DriverHeaven Monthly Gaming Roundup - March 2005 Edition

No_Style · Apr 2, 2005, 12:50 AM

March is a special time for me. To me it means we're well into the year, snow is melting away, high quality games are starting to roll out and it's the month my birthday is in. This year, my birthday was extra special since Sony decided to release the outstanding PlayStation Portable (PSP).

Not only was, this month spectacular for gaming hardware, a lot of excellent games were released as well. So let's see what we were blessed with!

Sony PlayStation 2

Dante returns in this prequel to Capcom's Devil May Cry, Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening. According to some, this game is definitely one of the more difficult games to conquer and may end up beating the hell out of you.

Remember Musashi? Well if you do, you may be pleased to know that Square Enix released Musashi Samurai Legend and it's packed with action adventure. If you're looking for another action title, consider Super Monkey Ball Deluxe (also available on the X-Box). Definitely worth rentals, at the least.

PS2 owners rejoice. Kratos has arrived. Who's Kratos? Just the star of God of War. Pushing the limits of gameplay and graphics for the PS2, God of War shows what SCEA can really do when they put their minds to it.

Microsoft X-Box

Get ready to gear up and head off to Hill 30 with Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 (also available on PC and PS2). If you're in the market for an extremely affordable action game with a touch of strategy check out MS Studios Japan's very own Phantom Dust.

It's true that you can emulate classic Megaman games on the X-Box, but if you're lazy and have the cash, perhaps Mega Man Anniversary Collection will cure your Blue Bomber needs.

Time Splitters: Future Perfect brings another solid FPS experience to the X-Box, but it is also readily available for the PS2 and GC.

Nintendo GameCube

GameCube owners can finally play boardgames with Scorpion and Sub Zero in Mortal Kombat: Deception. Ghost Recon 2, another late comer can now be enjoyed on the GameCube as well.

Into musical games? Can't dance? Maybe you can beat drums with Donkey Kong Jungle Beat.

PC

Ever wonder how life would be like in a squad of Storm Troopers? Well now you can live it through Star Wars: Republic Commando. If controlling a squad of elite storm troopers isn't your thing, perhaps controlling a band of super heroes is more your thing? Take a gander at Freedom Force vs The Third Reich, the long awaited sequel to the original Freedom Force released a few years back.

Here's a game which literally flanked the RTS scene: Act of War: Direct Action. This movie has something we haven't seen since the days of Command and Conquer: LIVE CUTSCENES! Don't let that scare you though, because they actually work pretty well in this game.

What's a month without an MMORPG launching? Now you can join the fight to save or destroy Zion in The Matrix Online. Just before the month is over, Sam Fisher sneaks in with another visually stunning Splinter Cell game dubbed, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory.

Conclusion

What month it has been. A quality game delivered in some form for practically every genre. Next month could be my favourite month of the year, as ArenaNet's Guild Wars finally launches. Til next month, happy gaming.

Raymond "No Style" Lim

Zardon · Apr 2, 2005, 12:57 AM

great read Raymond

gotta love the PSP !

ivan300 · Apr 2, 2005, 09:02 PM

is Act of War: Direct Action any good? Im a big RTS fan and i havent heard anything about it.

No_Style · Apr 3, 2005, 03:33 AM

I'm not spitting out publicity for games for no reason.

Yeah, Act of War is worthy of an RTS fan's attention. If you're yearning for some modern combat, but can't wait for the next C&C, give it a whirl. Zardon, adores it and you can find his views on Act of War, here.

Logla · Apr 15, 2005, 10:46 PM

I have to admit that I quite enjoyed playing AOW and will re-install as soon as I can (damn rebuild

) Fast paced RTS action and there is quite a bit of FMV as well - although the acting stinks

Sargentwhitey · Apr 15, 2005, 10:58 PM

My brother purchased Donkey Kong Jungle Beat in March.. and although I haven't played it.. it looks like fun

given that it is a Combo/Point count-up related game, like the arcades are.

Apr 2, 2005, 12:50 AM	#1
No_Style Styleless Wonder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 6,034 Rep Power: 0	DriverHeaven Monthly Gaming Roundup - March 2005 Edition March is a special time for me. To me it means we're well into the year, snow is melting away, high quality games are starting to roll out and it's the month my birthday is in. This year, my birthday was extra special since Sony decided to release the outstanding PlayStation Portable (PSP). Not only was, this month spectacular for gaming hardware, a lot of excellent games were released as well. So let's see what we were blessed with! Sony PlayStation 2 Dante returns in this prequel to Capcom's Devil May Cry, Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening. According to some, this game is definitely one of the more difficult games to conquer and may end up beating the hell out of you. Remember Musashi? Well if you do, you may be pleased to know that Square Enix released Musashi Samurai Legend and it's packed with action adventure. If you're looking for another action title, consider Super Monkey Ball Deluxe (also available on the X-Box). Definitely worth rentals, at the least. PS2 owners rejoice. Kratos has arrived. Who's Kratos? Just the star of God of War. Pushing the limits of gameplay and graphics for the PS2, God of War shows what SCEA can really do when they put their minds to it. Microsoft X-Box Get ready to gear up and head off to Hill 30 with Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 (also available on PC and PS2). If you're in the market for an extremely affordable action game with a touch of strategy check out MS Studios Japan's very own Phantom Dust. It's true that you can emulate classic Megaman games on the X-Box, but if you're lazy and have the cash, perhaps Mega Man Anniversary Collection will cure your Blue Bomber needs. Time Splitters: Future Perfect brings another solid FPS experience to the X-Box, but it is also readily available for the PS2 and GC. Nintendo GameCube GameCube owners can finally play boardgames with Scorpion and Sub Zero in Mortal Kombat: Deception. Ghost Recon 2, another late comer can now be enjoyed on the GameCube as well. Into musical games? Can't dance? Maybe you can beat drums with Donkey Kong Jungle Beat. PC Ever wonder how life would be like in a squad of Storm Troopers? Well now you can live it through Star Wars: Republic Commando. If controlling a squad of elite storm troopers isn't your thing, perhaps controlling a band of super heroes is more your thing? Take a gander at Freedom Force vs The Third Reich, the long awaited sequel to the original Freedom Force released a few years back. Here's a game which literally flanked the RTS scene: Act of War: Direct Action. This movie has something we haven't seen since the days of Command and Conquer: LIVE CUTSCENES! Don't let that scare you though, because they actually work pretty well in this game. What's a month without an MMORPG launching? Now you can join the fight to save or destroy Zion in The Matrix Online. Just before the month is over, Sam Fisher sneaks in with another visually stunning Splinter Cell game dubbed, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory. Conclusion What month it has been. A quality game delivered in some form for practically every genre. Next month could be my favourite month of the year, as ArenaNet's Guild Wars finally launches. Til next month, happy gaming. *Raymond "No Style" Lim* __________________ "The Best Style Is No Style" Specifications Here

Apr 3, 2005, 03:33 AM	Thread Starter #4
No_Style Styleless Wonder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 6,034 Rep Power: 0	I'm not spitting out publicity for games for no reason. Yeah, Act of War is worthy of an RTS fan's attention. If you're yearning for some modern combat, but can't wait for the next C&C, give it a whirl. Zardon, adores it and you can find his views on Act of War, here. __________________ "The Best Style Is No Style" Specifications Here

Apr 15, 2005, 10:58 PM	#6
Sargentwhitey Has a JOB.. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 1,473 Rep Power: 0	My brother purchased Donkey Kong Jungle Beat in March.. and although I haven't played it.. it looks like fun given that it is a Combo/Point count-up related game, like the arcades are. __________________ Mobile:Intel Celeron M 1.5GHz, 40GB WD, 1GB PC24000, Intel Mediocre Graphics 2, SB Audigy 2 Notebook

Apr 2, 2005, 12:57 AM	#2
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	great read Raymond gotta love the PSP !

Apr 2, 2005, 09:02 PM	#3
ivan300 Booooo Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Vancouver Bc Posts: 236 Rep Power: 0	is Act of War: Direct Action any good? Im a big RTS fan and i havent heard anything about it.

Apr 15, 2005, 10:46 PM	#5
Logla HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 3,311 Rep Power: 0	I have to admit that I quite enjoyed playing AOW and will re-install as soon as I can (damn rebuild ) Fast paced RTS action and there is quite a bit of FMV as well - although the acting stinks