During much of the month of July, PS2 Gamers have a bit of a draught, with only five games scheduled to be released. Well, we here at GamingWorld X know that the best way to beat a game drought is by looking into the past. So, to make it easy, the staff of Sony GamingWorld has put together a genre-by-genre list going through some of the best titles in each genre, all of which are worth checking out. Spend some time dwelling in the past, because once the online system kicks off next month, all your time will be spent in the present. Today: Action
Twisted Metal: Black
by Adam Matlock
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Talk about reinventing a series: with one fell swoop, developers Incog. Inc managed to both right the wrongs created by 989 Studios with Twisted Metal 3+4, and they created one of the most dark, fun-to-play experiences on any system. That's basically Twisted Metal: Black in a nutshell. By combining a dark storyline with the classic gameplay of Twisted Metal 2, and a unique visual flair, Incog. Inc. created a total package that was both disturbing and enticing. Following the same plot of a tournament held by a mysterious being, Calypso, the focus shifts to an Asylum, where each of the patients has something they truly want - and by winning the tournament, they got it. One patient, Dollface, wanted a mask removed that was put on by her former employer; another, Mr. Grimm, wanted revenge on his captors in a POW camp. The stories ranged from revenge to just plain bloodlust, and it was not for the faint of heart. But that was part of what made it so good, and it can be argued that Twisted Metal: Black took the first step, and Grand Theft Auto III took the second, towards making a game with mature themes that actually played well. The game now runs under Sony's Greatest Hits line, and with a price of $20, it can't be passed up.
Red Faction
by Adam Matlock
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The tough thing about being one of the first in a genre on a console, is that most people expect the game to be bad. Red Faction, developed by Volition, broke that stereotype. Although it wasn't a launch title, most people didn't really care; they were too busy making Swiss cheese out of nearby walls and piloting one of the many vehicles available in Red Faction. The fact is, the amount of new features that Volition implemented (and smoothly) was what made their first PS2 effort great. The Geo-Mod, a proprietary technology that allowed gamers to reform the environment on the fly, made for plenty of gaming possibilities. There were plenty of secrets hidden around behind certain walls - all it took was a bit of exploration, and some high explosives. There were also five different vehicles available throughout the game, and they all controlled quite well - although it did help a great deal that the developers had worked on the PC title Descent, one of the best, most claustrophobic flight games ever. The game threw you right in the midst of a revolution in a mining facility in Mars (the red of the title refers to the Red Planet, not communism), and with the aid of inside supporters and radio contact, you made your way through the entire facility, trying to shut it down. With the sequel on the way and a low retail price (also about $20), now's the perfect time to catch up on your history...of the future.
Devil May Cry
by Kevin Sloan
Easily one of the best action games on the Playstation 2, Devil May Cry is amazing. Gameplay-wise, DMC featured great combat and an easy control setup, which allowed gamers of all skill levels to endlessly blast enemies away. The selection of weapons was great, and each demonstrated a sense of power rarely seen before. Unleash the shotgun and enemies fly back, or slash and hack them with Dante's ultra cool sword: there were so many choices! Visually, the game was stunning, featuring superb looking character models, a dark atmosphere, and breathtaking environments. Speaking of the enemies, the game features some of the coolest enemies you'll ever see, not to mention some awesome bosses. And who can forget that classic juggling combo that Devil May Cry made famous? Great gameplay, a nice soundtrack, an excellent visual presentation, and a bit of replay value definitely made a combination worthy enough for the action Hall of Fame.
Next Time -> Adventure
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