This is not a Hulk game. This is a movie game that happens to have the Hulk in it, and as such, comes off as more “hired hit” than “labor of love”. It definitely has a few amusing moments, but thanks to some underlying problems, the experience is ultimately juts mediocre. Naturally, you assume the role of the Marvel’s not-so-Jolly Green Giant as he avoids capture attempts by the U.S Army and tries to thwart the vague but clearly evil machinations of a scientists-led group called the Enclave. The plot and the characters are both paper-thin, but the story is at least coherent enough to follow.
Usually a sequel sports better graphics. But Star Ocean: First Departure was more remake than port while Star Ocean: Second Evolution seems more port than remake. First Departure got a sexy modern makeover; Second Evolution shows its wrinkles and age spots-it still looks a lot like it did on PSone 10 years ago. Luckily, Second Evolution has been a few perks in its favor. Originally, this was the second RPG from tri-Ace, the Japanese developer that started with the first Star Ocean and went on to make Valkyrie Profile, among other things.
If you adore the slightly melancholic, but richly imaginative, works of creators like Tim Burton, Neil Gaimon, or Jean-Prerre Jeunet, then Folklore id for you. The story begins in the decrepit village of Doolin, the gateway to the afterworld. Two strangers are beckoned to the island – one an orphan lured by a letter from her long dead mother and the other a jaded reporter for an occultist magazine who receives a mysterious phone call. They arrive in time to witness a murder. Solving it requires journeying into the Netherworld to interrogate the dead and facing truths that hit closer to home and have bigger impacts than they could ever suspect.
Originally released as an arcade cabinet, Konami’s racer stood out with its bright visuals and a big plastic handbrake to yank as you cornered. It also included an unusual range of small fun cars, rather than the usual supercharged speedsters.
Most innovative, though was its free roaming environment, filled with short cuts, something unheard of in driving games at the time. You don’t need cars bristling with cylinder heads or pumped full of nitrous to make an exciting racing game. GTi Club+ (based on a cult classic arcade machine) instead lobs players the keys to a collection of compact but character filled cars, including the Mini Cooper and Renault 5 Turbo. Continue reading »
Admit it: you secretly call yourself Daddy Death match and reckon you have already got the mad level, editing skillz to design your own multiplayer levels. Well, Far Cry 2’s map editor gives you the chance to back up the big words by enabling you to build your own killings fields, and then post them online for people to enjoy. Think Little Big Planet, only with the AK 47’s Jeeps and vast, burning forests.
Right now, this is the absolute slicing edge of TV tech. Pedants will argue the XEL-1 isn’t truly high definition, but that’s irrelevant given that it is 960×540 pixels are crammed into a little 11 inch screen that is only 3 mm thick and shines like a new born star. The slim design, and frankly astonishing picture quality, is all thanks to the new OLED (organic light emitting diode) panel, which does not use the chunky backlighting that makes LCD and plasma sets so thick.
Acynic would argue that the Gran Turismo franchise achieved perfection long ago, but we are sticklers for the series. As time goes on and generations fly by, we become ever keener to see how the world’s bestselling racing series can better itself. After sampling GT5 Prologue, however, it looks as if the changes won’t actually apply to the realistic racing that GT is renowned for, but rather the periphery aspects of this reenergized driving simulator.
