06/18/06 |
PC | Jason Perkins
Space Rangers 2: Rise of the Dominators receives a second review here at GamesFirst after impressing one of our editors enough to be compared to Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. This strategy game from the Russian developer 1C brings the open-ended nature of Oblivion into space, dumping the player into an immense universe with tons of gameplay. Working your way through the steep learning curve might be difficult, but the variety of gameplay, quality of game experience, and budget price make it well worth the battle.
06/07/06 |
XB360 | Shawn Rider
Rockstar\'s latest title isn\'t a murder simulator or hardcore gangsta shooter. It\'s a pleasant game of Table Tennis, and it\'s really well-done. Rockstar Presents Table Tennis comes from their San Diego studio, well known for creating the Smuggler\'s Run and Midnight Club series. If Table Tennis sounds like a major change of speed, that\'s because it is. But when the results are so much fun, we\'re fine with switching gears. Get the full review here from Shawn.
06/02/06 |
PS2 | Amanda Bateman
Atlus and developer Success bring us Metal Saga, a sci-fi RPG set in a post-apocalyptic world where outlaws and monsters run rampant. You play a nameless boy on a mission to save the world. Does that sound like a typical RPG plot? Absolutely. But when you add in some clever humor, plenty of minigames and non-linear extras to explore, and canine companions sporting heavy military-style rocketry, it can\'t be all bad, can it? Amanda took on the challenge of Metal Saga. Get her rerview here.
06/01/06 |
PC | Chris Martin
Games like Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and Freelancer have become famous for their open-ended and near endless gameplay. With incredibly diverse player choice and a universe that\'s randomly generated each time you start a new campaign, Space Rangers 2 looks to give both titles a run for their money. The 2D RTS/3D Turn-based Strategy/Action title mixes a bit of everything into a game that\'s easily capable of taking on Oblivion in terms of the ability to go anywhere, and do anything. Space Rangers 2 is an unexpected gem that you\'ve probably not heard about, but should have.
05/29/06 |
PS2 | Amanda Bateman
Steambot Chronicles is the newest Atlus release for the PS2, allowing players to do anything from farming to ferrying to fighting, all on the back of a two-legged transport robot called a Trotmobile. This is definitely not your traditional console roleplaying game. Non-linear gameplay and amazing diversity of things to do has kept our gal, Amanda, busy defeating evil and buskering for UR. Get her full review here.
05/23/06 |
PC | Shawn Rider
Formosoft and Viva Media bring us a simulation that has some promise, but which ultimately winds up floating on the surface. My Sim Aquarium promises a simulated fish tank, complete with 48 species and loads of decorations, plants, mollusks and whatnot. This could be a cool idea, if a bit wacky, but ultimately it ends up being a lot less thrilling that we thought it would be. Check Shawn\'s review here.
05/22/06 |
PC | Sean Hilliard
Normally, historical war games cater to the hardcore. Learning to play them takes a significant investment in time, and you\'ll still find yourself losing after hours of gameplay. Now, Mad Minute Games has introduced Take Command: 2nd Manassas, a war game based in the U.S. Civil War that is almost accessible enough for casual gamers. Well, almost. With excellent A.I. that helps keep unwanted micromanagement to a minimum, Take Command: 2nd Manassas offers a solid middle ground between the hardcore and the casual. If you\'re looking to step into the genre of historical RTS, this might not be a bad place to test the water. Get Sean\'s review here.
05/21/06 |
PC | Sean Hilliard
Hearts of Iron II: Doomsday may not be the casual gamer\'s best intro to the uberhardcore world of wargaming, but it\'s not half bad, either. If you\'re a n00b to the strategy wargame, then you might want to cut your teeth somewhere else. But if you\'re aching for some serious, strategic global warfare, then Hearts of Iron II: Doomsday might be worth your weekend. Get the full review from our shell-shocked reporter, Sean Hilliard.
05/18/06 |
Xbox | Sean Hilliard
Ahhh, the Commandos series. GF! editors know a classic series when we see one and had high hopes for the new Commandos Strike Force. However, it soon became apparent that a Commandos FPS is a bad idea. How bad? Well, let\'s just say we can think of a half-dozen other WWII shooters we\'d play before Strike Force. Check Sean\'s review for the full gore.
05/17/06 |
PC Xbox | Laurie Taylor
Though adventure games are in short supply nowadays, that doesn\'t stop publisher Aspyr and developer Funcom from taking the chance. Dreamfall: the Longest Journey is the sequel to the critically acclaimed adventure game \"The Longest Journey.\" With fresh new graphics, Dreamfall picks up years after the first game and takes it in a bold new direction. Does the sequel live up to the first? Laurie Taylor brings us the full review. Check it out.
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