Another great story makes Pandora Tomorrow a must have. Last Word: Get the XBox version if you are a multi-platform owner. Not just because of the Xbox Live play; the graphics just pale in comparison on the other systems.
Did you know: You now use a Sony Erikson and not a Palm PDA in the game. Sony on the XBox, priceless.
Champions of Norrath: Realms of EverQuest, PS2: Of the 3 titles out this year using this same engine, the originators, SnowBlind Studio's Champions of Norrath is the best. Champions of Norrath is much longer then Dark Alliance 2. It is a lot more detailed and does not repeat textures and environments like Dark Alliance 2 does. Champions uses a Dual Layer DVD, which is not very common; that is how big this game is. It also boasts 4 player, online and offline gameplay. While the offline is fun, the real gem here is the online multiplayer. Getting 4 people together for a hack-n-slash dungeon crawl is just pure fun. This is easily the best online PS2 title this year. I actually finished the game through playing online long before I completed it offline.
If there is one complaint about Champions of Norrath, it is that you bring offline Player Characters (PC) online to play. You do not save a PC on the game server. This means you can level up during online play and then save and continue with that PC in your offline game. This opens up other cheating as well. Item duplication is very easy. This ability to manipulate characters via online play has another horrible downside as well. You can really screw up your offline game in a hurry. It is a small gripe, but a noticeable one if you are not aware of it. This game is just pure fun. The magic system is great. It's also not a short game, which is a nice change for once.
By the way, they are working on a sequel, Return to Arms. I can't wait.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, PS2: What can you say? Grand Theft Auto is a major franchise with a huge following. San Andreas is exponentially bigger then Vice City with all kinds of new features like bicycles, for example. The fully realized world is more alive then ever, and they added many brand new mini games which break up the game play very well. A lot of these mini games are side quests in themselves. It really adds an entirely new experience to the GTA gameplay. Rockstar has improved everything. The driving is better, the targeting is a lot better, and the story is better. It really captures the Boyz in the Hood/Menace II Society undertone of the West Coast in the 1990s. This is the best PS2 game, ever, and it lives up to the hype.
Article comments
1 - Aaman
Very good list - excellent games - I currently content myself with Halo 2 only because GTA:SA is not yet out, but can't wait.