The hype for the Xbox and GameCube is heating up at an ever increasing pace, with the launch dates for both systems are about a month away. The Xbox is scheduled to arrive Nov. 15 and the GameCube on Nov. 18. Now that the Dreamcast has virtually been declared extinct, thanks in part to the Sega Sports franchise heading to all other major platforms, as well as Sega’s Shenmue II now set to appear exclusively on the Xbox (not on the Dreamcast, as originally planned), this only leaves the PlayStation 2 to fight for the number one spot, and it has quite the advantage over the others.
Despite having over a year’s lead on the other two upcoming gaming systems, the PlayStation 2’s exclusive software that gamers have been anticipating for some time are finally being released this fall and early Winter. While both the GameCube and Xbox have healthy launch lineups, including Halo and Dead or Alive 3 on the Xbox and Luigi’s Mansion and Star Wars Rogue Leader: Rogue Squadron 2 on the GameCube, the PlayStation 2 has its own unique lineup of software.
Already released, and recently reviewed by The Reflector is Silent Hill 2, the sequel to the original PlayStation game that is centered in a dark, foggy town called Silent Hill, where all sorts of monsters and strange things lurk. Also released is Spy Hunter, a complete remake of the original game that has the player completing several action-oriented missions as a secret spy trying to save the world. Despite the cliche nature of these two games, both provide a great deal of fun and have been very successful.
The next game being released this week is the immensely original Kinetica, which is a futuristic racing game where the vehicles are actually extensions of the body. Players take to winding and twisting tracks through futuristic cities, traveling at insanely unrealistic speeds–of course it’s a blast to play. Coming out yesterday is Devil May Cry, a very well executed action game that pits the player as Dante, a half human, half demon warrior that fights against the forces of evil to save the world. Kinetica is rated teens by the ESRB, and Devil May Cry has been rated for mature.
Later in the month, the PS2 port of the hugely popular PC first-person-shooter Half-Life will be making its way to store shelves around the nation. With an updated graphics engine, new areas to explore and other additions, this former “Game of the Year” will be something for older PS2 owners to check out. Half-Life is rated for mature audiences for it’s violent content.
Also scheduled to come out in late September is Grand Theft Auto 3, a game that will be the most criticized–if not banned–game of 2001. This game series, one that allows the player to take part in criminal activity, is incredibly popular among teenagers and young adults, but is rated mature for a good reason.
Other anticipated games for the month of October are: Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex (rated everyone), Smuggler’s Run 2 (rated teen), Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 (rating pending) and Giants: Citizen Kabuto (rated teen). Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 will be one of the first online games available for the PlayStation 2.
As it can already be seen, the rest of this month is filled to the brim with highly anticipated games for the PlayStation 2 which will likely be well-received by both critics and gamers. Look for reviews of some of these titles in The Reflector as the month progresses. Also look for the PlayStation 2 game releases for November.