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Disney's
TARZAN
Based on the popular animated movie, the game takes you through most
of the tale via a Mario
Bros.
style platform coin collection scenario. You can swing on vines, ride
on an elephant's backs through the jungle while his friends (and enemies
) pop up. You learn your way around the jungle from a kid to a grown
man, swinging, jumping and thumping your way past forest foes, collecting
and progressing. Danger is obviously always around the corner. With
several high quality clips from the movie, colourful, fluid graphics
and a lot of action and adventure, it's a lot of fun for age groups
across the board.
3 / C
- PB
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TEKKEN
3
Fighting
games may be a dime a dozen, but few pack a punch like T3,
from its release and even until now. Old and new characters (motion
captured from actual pros with distinctive styles) strut their stuff
with class and thunderous fury. The fighting combinations are numerous
with each character's own look and style contributing to its overall
impact and flash, slick look. If you're bored with these kind of games,
this one might win you back. Pandas, Ogres and other cool, hip, charismatic
fighters get unlocked for your use or defeat each finale revealing amazing
animated clips related to each character's persona. The improved graphics
and smooth movement makes this one of the leaders. It's a step or three
away from total realism. Other sub games also get unlocked each time
you tackle and defeat all the characters. The Tekken Force mode
sends you in a left-to-right scroll challenge with a time limit and
a single life. Roast chickens get collected for sustenance! Even more
bizarre is TekkenBall, a volleyball type game that's actually
quite addictive. The opening sequence is fabulous, as to be expected,
while a variety of modes ensure the avoidance of monotony. But, as we
know, you'll stick to the mode you most prefer, anyway. Tackle this
one with a Dual Shock controller and all you'll need to really be there
is a nosebleed. Once you and a bunch of friends get together with this
knockout, the clock just keeps on ticking till the sun goes down.The
fighting game to end all? Well, you be the judge.
5
/ A
- PB
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TERRACON
This highly innovative game combines the thrills of both destruction
and creation. The Terracon
is an artificial mind created by the Greys (everyone's favourite style
aliens) to terraform the solar system. When the operation is completed
to their satisfaction they want to shut this highly developed brain
down. This constantly evolving intelligence won't exactly allow this.
It's understandable that he'd be a bit pissed, so he destroys everything
in his path. This is where you come in - you're Xed, an alien who manages
to narrowly escape the Terracon's
wrath. You need to chase down this ferocious force and collect energy
to create and re-establish what had been laid to waste. The awesome
landscapes and different view points are quite trippy, while the directions
on where to collect energy, find terraforming structures and the aiming
system (to do some blasting!) are quite user friendly. Terraform has
quite a different angle which sends your mindset in a bit of a different
direction while still in a basic framework. Don't expect this game to
be along the comicbook lines of Attack
Of The Saucerman
(however great it may be).
4 / B
- PB
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Magical
TETRIS Challenge
The fact
that this game is backed by Disney and has all the classic characters
present (you know, Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Minnie and some baddies),
is irrelevant. What makes it spectacular is the fact that its main focus
is that straightforward, addictive puzzle game common to the known world,
Tetris.
The backing story of Donald finding a magical stone that lands in the
hands of Big Bad Pete, using it to control everyone is also hardly relevant.
When going through the story mode, though, you'll have to weave on through
it and take part in Tetris
face-off challenges in order to progress. Up/Down Tetris, Endless
Tetris and Magical Tetris make up the rest of the modes and
while differing in many ways, it all boils down to the same thing. And
what a thing it is! If you're unaware of the Tetris
concept, you must've been hidden away somewhere for quite some time,
or recently born. So, if you have no clue, do yourself a favour and
pick this up.
5
/ A
- PB
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THIS IS
FOOTBALL
Now, I've said it before, I'm not much of a footie fan, but given the
right people with which to start a tournament, the whole thing can swing
right around. This particular game is as smooth as the others and no
doubt claims to be the biggest. It's hard to distinguish sometimes.
But still, with 230 authentic teams adding up to 5000(!) players with
individual styles and looks, it is kinda big. The motion-captured players
are pretty realistic and the ease of use avoids turning gamers away
before getting a chance to get into the game. You can take on the World
Cup, European Championships or Euro leagues - 20 tournaments in all.
Quick games can be had with a friend on the opposing team, or even play
on the same side (depending on you both agreeing on a country and team,
of course). You can even select how strict (or blind) you want your
ref while ITV's
Clive Tyldesley comments on the play, be it in any arena around the
world or under any kind of weather conditions imaginable. Replays are
fun, but annoying when you're all heated up for action. You can edit
up to 26 individual player attributes, names, formations and styles,
but in the end it's the skill with which you handle your controls that
will prevail. Thumbwork turned to footwork. With the official approval
of FIFPro, the 30 000 member strong federation of international professional
football unions, this one can consider itself a worthy contender as
one of THE footie games around.
4 / B
- PB
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TIME CRISIS
Project Titan
The
basics: Nail the bad guys! This arcade
favourite shoot 'em up translates well to the PlayStation format - especially
if you're in possession of the all too necessary sidearm known as the
G-Con45. All you need is your aim and one hell of a snappy trigger
finger. You don't need to run, jump or anything like that. You're taken
through the variety of levels that get damn tough (from yachts to airports).
You're automatically hidden behind cover (be it a table, doorframe,
container). Your G-Con's front buttons allow you to pop out blazing
and as you've cleared the designated amount of enemies, you're progressed
further into the area you're sorting out with force. It's no picnic
with the time-limit and your villainous targets not always static, firing
hand guns, machine guns, lobbing granades...! Single levels can be tackled
or you can go the long stretch with a mission. A whole lot of fun that
throws you right in the action. Now get stuck in!
4
/ A
- PB
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TINY TANK
This little wise-ass tank takes shit from nobody. Take him on his way
to blow up bad robots and destroy specific targets. Picking up more
hardcore firepower as you go along (quite swiftly), you blow everything
to kingdom come with Tiny's constant wise-cracks underneath the sounds
of raging explosions. If road rage or work gets you by the left earlobe,
climb into this little cracker and blow off some steam.
3 / A
- PB
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TOCA WORLD
TOURING CARS
It is evident that many game developers have given up on trying to match
the majestic superiority of the Gran
Turismo games.
Then, you have developers like Codemasters, who don't seem to
be bothered at all! In fact, they even try to go that extra mile - pun
intended. Firstly I won't be comparing the two at all, besides mentioning
one little touch Toca
has over GT.
The realistic damage results. As you scrape along barriers or other
racers, bits of paint and bodywork go flying. If you hit an obstruction
head-on, instant dents and crushed metal appear. Windows smash, bumpers
hang and scrape sparks before it eventually flies off…You can roll the
car and your handling is seriously affected by your recklessness, like
slipping gears, shoddy tires and other engine damage. The Championship
option is obviously the long-term section to take on, while Free
Race and Quick Race is for an obvious swift auto & speed
fix. The Championships to be taken on include the European,
Pan-American and Asia-Pacific cups. Weather conditions
and car settings (like brakes, gearbox, suspension…) and many other
detailed selections can be made, turning Toca
World Touring Cars
into quite the GT
contender…
5 / A
- PB
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TOM and
JERRY in HOUSE TRAP
Often
shadowed by the classic Warner and Disney characters, these old adversaries
had some great moments of ludicrous rivalry. You can now relive this
mayhem by picking your favourite of the two and go up against a friend,
nailing each other with everything from vacuum cleaners to cakes! Be
prepared to climb into your childhood character when you flash back
with this fun-filled slice of silliness.
3
/ B
-PB
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TOMBI
2
Yes, not all of us like games with too much detail, realism and adult
themes. Tombi
is back, again up against those nasty little porkers. The platform trail
leading towards your destiny has a bit more depth this time in stead
of the more linear paths of the previous set-up.
3 / B
- PB
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TOMB RAIDER
- The Last Revelation
If there's one RPG synonymous with the PlayStation gaming system, it
is that of the
Tomb Raider series.
Not to mention the digital dream of teenage boys worldwide and strong
female role model all rolled into one. Yes, Mz Lara Croft is back and
this time her
Indiana Jones-styled
exploration takes her across Egypt where she accidentally unleashes
an evil God. Beautiful, dangerous and tricky locations hide many secrets,
clues, puzzles and traps as you lead Lara through the story line involving
the trapped evil God Set. It's up to Lara to re-trap Set in order to
prevent mankind from being dumped into eternal darkness. Some of the
new features include rope swinging, pole climbing and an inventory system
where you can combine items for puzzle solving. New items include crossbows,
binoculars, laser-sights and a flashlight. Besides the great atmosphere,
you're also in a bit of a pickle, as your enemies share Lara's agility
and will also look for weapons and destroy objects. They match her moves
and make it that much more of a challenge. With just as much excitement
and addiction as the earlier installments, The
Last Revelation
matches up real well.
5 / B
- PB
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TREASURES
OF THE DEEP
This exraordinary
quest game sends you into the depths of the ocean with an assortment
of mission - collecting treasure, nailing enemies - all without getting
shot up by under water villains or munched up by sharks. You also get
to do good by netting certain aquatic animals for added reward - your
bank account building up to purchase more hardcore subs and weapons,
medical kits, nets and more. A tranquil, yet tense affair.
3
/ B
- PB
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