FREE! NAVIGATE Issue 19 | June 2008 PLUS! FREE INSIDE

360Free Magazine For 360 .ZineRead it, Print it, Send it to your mates… II SUPPLEMENT MASSIVE REVIEW ENEMY TERRITORY: WARS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW NINJA GAIDEN II

PLUS! RACE DRIVER: GRID PREVIEW Full review SBK08 HANDS-ON SUPERBIKE WORLD THE BOURNE CHAMPIONSHIP CONSPIRACY CONTROL a NAVIGATE |02

QUICK FINDER Don’t miss! This month’s top highlights Every gam e’s just a click a w ay! Banjo Kazooie: Tennis 3 Nuts & Bolts Dead Space Viva Pinata: Trouble Bayonetta in Paradise The Bourne Spectral Force 3 Conspiracy 2 Ninja Gaiden II and Quake are two of those gaming Fable 2 SBK-08 legends that still send shivers down my spine, Banjo Kazooie: Destroy all Humans: Enemy Territory: so it’s no surprise that Enemy Territory: Quake Enemy Territory: Nuts & Bolts Path of the Furon Quake Wars Wars was received with some anticipation Fi r st Lo o k Pre vi e w Smash Court Race Driver: GRID when it arrived in the office, just days before going to ‘press’. Kieron Gillen had the honour of Quake Wars MORE FREE MAGAZINES! LATEST ISSUES! reviewing it so don’t miss his definitive verdict. MASSIVE REVIEW Also reviewed this issue, Codemasters continues in strong style with the release of Race Driver: GRID. Elsewhere we have an exclusive interview with Ninja Gaiden II’s Tomonobu Itagaki, extended hands-on previews of Bourne Ninja Gaiden II Conspiracy, and SBK-08 Superbike World Excl usi ve I nte rvi e w Championship, along with first look previews of Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts; Viva Pinata: DON’T MISS ISSUE 20 SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE ! Trouble In Paradise; and Spectral Force 3. Enjoy the issue... WARN I NG! MU LTIM E D IA D I SABLE D! 360Zine D a n H u tc h i n s o n , E d i to r Race Driver: GRID I f you a re read i ng this, t hen you d idn’t choose “Play” FEEDBACK! 360z i n e@g a m e rz i n e s. co m Will it take the chequered flag? when Adobe Reade r a s ked you about mult i med ia when Click here to you op e ned t he maga z i ne. tell us what you think of Without the multimedia playing, the magazine will look correct, but you will the new issue. be missing out on all of the extra conte nt built into each issue, like videos, a nimated screenshots, annotations, quiz zes, competitions and more. MEET THE We recommend you close a nd re - open the magazine and se lect “ Play” when TEAM Chris Steve Hill Kieron Gillen asked a bout the multimedia to e njoy the magazine as inte nded. Pro b a b l y th e b est Schilling Had the pleasure of See what he makes of The Bourne Conspiracy g a m es write r s o n Was Bourne to kill Ninja Gaiden II Quake Wars Hands-On Preview th e p l a n e t CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |03 Previews

We’re not completely sold on the art style, but FIRST LOOK there’s no doubting Banjo has some serious technical chops, and Publisher: some nice detail, too. Developer: Banjo Kazooie: Heritage: Goldeneye, Link: http://banjo- PREVIEW FEEDBACK! kazooie.com Nuts & Bolts ETA: Christmas Click here to Building the perfect platformer tell us what you think of Banjo Kazooie: BackWhat’s in the days the of ’s story? N64 console, Rare’s Banjo Nuts & Bolts Kazooie was a superb 3D platformer that was beaten only by Nintendo’s own Super Mario 64 – which still remains one of the finest 3D platformers you’ll ever play. With Mario Galaxy currently wowing owners the world over, the developer has taken a completely different tack this time, with a “The idea is that central mechanic that’s more Meccano than Mario. you can create any vehicle you want We’reWhat more do than happywe toknow? dish out massive dollops of kudos to Rare for trying with a simple something completely different, and from what we’ve seen so far, the new assembly system” approach may be a stroke of genius. The idea is that you can create any vehicle you want with a simple assembly system, from parts you discover as you explore the huge levels. These can range from four wheelers which can negotiate rocky landscapes and spring-bounce over obstacles, to winged vehicles which allow you to ascend to previously unreachable heights. It all seems to work brilliantly, and offers a genuine alternative to the gravity-defying leaps and bounds of Galaxy.

It’sWhen out at Christmas,do we there’ll get probably more? be a demo before that, and we’re hoping to get a lengthier hands-on with the game between now and then.

TheAnything Rare team has createdelse almost to all thedeclare? major Star Wars vehicles with the game’s construction set, as well as the USS Enterprise, and the Challenger shuttle with detachable rockets. Wow. Rare have thoughtfully provided If you can imagine it, you can build it – a set of co-operative and assuming you have the right pieces, that is. competitive challenges alongside the sizeable single-player mode. CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |04 Previews

The game’s plot involves raising as many types FIRST LOOK of pinata as possible to replace the deleted data from the computer records at Pinata Central. Viva Pinata: Publisher: Microsoft Developer: Rare Heritage: Perfect Dark Zero, Grabbed by Trouble in Paradise the Ghoulies Link: www.xbox.com/en- The sweet-scatterers return in this gorgeous sequel US/games/v/vptip ETA: September TheWhat’s original Vivathe Pinata story?didn’t quite perform as well as expected (nor sell as much as PREVIEW it clearly deserved to), but it did manage to pick up a large enough following for FEEDBACK! Microsoft to fund a sequel. The one problem with the first game was its relative Micromanagement won’t be Click here to tell inaccessibility to the younger gamers it was clearly geared towards. Rectifying that quite as intense and complex us what you issue is just one of several key changes Rare has made this time. And so far the as before, making it easier think of Viva results are looking very promising indeed. for new gamers to play. Pinata: Trouble in Paradise There’s more variety in the environments than ItWhat arguably dolooks evenwe nicerknow? than the gorgeous original, but it’s the gameplay that’s in the original, and the seen the most improvements. 32 new pinatas are featured, and there’s a genuinely new species of pinata innovative use of the Xbox Live Vision camera. The peripheral allows you to scan mean it should appeal to specially printed cards to drop content into the game, but you can also customise those who loved the first pinatas, take a snap in the game’s new photo mode and send them to your friends’ as much as newcomers. gardens. A Just For Fun option makes things easier for youngsters, while a new co-operative two-player mode is the icing on a particularly feature-packed cake.

WhenThe pinatas do returnwe inget September. more? As with Banjo, we’re hoping to spend more “There’s a time with the game before its release. And when we have more information genuinely to share then we promise that you’ll be the first to know. innovative use of the Xbox Live ThemedAnything object packs else giving youto further declare? customisation options, and a trick- Vision camera” teaching system which uses the right stick to let your pinatas show off helps to round off the impressive list of new features.

CONTROL It’s good to rule the world. Lead your civilization from the dawn of man to the space age and beyond, in an all new Civilization created exclusively for console and handheld systems. Go head-to-head with history’s greatest leaders as you wage war, conduct diplomacy, discover new technologies and build the most powerful empire the world has ever known.

PLAYBACK OPTIONS:

www.civilizationrevolution.com

13 June 2008

© 2005–2008 Take-Two Interactive Software and its subsidiaries. Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution, Civ, Civilization, Games, the 2K Games logo, Firaxis Games, the Firaxis Games logo and Take-Two Interactive Software are all “�” and “PLAYSTATION” are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Xbox, , Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software. All rights reserved. Microsoft. NINTENDO DS IS A TRADEMARK OF NINTENDO. CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |06 Previews

Though it’s a FIRST LOOK complicated game, its controls are intuitive, Publisher: and use the 360 Developer: controller sensibly. Heritage: Blazing Souls, Spectral Force 3 Chaos Wars Link: www.atlus.com/ Meet the new ghost squad spectralforce3 ETA: Q3 2008 LocalisationWhat’s kingsthe Atlus story?are bringing this quirky Japanese strategy RPG to the west. It tells the intriguing tale of a band of mercenaries, fighting Finding the right mix of other warring factions in a mythical world called Neverland. team members is key to It shouldn’t be confused with Peter Pan’s home though, as success. Ninjas are agile, but this is a dark, dangerous place where humans and demons are best used alongside fight for dominance. more powerful recruits to protect them from damage. Well,What if you’ve do ever we played know? games like the excellent Disgaea or Final Fantasy Tactics (and there’s a pretty good chance that you have), then you’ll have a fair idea of what to expect here. Spectral Force uses a grid-based system that’s similar to the aforementioned titles for its movement and battling, the latter of which should provide plenty of variety, given that there are a total of forty recruitable characters for your The visuals are functional party to collect, and each has his or her own unique rather than spectacular, offensive moves. Its whopping 150 missions span around though the 2D anime character art impresses. fifty hours of gameplay, ensuring that you’ll get excellent value for money here, too.

It’sWhen hitting thedo US atwe the endget of July,more? and will likely reach the UK within a few months of its Stateside launch. PREVIEW FEEDBACK! Click here to tell AsAnything with most S-RPGs, else you’ll be toable todeclare? combine components to your own us what you accessories and weapons. With ten different factions taking part in the Great think of Neverland War, you’ll certainly have your work cut out staying on top, especially if Spectral Force 3 the series’ tough difficulty has been maintained.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |07 Previews Destroy all Humans: Path of the Furon Publisher: THQ | ETA: Q4 2008 Having effectively lampooned the Fifties and Sixties with the previous Destroy All Humans titles, THQ has Fable 2 moved another decade forward in A fistful of top new titles coming to 360... Publisher: Microsoft | ETA: Winter this threequel. While Big Willy Sensibly, Peter Molyneux seems Unleashed for the Wii disappointed, to be under some kind of the extra development time this has gagging order, preventing him been given leaves us optimistic that from waxing lyrical about what it can more than match up to its Publisher: Microsoft | ETA: November he’d like to put in Fable 2. illustrious predecessors. CliffyB promised ‘bigger, better and more Meanwhile, what is there appears badass’, and from the latest footage, that to be looking gorgeous, and with appears to be exactly what Epic has several gameplay innovations delivered. Okay, it doesn’t appear to deviate new to the RPG genre, this should too much from the gameplay template, but be yet another smash what’s wrong with another dose of for Microsoft thrillingly fast-paced, balls-out action? this winter. PREVIEW FEEDBACK! Click here to tell us the Bayonetta games you’re Publisher: | ETA: Early 2009 Smash Court Tennis 3 waiting for… It’s a way off yet, but Bayonetta – Publisher: Namco-Bandai | ETA: June from Sega’s recently announced Dead Space partnership with ace Japanese It’s almost summer, which means it’s tennis Publisher: | ETA: 31st October developer Platinum Games – is season. While perennial favourite Top Spin 3 EA’s space-s et horror is coming along very nicel y indeed, already looking very exciting dusts down its whites and prepares to make with s ome even more horr i fying alien aw aiting indeed. It’s a third-person actioner up for the disappointing second game, thos e s brave enough to pick this up at Halloween. from the creator of Devil May Cry, Namco-Bandai’s Smash Court series also EA clear l y has a lot of confidence in this – with a comic featuring a female protagonist who makes a welcome return. But can it compete boo k s er ies and animated prequel in the wor ks, this will is a witch with guns on her feet. with the big boys? We’ll soon find out. likel y be one of Q4’s biggest titles. How can it not be amazing?

JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER AUTUMN Wall•E – 4th July Brothers in Arms Hell’s Highway Supreme Commander – 5th September Rock Revolution Soul Calibur – 31st July Space Chimps Midnight Club: LA – 12th September Velvet Assassin

CONTROL PLAYBACK OPTIONS:

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |09 Previews

HANDS ON

Publisher: Sierra Developer: High Noon Heritage: Darkwatch Link: www.bourne The Bourne thegame.com ETA: 27th June Conspiracy “The first thing that hits you is the He’s a lean, mean killing machine cinematic intensity of the action” f we weren’t excited enough about Bourne before, we certainly are Inow. Now we’ve had some (admittedly all too brief) hands-on The Mini returns – the films’ time with the game, we’re confident amazing car chase sequences will in saying that it’s easily one of the best be tricky to pull off, though. movie tie-ins of recent years. The first thing that hits you is the cinematic intensity of the action. Developer High Moon has certainly managed to capture the spirit of the After GTA IV, the lack of an auto-aim feels Bourne films, particularly the high- tricky, but you soon get used to the change. octane, rapid-cut fight sequences. It helps that the graphics are tremendous – large, detailed, characterful, well- animated human models battering each other senseless looks ace in glorious close-up, capturing every smashed nose and black eye from the crusher. Your commands are relatively the X button (repeated hits spark brutal shuddering, impactful punches. Plenty limited, but given the blistering pace of combos) or heavier assaults with Y. of times you’ll wince at the sheer bone- the brawls, that’s probably a very good Injure your opponent enough and breaking power of the blows, further thing – blocking is as simple as holding you can perform a context-sensitive enhanced by the almost explosive A, while you can move the analogue takedown – jab B to see a swift sound effects, making every body stick at the same time to dodge, before cutaway as Bourne caves his Much of the cover is destructible, but you can flush punch feel like a potential ribcage- following up with a quick jab or four on opponents’ faces in with fire out opponents by destroying their hiding place.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |10 Previews

This was one year when the office Christmas party had gotten completely out of hand.

Character models are nice and large, which gives the fights that ‘up close and personal’ feel.

“To spice things up you’ll come across several Bourne has been targeted, but the quick-time events” laser sight is a bit of a giveaway.

where he or she is. Rapid cuts between about spot on – it’s clear without being fights and shaky-cam as every fist or too distracting, allowing you to see the foot connects makes it feel exactly like action and the button-press required the Bourne films. simultaneously. You’ll never miss a It’s almost certainly true to say that piece of the action because you’ve Conspiracy is at its best when Jason been staring at the controller or Bourne is unarmed – even the sneaking concentrating on an icon rather than or running between hand-to-hand watching events unfold – major kudos scraps is exciting, thanks to the to High Noon for that. fantastic orchestral soundtrack setting If the QTEs are perhaps a little your pulse racing at every opportunity. frequent at times, then it’s actually It remains to be seen whether High rather fitting considering the quick Moon can keep this up for a whole edits between shots in the films, and game, but the section we’ve played is a the rapid nature of Bourne’s own real appetite-whetter. manoeuvres. Like the titular assassin, blunt instrument to hand. It’s vicious, To spice things up a little while you have to think fast, and react even The Bourne Conspiracy bloody and gasp-inducingly violent, you’re being pursued, you’ll come up faster – and with checkpoints very well- continued but quite amazingly satisfying at the against several quick-time events, most spaced, you’ll never be sent back too same time. Somehow the frenetic pace of which are fairly forgiving, with only far if you fail. Or should that be when? extinguishers, books, shoving heads and juddering cinematography has one or two giving you a very short time It’s not an easy game by any stretch. into walls or through windows, or been realised almost perfectly, without to jab whichever button is displayed. When Bourne gets hold of a gun, simply bludgeoning them with any ever leaving the player wondering The implementation of this is just the action becomes just a little more

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |11 Previews The Bourne Conspiracy continued generic, though admittedly still very solid and thrillingly cinematic. Pressing the left bumper to draw your weapon, you need to make clever use of cover to get past some fairly heavily- armoured enemies – the A button sticking Bourne to the nearest available I’d duck just about wall, crate or other obstacle. The lack now if I was him… of auto-targeting makes the shooting more difficult, forcing you to hide your time to take aim and fire – and given That skip behind that your enemies are bullet sponges you looks perfect for that goon guard at the best of times, headshots are the walking toward “A super-effective answer to your biggest problems. can often see Bourne remove two foes you. I think you takedown move can You’ll need to make judicious use with one simple button press. That know what to do… often see Bourne of Bourne’s adrenaline – pressing Y might make things a little too easy remove two foes with heightens his senses, making enemies for some, but the accuracy of your easier to spot, and seemingly slightly enemies means you’ll be thankful for one button press” simpler to eliminate. And if you’ve got their inclusion. enough, you can press B for a super- Get in close enough, and you’ll be effective shooting takedown, which able to go into hand-to-hand mode once more – this happens automatically, which can be a little unnerving when you’re facing off against multiple gun-wielding opponents. In which case, you can try something really clever – like turning your assailant around so his mates have to shoot him before they can get to you. Most of the time they’ll hold their fire, but occasionally Bourne will be able to use his sparring partner as a shield, once again leading to some Clever isn’t he? He blew up ‘only in the movies’ moments which that massive helicopter add to the sense of excitement. If you’re facing multiple with just a tiny little gun. If you’ve watched the Bourne assailants, you’re best ensuring films then you’ll know that there’s a there’s no-one left behind you. tremendous car chase in each – and Conspiracy doesn’t disappoint on that

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |12 Previews The Bourne Conspiracy continued front, either. Though we’ve not seen enough of the driving sections to make an entirely fair judgement on their quality, the controls and visuals once again seem extremely solid as Bourne You’ll often need to smash zips through the streets at high speed, windows to progress – attempting to evade his pursuers. Bourne isn’t one for opening Though there are prescribed areas you doors quietly when he can have to pass through, you’re able to storm a room, guns blazing! take any route to get there – often you’ll be able to throw chasing cars off The character the scent by using the emergency models are expressive and the brake to skid into narrow alleyways, facial deformation “It’s clear that and you’ll once again find some well- really makes you Conspiracy’s directed QTEs which see Bourne pull up the amazing sense of pacing that feel like you’ve developer has taken off the kind of manoeuvres that’d earn makes the films so heart-poundingly been in a punch-up. more than a few cues most people an instant driving ban. intense – and it manages that in the from the film trilogy” Despite its use of author Robert levels we’ve manage to play through Ludlum’s novels as its source material, with room to spare – then this is one it’s clear that Conspiracy’s developer conspiracy we can believe in. has taken more than a few cues from the film trilogy – and to superb effect. While most licensed titles mix different styles of gameplay, this is the first one for quite a while which seems to do it effectively, refusing to compromise on the quality of any of its three disparate gameplay types. A question mark remains over its reliance on those quick-time events, but if it can keep

PREVIEW Press the Y button and Bourne’s instinct FEEDBACK! will highlight objects in the local area that Click here to can be used in battle. The environmental tell us what HOW COMPLETE? FIRST IMPRESSIONS takedowns are a delight to pull off. you think of The Bourne 95% 85% Conspiracy At last, a licensed game to look forward to

CONTROL SBK08 Superbike World Championship © 2008 Lago S.r.l. Published by Lago S.r.l. &©; 2008 Lago S.r.l. Black Bean is a trademark of Lago S.r.l. Developed by Milestone S.r.l. All rights reserved. All manufacturers, motorcycles,names, brands and associate imagery featured in this game are trademarks and/or copyrighted materials of their respective owners. SBK™ and SBK Superbike World Championship© are registered trademarks of FGSPORT S.r.l. “ ”,“PlayStation”, “PlayStation2”,”PS2”, “PLAYSTATION”, “PS3” are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “ ”, “PSP (PlayStation Portable)” and “UMD” are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. NINTENDO, NINTENDO DS, WII AND THE WII LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS OF NINTENDO. Any other Trademarks used in the Site are trademarks of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved

CONTROL SBK08 Superbike World Championship © 2008 Lago S.r.l. Published by Lago S.r.l. &©; 2008 Lago S.r.l. Black Bean is a trademark of Lago S.r.l. Developed by Milestone S.r.l. All rights reserved. All manufacturers, motorcycles,names, brands and associate imagery featured in this game are trademarks and/or copyrighted materials of their respective owners. SBK™ and SBK Superbike World Championship© are registered trademarks of FGSPORT S.r.l. “ ”,“PlayStation”, “PlayStation2”,”PS2”, “PLAYSTATION”, “PS3” are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “ ”, “PSP (PlayStation Portable)” and “UMD” are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. NINTENDO, NINTENDO DS, WII AND THE WII LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS OF NINTENDO. Any other Trademarks used in the Site are trademarks of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved 360Zine NAVIGATE |14 Interview NINJA GAIDEN II Steve Hill pins down legendary developer Tomonobu Itagaki That’s what you for some Ninja natter… call a head cold.

Does the story follow on from the first game? What is the story? The Obliteration technique is a system One criticism levelled at the I would say that even more than that is designed to make you look quite previous game was the difficulty carrying on from the first game, that it cool. When you pull off a move you level. Do you accept that it was actually precedes the old Ninja Gaiden think wow, look at how great I am! a too hard and how have you series from the NES days. One of the things that we can say rectified that in number two? Ninja Swingball is a to prove that the game’s not just about I do agree that the first game was dangerous business. Can you tell us how the new violence is in the Obliteration technique, difficult. What I’d like to say about Ninja combat system works – the because the object is to finish off your Gaiden II is that it’s important to think Obliteration technique? enemy and put him out of his misery. not only of the game as easy or hard, it’s also important to say is it fun or is it not fun? So what we tried to do with Ninja Gaiden II is decrease the absolute level of difficulty on one hand, but on the other also make the game more “The Obliteration technique is fun just in itself so that you feel you’re improving as you’re playing and it’s a system that is designed to more enjoyable. That being said, we do have harder difficulty levels for make you look quite cool” the people who want them. Who stubbed a fag out on this screenshot? CONTROL 360Zine WWW.GAMERZINES.COM NAV I G AT E |15 Interview Interview continued What is the essence of the ninja code, for people who don’t What about the auto-healing know too much about the Publisher: system that the game has? Does folklore? Ninjas are these D eveloper: that go some way towards making mythical beings, what is the Heritage: Dead or A live 4, it more accessible? back-story behind them? Dead or A live: Xtreme 2 Yes, that’s correct. They are a group of people who have Link: www.ninja deliberately removed themselves from gaidengame.c om It is particularly violent, too. The society and they don’t act on any sort ETA: 6th June European release of Ninja Gaiden of impulses for justice or good or evil didn’t have all the violence in it, or anything like that. They act only to He’ll have someone’s eye out but Europe gets the full version for survive for their own interests regardless with that if he’s not careful… the sequel. Do you think this level of society as a whole. of violence is acceptable? Does it add something to the experience? What has working on the 360 I think that when you see the detailed brought to the game? Is it a good results of the game, then that will platform to work on and what has probably speak for itself. it added to the experience? Yeah, I definitely think working with Ninjas are very traditional, but you the power of the 360 has enhanced not have very modern settings in the only the visual fidelity of the game but game, with jet planes and so on. also the playability aspect as well. Did you plan that to be a deliberate juxtaposition – old school ninjas Finally, is this the end of the series? and the modern world? Can it really be the end for the Yeah, we basically approach it from a Ninja Gaiden games? viewpoint, asking what would it look I won’t personally be making any more like if there were ninjas in the present myself. Perhaps if there’s someone who day, and we’re trying to aim for that is capable of continuing the series then contrast between those two worlds. maybe they will. That’s his 5-a-side days over, then TOMONOBU ITAGAKI

A ft er joining Tecmo in 1992 as a prog rammer, Itagaki made his breakthrough in 1996 with “Working with the power of Dead or Alive, and in 2001 he became head of Team Ninja. Updating the ancient NES games, the 360 has enhanced the Ninja Gaiden was a somewhat more violent affair, and its success has spawned the inevitable visual fidelity of the game” sequel and possibly the last game in the series…

CO N T R O L PLAYBACK OPTIONS:

TM

idSoftware.com splashdamage.com

© 2008 , Inc. All rights reserved. Published and distributed by Publishing, Inc. under license. Activision makes no guarantees regarding the availability of online play and may withdraw online service in its discretion without notice. Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars and ID are trademarks of Id Software, Inc. Activision is a registered trademark of Activision Publishing, Inc. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. “2”, “PLAYSTATION” are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners. CONTROL

ETQW_DPS_360Zine.indd 1 25/4/08 17:12:17 360Zine NAVIGATE |17 Previews

Lean too far into a turn and you’ll fall over – that’s yet HANDS ON another factor to consider when approaching a bend. Publisher: Black Bean Developer: Milestone Heritage: S.C.A.R., Corvette Evolution GT Link: www.sbkthe SBK-08 Superbike game.com ETA: 20th June World Championship Two wheels good? otorcycle sims are the behind at the starting grid, choking on “There’s plenty choice of the true racing their opponents’ exhaust fumes. While connoisseur. Not for these there’s plenty that’s expressly tailored here tailored The minigun can just about M chew through anything, though purists the procession of four-wheelers towards the true hardcore (and more towards the true The race replays are genuinely round a painfully obvious set of tracks. about those options later), it’s what it it needs a little time to warm up. hardcore racer” It’simpressive worth the wait,to watch. though. No, the true test of any racing fan’s offers novice riders that goes above mettle is a bike simulation. And the and beyond what you’d traditionally more realistic the better, thank you. expect from the genre. It’s fair to say that SBK-08 is targeted While those experienced on two towards a fairly niche audience, but wheels will likely plump for a full race that’s not saying that it only deserves weekend simulation, with qualifying to be a minor success. In fact, it does and all the racing aids turned off, there everything within its power to ensure are Instant Action and Quick Race that beginners aren’t completely left options for those who just want to get on with the business of beating their rivals to the finish line. With a whopping 21 opponents, that’s not going to be easy, so fortunately Milestone has included a Rookie difficulty mode for those cutting their teeth on winding tracks like Magny- Cours or the horrendous hairpins This is the best view to really get a good sensation of speed – on some corners you need to slow down so much you almost Even if you’re struggling to keep up with the leading feel like you’re riding through treacle. pack, there are plenty of mini-races throughout. Jostling for the eighth-place position has rarely felt as much fun.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |18 Previews

Be careful not to get too close to your SBK-08 continued The learning curve is admittedly a opponents – it’s all too easy to nudge fairly steep one. Move away from the their rear end which can send both of of Vallelunga. A very welcome set of rookie level, and you’ll initially find you spinning onto the gravel traps. tutorials eases you into the straight your opponents moving away from into the bike’s handling – a little you – and at quite a rate of knots, too. twitchy, but hugely effective when Yet perseverance pays dividends. Ride you’re accustomed to the controls – sensibly, braking often – far more so while a wealth of game options allows than you would in most car racing you to tweak settings such as bike sims – and you’ll soon be keeping up damage, aided brakes, tyre wear, and with the pack, gradually shaving even your rider’s health! seconds off your lap times each race Meanwhile, a set of scenarios, with until you’re competing with the big more unlocked as you complete these boys on a regular basis. challenges, are available – ranging Graphics are a mixed bag – the from a straightforward head-to-head riders and their vehicles are extremely with a rival as you enter the closing detailed, and look particularly stages of a race, to attempting a impressive in the post-race replays rather than the full race), but the worthwhile experience for all, it’s difficult thrilling comeback or maintaining (which show selected highlights of backgrounds are fairly bland and to see the mass market picking up such your lead with a damaged bike. overtaking manoeuvres and crashes featureless. It’s a sacrifice worth making a title. But if you’re a racing sim fan who for the framerate though, which is solid fancies a change from cars, then you’ve throughout. One particularly nice effect definitely come to the right place. comes from the raindrops on your Even if you’re struggling to keep up display that spread outwards across with the leading pack, there are plenty of mini-races throughout. your screen as you increase speed. Sound wise it’s business as usual – the revving engines sounds like a cluster of angry hornets. Those who watch Superbike races on TV will know exactly what to expect here. Can it secure a brand new audience though? We’ll have to wait and see about that one. While SBK-08 makes large strides towards providing a

PREVIEW FEEDBACK! Click here to HOW COMPLETE? FIRST IMPRESSIONS tell us what 95% 80% you think of SBK-08 A quality ride – no more, no less

CONTROL CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |20 Reviews “There's a lot more to Quake Wars than the Battlefield clone it Enemy Territory: initially appears to be”

Like blowing things up? Good Publisher: Activision Quake Wars for you. You’ll love this, then. Developer: Nerve It’s the game which puts the Strogg in Stroganoff. That’s not right Software/Id Software Heritage: Quake, Doom he online battlefields of the 360 It’s especially true for Enemy to miss a lot of the subtle elements of Link: www.quakewars.com are getting crowded. Without Territory: Quake Wars, which is a game play, as well as being suckers for some OUT NOW Teven getting into the second- of two halves. Except the two halves of the more basic traps. While the raters, the machine’s got more quality aren’t actually ‘half’. The multiplayer is medics do a good job of supporting first-person shooters than any console an enormous 12-foot man and the you, generally your very limited ability in history. From Team Fortress 2 to Call single-player is about 24 inches tall, but to order them around (“Follow Me”, “I of Duty to , the amount of hot looks terribly similar. Basically, online it’s need ammo”, “I need pick up”, “I need lead being fired around the Internet is a team-based shooter with up to six- health”, and that’s about it) means that Online play is enormous amounts getting a little out of control. Which players. Offline, the game arranges the single-player is more about learning of good old-fashioned fun. makes games trying to find their niche maps into sets of three to play through the maps and playing with the either brave or foolish, or both. It’s a as rudimentary campaigns, which you possibilities of your equipment rather high-stakes strategy – for a game can play through against bots. And, bar than anything more satisfying. which is mostly an online experience, if a brief tutorial, that’s it. Which is actually okay, because it doesn’t secure an audience almost In short, it’s not a game with any that’s exactly what’s needed. While far immediately then it’s relatively useless significant offline component. The bots from rocket science, there’s a lot more for anyone who put their money down manage as well as they can, but as a to Quake Wars than the Battlefield to play. relatively complicated game, they tend clone it may initially appear from the THE STROGG, THE BAD AND THE UGLY They’re all three, as AGGRESSOR TECHNICIAN CONSTRUCTOR OPPRESSOR INFILTRATOR it happens… The equivalent to the soldier, but Since the Stroggs are a semi-mech Deals with building, but not upkeep, Like Field Ops, but with more panache. As well as disguise abilities – where with more out-there weapons. creature, the technician acts like the of the main defensive weaponry Cannons firing a beam of energy they take the image of an opponent Who wouldn’t want the Obliterator? medic – but also repairs the vehicles. of the Strogg. across the battlefield tends to do that. – they’ve got fancy tools, too.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |21

Reviews Roll over screen for annotations The designs for the game’s weaponry is as impressive as it’s fire power. This baby, for example, looks like it would be more than capable of dishing out some serious damage.

Father Christmas always went to great lengths to protect his top secret toy factory.

Quake Wars continued screenshots. Yes, it’s about two sides over. It eventually reaches its destination, with many more players the game with access to vehicles and with sets up and blows a hole in the enemy would cease to work at all. “Despite the size of multiple classes… but it’s more than base which is then stormed so bombs And when it works, it’s glorious. the levels, they are that. The two sides – the human GDF can be placed on the generator. If the Take, for example, the slipgate map, concentrated around and the alien Strogg – are openly attackers manage all those stages, they where one side is trying to open a asymmetrical, with comparable but win. If the defenders stop them, they portal in space. When they do so, they specific objectives” non-identical abilities. The same’s true win. Its 16 players may actually pale move to a completely different, of the maps, where one plays defence, compared to the much larger battles snowy locale, to try and push towards the other attacks and they move abstractly supported by Frontlines – its the final objective. It’s deeply dramatic But their specialities do lead to some through objectives in a loose narrative. most direct competitor – but despite and feels like nothing else. The multiple odd quirks. For example, each of the For example, a hypothetical the size of the levels, since they’re character classes work well too, with objectives can only be accomplished progression would be the engineers to concentrated around specific each having a large number of abilities by one of the character classes. construct a bridge, which they have to objectives at any time, the game to experiment with, specialised but Learning who needs to be in which then drive a heavyweight mobile base remains intense. In fact, you suspect with enough bite to stand up in a fight. place is one of many lessons you GDF: A TOUR OF DUTY GDF are probably the most accessible to play, if only as you know SOLDIER MEDIC ENGINEER FIELD OPS COVERT OPS Your general fighter, who does that As well as resurrecting the fallen, Repairs vehicles and drops defensive As well as putting field artillery into Their sniper talents are a sideline to what their guns do. and little else. Apart from planting they also drop the supply crate to turrets, with each sort only effective play they can call down high-power their use in adding radar coverage, Which helps. bombs, just to mix things up a bit. get weapons from. against either troops, vehicles or fliers. bombardments and plane strikes. as well as hacking terminals.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |22 Reviews PULSOMETER Signs of So what do New map and… And now the I do, then? I don’t get it whole team get it

Ah, I get it Ah, got it now

The action is mostly pretty frantic, but the fairly linear routes through the missions than the majority of shooters. It’s both mean that you’ll rarely get completely lost tactical and fast-paced, with a host of in the violent melee. tactical options available, both to the individual and the group. We certainly Quake Wars continued hope it finds enough people. Kieron Gillen need to learn before you can even play, and the reliance on someone to actually realise that means that teamwork is not just encouraged, but actively required. The oddest quirk is the win state – it’s a set time limit which doesn’t alter. So if you’re not actually about to get the final state with, say, at least a couple of minutes on the clock, you may as well give up. Compare this to Team Fortress 2, which is a game that manages to keep up the excitement by adding more time when a side gets an objective. It’s relatively minor stuff, however. This is a shooter which demands more An action-packed spectacular that’s almost “It's both tactical literally unbeatable.

If you don’t fancy the online and fast-paced, with Has own style game then you can play against a host of tactical Fascinating levels the game’s in-built bots. options available” Not exactly accessible 81%

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |23 Reviews CONTINENTAL SHIFT Race Driver: GRID Driving licenses and passports required… Gentlemen, start The bumper cam puts your engines… you in the thick of it. he Xbox 360 is blessed with a Publisher: Codemasters number of very fine driving Developer: Codemasters games, a number that is about Heritage: Colin T to be increased by one. When it McRae, TOCA comes to extreme automotive thrills, Link: www.racedriver Codemasters certainly know their grid.com crankshafts from their big ends, and OUT NOW this new game is the evolution of the long standing and highly respected America Europe Japan TOCA series. It’s a game that is highly respected for its driving model anyway, but perhaps less so for the story-based cut-scenes that crept into later games. have been dropped, instead putting given name, or even by one of a EuropeJapanAmerica Depending on how much you you at the heart of the action. Yes, selection of nicknames. It’s all part of SomeAOn more the old Americanniche favourites offering courses turn for youupthe with cancourses expectthe andEurope to racing drive tracks, fromaround with the in theFar some promiseEast, big with old such enjoyed them, you’ll be pleased/ you, with various pit workers and the personal touch, which also enables ofobscuremuscle some cars eventspretty and fieras tight thece wheel-to-wheel streethead-to-head races set Touge in racing such races, oncities such as as well classic San as Francisco, atracks lot of as Drift devastated to learn that the cut-scenes teammates referring to you by your you to choose your racing number, Donington,events.Washington There Nurburgring and are Long some Beach. stunning and Spa. street racing tracks, too. along with garish patterns and a range of paint colours for your cars. First though, in traditional Race Plenty of drifting, Cars can even be bought on if that’s your bag. Driver fashion, you’re thrown into the eBay, as advertised here.

The cars are expensive, but breakable.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |24 Reviews

they rapidly disappear into the A street race in distance, before finally easing your The traditional first Milan, of all places. crippled car over the line. corner carnage. It really doesn’t matter, though. Simply finishing the race grants you that all-important license, and an insight into the challenges that face you ahead, not to mention the game’s frankly astonishing damage model. While other games are apparently not allowed to offend the car manufacturers by damaging their Race Driver: GRID cont. precious vehicles, Codemasters have somehow got round this issue, and deep end by being stuck behind the have exploited that privilege in wheel of a beast of a car on the grid spectacular fashion. In tight races it can of a San Francisco street race. If our be absolute carnage, with cars flying experience is anything to go by through the air, and collisions leaving though, you’ll be veering all over the metalwork strewn all over the tarmac. road within seconds, crunching into The damage is also far more than barriers, taking the wrong turns on a cosmetic, with various areas of your car frequent basis and other cars before suffering as a result. Really knacker it, and you can find yourself limping along in ever-decreasing circles. Drift combos make points. Fantastical flashbacks However, there is hope, thanks to the entirely fantastical Flashback feature, whereby you can rewind time to the point before you ballsed it up, and carry on as if nothing happened. The number of Flashbacks per race depends on the difficulty level, with a no-claims bonus coming into play if you don’t use them. This is the mere tip of the iceberg, with sponsorship deals, prize money and buying and selling of cars to be contended with. The other currency in the game is Reputation, which is how you gain A bit of American muscle.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |25 Reviews

Euro 2008 continued

The in-car view is for A nice bit of exhaust the hardcore only. flare there.

Race Driver: GRID cont. array of championships, encompassing affair, with contact by no means a making any progress as the arbitrary classic touring cars, open wheel affairs, rarity. Some of the events are a bit seasons pass by, but ultimately the further licenses and therefore access to drift events and even a destruction niche to be completely honest, but fact that they are soon racking up in more events. Those events are spread derby, with the damage engine being where the game really excels is in the double figures suggests that the over three distinct geographical stretched to its limits. classic touring car events, as you tear game is doing something very right. regions, each loosely geared toward There really is something here for round some famous circuits on the In fact, it does pretty much everything the cars and events of the respective everyone, although you inevitably absolute brink of control, all the while right, and in the main is an absolute locale. This makes for a hugely varied find yourself favouring one region to urged on by your pit crew. And even if joy to play. Assuming of course, you the detriment of others. The open you’re lagging behind, it’s worth like driving games. structure makes this a perfectly feasible hanging in there, as the AI is so realistic Ian Morris strategy, although to open the ultimate that it’s not that uncommon to come global license you will have to open up round a bend and find a four car pile- all nine of the regional ones. There’s a up right in front of you. And if you lot of racing to be had before that don’t want to race against computer- At the end of the day, this is happens though, and you are even controlled cars, naturally the wonders the best a man can drive. joined by a teammate as your garage, of Xbox Live await. and wallet, expands. At its best, GRID really is gripping Great damage stuff, and the sheer depth and variety True grit of events almost precludes the need Huge variety As for the nitty-gritty of the racing for any other track-based racer. It can No weather % itself, it’s often an extremely physical sometimes feel that you’re not really 88

CONTROL NAV IGAT E |26 Subscribe to360Zine FREE! EVERY MONTH! The world’s best Xbox 360 mag! DON’T MISS OUT AGAIN SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE! Over 40,000 pe o p le have alre ady chosen to subscri b e to o ne o r mo re of o u r G amerZi ne s an d now re ceive noti fica ti o n of e ach new issue a s so o n a s i t’s publ ishe d. Why not j o i n them an d ensu re yo u never m iss another issue a g ai n?

www.gamerzines.com CO N T RO L 360Zine NAVIGATE |27 Reviews

Xbox LiveAnother Arcade fantastic four available for download Round-Up today… Lost Cities Penny Arcade Developer: Sierra Online Publisher: Sierra Online Shanghai Adventures Price: 800 MP (~£6.80) Developer: Hothead Games Publisher: Hothead Games Price: 1600 MP (~£13.60) o, if you’re the sort of gamer who Sprefers solitaire to Gears of War, r, to give it its full name, Penny then Lost Cities the game for you. OArcade Adventures: On the Based on a popular card game, Lost Wits and Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness: Cities is intricately themed around Episode One. Based on the popular adventure and exploration. There are Wagers Penny Arcade webcomic, what lies five cities on the board, and you’ll Developer: Microsoft Games Studios Publisher: underneath the silly title is a solid have to place a series of investment Hidden Path Entertainment Price: 800 MP (~£6.80) Paper Mario-style RPG, complete cards to prepare you for your with turn-based battles and exploration (giving you a minus its and Wagers is a beautiful graphics. Unfortunately, the “Assault Heroes 2 score), before placing expedition Wthat the entire family can enjoy, game tries too hard to be funny, cards to try and get yourself back in without really knowing the answer to leading to too many raised eyebrow improves on the original the black. It’s an interesting game, any of the questions. At the start of moments, and at 1600 points for five in practically every area” but its complexity may be off- each round you’re presented with a hours of gameplay, this is the XBLA’s Assault putting for some gamers. question, which will have a numerical most expensive game so far. answer. After picking your answer, weapon at your disposal (an ice you then go to the screen, Heroes 2 thrower type thing, that freezes your where you place your bets on who’s Developer: Assault Heroes 2 enemies) and much more spectacular going to come the closest (but not Publisher: Wanako Games Price: 800 MP (~£6.80) environments, this is well worth a look more than) the answer. When played – the only downer being the emphasis with four people, this is a blast, and f you liked the first Assault Heroes on single-player achievements in with more question packs to come, Igame, the chances are you’ll love what’s meant to be a co-op shooter. it’s just gonna get better. this, as it’s pretty much more of the same. With better physics, more Great co-op Complex Accessible Solid game vehicles, larger bosses, and more Loads of levels Good tutorial Family-friendly Too expensive levels to play through, Assault Confusing achievements Evil AI Blatant guesswork Not funny Heroes 2 improves on the original in Snap! Fun for everyone Solid game, silly name practically every area. With a new Together, unbeaten 89% 75% 90% 70%

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |28 Next Month Issue 20 Out July 3rd In 360ZineIssue 20 MORE FREE MAGAZINES! LATEST ISSUES!

DON’T MISS ISSUE 20 SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE! WARNING! MULTIMEDIA DISABLED! If you are reading this, then you didn’t choose “Play” when Adobe Reader asked you about multimedia when you opened the magazine. Without the multimedia playing, the magazine will look correct, but you will be missing out on all of the extra content built into each issue, like videos, animated screenshots, annotations, quizzes, competitions and more. We recommend you close and re-open the magazine and select “Play” when asked about the multimedia to enjoy the magazine as intended.

Cranberry Publishing Limited Contributors: Steve Hill, Chris Schilling, Kieron Gillen All rights reserved. This publication may be copied in its entirety without www.cranberrypublishing.com modification for non-commercial purposes, for example but not limited to copying Publishing Director: Dave Taylor to CD-R for a friend, but it may not be offered for download from Email: [email protected] any website or similar without the prior permission of the copyright holder. You are free to, and encouraged to, link to the original file for download from our website Editorial Director: Dan Hutchinson and you can find help on doing so here. While the greatest care is taken in producing Email: [email protected] this guide, we do not accept responsibility for the loss of any data or any other PLUS! damage caused by following the instructions in this publication. We always Commercial Director: Duncan Ferguson recommend that you keep a backup of your hard disk data and ensure that you check LEGO INDIANA JONES: THE ORIGINAL ADVENTURES Email: [email protected] all files for viruses before installing or using any new software. None of the information in this guide is intended as legal advice. All articles are for information Telephone: 0117 986 6550 purposes only. Websites mentioned in this publication are not affiliated to or controlled by the publisher. We are not responsible for the contents of these sites or HELLBOYBATTLEFIELD: BAD COMPANY Call Duncan to discover how e-publications can work for you! any changes made to them. All contents © Cranberry Publishing Ltd 2008 : AEROSMITHSMASH COURT TENNIS Company registration number: 4987058

CONTROL WWW.GAMERZINES.COM NAV I G AT E |29 S adl y, yo u ’ve r e a c h ed t h e en d o f t h i s i ssu e . Wh at wo ul d yo u l ike to d o n o w? Exit this issue and go and download another magazine?

Exit this issue and subscribe FREE for future issues? Want more Exit. Read the Ninja Gaiden II Supplement. Xbox 360?

CLICK HERE TO THE WORLD’S BEST CONTINUE TO NINJA GAIDEN II SOCIAL NEWS SITE SUPPLEMENT FOR GAMERS!

http://www.n4g.com/

News 4 Gamers is a news website written by platforms including PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, gamers for gamers. Each story is submitted Wii, PC, DS, PSP and more. by a member of the community and ranked When you read a story on N4G, you can by popularity. You can comment on each click to go straight out to the full story article, and even if you’re not a fully fledged source, making this the ultimate gaming writer, you can submit news tips for items news site, because it gives you access to the you’ve seen elsewhere on the web! stories from all the games sites on the web, The site has sections for all gaming rather than just its own.

CO N T R O L Advertising feature

FREE E-MAGAZINE! READ IT, PRINT IT, SEND IT TO YOUR MATES...

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT... NINJA GAIDEN II Read the definitive guide inside...

Stay Tuned PLUS! Keep up to date with NGII EXCLUSIVE COMPO online and on your mobile! Win an Xbox 360 signed by legendary producer Tomonobu Itagaki...

CONTROL

Welcome t might surprise some people to learn that the Ninja Gaiden Use the Pla y and Stop controls to the left , series didn’t start in 2004 on the Xbox, but in 1988 in the or click here to see the enhanced version! arcades of Japan. Tecmo’s side- platform beat-em-up I shared a resemblance to Konami’s Castlevania series, but provided a faster-paced, more addictive experience. Even back then, it was renowned for its difficulty. Yet that toughness didn’t ever feel cheap - Gaiden was always scrupulously fair, just very hard indeed. It was a game that rewarded sharp reactions and required players to practice over and over, learning its stages and enemies until they could be beaten easily. It spawned two sequels on the NES (so this isn’t the first game to be called Ninja Gaiden II) and then disappeared into the night like the titular assassins. Fast-forward sixteen years, and Tecmo decided a modern-day update was in order. Legendary producer Tomonobu Itagaki and his development team, the appropriately-named Team Ninja, created a modern masterpiece that lived up to the original in many ways, providing a faithful update that made the move to 3D look easy. Again, it had the mix of combat and platform-based action, and again it had the series’ sky-high difficulty. Though a few mainstream journalists were put off, hardcore gamers lapped it up, with critics garlanding the game with fulsome praise. It was therefore no surprise when a sequel was announced, though its host platform was a head-turner. Available exclusively on Xbox 360, Itagaki-san boldly stated that it’s the only console which could do the game justice. Join us in this special extensive hands-on look at the game and find out if he’s right, and if Ninja Gaiden II can do the seemingly impossible and improve upon its outstanding last- “Can Ninja Gaiden II do the seemingly generation predecessor... impossible and improve upon its Enjoy the issue! outstanding last-generation predecessor?” Chris Schilling

CONTROL

“The path of the ninja is not for the faint of heart” Publisher: Ninja Gaiden II Microsoft Game Studios Ryu’s return - the world’s toughest ninja assassin Developer: makes a spectacular entrance on Xbox 360... Team Ninja Heritage: Dead or hen you start a new game Anyone concerned that Ninja Alive series, Ninja of Ninja Gaiden II, you’re Gaiden II’s difficulty would be toned Gaiden immediately given a down to appeal to a wider audience Link: www.xbox. W choice. Do you choose can rest easy - the Warrior path is com/ng2 the path of the Acolyte, Warrior, going to kick your ass more times ETA: June 6th Mentor or Master Ninja? The first – than you ever thought possible, even ostensibly the game’s easiest if you’re a series veteran. difficulty level – gives you a warning. Yet for those who found the “The path of the ninja is not for the original Xbox game a little too much faint of heart. This route is for those like hard work, Acolyte provides a who walk it for the first time.” The more accessible - yet equally second also warns you – “proceed frenzied and frantic - Ninja Gaiden with caution!” And even though this experience. Make no mistake, is the game’s default difficulty, the though this is effectively the game’s warning is no joke. easy mode, your gran’s not going to

The Kusari-gama will undoubtedly provide some of Chapter Three sees Ryu Ninja Gaiden II’s best moments fighting an epic battle atop for expert players. Get the Statue of Liberty - your accustomed to using this opponent here is incredibly unusual weapon and you’ll be powerful but very slow. Quick pirouetting around your players will be able to get opponents, casually lopping off plenty of unanswered hits in limbs left, right and centre. before having to dodge. He’s not getting up from that one - though certain enemies will attempt suicide kills, even when they’re shy of limbs. Make sure everyone’s dead before you move on.

CONTROL

Tiger’s Fang and Dragon’s Claw are twin swords which tend to make a bloody mess of any rivals foolish Ninja Gaiden II continued enough to get within range.

Weapons of of choice choiceget anywhere. The franchise’s Evisceration for for beginners... beginners... legendary difficulty remains intact - it’s merely rock hard rather than too hard this time. When you do pluck up the courage to press start to begin, perhaps the first thing you notice is the quality of the graphics. As protagonist plunges “In the right down from a skyscraper in Sky City hands it’s poetry Tokyo (the game’s opening level) to rescue a young woman in the in motion” process of being kidnapped, the amazing character models and is poetry in motion. Running at a opponents. stunning environments combine to silky smooth sixty frames per Ah, yes - the gore. A Melee Projectile Ninpo provide a treat for the eyes. Start second, it’s incredibly fast and slick, while ago, when speaking about his playing and it’s even better - this with the beautifully animated Ryu intentions for Gaiden II, Director game, particularly in the right hands, making literal mincemeat of his Tomonobu Itagaki repeatedly stated his intentions to make every battle feel important - like a fight to the MeleeNinpoProjectile death. And it does, it really does. TheTherRyu bemelee e ar gins e times weaponswith hiswhen trusty are you’r the shuriken e onessurr ounded you’ll , which use , orcan theyou’r be most hurled e Your armed foes attack from all throughoutstrugglingrapid-fir e at ag themor ainst game, e distanta bo and ss ,enemies andthere only are , orthe plenty used equivalent toof stunthem of nearb - aall fully y angles, right from the outset, in an upgradeablesmartfoes befor bomb e mowing willto become do. It’sthem herutterly down e that devastatingwith you’r your e best melee (as pulling opposed attacks out . to aggressive manner that’ll terrify justyourAfter extremely ninjaa short magic while deadly). , named , the ninjaRyu ninpo, cangets andwhirl his taking handsthe Lunar out on athe Staff number Fiend’s around of inexperienced newcomers. You have toopponentsBane take Bow, out atwhichassailants the cansame bequickly, time char , gedor and setting up also to lunge unleashoff a concentratedforward, deadly bolts to have your wits about you repeatedlyblastthat can of powertake jabbing out at someany the guar sharp enemies dians end . Ryuwith into learns oneenemy arr these owstomachs - andadvanced it’s - immediately - making sure you’re verytechniquesalso usedhandy in bin some y thosepicking of narrow the up gscr ame’s corridors. olls , puzzlesthen heThe .can Then Falcon’s select you Talons havea ninpo ready with a block, parry and aretypethe Gatlinga fr very om the shortSpear d-pad range Gun menu , weapon,which , r eady is everybut to rthey elease bit canas whencool tear as thefoes its time’s to counter for your opponents’ vicious absoluteright.name Thesuggests shreds, number , though while of times the not Kusari-gamayou quite can as pull useful thesechain in practiceandtricks sickle off assaults. Time it right, and you’ll candependsthanks be toused onits yourslowin some levelactivation amazingly of ki power, pr ocess violent so . Onceuse combos, it you’rwisely etearing in- butfiring off pierce their defences, showering limbseachmode attack orthough bludgeoning looks , pr epar spectacular eenemies for a treat andto deathas can you havewith unleash theenormously weighty a volle y of blood everywhere. Hit them again spikeddestructiveexplo sive ball spears onr esults the into upgraded . your opponents version. . and again with fast attacks, and you might just see a few limbs fall to the Us e t h e P l ay a n d S to p co nt ro l s to t h e l e ft, floor, splashing claret across the or click here to see the enhanced version!

CONTROL

While it might take time to amass enough currency to upgrade, the Falcon Talons extend significantly in range once they’re levelled up.

Ninja Gaiden II continued floor and Ryu’s Dragon Blade. Yet They won’t come back from that don’t think that a legless opponent is one. One wave down, and the completely ‘armless, too - these rooftops are painted blood red, with guys are like Terminators, and will gruesome evidence of your struggle absolutely not stop, ever, until you spread for tens of yards in every are dead. They’ll drag their bloody direction. One group down, several carcasses towards you as you face hundred to go... off against their comrades and This might sound a little off- ROLL OVER perform suicide attacks - pinning you puttingly difficult, but it’s simply a down, stabbing you and exploding, case of learning the ropes, and THE BIG sending body parts flying across the learning them fast. Ryu can pick up PICTURE screen. Like the presumed-dead scrolls which teach him new baddie in a teen horror movie, you techniques, all of which are hugely can’t turn your back on them for a useful in battle. Even something like “The variety in fighting styles second. Ryu has more than one trick the wall run - a Prince of Persia- up his sleeve to deal with such esque moment of magic which sees is unmatched by any other horrors, though - his more powerful Ryu sprint along vertical surfaces attacks can often decapitate with great ease - can be utilised in current generation title” enemies in one brutal swipe, while combat as well as the game’s close-up obliteration techniques see platforming sections. It’s quite him slice opponents clean in two. something to jump onto a wall behind an opponent’s head, spring back down and plunge a sword into his torso, instantly killing him. Yet Kick Flick though there are a wealth of One of the game’s most innovative features is the Ninja different manoeuvres to learn, Cinema mode. You’re able to record footage of your play, they’re all executed very simply - the which can be saved to your hard drive and uploaded Xbox controls are amazingly intuitive and LIVE if you want to show off your skills. If ever a game was accessible, yet flexible enough to allow for a variety in fighting styles suited to replays, it’s this one - despite the blood, there’s an ROLL OVER almost balletic grace to the action when performed by the unmatched by any other current most talented combatants. You can even add a ‘Kurosawa generation title. Devil May Cry? Well THE BIG filter’ which pays homage to the legendary film director by Dante probably would weep to see PICTURE turning everything black and white and adding a grainy filter Ryu at his best. to make it look like an old ninja movie. Once you’re used to spending most of your time blocking with the Genshin is the game’s first , but that’s not the last you’ll see of him. His Black Spider Ninja Clan are Ryu’s main rivals in Ninja Gaiden II.

CONTROL

The plot involves a female CIA operative trying to stop the enemy clan from resurrecting the Archfiend - Ninja Gaiden II continued though the are left trigger and timing dodges with reduced to piles of useless flesh is kept to a minimum so the moves of the analogue stick - so worryingly gratifying. game can maintain one hell each enemy sword thrust misses its You might be best saving your of a fast pace. target - you can start showboating. energy for the game’s guardians, Or, if you’re surrounded by foes with however, which are some of the seemingly no way out, then maybe hardest opponents you’ll ever fight in it’s time to pull out the ninpo. any videogame. Sky City’s boss is a This magical power allows Ryu to gigantic spider demon who will perform special attacks, usually on decimate all but the most careful groups of opponents, or on the players on their first go. But learn his game’s huge boss characters: attacks and you’ll soon be lopping simply hold Y and B and you’ll be off his legs - though it’ll make even able to launch a powerful fireball - The Art of the Inferno - which will immolate several assailants within the vicinity, while The Art Of The “Some of the hardest opponents Wind Blades sees razor sharp vacuum waves dice your enemies you’ll ever fight in any videogame” to pieces. Seeing four or five foes

Roll over screen for annotations

You can quite literally paint the town red with Ninja Gaiden II - it’s a gore-fiend’s delight.

CONTROL

Ninja Gaiden II continued the most hardened gamer’s jaw drop With that in mind, it’s a good thing when he arrives mid-way through the that you’re able to save and next stage as a mini-boss. regenerate your health at reasonable Chapters Two, Three and Four see intervals - these rest spots aren’t equally epic scraps, and they’re not spread quite as thinly as before, and just reserved for the end of the are positioned more fairly. No levels. The graphically-stunning, rain- traipsing back through several lashed New York of Chapter Three roomfuls of foes once you’ve been sees a gigantic bat-eating demon beaten by a boss - here you’ll be able rise up from the ground. You might to restart from a much closer Use the Play and Stop controls to the left, think he was a little easy to defeat position. You’ll get more assistance or click here to see the enhanced version! compared to some of your tougher from prodigiously eyebrowed old battles at that stage, but then man Muramasa, whose shop returns two more appear, - in here you can buy health items which, there’s an impressive range rather than removing you from the and you realise and herbs which restore some of of ways to rip your enemies to game and taking you into a menu. “Team Ninja Itagaki has just your ki (used to execute those shreds, from the standard Dragon We can say with absolute confidence upped the ante powerful ninpo moves), as well as Sword through the long and heavy, that Itagaki-san and Team Ninja have produced once more. upgrading your weapons. Talking of but slightly unwieldy Lunar Staff. The have produced yet another Falcon’s Talons are a particular action masterpiece. It improves another action ORDER YOUR highlight - turning Ryu into a on the original in every COPY NOW! masterpiece” Wolverine-like menace - handy, conceivable way, and is sure considering the many vulpine foes to please both newcomers and he has to deal with at certain stages. veterans alike when it’s released on Ninja Gaiden II might not be an June 6th. Put simply, we can’t wait... easy game, but it does plenty to make the player more comfortable - so you know that if you do perish, it’s never anyone’s fault but your own. The camera can now be centred behind Ryu by pressing the right trigger, so you’ll always have the optimum viewpoint of your surroundings, while the quick weapon-change and ninpo select on the d-pad is an absolute godsend, The close-ups look spectacular, though in real-time they’re over in a flash. You’ll need sharp eyes to spot some of the goriest effects, though some of keeping things flowing much better the more dramatic kills are clear enough to make you wince.

CONTROL PLAYBACK OPTIONS:

CONTROL

WIN! AN XBOX 360 An Xbox 360 signed by Ninja Gaiden II producer Tomonobu Itagaki is up for grabs. Five runners-up win copies of the game. Simply answer the question

for your chance to win... Competition closes June 30th 2008. For standard T&C, see www.gamerzines.com.

CONTROL

VISIT WWW.XBOX.COM/NG2 Ninja network Not content with providing a fantastic interactive experience Stay Tuned on its website, Microsoft is also For budding assassins everywhere, the official site bringing fresh Ninja Gaiden II content to will train you in the ways of the ninja! mobile phones. So if, f you want to keep up to date with get them ingrained into your head like Ryu Hayabusa, Ninja Gaiden II, count down the before the game arrives. you’re always on the days until release, or simply find out Even better is the ability to use move, you can still more about the game, then the these moves in a series of challenges, keep up to date with I the game. As well as a official web page really is a site to facilitated by Xbox.com via email - behold. There are plenty of things to you’re given five seconds to input as brief overview, keep you busy - the Embrace The Blade many techniques as you can, and can Microsoft has provided wallpaper generator allows you to then view a video sequence showing a wallpaper and trailer select from a host of weapons to the moves you used against your online to download, with a create your own customised NGII opponent. After you’ve both taken your host of action-packed desktop, while Release Your Wrath turn, the winner is revealed, with the screenshots for you to allows you to use an Xbox 360 site tracking your total wins and losses. gawp at the game’s controller to Fancy showing off about your online gorgeous graphics. enter moves. A achievements? You can create a Finally, there’s a perfect way to screensaver which adds the blade of number of to practice your your defeated opponent each time you related products like fighting win a battle, while a Facebook kill excellent RPGs Lost techniques and counter will allow you to brag about Odyssey and Mass your prowess while Effect, and a look at networking with pals. the forthcoming Too Finally, there’s an Human. Text ‘Xbox’ embeddable widget to 80880 to find out Pull off as many powerful which keeps track of more. attacks as you can before the timer counts down to your win count - simply copy and paste the win online battles. Watching CLICK THE ICONS replays of a particularly code into your website impressive combo is a to show the world TO FIND OUT MORE uniquely satisfying thrill. The Ninja Gaiden II site is an invaluable you’re a master ninja! OUT reference point for the game, and a huge help TH to newcomers learning the ropes. JUNE 6

CONTROL

Subscribe to GamerZines FREE! EVERY MONTH! The world’s best games magazines... DON’T MISS OUT AGAIN SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE! Over 35,000 pe o p le have alre ady chosen to subscri b e to o ne o r mo re of o u r G amerZi ne s an d now re ceive noti fica ti o n of e ach new issue a s so o n a s i t’s publ ishe d. Why not j o i n them an d ensu re yo u never m iss another issue a g ai n?

www.gamerzines.com CO N T RO L