Zack’s Big Honkin’ Game Guide: Page 12

Dead Or Alive 4

360 Teen

Has expected character additions and graphical improvements, but a hurried launch left the game feeling incomplete. Can’t be to 360 what DOA 3 was to Xbox.

8.5/ 10

 

MVP 06 NCAA Baseball

Xbox PS2 Everyone

The new analog stick control makes a valiant effort to make up for the loss of the MLB license, but the fact remains that it’s still college baseball.

7/ 10

 

Soul Calibur III

PS2 Teen

A great sequel that takes a big step for fighting games by adding character creation. Only problem is the bulk of gameplay rests with the hit-and-miss RTS-style mode.

9/ 10

 

Condemned: Criminal Origins

360 Mature

A decent survival-horror game that makes great use of the 360’s sound and visual capabilities, but tries too hard to freak gamers out with creepy imagery.

7.5/ 10

 

Call of Duty 2

360 PC Teen

The 360’s best launch title. Improves production values and controls to create a more immersive experience than ever before. An adrenaline rush start to finish. 

9.5/ 10

 

Shadow The Hedgehog

PS2 Gamecube Xbox Everyone 10+

Sonic Team takes another stab at 3-D, this time with guns! All the framerate, control and other problems return along with new gun-related targeting issues.

5.5/ 10

 

Ratchet: Deadlocked

PS2 Teen

A new, arena-style, Ratchet that has its hits and misses. The combat portions work but the gameplay is a bit shallow without the platforming.

8/ 10

 

Blitz: The League

Xbox PS2 Mature 

Out of the loss of the NFL license something wonderful happened, the Blitz series rediscovered its anti-establishment soul. Too bad the graphics are so horrific.

8/ 10

 

Shadow of the Colossus

PS2 Teen

Like no game ever made before, made entirely of boss battles and huge spaces to explore. The new darling of the games-as-art crowd but it’s not for everyone, though.

9/ 10

 

By Zack Rovinsky