Zack’s Big Honkin’ Game Guide: Page 10

Medal Of Honor: European Assault

X-Box PS2 Gamecube Teen

Tries to update the tired WWII genre with an open-ended approach and squad control, but the graphics are fuzzy, and it’s all been done before.

7.5/ 10

 

Fantastic 4

All Platforms

A decent beat-em-up for Fantastic 4 fans. The group dynamic and unique powers make for a more strategic experience. Just don’t expect too much of a challenge.

6.5/ 10

 

Advent Rising

X-Box PC Teen

A descent game with an above average Orson Scott Card-written story. Marred by framerate issues, an unusable targeting system, and repetitive gameplay.

6/ 10

 

Alien Hominid

PS2 Gamecube Teen

An excellent Newgrounds game turned improbable budget title. Think Metal Slug with cell-shaded style. A challenging and affordable retro experience.

7.5/ 10

 

Sid Meier’s Pirates

X-Box PC Teen

While the long production time makes this one show it’s age, the rest of the game is a thoroughly enjoyable RPG adventure on the high sees.

8.5/ 10

 

Forza Motorsport

X-Box Everyone

The perfection of racing simulation that adds two things GT4 desperately needed; car damage and online play.

10/ 10

 

Gran Turismo 4

PS2 Everyone

The newest GT seems lacking in innovation without the promised online multiplayer, but still wows with the great amazing physics, and graphics GT’s known for.

9.5/ 10

 

Juiced

PS2 Xbox PC Everyone

This is a competent street racer with some interesting online play, but the racing and customization have been done before, and better.

7/ 10

 

Delta Force: Black Hawk Down

PS2 Xbox Teen

A game based on a forgettable conflict that looks and plays like it’s three years old. Some hectic and laggy online play make for a bad tactical shooter.

2.5/ 10 

 

By Zack Rovinsky 

Zack’s Big Honkin’ Game Guide: Page 9

Darkwatch

Xbox PS2 Mature

An average FPS with a zombie-western theme. Basic shooting combines with some fun horseback scenes and oddly floaty physics to make something unremarkable.

6/ 10

 

Hulk: Ultimate Destruction

PS2 Xbox Gamecube Teen

A surprisingly good beat-em-up with a popular character. While the story is unremarkable, the titular ultimate destruction provides for hours of fun.

8/ 10

 

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory

All Platforms Everyone

A broken platformer in the recent run of decent movie games. Expect a bad camera, repetitive objectives and frustrating jumping puzzles and candy combat.

1.5/ 10

 

Batman Begins

PS2 Xbox Gamecube Teen

A decent stealth-action game that centers on the goal of terrifying your enemies. Batman is back.

7/ 10

 

Madden NFL 2006

All Platforms Everyone

Madden is now the only show in town and the new features are minimal. The NFL superstar mode is a fun experience for those who don’t like franchise mode.

9/ 10

 

NCAA Football 2006

Xbox PS2 Everyone

The college game adds Race for the Heisman mode to counter Madden’s NFL Superstar.The new mode and the rest of the game is more accessible than the pros.

9/ 10

 

Ghost Recon 2: Summit Strike

Xbox Teen

An expansion pack to a game that wasn’t very good in the first place. Only for those who liked GR2 and want more maps and missions.

5.5/ 10

 

Outlaw Tennis

PS2 Xbox Mature

A raunchy tennis game that tries too hard to be funny. While the gameplay is decent, the between point cutscenes get old fast, and slow down the action.

6/ 10

 

Conker: Live And Reloaded

Xbox Mature

A visually-beautiful update of the late N64 cult classic. Unfortunately the gameplay and story are essentially the same. Fun online play is the main draw.

7/ 10

 

By Zack Rovinsky 

Zack’s Big Honkin’ Game Guide: Page 8

God Of War

PS2 Mature

Hail! to the new king of the hack-n-slash. Does everything right with the genre and creates a top notch experience. P.S. Definitely not for kids.

9.5/ 10

Psychonauts

X-Box PC PS2 Teen

A delightful platformer from the god of adventure games, with tons of collecting, exploring, and other things to do. Brimming with cleverness and hilarity.

9/ 10

Jade Empire

X-Box Mature

An engrossing and beautifully set RPG with a unique style and all the familiar KOTOR mechanics. The highly touted real time combat, though, gets repetitive.

8.5/ 10

Enthusia Professional Racing

PS2 Everyone

Overly touchy but competent sim racing with innovative points system, lots of well-rendered cars, and a horrifically cheesy soundtrack of techno-jazz.

7.5/ 10

 

Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict

X-Box Mature

Provides several interesting twists on the classic Unreal formula. New challenges and opportunity for strategy await veterans and newbies alike.

8.5/ 10

 

Predator: Concrete Jungle

X-Box PS2 Mature

A decent third person action game with a complex story. Everything from the combat to the graphics is simple and satisfying. A good romp for Predator fans.

7/ 10

 

LEGO Star Wars

X-Box PC PS2 Everyone

A fun little LEGO style romp through Episodes I, II, and III. Good co-op and simple gameplay make this the best Star Wars for kids.

7.5/ 10

 

MX vs. ATV Unleashed

PS2 X-Box Everyone

The same good racing action one expects from these games plus a variety of different vehicle types. Nothing new, but nothing bad either.

8/ 10

 

Fable

X-Box Mature

A fun, open-ended RPG that gives gamers what they want: a choice. Starts off slow but allows for hours of exploration. Also, a bit short.

9/ 10

 

By Zack Rovinsky