Reviews (3)

So much has not been discovered...
CoP marks the first major expansion of the FFXI world since its release to the US. This expansion does not add any new jobs or raise the maximum level you can attain in the game (still 75), but it does add many new areas, monsters, missions, quests, NPCs, recipes and equipment. The new areas are divided into those you can enter as soon as you install the expansion, and those which you need to complete missions to get to. The ones you can freely enter include new monsters, treasure and fishing areas, but are not hugely different than the areas adjacent to them. However, one thing I've learned is that there is more than meets the eye since many changes are below the surface and take many weeks for them to be discovered.

The areas that are locked out require quite a bit of work to get to. You will need to have a character of lvl 30, with appropriate equipment in order to complete 3 missions to gain access. Since there are a few job combinations that work well, you may need to start a new job, or gain a high enough level in that job to use it. This can be a big time commitment, however many people already have a job or two that they can use around level 30 so it's not terribly difficult to participate. Each of the missions may take between 1 and 4 hours to complete, and you will need between 6 and 18 players to help you. This makes it quite a hassle just to enter the new zones, so don't expect to be able to see everything advertised as soon as you install the game.

The areas that I have been in are absolutely breathtaking and the music fits the atmosphere of that area. There is a new beastman race that you can fight called Moblin, who have their own cities, culture and history. There are new super powerful dragons that give those that are already 75 something to do. One of these dragons took 30+ level 75 characters over 5 hours to kill. There are new recipes for crafters, new spells for mages, new avatars for summoners and new weapons and armor for melee jobs.

That being said, I still give this 5 stars based more on my experiences with the current game than on what is in the new expansion. It will take many months for people to complete all the missions and gain access to all the zones included in this expansion, which is really required to write a comprehensive review. This is probably the reason why very few review are posted.

Was hoping for more..
FFXI has it's flaws. Well, okay, quite a few.
I was sincerely hoping this would at least attempt to fix some of them. I have no idea what I was thinking. Not only did the customers who ordered the game as it came out have to run hours worth of upgrades to fix glitches in the expansion, most of the quests and items weren't available due to further problems. Which makes me wonder if Square-Enix just threw the game out as soon as possible, without actually putting any effort into it.
So far, there's absolutely nothing I find useful from the expansion. It HAS introduced a few new items, but most can only be used by classes that already have a nice variety of items available to them. The expansion pack also introduced new areas, one of which is a new city. Wait, no, Square isn't just going to let you go to the new town after you bought the expansion, you'll have to undertake series of horribly tedious missions to unlock the passage. The missions are exactly the same; wait around a few hours to form an alliance then try and survive a trip to a boss fight, except each area looks *slightly* different.
I will admit the new areas that can be accessed freely [...] were pretty fun to explore and introduced some fairly cool monsters, but haven't benefited me in a single way.
NO new jobs were introduced with this expansion. The J&R Music review points out you can get Dark Knight, Summoner and Ninja, but all those jobs are available without Chains of Promathia.

All in all, this expansion didn't introduce much of anything useful (with the exception of some interesting boss fights with familiar FF characters and new areas). Though, it's not horribly expensive so you might as well get it.

The new world of Vana ' Deil, gets even bigger
The world of Vana ' Deil gets bigger in this new expension pack.

Chains of Promathia features new regions to explore, frightening new enimies to engage in cobat, and an mystery to confront.

See ya' ... Read more

Features

• Anti-slip bottom
• Dance pad that works with PlayStation, PlayStation2, and Xbox video game systems
• Dense cushion inserts make the pad feel more like arcade machines
• Arcade-sized sensors
• Raised, reinforced buttons

Reviews (28)

Ignition 2.0 Incompatible with Xbox
I've gone through three Ignition 2.0 Dance Pads with our Xbox and the down arrow eventually stops working properly.If you press the down arror while you have foot on the left or right arrow, the down arrow won't register.We've had three pads in 4 months and the same problem keeps happening.Called RedOctane Customer Support and they admitted that there is a bug with their pad and Xbox.I'm stuck because the pad is outside of the warranty period.The kids love the pad EXCEPT the down arrow.Basically, don't get this pad unless you're using PS2.BTW, Konami pad that came with DDR2 has been rock solid.

Lasted for awhile . . .
These were awesome for awhile. I have two, and one stopped working altogether within a few months and the other one sort of works. The buttons start to stick, which makes it frustrating to play when you keep getting a bad score after you know you did well. I hope they come out with something better. For a good price would be a bonus.

Very poor construction results in useless product
I purchased one of these pads a month and a half before christmas as a gift.Everyone loved it at first and we purchased a second pad so two people could play at once.Within 20 days after christmas, the first pad started demonstating operation problems: buttons not functioning when pressed and buttons sticking.About a month and a half after we purchased the second one, it too started showing the same problems.We purchased these pads in large part to the excellent reviews here.Apparently, these reviews were in reaction to the version 1 pad which appears to have a much longer life.At $100 a pad, having them die within a month or two seems like a huge rip-off.100% failure rate within a few months is way too high.I'd suggest looking for another pad rather than purchasing this one.

Wouldn't recommend for over 250 lbs. person.
This pad is great, I even bought a second one. I like them almost better than the real arcade hard pads. They have excellent response times.

The only thing I noticed is one of the pads right button doesn't work as well* anymore because one of my freinds who is 350 lbs. used it. For this reason I wouldn't recommend the pad for users near 300 lbs. However, I weight almost 250 and they haven't had a problem.

*as well meaning it still works most of the time but doesn't always respond.

By far the best dance pad for the Xbox/PS2 Console!
This is by far the best dance dance revolution dance pad up to date. Its $100, so its pretty pricy, but its definetely worth it. I even think its better then the metal $500 dance pads. The reason is because no doubt, the metal dance pad is more stable, but the thing is that it breaks in a year maximum. I've had this cheaper one for about two years and it hasn't broken yet.

When you first get it, you have to put it together, its kind of like a jigsaw puzzle in some terms. It can be kind of frustrating if you have no experience in making a jigsaw puzzle, but its kind of fun at the same time. Its one of those things where your really proud of once you've made it. Its really not that hard to put together. The only problem is that some of the pieces have been mishaped a little bit in the package, so it makes it harder to put together. But at least it doesn't break apart, if it did, then that would be a reason to get the metal dance pad.

The thing that differs the red octane ignition dance pad from the other $20-$50 dance pads is that its much more stable and has more of a grip on the ground so it doesn't slide when you dance, especially when your playing on heavy difficulty, if its sliding all over the place on the ground, it can be extremely hard to use. I first got the $20 dance pad, soon to return it a week later, because i found that there was just no point in using it, especially when you wan't to play on ranked games online, the kind of dance pad that you use matters a lot.

The one only problem with this dance pad is that it only has the A and B buttons, leaving the bottom two areas blank on the pad. I think they should have added y/x or the other two buttons for the ps2 seeing that it can be used for both the xbox and the ps2. Thats another good thing about this dance pad.

The last great thing about this is that the cable cord is long so that if you have your xbox/ps2 elevated on an upper object, you can still hook this wonderful dance pad up with no difficulty whatsoever.

In conclusion, i definetely think that this is the best dance pad up to date, and will be the best quality dance pad that you will pay for.
... Read more

Product Description

Discover the living, breathing world of tuner culture in Need for Speed Underground 2, the sequel to the best-selling racing game of 2003, and the latest blockbuster installment in the legendary Need for Speed franchise. Taking place in a massive, free-roaming city featuring five distinct interconnected neighborhoods, Need for Speed Underground 2 delivers an immersive game world where the streets are your menus. ... Read more

Features

• Free-Roaming City: Explore a massive city divided into five distinct, interconnected neighborhoods, ranging from serpentine suburban hills to an intense downtown grid. A complex series of drivable freeways connect the neighborhoods together.
• Emergent Gameplay: Want to make a name for yourself in the underground? Youll need to find it first. Races can happen anywhere and at any time and as players encounter rivals on the street theyll be clued into where they can buy the hottest upgrades or enter the most elite events.
• New Gameplay Modes: Three new gameplay modes are added to last years circuit, drift and drag competitions, challenging gamers to hone their skills in a number of driving disciplines.
• Performance Tuning: Tune every aspect of your cars performance with hundreds of licensed aftermarket performance upgrades and then fine-tune everything from the gear ratio to the suspension for the ultimate ride.
• The Hottest Cars: More than thirty of the most sought-after tuner cars are available from the hottest manufacturers--from Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, and Toyota to Ford and Volkswagen, if theyre hot on the street, theyre in the game.

Reviews (83)

Wattup Max
This is an example of it in action. See? Yehhh! :)
This is an example of it in action. See? Yehhh! :)
This is an example of it in action. See? Yehhh! :)

Wattup Max
This is an example of it in action. See? Yehhh! :)
This is an example of it in action. See? Yehhh! :)
This is an example of it in action. See? Yehhh! :)

Wattup Max
This is an example of it in action. See? Yehhh! :)
This is an example of it in action. See? Yehhh! :)
This is an example of it in action. See? Yehhh! :)

Wattup Max
This is an example of it in action. See? Yehhh! :)
This is an example of it in action. See? Yehhh! :)
This is an example of it in action. See? Yehhh! :)

Wattup Max
This is an example of it in action. See? Yehhh! :)
This is an example of it in action. See? Yehhh! :)
This is an example of it in action. See? Yehhh! :) ... Read more

Product Description

Several thousand years have passed since the demon warrior Sparda raised his sword against the unholy world to save the human race. Victorious and assured that evil forces had been confined, Sparda joined mankind and fathered Dante, a half human-half demon son infused with the power of a supernatural lineage. However, Dante was not the only son Sparda had sired. As devoted as Dante was to defeating the forces of evil, his twin brother, Virgil, was consumed by power and upheld the legacy of his s ... Read more

Features

• Choose your own fighting style by customizing Dante to your advantage
• Style System allows players to select from Gunslinger, Swordmaster, Trickster, and Royal Guard type classes
• For 1 player
• The mysterious Dante is back in this adventure set before the first Devil May Cry
• Tells the story of the clash between Sparda's twin sons

Reviews (50)

AWESOME GAME
This is one of the BEST games on PS2. Definetly a must play.

I have played all of the Devil May Cry games and this game is pure gold.

The second DMC was a let down, but it was fun. It had wild game play. The first one was cool, dynamic, fresh and hip. The third one combines all of these together and punches you in the face.

DMC 3 was one hell of a wild ride with good music as a bonus.

However, I have one problem. It has been established that the American "normal mode" is the Japanese "hard mode." Many have even said that it was harder than ninja gaiden. I was nervous when I picked it up. I honestly thought I was not going to get past the first few levels...

Then I played it...

DMC 3 is one of those games where reflexes are important. I beat the first 6 levels while dying very little times. This games was challenging, but not hard. The game has a high learning curve. You can master moves really easily and all of the monster+bosses have an attack pattern that is easy to remember. The moment I put this game in, I felt like it was not for rookie gamers. You have to be persistent and have a damn good reaction time.

Easy mode opens up after you die three times. I didn't get easy mode until stage 4. I also beat normal without needing to play easy mode.

In the end, I felt that all the difficulty hype was trash. The game does not feel progressively harder and harder. Rather, it feels like a test of thought. You really have to come up with strategies on the fly. I think its perfect because, each level challenges something different. There were levels that I considered easy, that others completely hated.

Ex. I hated the level where you are timed and you have to defeat 2 mini bosses and a time freezing Unicorn final boss. I beat without dying and going through my first time playing the level. When I look back it, I barely survived and never played the level again. ha ha ha ha ha I know people that foud this level a breeze.

However, thats what makes DMC great. It has something challenging for all players. Yet, I must say this: Don't let the difficulty stories scary you. I beat the game on normal and hard without ever touching easy mode. Most of the later levels I even played through without dying. GIVE IT A TRY! This games does not deserve to be ignored.

This is just one of those games to test your intelligence and reflexes.

How do you beat the game without entering easy mode. Memorize patterns and build you default Trickster setting. It is freaking amazing. Using trickster made the battles so much more easier than they were shown to be. Also, every boss attacks in a pattern.

Eventually, you will get better and wonder why this game is called hard. I know I did.

Anyways, DMC has this:

Great Story
Great Music
Great Cenima Cut Scenes
Great Weapons
Great Modes
GREAT EVERY THING

10 out of 10!!!!!!!

THE CRAPPIEST GAME ON PS2.
This Game was pure CRAP!!!!!!!!!!Words cannot explain How crappy this game really is.This Game is like puke telling crap it smells good.If you buy this game you are wasting precious dollars on pure garbage.U bastards

Great game but too hard
This game was really good. The only setback is it is too hard. It might be hard but I will still give it five stars. The graphics in this game are awsome. This game in the sound department is great,if you like heavy meatal. The gameplay is great too. You can customize what style you want the main character Dante to have. This game has some RPG elements. You can purchase items,new tricks,and you can upgrade items. Overall this game is a fun mix of a hack and slash/RPG game

OWNED!!!!
Ok I dont know about you but I live in West Virginia so the blockbuster has a poor selection. I finally broke down and bought DMC3 and it rocks.Flat out rocks.It will own you if you like games like God of War then you will love this.6 Styles 8 weapons unlimited ways to destory demons. WARNING after an hour or so you may have to take a break because this game actually is a workout. Another thing, this game is hard like Ninja Guiden Hard. So when you beat a mission you feel like you have done something. The Music and Cutscenes are top notch too.Buy this or Die a loser.

NON STOP ACTION-- A Must Have
This game is my absolute favorite game of all time.Easily the best out of the 3 Devil May Cry's, this one has different styles such as gunslinger, swordmaster, royalguard, trickster, doppleganger, and quicksilver.These skills totally determine how you play the game.They allow you to use your weapons differently with each type of style, for example, swordmaster allows you to do huge combos with your sword, maximizing damage.It all depends on how you like to play. This game also has amazing replay value since there are about 7 difficulties and multiple levels to your skills. Plus, when you gain levels with your skills, you unlock more moves to destroy all those devils with.Not only are the moves awesome, but the bosses you face are simply amazing looking.They look cool and they are pretty hard making this game a lot more fun.On the third level, after dying for the third time against the huge three headed beast, the game decided to taunt me with 3 words, "easy mode unlocked."Oh the shame it brought me, being the prized gamer i am.Thats how hard it is, you have to beat it on easy before you move onto normal.You just can't do it.Easily one of the best games this year, i know you'll enjoy it just as much as i did.Yes, i have beaten it, even though it took a good ten hours. ... Read more

Features

• 6 all-new courses
• All-new character customization with over 50 customizable body parts, accessories, clubs and balls
• Improved character's abilities and skills for longer time spent on the greens
• 2- person matches, 8-person tournaments, and 2-person miniature golf rounds

Reviews (11)

going to golf and not getting too frustrated.
I love the game's simple game play.Line up, adjust swing for yardage, and hit for sweet spot - make the ball fly.Putting on the green is made simple if you follow the lines on the grid.Challenge mode lets you unlock various Golf courses.Overall, worth every single penny.Love the game, love the characters.

A great port of a great game
I'll start by saying that I love the Hot Shots franchise. I've purchased every title on PS and PS2. It's the reason I bought this before Tiger Woods for the PSP. That said, this version has drawbacks. It's great to play Hot Shots on the go and gameplay is a lot of fun. Nice graphics, sound, etc. The downsides are multiple but in the end don't ruin the game.
1. You can't play multiple players without multiple PSP's. While I appreciate that Sony wants to sell units, this is a basic feature of video golf that should have been included.
2. Lack of training mini-games. If you've played HS before you'll pick up the subtleties quickly but c'mon, the one mini-game is a putting challenge? Weak.
3. The road to unlocking all courses, players is loooong. Sure, most of the tournaments are nine hole which makes the game move quickly but you have to win so many that I literally played 130 games before I got all the courses and players. God forbid you accidentally overwrite your data and have to start over.
4. Some variants of the courses (long tees, mirror courses) are so difficult that you can get frustrated. The CPU players ability (at the upper ranks) to chip in from deep bunkers a hundred yards out can be annoying as well. There are several times where "miracle shots" on the CPU's part will make you want to throw the game across the room.
O.K. I'm done. Yes, I mentioned a lot of issues but all in all it's a fun game. I can't compare it to Tiger Woods 'cuz I haven't played that one. It's worth your time if you love golf games and doubly so if you're a Hot Shots afficianado.

Addictively fun with awesome graphics
I'm normally not a big sports game fan. But Hot Shots is so much fun with its customizeable characters and challenge modes that our entire family is now addicted to the game.

First, the basics. You have a cartoon-style character that moves from hole to hole on a golf course, with the traditional line up, swing and putt golfing moves. When you win, you earn character customizations, new players, new courses, and more. You can then change your character's hairstyle, outfit, clubs, balls, and even accessories. Many items give you bonusses and penalties. As you develop a playing style, you might work on gaining items that give you control, for example, at the expense of power.

Maybe you've done this sort of game before on a console - but you haven't seen this on a handheld! The graphics are simply gorgeous. Each course has its own look and feel, from Japanese pagodas to misty mountains. The detail of the trees and surroundings is incredible.

You might worry that the fine movements are hard to master - but actually they do a really good job with this and it becomes quite intuitive to power the main drive and to gently tap the ball into the hole.

There are little quirks with the game. In most golf games, if you are too quick on hitting the ball, you "hook" (the ball curves left) and if you're too late, you "slice" (the ball curves right). But in this game, it seems that when you miss a perfect impact, it's sort of random exactly what the ball does.

There are a few graphic issues. If you hit your ball into a tree (by accident of course), you can see that the ball hits the tree. When you move in close to do your next shot, it appears that the tree has vanished. But when you swing, POOF the tree appears again to block you :)

Luckily for you, the computer opponents have the same issues. Sometimes a computer character will hit into a tree and feel stuck - so they hit back and forth in the woods until they give up (after 9 shots).

But these are really pretty minor issues that rarely come up. Like I said, we don't normally play a lot of sports games - but this one is really rather addictive. I wish you earned new courses more quickly, but the lure of getting them gets you to perfect the courses you have available and to build up your score. You're always earning more items, more bonusses, so even your small victories still give you a reward. The little cut-scenes are cute and add personality to the game.

Highly recommended!

4.5/5

You got the whole world in your hands!
I will admit, I didn't have a PSP until I heard this was on the shelf. I'm a Hot Shots Golf freak! So knowing I could take this anywhere, the bathroom, my car, the kitchen, my bed and even in church (just kidding) I bought myself a PSP and picked up Hot Shots Golf Open Tee! I'm not a big expert on this system, but I was not expecting a little handheld to compare to the likes of Hot Shots Golf 3 or ""fore"" on the PS2, but to my surprise, this game is like having the actual big games in the palm of your hand, and in some respects, it's better. The big plus with this game is the easeand quickness of play. There are virtually no load times between holes and the gameplay is fast and responsive and looks pretty to boot. I can't believe how bright the game is.

The game plays terrific and I have to say "If it's not broke, why fix it" came into play with Hot Shots Golf Open Tee as the control scheme is identical to Hot Shots Golf 3 and Fore.

So if you have played 3 or Fore, you'll be right at home. The differences are in the courses and the new characters. You only have 6 courses to choose (in total) from this time, (which is pretty good for a handheld...) The characters are all new. I think there are at least 15 golfers and some secret ones too. The problem is that you only start out with 2 golfers and 1 course. Kind of the bare minimum especially if you don't want to take the time to earn the new ones, but you'll have to. That said, the game is substantially longer and grueling, but I like this aspect, because people with handhelds can kill some serious time. It takes about 5-7 matches to earn a new character. Most are only 9 holes in the beginning, but it still takes an eternity to earn new characters. Some might like this aspect, some may not. Along the way you earn new threads (wardrobes) hats, shirts, jewelery, shoes, etc. It took me about an hour to just earn the first secret character and a new course to play on!

The courses are all new and gives new freshness to the series. No more "Sakura" from past games which was one of my favorite courses, but these are very good too, and challenging to boot, Don't let the cheesy graphics fool you. Speaking of graphics...

The game is extremely fast pace and control for your swin is right on. You only press the X button in multiple sessions in Hot Shots Golf 3. It may still seem like old school control and maybe they should have given us more options, but even without the analog stick to control your swing, I still feel right at home with Hot Shots and you will too. For people that simply cannot line up your "impact meter" they offer an automatic swing too for people who can't do it so you could hand this over to your uncle John to play! Although this easier, they do punish people who use it by taking away power from your swing.

Wow, I never knew the PSP could look this good. Hot Shots Golf Open Tee looks amazing. Sure the zany characters are still annoying at times, but the overall look of Open Tee is a lot sharper and the backgrounds are very picturesque to boot! There are some magnificent use of photo backdrops that mesh with the golfing environments perfectly. After you play a game, "while not important to the gameplay, you get doused with some full motion video of moving clouds and ocean tides running up along a beach,wow! As you progress through a round of golf, you'll notice little added touches like day turning into dusk and dusk turning into day. Clouds move through the sky and rain starts to pour. The water holes, ponds, lakes etc...looks pretty darn real and it might want to make you want to take a swim.

So how is the sound? Well. They totally redid the music and it's all new stuff, and I have to say it meshes with the action perfectly and your headphones are a must! Cheesy comments from characters after crazy shots and good enviromental effects, but a bit skimpier than it's PS2 cousin. I need more birds "a chirpin".Your caddies, while included, they never seem to make an appearance in the actual game, so I'm not sure why they are even a choice in the game? They don't even help you? Hmmm..

I don't know much about the technical aspects of the game, I have not tried to play it over a "network" as you are offered the option to play with 8 other golfers over a network "LAN" line. The game is "NOT ONLINE" which will be a disappointment to many, but never threat, as a single player experience and the massive "challenge mode" you will be happy as this is one of the best PSP games and a must own for golfing fans.

**Final Call** A must have PSP game.

Better than Hot Shots Fore!
Gameplay if great, fast, easy to learn, and the graphics are superb!This game really shows you what the PSP is capable of when it comes to graphics.I honestly cannot tell the difference between the grapics on this and the graphics on the PS2 version.

Each time you win a game in the challenge mode, you unlock something new, which keeps the game exciting.Also, as long as you do not remove the game from the PSP, you can pick up right where you left off, which means you can get through a round quickly just by playing for a few minutes here and there.There are no long load times.Well worth the money and so far, one of the best PSP games currently available. ... 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 re ... 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 (14)

It has potential...
Brothers In Arms is, as the name suggests, a story similar to that of the series Band of Brothers. You are Sgt. Matt Baker and fight as a trooper in the 101st Airborne alongside a squad of your wartime buddies from D-day until eight days after. Good start for a story, and it does grab you at the beginning. But it let's go rather quickly.
The characters are underdeveloped. You learn a little about your character via short monologues before each mission and a little about your comrades from blurbs in the instruction book, but that's about it. Your squad is supposedly comprised of deep, multi-dimensional people who each have different struggles throughout the ordeal. But those dynamic characters are never explored. They rarely speak, and when they do it is so rushed it loses all meaning. Additionally, you have no need to get attached to them or fear their loss for if they die during a mission they magically rise again for the next mission. You only lose your men between missions, as the story dictates.
The gameplay itself is entertaining if a little repetitive. You must use your squad to outmaneuver the enemy and suppress him. For this game actual military strategy does help, but it's not necessary for victory. The game is repetitive because usually the same tactics work for every encounter. Each encounter has a different setting, number of enemies, etc., but the basic strategy rarely changes. Here is another instance where a little more depth would have added a lot. Your men are not the brightest troopers to land in Normandy and they often die frustratingly quickly. Also, you have very few commands to issue them, making it difficult to tell them exactly what you want them to.
And if you consider historical accuracy an important quality in a game, one more thing will infuriate you about this game. You are sent on some insane missions. For instance, your squad is ordered to clear out the entire industrial sector of Caen. I found myself looking for the rest of thousands of allied troops who were involved in the battle at Caen, not to mention the thousands of German soldiers who defended the city. Granted, it is just a game, but that boiling down such a massive confrontation as Caen to six allies vs. thirty Germans is a little ridiculus.
The game contains few glitches, but some are rather noticeable (like a tank firing backwards through its turret to hit you. Hmmm...).
But, despite my complaints, I did enjoy the game. The story will captivate anyone who enjoys WWII history/fiction. The game play is also entertaining and different from regular 1st person shooters. The sound, lighting, and other technical aspects are beyond comparison. They are worth whatever frustrations the rest of the game provides. So, I would recommend this game for at least a rental, definitely worth buying if you enjoy the more antiquated weaponry and tactics from the WWII-era, especially since the price has been lowered.

War the Way It Ought to Be
This is an awesome game.At first I thought the idea of commanding several troops into battle would be too difficult, but the controls are relatively simple.Don't get me wrong, this is not an easy game.There's no way you and your troops will survive if you go in guns blazing.It does take careful planning.My only frustration came from my squad not going EXACTLY where I tell them to go.For instance, I'll direct them to hide behind a barrier and sometimes they'll go in front or the side and get shot up.It's important to try to keep them alive if you want to get through each mission.

Since this is an actual event, it made it even more enjoyable to take part in history.

A very "different" shooter for the PS2
This game is very "diffrent" than other shooters for PS2.

The tactical part of the game is great and is a real develpment for shooters overall.The game uses the concept of suppressive fire and flanking movements.The AI also uses this stratagey when they attack you.

The weapons are great. The shooting is extremely difficult. I believe that the shooting is very realistic.As one other reviewer said, I can't believe that they missed the fact that you can't reload the M1 while there is still ammo in the rifle.

The online portion of the game was a let down for me.The most players that can be in one game is four, and it takes forever for all the screens to load to play.You can not use your mic while in the games online, only when you are in the pregame set up.Furthermore, no one plays online, and it is very difficult to find a good game.Why can't game designers copy the Socom 2 model?Have clans, good maps, decent mic communication, and good lobbies.

Overall, this game is very authentic in it's gameplay.The sterotypical diolague is kinda dumb, but I can get beyone that.The tactical elements of the game is a huge development and should set a new standard in terms of FPS tactics.However, I would recomend Call of Duty: Finest Hour or Socom 2 (for online play) before playing this game.

The Game Is Okay
When I first saw this game I thought it was really cool. I saw it on tv. I bought it and I played it and I didnt really like it. The two player mode is not so good because you cannot work in cooperation you have to kill eachother. Another thing about the 2player thing is that you cannot have a co-op story mode. The story is really hard, even if you put it on the easy level. Maybe thats my opinion becuase im not such a ww2 game player. The missions are really hard for me. I think it is a waste of money. The graphics are great though. The game also has a lot of cursing and bloody images.

Best first person shooter ever
I bought this game on pc but i did'nt have the minimum requirements so i got it ps2 , the grapics are brill and is a must buy product.It has the action of medal of honour but is allso tactical.Multiplayer is the i have seen yet because i have 3 brothers so it s great.I hope expansion packs will be brought out.Buy it ... Read more

Product Description

Ratchet & Clank are going online and they're ready to take on the universe!

Blast away up to eight total players through huge galactic battlefields as you discover new worlds to blow up! Jump into armored vehicles with a teammate and strafe enemies, or roar through thrilling single player levels with all-new, power-packed weapons. The outrageous intergalactic duo are back and are ready to kick even more planetary @ss!

• The first online action platform game on the PlayStation 2.
• Ratchet and Clank return to planet Veldin to explore a multitude of divers planets filled with perilous combat and challenging gameplay,
• Play online! - Up to eight players blast away in chaotic broadband battles including Siege, Capture the Flag and Deathmatch, Communicate with your teammates via a USB headset as you fight your way through the galaxy.
• 15 new devastating weapons - The more you fire, the more you get with up to four explosive upgrades. Seven new gadgets, too!
• Team up online - using the multitap with up to 4 total players, an online first!
• Offline multiplayer - Up to four players fight in split screen battles.
• Amazing new single player galaxies - Full of strange, chaotic battles and challenging gameplay. A whole universe of stuff just waiting to be blown up.

Features

• Earn up to 20 weapons, with four levels of upgrades for most weapons
• Beautiful, cartoon-style graphics
• For 1-4 players offline; up to 8 players online (broadband only)
• Platform action game
• Fight Dr. Nefarious' plan to destroy all organic life in the Universe

Reviews (167)

RATCHET AND CLANK~!
This game has a great story with gr8 mini-games action and puzzles. The diverse arsenal (as the name implies) is enough to cause massive mayhem to exterminate the tyranoids and dr. nefarious. All though the game is intended for teens and older, there are still kids that play and are really good. The online is where the fun is meant to be. With 8 different weapons and equipped with a wrench for default the many different choices to play are team deathmatch, deathmatch, ctf, and siege which is like a seek and destroy. If you like cartoonish arcade style shooters or u just want to have fun I recomend Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal



HngovrKnight

Up Your Gaming!
The moment I popped the game into my console I was entertained.I love the hilirous cut-scenes and the story line is just incredible.The weapons in the game are incredibly entertaining aswell as you level them up, the weapons upgrade and there's more "bang" to them.The online gaming for this games is just awsome!You can play up to 7 other people online and you can also play two player online so you can play with a buddy and seven on online!It's incredible how much I really enjoyed this game considering that I mostly like RPGames.But this games was too good to pass up!Happy gaming from your friend, P_M_Mage !

Ratchet and Clank Up Your Arsenal Review
Ratchet and clank 3 is the best game I ever played. It's a must get game. The gameplay is really fun. You can buy armor and weapons and upgrade them. You go to planets and are assigned missions to beat. along the way you can get gadgets, which help you through the game.The graphics were really good. The music and voiceovers are also very good. You must get this game.

Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal Review
I am a Playstation gamer of a serious magnitude.I am constantly in search of an exhilarating game to keep me slaving into the night, pushing myself to conquer that last level or boss.Many games have disappointed me in the past for their feeble story lines, or facile levels that consume no amount of though at all.I had almost given up video games as a whole for the reason of simply not enough challenge until my friend bestowed upon Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal as a birthday present.After experiencing first-hand this game's depth and quality, I have know idea why I would even consider letting go of video games.
First off, is the never-ending story line that Up Your Arsenal presents.The story line would trick me repeatedly by always giving me one more level to beat before I faced the boss.This was a good thing because only a handful of games keep you on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.All of the levels are diverse, very interactive, and detailed beyond the standard video game.Enemies gradually become harder in coordination with the story and your skill.All of the adversaries are different with each level.For instance, Aquatos is an underwater level filled with sewers and slime, and the enemies there are fierce sewage creatures covered in a poisonous slime that rise from the polluted liquid beneath you.Vast ranges of deadly enemies begin to show themselves toward the end of the game to keep the player enthralled throughout the whole journey.
Next to Halo 2, this game has more weapons than any other game I have played not including all the extra gadgets that you earn and buy.Unlike Halo though, each weapon had a unique and different technique in terminating the enemy.Weapons can also be upgrade as far as Version 8 for maximum performance.These qualities make each gun an adventure in themselves.After talking with fellow RC:UYA online players and conducting polls of a favorite weapon on forums, most people seem to like the Flux Rifle as the weapon of choice as well as the Blitz Gun.Players showed a disliking for the Mini Rocket-tube because of its difficulty to dodge, and the wrench for its impracticable use in tight situations.All of the weapons are a definite plus in the game.
In most games purchased, the online section is a plus, but not the main reason to buy the game.That is not the case for the online adventure in Up Your Arsenal.There can be hundreds and even thousands of players on at a time.The layout of the online system is very accessible, so communication is easy and the search engines are always up-to-date with the most current player online.Everything online is organized and simple enough for an eight year-old, but mature enough for a player of 18 years of age.That is a convenience because I know kids online just starting the sixth grade and adults acquiring there bachelors degree.I still have not found a pedophile out of any of them.The levels are similar to the ones in story mode, but altered for multiplayer activity.There is a choice of levels that are massive and require patience and strategy, and small levels that fire great competition, chaos, and adrenalin.The same goes with the weapons, slightly altered for an even more different feel that drifts the player away from the story mode.The online is the highlight of Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal, and if for no other reason, should be bought for the thrill of talking to kids across the country while competing for live stats that rank players on there performance.
Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal has not gotten old for months and I still thrive to play it everyday.It is ironic that the activities before I got RC:UYA were the ones that I had substituted for video gaming, and now I have replaced this game for all other hobbies of mine.Between beating story mode, weapon upgrades, and the online adventure I have no regrets of playing this game day in and day out.I think the perfect 10 out of 10 given by PSM magazine to Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal can back me up on that.









This is an original submission by a registered member of RCArsenal
REGISTERED NAME: p0pWar

Awesome game!
This game is the best game made for PS2!The newest and best addition to the Ratchet and Clank series so far!Online play with this game is the best...you can get up to 8 people in one game and fight with each other to the finish!Siege, Capture the Flag, and Deathmatch...along with the single player story mode, makes this game the best!I am addicted to online play and I have made many friends.Cooperate with your teammates with a PS2 headset and you get to talk to your team and strategize to win! 1000000 Stars! -bryanleo ... 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

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

Karaoke Revolution Volume 2 expands upon the original game in the series, featuring seven new characters, three new venues and more than 30 new character outfits making it even easier for gamers to step up to the mic. Choose from a hit-filled catalog of well-known rock, dance, pop, and R&B tunes, including songs such as Every Breath You Take, Friends in Low Places and I Will Survive. Compatible with any PlayStation 2 headset/microphone peripheral, the games proprietary voice recognit ... Read more

Features

• New multiplayer Medley Mode, new characters, new venues, and more
• Dozens of unlockable outfits and other bonus items
• For 1 or 2 players
• Sing along to 35 brand new songs using a microphone or headset
• Vocal analyzer rates the pitch and rhythm of your vocals

Reviews (18)

This Game Is Awesome!
I think this game is really fun!!! I have Volume 3, and My cousin had volume 1 and now has volume 3, and we both think that this game is really fun. For people who love to sing like I do, This is one of the best video games ever. My friend and I play for hours. I haven't played volume 2 yet, but by looking at the list of songs that are on the game, I think it would bea lot of fun! I REALLY recommend this game!

Not As Good As Volume 3 But Still Fun
I have a few comments.First, I'm quite ticked that they have I'll Make Love To You on the disk.I would have given this disk a 5 out of 5 if it weren't for that one thing. We play this game with a 9 year old and an 11 year old.They do have it censored by saying "I'm going to take off my charm" or something instead of "off my clothes."But it helps little. (Volume 3 I have *no* complaints as far as the kids go for song choice on the disk.)

The songs to choose from for karaoke competition are as follows:
Song List (all below are "originally by"):
1) Baby One More Time (originally by Britney Spears)
2) Born to Be Wild (originally by George Thouroughgood and the Delaware Destroyers)
3) Every Breath You Take (The Police)
4) Friends in Low Places (Garth Brooks)
5) Genie In A Bottle (Christina Aguilera)
6) Heartbreak Hotel (Elvis)
7) Here Without You (3 Doors Down)
8) Hot Stuff (Donna Summer)
9) I Believe in a Thing Called Love (The Darkness)
10) I Will Survive (Gloria Naylor)
11) Irresistible (Jessica Simpson)
12) It's My Life (No Doubt covering Talk Talk's version)
13) Jessie's Girl (Rick Springfield)
14) Lady Marmalade (Patti LaBelle)
15) My Girl (The Temptations)
16) Papa Don't Preach (Madonna)
17) Rock and Roll All Nite (Kiss)
18) Sittin on the Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding)
19) Sweet Home Alabama (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
20) The First Cut is the Deepest (Sheryl Crow)
21) Toxic (Britney Spears)
22) Virtual Insanity (Jamiroquai)
23) We Are Family (Sister Sledge)
24) White Flag (Dido)
Those are the songs listed on the back.Also included on the disk