Here’s a rundown of what I’m playing:
Xbox
Now Playing:
Lego Star Wars – This is a really cool game. You play the first three Star Wars episodes as Lego characters in a Lego Star Wars universe. Lucy and I are playing this one together (she won’t let me play it without her) and we’re having loads of fun.
On Deck:
X-Men Legends – I stopped playing this one to start Halo 2. As an X-Men fanboy it’s great to play comic versions of my favorite superhero team. It has gotten a bit repetitive but I haven’t given up on the title yet.
Burnout 3 – After hearing all of the praise for this game I want to find out what all of the hoopla is about.
Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords – I loved the first one and need to find forty-plus hours to play this one.
Just Finished:
The Chronicles of Riddick – Escape from Butcher Bay – I know what you’re thinking, you played a movie game? Yes, and it was great. This has to be one of the best licensed games that I’ve ever played. It’s a great mix of stealth and action. I do wish some of the boss’ were tougher. They were waaay to easy.
Halo 2 – The best on-line multiplayer available on XBox. A must have title for the XBox.
GameCube
Now Playing:
Star Wars Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike – For the most part I’ve enjoyed all of the Rogue Squadron games except the Death Star 2 attack run level from Rogue Squadron II; that was too freakin’ hard. The only gripe that I’ve had with this one is that the camera for the on-foot levels sucks. You have no camera control and most of the time you can’t see where you’re shooting or where you need to go. This game also has the best level of any Rogue Squadron game – Speeder Bike Pursuit. The speed and challenge of this level is fantastic. The level isn’t frustrating, it’s just fun. I must have played this level thirty times before I finished it. When I did complete the level for the first time, it was with a gold medal.
Just Finished:
Resident Evil 4 - I hate the Resident Evil series. When I say hate I mean loathe. It’s not the subject or the content that peeves me but the camera. I can forgive lots of things but a deadly camera I cannot. Resident Evil 4 fixes the camera issue and made me forget all about my hatred of Resident Evil’s crappy cameras. This is a great game with loads of “Oh bleep” moments. I was sitting on the edge of my seat throughout this game. It’s also a much longer game than I anticipated there was about three moments where I thought that I was done with the game but it just kept going. Great visuals, story and controls make this one of two games that’s a must have for the GameCube. The other? The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
PSP
Now Playing:
Tiger Woods PGA Tour – I’m a firm believer that golf games are best on the portable format. Golf provides logical stopping points and the player can jump in and out of a game quickly. I can remember Golf for the original GameBoy. Simple but fun, it was one of the best titles for the colorless handheld. Tiger Woods is a simple but deep game that provides the PSP with a much needed stop and go title. BTW – it’s a blast to play. Too bad it doesn’t have online multiplayer.
Just Finished:
NFL Street Unleashed – I was really disappointed with this title. The last EA Big title I played was NBA Street vol 2 which was a delightful experience. NFL Street Unleashed is just bland. It’s far too easy to win a game without concentrating on “style” points. And speaking of “style” points why should I care? The unlockables are mediocre at best. This belongs in the rental bin kids which is why I sold this back to EB.
GameBoy Advance
Now Playing:
The Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link – The forgotten Zelda title. I think I like this Zelda better than most of the fans out there. I really enjoy the RPG elements that Zelda II offers and think that it’s a nice addition to the series. Although, playing though it again somewhat lessens the fondness that I once had, Zelda II is still a solid title for its time.
On Deck:
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past – I’ve never gotten all the way through this one and looking forward to starting all over again.
Just Finished:
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap – Can you tell that I like Zelda games? This is a really good game with a solid story, The Minsh Cap delivers a fulfilling Zelda experience on the GBA. Kinstone matching, where you try to match a villagers half of a coin with a half that you have, enhanced the game and had me returning to areas where I already fully explored. I also enjoyed the Wind Waker design of the game and hope the cell shaded look returns to the series soon. My biggest gripe was with the ending. When I finshed the game I really wanted to go back and complete some of the side missions of the game. I didn’t realize that by defeating the main villain, Vaati, would end the game. Oh well, I guess I’d have to play it though again.
The Legend of Zelda – How can I remember where to place a bomb seventeen years after-the-fact and can’t remember where I parked my car eight hours earlier? Honestly, I didn’t forget much from when I originally played this in 1987. I breezed though this in a few nights but it has held up remarkably well. The classics never die…
Playstation 2
On Deck:
Kingdom Hearts – Can you believe that I don’t have a PS2? Actually, the slim PS2 is on its way and the first game I’m playing is Kingdom Hearts. Who would have thought the idea of mixing Disney characters and Square characters would be a good one? The sequel to this looks really good so I want to check the original first.