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Hitman 2: Silent Assassin Review (PS2)

November 28, 2002

There's something different about Eidos' controversial new hit: It's serious, it's graphically violent, and it's really, really good. Hitman 2: Silent Assassin has all the ambience, visual beauty, and emotional resonance as a Godfather movie, and that's probably a big part of the reason certain people fear it. Our man, Jeremy, does a number on it. Click here.

Pro Rally 2002 Review (GC)

Welcome the latest addition to the GF! staff, Matt James, who takes Ubi Soft's  latest rally racer for a spin. Pro Rally 2002 is the first game of its type for the Gamecube, but it's definitely not a perfect title, especially if you're looking for thumb-numbing realism. Click here.

Capcom vs. SNK 2 EO Review (GC)

In its continuing struggle to make all Capcom games available on all systems, the Gamecube receives Capcom vs. SNK 2 EO. A port of the arcade fighter, this version offers a bit more complexity and some nice add-ins for the console. Of course, nothing Capcom can do will make up for that cruddy Gamecube controller -- get a fighting stick for this one. Click!

Sniper: Path of Vengeance Review (PC)

It may sound transgressive and spooky right about now to play a game called Sniper: Path of Vengeance, but let us assure you that this game will not train up the next crop of rampaging lunatics, mainly because it is so bad. Consider this review fair warning: If you grab this bad boy out of the bargain bin, then we can no longer help you. Click here.

Xbox LIVE Goes Live

November 24, 2002

If you don't have one of these kits at right, then you probably won't be able to find one right now. But have no fear -- new shipments of Xbox LIVE Starter Kits are rocketing out as you read this. Xbox LIVE has launched, and in the short time it has been available over 150 thousand gamers have signed up, making it the fastest growing online gaming service ever. Sound like fun? It is. Click here for the whole story.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Island Thunder Review (PC)

Tom Clancy is one of the season's hot properties, and Island Thunder, the expansion pack for his firmly instantiated Ghost Recon, is another release that doesn't disappoint. Ubi Soft has done right by the "Clancyverse", adding a whole new story and eight new missions to an already successful game. Click here.

Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds Saga Review (PC)

About a year ago, LucasArts released Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds. This real time strategy game was basically a Star Wars themed version of Age of Kings, built on the same game engine and everything. This year, LucasArts releases Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds Saga, the same game, plus an expansion pack, all in the same box. It's still good, if a little dated. Click.

Batman: Vengeance Review (PC)

Ubi Soft has also picked up a Batman license, and they have brought Batman: Vengeance to the PC. Based on the animated series, this game does pretty well keeping with the established visual, but clunky gameplay and a bad camera system cause some bat-problems. Get the lowdown on this game right here.

Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance Review (Xbox)

A legendary disappointment around these parts, Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance for the Xbox packs the same gorgeous visuals and great gameplay. What's wrong with that? Nothing, except the fact that it's over almost before it's begun and the replay value is pretty much zip. Click here for more.

No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in HARM's Way

November 13, 2002

Sierra and Vivendi Universal bring us a the followup to the hit spy shooter of 2000, No One Lives Forever. No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in HARM's Way brings the same great story, thrilling gameplay, and high quality sound and visuals to the PC in a whole new adventure featuring the lovely Cate Archer. Click here for the review.

Logitech MX Series Mice Review

Logitech's latest lineup of mice is pretty dang phenomenal. The MX series, featuring the MX 300, MX 500, and MX 700, incorporates Logitech's next generation optical technology, meaning that these are the most accurate and reliable mice out there. Lots of custom features, PC to Mac compatibility, and easy installation add up to a hit. Click here for more.

Superman: Man of Steel Review (Xbox)

Oh, it looks really nice. Really, REALLY nice. But Superman: Man of Steel plays very poorly. The controls are so awkward that it's hard to find the icing on this cake. If you're a huge fan of the man in the blue tights, then you might go for the rental, but average, non-super humans will struggle with crippling frustration and woe. Click!

Panzer Dragoon Orta Preview (Xbox)

Sega's hit Panzer Dragoon series is getting the next generation treatment. Panzer Dragoon Orta looks to be the most amazing in a series of amazing titles. Pushing the graphical limits of the Xbox (or does it?) and providing a thrilling 3D shooter experience, we can't wait to get this one home with us. Click here.

Secret Agent Barbie: The Royal Jewels Mission Review (GBA)

Sure, it's a game for girls designed by men and marketed by women, but the thing is, Secret Agent Barbie: The Royal Jewels Mission is not a bad game for girls... or boys. Of course, it's not great either. Interesting gameplay and some minigames lengthen this very brief action game. Click for more.

Butt-Ugly Martians B.K.M. Battles Review (GBA)

The B.K.M. stands for "Butt-Kicking Mode" and anybody already into Butt-Ugly Martians will probably appreciate the reference more than we do. Butt-Ugly Martians B.K.M. Battles for the GBA is not a bad game; it just doesn't offer us anything new. Derivative, but solid, gameplay abounds. Click.

Super Ghouls n' Ghosts (GBA)

Our old-school sidescrolling addict, Matt, checks out Capcom's latest revival -- Super Ghouls n' Ghosts recreates the Super NES experience on the Game Boy Advance. For classic, and incredibly difficult, arcade action, you might want to check this one out. After Maximo, how can you resist? Click here.

Syberia Contest Winner Announced

Congratulations to Gudrun Masschelein of Ailsa Craig, Ontario (that's in Canada), because he's our Syberia Contest Winner. Gudrun will receive a copy of Syberia for the PC. Didn't win? Don't worry -- we've got two more contests going on right now. You can win the complete GTA: Vice City Official Soundtrack Box Set or you could enter to win one of three copies of Zapper. Who loves you? Click here for more.

Interview: Dana Bruno of BrunoReport.net

November 13, 2002

Dana Bruno has had an illustrious career as an independent journalist working for the indy online news site, Newsdogs.com. She has been running her own site, BrunoReport.net, for awhile now and has recently become involved with the high-profile Search 4 E case. We were fortunate to have a chance to ask Bruno some questions about her history and her current investigation. Click here for the interview.

Serious Sam Interviews

The Xbox version of Serious Sam released yesterday, and man does it look sweet. A cult classic on the PC, Serious Sam is sure to find an audience on the Xbox, especially with sweet new extras and graphics. We got a hold of two interviews regarding the game: David Nottingham is a producer for Gotham Games and very excited about Serious Sam. Davor Tomicic is a game and level designer for Croteam and proves that those Croatians are wacky. Read on!

Red Faction 2 Review (PS2)

November 8, 2002

THQ has scored more than an ordinary hit with Red Faction 2. Building on the original installment of the series, RF2 offers an amazing story of the kind we don't often see in videogames. Sure, the Geo Mod technology is still there, and still fun as hell, but this one is about telling a good tale, and we commend its success. Click here.

TimeSplitters 2 Review (Xbox, PS2)

Eidos brings us the highly anticipated TimeSplitters 2, and this time around the game has no apologies to make. The single player mode is great fun, especially playing it with a friend, and the multiplayer mode is perhaps the most robust thing going right now on a console. Click for more.

CONTEST: Vice City Soundtrack Box Set

So you've got Vice City and you're tearing up the place, riding those motorcycles and hittin' up those roller skaters. But there's more. The Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Official Soundtrack Box Set sports seven CDs. Each of them unlocks different codes and cheats for the game. But you have no more money to spend on Vice City? Don't go jacking up pedestrians -- enter our contest. We're giving away a full box set to some lucky GF! reader. Click!

CONTEST: Win a copy of Zapper

Infogrames has just released their wacky new platformer, Zapper. Chock full of good times, we want to let you in on the action for free. We're giving away one copy of the PS2 version and two copies of the GBA version. All you have to do is watch a fairly hilarious video and fill out a small form. It doesn't get better than this. Click to win.

CONTEST: Only Two Days Left to Win Syberia

And in case you haven't been paying attention, there are only two days left to register in our Syberia contest. One of the most beautiful games of the year, and certainly the best adventure title, Syberia will be a welcome addition to your PC library. Click here to enter.

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