The Fall Preview of 2005
Welcome, once again. As usual, these are the games I'm most looking forward to during the Fall Season. A few of these games are for the GameCube or XBox, and I'll mark them accordingly. Well, enjoy!
Ultimate Spider-Man: This game rejects the usual movie fare, and returns to a comic book style graphic presentation. The big, open city returns, as well as better rescue missions in between the storyline. Hopefully this one is even more enjoyable than the others.
Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects: Yup, it's another Marvel arcade fighting game, but since I don't have one in my collection, I was thinking of picking this one up. The graphics look cool, and the fighting system looks pretty cool.
Spartan: Total Warrior: This game looks like a cross between Gladiator and the Dynasty Warriors series, which is just fine to me. I just hope such impressive graphics won't hinder the overall engine of the game.
Fable: The Lost Chapters: At last, the creators realized the first one was too short. Now they're releasing the same game with tons of added content that was left out. For only 20 bucks, I'll be buying that for sure. (Only for XBox)
Jak X Combat Racing: Yes, the dynamic duo are back, but this time in a car combat game, rather than a shooter/platformer. It'll have a storlyine separate from the Precursors, but I love the characters so I'll still be buying it.
Soul Calibur 3: I loved the second game in the series, mostly due to the fast action and use of weapons. The third game looks like it will be even better, especially since you can create a brand new character from the ground up. I've never done that in a fighting game, and I think it would be cool.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence: Similar to Substance, this is MGS3 with tons of new features. I'm most excited about the older Metal Gear games being included, but the new camera system implemented in the main game will be cool to try out as well.
Gun: Now here's a game to be really excited about, especially if you're a western fan like me. Essentially, it's a free-roaming western game, while you're not shooting up the bad guys, you're free to explore the frontier... hunting, raiding mines... living the life of a cowboy.
The Legend of Zelda: The Twilight Princess: Here's another big one. This is easily the best looking Zelda yet, with realistic graphics and a more mature look to it. Link is all grown up, fighting enemies from horseback on the fields of Hyrule. I can't wait to see what an adventure it will be.
Prince of Persia 3: The first one was great, the second one was magnificent... will the third one be perfect? It can't get a whole lot better, but I have full confidence that this game will kick a lot of ass.
And that's all for this fall. I can't promise that I'll get every single one of them, but I'll sure try.
2004
1. Grand Theft Auto San Andreas- Were you really expecting something else? This game is simply put- everything. You can do what you want, go where you want and when you want. You can take your girlfriend out dancing and then parachute into a military base to steal one of their tanks. This game is just... so perfect that nothing this year can begin to touch it.
2. Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater- Snake is back, in a manner of speaking, in his best game yet. This game comes so close to eclipsing the original MGS that it's scary. It does however, have one of the best stories in a videogames in quite a while.
3. Onimusha 3 Demon Siege- Easily the best in the series, it's all about the action. I thought it was an incredible game until I got to the part where you must lead Jacques through an immense battle. Once there, it became one of the best games I'd ever played.
4. Prince of Persia Warrior Within- This game improved on just about every single aspect over the original game, and the result is near perfection on the platforming level. Whether you're fighting on a narrow ledge or vaulting high in the air, this game is almost a dream.
5. Jak 3- This is an epic conclusion to one of my favorite series, and it couldn't have been funnier, sadder and more exciting. There was only one way to send this series out, and that's with a bang. Consider it done.
2003
1. Jak 2- It's nice to see developers try something new with a sequel, and it really pays off here. It's a huge game that combines so many genre's... it's about as close to perfect as you can get.
2. Dynasty Warriors 4- This game allows you to take on hordes of enemy troops, and beat them all into submission. It's great for taking out frustration, but it's a lot of fun as well.
3. Prince of Persia The Sands of Time- This action in this game is about as smooth as it gets. With a ton of abilities, this game is a lot of fun, even after you play through it a bunch of times.
4. Beyond Good & Evil- A great cast of characters, and a very unique world with some cool challenges make this game one of the years best. Games like this don't come along very often
5. Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution- This game could be considered a full sequel, but it isn't. It fixes everything wrong with the original, adds more stuff, and the result is the best fighting game I've ever played.
2002
1. Kingdom Hearts- In a slow year for games in general, this one shown bright. It combines characters from Final Fantasy and Disney into a compelling story.
2. Grand Theft Auto Vice City- This is basically just an expansion to GTA3, but there's nothing wrong with that. This time around, you get, motorcycles, helicopters and a lot more guns.
3. Onimusha 2 Samurai's Destiny- This is simply an awesome game. Epic storytelling, fast action, and RPG elements. You can't go wrong.
4. Timesplitters 2- This is the best FPS I've ever played. It's fun, fast and packed to the brim with over the top weapons.
5. Ratchet & Clank- A very innovative platformer with charm to spare. The gadgets in this game are in a league of their own.
2001
1. Metal Gear Solid 2 Sons of Liberty- This is the best game on the PS2. Awesome story, tight gameplay, and Solid Snake.
2. Final Fantasy X- The best RPG on the PS2. True to tradition, it has an epic storytelling, and the best cast of characters of any Final Fantasy.
3. Devil May Cry- The best action game of all time. Furious gameplay and a cool main character lead the way through a haunted castle.
4. Jak & Daxter The Precursor Legacy- Probably the best platformer, and one of my favorite games of all time. They don't come much better than this.
5. Grand Theft Auto 3- Total freedom describes this game best. Feel like stealing a convertible and going for a joyride? Go right ahead.