami's samurai beat 'em-up:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for the rest


ESPN NHL Hockey Night
Gamespot UK posted some new screens of Konami’s hockey game:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for the rest


ECTS Awards Announced
DR posted a list with the games/hardware that won the different awards. Playstation2 won the “Console of the Year” category.


Insane
Gamespot UK posted information about Codemasters driving game, Insane.


Kazunori Yamauchi Q&A
Gamespot posted an interview with Kazunori Yamauchi, the creator of the Gran Turismo series.
Here’s a slice:

GS: How far do you think Gran Turismo 2000 is pushing the hardware power? The game is arguably one of the best visually on the PS2.
Yamauchi: At this point I have not been able to exploit the capabilities of the hardware 100 percent. However, I am pretty confident that out of the all the games that are out right now for the PlayStation 2 this is probably the one that gets the most out of the hardware.

Full interview

Future controllers
C&VG kicked up an article about Sony’s future controllers.
Here’s a bit

Another great demo of this technology requires no props at all - just you, the PS2, and the webcam. On screen there is a landscape and the shadow of an eagle on the ground below. By flapping your arms by your side you become the eagle. Flapping makes you go faster. Holding your arms straight out – like wings – makes you glide. You turn by raising and lowering either side. Of course you feel entirely stupid doing this, but it’s a great experience.

Screens of the “controllers”.

V-Boxers screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 2:55 PM, EDT
Core posted screens of ESP’s Victorious Boxers (very small screens):
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5

September 4, 2000

ECTS - Comments (6)
Posted by @ 12:33 PM, EDT
The European game show in London started yesterday (Sept. 3-5) so new information and screens are out. I have gathered all info I could find from various sources:

Metal Gear Solid 2
Gamespot posted the new trailer that is shown at ECTS:
Movie (25.7 MB)
Screens from the new trailer (from C&VG):
pic #1, pic #2



7 Blades
Gamespot posted hands on impressions of Konami’s samurai game 7 Blades.


ESPN X-Games
C&VG posted screens of Konami’s snowboard game:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3



Ready 2 Rumble 2: Round 2
Gamespot UK posted some information along with screens of Midway’s boxer:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for more screens


Top Gear Dare Devil
Gamespot UK posted first impressions of Top Gear Dare Devil.


ESPN NHL Hockey Night
Gamespot posted their first impressions of Konami’s NHL game.


Rally Circuits: Africa
Gamespot UK posted screens of Rage's recently announced PS2 racer, Rally Circuits: Africa:
pic #1, pic #2
Go here for the rest


Shadow of Memory
Gamespot posted first impressions of Konami’s 3rd person adventure, Shadow of Memory.


Z.O.E.
smacked up 44 new screens of Konami’s mech fighter:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5



Wipeout Fusion
Gamespot posted new information about Psygnosis’ Wipeout Fusion.
IGN posted new screens:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for more


The Getaway
Five new screens of the PS2 racer, The Getaway:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5


Lotus Challenge
Gamespot UK posted 30 screens of the PS2 racer Lotus Challenge:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for the rest


Commandos 2
C&VG posted new screens of Pyro’s Commandos 2:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3



Gran Turismo 2000
Gamespot posted new information and impressions of GT2K.
IGN also kicked up an article about GT2K.
Gamespot UK posted an article about the GT2000 wheel. Screens of the wheel can be found here.


Dropship
Six new screens of Dropship:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4, pic #5, pic #6


F1 Racing Championship
Gamespot UK posted screens of Ubi Soft’s F1 racer.


Red Faction
Gamespot posted their first impressions of Volition’s Red Faction.
Go here for screens


NBA Hoopz
Gamespot UK posted 12 screens of Midway’s basketball game.


Ring of Red
C&VG posted new screens of Konami’s Ring Of Red:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4



Soul Reaver 2
C&VG posted four new screens of Crystal Dynamics’ .


Music 2001
Gamespot UK posted a few screens of Codemasters' music creation title, Music 2001:
pic #1, pic #2
Go here for more


Oni
Gamespot UK posted screens of Rockstar's free-roaming fighter:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for more screens


Smuggler’s Run
Gamespot UK posted screens of Rockstar's PS2 racer:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for more screens


Moto GP
Gamespot UK posted first impressions of Namco’s motorcycle racing game.


Konami interview
C&VG spoke to Mr Atsushi Horigami, KCEJ East’s Manager of Product Design.
Here’s a bit:

CVG: What’s the concept behind 7 Blades?

Horigami-san: The name of the game comes from one of the two main characters of the game – the guy basically has seven swords, seven blades. You start out with a few of them, then you gain others throughout the game. There’s also a girl who carries guns. You can pick on one of these characters to play the game. There is one main story, and this story intertwines. Thing is, when you start out playing with one of the characters – let’s say you start out playing with the guy – you never use the girl in the middle of the game. But when you play as the guy there will be scenes where you will meet the girl. And when you play as the girl you will meet the guy – kind of Resident Evil-esque except that you don’t switch characters midway through the game as you do in Resident Evil.

Let’s say you’re playing as the guy, and you suddenly have a dead enemy falling from the sky, you have no idea what went wrong – and you’re not going to find out by just keep on playing with the guy. When you play as the girl, you know because you will be shooting one of the enemies in the sky who will then fall in front of the guy. So when you’re playing as the girl you will say ‘oh this is what happened before while I was playing as the guy – so this is what happened!’

The story takes place in 18th Century Japan, in a district called Dejima. This is the place where a mysterious religious group is located, from where they hope to take over all of Japan. These are the bad guys basically. The guy and the girl are fighting against this religious group.

The Bouncer site updated - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:22 PM, EDT
Square’s The Bouncer site has been updated, two characters and one scene has been added.
Check it out

Starfighter screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:22 PM, EDT
Gamespot posted some new screens of Lucasarts’ Star Wars game, Starfighter:
pic #1, pic #2
Go here for the rest

Herdy Gerdy - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:21 PM, EDT
Gamespot also posted information about Core Designs’ Disney-inspired platformer.
Here’s a bit of the article:

In Herdy Gerdy players assume the role of the title character Gerdy, who looks like he is taken straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon. The finished product will include colorful, Disney-influenced environments and cute characters.

Full article

Gekikuukan Baseball movies - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:20 PM, EDT
Core posted two movies of Square’s baseball game:
Movie 1 (700KB)
Movie 2 (500KB)

X-Squad screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:17 PM, EDT
Gamespot UK posted new screens of EA’s squad-based action game, X Squad:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
Go here for more

Timesplitter screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:19 PM, EDT
Gamespot kicked up new screens of Free Radical Design’s first person shooter, Timesplitters:
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3
More screens
C&VG also posted of Timesplitters.

September 1, 2000

Movie reviews - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:33 PM, EDT
The movies Aaron reviews this week: The Crew and Highlander: Endgame.

MGS2 website updated - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:34 PM, EDT
Konami has updated the official Metal Gear Solid 2 site. There is a section about the upcoming ECTS and a BBS has been added.
Some new screens (very small):
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4

Take-Two takes UEFA ChampionsLeague rights - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:33 PM, EDT
Take-Two today announced that it has signed an exclusive deal with International Sports Multimedia to market and distribute UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE titles for the next three seasons.

Here’s a bit of the press release:
The game will be developed by Silicon Dreams, the United Kingdom's most experienced football ("soccer") software development house. Platforms the game will be released for will include PlayStation(R), with PlayStation(R)2 and PC set to follow

Kelly Sumner, President of Take-Two Interactive Software Europe, Ltd. commented "We are delighted to be working with Silicon Dreams on this project, as we are confident the combination of their proven development expertise in football software, plus the strength of the UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE brand, will lead to a top quality consumer proposition.

Full press release

Summoner screenshot - Comments (6)
Posted by @ 12:32 PM, EDT
Volition released a new screenshot of the PS2 RPG, Summoner.

No One Lives Forever screens - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:31 PM, EDT
VE posted some new screens of Monolith's upcoming PC/PS2 bond game, NOLF (the screens are from the PC version):
pic #1, pic #2, pic #3, pic #4
Go here for more

Unreal Tournament preview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:29 PM, EDT
The lads at Gamespot UK posted a preview of the PS2 first-person-shooter, Unreal Tournament.
A bit:

The PS2 version of Unreal Tournament looks awesome. The frame rate problem that plagued the build shown at E3 has been completely fixed, and the game simply zips. The backgrounds have all been resized for the PS2 version, but they are as detailed and clean as you'll find in a first-person shooter console game. The sound is in place, and it really does justice to the PC version.

Full article

PS2 Arcade - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:29 PM, EDT
IGN posted an article about Sony’s Playstation2 arcade system.
Here’s a bit:

The first game to run on System 246 will be the already-announced Ridge Racer V Arcade Battle, but Namco has plans to develop other games for the hardware, and also to license the hardware to other arcade and home developers. Part of the System 246 strategy is to allow console developers interested in creating games for the arcade to use a hardware system that they may be a little more familiar with - portability from home to arcade, like that which has been so successfully put in to practice by Sega with their Naomi hardware, was also certainly a factor in choosing to bring the PS2 hardware to the arcades.

Full article

Smuggler’s Run impressions - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:28 PM, EDT
DailyRadar posted their impressions along with movies of Rockstar Games’ PS2 racer.
A bit of it:

Three playfields might not sound like a lot, but when they stretch for over 25 miles across - well, that's a lot of terrain to cover. In order to avoid excessive load times, each world is loaded once at the beginning of the game; individual missions are then loaded on the fly as needed. It's obvious that familiarity with the landscapes, which took a team of seven artists over a year to complete, should come easily after a few hours of play. Amazingly, each world is so huge that numerous paths and areas might never be crossed during the course of the game's 35 missions.

Full article

Gungriffon Blaze review - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:24 PM, EDT
Gamespot posted a review of Game Arts’ mech fighter Gun Griffon Blaze.
A slice:

Truthfully, though, it is rarely fun beating a game six ways from Sunday just to unlock another weapon or two. However, Gungriffon Blaze actually makes this experience rather enjoyable. First, the point of view is set from within the mech, in a distinctly FPS-style presentation. This makes for a more realistic feel while giving you a good look at your surroundings. Secondly, the control system, though it makes use of every single button and stick on the PS2's controller, is well suited to the game.

Full review

Lost Boys develops for PS2 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:24 PM, EDT
IGN reports that the Dutch development studio Lost Boys Games is developing an action-adventure title exclusively for the PS2.

Kessen interview - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:23 PM, EDT
IGN kicked up an interview with EA talking about Koei’s strategy war game, Kessen.
A slice:

IGNPS2:What kind of game would you describe this as?

Tarrnie: Kessen is a very unique game, almost inhabiting a new genre all to its own. With the combination of a simple but deep, realtime strategy war game, and two hours of beautiful interactive movie sequences, Kessen is an immersive experience like no other. The movies are incredible and as you progress through the game they slowly unfold to bring you the full experience of the 17th century historical battles Kessen is based on.

Full interview

Yeti devlops for PS2 - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:23 PM, EDT
The French developer Yeti has announced it’s working on an action game for the PS2.
Yeti was formed by Yann Le Tensorer, the lead programmer on Rayman 1 & 2 and POD; Alexis Vaisse, a senior programmer on Rayman 2 and POD; and Jean-Christophe Alessandri, the senior artist on Rayman and lead artist on Rayman 2.
Thanks to Gamefan for the info.

Playstation2 EA site - Comments (0)
Posted by @ 12:22 PM, EDT
Electronic Arts recently opened a PS2 site where they have information about their PS2 games.
Check it out