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Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix Review (PC)

June 28, 2002

Activision follows up their cult hit with a sequel that mostly gives the fans more of the same. Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix features nicer graphics and a more robust GHOUL system (which allows you to take out your enemies piece by piece), but the gameplay remains oriented around shooting, shooting, and shooting more. Click.

Dark Planet: Battle for Natrolis Review (PC)

It's one of the oldest stories we know: Multiple groups of settlers fight amongst themselves to control a newly discovered world, empty except for the natives. Nope, this isn't a pre-July 4 history lesson, it's the plot of Dark Planet: Battle for Natrolis. This bargain-priced strategy game brings some interesting features to the table, but overall it ends up falling a bit flat. Click here for more.

Bomberman Generation Review (GC)

Bomberman is back, and this time he's in 3D, cel-shaded graphics that work great. Bomberman Generation shifts the focus of the previous games toward adventure-puzzle gameplay, and our resident Bomberman fanatic just loves it. Click here.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents: The Final Cut Review (PC)

What would Alfred Hitchcock think of Alfred Hitchcock Presents: The Final Cut? We're not sure, but our man Paul takes his best shot at figuring it out. If you loved Myst, if you pine for another 7th Guest, and if you're a Hitchcock fan, then you might really dig this game. Otherwise, go rent Rear Window and call it good. Click here.

Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter Review (Xbox)

Another installment in the Starfighter series, Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter manages to make some good additions to the franchise but doesn't really make this one feel like an entirely new game. Sure, there are cool Force powers and new ships to fly, but it all feels very familiar. Thank goodness for the cooperative story mode. Click.

Big Bass Fishing Review (PS1)

How do you make a bargain priced fishing game for PSone stand out above the rest? If you are Big Bass Fishing you add a sexy angler into the mix. Her saucy allusions and provocative double entendres are fun for a bit, but then you're left playing the game, and it just falls short. Click here to read all about it.

Devil May Cry 2 Preview (PS2)

June 23, 2002

Capcom's follow-up to its ultra, mega, superhit, DMC, is due this Fall. Devil May Cry 2 will feature new environments, new moves, and a brand new, ultra-mysterious new playable heroine. This time out the game is looking really amazing, so if you thought the last one was cool, then read this.

Reign of Fire Preview (PS2)

scr067-01.jpg (4965 bytes)Gearing up to be a summer action hit at the movie theater, Reign of Fire on the PS2 is looking sweeter than Matthew McConaughey's belt buckle in Dazed and Confused. So if you're looking to mow down some dragons with a load of military might, or if you'd just like to play for the other team, blazing humans as they get in your way, you need to click here.

Ballerium Preview (PC)

Distributed processing and an infinitely expandable world are just two of the technical feats pulled off by small Israeli developer, Majorem, and put to use in Ballerium, a truly massive multiplayer RTS title. Although it's still early in development, our resident MMP expert, Aaron, checked it out. Click here for more.

Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb Preview (PC, PS2, Xbox)

It seems like everyone these days wants to get out the old Indy and dust him off. Spielberg has Harrison Ford all lined up for another flick, not due until 2005, and LucasArts returns to the franchise with Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb. So far it's looking great, and games might be the perfect vehicle to keep Indy alive and whippin'. Click.

Shinobi Preview (PS2)

He kills silently and bounces off walls like loonies in the nuthouse. Nope, it's not Tiny Twisted Metal Bumper Cars or Tenchu Stealth Maniacs -- this is even better. Shinobi returns for another slash at the videogame market, and thank goodness. Anyone who has touched the beauty of the classic arcade game knows that a new Shinobi adventure is a very, very good thing. Click here.

Breath of Fire II Review (GBA)

Capcom brings us another phenomenal RPG for the GBA, and thank goodness. Breath of Fire II is a worthy successor to the franchise. While next-gen RPGs are few and far between, this old-school SNES port packs some classic gameplay in a tidy, pretty, and portable package. Click here.

Star Wars Bounty Hunter Preview (PS2, GC)

June 19, 2002

LucasArts brings us another really cool-looking Star Wars game. Star Wars Bounty Hunter allows you to assume the role of Jango Fett. Promising to flesh out the backstory of this mysterious figure (whose cool is trumped only by his son, Boba). Jetpacks, laser pistols, large environments and plenty of bounties to collect make this game a Star Wars fan's dream. Click here.

Earth and Beyond Online Preview (PC)

Westwood Studios and Electronic Arts are finishing up a MMORPG that has us interested. Earth and Beyond breaks out of the fantasy confines to explore the nether regions of the universe. It looks amazing, plays cool, and we can't wait to get our hands on the release version. Click here for more.

Hunter: The Reckoning Review (Xbox)

Interplay has made a major console push this year -- all they showed were console titles at E3. If Hunter: The Reckoning is any example, they have a long way to go before they get the console game really figured out. Hunter is a blast in a lot of ways, but also seriously flawed. Click here for the review.

Lethal Skies Elite Pilot: Team SW Review (PS2)

Sammy breaks out with a new take on the combat flight sim. Lethal Skies Elite Pilot: Team SW offers some cool flying with a cool backstory, but ends up pulling short just before the runway. Some cool graphical effects aren't enough to make this one rise above the rest of the genre. Click here.

Brute Force Preview (Xbox)

June 15, 2002

Microsoft and Digital Anvil have teamed up on a squad-based combat game that should have HALO fans wetting their pants. Brute Force allows you and up to three friends to play a cooperative story mode or just deathmatch the heck out of each other. Great visuals and lots of cool details make it one to watch for. Click!

Star Trek Elite Force II Preview (PC)

Activision brings us the sequel to the popular Elite Force, creatively titled Start Trek Elite Force II. Expect more FPS action, with an emphasis on story, as well as much prettier graphics and a possible foray into Next Gen territory. Go get you a Borg -- click here.

Ghost Master Preview (PC)

Empire Interactive takes a bold step in innovation, and it looks like it's going to pay off for them. Ghost Master has you in control of the ghosts haunting a house. Your job is to spook the living bejeebus out of the not-yet-dead, and to do so you control an army (OK, a few) of the undead. If it sounds like fun, that's because it is. Click here.

Italian Job Review (PS1)

Rockstar brings us another in their series of $9.99 "Got Game" titles. The Italian Job is probably be best of these we've played since Darkstone, which means it's worth a spin if you're still stuck on the PS1. Following the plot of an old British crime caper flick, it's got some good story and decent gameplay. Click.

LOTR: The Two Towers Preview (PS2, GBA)

June 11, 2002

The Lord of the Rings franchise has been fractured -- games are coming out from both Sierra and EA. EA has the movie license, and that will make all the difference. So far The Two Towers looks amazing, what with the hordes of orcs to cut down and the incredible interplay of film footage and game graphics. Click here to be amazed.

Mario Sunshine Preview (GC)

Mario is back, and everyone knows it. These screens of Mario Sunshine don't really do the game justice, but it's the best we have. Finally the fans will have their next installment of the Mario series, which is as popular as ever and looks to be a lot more fun. Click.

Editorial: The Nintendo Difference

Jason loves his Nintendo Gamecube. And after a year of meager (to say the least) releases for the system, the Gamecube finally looks to be coming into its own. The new outlook for the system is all about The Nintendo Difference, and Jason would like to have a word with you about this difference. Get some hardcore, uncensored opinion -- click.

Virtua Fighter 4 Review (PS2)

Sure, sure, it's a couple of months old, but what the hell -- you'll like our review better because it has the benefit of time and space. Eric doesn't just want to review Virtua Fighter 4, but also to situate it in the broader scheme of fighting games. Also, it took him two months to get anywhere in the game because it's so damn hard. But that's something other reviewers will hide. Not us. Click here.

All Star Baseball 2003 Review (GC)

A new franchise mode that allows you almost complete freedom and some cool extras make All Star Baseball 2003 the best in the series so far. Acclaim has really outdone themselves with this one. Gamecube owning baseball fans need to check out this bad boy. Click here.

Sled Storm Review (PS2)

Our man, Jake, checked out Sled Storm. Published in EA's Big line, this isn't really a sequel, but more of an upgrade to the original Sled Storm, released for PSone. The graphics are great, and there are some cool elements (racing for pink slips anyone?), but overall it needs some work. Click here for the scoop.

Click here for the rest of our E3 coverage.

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