Product Description

Raz must develop and unleash an arsenal of paranormal powers, including telekinesis, firestarting, clairvoyance, and his most powerful weapon of allthe ability to launch himself telepathically into someone elses mind, and run around in the demented amusement park of their imagination. Raz takes on their inner demons face to face, wrestles with their nightmares, and digs up their secret memories. Ultimately he must enter the mind of his worst enemy and destroy his dark plans at their source, wh ... Read more

Features

• Explore 13 incredibly unique levels--three set in the real world and ten set inside fantastic mental playgrounds and horrific dungeons of dementia
• Rise up in rank as you collect figments of imagination, sort emotional baggage, clear out mental cobwebs and crack open memory vaults
• Complete special training missions to learn the power of Levitation and the ability to focus Razs mental energy into a powerful PSI Blast
• Rank up to earn additional psychic powers including Telekinesis, Invisibility, Pyrokinesis, Clairvoyance and Confusion
• Put your thoughts to useRaz can grab the thought bubble over his head and pull it down around himself as a shield, hang from it like a hot air balloon, or jump on top of it and ride it around like a skateboard

Reviews (4)

Stunning, deep, funny, gorgeous - just great!
Psychonauts was purchased solely on the Tim Schafer name. I loved Full Throttle, Day of the Tentacle and of course the Monkey Island range and so picked up this game as soon as I could without reading a single review.

First Impressions
After sitting through the various fun cut sequences (useful in getting you aclimated to the weird style of the people in the game), I was off. The initial control method borrows heavily from 3D platformers such as Donkey Kong 64, Banjo Kazooie and of course the Mario franchise and so whilst I felt at home when controlling Raz (the main character), I was somewhat concerned this game was nothing more than 'another' platformer.

But the game was fun and had lots of collecting so I plodded on in the apparent cutsy world of Psychonauts... As the game progresses, however, a much darker more interesting story unfolds. One which has you jumping into people's minds where you see their fragmented thoughts and the vaulted scary emotional baggage contained inside. This, along with the unique fighting control had me hooked. Sure I wanted to collect everything - and there's lots of collecting to do - but I also was genuinely fascinated by how the story was going to play out.

Controls
Psychonauts uses the usual third-person control of left thumbstick for movement and right thumbstick for camera. You can assign your offensive moves from a skillset of 'psych' powers to the R, white and black buttons. Fans of Zelda's Wind Waker will recognize that tidy way of ensuring you have the essential fighting tools to hand when you need them. Aside from the occasional auto-camera fubar, the controls are solid.

Graphics
Now this is where things get interesting. This game has some of the most varied and colorful graphics I've seen. When you get to the Matador's mind you'll see what I mean; it's like someone put a blacklight in my TV. And since a large portion of the game is played out inside people's minds the game is freed from logical imagery or even realistic forces (such as gravity). A guard that you enter has this bizarre paranoid mind for example; it's a rolling upside down/sideways forward world that's amazing to play on and so good to look at. I really cannot fault the in game graphics or the unique style. My only complaint on this front is most of the cut scenes are in-game rendered (that's good), but one or two are movies still using the game's engine. When these sequences appear it has the graininess of obvious compression and can break the spell of playing. Small point though.

Sound
What you'd expect in a zany game - ochestral one minute and Benny Hill the next. Sound effects are put to good use and the voice over acting is stunning. Everything fits perfectly.

Overall
I love this game. I'm not done with it - I'm about 70% in and I've been playing for 12 hours or so. I have taken the time to try to get a lot of the collecting done so if you whiz through it, it may be a quick affair. But this game deserves to be savoured - no other platformer on the XBox has this depth, humor and gameplay. It's got everything - it's a text adventure, a platformer, a shooter, a pinball game and a movie and it all blends perfectly. The puzzles are harder than the end of level bosses and that's the way it should be -there is no button mashing to win in this game. It's on par with epic game's such as Zelda Ocarina or Mario 64... and if these sorts of games appeal to you then you'd be doing yourself an injustice by not buying this one!

Great game with huge environments
Even when you play just a little of this game you will love it. First of all the humor is great (even though a little crude but who really gives). The environments are huge and when you find secret rooms you can get things that actually help in the game instead of some games where all you get are extras or small movie clips.(The game does have extras too though.)The game almost has no flaws in its gameplay. The game gives you a surprise many times. I also like that sometimes you can choose from a selection what you are going to say to somebody else. Just like in KOTOR. Even though the game is solid I think the 50 dollar price tag is a little too much. So if you have $50 in your pocket and you want adventure video game you mussssssssssst get Psychonauts.

Psychonauts - Clever, Imaginative, Fun!
Let me start off this review by saying that I play a lot of different videogames, and owe allegiance to no genre in specifics, which is why I'm not going to compare this game to others.There are a variety of aspects that the game has which make it awesome, and I will cover these individually, in seperate paragraphs.

First off, creativity.This is not a spoiler, so have no fear as I progress.The game revolves around a ten year old child with psychic abilities by the name of Razputin, or "Raz".Without his parent's knowledge, Raz sneaks into Whispering Rocks Psychic Summer camp, a secret government training facility for young psychics.Once discovered by the camp counsellors, he is informed that his parents have been called, and will pick him up in a couple of days.Until then, he is not allowed to participate in any psychic training or activities.Of course, this doesn't stop our young adventurer from doing exactly that, and this is where the game begins.The game invites you to actually explore other character's minds, usually to help them solve an internal problem (frequently due to insanity), and each of the levels creatively reflect that character's problems.For example, you are invited into the mind of Fred, a distant relative of Napoleon, who has a split personality disorder as a result of continually losing strategy games to one of the inmates at the asylum.As you enter his head to kick Napoleon out and restore Fred's sovereignty of his mind, you are invited to play a game of strategy versus Napoleon's embodiment in Fred's mind.

Humor: I have to admit that I have been particular to Tim Schafer's sense of humor ever since playing Grim Fandango, and this game made me laugh a lot. For instance, at one point in the game you find yourself in the mind of a former high school wrestler.The walls inside the sewers of his mind are decorated with high school lockers, and one passageway is designed as a gym shower room, at which Raz remarks "Man, I feel like I'm back in High School...Which is wierd, because I'm only ten years old"The game is full of clever little side comments which make the game a blast to play, and the interactions with the other characters are constantly amusing (My favorite character is a psychic camper by the name of Mikhail, who is from Russia and has an obsession with finding a hairless bear)

Gameplay: I like the style of gameplay a lot.This is one of the first platformers I've played in a long time that seems to actually get everything right.If it's possible, you just have to try.If it's not possible, then there's no way to hack around it until you're supposed to.Some games tend to screw this up and allow the impossible, and it's nice to play a game that has a good environment to it.Moving on, the control system is nice.You move with the left analog, adjust the view with the right analog.You can assign three psychic powers (out of a possible 8) to hot buttons, and the game pauses while you assign them (you assign by pushing right on the d-pad).You can pull items out of your backpack, which never gets full (which doesn't break realism because at any given time you only have a max of something like 13 items of small-medium size).The game allows double jumping, which I usually think is cheap, but Psychonauts excuses it by defining it as an innate psychic ability which can be improved once you get the active psychic ability "levitate".The only thing I disliked about the gameplay was the fact that when you tried to target things, you had to be fairly close to your target, which seems silly when the main reason you would target something in Psychonauts is to use a ranged weapon like Psi Blast.

Sound/Music: This game has an awesome soundtrack.Every mind you invade seems to have the perfect music written for it, from the Mexican-themed "Black Velvetopia", to the Godzilla-like "Lungfishopolis".I'm not really an expert on describing music, which is why this part is going to be short, but let it be known that the music is just as awesome as the rest of the game, I just can't describe it owing to my own deficiencies.

Graphics: This game uses the xbox's graphical potential fully.I experienced no lag at all while playing, and yet could see clearly that everything was richly textured, high on polys, and gorgeous to look at.The graphical style is a little cartoony, which is something that I love in videogames, but I understand it is an acquired taste, so that is something you should definitely be aware of.In addition, each mind uses the game's graphics slightly differently, and gameplay varies a lot from mind to mind.For example, the earlier mentioned "Black Velvetopia" has a somewhat inverted color scheme, as if the world was being viewed under a blacklight.

So here we go with a final summary, which is probably the only thing most of you readers will read anyways.
Creativity: 10
Humor: 9.5
Sound: 9
Gameplay: 8.8
Graphics: 10

Overall: 9.5 - This game is one of the best games I've ever played, and is one of the best out there for xbox.Get it! :)

One of the best so far this year
Everytime Tim Schafer creates a game, I know it will be a blast.Having been on a roll starting with The Day of the Tentacle up through The Grim Fandango, each game has been delightfully intelligent, creative and an overall wonderful experience.Psychonauts is no different.In fact, it is one of the best games I have played not only this year but in a long time.

The setup is that there is a camp for psychic children who feel different in the outside world.At the camp, the counselors teach children how to harness their power to become Psychonauts, psychics who actually enter people's minds and sort out their problems.Because of this setup, each and every world is completely different from the others.Connected to a hub world of the camp, each real "level" is a person's mind.And each mind reflects the person's personality, fears, phobias etc.For instance, the beginning level is that of your drill instructor.His level is a warzone complete with mines, air plane drops, explosions, barbed wire etc.

Tim Schafer's touch is also evident in the characters who are actually characters.They all have a personality and are very emotive.I haven't laughed at a video game so hard since Conker's Bad Fur Day.This game is hillarious.From the kid who practices looking through a peep hole in the day to get practice for when it's filled with girls to trashing a town Godzilla style, the game has it in spades.However, there are some surprisingly disturbing moments in the game that are also darkly humorous.Because you have psychic powers, you also can do some pretty cool stuff from pyrokinesis, telekinesis, levitation, invisibility, etc.These moves help you progress through the levels and pick up hidden items throughout the game.

Graphically, the game is awesome on the Xbox.The levels are done in vivid colors and with a wonderful cartoon style.The campground seems alive as there are creatures walking your path.From squirrels, crows, pigeons, lizards, bears, etc, the world seems populated and just feels real.You can tell a lot of time and effort was put in to make this game come alive and it works.The game is presented in 480p, for those interested.

Aurally, the characters are voiced to perfection.Some great voice actors have been employed and it really helps create characters that are lovable.The only audio glitch I've noticed is that sometimes my speakers will "click" as voices come in or as the sound changes sometimes.The game is also presented in 5.1 surround in game.

Since the game is a platformer, all of the standards apply.In the real world and in each person's mind, there are a ton of things to collect.In the real world, there are arrowheads that can be pulled from the ground that represent cash.There is a scavenger hunt also going on that will earn you rank (which gives you new powers) and there are cards that can be formed as more rank.In each person's mind, there are also different things to collect such as emotional baggage, mental cobwebs, figments of the imagination and safes which you much punch open to reveal some of the person's past.Some of these slide shows are funny and some are actually kind of sad as you see how these people came to be who they are.I list these items to collect just as a note that the game definitely exhibits all of the charms of a platformer.But there actually is a reason to collecting everything and they fit together in this humorous world.

The game moves quickly and besides one or two intstances of panning that had the game do a wave type pattern, it is perfect.My recommendation if you play the game is to take your time talking to everyone.It helps flesh out the story and if you listen and keep making rounds after each world you will see minor breakups, makeups, humorous instances involving squirrels who tell one kid to kill everyone, and plain funny dialogue.Take your time with this one and you will definitely be rewarded.

This game is great, it's just what I was looking for.It helped remind me why I play video games.When a person can create such wonderful worlds and allow you to play in them, you realize why you play games.It is so creative.Where else can you be chased by a giant fish, rage across town as a Godzilla-like creature, be in a disco world where you must race, pin-ball style, wage war against a Napolean complex and set fire to squirrels?If you want a creative and fun video game that will take approximately 10-15 hours of your time, then this is definitely a must buy.Sure some say the game is too easy and relies on platforming cliches but honestly when you are having this much fun, does it really matter?Why quibble over small faults when you will genuinely have a complete and utter blast playing the game?I absolutely cannot recommend this game enough.And unfortunately, it's one of those games that will end up like Ico or Beyond Good and Evil where no one hears of it and no one plays it.Don't let that happen.Play this game because its games like this that the industry needs to keep creating.

A must buy.Creative and excellent. ... Read more

Product Description

EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 2 continues to deliver innovative gameplay via the analog Total Punch Control mechanic, allowing gamers to throw multiple punches, block, bob and weave with complete precision and control. Packing in more fearsome punches, players can now dominate the ring with the all-new EA SPORTS Haymaker allowing gamers to knock down their opponents with one devastating blow by adding extra power to each punch. Every hit counts in the game with powerful punches inflicting dynamic ... Read more

Features

• The EA SPORTS Haymaker: Unleash the power of the punch. One crushing blow will knock your opponent straight to the canvas, but miss and you're in trouble.
• Total Boxing Control: You now have total control of your boxer with 360 Sticking and Moving and the ability to punch and block while dancing around the ring.
• Create a Champ: Using the analog sticks for total precision, create and train the ultimate champion by transforming his skills and physique.
• EA SPORTS Cut-Man: You take an active role in recovering from a beating by tending to a swollen eye in the corner between rounds.
• Dynamic Punch Impacts: Each punch pays off with stunning visuals that reflect the effect of each blow. Your fists have never felt so powerful as injuries affect your fighting abilitiesa swollen eye prevents you from blocking, and a broken rib impairs your punching ability and mobility.

Reviews (28)

And In This Corner, the Undisputed Champ!
EA's Fight Night Round 2 does a great job of mixing simulation depth with arcade-style fun.As a result, you can decide how in-depth you want the game to be and play it to your tastes, giving it very broad appeal.

The depth shines most during career mode, where after signing on to an upcoming fight, you get to control your prep both in and out of the ring.For instance, you begin by picking your entourage, from trainer to cutman to even ring girl.Each one will provide different benefits to your performance during the big event, but as any pro knows, they also cut into your take of the prize money.You've got to budget yourself wisely or else you'll end up getting title shot with no money to hire much-needed help.Next, it's on to training, where you select from a menu of mini-games that can boost your attributes for that fight.It's a good idea, but the training itself isn't much fun.Finally, you can equip your fighter with new gear to help boost his abilities even further (and to just look cool) before stepping into the ring.You can even buy skills like new finishing punches, taunts, dances, etc.Of course if you just want to get on to the toe-to-toe action, you can also bypass all of this prep.

Once you're in the ring, you've got an unprecedented amount of control.The left analog stick controls your body movements while the right controls your punches.Many of the more devastating blows are triggered by a series of right-stick movements, i.e. pushing to the right then quickly rolling down and then up for a right-handed haymaker hook.So much was made of this punching scheme by other reviews, but I was completely frustrated by it for the first week or so.Then, just like riding a bike, I suddenly got the timing down and now I love it.The punch controls feel very natural and have a realistic sense of timing, i.e. they prevent you from just repeatedly hammering on your opponent like the old button-press setups too often allowed.Blocking and defense also uses the right-stick in conjunction with one of the shoulder buttons, and is just as deep - you can block, parry, counter and also sway/duck to make an opponent miss.And when you get him to miss, look out because he'll be wide open waiting for you to deliver the knockout blow.

Speaking of knockouts, the game adds a great touch when either you or your opponent are getting close to going down.The screen gets tunnel-vision and action starts to move a little bit slo-mo;the audio is muffled like you're underwater.It's meant to simulate being punch-drunk and it works.If you can clinch your opponent, you'll usually regain enough stamina to get back to normal, but if you time it poorly, he'll just level you as you approach.

Between the rounds, you have a set amount of time with your cutman (assuming you paid for one in your entourage).He can work on swelling and cuts to try to keep you on your feet for the next round.You've got complete control over what problems he fixes and what part of your face he works on.You've got to instruct him well, because the damage in the game is very realistic, i.e. as your left eye swells more and more, you'll be much easier to hit on that side and better opponents will absolutely take advantage of this.

Visually, the player models and action animations are very good.The overall look of the game is a bit dark, especially the background environments which sometimes seem fuzzy or murky.You're treated to slo-mo replays of the biggest hits throughout the entire fight, and they are extremely detailed - actually, possibly too detailed.I was surprised by how bloody a lot of the action can become.Coupled with the jiggly swagger of the ring girls, this game definitely earns the "Teen" rating.

The announcer is fine, with plenty of sound clips to mix in so that he doesn't get repetitive.

There are modes for quick fight, career mode and create-a-boxer.Many current and recent pros are represented.The create mode benefits from the same depth that EA put into the other aspects of the game, and you can create some really interesting characters.

Overall, this is an exceptionally deep game - far and away the most thought ever put into a boxing game.From the control in the ring to the mini-games in the training facility to the gear shop where you get decked out, you'll feel like you're vying for that undisputed belt.


PROS
*Once mastered, punch control allows for great action
*TOns of depth with career mode and create-a-boxer
*Good boxer models and very smooth animations

CONS
*Steep learning curve on punch and block controls will frustrate some
*Opponent AI is generally good, although most boxers will still fall victim to a "wild man" offensive strategy
*Bloody fight visuals and bikini-clad ring girls make this not the right choice for everyone's kids.

SOIA1979 "Totally Sweet" is a geek
don't listen to SOIA1979 "Totally Sweet"

this game rocks.i've played it non stop for over a month.amazing!!!

THIS GAME IS A K.O.
im actually above 13.Anyway this game is awesome the graphics are perfect.they got classic players like Muhammad Ali,George Foreman,and some more classic players.They also got alot new school players.The sound is great.The gameplay is awesome.The controls are hard to learn at first...it took me like 1 or 2 hours to get a hang of the controls,but i got used to them.Its (...) its worth it all!I dident like boxing that much but now i love it after i played this game.Its improved alot sense the last fight night game.They got haymaker on this game its were a boxer puts all his power in a punch.When a round is over on this game your boxer probly will look beat up pretty bad so you can heal your boxer a little bit were you can lower the swelling and stop the bleeding.Also when you get knocked down in a fight you have the count to 10 to get back up so you have to stop the dizzyness somehow to get back up it gets more harder every time you get knoced down.The matches can get pretty intense,especially when the two players are about to go down.The story mode is fun you customize your own player and can buy new gear for him when you get the money.But when you get to like the age of 30 or 40 you will just start loosing and your whole career will go downhill and it hurts more when you have some titles and someone beats you and they take over.So BUY this game it rocks you will not regret it!

Fight Night Part Deux
'Fight Night Round 2' is an improvement upon the original.I won't go into to its many updates because they've been done in every other review here.But my problem with this game, as with all boxing games, is that there is never any 'science' to the sweet science of boxing.

Though it has many more bells and whistles, 'FNR2' is just like every other previous boxing game in respect to the use of defense.You can climb the ranks and bash the crap out of opponents and really never have to put up your guard.You can throw 300 punches a round and though you'll get tired, you can still pretty much keep raining down the fury on opponents.The addition of the haymaker was interesting, but is much to easy to land.In real boxing, when a boxer throws a wild punch he'll very rarely land it.Usually, he misses and gets beat on for trying.But not in 'FN2'.You can throw haymaker after haymaker and rarely have to pay the piper.

Now, I'm not totally bashing this game.It is fun to play, the graphics are excellent(especially the damage on fighter's faces), the cornerman in between rounds is also a nice addition, and the replays are usually pretty brutal.All in all, 'FNR2' is a fun game.Is it worth the $50 price tag?Probably not.I'd recommend waiting till you can find it for $20.

fightnight
yo yo baby yo baby yo,

this game IS the realest deal!
i love the music in the menus, i love the character creation and the thousands of possibilities it offers. the analong punch controls and KOs, it is so realistic. all day i think about fightnight and the awesome things i can do with it. I can't wait to play it for the first time.

number one fan,
BusterCard

P.S. I havent played fighnight 2004 either but it still is the realest squad ... Read more

Product Description

Madagascar is the only game that lets players enter the world of four hilarious Central Park Zoo animalsa personality-packed crew made up of a lion, zebra, giraffe and hippo. Players must master each animal's natural skills while adventuring through the exciting city of New York and the dangerous island of Madagascar, interacting with other ... Read more

Product Description

EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 2 continues to deliver innovative gameplay via the analog Total Punch Control mechanic, allowing gamers to throw multiple punches, block, bob and weave with complete precision and control. Packing in more fearsome punches, players can now dominate the ring with the all-new EA SPORTS Haymaker allowing gamers to knock down their opponents with one devastating blow by adding extra power to each punch. Every hit counts in the game with powerful punches inflicting dynamic ... Read more

Features

• All-New EA SPORTS HaymakerOne-punch knockdowns are now a realityyoure always one punch away from flooring your opponent, but miss and youre in trouble.
• Total Boxer ControlYou now have total control of your boxer with 360 Sticking and Moving and the ability to punch and block while dancing around the ring.
• Create A ChampUsing the thumbsticks for total precision, create and train the ultimate champion by transforming his skills and physique.
• All-New EA SPORTS Cut ManCounter the effects of damage, and keep your fighter in the bout by taking an active role between rounds.
• Dynamic Punch ImpactsEach punch pays off with stunning visuals that reflect the effect of each blow. Your fists have never felt so powerful as injuries affect your fighting abilitiesa swollen eye prevents you from blocking, and a broken rib impairs your punching ability and mobility.

Reviews (13)

stick and move!!!
The parry system is a problem but i can get by ok... My main gripe is the cpu throwing haymakers. The cpu will close in on you and swing until you fall which utterly crazy but other than that it's a great game! if you can get past the haymakers and find the right strategy against the parry you'll be able to school anybody and cpu like Winky Wright did to Felix Trinidad!

Just play the game.
If you are like me, then you may be tired of people sharing their lists about the pros and cons of every game they play. Rather than giving you a play-by-play analysis of the game, I will ask you one simple question: Are you looking for a fun game with high replay value? If your answer is "yes," then you will definitely enjoy Fight Night Round 2.

The Bottom Line: This game has a great career mode, and the boxing action is fantastic!

I agree with naz's review
overall the last game was better than this new one the fighting in my opinion feels glitchy and i feel the game doesnt run as smooth as the last one although the graphics have improved thats not enough to make me like this one more than the first ...id wait till the price drops on this one if your still interested in buying anyways..because over all its still an ok game

Great Game With a Few Monumental Flaws
Fight Night round 2 is so frustrating because this should have been a game that was head and shoulders above every other boxing game created so far as well as almost any other sports game out there. It is still a good game but falls far short off the greatness that was so easily within reach. Here's my take on the many highs and major lows:

Why is the Game so Much Fun...
a) Punching control/delivery, movemnet, and response to punches landed are wonderfully delivered. Graphics are top notch, and the soundtrack while not quite as good as the previous version in my humble opinion isn't bad.
b) The create a boxer mode has tons of possibilities and offers hours of entertainment as you create a boxer that can look like almost anything you can imagine (within reason off course!!) and fight your way to the top in different weight classes.
c) Playing with a friend (or foe!!) isgreat and for boxing fans, this is probably as close as you can get to living the dream of big time boxing without actually getting your block knocked off.
d) Different add-ons, like tattos, different types of apparell, ring entrances and cute ringgirls can make for an ecclectic colorful boxer and entrance.
e) While it doesn't appear to really have a direct impact to the outcome of a match, the cuts, briuses, as well as the cutmen in your corner make it seem realistic and remind you that your boxer is taking or dishing out a grand beating as the case may be!!!
f)You can now protect your boxer while he is moving foward or backwards. Great addition.
g)A boxer in trouble can now clinch to stop the pummeling!!!

EA Missed the Boat...
a)Parrying a punch which was included in the previous game was quite interesting. If it was pulled off correctly, it gave the parryer a slight opening to land a punch. Even when you did parry a punch a quick opponent could escape damage if you weren't quick to strike. When a punch is parried here (FN Rd 2) the boxer inexplicably drops his hands down to his side, and literally sticks his head out for about 2-3 seconds!!!!!! This is completely asinine!!!!! Also as soon as the AI is close to being knocked out, 8 out of 10 punches you throw are going to be parried. So a person is more able to defend himself when he is close to being knocked out?!?!?! Oh behave!!!! Yeah that makes a lot of sense.

b)Inclusion of the HAYMAKER: while this might have seemed like a good idea, it definitely did not translate to anything positive in this game. In fact I will go as far as to say that this is the single most negative, and worthless addition to the game. It single handedly destroys, and downgrades the game play against the games AI. It is understandable that especially in the heavyweight class, a single well placed punch thrown with the full force a boxer can muster could knock an opponent out. However there is a reason boxers don't go around throwing HAYMAKERS. You can see them coming from a mile away, you can't throw them in combinations, and they wear you down really fast. Neither one of these apply to the AI in this game, so you have a situation were an opponent throws HAYMKERS in a rapid stacatto fasion!!!! Totally rediculous!!! Combine this with the previously discussed parrying flaw and a fight against a fairly competent AI oponent would go something like this: You throw one punch it get's parried and your boxer puts down his hands and sticks his head out, boom, boom, boom, you get hit by 3 haymakers. This is repeated over and over (AI never tires of throwing haymakers off course), till either you get knocked out or you dance around your opponent till the match ends, afraid to throw a single punch.

Have you all noticed that anytime a game maker introduces a special move; especially difficult for a human to complete, which has the propensity to drastically change the outcome of a game, that game invariably becomes a mess. This in no exception.

Playing this game with a friend hides it's worst flaws, and here the game really shines as it can provide hours of fun and entertainment; beating each other sensless without actually loosing any teeth. However playing against the AI at any serious level is indeed a lesson in futility, which quickly becomes distracting. Perhaps EA got lazy and took the easy way out towards the end who know?.....

Some improvements from the original version...
So, I rented the game before I bought round II. I don't think the developers did enough to justify a part II to an awesome original release. If you think you'll be blown away by the graphics just like you were with version 1, think again. I liked the gameplay [which has not changed, thank god]. I didn't see many enhancements besides closeups of KO's and better sound management. Other than that, the fighters are the same, no new editions. The graphics have improved, but not as much as one would have expected. I would not pay full price for this game... I think the used market on this will be very cheap once the release has been around for more than a month or two. I like version wayy better. ... Read more

Product Description

Defy gravity and stretch the world of arcade football to the skies with NFL STREET2. NFL players are free from their real-world constraints to dominate the streets one stylin move and one field at a time. Raise your game to the limits with up-the-wall passes, off-the-wall catches, and highlight-reel wall jukes that are sure to solidify your place as footballs greatest urban legend. With New Exclusive STREET Events, head-to-head wireless gameplay, NFL superstars and legends playing both sides o ... Read more

Features

• Exclusive STREET Events: You wont find STREET Events like STREET Slalom, Style Standoff, and Style Point Challenge on any other platform.
• Wireless Head-to-Head Action: Quickly find and challenge other players to some hard-hitting Exhibition Modes and STREET Events from across the room via Wi-Fi.
• Party Play: Up to four players use a single PSP unit to compete in game modes including 2 Minute Challenge, Jump Ball Challenge, and more.
• Off-the-Wall Intensity: Defy gravity with off-the-wall catches, wall hurdles, and wall end zone dives, or create open throwing lanes with up-the-wall passes.
• Show Off Your Style: Make stylin no-look one-handed grabs, or celebrate a winning score with one hand as youre pulling down a tough catch with the other.

Reviews (6)

Matrix FootBall
NEVER BRORING!!!
No complicated passing, no struggiling to get open, just run up a wall or something to get open! Just hit a button above your recivers head to pass.
Great release for the PSP, this game is sure to keep you hooked throught every mode of the game.
Graphics are amazing! This may not be realistic, but it's more fun this way!

5 Stars From the_truth!

Brought Back Memories!!!!!
I grew up playing footbal in the street. I wish I had this much fun. Very good game, brought back memories of my youth...just wish I could have done half the stuff that's in this game. From the jumping off walls to the very entertaining Gamebreaker 2's. If you ever played football in the street, this is a game you should get.

PLEASE TELL ME THE SONGS THROUGH A REVIEW
I know this is great game I havent bought it yet please though if anyopne knows list them

Throw on your best *bling* and let's get it on!!
NFL street 2 Unleashed is a beautiful, brilliant example of what Sony's new baby the PSP has to offer. It combines hardcore gridiron action action, with gameplay as smooth as butter. There are many types of game modes to choose from including: Own the city, where you must create your own pimped out player, pull together a team from your hood, and dominate the streets one field at a time. Be sure to choose your players wisely. The game is also accompanied by hot new tracks from some of your favorite hip-hop artists. The fun never really ends until your eyes shrivel down to grapenuts, or your battery dies. (Pesky battery.)

huh
well the gameplay is ok graphics not so good, and is really hard. Get only if diehard fan of series. ... Read more

Product Description

This time around, more emphasis is placed on the paper abilities of Mario and his friends. He can turn sideways to slip through cracks, fold into a paper airplane to fly, roll into a tube, and much more. He can also use tons of items like hammers and thunderbolts. ... Read more

Features

• Timing Action Commands help you dodge or inflict damage, and impress the crowd to give you power for super attacks.
• Fold into a paper airplane and take to the air, turn sideways to slip through narrow passages, and roll into a tube to bounce to safety.

Reviews (123)

Paper Mario is fun
if you liked the first game get this, paper mario is one of the best non sqaresoft rpg for gamecube it has tons of fun things to do and you get to go on after you "beat" the game! (the arena is the best =D)

THE BEST GAME EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This game is the best game I ever played.I also played the nintendo 64 version of paper mario to.Every one must get this game.

A kiddy game that adults will actually laugh at? Wow.
Back in the Nintendo 64 days, Mario, Nintendo's mascot, was in the uber-successful Mario 64. And pretty much since then Nintendo's been trying to have it's "sequel" or successor. They did that with Mario Sunshine but it probably wasn't what we had in mind. Paper Mario was released then and it had Mario and Co. as 2D characters in 3D backgrounds so Mario was essentially paper-thin literally. We now have the "sequel" to the original and it vastly improves on the original.

Story: One would be pretty stupid to try and think the Mario storylines were deep or original. Princess Toadstool is kidnapped and Mario must save the day by beating Bowser. Well Toadstool has been kidnapped only it's not Bowser's fault. This apparently ties into a treasure map and the mysterious Thousand Year Door.

Graphics: Basically with these kind of games like Wind Waker is that they're beautiful only on a different level. Nowhere near the brightness of Mario Sunshine, the realistic ultra-detailed Resident Evil 4 or the brilliant level design of Metroid Prime but it more than captures the essence of the game.

Sound/Music: Maybe they learned that Mario Sunshine's voice acting was pretty bad so Nintendo isn't even bothering. You still get Mario's "let's-a go!" or "oh yea!" and some other voice samples but nothing full speech. The music isn't immediately catchy but it fits.

Gameplay: All games come down to this. Paper Mario's "gimmick" is that it revolves around, yes, Mario as paper form. In this form he can fold himself into a plane and fly to a far platform, squash himself and launch himself into the air or squeeze through tough spaces.

The battles in Paper Mario unfold on a stage with it's own audience. This probably one of the most unique ideas to come in a long time. Basically battles are like Paper Mario and Superstar Saga with timed presses and dodges and you get a cast of characters to be your battle buddy.

The audience however plays a key part in everything. Let's say you're not showing off your extra damage attacks or not using cool moves then the audience goes down and some members will even through rocks at you. However, if you're the fan favorite they'll throw goodies on stage. There is also stage elements like the stage can collapse or these spiky guys can randomly fall from the ceiling. This isn't a press A constantly RPG, you'll be busy.

One of the big pluses is the dialogue. The dialogue in Paper Mario 64 was downright horrible. Here, it can actually be downright funny. My ever favorite Bowser line: "Crystal Stars you say? They sound like world conquering tools, I want them!". And Luigi doesn't join you on the quest but he has his own quest to tell you about should you go chat to him.

It's sad that games like this get past over for others which is a shame cause this is one of the Gamecube's must-play titles.

SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS GAME ROCKS LIKE ANYTHiNG!!! I love all of the chapters!!!! I could play this game a thousand times!!!!!

The Best Mario Game Yet!
This game is a ton of fun if you are into platform games.
There are loads of partners (7 to be exact) to choose from and each partner is unique! You have to collect 7 crystal stars and a long journey has to be taken for each one!

The problem is that when you are talking to someone who is telling you what to do, it takes for ages!

You get different abilitys such as Plane, Roll etc. and they are all briliant!
I think the best bit is the battles, you have to fight bad guys when you bump into them on the field mode! Each crystal star gives you a star attack and they are all fabulous!

If you like platform games and/or fighting games then this is the game for you! ... Read more

Product Description

While other WWII games have sugarcoated the war experience, Brothers in Arms is based on a true story and will immerse gamers into the gritty, uncensored and emotionally-charged side of war. The game puts you in the shoes of Sgt. Matt Baker, a D-Day paratrooper squad leader, and asks you to lead the squad as you balance their lives with the success of the mission. The true stories and historical events you experience on your perilous journey take you through real battlefields meticulously recrea ... Read more

Features

• One of a Kind: Brothers in Arms is the only first-person tactical shooter set in WWII.
• Real Military Tactics: Intuitive and easy-to-use squad controls appeal to both the hardcore and mainstream gaming audience.
• Real Soldiers: Featuring a cast of more than 20 characters, each having a distinctly unique personality, appearance, and style.
• Revolutionary AI System: Allies and enemies use the standard operating procedures of fire and maneuver to flank and kill their foes.
• Unprecedented Authenticity: Historically accurate and detailed battlefields, events, and equipment recreated from Army Signal Corps photos, Aerial Reconnaissance Imagery, and eyewitness accounts.

Reviews (35)

Excellent WWII FPS
This is easily one of the best games available for XBox, provided you're already 18 of course, if not stop reading this and instead buy a sports game or something for the Gamecube, since those guys at Nintendo seem to be the only ones really concerned in making games aimed at younger audiences, really. Anyway, in this game you'll find the most realistic WWII experience yet for any console, and playing as a member of the 101st Airborne is simply exciting, the game is just pure realism. That being said, the game can get painfully difficult in the latter levels, even with 4 difficulty levels (3 available, 1 unlockable), though notso much as impossible. Well then, what's this game made of?

The Graphics:
Ah yes, one of the most interesting parts of any game. I won't rate based on a scale, I'll rather point out the main aspects.The way the characters are modeled is scary; their facial animations and body movements are the real deal, with no noticeable blur, pixels or polygons. The scenery is exactly the way you've seen it in say..."Band of Brothers". There's no "pop-up" at all, and the environmental objects are meticulously deatailed, right down to the number of leaves on trees. The only downsides are the sporadical frame rate hiccups.

Sound:
Play this game with Dolby Surround to trully hear the thunderous explosions and rocking gun sounds. These true-to-life sounds enhance the experience by much, and they all are crispy clear and recorded from their real life counterparts, just fire the BAR and you'll see what I mean. This great sound is only marred by a few sound bugs which randomly freeze the sound of a gun firing.

Control:
Just as mentioned in my favorite gaming magazine, the XBox controller is perfect for FPSs, and this is no exception. Moving around is piece of cake, as is issuing orders to your soldiers, and the precision aiming is the best thing that they could've thought of; the enemies' "supression indicator" feature was a clever thing too, it's helpful in knowing when to move, and adds to the realistic experience. Bad spots: later on in the game, when things get heated up, issuing orders can get a bit chaotic. The "situational awareness" mode isn't as useful as it could've been, and a free movement option there would make a big difference.

Topping it all are interesting unlockable extras,which toghether with the above mentioned things, make this game a top choice that's not to be missed by FPS or action game fans, if you don't have it yet, get it immediately, it's an exhilirating experience.

PRETTY GOOD WWII SHOOTER
Oh joy, yet another WWII era game with their antique weapons!That's what I thought when I saw this.I mean why did we need another WWII action game?But hey, surprise the heck out of me but this one is fantastic!In this game you play Sgt. Matt Baker a member of the Airborne rangers taking place at the dawn of the Normany invasion as you jump behind enemy lines into the French countryside.EAch mission level begins with a narration by your character and wonderful cinematics that bring a movie-like feel to the game which I really love.

The variety of missions involves capturing towns, taking out tanks and machine gun positions, etc.You can control various infantrymen and even your own tank and following traditional military manuevers to carry on to success.The combat is fast-paced and exciting.Aiming is a bit haphazard though.There are times when you'd swear you hit a guy with a kill shot and he keeps on trucking so that is a bit of a problem and the main reason I drop my rating down to four stars.

Graphically the game looks great with terrain features culled from actual locations in France (not that most of us would know this, of course).The character models are very good and move smoothly.The sound is very strong as well as the din of battle is almost deafening in surround sound and very authentic.The narration while perhaps being a bit on the overly dramatic side still lent some authticity to the game.

The game can be played online in multi-player mode but I really have not played it much online.

Awesome game with minor flaws!
Brothers in Arms brings gaming to a whole new level with tactical squad commands! The graphics are great and make you feel like you are actually in Normandy. Situational Awareness view lets you make the best decisions possible. The guns look and sound authentic. However, sometimes the game makes a strange noise that sounds like a machine gun that lasts the whole level.
Overall, I'd give this game an A-. Hope you buy and enjoy this great game!

Best game.....EVER
BUY THIS GAME!!!!
Gameplay-100/10-Amazing, i mean AMAZING gameplay, First person TACTICAL shooter......Havent seen that in a while, aye!Supress, Flank, and KILL!!!!!!!YAY how fun, Great controls that flow with the game, control up to two squads(Assualt Team, Fire team)
And control, yes yes its exiting...TANKS!!!
Graphics- 99/10- Amazing Graphics. although theres mouths dont move MUCH when they talk its still all GREAT. When you shoot the water, it will splash up ie: when you shoot dirt it will fly up, so on. Amazing level design(i havent gotten to play multiplayer yet so i'll have to get back to ya'll with that later.
Sound-99/10- AMAZING, MUSIC FITS CUTSCENES PERFECTLY!!!!!!!!... So on. they curse ALOT.... like so much a sailor wood hang hisjaw slightly open....But none the less it fits the game perfectly
Replay value-???/10- im still beating on round 1!!!!!!!
multiplayer-????/10- Sorry :(, i dont know yet i'll get back to you when i do
Addictivness-100000000000000000000000000000000000000000/10.
Hasnt left my Xbox yet( most likely mever will!!!!!!)
Overall-101/10- Buy this game, trust me, you wont be dissapointed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Best WWII shooter of all time has arrived
Since most military games are based on WWII, its hard to find a game that stands out from all the others. What brothers in arms brings that other games dont is its unit-command function. You place the command icon on a location, and the team you selected will move to that location. If you place it on an enemy, your order is to attack him. This really gives you controll of your squad.

The graphics in the game are good, maybe even great. True, the textures are kinda blah but what makes this game impressive looking is the grass. The grass sways in the wind and reacts to explosions (not on the ps2, not enough processing power on the ps2 to do that) The character models are also incredibly detailed. They in no way look cartoony like in Call of Duty, instead it will remind you Saving Private Ryan or Band of Brothers.

The sound is great. The guns sound great. To increase the realisim, there is no music during the game, only during the menues. When the music is there, it is good. The actual dialog spoken during the game can be kinda bad. The voicees during the battles are good, but in the beginning of the maps, they seem kinda flat. But overall its good.
This game would be nothing without its unique gameplay. The FPS elements are done well, but the squad controll is the best part.

Overall, Brothers in Arms, in my opinion, is the best WWII shooter to appear on the X-box. Get it before the war is over.

Concept- Make the difinitve WWII FPS on the X-box and succed

Presintation- 9.6 Box art is good, menues are good. It really takes you back to 1944.

Graphics- 9.0- The textures could be better, but the foliage and character models look great. Some slowdown and skipped frames hurt a little, but not much.

Sound- 9.2- Battle sounds and battle voicovers are good, actual dialog is hit or miss.

Gameplay- 9.7- Great, Hits the ocasional hiccup, but is generally perfect.

Entertainment- 9.6- Verry entertaining, only bad thing is it gets hard. Even on the easy difficulty. Even if you are a veteren FPS player like me, you will die alot.

Replay Value- 9.4- Multiplayer only supports 4 players, but the battles seem bigger due to the fact that each person can controll 3 man AI squads. Its...interesting, but good non the less. ... Read more

Product Description

MLB® 2006 features numerous gameplay enhancements for the upcoming season. The all-new Branch Point Technology (BPT) provides seamless fielding transitions and smooth base running; the all-new PlayMaker Fielding Marker provides better fielding interaction with your player attributes with your skill level in order to make the play; all-new Release Point Pitching helps determine your ability to hit spots in the strike zone; a deeper Franchise Mode; and an all-new Career Mode where you call the shots. With returning gameplay favorites including EyeToy™ functionality and online playability through 989SportsOnline.com, MLB® 2006 promises a true-to-life experience for every pitch, hit, catch and throw from the moment you step onto the diamond.

Features:

• All-New PlayMaker Fielding Marker merges your fielding skill with player attributes and ultimately provides challenging defensive interaction for you to play flawless defense.
• The all-new Release Point Pitching and Confidence Meter will impact your ability to hit your spots and paint the corners. As your confidence grows or diminishes, so does your ability to pitch effectively.
• For the first time in any Career Mode, you actually can call the shots. Discuss playing time with your manager, demand a trade or negotiate your salary; the decision is yours.
• The deepest Franchise Mode available just got deeper with the all-new Morale System where player morale is tracked on virtually every levelsalary, playing time, batting slot, team performance, you name it.
• Experience a completely unique commentary experience in every game that adapts and reacts to real-time actions and situations with all-new Progressive Audio.

Features

• All-New Branch Point Technology (BPT) Only BPT gives gamers the ability to field the ball and pre-load a throw with seamless fielding transitions impacted by footwork and momentum. This new technology is also used for base running allowing smooth and fluid transitions from a run or slide.
• All-New Pitcher Confidence MLB 2006 brings baseball fans the ultimate duel with a revised pitcher/batter interface by binding player rating attributes with a gamer's skill. While easy to pick up and play, yet difficult to master, MLB 2006 is a game within the game. Additionally, Pitcher Confidence plays a role in a gamer's ability to hit spots in the strike zone, while frequency of mistakes will impact the confidence level of a gamer's hurler, making it more difficult to hit paint the corners
• All-New Fielding Zone Marker With an all-new fielding interface that brings the player attributes together with the user's skill level, players will really need to make the play. In the past gaa player with the Franchise Mode Player Editor.bats, check swings and more.
• AAA / AA Minor Teams & Stadiums MLB 2006 features 60 teams and 5 stadiums from the Minors.
• Old-Time Players & Stadiums Unlock and play with Silver Era and Golden Era players like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, then play in old-time stadiums like Forbes and Polo Grounds.

Reviews (30)

More frustrating that fun.
This game is just full of holes. The loading takes way too long, the career mode takes months before you see results, the game freezes at the worse possible times, and it's just bad times.
For instance, I tried career mode over the last week. I built a guy, did alright, played around for an hour, and the game froze up. I tried it again the next day, played for an hour and tried to save, froze while I was saving. Just 3 minutes ago it took the typical 3-5 minutes of random loading, and froze the second the loading bar was full.

AND ANOTHER THING, the game designers seemed to focus more on pointless features like 10-year contract bonuses and pitcher confidence, and less on actual hitting/pitching. I can't count the number of times my bat went right through a ball for a strikeout. There are also random glitches that cause balls to break the laws of phyisics to get strikes.

This just seems to be a Murphy's-law kind of game. It WILL freeze at the worst possible time, you WILL strike out in the most important situation, and you WILL want to pull the CD out of the machine and punch it into powder.
PS: It's not just my CD that freezes up, almost every person who's reviewed as noticed it.

It's so annoying
The games whole setup is awsome but almost every time I play it the game frezzes. I'm in the middle of my franchise and it frezzes on me. Its sooooo cheap and annoying.(I was winning too!) I just don't see how such a great game has sucha big issue. So annoying! Geeze! I just can't belive it. But anyway, sometimes it freezes while it's giving me a tip or just freezes out of nowhere and my ps2 screen goes pure white. I can still hear all the sound and everything but it's either white or not moving at all. You can get the game and enjoy it but suffer some major issues. Or you can just wait until you see something else you like. But on my opinion I sorta wish I don't have it and havemething else.

Game Freezes!!!!
Do not buy, listen to everybody when they say the game freezes!!!It always does.Dont waist your time, and especially your money!

MLB 2006
It is a good game, but it is a little to cartonish for me. I am glad you have Mark Elis on the game. I liked the graphics and the game play

Game Freezes
Sony...read one of these reviews why don't ya? Every single person who has written a review says that this game freezes...and so do I. Jeez! I've been a faithful fan of MLB since it came out, but this game is so frustrating! I'll get into the 8 or 9th inning and wham...the game freezes. It locks up, so you can't play it and have to restart. I've even won games and been in the process of coming back to the main menu when it freezes.Never again will I buy this game. Never never never never never never.



If Sony would just fix this problem the game would kick butt!!! ... Read more

Features

• Massively popular online RPG
• 10 races and 15 classes with unique abilities
• New race, class and areas
• Hundreds of new items to acquire and trade
• For 1 or more players

Reviews (16)

Eh
Alright, I had my sare of addiction towards this game and it was actually awhile ago, but I'll try to explain what I liked about this game.

From the start of this game, you'll most likely notice the very bad graphics that are displayed... or maybe the bad sound.. or maybe the decent number of people online at one time

Well, i think this game was the best game in the world to me at one time, I had a level 27 Warrior Halfling ( Hobbit ). But simply, I stopped playing ebcause I stopped paying the 10$ a month. And after that, a few months leter i went to the computer version, Everquest II. ( see my review for that. )

There are some good things about this game. It is online so you can play with other players, it's overall a fantastically made RPG, ( in my opinion better than FinalFantasy by a long-shot. ) And improvements over the first one for the PS2, there is a new Race. ( The Ogre. ) and new class. ( Alchemist. ) There are also some new areas to explore, with new creatures. The team also updated you're leveling, so instead of the highest level being 50, it is now 60. The final thing that was updated, was a very very slight update in graphics. They are hard to see, but they are there. Anyways, if you do play this game and begin to like it, trust me; your hours will be FLYING by. My summer in 2003 and part of 2004 was gone before i knew it. ( I played the first one too. )

Anyways enjoy yourself with it. This game can be enjoyable to you, or a piece of junk.

Good game but.......
It would seem SOE has turned their back on this game.It is a good game,It needs a lot of updates,and definitely a NEW expansion!!Overall this game rocks,but customer service is horrible!Talk to anybody who plays this game,they love it,except for the way SOE treats us as customers.Be prepared for lots of xp grinding,which can get tedious after a while.But xp grinding is not unique to just this game.There is plenty to do on frontiers for a newbie...but beyond that it's past time for a new expansion.I think SOE needs to remember they do have other games and customers other than those on EQ2.I also play regular EQ,so i am a fan of the series,SO....I think the future of eq frontiers is uncertain,have you seen it on the shelves anywhere?That in itself speaks volumes.So let the buyer beware!GOOD game,bad support,uncertain future.

Need no life to play
Everquest is a valiant attempt at an online rpg hypbrid but is far too encompassing for its own good.One must have no life and play constantly to really get the most out of the game and advance.I like the characters and idea but i just cannot get into it, i am looking forward to similar games with what i feel will be better online capabilities and better enjoyment and value. I would recommend Capcom's Monster Hunter or even the obligatory FF but that one has monthly fees whereas Monster Hunter is free.

Just Read
(...) i am 16 and i dont want to go though that stupid sign up thing. Anyway..... This is a great game but it comes at a price u do have to pay (...) but its well worth it. Be careful of everquest because it is very addictive some ppl play it for days straight. In fact a lot of ppl call it Ever Crack. Its such a fun game dont wry but be contious of what time it is because hours go by like minutes.

Can you improve on perfection?
Surprisingly, the answer is, 'Yes.Yes you can.'

The original EQOA is the best of the overcrowded MMORPG herd.It's simple and fast paced, inexpensive and addictive.From a technology perspective it does amazing things on a PS2 without a harddrive.When I first played it, I couldn't imagine making a better RPG without waiting for the next generation of consoles to come out.

But SOE did it.EQOA: Frontiers is that better RPG!It's the same shared world as the original- both sets of players can fight side-by-side.Most of what SOE improved on are the little things, things that you'd never even notice until you played both.The imagery and music is better.There are ambient effects like fog and raining brimstone in the right places.The skies and the weather are just a little bit more present and real.

Best of all, though, your character is more customizable with better textures and an absolutely fantastic 'Class Mastery' system that lets you choose what path you want to take to power.Even within the same class and race, two characters can end up with very different strengths and weaknesses.

Add all that to making what is already a huge online landscape even larger, and you have more than a great game.It's an achievement.

And so I'd have to say that EQOA: Frontiers is my new pick for the finest of the MMORPG genre.Start with the original if you're skeptical- it only costs as much as a month's subscription.But mark my words, you'll end up buying the upgrade to fuel your addiction.

And when you do, you'll be impressed.Very impressed. ... Read more

Features

• Gorgeous hand-drawn artwork and voiced dialogue bring the world of Stella Deus to life!
• Over 50 hours of tactical gameplay including side quests such as the Catacombs of Trial!
• Effectively manage your characters to launch devastating Team Attacks!
• Customize your inventory by fusing and creating items!

Reviews (6)

Poor effort...
This game was a great disappointment.I am a huge RPG fan, and have been unhappy lately with the offerings.Everything is "action" RPGs...real time combat, so many movies your sould screams with impatience, lots of button-mashing tricks to perform, you can beat a game without ever learning a strategy deeper than "hit the attack button."I have been pining for a decent RPG with turn-based combat that forces you to THINK.This game was not it.

The Plus:
No random encounters.Random encounters can be fun, but many games just have TOO many.I swear, I've played games where you beat an encounter and then fall into another one less than two steps latter.That can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to solve a puzzle or advance an interesting part of the story.Stella Deus eliminates that frustration.You fight when you want to fight!

Combat scenarios are great.Not the best animation, but I like the AP concept.Cool movement, especially use of the terrain.

Fusion.Other games have similar concepts, but this is REALLY easy to use.Intuitive.

The Negative
This could have been made over a decade ago.Non-interactive environments (actually, no "environments" at all, except in combat!).Fairly weak storyline.Easy to beat.Side quests are short (some less than a minute) and boil down to one or two quick battles or, even worse, you pick a quest and the game seemingly randomly tells you if you succeeded or not.BOORING!

I figured out an easy way to level up.Take a weaker character (not too much weaker, or the other characters will dodge all his attacks).Put him in the first level of the catacombs with a bunch of more powerful characters.I have found that a character killing a character two levels higher will earn about 50 exp.You can level up pretty quick.On the first level of the catacombs, after a few levels, you can ignore the opponents (they always miss) and just concentrate on having your party murder one another.Spero can die in the catacombs without ending the game (as long as one of your characters survives).You can level up pretty fast this way.Even if your characters are the same level, you can still level up faster by just murdering one another in the catacombs than just about anywhere else.

If your levels are five or more higher than the bosses, strategy is no longer required.You'll pound on 'em!

All in all, a poor effort.One star.

Its about time
I've always liked SRPGs, but they're just aren't enough of them. Especially for the PS2. FFT is the best I've played, but I'd proprably put this right after it. Disgaea was fun with outrageous levels, but I wouldn't want to do that again. {2 much work} Lapucelle and Phantom Brave didn't really do much for me. The reason I instantly liked Stella Deus more than the nimon ichi {don't know how to spell it but u know who I mean} games is because of the story. Its no FFT, but at least its worth hearing. Disgaea was comedy driven, but Phantom Brave insulted me with its kiddy simplistic story. Stella Deus gameplay wise, is solid. Its not as complicated to learn as the others, but it isn't shallow either. Instead of set turns, its all a matter of AP.
Example: The more armor you wear, the more weight, hence the more AP will be spent on each action. The only promblem I have is the afore-mentioned lack of enemies. Cool bosses, every now and again, but mostly the same old enemy classes. Unlike FFT where you didn't see certain classes until later in the game, Stella Deus decided to show you all of them pretty much right off the bat. Also, {and for some reason none of the reviewers seemed to mention this} the graphics are the best I've seen in an SRPG. I know thats not saying much, but its true.

Mediocre effort.Tactical RPG fans need more depth.
Seeing the same 5 enemies over, and over, and over, with the occasional "guest appearance" is not my idea of depth, or replay value.
The battle system is well thought out.(even if it hasn't changed since Hoshigami)Instead of a move and then an action like every other TRPG out there, you have 100 AP (action points) to spend every turn.You can either use some of this to move and some to for an action in the traditional way, or you can move just a little bit, but not enough to place your next move after the enemy, and then basically get a free quarter turn.Also good is that you can attack as many times as your AP will allow.Some characters, if not moved, can get in upto 3 attacks a turn.
Now I will say that there is some depth to customizing your characters, but not nearly enough.Maybe if the game had come out BEFORE Final Fantasy tactics I'd have been fine with it, but it can't hold a candle to FFT's job system.To say nothing of Disgaea and Phantom Brave.
The whole item combination system is nice, but the recipes are a little too arbitrary.That is to say there's no logic as to why you would get any specific outcome.(cloth armor + herb = lance???)It's trial and error and that's it.
The quests are similar to Final Fantasy Tactics but even in that simple regard the game comes up short.The quests give either a fight or some info.
The big problem here is that after playing games with insane amounts of depth like the aforementioned FFT, Disgaea, and Phantom Brave...
Well this game just doesn't measure up.
Not only that, but those same 5 enemies you see over and over?They're also what your mercenaries look like.
Whoohoo.
Also there's a blue haze over the screen during battles and it gets annoying.Yeah I understand that it's the 'miasma', but I'd still like to see the games visuals sans blue fog.
So.Solid but not something you can really sink into.

Basically next gen hoshigami
Fans of Atlus' PS1 Tactical RPG Hoshigami are doubtlessly going to find alot to like in Stella Deus.

It's very much stylistically similar to Hoshigami with a few interesting tweaks such as Fusion - combineing two items to make 1 unique item (think bow + axe = cloth shirt?)and much more indepth character developement.

What i really liked about Hoshigami was it's unique twist on turned based combat - the ability to speed up a characters next turn by taking no action or little action. Stella Deus brings the same kind of strategic depth by also utilizing the same feature.

Another important point to make is that so far i've found Stella Deus to be one of the more difficult tactical RPGs i've ever played. Despite spending a fair amount of time leveling up i've had to resort to cheap tactics in a few battles. (such as getting a boss to chase one character while pumbeling him with arrows for an hour from an elevated position)This does alot to hurt the overall experience.

In short there are alot of other tactical RPGs for the PS2 i would recommend over Stella Deus (such as Disgaea Hour of Darkness and Growlanser Generations)but if you especially liked Hoshigami or want something a little different then Stella Deus is definately worth checking out.

The best since Final Fantasy Tactics
Granted it's not FFT yet it's the best Strategy RPG out there right now. the gameplsy is just fun, the grphics and the art design are pretty smooth and accomplish well on getting the player in the feeling of the game. The story is not as complex as FFt but its still pretty good, being far more serious than that of games like Disgaea or Phantom Brave.

i fu like SRPG's I highly recommend it.
a review from a fan to fans. ... Read more

Product Description

A new role-playing legend is bornimmersing players into the vampire underworld of modern-day Los Angeles. As a recently sired vampire, you must first follow the rule of the Prince, the de facto leader of the vampire clans. But as your story unfolds, you soon realize you have more choices than first appeared. Who will earn your allegiance? Who will you betray? Who will you eliminate? What path will you take in the World of Darkness? ... Read more

Features

• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Genre: Strategy/RPG
• Mission: Set foot into the dark world of vampires in this rich RPG/first-person hybrid.
• Platform: Not yet available

Reviews (59)

Interesting game with a good scare factor!
I am not what you call a vampire fan or even know the difference between different secs of vampires but I thought this game sounded interesting so I bought it at half price (I waitedawhile from the intital release date to buy it) and began my journey into the darkness of L.A. California.............

What did I think???

It is a game genre that I am not familure with at all. Before buying this I played a lot of FPS and RTS war games even a flight sim here and there but never a horror game and one about vampires to saythe least so my review may not mean much to the hard core fans but coming from outside of this game genre I thought it would be interesting to review my initial output fo the game since I am the least bit partial to the genre.

Graphics are very good but not like HL2. I like the way they did the interiors in buildings with such vivid imagination but the outdoors need some work. Lighting was good in certain areas like the Mansion upstairs (Light House strob light was cool) but the game is mostly very dark which looking at the theme it is expected.

Gameplay is where a game makes it or breaks it and as far as I am concerned VMBL made it. A typical RPG in third or first person with a good story line and acting. An example of this is when your doing favors for Treasa at the Asylum and she freaks out on you tryng to kill her other personality (Janus) which you think is her real sister all along until she shoots Janus and nothing happens to her? This was very weird but interesting because I never have seen this type of scene in any game as if they just through it in to surprize you! The combat part of the game needs a lot of work but for what the game claims to be an RPG, this is expected.

Horror is where this game earns the full 4 stars for me. That is why I bought it and why most people buy this type of game for the scare factor if there is one so did I get scared? Yes, I did! Never have I been afraid to play a game (come on I'm 30 years old and grew up watching the Shining) but when you play through the Hunted Mansion level with the lights out, downstairs alone and the sound way up, you will get scared like I did! Trust me! I loved that Hunted Mansion because you did not know what was around every corner and the sounds you would hear there were very errie!

Overall the game is a good scare in some parts but in others a good story and plot to follow along with. I did not finish the game as of yet (I am stuck in downtown L.A. map at the Skyline Hotel level trying to find this women to talk to but can't get any access to the hotel rooms to find her and my hacking points are not up to speed to break into the hotel security system) so I am just giving you a half-way-through the game review but it's the intital impression the game gives that counts when judging it not the ending of it!

My advice, if you like horror genre games and a little scare here and there buy this game! If you want a FPS action game like HL2 look else where please! If you just like a good story line and plot that is a little out-there then this is the game for you! Heck, buy it and see what you think reguardless of what anyone here says in there reviews of the game. You won't regret it, trust me!

Ohh and I almost forgot, you will be afraid!!!!!

Great game practically destroyed by bugs
I have never come across a game like "Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines." (which from here on will be known as "VTMB") It's really two games in one: on the one hand, it's one of the most buggy games I've ever played, with an error or problem every other second. On the other hand, it's perhaps one of the most fun RPG's that I've played in a good while.

VTMB involves you selecting a vampire from a group of different vampire classes, (basically, every kind of vampire that has graced literature or the silver screen) naming it, customizing its stats, and then entering the game. You're a young "childe," practically thrown into the world of vampires overnight. From here on, you'll be getting missions regarding a central narrative that involves clashes between vampire sects, lust for power, and the end of the world.

It's a very amazing world that you enter, and the cast of characters has never been as interesting! From the charismatic but flawed Prince LaCroix, the educated Beckett, Ji Wen Ja the travel agent for the Underworld, (because he "sends so many people there") the stripper with class Velvet, or the film producer Isaac Abraham - you won't forget too many of these characters, no matter how hard you try. Voice acting and writing on this project was well done, and (like the characters themselves) many lines will stick in your head. My personal favortes were, "I'm like a book - all you have to do is run your finger down my spine and crack me open to see what I'm all about" as well as "I'm going to forget that because I still remember remember impertinance vividly" and "Too many of us might set them off like fundamentalists on contrary opinion." At times it was too easy to recognize when the same voice actor was doing another character, but this is mostly in the minor characters and extras.

Yet there are A LOT of problems with this game. Some of it bugs, some of it found in the gameplay itself. Problems I noticed were:
1) Typos in the subtitles. Jack wonders what's up with LaCroix and that "powedered wig" of his. Isaac explains that the film is "damamged."
2) Sound Crash-to-Desktop. I've found that sometimes the game would lock-up when a character was about to say a certain sound file, then the game would crash. I searched online and found a cure for this problem: reinstall the game, patch it, and play it again. (backing up save files and using them won't ruin it) While this solves the problem, it shouldn't be an issue in the first place.
3) Odd sound errors. On more than one occasions zombies, when you aggro them, will give off police aggro cries.
4) Serious downtime issues. Loading nearly kills this game, and evertime you enter or leave a building and go to another part of LA you have to wait for the game to load. In Chinatown and Hollywood it loads rather well (albeit still too long) but in Santa Monica and Downtown it gets unbearable. Considering bigger games like "Morrowind" have wonderful loading times, I wonder what the issue could be.
5) Lag-like states. Sometimes when a lot happens - or sometimes just in general - the game acts like a lagging online game, skipping or pausing. It gets especially annoying in combat.
6) Animation errors - One time a cinematic never finished because a character didn't go where he was supposed too and the game was stuck with him in that position, so the event wouldn't trigger. Also, when people run from you they sometimes slide and then skip across the level. (again, a lag-like state)

Still, with all these errors and problems, I still have fun with this game. Granted, when I first started playing VTMB the problems made me stop playing it for a while, but when I retried it and got into the storyline I was hooked. I've spent many hours playing this game, getting into the quests and deeper into the plot. Troika lives up to their name in dialogue, and like the superior "Arcanum" you can selected either good, minimal, or bad responses to characters as you talk to them, and depending on how you respond take the conversation any which way or change the way the character feels about you. You can also determine your allegiance to the different factions, as you could in "Arcanum." You can also use many different skills, including seduction, intimidation, persuasion and others, many of which can be used in conversation. Replayability in this game is very high, and I found myself making different characters from different races with different skills, just to see how each one could play out in the storyline.

So what's the bottom line? Well, your best bet is to wait until the game is cheap enough to just give it a try. ($20 or under, depending on your expenses) If you can be patience with its shortcomings, it is a decent RPG that will be well worth your time. Well, if the loading time doesn't take up most of that.

this is a frendly rateing i haven't goten a chance to play
i only have one peace of the puzzle but from what i've read and seen on the sight it's going to be a great game

"Clunky" is the best description, compromises gameplay
Being a fan of the earlier Vampire Redemption, and just having finished Half Life 2, which uses the same game engine, I was expecting an amazing experience.I did read about a couple of bugs though, so was willing to cut this game some slack and just wanted to enjoy the Vampire experience again.However, the game is really clunky, by which I mean less than smooth.The first clue to a lower quality product was in the opening cinematic when there is a scene of 3 vampires walking away from an execution, and their bodies don't move up and down - they just sort of float away.If this were a vampire trait fine, but it appears to be the programmers taking a shortcut. . .Also, the game needs to load new levels very frequently.Go into a building or down a staircase, etc. and you can expect a new level load.Two or three loads per level would be ok, but 6 or 7 to get from one side of town to the other is too much. The environment is also much less interactive than in Halflife 2.When you go beat up some drug dealers, you can't bre