FREE! NAV I G AT E Issue 25 | December 2008

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PREVIEW! PREVIEW! HANDS-ON PREVIEW CHAMPIONS BATMAN: ONLINE ARKHAM ASYLUM RESIDENT EVIL 5 CONTROL a NAV I G AT E |02

QUICK FINDER Don’t miss! This month’s top highlights Every gam e’s just a click a w ay! Batman: Halo Wars Arkham Asylum Resident Evil 5 Champions Online Call of Duty: This is Vegas World at War Stormrise Tomb Raider: Halo Wars is shaping up nicely and looks set Raven Squad Underworld Street Fighter IV WWE SmackDown to do for RTS what Halo did for First Person Sega Mega Drive vs. Raw 2009 Shooters. Don’t miss our hands-on preview and Mirror ’s Edge Ultimate Mirror’s Edge exclusive interview... Also on it’s way is Resident EA’s l atest rate d Collection Evil 5: the console colossus is looking every bit Halo Wars as good as we’d hoped for and again you can MORE FREE MAGAZINES! LATEST ISSUES! read the full account of our hands-on preview. H A ND S-ON P REV IEW & IN T ERV IEW On the reviews front there’s a quality foursome of titles vying for your cash this month - Call of Duty: World At War is already flying off the shelves at Gatling gun speed, and with good reason. We also have Tomb Raider Underworld for your perusal along with Mirror’s Resident Evil 5 Edge and WWE SmackDown vs RAW 2009. Co mi ng so o n . . . Enjoy the issue, your new dashboard and the upcoming festivities. Our next edition of DON’T MISS ISSUE 26 SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE ! 360Zine will be with you on January 13th, but in the meantime, do keep in touch... Tomb Raider: WA RNIN G! M ULT IMEDIA DISA BLED! 360Zine D a n H u tc h i n s o n , E d i to r Underworld If yo u ar e r ea din g th is, th en yo u di dn ’ t ch o o s e “Pl a y” FEEDBACK! 360z i n e@g a m e rz i n e s. co m La ra ’s l atest re vi e we d & rate d w h en A d o be R ea d er aske d yo u ab o ut m ultim e di a w h en Click here to yo u open e d th e m a g azin e. tell us what you think of Wi tho u t t h e m ul tim edi a p l a yin g , t h e m a g a z in e w il l l o o k co r re ct, b u t yo u w il l the new issue b e m i ssin g o u t o n al l o f t h e ext ra co n ten t b u il t in to e a c h i ssu e , l ike vi d e o s , an im ated sc re en sh o ts , an n o tati o n s , q u i zze s , co m p eti ti o n s an d m o re . MEET THE We re co m m en d yo u c l o se an d re-o p en t h e m a g a z in e an d sel e ct “Pl a y” w h en TEAM Chris Steve Hill Keri Allen Call of Duty : a s ked ab o u t t h e m ul tim edi a to en j oy t h e m a g a z in e a s in ten d ed . Pro b a b l y th e b est Schilling Having it lar ge in Halo Living it up witn World At War g a m es write r s o n Reflecting on EA’s Wars Lara’s lat est R e vi e we d i nsi d e . . . th e p l a n e t Mirr or’s Edge adven tur es CO N T R O L 360Zine NAVIGATE |03 Previews Special dungeons are available for those who prefer to take the FIRST LOOK baddies on in a team, with up to PREVIEW five players able to join forces. FEEDBACK! Click here to Publisher: 2K Games Champions tell us what Developer: Cryptic Studios you think of Heritage: City of Heroes, Champions City of Villains Online Link: www.champions- online.com Online ETA: 2009 Cross-platform superheroics

What’sThe game’s the title saysstory? it all – the popular pen-and-paper RPG Champions has Though there’s plenty of hardcore now been made into a videogame. It’s a massively multiplayer online role- stat-building, the player from the maker of likeable PC MMO City of Heroes, Cryptic Studios. emphasis is certainly on escapist fun – particularly given YouWhat don’t oftendo seewe too manyknow? MMOs on consoles, and certainly not ones some of the garish in which 360 owners can play against PC gamers, but that’s what Champions costumes on display. Online is. Cryptic has made sure fans of the tabletop game are well-served, while also providing the kind of deep experience demanded by PC fans, with You can choose to the accessibility needed for a successful console RPG. Indeed, while it’s clearly increase the potency of been difficult to squeeze all the relevant commands onto a controller, it seems that your existing powers or the combat is best suited to a 360 pad, with button attacks feeling more pleasingly expand your range of physical than the average clickfest that makes up most MMO skirmishes. Its abilities as you level up. cel-shaded world is nicely stylised if not particularly detailed, but that allows for plenty of onscreen characters and effects, keeping the action busy and exciting. “The character customiser is a There’sWhen an onlinedo betawe ongoingget currentlymore? which should allow Cryptic to iron out real sight to any wrinkles and adjust the mechanics slightly – like tweaking the spread of skills behold, allowing and powers – according to feedback from its players. for a remarkable range of heroes to TheAnything character customiser else is a realto sight declare? to behold, allowing for a remarkable range be created” of heroes to be created – you’ll even be able to choose their backstory, though how that affects your avatar remains to be seen.

CONTROL “B    , P  P           ” - E -

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Coming December 5th

© 2008 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Based on Prince of Persia® created by Jordan Mechner. Ubisoft, Ubi.com, and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries. Prince of Persia is a trademark of Jordan Mechner in the U.S. and/or other countries used under license by Ubisoft Entertainment. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. the playstation family logo,, “playstation” and “ps3” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

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, “playstation” and “ps3” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. of companies. the playstation family logo, “playstation” and “ps3” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group countries used under license by Ubisoft Entertainment. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group

trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries. Prince of Persia is a trademark of Jordan Mechner in the U.S. and/or other trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries. Prince of Persia is a trademark of Jordan Mechner in the U.S. and/or other trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries. Prince of Persia is a trademark of Jordan Mechner in the U.S. and/or other

© 2008 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Based on Prince of Persia® created by Jordan Mechner. Ubisoft, Ubi.com, and the Ubisoft logo are © 2008 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Based on Prince of Persia® created by Jordan Mechner. Ubisoft, Ubi.com, and the Ubisoft logo are © 2008 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Based on Prince of Persia® created by Jordan Mechner. Ubisoft, Ubi.com, and the Ubisoft logo are

Coming December 5th

- E -

   ”

     

, P  P  “B    360Zine NAVIGATE |05 Previews PREVIEW FEEDBACK! FIRST LOOK Click here to tell us what you think of Batman: Batman: Arkham Asylum Publisher: Eidos Developer: Rocksteady Studios Heritage: Urban Chaos: Arkham Asylum Riot Response Link: www.rocksteadyltd.com Why so serious? ETA: 2009 The Joker’s goons won’t cause Batman too many problems on their own, but a group attacking Gotham’sWhat’s famous the loony story? bin is the setting for the latest videogame attempt to There’s a Fifties simultaneously might. comic book style to capture the essence of the Caped Crusader. As our hero ventures into the asylum, the visuals, which he’s led into an ambush by arch-nemesis The Joker, and indeed it seems as if many even at this stage “Batman’s combat and of DC Comics’ most well-known supervillains are present, ready to tackle our hero look seriously gymnastic skills make on their own territory and their own terms. accomplished. him a formidable character to control” It’sWhat telling thatdo one we of the know? best attempts to realise Batman in videogame form is Activision’s LEGO Batman, the Caped Crusader having been very poorly served so far by developers, who’ve failed to realise what makes this Dark Knight tick. So it’s heartening to see that Rocksteady Studios (creators of the terrific Urban Chaos: Riot Response) seems to be on the right track, creating a game that uses stealth effectively as the Bat moves between the shadows, taking down enemies with deadly efficiency. His combat and gymnastic skills make him a formidable character to control, able to take down multiple enemies quickly, but he’s realistically human – foes with guns can’t just be tackled head-on.

TheWhen release do date iswe simply get ‘2009’ atmore? the moment, but expect to hear something more concrete in the next few months.

TheAnything game uses the Unrealelse Engine to 3 todeclare? impressive effect, with detailed, stylised visuals and dynamic lighting. Batman himself may be the greatest videogame recreation of the character ever seen.

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CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |08 Previews As you progress up the social ladder, it’s important to be FIRST LOOK seen with the right people. PREVIEW FEEDBACK! Click here to tell us what Publisher: Midway This is Vegas think of Developer: Surreal Software you Heritage: The Suffering This is Vegas Link: www.vegas. Vice City Part Two? midway.com ETA: 1st February 2009 TheWhat’s City of Sin the is going story?all family-friendly, as a rich mogul attempts to change Vegas’ image. No, it’s not installing Wii consoles in every casino, but instead you’ll find the millionaire’s playground being slowly turned into a tourist trap to take the kiddies to. That might not seem like such a bad thing, but your character has apparently taken umbrage to this move and is determined to return the place to its It’s important to muck in at the more adult former glory. Will he succeed in cleaning the place up? places you own, That, my friend, is down to you… whether you help out behind the bar or act as CouldWhat it be do fair to wesay that know? Grand Theft Auto minus all of the bouncer to get violence plus socialising equals This is Vegas? Well, that’s pretty rid of any riffraff. much what you’re looking at here. Midway’s game is more interested in Craps than crack, with gunplay replaced with Poker as you attempt to make contacts, increase your funds via wins at Gambling plays a big part in the roulette or card tables, and increase your reputation so you raising your bank balance – you become one of the big players behind the scenes. That’s not to say stand the most to gain from that there won’t be any of the old ultraviolence, though you won’t so much be this, though less riskier pursuits popping caps in asses as handing out beatings to rivals to prove your own strength are available if you’re out of and impressing the ladies. There are guns, but you won’t be finding too many luck on the card tables. bloodbaths along the neon-glazed strip.

“This is Vegas is MidwayWhen has do the gamewe downget for anmore? early February release, though little has been more interested seen of the game recently, so there’s a chance it could slip. in Craps than crack, with ItAnything wouldn’t be Vegas else without beingto abledeclare? to drive an expensive sports car – and gunplay replaced indeed you’ll be able to enter into underground races to earn more cash. with Poker”

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CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |10 Previews Dynasty Warriors Gundam 2 Publisher: Koei | ETA: 31st March 2009 Two very Japanese loves collide once more in the sequel to the cult mech-’em-up which saw hundreds Stormrise of gigantic robots do battle in A fistful of top new titles coming to 360… Publisher: Sega | ETA: First half 2009 hugely enjoyable ways. We just can’t Post-apocalyptic worlds are the get enough of this frenetic, fast- new lens flare in videogaming paced destruction, and so the news these days, but the latest from that we’ve only to wait until March Sega Mega Drive Total War makers The Creative for another fix fills us with deep joy. Ultimate Collection Assembly offers more originality in other areas, with an Publisher: Sega | ETA: First half 2009 unprecedented level of verticality Retro fans should be in heaven with this in its RTS mechanics, with players amazing compilation of some of Sega’s best- able to command air vehicles, known titles all on one disc. There are 40 rooftop troops and even titles from the 16-bit era, including Sonics 1, 2 underground units – and all from and 3, Ecco and the Streets of Rage games. a more hands-on perspective. Raven Squad Publisher: SouthPeak Games | ETA: Early 2009 Street Fighter IV This curious hybrid of RTS and FPS Publisher: Capcom | ETA: 20th February certainly looks intriguing, allowing Expect to hear more about this one soon, but Star Ocean: The Last Hope you to get your hands dirty instead Publisher: Square-Enix | ETA: March 2009 we now have a confirmed date for the home of just giving orders and watching console versions of this modern-day arcade After the slightly underwhelming Infinite Undiscovery, the results. Whether it’s deep classic. Just eight short weeks after Christmas developer tri-Ace returns to probably its best-loved series, enough for hardcore strategists or you’ll be able to spend your GAME vouchers with the follow-up to the wonderful Till the end of Time, appropriately intense for action on the 360 port, which looks to be the best set to hit 360s early next year. It’s yet another string to the lovers remains to be seen, but the 2D beat-’em-up since, well, Street Fighter III. 360’s bow and another game which should increase the seamless transition between the console’s popularity in Japan. two is a very nice touch.

JANUARY FEBRUARY QUARTER 1 2009 SPRING 2009 Lord of the Rings: Conquest Bionic Commando Precursors Dungeon Hero RACE Pro Halo Wars White Gold: War in Paradise UFC 2009 Undisputed

CONTROL Project1:Layout 110/8/0810:09AMPage Tomb Raider: Underworld © Eidos Interactive Ltd. 2008. Published by Eidos, Inc. Developed by Crystal Dynamics Inc. Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider: Underworld, Crystal Dynamics, Eidos and the Eidos logo are trademarks of Eidos Interactive Ltd. All rights reserved. "PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION" and "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Windows, the Windows Vista Start button, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies, and 'Games for Windows' and the Windows Vista Start button logo are used under license from Microsoft. Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo. ©2006 Nintendo. The rating icon is a registered trademark of the Entertainment Software Association. CONTROL

PLAYBACK OPTIONS: 360Zine NAVIGATE |12 Previews

Looks very much like a HANDS ON Covenant stronghold.

Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios Developer: Ensemble Halo Wars Studios Heritage: Age of Empires, Age of Mythology It was 20 years ago today… Link: www.halowars.com “The developers claim ETA: February 2009 t’s difficult to imagine where the Xbox would be today if it wasn’t for that Halo Wars will do for IHalo. The game that launched the the RTS what the original machine, it proved beyond any doubt Halo did for the FPS” that a first-person shooter could not only work on a modern console, but comfortably surpass many of its more established PC-based counterparts. It’s particular surprising then to note that early designs of Halo had it as a real- time strategy game, essentially a science fiction version of Bungie’s hack-’em-up, Myth. Ironically, the whole thing has now come full circle, with developer Ensemble claiming that Halo Wars will do for the RTS what the original Halo did for the FPS. A ferocious battle for the Relic. It’s a bold assertion, but Dallas- It’s like Halo, but based Ensemble Studios know a thing from above. or two about strategy games. Best known for PC behemoth Age of Empires, it’s perhaps a sign of shifting trends that Halo Wars will be the confirmed that the downloadable suitably cosmological setting for the developer’s final game, as Microsoft has content would still be available cod mythology of the franchise, with announced that the studio is being Prior to some last-minute polishing, the eerie title music reverberating shut down once the title is released. they turned up mob-handed in around the darkened dome-shaped The team is adamant that they won’t London to show off the latest build. auditorium. As they were keen to stress, simply be phoning their work in over Demoing the game in the Royal the sound and feel is crucial to the Halo Ah, and this shot looks like the next few months however, and Observatory, Greenwich, it provided a experience, with combat featuring a prog rock album cover.

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Think of it as toy soldiers on your telly.

That should warm them up. “There’s no Master Chief, not even hidden away as a secret character”

atomic winter, as reflected in the halfway through. Covenant fans will be surrounding snowy screenshots. catered for in the multiplayer however, Of course, it wouldn’t be a Halo as they take on the do-gooders, with game with the detached voice of a skirmishes supporting up to six players sassy female telling you what to do. over what used to be called Xbox Live, Step up to the mic, Serina, described as but is now what we are legally obliged a spirited artificial intelligence persona. to call New Xbox Experience. And while you are in charge of the We’re not here for the multiplayer, UNSC, we’d better tell you now that though. We’re here to squat on a Call in an air Master Chief does not feature in the beanbag, ask someone what the keys attack for game. That’s right, no Master Chief, not extra support. Pick the bones even hidden away as a secret character. out of that lot. Furthermore, you don’t even switch sides at any stage, which could be a good thing, as during the constant Halo Wars continued 20 years before the events of the swapping in Halo 2 you didn’t know if original Halo, you’re in charge of the you were Arthur or Martha. the familiar noises, as well as such crew of United Nations Space In the Halo Wars campaign, you will details as grunts talking at you, and Command ship Spirit of Fire as they play exclusively as the good guys, a the obligatory funny lines. encounter the pesky Covenant, who decision apparently born out of disgust It all takes place on a grand scale, have attacked a planet called Harvest, with vintage strategy game Warcraft III, with a backstory to match. Taking place bombing it for years and causing an where you suddenly became evil

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |14 Previews Halo Wars continued are, and stumble through the opening three levels without embarrassment. The tutorial is a doddle, with a big arrow pointing the way and individual units selectable. In traditional RTS fashion, your entire army can be selected with a press of a shoulder button, and crucially, only every unit on the screen can be selected with the other. It’s idiot-proof, and even a bloke They like a from a waning men’s magazine bit of purple. “At it’s most basic level, the managed to get to the second level. Having breezed through the tutorial, combat is mainly a case of the next mission is more time- pointing the good guys at Fans of the series consuming, although in our defence Heroes, who in this case can be healed will recognise these the bad guys and letting we spent a lot of time dicking about by having their mates stand near them. vehicles immediately. them get on with it” with a secondary objective that As the franchise would demand, involved establishing a second base. Halo Wars appears to be an all-action There’s no harvesting involved, affair. Absorbing yet accessible, intuitive although there are restrictions in terms yet deep, it was almost worth going of supplies and so forth. As for the all- south of the river for. important combat, at it’s most basic level it’s mainly a case of pointing the good guys at the bad guys and letting them get on with it. Subtleties are in evidence however, with troops taking cover behind upturned vehicles, employing super-weapons, or if it all gets too much, requesting that the Spirit of Fire helps out with a bit of carpet bombing. There was also an appearance for the RTS staple of Base building is a big part of the game.

PREVIEW FEEDBACK! The level of detail in the Click here to HOW COMPLETE? FIRST IMPRESSIONS game is truly impressive. tell us what you think of 90% 80% Halo Wars FPS? RTS? This is one genre jumper that could work

CONTROL © 2008 Activision Publishing, Inc. Activision and Call of Duty are registered trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners. ‘�’, ‘PlayStation’ and ‘PLAYSTATION’ are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Windows, the Windows Vista Start button, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies, and ‘Games for Windows’ and the Windows Vista Start button logo are used under license from Microsoft. NINTENDO DS, Wii AND THE Wii LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS OF NINTENDO. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved. Activision makes no guarantees regarding the availability of online play, and may modify or discontinue online service in its discretion without notice, including for example, ceasing online service for economic reasons due to a limited number of players continuing to make use of the service over time. CONTROL

TBC VISCERAL CALL OF DUTY EVER!” PLAYBACK OPTIONS: “THE MOST - Xbox 360 The Official Magazine WWW.CALLOFDUTY.COM WWW.CALLOFDUTY.COM Available November 2008 360Zine NAVIGATE |16 Interview HALO POLISHING We spoke to Graeme Devine from Ensemble Studios about the daunting task of bring Halo to a new genre… Like Halo, but only from above.

You recently claimed that the keyboard and mouse. I’ve seen Being a console strategy game, control system in Halo Wars would enough people converted, and so I how accessible will it be to the be better than even a PC-based feel pretty confident in the actual total strategy virgin? Could this be a classic real-time shooter. That’s a statement. It’s going to be amazing. The really cool thing about Halo RTS? Time will tell. ridiculously bold statement. How are you going to back that up? I think you’ll be able to back that up for me when you play the game for yourself. I think it’s a brash thing to say, but I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t believe it. We spent the first year of this project just working on the control system, and there wasn’t even a concept that this was even going to become a Halo game. Without the controls working it’s pointless even doing the game. One of our balance Ah, that’ll be one of testers, who’s a hardcore PC RTS guy, those Warthogs, then. came up and said it’s easier to play with a controller than it is with a

CONTROL 360Zine WWW.GAMERZINES.COM NAVIGATE |17 Interview Interview continued transition of turning it into a Halo game, talking about what Halo was Wars is it’s got to appeal to two sets of about. If you look at Halo, you’ve got Publisher: M icrosof t people. Strategy fans have to learn to one guy on one side who’s going to Developer: Ensemble Studios love playing a Halo game, while Halo annihilate the entirety of the other Heritage: Age of Empires, fans are going to have to learn to love side, so we had to make it more even. Age of Mythology playing a strategy game. For a Link: w w w.halowars.com mainstream player, you have to be able Halo is renowned for being a ETA: February 2009 to introduce him to the game gently, gung-ho action game. Can you almost to the extent that he doesn’t hope to replicate that with a even realise. We build up what we call strategy game? the inverse pyramid, where you start Halo hits the ground running, it’s right doing something really simply and you in your face all the way, and I think the The graphics capture the slowly build that complexity in. thing that Halo’s good at is getting you Halo world perfectly. feeling as if you’re part of something Have you still managed to maintain huge. You feel as if you’re part of an element of depth? something absolutely massive, on a “Strategy fans have to learn That’s one of the actual challenges, scale that is going to completely to love a Halo game, while getting that deep gameplay in there change the direction of humanity. And without even making it look deep. An so I think getting that feeling into Halo You can build a base Halo fans are going to have to to your own design. example of that is a base, which is built Wars was very important indeed – over seven plots of land at most. That getting that into the gameplay and learn to love a strategy game” looks like a very simple system that into the person’s emotions, into the everyone can get right away, just like a person’s head right away. It hits the mainstream game. But a hardcore ground running. gamer will think what sort of building do I do here? I’ve only got these seven slots, what do I build here? Do I build two supply pads? Do I build a supply pad and a reactor? By putting depth into something simple it sort of hides it.

Was it always the intention to make a Halo RTS? No, we got a prototype running with the controls using the Age of Mythology engine, and all along Microsoft were saying you know this would be great if it was a Halo game. In the end we went Graeme Devine, Lead and showed what we had to Bungie Storywriter, Ensemble Studios and they said great but what do you want to do with it? Then we started the

CONTROL � Sing along using the mic and infuse your own style into the music

Re-designed for the ultimate playing experience, including: � Neck slider for nailing the most intense solos � Dedicated star power button and re-designed controls for improved gameplay � Interchangeable faceplates for customising your look * � Also compatible with Guitar Hero® games for the Xbox 360® The most authentic drums available, including: � Quiet surfaces so you can hear the music � Pressure-sensitive pads allow creation of a wide range of sounds � Authentic arrangement of the pads to mimic an actual drum set with raised cymbals

Create your own rocker, choose from your favourite Guitar Compose, record, edit, and share your own music online. Rock out solo, with another guitarist or with a band. Kick it Hero icons or take the stage as the biggest rock stars around. Download and play community-created content for free! ** up with 4 vs. 4 Battle of the Bands play. **

COMING AUTUMN 2008

*Additional faceplates sold separately **Some features may be limited in the Wii™ and PlayStation®2 Guitar Hero World Tour games PLAYBACK OPTIONS:

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CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |19 Previews Graphically, the game excels, but the controls still HANDS ON leave a lot to be desired.

Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom Heritage: Resident Evil, Resident Evil 5 Devil May Cry Link: www.residentevil.com Zombies, Africa and a shotgun. This isn’t going to end well ETA: March 13th 2009

t Nottingham’s recent volunteered to brave the Nottingham GameCity event, we were nightlife – and the afterlife – to pick up Asubjected to something of the controller for one of the hottest a zombie overload. Falling over games of 2009. Halloween, this year’s gaming festival And from the second you jump into saw the world record shattered for the the game, everything instantly feels largest gathering of zombies (some refreshingly like Resident Evil, especially placed on making the game feel a lot 1,227 people), along with a host of if you’ve played Resident Evil 4. Your more action based. Now, instead of other Zombie-related activities, character moves in the same way, the having to pause to bring up the including the chance to go hands-on viewpoint’s very similar, and there’s still inventory, you just hold a button, and with Resident Evil 5. Like any other an abundance of herbs, but this time select what you want from a small, 3x3 intrepid reporter, we happily round, a lot of emphasis has been grid that appears on the screen. Keeping the action flowing, it’s even possible to quick-select an item you In co-op this should be great, want from your inventory by just using but the AI needs a bit of work. the D-pad to do it. Graphically, the game impresses as Resident Evil 5 well, with real-time shadows adding to promises to be a lot the atmosphere of dread, while the looted for items. After we’d finished more story driven ramshackle shanty town provides an taking the herbs and bullets, we than previous games. unusual, but totally real-world backdrop headed out the front of the building, for the experience. We got to go only to discover that we’d reached a hands-on with two levels during our dead end, with a large metal fence trial, one of which had been demoed blocking our way. As we ran around in previously at E3. We’ll be looking at the circles, desperately trying to figure out newer level here. a way to open the gate, the situation Starting off outside in a sand-swept suddenly got a lot worse, as zombies alley, we found our way into a fragile- started pouring into the compound. looking house, which we immediately Obviously in a bit of a situation, we

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |20 Previews I’LL BE THERE FOR YOU Sheva’s got your back

Resi 5 seems packed with action sequences, but whether you’ll get to drive this truck is anyone’s guess.

Co-op Protection Hope

As with Resident Evil 4, zombies often have a little surprise waiting Co-opProtectionHope inside their freshly exploded head. WithSadly,What a Capcom the second AI holes reallyplayer were needs guiding present to doSheva, inis refineboss Resident fights the co-op Eviltoo -5 mechanic takeco-op the is surehammer to the to bepoint great fun,wieldingwhere but Sheva at monster the helps moment as you, an example.buther single-playershe doesn’t As the lead. boss AI really Atcame the isn’t towards moment, that good.us, Sheva and Instead swung can be of a lendinghisone hammer, man a killing helping we machine,ran hand, out ofSheva but the she wayends doesn’t - upbut being instead think a hindrance,for of herself.running asThe the she reliance other shoots way on a Resident Evil 5 continued zombiearound,keeping you’ve Shevasomeone followedbeen else so –meticulously us, as wellstraight as you into lining – thealive up path forwill aof be headshot, the annoying mallet. causing ifSuddenly, it’s used your for bulletwe’rethe whole shown to fly game. right an image We’reover theof keeping Sheva recoiling dying,our enemy,fingers as the who’scrossed. screen just turns been red, shot and in theit’s game gut. backtracked into the building to try over for us, through no fault of our own. and form a last stand there – our AI co-op partner, Sheva, sticking close behind as we began to pick off ran past, and engaged in a huge game zombies as they clambered over the of hide and seek around a run-down fence. A few headshots later, and an ally marketplace. Every time he got close, radioed in to tell us he was on his way, the beast would swing his giant mallet, but we’d have to carry on defending smashing several of the stalls into ourselves for a while, as he’s still several smithereens, before we nervously ran miles away. No sooner had he finished away, putting a few bullets into his talking, than a huge hulking goliath flesh, having all the effect of shooting with a mallet smashed the fence down, a tank with a pea-shooter. and focused his rage on us. Brilliant. But although this was terrifying for But this had now opened the path the first few moments, after a while we into the rest of the level, so we quickly actually started to get bored. We didn’t

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |21 Previews Resident Evil 5 continued basic mechanic. Sadly, the same was didn’t have to trigger a certain event – true for the second level – in the boss all we had to do was shoot him, until actually have to hurt him at all – fight there, all we had to do was pump he couldn’t take any more. Basically a instead, all we had to do was survive, the chainsaw guy full of lead. We didn’t glorified damage sponge, this boss and this seemed like a disappointingly have to shoot anywhere specific, we fight actually made Resident Evil 5 feel really uninventive and samey – the exact opposite of the feeling you got The co-op mechanic does while playing the fresh Resident Evil 4. away with the feeling of isolation in previous games. Taking control The controls were another point of contention with us, as they just felt Me have hammer. “The game’s structure incredibly awkward to use. With the Me smash your face! default control scheme, you could walk has been tweaked to with the left stick, and hold the right provide a less linear trigger to lift your gun, but then, in career progression, too” traditional Resi fashion, the aiming was The buildings in the on the left stick too, which felt a little shanty town are bit odd on a dual analogue controller. incredibly detailed. The ‘action’ control method felt a lot better, but still left us with a feeling of separation from the action. Overall, we’re still positive about Resident Evil 5, but for the first time since the game was announced, we now have our doubts. We only saw a small portion of the game, so we’re confident the rest will be filled with complex puzzles and inventive bosses galore, but if the game’s going to succeed, the controls will definitely need an urgent looking to.

PREVIEW FEEDBACK! Click here to tell us what HOW COMPLETE? FIRST IMPRESSIONS you think of Somehow, the headshots don’t 75% 90% quite feel as satisfying as in 4. Resident Evil 5 Looking good, but the control system needs work

CONTROL PLAYBACK OPTIONS:

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |23 Reviews CALL OF BEAUTY What impresses most about Treyarch’s return “World at War is Call of Duty: very much a game of contrasts”

through some surprisingly varied Publisher: Activision World at War environments. It still has the issues Developer: Treyarch Fighting on two fronts which go with the territory of an Heritage: Spider-Man 2, aggressively linear experience like this – Call of Duty 3 all of Duty: World at War is very the most head-shakingly bad taste namely, checkpoints leading to enemies Link: www.callofduty.com much a game of contrasts. example yet, the introduction of new magically disappearing, and AI glitches OUT NOW CYou’ve got the juxtaposition of game mode Nazi Zombies, just as the when you push further forward than Star Plane Ride two very different takes on WWII – seen end credits fade on the Campaign the game wants you to – but then through the eyes of a Russian private mode. It follows Brothers in Arms in you’d have to be actively looking to power sailsailinging or die following the Red Army push into promising to remain respectful to the break the illusion. Follow your sergeant Berlin, and a soldier fighting the war dead but then revelling in the as you’re instructed by their regularly PlaneRideStar power or sailing die Japanese as they move into Okinawa. violence with a little too much relish. barked orders and you’ll rarely spot TheWhile on-railsvoice in-game acting sections story is of have sequencesa high always standard, are been generally abut staple it’s thefairly part two of short, the Hollywood Call they’re of Duty actorsalso And then the troubling positioning of World at War is a very accomplished experience,beautifullywhose vocal donebut work the – really withone here anadds early is to an the death absolute cinematic of a doozy. team feel Asmember of you the scamper game. proving You’ll between a genuine barely serious themes of revenge and the all- piece of programming – certainly gunshock.recognise positions It’s Garyproof aboard Oldman that scripteda seaplane, past his sequences, outstanding taking hits done and Russian well, watching can accent provide fellow as the craftas volatilemany shot too-real horrors of war against thrilling, when it comes to the Campaign mode, down,memorableReznov, you’ll while momentsbe Kiefer gasping Sutherland’s as in spontaneous admiration bellow at non-linear the forces gamesmaking you events. to do exactly craft on as display. he says. blood-spattered entertainment. And in which is a taut, finely tuned ride

The game’s two vehicle sections are very enjoyable, but the tank-based level isn’t a patch on the awesome seaplane stage.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |24

Reviews Roll over screen for annotations It’s easily the most brutal Call of Duty to date, with soldiers having their throats slit in front of your eyes and others having limbs blown off.

Flame on! You’ll rarely see fire quite this spectacular.

Call of Duty continued ‘problems’ like this. If you’re looking for instead, they’re fighting for their lives, stymied slightly by the refusal to allow Modern Warfare will find World at War an immersive, atmospheric shooter, often fleeing, always frantically firing the story to interrupt the near-constant comparatively lacking. That’s despite there are few finer – you’ll visibly duck as they attempt to hold you off for as skirmishes. It means that action junkies the best efforts of Kiefer Sutherland as bullets whizz past and find yourself long as possible. It makes for a chaotic will relish almost every second, but and Gary Oldman, both putting in automatically looking up as a crashing experience whose pace rarely lets up. those looking for something as sterling vocal work – the two rank plane plummets earthward. And you’ll Indeed, that’s one of the game’s few soberingly satisfying as the bleak among the finest performances from exhale deeply when you just about real faults – there aren’t enough times Hollywood stars we’ve heard in a pull off a retaliatory neck-stab when when you can take a real breather, with videogame, a far cry from phoned-in downed by a Japanese banzai soldier the story racing by in-between stage “If you're looking efforts in games we could mention. shortly before he guts you with his loading sequences, delivered by for an atmospheric Multiplayer is a mixed bag. Playing bayonet. The main difference between announcements rather than in-game. shooter then there the campaign on a higher difficulty in this and previous Call of Duty titles is It means that you sometimes feel co-operative mode is very exciting that you’re no longer battling troops detached from the plot, and any are few finer” indeed, particularly when three others who are fighting for their country – potentially emotional moments are are involved. Not that your AI team- FREEZE FRAME Five steps to answering the Call of Duty 2 MINUTES 2 HOURS 4 HOURS 6 HOURS 8 HOURS Vengeance is incredibly sweet as Softly softly catchy Nazi. Sniping Burning ’em out – it’s like a flaming Entering the Reichstag, and not far Returning in co-op mode, and you turn the tables on those who pays homage to All Ghillied Up. hell on Peleliu Island. from your journey’s end. tackling the competitive multiplayer held you hostage. – for a while at least.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |25 Reviews PULSOMETER Signs of life There’s a distinct Near-death look to almost experiences Fragments of Berlin …Actually, it’s great fun every stage.

Grenades? Where? Nazi Zombies? Er…

Guns generally feel fairly solid, although not quite as meaty as their modern equivalents in CoD4. setup of Modern Warfare it feels like a step back. Its best bits are essentially Call of Duty continued repackaged elements from last year’s The final journey into game, while any new aspects affect the the heart of Berlin mates are bad in the single-player, but balance negatively. It’s fair to surmise culminates in a large it’s more satisfying when working as a that most players will stick with Infinity pitched battle which proper team. Even the occasional bout Ward’s effort for their multiplayer kicks. has a curiously low- of AI cheapness somehow feels Modern Warfare was a very hard act key finish. acceptable – these are troops to follow though, and it’s testament to struggling to fight a losing battle after the hard work of Treyarch that this all, and the number of enemies you’ll doesn’t feel like the lesser game by too face seems appropriate when you read large a distance. If you’ve exhausted the real-life accounts of what happened, previous title and are after more of the particularly in the East. Meanwhile, Nazi same in a different setting, then you Zombies may be in poor taste, but it’s can’t go too far wrong with World at undeniably good fun, forcing you and War. Just don’t expect to be as blown up to three others to protect a boarded away as some of the soldiers you’ll up cottage from the undead. You’ll send to their graves here. spend points gained from successful shots on opening up more of the cottage, which both increases the A sterling effort, but last number of hiding places and offers year’s game remains the more points of entry for the zombies. It’s the competitive aspect where series’ best things start to unravel slightly – World Terrific graphics and satisfying gunplay at War provides a solid online multiplayer experience but nothing Outstanding sound effects and music The most action-packed sequences more, and compared with the Weaker multiplayer than last time % are extremely well-staged. supremely addictive and well-balanced 86

CONTROL CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |27 Reviews What’s nicer to look at, Tomb Raider Lara or the backdrop?

Publisher: Eidos Underworld Developer: Crystal Dynamics Heritage: The Tomb Is gaming’s First Lady turning to the dark side? Raider series Link: www.tombraider.com erhaps considered as the golden A quick prologue follows her escape OUT NOW girl of gaming, Underworld puts from her burning home, giving gamers FIGHTING TALK PLara in a different light from the a chance to get back to grips with the word go. With a dark introduction controls, and also showing how it Scrapping, the Lara Croft way reminiscent of Hitman (complete with seems the Tomb Raider’s quest has eerie music and FMV focusing on twin turned her against even her friends. of the Mediterranean sea on a mission handguns), the opening movie sees From there the tone is set, and the to find Avalon, and with it, uncover Croft Manor in flames – with, game takes you back to where the some family mysteries, too. shockingly, Lara as the culprit. story all begins, with Lara in the middle Lara’s still got it though, with a story that pulls you in and gives you the motivation to keep going when things get tough. Oh, and tough they will get. Don’t expect an easy ride with Underworld, as Lara’s gone hardcore with a game that’s still taxing, even on the easiest setting. You’re essentially on your own for the entire adventure, and in every sense. Maps are to hand, but pretty much unreadable, and each step Split Fighting In the you take will offer another challenge. targeting fit jungle There are no hints and tips to help you along, instead it’s trial and error and in-depth examination of your FightingInSplit the targeting jungle fit In Underworld, the grapple is surroundings that will help you move Lara’sWhenNew to adrenalineyou’re this game working goes is the your up split throughout way targeting through combat, ability, the jungle, allowingso the beware longer you of toyou creatures shot fight, two the such your friend. You’ll use it to your forward through the game. moreasenemies bats the and at adrenaline once.spiders With who’ll bar multiple fills attack up. enemies Whenyou while it beinghits you its aclimb. limit, regular Youit gives issue, can youpress this the gives Y toability toshakeyou perform much them more one-shot off before of a fighting kills, you in fall thechanc to form youre. ofdoom, headshots. though. advantage time and time again. This will leave you at times severely frustrated as you spend 10 minutes

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |28 Reviews

Settings go from vast and Hmm, so who’s going bright to cramped and grey. to be first then?

Again with the grapple. Not only do you use it to pull down obstacles, it also helps you traverse the deep ruins.

Tomb Raider continued What on earth could make trying to find out where the hell the here, where do I need to go, and how Lara destroy her own home? next ledge to jump to is, or what you do I get there etc? Your eyes will find need to do to open the next doorway. the climbable ledges quicker, you’ll But, in balance, you do feel a real level clearly see the route to your end goal in of achievement when you’ve beaten front of you, and the puzzles will just the latest challenge set before you. click into place. When you get into You’ll get infuriated but you won’t give the groove you’ll find a tough but in till you win, and in truth, that’s one of rewarding game. One that may lead the things we love about Tomb Raider. you to turning off the console in The more you play however, the frustration, but one which will also more you get into the Tomb Raider have you coming back for more. mindset. As you enter each new room What also pulls you back into the you find yourself thinking like you’re on world of raiding tombs is the game’s the Crystal Maze – right, what do I have gorgeous settings, which graphically FREEZE FRAME Breaking the game down, one stage at a time… SUCKING YOU IN PROLOGUE QUICK REACTIONS MILD AMUSEMENT LOSING YOUR HEAD Expansive backgrounds suck you in. As the game’s prologue, escaping You’ll often need to react quickly, Lara’s new abilities continue to amuse Timing continues to be key in Lara’s Coming across this statue in the Thai Croft Manor is a very intriguing – especially when you’re trying to throughout the entire game. And the adventure. Get it right, or get your ruins makes you stop in your tracks. and dramatic – opening. escape from a burning, sinking ship. animation’s spot-on, too. head chopped off.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |29 Reviews PULSOMETER Signs of life The detail in the Solving yet The story becomes beams, even the way she totters down levels is amazing another puzzle! totally immersive staircases has an added touch of humanity now, and helps immerse you in her world. Sadly, although the game is still highly enjoyable, it does have one, rather large flaw, which comes in the Painful camera Collecting treasure form of the camera. Many a developer angles becomes addictive has had this problem in the past, but we’d hoped not to see it here. What? He was Annoying in any game but especially in looking at me funny! a ‘platformer’ situation, many a time we adventure that you will work through found ourselves teetering on the edge to completion. To say it’s challenging is of a beam high over some ancient ruins something of an understatement, yet Tomb Raider continued touch to the game is the detail of Lara’s unable to move the camera to see it’s definitely a game that will have you movements. For the first time, motion ahead. Yes, we admit that Lara does coming back for more. look amazing. You’ll take a few seconds capture has been used and the indeed have a nice rack, but we’d to draw in the beauty of each new area difference is clear. She has a much rather not have the camera zoom in you enter, vibrant and colourfully rich in wider range of movements available on that rather than her feet in that some cases, and dark and shadowy in now, and this makes her feel more situation, thank you very much. others. Also adding another finishing human. Climbing walls, balancing on This problem occurs quite regularly when hanging high up or trying to work out where to move to next, often Roll over screen for annotations leading to leaps of faith. Thankfully these often work out well, but when they don’t and you have to clamber your way back up to that blind spot, this adds to the game’s frustration level. All in all, even with its flaws, Underworld is an enjoyable Lara

“Even with its flaws, There are some minor niggles, but they won’t Underworld is an stop you playing adventure you'll work through to Gorgeous graphics and detail completion” Tough but rewarding challenges Stupid camera 81%

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |30 Reviews SmackDown

Publisher: THQ vs. Raw 2009 Developer: Yukes! Heritage: The This year’s game is a big hitter SmackDown series Link: www. icture the scenario… You’ve got crawls towards your corner and just as smackdownvsraw.com a few friends round, and are he’s about to be cut off, he makes the OUT NOW BUILD A BETTER BRAWLER Putilising SmackDown vs. Raw tag. The crowd goes wild. You jump 2009’s redesigned Tag Team mode to into the ring and use your newly Your wrestler, how you want it engage in a bit of two-on-two warfare. gained finisher on your opponent. As Beth Pheonix has quite a Your partner’s getting utterly destroyed your partner cuts off your other friend, mouth on her. Even her in the ring and his momentum meter’s you go for the pin. One, two, three… scream can knock Mickie over. depleted, but then a flame starts to One of the most redesigned features glow underneath the bar. Slowly, he in this year’s SmackDown game is the tag team matches, which have received a heck of a lot of strategic balancing and tweaking. The aforementioned ‘hot tag’ gives the matches a much more TV-like feel, and add an extra level of urgency in heated multiplayer bouts, but thankfully they’re not the only tweaks in this year’s game, as SmackDown finally feels like a true sequel again. Create-a- Personality Create-an- Reel ’em in wrestler ability One of the greatest features in this year’s game is the Highlight Reel. At any point, during any match, you can pause Create-a-personalityCreate-an-abilityCreate-a-wrestler the game and access the Highlight Reel OnceThings you’ve are a bitstarteddone different that winning you’ll in this havea fewyear’s a matches, person, SmackDown but you’ll you’ll game, start start tobut unlock off as withthe abilities. best a measly place to view the last few seconds of the overallTheseto start are ratingis from2009’s of the 39.version beginning, That’s of pathetic, fighting you’ll wantstyles,and it to needsand head you to canbethe improved. assignCreate-a-wrestler several Rather to each than buyingwrestler.mode as points, soon Ranging as or you taking from can. the partChoose ability in incredibly from to use the thenew boring ref parts, as training a marvelshield, like atto thelastrolling physic-year, out head of match. Of course, you have free control overthebased way to hair, the in theandCareer ring, make mode, they someone helpand wrestle you who create looks a few alike wrestler matches. he could with eat the your style gran. you want. over the camera this whole time, and

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |31 Reviews FREEZE FRAME How to wrestle with the game without any long-term scarring 15 MINUTES 45 MINUTES 1 HOUR 2 HOURS 8 HOURS Create your very own wrestler with Now it’s time to take your creation The story’s good, the action’s great – Change track a bit, and get cracking You’re still going through the Career the all-new parts supplied. on the Road to Wrestlemania. bring a friend in to join you. on the Career mode. mode, levelling your person up.

SmackDown continued Wrestlemania lets you take one of six wrestlers through three months of “For the first by pressing the A button, you can save story-based action, with several time ever, the clip to your hard drive. And don’t nostalgic points in there for long time SmackDown Pause it at any time, worry If you’re lucky enough to have fans. The commentary in these manoeuvre the several amazing moments in a single matches helps a heck of a lot as well, features a camera, and watch match, as you can save a few clips at providing the same extra insight into co-op story the beat down in any time. Once you’re done with the the feuds as the commentators do on slow motion. match, simply quit out and head into TV. For the first time ever, SmackDown mode” the Highlight Reel to edit them all vs. Raw 2009 also features a co-op story together. It’s great fun, and adds a real mode. Letting you and a friend play as shine to the game. either Rey Mysterio or Batista, this is Letting you add clips, choose easily one of the highlights of this year’s camera angles and then add special story, and something we want to see effects, sound or commentary, the make its return next year. Highlight Reel is like a mini editing desk, but is as fully featured as you’d Plan a new career hope. Even better, when you’re On the other end of the scale, the watching your matches back in slow Career mode is almost the exact motion, you’ll notice little things you’ve opposite, letting you take any wrestler never noticed before – from the sweat through a series of non-story driven dripping down the wrestlers’ bodies, to matches, simply with the intention of how realistic the facial expressions are. building up your stats, unlocking Once you’ve finished editing, you can awards, gaining new abilities and upload the clip to a central server for winning championship belts. When all to see – much to the embarrassment you pick your character, you’ll be given of your friends. an initial starting path, but where you Rounding out the fantastic new go from there is up to you. Each week John Morrison’s looking a bit too options are the Road to Wrestlemania, you’ll pick an opponent and have a happy about his tag partner’s demise. and Career modes. For starters, Road to match, which will be rated, earning

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |32 Reviews PULSOMETER Signs of life Creating a wrestler There’s no online Get delved into the SmackDown continued is always fun achievements! Career mode you stars. Once you’ve collected a certain amount of stars you’ll be able to challenge for a championship – win that, and it’s onwards and upwards. This is the only Career mode you can Getting your arse handed Beginning your Road use your CAW in, but it’s also a great to you online to Wrestlemania way for raising your stats. In each and every match you complete, you’ll gain points depending on how you wrestled. If you use lots of submission Raw 2009 has made a huge comeback moves, you’ll grow into a submission this year. Much like Hulk Hogan, you master – beat your opponent senseless can never count SmackDown out – just with a chair, and you’ll become when you think it’s down, it’ll hulk up, hardcore. It’s a much more natural and come right back at you. progression than the manual ‘choose You can even make a what you want to train in’ from last custom signature move, year, and makes the whole process that using the Create-a-finisher. much more involving. It may have been on the blink for the last few years, but SmackDown vs.

There are also loads of divas to (ahem) get your hands on. It’s a beautifully realised world with some truly affecting sights.

A great update with some clever and smart new features, too

Look at the pattern on his Great Highlight Reel trousers. You can tell things have Plenty of single-player depth had a lick of paint all round. Feels like a true improvement 89%

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |33 Reviews PARCEL FORCE “It’s parkour Why you should have Faith in this delivery girl crossed with that Mirror’s Edge jerky-cam chase sequence from the A leap of Faith… end of The Matrix”

t’s really best to think of Mirror’s You play Faith, a surly young woman told in animated cutscenes, which look Publisher: Activision Edge as a platformer from an whose job as a ‘runner’ is to leg it stylish enough but jar with the overall Developer: DICE unusual perspective rather than around the city’s rooftops, staying out aesthetic. It would have been better to Heritage: Battlefield: I a first-person shooter without guns. of the way of the Blues (police) while keep it all in first-person. Bad Company Especially as it does have some guns delivering packages of an unknown It’s a particularly curious decision Link: www.mirrorsedge.com in it, but that’s beside the point. It’s nature. On an early assignment, the given how wonderful the game looks OUT NOW parkour crossed with that jerky-cam cops seem a little more aggressive than when you’re playing. This might be a Turn it up Hardcore Back for chase sequence from the end of The usual, and it turns out Faith is a wanted future dystopia, but it’s a bloody good- Matrix. It’s free-running where you woman – for reasons which will soon looking one, all Ikea interiors, retina- techtechnono more spend most of your time free-falling. become all too clear. Her sister Kate is bleachingly white surfaces and It’s incredibly fluid at times, and in trouble, too – a police officer framed mirrored glass. Hell, even the sewers TurnHardcoreBack itfor up more techno frustratingly stop-start at others. It’s a for murder, her fate hangs in the look pretty. It makes a refreshing TheAndWhile bestthat’s story thing not mode theabout doesn’tonly the reason sound go beyond to effects pump a single-figure isup that the you volume almost number – the don’t pulsingof hoursnotice techno (and them game which is easy to review but balance while Faith attempts to clear atmusicindeed first is –feels the a testament perfectmuch shorter soundtrack, to how on wellsubsequent getting they fit your andplaythroughs) blood how real racing they the during sound.real meat chase Faith’s of the difficult to score. It’s a bit of a contrary her sibling’s name. In truth, the plot’s breathingsequences,game is arguably getting and providing in shallower the speedruns soothing, and louder and almost time-trials, as she relaxing sprints, which backing huffs sees ofwhile you exertion competing you’re as bugger, to be frank. Read on though, not really a highlight – flimsily shetryingagainst drags to other solve herself gamers a puzzle up and to or acethe get theclank past courses ofa tricky her in trainers indoorthe quickest onplatforming metallic possible sur section. times.faces. and all will be revealed. constructed, the bulk of the story is

It’s one of the most striking game worlds you’ll ever see – and the small graphical niggles don’t detract from the wonderful consistency of the aesthetic.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |34

Reviews Roll over screen for annotations There are some really exciting sequences where you just need to run away as fast as you possibly can.

The animated cutscenes are visually striking, but they don’t really fit with the fairly realistic look of the rest of the game.

Mirror’s Edge continued change from the browns and greys so them absolutely spot on. They’re couple of chapters. Advanced which take serious practice to master, prevalent this generation, and it was an unconventional, that’s for sure – the left techniques use a combination of the particularly as half the time you’ll be inspired idea to set each stage at a bumper used to ‘move up’ and the left two, plus precision timing to get round concentrating on simply escaping different time of day to give the familiar trigger to ‘move down’, two commands the city quicker – these are something from the Blues. a new tinge. Some textures look a little which encompass a hell of a lot. It’s the Note the ‘almost’ from the start of duff up close, but the idea is that you former you’ll be using to leap between “Some textures look the previous paragraph. The truth is shouldn’t be spending too long in one buildings, but it’s also used to vault low a little duff up close, that Mirror’s Edge can be truly finicky at place to notice anyway – when at full obstacles or to clamber over railings to times about what it asks of the player, speed, the world flies by in a blur, and higher ground. You can use the latter but the idea is that requiring something close to pinpoint you often won’t have enough time to to drop from high ledges, slide under you shouldn't be precision on some jumps. On the take in some of the glorious sights the hurdles or to crouch behind cover spending too long in default controller sensitivity, it’s often artists have produced. when being fired upon. It’s a system too twitchy, making it sometimes A game like this lives or dies on its which takes some getting used to, but one place to notice” difficult to line up a straight leap, and controls, and Mirror’s Edge almost gets it becomes pretty intuitive after the first you’ll find Faith falling to her death FREEZE FRAME A hop, a skip and a hefty jump through Mirror’s Edge 10 MINUTES 2 HOURS 4 HOURS 6 HOURS 8 HOURS Finally nailing that jump onto that Descending down into the sewers – One of the shortest and most Messing about on boats – and Climbing The Shard, but watch out pipe at the fifth attempt. and getting quickly back out again! unusual ‘boss battles’ ever. getting closer to the truth. for those snipers…

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |35 Reviews PULSOMETER Signs of life Expect to fall often. It’ll take some The learning The annoyance of The addiction of time before you instinctively know of the ropes the mall the speedrunner when you can make a jump or not.

The thrill of The thrill of the chased the chaser

You’ll need more than just straight punches to get past your opponents’ defences. Longevity isn’t an issue, however – speedruns and time-trials see to that Mirror’s Edge continued – and the game becomes vastly more In several stages you’ll enjoyable on a second playthrough, have helicopters shooting more than is entirely enjoyable. There’s when you’re no longer wondering at you – mostly they’ll a fine line between challenge and whether Faith can really make that have to be avoided. frustration, and too often things tip seemingly impossible jump, or if that over into the latter category. One handhold is within reach. Here, the section in a mall requires not only skill parkour becomes more fluid, and you but luck – with police firing on you, it’s can spend time appreciating the down to chance whether you make glorious playgrounds DICE has given the leap intact. Of course, you could you to leap around. venture down to take them out, but For all those moments of controller- given the awkward melee attacks and hurling irritation, you won’t have clunky gun combat – presumably played anything remotely like this deliberate, as there are rewards for before. As a truly envelope-pushing Hand-to-hand combat is a little pacifism – you’ll be reluctant to do so. title, Mirror’s Edge undoubtedly awkward, as it’s all too easy to run These spikes aren’t too plentiful, but deserves to be experienced. or slide past moving opponents. seem to be there purely to extend the game’s lifespan – most will probably complete the game in around seven Unique, thrilling and to eight hours, and it took us just essential gaming under nine. But, having said that, Mirror’s Edge really is the perfect length – any longer and repetition Stunning aesthetics could potentially set in – it’s a testament to DICE’s design skill that it Utterly exhilarating in places mixes gameplay elements up enough A few cheap difficulty spikes % to prevent boredom. 85

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INTERVIEW HIROSHI TAKAI EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW The Last Re mna nt director ta lks tactics, Massive hands-on guide inside... tradition & technology CONTROL

“The Last Remnant boasts characters, weapons and a general aesthetic which are more cosmopolitan than you might ordinarily expect” Welcome t can sometimes be difficult for a developer to diversify from the genre it specialises in. Square Enix is undoubtedly the master of the Japanese I role-playing game (or JRPG for short) and has released a number of classic titles which have appealed to a great many gamers in its country of origin. Yet, outside its most popular series – the Final Fantasy titles – the genre isn’t nearly as popular in The West. With the Western videogame market on the rise, Square Enix needed to broaden its range a little – and it has done so effectively with The Last Remnant. It’s a game which stirs in ingredients from traditional JRPGs but infuses those elements with a sprinkling of Western-friendly mechanics – a very different type of turn-based battle system that plays out almost like a strategy game, and characters, weapons and a general aesthetic which are more cosmopolitan than you might ordinarily expect. It has had a tremendous localisation, with cutscenes that are fully lip-synced with the Western dialogue, and a script that avoids the stilted, earnest feel of many more po-faced role-playing games. In short, it deserves to be the breakthrough European hit the company is hoping it will be. We spent several hours playtesting the early part of the game, and were impressed by what we saw. Read our impressions over the next few pages and find out why you should be getting excited about one of the biggest RPGs of this year. Use the Play and Stop controls to the left, Enjoy the issue, © 2008 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. or click here to see the enhanced version! Unreal® Engine, Copyright 1998-2008 Epic Games, Inc. All rights reserved. Chris Schilling CONTROL

PREVIEW The Last Remnant Publisher: Exclusive hands-on with Square Enix’s latest epic Square Enix he Last Remnant is a hugely market. The Square-published Infinite Developer: As you move around townships your Square Enix significant title for Square Undiscovery took baby steps cursor will shift around to highlight Enix in that it represents this towards establishing the publisher in items and people of interest – most Heritage: proud Japanese company’s Europe and the US, but Last offer simple background but some Final Fantasy T can provide side-missions. Dragon Quest clearest statement of intent yet Remnant is a much more Kingdom Hearts to attract a western audience. It confident and purposeful stride Link: www. might still have a turn-based forward into relatively uncharted lastremnant-game. battle system, and weave its territory for one of Japan’s com story around a young man biggest videogame companies. with a hitherto-untapped But can the actual game live up ETA: 20th Nov power, but in so many to such lofty expectations? other respects this is a From our time spent with clear tilt at the western the game we’d have to say yes – The Last Remnant manages the tricky balancing act of appealing to both a western and Japanese audience, without ever seeming like a compromise. undoubtedly please those who’ve It could potentially have thus far resisted the charms of this “The Last Remnant been a game with an identity particular genre. will appeal to both a crisis, but it mixes familiar The action starts when a young man elements of old JRPGs with named Rush Sykes (whose moniker Western and a more western-centric design just about epitomises the Athlum is the first town area you’ll come across, and is Japanese audience” the place where you’ll meet the Four Generals – proud decisions that will culture-clash here) runs into warriors who represent the Athlumian army.

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Pagus is your standard magic user – good with the spells, but needs to be “Engaging in kept protected, as he’s Rush’s sister Irina is kidnapped fairly weak otherwise. combat is a simple as the game begins by a group of soldiers, the leader of whom matter of pulling the makes use of a powerful flying enemy while exploring – rather than right trigger” Remnant to spirit her away. random encounters you’ll be able to see your foes in the field, and can avoid them if you’re not in the mood for a scrap. Engaging in combat is a simple matter of pulling the right trigger when you’re within range, whereupon a circle appears, with any creatures inside brought in to fight – allowing you to tackle multiple monster before you’ve had chance enemies at once, for higher risk but to squeeze that trigger then they will greater reward. Getting hold of start with the upper-hand in battle. The Last Remnant enemies isn’t quite as simple as this Get there first and you’ve got a much sounds – icons above their heads let better chance of settling things continued you know whether they’re likely to quickly and efficiently. Once you’ve trouble while looking for his missing approach or flee when they spot entered the battle screen, there’s Icons above enemies’ sister. Stumbling upon a huge battle you, and should you bump into a quite a lot of information to process, heads in the field let you between two large armies, you’re know whether they’re likely immediately thrust into an opening to attack, remain docile or skirmish which doubles as an flee in your presence. introduction to the game’s combat mechanics. Instead of controlling single units, you’ll fight using unions though it’s all drip-fed through – groups of two or more combatants the first couple of dungeons so who will all act according to your things never get overwhelming. commands. While this opening battle You’ll see your own unions lining is pretty simple – your enemies are up against the enemy’s – usually finished off with a blast from a each major character will gigantic weapon which is one of the get one union each, with mystical remnants of the title – one or more member to things get quite a lot more complex. fight alongside the chief Are you sitting comfortably? Then protagonists. So for example in let’s begin. an early trek to a place called Use the Play and Stop controls to the left, Robelia Ruins, we were joined THE ENEMY WITHIN or click here to see the enhanced version! by Pagus, a member of Battles begin when you encounter an an amphibious race

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Emma Honeywell may not have the most threatening name, but she’s a battle- hardened soldier with a stern manner. Command and conquer Let battle commence... On the opportunities where you get a special action command during battle, The Last Remnant a perfectly-timed button press can often lead to further chances to continued enhance your union’s attacks. named qsiti, who gave us the power to use mystic arts – or magic, if you’re a little more traditionalist - in combat. Rather than just simple “It’s important to make ‘attack’ or ‘defend’ commands, the sure you start battles on orders you can give a union are a little more specific – ‘attack with the front foot” combat arts!’ uses up more action points (AP) than its more straightforward equivalent, while you First Strike Mastering Locked can also ask unions to reserve their Roll over screen for annotations the arts and loaded strength to a certain degree by asking them to ‘keep your HP up’ which will usually involve one troop in that particular union attacking FirstMasteringLocked Strike and the loaded arts while the other uses a health potion. It’sInThere combat, important are a the number to arts make youof suredifferent use youbecome startways more battlesto start powerful on a Deadlockthe frontthe footmorewith –an oftencatching enemy you –angive you enemy thatcan specific immediatelyunawares command or engage simply – whileensuringthem theyfor youa TRADE UNION drawusestandard up them more attack, in actionbefore although points they bump ifthan you’ve standardinto more you isthanattacks, important one they’reunion for to These commands change regularly teamusuallycall upon, morale. stronger, the Shouldother and can youwill pull buildstumble off up a flankeveninto afurtherattack. creature ifIf you in thereally throughout the battle sequences, field,continuewant tothe outnumber tolegend use them.Enemy an Thisopponent, Advantage allows youyou will can tobe create flankdisplayed, them specialist youronce however, depending upon the union’sunionsmore from -morale if you’re the rearwill travelling drop for a significantly really with powerfultwo other and move. theyunions will Raidlocks it’s get a free current situation – should an allied attack.sensibleare occasionally to focus available one on mystic – allowing arts youand toone target on combat, distant union be struggling, you’ll be able to thusenemies creating for a aone-time well-balanced opening army. attack which does more dash to their aid with a command of damage than usual. ‘save them, no matter what’ – risking one union to rescue

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Perfect the timing for Critical Trigger “Battles can be moves, and you’ll increase your chances in battle – raising morale and improving frenetic, particularly attacking and defensive power. The Last Remnant when several unions continued are fighting it out” another. Orders are also affected by the morale bar, which ebbs and flows during the course of each enemies to deal more damage, or skirmish according to which side is even get flanked yourself, or on top. The positioning and timing of interrupt an enemy rushing towards your attacks is key, as you can flank your back line by leaving one of your unions in the way. Once you’ve engaged with an enemy union, you QUICKFIRE QUIZ enter a state of Deadlock, which sees both unions battle it out until one is down – and once you’ve defeated all unions, the battle is won. be able to order them around until extra damage or additional points There’s even more to it than that, the end of the fight. It might sound a which affect the loot you’re able to with the likes of Guest Unions who little bewildering, but it soon take home once you’ve finished. you cannot assign battle commands becomes second nature when you’re to, and Botches – which occur when playing and leads to some frenetic, RETAIL THERAPY a union’s leader falls and you won’t chaotic battles, particularly when Venture into the game’s towns with several unions are fighting it out. your hard-earned spoils, and you’ll There are even timed commands notice that each one is split into a that lend a bit more urgency to series of small areas, with the proceedings once you’ve issued your notable shops and other points of orders – simply pressing the right interest highlighted on the city map, button at the right time can execute allowing you to see at an instant a Critical Trigger – for a more where you need to be, rather than powerful attack or more effective aimlessly wandering around, trying defensive manoeuvre (often with the every door to see what you can find. added sting of a counter). Should It’s an impressively streamlined you find your team’s morale high, system, that, coupled with some When in the field you can you’ll even get the opportunity to very short loading times, cuts down slow down time via your immediately repeat the process, the busywork found in many other talisman – squeeze the right when the legend ‘teamwork’ appears JRPGs. You’ll find the usual bumper and you have extra – allowing you to chain attacks for item, weapon, armour and time to drag enemies into battle, or to escape their grasp. CONTROL

The Last Remnant potion shops, and if the first town of Athlum is anything to go by, there continued will be plenty of pubs and guilds to visit – the former useful when requiring information about sidequests and the like, with the latter providing other missions to You’ll get very little back for selling items level up your characters or just to you’ve purchased, but anything brought provide a break from the main story from battle tends to fetch a tidy price – quests. Should you happen to be particularly any captured monsters. about to visit a particularly dangerous area, you can even spend money on hired muscle to help you “The Last Remnant through the more difficult A nice touch sees your encounters. Another neat touch is is all about taking selected union clashing the ability to sell on the bodies of swords with enemies the monsters you slay for significant things in a different every now and again profit, or to split their corpses into while they await your direction” orders. their constituent parts, which are less valuable, but often used in items or armour. with some pulsing rhythmic This fearsome fish-man is an ugly brute named Blocter, whose percussion and the occasional powerful axe blows can deal devastating damage to enemy unions. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE squealing electric guitar lick This being a Square Enix title, The changing things up a little from the story events to keep traditionalists Last Remnant’s presentation is usual orchestral bombast. Indeed, hooked. For a game which risked typically polished, with large and The Last Remnant is all about taking appearing schizophrenic by the way well-animated characters and things in a different direction – it mixes elements of both eastern detailed backdrops. The character there’s even a little blood spray and western-centric role-playing and enemy designs are exceptional, when you connect with your attacks, games, it’s remarkable that it retains while the voice acting is which is unusual for a Square Enix its own definite identity - with a generally very impressive, and game. deep, tactical combat system it’s nice to see that lip-syncing Yet JRPG fans needn’t worry, either – welded to a thoroughly enjoyable bit matches the western dialogue. there are still enough spiky-haired of escapist hokum. In mixing those Meanwhile the music offers heroes, gigantic fish-people, exciting battles with a compelling something a little less traditional ridiculously large swords and story, Last Remnant really does than your standard RPG themes, charmingly innocent characters and offer the best of both worlds.

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INTERVIEW Hiroshi Takai The Last Remnant director discusses tactics, tradition and technology iroshi Takai has worked on behind these inventive fight head from the beginning but, frankly, the battle systems for mechanics to find out exactly what I have no idea how it got in there. several Square Enix games, makes the game tick. Hmaking him the ideal Was the idea of a more tactical candidate for director of a game The Last Remnant has a really combat setup inspired or whose combat is entirely unique to innovative battle system. How influenced by any other games? the RPG genre. We spoke to the man did the idea for it come about? We held “brain storming” sessions When development of the previous on the basis of the aforementioned game was completed, I started basic concept and began to cast getting ideas together with a desire them into shape such as the union to create a new game where the formation and the moral gauge. As player only needs to enter one for what inspired us, I suppose that command to get all the games we have been involved in characters in action. This before must have given an influence basic concept was and so must various other games, somehow stored in my films and animation works that we have personally experienced. However, any possible influences would have been only given “We attempted to shift our usual style of visual Takai-san has been working on Square Enix titles for over fifteen expressions towards years, with the Romancing SaGa series among his best-known work. something more realistic”

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It’s best to try and keep all your unions alive to give you greater strength in numbers – even if Early battles can be over in just a one group is low on energy it few turns, but larger boss creatures can still turn the tide in battle. and more epic battles require constant readjustment of tactics.

Interview continued on my sub-consciousness and I cannot single out exactly which ones have inspired me. “We took the policy realistically and we thought the Are you concerned that this The game seems to be geared to increase in-game game would look strange unless switch to a more western- more towards a western realism – the blood blood and bodily fluids are described friendly style of gameplay will audience than previous Square as well, as they would naturally be alienate Japanese gamers or Enix titles. Was it difficult to came with it” visible when an attack is made. I those fond of traditional JRPGs? break with tradition and attempt could say that we took the policy of Even if we produce a game with something that was less your weapon, you’ll see a bit of increasing the level of in-game an intention of making it obviously Japanese? blood. Is that down to the desire realism in order to appeal to I regarded it as a positive challenge to appeal to a western audience Western players and expressions of to keep all JP, US and EU in mind who seem to accept more blood came with it consequently. regarding game appearances and realistic violence? Will the Considering the Japanese sense, it the in-game universe. On the other Japanese game lose that blood would be less likely that home hand, we had a really tough time effect? players find bloody scenes uplifting. localising the game and coordinating In this game, we made attempts to However, we are prepared to the development schedule in order shift our usual style of visual express blood as necessary, to release this work simultaneously. expressions slightly towards particularly if lack of it would cause something more realistic. Following a feel of incongruity or negatively The longer a battle goes on, Unusually for a Square Enix title, these efforts, the characters and the affect the consistency of the game the greater your chances of when you make contact with background are depicted more concepts. being able to pull off more powerful, specialised attacks.

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It’s unusual to see a Japanese game with blood visible in combat, but The Last Remnant is no Gears of War in the gore stakes.

While The Last Remnant’s characters have been designed to appeal to western audiences, there’s still a very definite Japanese flavour to the game.

battle scenes, with plenty of sections to minimise the time characters fighting on screen at spent wandering around. Will the once – do you think that this game feature some larger areas proves that Japanese developers to potentially get lost in, or is the are catching up with Western whole game more streamlined ones when it comes to making than other more epic role- the most of the current-gen playing games? consoles? Although the maps with no “symbol “The in-game I feel as though I have finally began targets” have been streamlined, to see various issues as the first there are still some huge dungeons Interview continued universe can expand work has been completed. I am in the game. aware of aspects which would be As for the story, will we find out appealing to Western players, the itself as far as we improved if we were to produce a exactly how the Remnants arrived in “Japanese taste” would invariably be want it to” game now and have gained some the world, or is that to be kept as a exuded out of it. As long as the confidence in taking on the current- mystery? game has this “taste” within it, I think gen and next-gen consoles in the Please save it till you find out it will always be found enjoyable by of expanding itself as far as we want future. With our next work or the one yourself by playing the game! Japanese players as well. it to. Having said that, the possibility after, we may be capable of of making it into a series was not on competing on even ground against Finally, which aspect of the Is The Last Remnant intended as my mind during the development games released by top developers in game are you most proud of? a one-off standalone title, or are stages and, even now, I have no the West. It is the sensation the player can you hoping it will be the start of immediate intension of moving on to enjoy during a battle. I expect you a long-running franchise? make a sequel. The game’s towns and other will experience an adrenaline rush Regarding the in-game universe, it settlements are unusual in that especially in a battle against a has been made to have the potential There’s a lot going on in the they’re split into bite-sized powerful boss enemy.

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