Countdown - August 27-September 2, 2006

By: CAPTAIN GORDON EDWARD
Date: Thursday, September 07, 2006

Welcome again to another run of the Countdown. Right now it seems the countdown to school is over, with a bunch of people going back to hit the books. This is the thing that signals the return of released videogames for us to play, like it is each year. This week specifically is a beautiful example of just that, with a bundle of good games released. While there are tones of games that have come out for this last week, and I am going to come the most important ones.

One that may not seem very important right now, seeing as the original game for the PS2 game has been noted as one of the most horrible videogames ever made... 50 Cent: Bulletproof G-Unit Edition for the PSP has been released. This game will have a lot of the content from the PS2 game, but with a few upgrades. One of the things that will stay in the game though will be all the music and videos that 50 Cent has done. Something that has changed though is the perspective, where now you have a top down view. I pray that this new perspective allows the game better than the original, but with the same name attached, it is hard to believe that it will do so sales wise.

What I am interested about it though is the change in perspective. Similarly Killzone for the PS2 was originally a shooter, just like 50 Cent: Bulletproof. Killzone was originally hyped to be a Halo killer, but was unable to deliver what the hype promised. Now with Killzone being moved to the PSP, it will be changed to a top down perspective as well. I believe that if the 50 Cent game does marginally well, that Killzone will out do its counterpart for the PS2, but I will need to wait till November to find out.


Talking about other disappointments, Bomberman Act: Zero looks to be just that. Instead of revamping a bad game to try and make it good, they have done the opposite, at least that was the impression I got from the 20 minutes of playing it. This will be a game to rent rather than buy to see if you like the update. Mainly I think it failed is because it goes against how the previous Bomberman games played out with the cute characters. Again the perspective was changed from a top down view to a FPS, so perhaps top down views are more popular.

Another game released for the X-Box 360 is Enchanted Arms, with is one of the first few RPGs for the X-Box 360. I know in the past that the X-Box has not been well known for receiving good RPGs, but this one looks to be just that. The battles look beautiful, and storyline sounds very interesting. I recommend any person with an X-Box 360 who likes RPGs to pick this game up because they are rare on this system.

Another interesting game for the X-Box 360 is Saint's Row, which is shaping up to be a great game. No doubt it is in a Grand Theft Auto styled world, and that is just fine by me, because this time around you can create your own characters. One of the coolest features is that it allows for multi-play over X-Box live, something that Rockstar should have done for the consoles a long while ago. Other than that, there is not too much that separates it from GTA. If you are aching for a new experience with urban mayhem, well this game will be the one for you.

Another game that I am excited about is Ultimate Ghosts & Goblins. I have been playing these games for years, in the arcades, or even on the SNES. When I saw this game at E3 I loved just playing it. Now it has been released on the PSP, and it is another great experience. You have different armours for powers, and of course a bunch of different weapons. Also I will be reviewing this game in the near future, but I can tell you now it is fun to play.

Def Jam Fight for New York: The Takeover was also released on the PSP, and this is another good game to play. This will satisfy that itch for a good wrestling game, just like the previous ones have done. You will also have your "one on one" battles over the wireless network, so this will be fun to play with those around you. If you have any thoughts about trying to be a gangster, and the 50 Cent game is not for you... you might as well pick up this game.

Another great series that I have been following for years is the Star Fox franchise, and they have just released a game for the DS. This will be another must have game if you have the money to spend, because this takes the game back to its roots. Of course Nintendo has put a battle mode in this so now you can take out your frustrations on your friends. You can also play this game over WiFi, so this will be the perfect thing for the DS this week.

Continuing with another series, which seems to be a standard theme of a lot of games out there, Xenosaga 3 has been released to cap off their story arc. Now if people are finally getting off of their fix of mechs, like when people tire of Chromehounds, this game should hook them again. Not only is it wrapping up a series, but also the game has been further refined to a nice pointy tip. This is another RPG that started out a little rocky in the beginning, with way too many cinematics, and built on it to be an awesome experience. I expect great things from this game, and recommend picking it up if you can.

While on the subject of RPG's there has been one that I have been pumping up for the last month. This is a game I have been excited for a year, and even met with the producer at E3 specifically about it. This game is Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories, and it will be a beautiful tactical RPG. This game will hook you into playing hour after hour, levelling all your characters and items. It will also have an awesome storyline, and a great experience. This game is by far my pick of the week to be a hit, even though there have been a lot of great games released this week, this one still beats them all out. I recommend every person picking this game up, even if you do not have a PS2. Just looking at the box should entertain you for hours.

I would like to wrap up this week with mentioning who has won the contest for Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories. Marcello of DC, as luck would have it, I hope you enjoy your game. Additionally out of the contest we had, I had noticed that this person had entered every week, so I guess it pays to stay tuned to the Countdown. All and all though, this is Captain Gordon... signing off.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? CaptainGordonEdward@Gmail.com