The videogame review thread!

Looper

Looper

Bluelighter
Joined
Sep 18, 2000
Messages
3,207
Location
London
I hope this is suitable for V & PA... I can't think of anywhere else to post it and I think a videogame review thread would be really cool :)
Tekken 4
PlayStation 2
I've been waiting four years for this game and (joy of joys!) it's fantastic. After the bitter disappointment that was Tekken Tag Tournament this had a hell of a lot resting on its shoulders. I've had it nearly a week now and I doubt I've scratched the surface of the new tactics and moves.
The game features Story, Arcade, Time Attack, VS, Team Battle and Survival Modes. There's a Practise arena and the new additon of a Training arena where you can do pre-determined combos to a time limit - handy for the new characters. Tekken Force Mode makes an unwelcome return - if I want to play Final Fight I'll load up MAME thank you Namco. A big plus for European players is the inclusion of a 60HZ mode (I couldn't play Euro Tekken 3 (had to get a Jap version) or Tekken Tag because they ran 50HZ - too slow).
The inclusion of closed off arenas is one of the best new features in T4. For one it just looks more realistic - no more 'infinite' arenas, you can get somebody up against the wall and hammer them against it. It also means you can juggle them against the wall nearly continually with a fast hitting character like Nina or Heihachi. Good when you're doing it, a bollocks when it's being done to you. The other new feature that all characters share is a 'push or pull'. Basically this means if you're backed into a corner you can spin the other person into it instead and lay into them or simply push them away to get a bit of distance between you.
I don't think too much of the new characters so far (but admittedly I haven't really been learning them too much). Steve Fox is an interesting addition - a Tekken character without kicks but with lots of feints and dodges. Marduk seems weak, a simple big hitting Gun Jack subsitute with a bit of King grappling thrown in, although his intro is cool "I'll break your face!". Christine is awful, just Eddy Gordo with tits. The other 'new' characters are Tekken 1&2 characters with new moves - Kazuya and Lee. Neither have been majorly altered from their old personas, Kazuya has a great new drop kick but seems slower and Lee is definatly faster then he was before. The other 'new' one is Combot, who is Mokojin in a robot stylee.
They've altered the balance of the old favourites completely too. Nina is slower (boo!) but has some good new moves and combos (yay!). The damage her multiparts do has been crippled, which sucks since they're so hard to do anyway. Same applies to Kings multis. Lei has a great new backflip from the forward stance that is really handy to distance you from counter attacks after juggling. Jin is essentially a new character now again. He now uses traditional karate and although I'll miss the old Jin, there are some of his old moves still mixed up with the new ones.
The new costumes are great. Ninas pink catsuit, Jin's cool hooded tracksuit, Yoshimitsu's locust armour, Hworangs body armour- nice additions one and all. Heihachis nappy outfit is another matter altogether. He doesn't look like a sumo wrestler whatever the hell they were going for - the head of the Mishima Corporation should have some sense of fashion surely.
The graphics are excellent on the whole. The models are highly detailed - you can see facial expressions and the collision detection is spot on throughout. Small cosmetic additions like the smoke in the lab area, the waves at the beach area or knocking out a member of the audience in the underground arena add to the experience. The FMV is stunning but used really badly. What they could have done with the stories as opposed to what they actually did is criminal. Xiaoyu's one for example - two beautifully rendered girls in Japanese school uniforms talking to each other across a table for a minute, then they look out a window at a themepark. WHAT? Tekken 3's looked better and at least they were funny or advanced the plot a bit. The sound is pretty excellent too, crisp and powerful, but there's not too many new catchphrases or anything.
All in all - excellent work Namco. A near perfect conversion of the brilliant arcade version and an essential purchase for every PS 2 owner.
 
Don't ya think the Tekken series is getting a little old?
I mean all T4 seems to offer is environments that aren't infinite (a problem that should have been fixed a long time ago. Every other game did), more polygons, different textures and some new combo's. The story still doesn't make any sense and the character haven't changed at all since the first couple of games.
Oh... and Tekken Force is back. Wow. Thats something new. Why do I get the feeling that Namco can keep spitting out Tekken games, safe under the knowledge that Tekken's unexplainably large amount of fans will purchase them?
And don't get me started on the speed of the PAL T3 games.
Sure, each to his own and everything.... but I'm just don't understand why T4 is so popular. You probably going to tell me that it's an amazing game and if I actually put some time into it, I'd be amazed too. Your also probably going to tell me that I wouldn't know a good game if it smacked me in the face.
Video games are a multi billion dollar industry. Apparently, they're a bigger money-spinner than the movie industry. Then why do people fob off the same game in a different wrapper as a new game?
I mean, look at Batman and Robin (the movie). It was exactly the same as Batman Forever. The story line followed the exact same path, with just subtle changes, and now the Batman franchise is dead (-ish). I can bet there'll be Tekken 5 (...and 6, and 7).
But... if your happy with the game, good for you.
Sorry for bitching and not actually writing a review... but maybe my comment's could be taken as a review :)
 
The thing about each Tekken game is that it is built on the strenghts of the previous one. T2 added more moves and characters. T3 introduced proper sidestepping and a whole new raft of tactics with a true new dimention. TTT is a dark day in the history of videogaming and should be stricken from the collective conciousness. T4 takes the 3D elements from T3 and places them in a 'real' environment.
Dead or Alive 2 was doing the walled in environments way before Tekken (and debatably better with the whole dramatic 'kicked through a window' thing) - I accept this. Tekken implements it better though, with more detail and far more importantly the camera doesn't keep view swapping when you're close to a wall. I find that dreadfully irritating in DOA 2.
Whatever you say about the storyline - at least Tekken has a semblence of one. Try explaining wtf is going on the DOA or Street Fighter universes to me ;) .
I think Tekken 4 was a necessary game to release -the PS2 needed a good Tekken game. It'll take something special for Tekken 5, no doubt. I reckon the one to watch will be Soul Calibur 2 though.
 
You do raise some good points there.
Agreed, the story line of Tekken is better than DOA (never played much SF after SF2). I still think that Mortal Kombat's story was pretty good, despite the game being ho-hum.
I dunno. The whole Tekken series seems to be going the way of the Tomb Raiders. Adding the sidestepping in T3 was about as exciting as the inclusing of the crawl in TR3.
People are beginning to show signs that they are tiring of Tekken. Tekken 5 had better be something significantly different to catch my attention (and don't get me started on the backwards step that was VF4 :) )
Soul Calibur 2 does look fantastic. Soul Blade/Edge was great, and I only got to hire SC1.
At the moment tho, I'm waiting to DOA3. The XBox gets released here next month (yeah, I know, it's been a while :) )
 
Adding the sidestepping in T3 was about as exciting as the inclusing of the crawl in TR3.
I dunno. The whole Tekken series seems to be going the way of the Tomb Raiders. Adding the sidestepping in T3 was about as exciting as the inclusing of the crawl in TR3.
Not comparable IMO. The crawl adds an new element to the environment, opening new areas - but hardly revolutionary. In Tekken 2 (I wouldn't swear to this - it's been a long time since I played it, nevermind Tekken 1) the only character who could sidestep was Nina (and it was useless). This meant for all intents and purposes it was a 2D fighter like Street Fighter. The full sidestep that T3 introduced allowed the whole area of side & rear throws, dodging charges and a whole new raft of moves. The way T4 incorporates this into a realistic environment is the peak surely of what they can do with the environment?
By the same token T4 will be the peak of the Tekken series purely by virtue of anything they do after this will be cynical FIFA style polish on an established product. I'm a self confessed Tekken fanboy, I have no doubt I'll be buying anything they release in the Tekken brand but I'm not happy about that.
Heh, I should have named this thread 'The Tekken discussion thread' :) .
Is VF 4 really that bad? I saw it secondhand cheap recently and was tempted.
I'm saving for my XBox at the moment - they've gotten really cheap recently (down to £149.99). I'm going to get Halo and DOA 3 with it I think. But Jet Set Radio Future looks so good too... ooh!
Click to expand...
 
VF4... it wasn't terrible, but it sorta felt like VF 2 and a half.
Sure the graphics looked extra nice, but in an effort to take the game back to it's roots, they removed some of the best stuff from VF3.
I spent many hours of my youth playing VF2 in the arcades, and was wowed by VF3 when it came out. It appeared that the VF series was making good progress.
But then they brought out VF4. Gone was the 3D landscapes which worked sooooooo well. Gone was the dodge button. Instead we have.... nicer graphics, moving backgrounds, and kumite mode (which was a boring piece of ass, and not worth the rewards).
I may sound really negative about games, and there's heaps of games I love, but these two aren't in that category :)
 
Jesus... I just spent half an hour beating Tekken Force Mode with Xiaoyu just to unlock a hidden stage... I feel violated but at least I never have to play it again.
Hrrrm... your review confirms what I read elsewhere about VF4... boo.
 
Really? Most reviews I read said it was the best thing since the best thing before sliced bread.
<edit: spelling>
[ 24 September 2002: Message edited by: Nexus One ]
 
My sister bought me an Xbox for my birthday! I'm so happy I think I'm going to shit myself! Whoooo!
Halo and DOA 3 here I come!
(I'll post thoughts and whatnots later...)
 
Madden 2003 is badass as one would expect it to be, though as of late the series has frustrated the hell outta me with phantom catches and computer assistance. Can I PLEASE have an non-CPU decided Interception? PLEASE??? Al Michaels was a nice addition, but Madden is as annoying as ever. It's probably EA makes him as annoying as possible since they don't like him THAT much but need the name to sell the game. 9/10
Robotech: Battlecry was pretty fun. I love Macross/Robotech: Macross Saga and it was a fun game to play. It's real fluid and intense, but the missions can get a bit repetitive and there aren't too many options. The whole transforming idea definitely makes these kinds of games more fun to play, and there's nothing more satisfying than bombing the hell out of the Zentraedi and then switching to Battroid mode and blasting more with your cannon. :D 7/10
 
just played this game over the weekend "Fatal Frame" this game is fucking bad ass.
scared the living shit out of me.
its a kindof adventure game set in present day japan, where you go in and investigate an old japanese mansion that has been deserted for 30 years, after the owner massacred his entire family inside., and then supposedly himself.
the way they mad this game is fucking amazing, the entire game looks like a scratchy black and white movie, and UGH the sound and animation, and character models are fucking beautiful! ugh!!!
ANYBODY WITH A PS2! go get this game right now! :)
you will thank me, once you recover from your nightmares :) :) :) :)
 
Originally posted by LapDawg:

Robotech: Battlecry was pretty fun. I love Macross/Robotech: Macross Saga and it was a fun game to play. It's real fluid and intense, but the missions can get a bit repetitive and there aren't too many options. The whole transforming idea definitely makes these kinds of games more fun to play, and there's nothing more satisfying than bombing the hell out of the Zentraedi and then switching to Battroid mode and blasting more with your cannon. :D 7/10
When I saw the screenshots for that in Edge magazine last month I nearly shit myself - it looks identical to the cartoon!
What's the multiplayer like? What format are you playing it on?
Click to expand...
 
^^^I've got the PS2 version. The multi-player is limited to only 2 players, but it's fun and it's not easy if both players know how to avoid fire.
for the most part, the graphics are solid and the gameplay is fun. There are a couple times you'll get a weird camera angle and your Valkyrie will disappear behind the camera, but it's not a big problem.
One thing that bugged me: having to hear Minmay's Robotech voice. AHHH THE NEEDLES TO MY HEAD!
 
and a funny thing about VF4...I know a lot of people who love it, and then there's people like me and here that just were disappointed. That kumite mode doesn't impress me, and I think Sega slipped all the video game magazines a check under the table to give it such good ratings. As someone similarly stated, this is the Street Fighter 2 Champions Edition version of VF2...which is about 6 years too late.
The graphics were sort of cool. DOA2 is still more fun though...as is the Tekken series.
 
First of all for stunning graphics and interesting gameplay check out:
Kingdom Heart PS2
The graphics we're superb and the gameplay was a joy. I really enjoyed being able to combine the aspects of a Final Fantasy like RPG with Disney movies. Visiting Wonderland, Olympus, and Tarzan's world we're as interesting as they sound. I recommend this on.
 
Bah. I'm gonna review it anyway:
Kingdom Hearts Squaresoft/Disney Interactive - PS2.
I am a Square whore. Always have been, always will be. There are a few titles that they've made that I haven't bought outright... just because I'm a hopeless devotee.
Kingdom Hearts WAS going to be one of those left on the shelf. A Square RPG featuring Disney characters? Sounded like anohter Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest to me. but, I got it anyway. I stopped worrying as soon as the intro was over.
Square did more than just slap a familiar liscence on a game they were probably working on anyway, they've created a work on par with a Disney animated masterpiece.
First off, let me say that the character models are spectacular and near seamless. Animations are fluid and I found myself wondering at times if they were hand-drawn or rendered. Even the characters who don't have much in the way of action are detailed to the last.
The music is atmospheric adhesive. I love the way that Square was able to integrate classic Disney songs with original music in such a way as to not detract from either, or even beter- the game. Voice acting is stellar with such talent as Hailey Osmet, David Boreaniz and Billy Zane providing their efforts.
Gameplay is traditional action-RPG fare, but with elements of strategy added: You can only control the hero, Sora. Your party members are pre-programmed for frequency of attack, magic, etc. Also, you can only carry a few items into battle at a time... later on in the game this becomes a big matter of resource management. The menu system in battle (and outside, for that matter) is tedious at first. but becomes natural after a while.
All in all, KH turned out to be a little more than I expected, and a great addition to Square's growing resume on the PS2. But one last thing, and quite possibly the most important: JACK SKELLINGTON! Go buy now!
 
Two games I have decided that are worthy of a mention.
Dead or Alive 3: So much better than (the excellent) DOA2. The characters are fairer, Tengu is gone (Although Omega isn't much better :) ), the graphics are astounding, the movies are awesome, and the game is mega playable.
Medal of Honor Allied Assault: Although I don't have the multiplayer working on my PC, I still play the multiplayer wherever possible (friend's house, cafe's). Objective mode on V2 Rocket Facility is one of those key moments in gaming that you long for in future games. The only let down is the fact that the single player just sorta... ends.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top