Gaming Neil Presents: Recent Games for the PS2!!

[Guest Kazuya Mishima]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Solid Snake [/i]
[B]
[color=teal]I'm sorry if I sounded over enthusiastic about the idea, but it's just that it has been too long since a true Tekken title. I've played the arcade version, and the graphics are really good, and the game play is...well, it's as always. But even so, I still like my Virtua Fighter better. :)[/color]

:blah: [/B][/QUOTE]

Whoa, don't take it too seriously man! :) You're right though, it has been [I]too[/I] long since the last Tekken title was released, which was Tekken Tag Tournement, released with the PS2, meaning that it has been over a year since we last saw Tekken!

I dont' really like the Virtua Fighter series, particularly not VF4, it seems to be over-realistic, and I haven't always been a fan of grainy graphics. But in this sense Snake, I can tell why you would prefer VF4.

[ZeroBlade]

Hmm it seems that not everyone knows how the geo-mod system is gonna work yet in Red Faction 2. Well let me share a bit of info for some of ya... that system will be improved such as more stuff will show more damage and that the system will be part of the gameplay. The best example is to blow up a wall to get to an unlocked or to continue with the story. Thats pretty much what they said about it so far. I don't know about blowing up a ceiling and dropping it on somebody but that sounds fun :p

As for sonic, its possible that the sonic game thats rumored might be part one and two. I think this because its been announced that the next adventure game for the GCN is acutally a remake of Sonic Adventure. So its possible they might release the same two games for the ps2. At least I think.:worried:

[Charles]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Kazuya Mishima [/i]
[B]
I dont' really like the Virtua Fighter series, particularly not VF4, it seems to be over-realistic, and I haven't always been a fan of grainy graphics. But in this sense Snake, I can tell why you would prefer VF4. [/B][/QUOTE]

That's an example of nitpicking. ;)

Virtua Fighter 4's grahpics, while not arcade perfect, still exhibit some of the best modeling, texturing and and cloth effects on the Playstation 2 platform. I notice that a lot of people complain over jaggies and such, but it only takes one gander at the water effects or lighting effects to forgive such a miniscule flaw.

If there's anything to dislike about Virtua Fighter, it's the gameplay. Don't get me wrong; the gameplay is brilliant and beyond any fighter in terms of depth. But, from what I've seen, it's really a love it or hate it style. Which of course, is why Tekken as such a following. I'm a fan of both titles, so I'm happy with either.

This Sonic talk is most likely nonsense. As previously stated, Nintendo is currently porting it's classic Sonic titles and the first Sonic Adventure to the GameCube. The possibility of a Sonic title appearing on the Playstation 2 appears to be slim, from my perspective. When I see Neil online again, I will ask him if he confused the lists.

When it comes to Red Faction 2's Geo-Mod technology, we will definitely see an improvement, as this feature will be infinitely expanded upon. Chunks of columns can be blasted off and walls, shelves, and office supplies can be destroyed. Aside from visual appeal, such destruction can effect gameplay. Enemies for instance, might obliterate walls in order to gain access to the player.

[James]

[color=royalblue]Regarding Sonic, I can say that there are currently [i]no[/i] Sonic games planned for PlayStation 2.

As has been said, Sonic Adventure and Sonic Mega Collection (which even includes Sonic CD...my favourite Sonic game of all time) will be making their way to the console.

I believe that we'll hear about Sonic Adventure 3 either at TGS later this year or at E3 next year. I don't think an announcement is [i]too[/i] far away...but it won't happen this month.[/color]

[Semjaza]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ZeroG214 [/i]
[B]Hmm it seems that not everyone knows how the geo-mod system is gonna work yet in Red Faction 2. Well let me share a bit of info for some of ya... that system will be improved such as more stuff will show more damage and that the system will be part of the gameplay. The best example is to blow up a wall to get to an unlocked or to continue with the story. Thats pretty much what they said about it so far. I don't know about blowing up a ceiling and dropping it on somebody but that sounds fun :p
[/B][/QUOTE]

Yeah, it does... BUT that is [i]exactly[/i] what was promised in the first one. And once I actually played it, most of it didn't work how they promised. They didn't deliver at all.

I remember shooting some stalactites (or whichever the ceiling ones are called) in a cave to hit some guys, using some big machine with drills on the end of it to go through a wall and blowing up a couple walls... But most of the time it didn't do anything special like I was lead to believe. They better deliver on their promises for Geo-Mod this time around. It had a lot of wasted potential in the first, and was honestly was more of a gimmick than anything. I'm still optimistic though :D.

Anyway, VF4 is easily one of the better looking fighters on the system, if not the best. Like CWB said the modeling, textures and clothing movement are excellent. The game has some shimmering problems, and some strange jaggies (which I thought were basically dead by now on PS2). The only thing I am not a fan of are the character designs, there were only a couple characters that even appealed to me in that aspect. Most of them just felt really generic or are just not appealing to me. Some of the characters look really plasticy too, like Vanessa.

I also like the gameplay...If you don't know what to do, it will be a button masher. But if you do know how to play it well, you will simply kick everyone else's ***. The game is mainly about smoothness and style. The level balance wasn't so good though, and for some reason they totally ditched the tiered arenas of VF3. The ring out areas are too small, and any area with walls results in quite a bit of juggling... Even so, after playing VF4, I think it is quite obvious how much DOA is a dumbed down version of VF. At least I think so :).

And I agree with everyone else here. The chances of any other system getting Sonic games are slim to none. Although, there is some Japanese magazine reporting that PS2 is getting Sonic Mega Collection...but as of right now I'd see no reason to believe it.

[Guest Kazuya Mishima]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Semjaza Azazel [/i]
[B]Anyway, VF4 is easily one of the better looking fighters on the system, if not the best. Like CWB said the modeling, textures and clothing movement are excellent. The game has some shimmering problems, and some strange jaggies (which I thought were basically dead by now on PS2). The only thing I am not a fan of are the character designs, there were only a couple characters that even appealed to me in that aspect. Most of them just felt really generic or are just not appealing to me. Some of the characters look really plasticy too, like Vanessa.

I also like the gameplay...If you don't know what to do, it will be a button masher. But if you do know how to play it well, you will simply kick everyone else's ***. The game is mainly about smoothness and style. The level balance wasn't so good though, and for some reason they totally ditched the tiered arenas of VF3. The ring out areas are too small, and any area with walls results in quite a bit of juggling... Even so, after playing VF4, I think it is quite obvious how much DOA is a dumbed down version of VF. At least I think so :).
[/B][/QUOTE]

Vannesa's plasticy look is probably the only way that her more masculine attitude can be expressed. Although Sarah shares the same attitude, she seems to have a more feminine figure.

It seems that games with more ability to button-bash seem to be the ones where there is a lot of freedom in the character. Tekken 4 requires a lot of skill to play, which is very challenging, but tends to lack freedom, where as VF4 shares all the positives, but lacks publicity in the UK and US.

Obviously the real winner in level designs is DOA3. The detail is pushed to its limits, giving many players a feeling that the environment is against them too, since it can aid your opponent, and you for that matter.

Technically, mainly all of the hit Beat 'em up titles are missing a bit of something.

[ZeroBlade]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by James [/i]
[B][color=royalblue]Regarding Sonic, I can say that there are currently [i]no[/i] Sonic games planned for PlayStation 2.

As has been said, Sonic Adventure and Sonic Mega Collection (which even includes Sonic CD...my favourite Sonic game of all time) will be making their way to the console.

I believe that we'll hear about Sonic Adventure 3 either at TGS later this year or at E3 next year. I don't think an announcement is [i]too[/i] far away...but it won't happen this month.[/color] [/B][/QUOTE]

Wow, I didn't expect Sonic CD to be released with the Mega Collection. Thats one of the two sonic related games that I never played since you needed the unsuccessful sega CD to play. I wanted to play it so bad but never got the cash:bawl: The other sonic related game few know about is Knuckles Chaotix. This game was for the useless 32x. I saw a demo of it once years ago and it really looked great especially the part of playing as 5 characters. I hope these sonic rumors are true and if both games make it to either system, I'm sold in getting them.

Now as for the Geo-mod thing again, I never did read up on this game when it was being developed so to me it was just one of those games that come out without me knowing. If they said it was supposed to be part of the gameplay and it wasn't then I guess they fixed in part two. I can't say for sure since just about every gaming site locked that info to its paying members. I wish they would unlock them already especially IGN. They have videos that I bet few people seen. Damned membership, its friggin annoying:flaming:

[Semjaza]

I think Gamespot is having a free month of videos, shots, reviews etc thanks to EB or something. Might want to look around there.

And there was a supposed list of games on the Sonic Mega Collection, but it has never been confirmed.

Sonic, Sonic 2, Sonic 3, Sonic and Knuckles, Sonic CD, Sonic 3D Blast, Sonic R, Sonic Shuffle, Sonic Drift (which was GameGear game not released in the US).

Last I saw Sonic Fighters, Chaotix and Spinball weren't included. I also would like to see which versions of the Sonic CD soundtrack they include. Japan and the US versions had different songs.

EDIT--- Sega has confirmed the games... And it's basically just like Sonic Jam. Sonic CD is NOT included :bawl:

[Charles]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Kazuya Mishima [/i]
[B]
Obviously the real winner in level designs is DOA3. The detail is pushed to its limits, giving many players a feeling that the environment is against them too, since it can aid your opponent, and you for that matter.[/B][/QUOTE]

I agree that the backdrops in DOA3 are exquisite. On the other hand, I wish that there was a tad more interaction in some of them. Essentially, all one may do is knock opponents into objects with similar effects accordingly. Although I would not expect Power Stone style interaction, it would be nice to be able to have the ability to utilize the environments more.

Also, some of the backdrops are rather unimaginative still......

Overall I would agree with you that DOA3 has the best arenas, though they are strikingly similar to Virtua Fighter 3's as far as aesthetics go.