PlayStation 2

Gamers Don’t Need to Upgrade Game Console Series

February 4, 2007 By sharker

For the series of game consoles such as Xbox and the Playstation series, it does not necessarily follow that they would have to follow towards the newer versions such as Xbox 360 and Playstation 2 or 3. The games are still continuously developed and most of the time, the only difference is that of graphics and actual games released.

It is only natural that the newer versions are higher capacity game gadgets that can offer a more attractive and alluring graphics display and features for the gamers to enjoy. However, as long as new games are being introduced for these subordinate game consoles, people can still be content with their present setup and save the enticing upgrade options for a later date.

Another thing for consideration is that newer game consoles do not come cheap. Especially for tight-budgeted groups who would rather put their focus on something important in life, foregoing their vice for a latter time is something worth while. Besides, prices for gadgets vary and it doesn’t really follow that newly offered games and gadgets should be immediately purchased.

[tags]xbox, xbox360, playstation, playstation 2, playstation 3[/tags]

Playstation2 Game Review: WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2007

January 1, 2007 By sharker

So the wrestling fever has caught the world by storm. With Dave “The Animal” Batista and John Cena leading the superstar rosters of the World Wrestling Entertainment roster for both the RAW and SMACKDOWN brands, the adrenaline seems to be flowing.

The same can be said for their PS2 game which many have been looking out for, ever since its introduction 2 years ago. The series which showcases most of today’s modern wrestling superstars follows the same storylines, largely depending on the chosen superstar that the player would want to use. Unlockable character legends and items are also on hand, each of which can be unlocked for every successful triumph of pay-per-view dates.

The game has a variety of game modes, the season mode and the general manager mode. For the season mode, this shows how the journey towards becoming and staying on top of the wrestling business is done through creative storylines made by the game developers. The general manager mode provides players with the authority to schedule matches and create rivalries to be able to jack up the ratings of each brand.

Not to be forgotten is the fact that with multi-controllers available, any two players can pick a superstar of their choice and battle it out through signature grapple and high maneuvers, the same moves we see in national television.

[tags]wwe, wrestling, playstation 2, raw vs. smackdown, batista, cena [/tags]

Guitar Hero: Tuning up the Beat

December 30, 2006 By sharker

Let us try to shift our attention away from the usual sports or role playing game for the meantime. One game that has caught my attention on the Playstation 2 series is that of Guitar Hero, a journey towards how artists and musicians bring their talent by humming the different beats known today.

True, Guitar Hero is not the common game that a regular gamer would consider purchasing and playing when he gets the chance. It is similar to that of the usual dance pads we see in the arcades today where certain steps and beats should be hit at the right moment to get good scores and advance to the next level. In Guitar Hero, the steps are assigned in the different buttons from beginner to the advanced levels. The easy mode uses only three buttons to hit at the right moment and consequently adds another button as a player wants to shift to the harder levels.

The objective is to get a high rating on the meter to which certain rewards and points are awarded for every successful gig. Guitar Hero may not have the usual opponent and combat modes, but overall, it is entertaining especially for the people who love music and tunes coming from different bands both present and past.

[tags]guitar hero, playstation 2, dance, music[/tags]

Bully’s Controversial Scene Causing Stir

October 23, 2006 By sharker

Bully, the new game from Rockstar Games, has already been the source of controversy even before it was released. The game was finally delivered to retail chains a week ago despite an attempt by lawyer Jack Thompson to have the game banned.But it looks like the game is continuing to court controversy. One of the game elements in Bully is the ability of protagonist Jimmy Hopkins to engage in steamy kissing scenes with certain females but, as it is being discovered by gamers, Jimmy can actually court at least one boy and engage in some torrid kissing scenes with him too.

Many people were very surprised when the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) last month issued a T for Teen rating for the game, which is being released for the Playstation 2. The content descriptors that were used for the game (which can be seen on the ESRB’s website) are crude humor, language, use of alcohol and tobacco, violence and sexual themes. The gaming media have already asked the ESRB if the boy on boy kissing scenes had been seen and was part of the review the Board made, the ESRB replied that, yes, the content was actually considered in assigning the rating for the game.

The aforementioned torrid kissing scene between the two boys is most likely going to be used again by conservatives as fodder to further propagate their campaign to have video games banned or heavily censored or regulated by the government. Rockstar Games, which has already built a reputation for pushing the envelope, has definitely fulfilled their goals for sensationalism with just that scene alone.

[tags]ESRB, Playstation 2, Rockstar, Bully[/tags]