Killzone 2 Preview

Killzone 2 will be the sequel to the original lackluster title Killzone on the PlayStation 2. Do not be lulled into believing that the sequel will be as abhorrent as the first iteration. Killzone 2 was another one of those video games that was missing in action until now. The first glimpse of Killzone 2 was at E3 2005, and critics said that the footage shown was not actual gameplay footage. Those critics were dead wrong when actual gameplay footage was divulged to the media at E3 2007. At a recent gaming convention at Germany, more details were revealed regarding the game. In Killzone 2, gamers will be at war against the Helghast troops (same opponents from Killzone). The game developers accentuated how easy and intuitive the controls were on the PlayStation 3. Specifically, a brand new gameplay mechanic was introduced. This was known as lean and peek. In a nutshell, this is about utilizing cover (ala Gears of War). Interestingly enough, this was the first time I have ever seen taking advantage of cover being used in a first person shooter. I have never seen using cover in order to get a tactical advantage be used in Halo, Half-life, Resistance: Fall of Man, Doom, Call of Duty, or Killzone 1. This is definitely an original feature to the first person genre. Do not fret because the lean and peek method works like a charm. The gaming company Guerilla will be making the game, and they also showed a boss battle. This is where some strategic contemplation was entailed. These bosses are called heavies, and you cannot just fire at them arbitrarily. Shooting their vulnerable areas are the only way to defeat these juggernauts. The physics in Killzone 2 seems to be much more responsive than Killzone. For instance, shooting an adversary in the legs will result in him bleeding and falling to the ground. In addition, a headshot will instantaneously eradicate a foe. A lack of a heads up display (ala Fight Night Round 3) was also publicized in Killzone 2. This is shown to have the players more immersed in the video game atmosphere. It worked well in Fight Night Round 3, so I believe it will work perfectly in Killzone 2. The visuals are stunning to say the least. The whether effects are right on par with other first person shooters like FEAR. The most intriguing aspect of the gameplay has to be its versatility. If you are a fan of duck and cover (ala Gears of War), use the lean and peak feature. If you are a fan of running and gunning, (ala Resistance: Fall of Man) feel free to spray your rivals with bullets as you run circles around them. Killzone 2 is exclusively for the PlayStation 3, and it is slated for a 2008 release date.
Countdown to Metal Gear Solid 4: 7 months away

Devil May Cry 4 Preview

After Capcom made an abysmal Devil May Cry 2, they redeemed themselves with an amazing Devil May Cry 3. Even though Devil May Cry 3 was a prequel, it was immensely better than the original Devil May Cry and Devil May Cry 2 combined. Devil May Cry 4 is the next chapter in the Devil May Cry franchise, and it look on par with Devil May Cry and Devil May Cry 3. Devil May Cry 4 takes place after the events of Devil May Cry, but before the events of Devil May Cry 2. For those of you who are keeping track, this means Devil May Cry 4 will transpire after Devil May Cry 3. Avid Devil May Cry fans will be surprised to see that a new character named Nero might be the protagonist. Dante will be a playable character, but he seems to be in a much more limited role than Nero.
The environments in Devil May Cry 4 look eerily similar to Devil May Cry 1; however, the gameplay resembles Devil May Cry 3. Obviously, Devil May Cry 4 will have its fair share of memorable action sequences. Particularly, the bosses Nero will encounter will act somewhat superfluous before they strive to pummel you to the ground. It is still unknown if Capcom plans on having half of the game in control of Dante, and the other half in control of Nero. Capcom divulged that player will be able to alter their fighting styles instantly, instead of the cumbersome menu system of Devil May Cry 3. The visuals in Devil May Cry 4 are phenomenal, and they take full advantage of the next generation hardware. Devil May Cry 4 will be available for the Xbox 360, PC, and the PlayStation 3 and is slated for a 2008 release date.

Countdown to Metal Gear Solid 4: 7 months away

Madden 2008 Review: A Quality Next Gen Sports Game

The most notorious sports video game of the year is available today. Many critics and even devoted Madden fans have been perturbed with Madden recently because they have been the same old Madden. Some would even go as far as to say that there has not been many innovative features after Madden 2005 (which introduced the hit stick). Others believe that Electronic Arts is not striving to make the best NFL game because there is no competition. Since EA bought the exclusive NFL rights, they have been making the same old Madden video games. Madden 2008 is an exception to that rule because it is brilliant. After an average three iterations of Madden that have disappointed fans, Madden 2008 will definitely please fans. The visuals are amazing on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but they are dreadful on the Nintendo Wii. Players will notice is that the somewhat vexing Tony Bruno is no longer doing his absurd radio show, and the gratuitous newspaper information is nowhere to be seen. The gamplay is more fluid than previous iterations of Madden. Gamers will realize that the players do not arbitrarily run around the field like Bobby Brown addicted to crack cocaine anymore. There have been some minor alterations to the hit stick; moreover, high and low tackles can be executed. The pass rush is more realistic in Madden 2008 than in Madden 2007. You cannot expect to pick up the blitz with only five offensive linemen; you ned to alter your protection and blocking schemes. Quarterbacks will be more precocious because high IQ quarterbacks like Peyton Manning will be able to see what play the defense is running. To counter this, defenders with high IQ will be able to view what play the offense is running. Players with low intelligence like Michael Vick (dog killer) will not be able to read defenses. This feature is only available if the defense or offense runs the same three of four plays every time, but it is still a nice touch and prevents any team from running the same plays every time.
Offensively, the highlight stick has been revamped; more maneuvers can be performed on your way to scoring a touchdown. This is incredible because it reduces contemplating what to do next on the field. Wide receivers have some brand new things to do as well. Spectacular catches and possession catches can be utilized in Madden 2008. Many expert Madden fans will realize that each receiver plays differently. For instance, Hines Ward will attempt a conservative catch because he is a possession receiver. Conversely, Torry Holt will attempt an aggressive catch because he is a spectacular receiver. Another element about receivers is the chess match with defenses. For example, Terrell Owens (the guy who sabotaged the Eagles 2005-2006 year and helped the New York Giants win their division) will be much easier to play bump and run coverage than a swift receiver like Steve Smith. This is because Terrell Owens (the guy who tried to commit suicide last year with pills) is an easier player to press at the line of scrimmage. The same rule applies for Randy Moss (weed smoker). Substitutions are more of a factor in Madden 2008 than last season. Teams like the New Orleans Saints will run a two back system, and Reggie Bush will share the load with Deuce Mcallister. Superstar mode has been overhauled in Madden 2008. Players will have more control on the rating of their created Superstar. He will compete in 40 yard dashes, lift weight, and various other drills to bolster his attributes. This is much more proficient than the asinine DNA mode which was random. Subtle icons are shown under each player to accentuate their field of expertise. For example, Brett Favre has a rocket under his name because he has “rocket arm.” Overall, Madden 2008 has given even the most novice NFL fans something to be elated about. It seems that the Madden franchise is finally heading in the right direction.

Metal Gear Solid: The Best Metal Gear Game

Metal Gear Solid was released in 1998 and is notoriously known by many as the greatest Metal Gear game. Instead of playing a flat two dimension game, this game was Konami’s first foray at making a Metal Gear game that was in three dimensions. Just like the previous iterations of the series, Metal Gear Solid was a tactical espionage action game with an emphasis on stealth. The game occurs in 2005, and Foxhound is now a terrorist organization that has no affiliation with Roy Campbell and Solid Snake. Foxhound’s intentions are to launch a nuclear attack if their demands are not met. Their headquarters are in a remote island called Shadow Moses (somewhere in Alaska). Roy and Dr. Naomi Hunter (colleague of Roy Campbell) begs Snake to assist in eradicating the terrorist threat. Snakes goes to Alaska and begins his mission; his first objective is to find the DARPA chief (Donald Anderson) and Arms Tech president (Kenneth Baker). Our hero tracks down Donald, and Mr. Anderson informs Snake that another Metal Gear is under construction. Donald also tells Snake about a way to deactivate Metal Gear that entails PAL codes, and then the chief dies from a heart attack. Snake resumes his objective and come across Kenneth Baker (who is being held hostage by Revolver Ocelot).. Revolver has placed wires connected to explosives that are set to detonate. Snake manages to rescue Baker and severely injure Ocelot but no kill Ocelot due to an esoteric ninja. The ninja slices Ocelots hand, cuts the wires that are attached to the explosives, and flees. Too wounded to fight, Ocelot run offs as well. After that, Snake has a succinct conversation with Kenneth who also dies of a heart attack (eerily similar to Donald‘s death). On his way to find Otacon, Snake encounters Vulcan Raven in a tank; Snake destroys the tank and heads towards Shadow Moses nuclear disposal area. As Snake reaches Otacon, he sees the ninja again. The ninja divulges to Snake that he is Gray Fox (Snake’s former comrade from Foxhound). They have a melee, and the ninja (Gray Fox) runs away again. Snake discovers Otacon (creator of Metal Gear) and asks him to help in destroying Metal Gear. Realizing that Metal Gear will be used as a weapon that is a threat, Otacon concurs to assist Snake. Meryl (Roy Campbell’s daughter) finds Snake, and she teams up with Snake. Unfortunately, they are sniped by Sniper Wolf. Meryl gets injured, but Snake figures out how to beat Sniper Wolf at her own game and does. Snake is then captured by soldiers and Sniper Wolf (who did not die); Ocelot comes back in the picture and torments Snake by electrocution. Fortunately, Snake escapes and recovers his gear. Undesirably, Snake is attacked by the leader of Foxhound (Liquid Snake) in a helicopter. But Snake shoots the helicopter multiple times with a stinger missile launcher to annihilate it. Snakes goes on to fight Sniper Wolf and Vulcan Raven again, and Snake exterminates both of them for good. Knowing that Raven’s death was inevitable, Raven reveals to Snake that the DARPA chief was really Decoy Octopus in disguise.Afterwards, Dr. Naomi and Snake have a conversation via codec in which she tells Snake that she has injected him with a virus known as Foxdie. This revelation explains why Decoy Octopus and Kenneth Baker died when they were in contact with Snake. Naomi admits she did it because she is the step sister of Gray Fox and wants revenge for Snake’s actions. Feeling remorseful, she apologizes to Snake and acknowledges that she has no desire to kill Snake. Recognizing that he must complete his mission, Snake finally reaches the hanger where Metal Gear is being kept. He attempts to defuse Metal Gear; however, he unintentionally makes it active. Much to Snake’s chagrin, Liquid arrives yet again. Liquid notifies Snake that he was being used to trigger Metal Gear and tells Snake that they were twins who were part of the “Les Enfants Terribles” project; furthermore, Liquid says how this was a project intended to clone another Big Boss. Snake hears that he is the superior dominant twin, and Liquid is the inferior recessive twin. When their prolonged conversation comes to an end, Liquid jumps in the cockpit of Metal Gear and attempts to kill Snake. Since Snake is unsure how to put an end to Metal Gear, Otacon helps him via codec. As the long and arduous battle continues, Gray Fox appears and supports Snake in demolishing Metal Gear. Sadly, Gray Fox is killed in the process. Before dying, Gray Fox has a poignant moment with Snake and discloses to Snake that the ninja suit gave him a split personality. Liquid somehow survives the Metal Gear fiasco and challenges Snake to another fight in which Snake is triumphant. Later on, Snake sees Meryl and together escape from Liquid (yes he is still alive) in a climactic car chase action sequence. Their vehicles collide, and Liquid dies at the hand of the Foxdie virus. Knowing that he could die at any moment, Snake and Meryl get on a snowmobile to depart from Alaska. After the credits scroll across the screen, it is revealed that Revolver Ocelot is still alive and plans on giving the Metal Gear Solid data (from Kenneth Baker) to a man named Solidus.