Staff reviews, page 204

Staff NES

Contra review

Contra’s weapons don’t blow their loads in retarded, premature fashion as is the case with other games in the genre. These weapons kill hard and die harder. The Laser rips through anything in its path, the Machine gun eats up alien troops…

Marc Golding · March 19, 2005

Staff PC HG exclusive

The Sagara Family review

Learning about each of the Sagara women really does become an enticing mystery, made all the sweeter by the occasional chance to fool around with one under the sheets, or on the couch in the front room, or in the bathtub. Even after you’ve…

Jason Venter · March 19, 2005

Staff Game Boy Advance

Metal Slug Advance review

MSA's primary flaw is that it's conspicuously devoid of the heroic intensity that stirred fans of the original so. On a mechanical level, it's visibly Metal Slug; your pistol-packing grenade-lobbing hero storms through the side-scrolling…

Daniel Forbes · March 19, 2005

Staff PC HG exclusive

Hitomi: My Stepsister review

And so it is that I should discuss the sex scenes. After all, they’re your reward for playing. You’re certainly not working at the project to increase your reflexes. And because it’s impossible to not finish the game (the most taxing…

Jason Venter · March 17, 2005

Staff Genesis HG exclusive

Last Battle review

Aarzak is the confident sort of lone wolf hero, but not from bullheaded arrogance. Rather, he knows that he will win. How could he possibly know this? Because, before the game begins, Sega scrolls the entire plot — beginning, middle, and…

Zigfried · March 17, 2005

Staff PC HG exclusive

X-COM: UFO Defense review

The forever-set benchmark of Turn Based Strategy

Gary Hartley · March 17, 2005

Staff PSP

Need for Speed Underground: Rivals review

Such feelings of lost opportunity don't stop there, though admittedly the worst is now behind us. Charging forward we look to the career modes, hoping to find a reason that justifies this charade. And in a way, this is where Rivals…

Michael Scott · March 15, 2005

Staff PlayStation 2 HG exclusive

Sega Ages: Golden Axe review

Although this new 3D Tyris isn't drawn quite as sexily as she used to be, the characters all looked attractive... until I saw them up close during their really lame magic spell sequences. As the camera zoomed in, I could see how few…

Zigfried · March 15, 2005

Staff Genesis HG exclusive

The Revenge of Shinobi review

As I later encountered soldiers in a churning boatyard, soldiers patrolling a mechanical labyrinth, soldiers waiting in a rusty scrapyard, soldiers inside an abandoned factory, soldiers perched outside a shopping center, and soldiers…

Zigfried · March 14, 2005

Staff PlayStation 2

Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening review

The question is however, how hard do you like your action? Do you enjoy a game steeped in technique and loaded with style? And if so, do you want it to kick your arse seven different ways to sunset, only to come back for more once the…

Michael Scott · March 14, 2005

Staff PlayStation 2

Sega Ages: Space Harrier review

The thing Harrier's got going for it (that even some newer titles lack) is an incredible sense of speed, which picks up even more by the 21st level. The completely redesigned scenery — trees, stone columns, icebergs, and sun-bleached bones…

Zigfried · March 14, 2005

Staff TurboGrafx-16 HG exclusive

Timeball review

It's not often that a game comes along that alters the fabric of reality. Games that make you look back at the favorites of yesteryear and say "those weren't so special after all". Games that pull you into an orgasm just at the very sight…

Zigfried · March 13, 2005

Staff Genesis HG exclusive

Steel Empire review

Blimps aren't the strongest selling point in this day and age, and they weren't a strong selling point back in 1992 either. Perhaps some people might enjoy the idea of gatling-toting, supercharged WWI aircraft flying into orbit and beyond…

Zigfried · March 12, 2005

Staff Genesis HG exclusive

Thunder Force III review

One level has a famous (and deservedly so) "fire" background, made up of wavey arcs of flame, swirling back and forth as you battle through inconveniently-placed rocky crags. Oddly enough, despite such a memorable background, the scenery…

Zigfried · March 12, 2005

Staff PlayStation 2

Alien Hominid review

Yes, this little terror can decapitate America's finest intelligence officers and then pick his teeth. If he's feeling kinder, he can toss a mounted agent instead of getting brains on his wrinkly lips, but then, what's the fun in that?

Marc Golding · March 11, 2005

Staff Game Boy Advance

The Incredibles review

The Incredibles is easy like Sunday morning. I breezed through the thing in a few subway rides to and from work, losing only a life or two in the process, playing at a time when I am at my most bleary eyed and cack-handed.

Marc Golding · March 11, 2005

Staff PlayStation 2

The Incredibles review

The story of Bob Parr and his gifted family of superheroes (wife Mrs. Incredible, children Violet and Dash) is told inexcusably poorly. When you finish the adventure, you still won’t know what the movie is about.

Marc Golding · March 11, 2005

Staff Dreamcast HG exclusive

The House of the Dead 2 review

House 2 takes the "living dead" theme and runs with it, creating a far, FAR more enjoyable shooting experience than Romero's horrific magnum opus Daikatana. While this game is "only" an on-rails shooting bonanza, the levels have been…

Zigfried · March 10, 2005

Staff Dreamcast HG exclusive

Spawn: In the Demon's Hand review

Spawn: In the Demon's Hand had a more than fair chance to impress me. The designs of the immortal characters are both varied and inspired; the frail sharpshooter, the angel of death, the jester that transforms into a raging behemoth —…

Zigfried · March 8, 2005

Staff PlayStation 2

Maximo: Ghosts to Glory review

I’ve played a handful of good 3D updates lately—Castlevania’s Lament of Innocence was one such solid title—but Maximo outdoes that game and just about any I can think of, at least on one crucial level. Other good 3D follow ups do justice…

Marc Golding · March 8, 2005