Electronic Game Reviews
The Age
Thursday February 19, 2004
Electronic Game Reviews: PLAYSTATION 2 - Final Fantasy X-2, Square-Enix, M15+, RRP $99.95 ****; GAME BOY ADVANCE - Fire Emblem, Nintendo, G8+, RRP $69.95 ****; PLAYSTATION 2 - kill.switch, Namco, M15+, RRP $99.95 ***?
PLAYSTATION 2
Final Fantasy X-2, Square-Enix, M15+, RRP $99.95 ****
Every episode in the Final Fantasy role-playing series until now has offered a unique setting, storyline and characters. X-2 is the first to offer a refreshing change. It has a lighter, almost irreverent feel. Heroine Yuna's ``Girl Power" trio giggle and parade around in changeable, cleavage-enhancing outfits like a teen fashion parade: a contrast to the angst-ridden, overwrought sagas of predecessors. Previous games also kept players on a strict leash but X-2 players are free to wander around the world of Spira while a jump button adds a basic level of exploration. There are many missions, side-quests and diverse mini-games. The faster battles (complete with costume changes that affect abilities) allow skilled players to unleash rapid strikes and dazzling new spells. A fun and visually stunning adventure.
GAME BOY ADVANCE
Fire Emblem, Nintendo, G8+, RRP $69.95 ****
Advance Wars showed that the hand-held format can host strategy games as deep and compelling as the PC. Fire Emblem may not enjoy the same mainstream appeal as Advance Wars but tacticians will discover its fast-paced fantasy battles are just as absorbing. Intricate strategies can be used against the cunning enemy as you take turns to direct troops such as cavalry, archers, flying units and magicians around the battlefields. The type of weapons, magic and terrain affect the success of your attacks. But you must be careful: the debut of Fire Emblem in the West is actually the seventh that has been produced in the Japanese series. It is easy to see why the series is so popular in Japan, with its great characters, epic story and complex battle system. You can even play against friends.
PLAYSTATION 2
kill.switch, Namco, M15+, RRP $99.95 ***?
Once the ultimate in mindless ``twitch" gaming, shoot 'em ups are becoming increasingly complex, with features such as multiple squad members and strategic planning. But kill.switch's frantic, non-stop action and effortless controls are refreshing. The focus is on one perfectly realised idea: hiding behind cover. Press the left trigger and you duck behind a nearby structure while your health recharges. The constant shooting and diving is exhilarating. While hiding you can still target enemies, then peek out to take a shot or use the fantastic ``blindfire" technique. Shooting blind naturally sacrifices accuracy (and ammo) for safety but comes in handy when being charged by the smart opponents who use cover effectively and, occasionally, even suppression fire, grenades and flanking techniques. But the fun is short-lived, with no multi-player modes and too few missions.
© 2004 The Age
