Xbox 360 Review: Midnight Club Los Angeles

Midnight Club hits LA, should you pay it a visit?

Rockstar Games is proud to announce the fourth installment of its critically-acclaimed and genre-defining Midnight Club franchise, Midnight Club: Los Angeles. Developed by series creator Rockstar San Diego, Midnight Club: Los Angeles will give gamers the unprecedented freedom to race through a hyper-realistic LA.

Whether driving by the beach or beating the competition by cutting through a parking garage at 200 mph, Midnight Club: Los Angeles provides a seamless, breathtaking environment for everyone who loves to compete. With no load times, no tracks, and no rules, the game allows players to race who they want, when they want, and where they want in an unbelievable recreation of Los Angeles.

A racing game is nothing without the great cars and Midnight Club: Los Angeles allows extensive customization of vehicles for both performance and appearance. Players can now fully personalize their officially licensed imports, tuners, classic muscle cars and motorcycles both inside and out with a dizzying array of licensed rims, spoilers, interior gauges, tires and more.

Midnight Club has been another series that I have missed out on until now. I always considered Burnout, Need for Speed and PGR to be all the driving I’d ever need and while that’s true to a point, Midnight Club LA proves that it’s not quite out of the race just yet.

The idea of Midnight Club LA is that you begin with a crappy car, a small budget and next to no reputation. As you win races, you earn rep and money that you can spend on getting new cars or adding new parts to it for future races. Think of LA as a hub for races like Burnout Paradise, but instead you chase drivers and flash your headlights to challenge them to a race. Races can be easy if you know the track well enough, plus you can just hit reset and do the thing again until you win. You can also gain nitrous boost by staying behind a driver till the meter fills to the top, then hit X and make them eat your dust.

The game isn’t without its issues, however. For example, draw distance can prove problematic when they are bushes in the middle of roads that appear seconds before you can evade, I’ve crashed my car and lost a few races because of it. Usually when it comes to sprint races, you are finished if you crash once. You earn rep regardless of what position you come, but it’s still annoying that this problem can actually cause you to lose. Despite that hindrance, LA looks amazing as do the cars themselves. It would have been nice for something like a reverse button like GRID has if you crash or if collisions were more realistic than just a knock. Evading police is something you’ll also have to do, and while it isn’t nearly as fun as NFS Most Wanted was, it does the job well enough.

The performance is impressive as there are practically no load times between races, the game just zooms out and zooms back onto the starting line then it begins. As you progress through career mode, you’ll be introduced to special race types and missions. You’ll find out about these from your sidekick, local hangouts or the garage. Successfully completing these will get you even more rep points and cash. There are also 4 special things you can do as you progress that can turn the tide of the tougher races. Agro lets you plough through the competition, Zone slows everything down, EMP disables the competition and Roar sends out an engine rev so loud that traffic will do anything to get out of the way.

Online and System Link support is upto 16 players and there are some interesting modes such as variations of Capture The Flag as well as standard ranked and played races. The soundtrack is pretty good, although it’s not to my personal tastes. Of course it’s easily fixed with the fact that you can play your own music in the background, huzzah!

The Verdict

Midnight Club LA might not be original with its ideas, nor does it do anything that great…but it’s still a fun racer that can be enjoyed by most, although only if they’ve played Burnout Paradise and NFS to death.

PS2 Review: Fatal Fury Battle Archives Volume 1

Review by Petter Walsh

Neo Geo arcade anthologies are a lot like buses: you spend all year waiting for one, and then three come along all at the same time. Welcome if a bit hopeless. Be thankful, oh fans of the classic beat-em-ups,that all these anthologies are considerably better value than your average bus ride, with Fatal Fury Battle Archives Volume 1 coming in at a solid budget price just north of £15. That’s about £4 for each of the Fatal Furys 1 through 3 (plus Fatal Fury Special of course), and on the whole that’s not bad value.

The masses haven’t been baying for a re-release of the original Fatal Fury, and its presence here is more almost more out of historical context rather than showcasing a gaming classic. The game limits you to picking between Terry or Andy Bogard, or Muay Thai acolyte Joe Higashi as they smashing their way through the King of Fighters tournament in ‘South Town’ USA. Being a Neo Geo beat-em-up from 1991 it is surprisingly fluid, yet painfully uncomplex in its controls. Throws and moves are almost non-existent, which makes this about as toothless as beat-em-ups come. The implementation of two planes was pretty extraordinary when it was originally released, but in this native version of the game it still comes across hap-hazardly implemented.

The graphics on the first title in particular look pretty rough outputting on a HDTV, of course in part because the PS2 is showing its age, but none the less not best pleasing on the eye.

The second Fatal Fury starts to approach the standards you expect from a classic-era beat-em-up, with 8 playable characters each with a couple of combos worth a damn. The controls themselves have gotten far more advanced, not just with the addition of another button, but also throwing action combos in, where only move combos were possible before. The powerful ‘desperation move’ also makes its first appearance in this title, offering the almost dead a chance to come back with one more heavy hit.

Sadly gone is the narrative backbone of the first title being set in ‘South Town’, and instead the series reverted to the usual ‘fly around the world’ model that Street Fighter established back in the day. The graphics have improved with this title, and the more complex sprites and backgrounds look a good standard better, even in the shiny world of High Definition.

Next comes the slight half-step of Fatal Fury Special, basically a vamped up version of Fatal Fury 2. Initial this felt like a bit of a cheap cop-out, to offer the same game twice, but it doesn’t take long to realise that ‘Special’ is a vast improvement over its source. The speed of the game has been kicked up a notch (along with the speed of the scrolling backgrounds), and the kinks of pulling off the more complex combos have been ironed out as well. Best of all is the fact that for the first time in the series, the use of multiple planes really starts to come into its own. The few levels that limit the action to the single plain really felt odd, highlighting just how much the multiple dimensions had come to form the core gameplay.

The story (or lack thereof) is much the same, but as if to make up for that SNK have been generous enough to unlock all the boss characters from Fatal Fury 2, to fill up the character roster to a hefty 15. More than enough to get your teeth into by anyone’s standards.

Lastly we have the absolute gem of this collection: Fatal Fury 3. Being the third true iteration of the game, action has now been taken onto three planes with interesting consequences for the gameplay. Alongside the main plane you have a foreground plane and a background plane, giving players the possibility to neatly sidestep moves which run the gamut of the original plane. Kicks and punches come flying back and forth across these planes, and while not being 3D, it is as if a half dimension has been found between 2 and 3. Add to this some bristling backgrounds, some highly detailed characters and some really fluid animation, especially as the characters float back and forth across the planes.

The Verdict

All in all it feels quite irritating to have to traipse through the original two and a half iterations of Fatal Fury to get to the first truly complete game of the series. A lot cheaper than chasing up all these titles on eBay, this rather myopic collection truly is a budget archive title for the completeists. Those who want a proper introduction series would probably be better off waiting for the more polished second volume, which is no doubt on the horizon.

PS2 Review: Persona 3 FES

The great Persona 3 gets an upgraded version and a new episode, is it worth getting?

Lead a group of high school students with a dangerous extracurricular activity: exploring the mysterious tower Tartarus and fighting the sinister Shadows during the Dark Hour, a frozen span of time imperceptible to all but a select few. However, the end of their quest is no longer the end of the story-witness for the first time the aftermath of the final battle and the students’ struggle to find meaning in their new lives.

Persona 3 FES for PlayStation 2 Features:

More than just an expansion – Persona 3 FES contains an enhanced version of the original game, loaded with new Personas and cutscenes, a weapon synthesis system, additional quests and events, a hard difficulty mode, and the ability to change your characters’ clothes.

30 additional hours of gameplay – Take the role of Aigis in a brand new Persona 3 episode that plays as a full game with an original story, extra cutscenes and objectives, and seventeen new music tracks.

Incredible value – The enhanced version of the acclaimed Persona 3 game and the brand new episode make for 120-plus hours of gameplay.

The first time I played Persona 3, I wasn’t expecting much. To me it would have appeared nothing more than just another PS2 RPG. How wrong I was. It was so different with its weird and gripping story, good gameplay and memorable cast of characters. The game was also incredibly long and had a good conclusion, but it did leave a few questions unanswered. Roll on Persona 3 FES, an expansion to the game which also has the full improved game added.

If you had already played Persona 3 and you have a save, you can transfer your data over to FES. The game gives you two choices to begin with, The Journey is the original adventure but with some improvements to combat and a bit more polish. While, The Answer is the new 30 hour episode that takes place after the original game. It’s difficult to go into detail about The Answer without spoiling the ending of The Journey, so I’ll try and be a bit tactful.

Essentially, you take the role of Aigis in The Answer instead of the main character in Persona 3. The story opens up and reveals answers that were much needed and it doesn’t disappoint. The only thing that’s annoying is that it’s nearly impossible for me to tell you about it, if I did then it would ruin your own experience of The Answer, which is the best part of the FES expansion.

Combat is improved slightly, although The Answer seems to be more focused on it than Persona 3 was. Both games are incredibly text-heavy, so prepare for lengthy conversations, most with voice-acting. There are a handful of fantastic anime cutscenes in the game that are pleasing to the eye, even if the story is very strange. For those of you who hadn’t played Persona 3, here’s a quick summary of what its about:

In Persona 3, you’ll assume the role of a high school student, orphaned as a young boy, who’s recently transferred to Gekkoukan High School on Port Island. Shortly after his arrival, he is attacked by creatures of the night known as Shadows. The assault awakens his Persona, Orpheus, from the depths of his subconscious, enabling him to defeat the terrifying foes. He soon discovers that he shares this special ability with other students at his new school. From them, he learns of the Dark Hour, a hidden time that exists between one day and the next, swarming with Shadows. These monsters have been steadily claiming victims aptly nicknamed “The Lost”—people who’ve inexplicably become mindless zombies. Under the supervision of school chairman Shuji Ikutsuki, he joins his new companions in confronting this threat to humanity…

Visually, the game looks like it did before…which isn’t too bad, but it could have used a bit more polish in my opinion. Voice-acting can be hit and miss, but mostly good. Despite everything that the game has to offer, it’s the story and anime cutscenes that you’ll remember more than any other aspect.

The Verdict

I may have given Persona 3 FES a lower score than the original game, but it’s only because the improvements over the first are minimal, although good. The Answer helps to clear up confusion over the story and its probably one of the most memorable PS2 RPG’s there is, it just probably won’t be a huge hit like a Final Fantasy title, which is unfair but the way of the industry. Any RPG nut should really pick this up and delve into the 120 hour adventure.

PS3 Review: Dead Space

Fancy a trip to a mining ship full of hostile aliens? You should do.
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Wii VC Games For Halloween

31st October, 2008 – This week’s Virtual Console update is taken over by spooks and spectres, as we celebrate Halloween with these creepy NES gaming classics!

Devil World (500 Wii Points)

In Devil World you become the heroic dragon Tamagon, who must defeat evil by collecting dots inside a maze, and destroy enemies with your fire breath. However, you’ll need to keep an eye on the devil at the top of the screen, who instructs his minions to move the maze in random directions, trying to squash Tamagon within its walls.

Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse (500 Wii Points)

Set a century before the previous NES adventures (also on Virtual Console), Castlevania III follows Trevor Belmont and three new allies – Sypha Belnades, a young priestess, Grant DaNasty, a pirate and Alucard, Dracula’s son – as they embark on their ominous mission to take on Dracula and his evil minions!

Ghosts ‘n Goblins (500 Wii Points)

Brace yourself for the NES version of the arcade hit – famed for its devilish challenge. As Arthur the knight, do you have what it takes to smite evil and brave some of the toughest levels ever created to save Princess Prin-Prin?

Virtual Console games are available to download via the Wii Shop Channel using Wii Points. Downloaded games are saved to the Wii’s internal memory and added to the console’s Wii Menu allowing them to be easily accessed at any time.

This week’s titles join the list of 257 classic titles already available for Virtual Console in Europe.

PC Review: Sid Meier’s Civilization IV – Colonization

Is it worth colonizing this game?

Sid Meier’s Civilization IV: Colonization is the third offering in the award winning Civilization IV series. A re-imagining of the classic Colonization game Sid Meier created in 1994, Sid Meier’s Civilization IV: Colonization is a total conversion of the Civilization IV engine into a game experience in which players will lead a European nation on their quest to conquer and rule the New World. Players will be challenged to guide their people from the oppressive motherland, discover a New World, negotiate, trade and fight with both the natives and other nations as they acquire great power and fight for their freedom and independence.

I’m not the greatest at strategy-simulation games. I struggled with Black and White 2 and the past Civ titles, although Civ Revolution was great and I had a good time with it. Mainly because it was made for consoles that I was able to enjoy it and control it better than PC simulation games. So how can Civ IV Colonization tempt me over? Well, while it doesn’t do anything to change the formula, it’s a solid game that I thoroughly enjoyed playing. The main reason for that is that the game reminded me of Civ Revolution with its exploring, conversations, war and the like. I can now see why the series has been popular over the years; this expansion is also great because you don’t even need the original game to play it.
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Xbox 360/Wii Review: Monopoly

Everyone’s favourite board game hits the next-gen consoles, will it make you rich with joy or bankrupt with disappointment?

The MONOPOLY video games promise a fresh take on the timeless classic with accessible gameplay for players of all ages and skill levels. The all-new digital gaming edition brings a party twist and features 4-player simultaneous play, ensuring that everyone is engaged and allowing the whole family to get involved in the fun and play together. Faster gameplay eliminates downtime freeing up players to wheel and deal their way through some of the most recognizable cities and landmarks from around the world. Families can fill up their passports as they try to unlock new and never-before-seen game boards or challenge each other to fun interactive mini-games like breaking out of the jail cell and running away with all the loot. Play in offline single or multi-player mode and compete to own it all and win! Read more

PS3 Review: MotoGP 08

MotoGP burns rubber on the PS3 for the first time, but is it any good?

MotoGP puts the player at the centre of the MotoGP experience by letting them join a team and compete alongside their sporting heroes in all three race classes – 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP. Good results in qualifying and racing earn points that can then be exchanged for bike upgrades to improve attributes such as straight line speed, braking and cornering.
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Xbox 360 Review: Blitz The League II

Is a more mature NFL game better than Madden? Not quite.
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Wii Review: More Game Party

Another mini-game compilation hits the Wii, but not in a good way

With 11 games in all, More Game Party for the Wii console includes fun to play games that will provide hours of enjoyment with friends and family. More Game Party features new games like Bean Bags, Horseshoes, Lawn Darts, Puck Bowling and more. Each game, including classics like Skill Ball, Darts and Hoop Shoot has exciting new features like four player mode, customisable characters and tournament play, making More Game Party the ultimate party game for all ages and skill levels.
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