FREE! NAVIGATE Issue 22 | Sept 2008 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW “WE’RE 360Free Magazine For 360 Gamers.ZineRead it, Print it, Send it to your mates… WORKING ON DLC” WORLD EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW

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PREVIEW! PREVIEW! PREVIEW! REVIEW! GUITAR HAIL TO THE CHIMP FALLOUT 3 WARHAMMER HERO 4 CONTROL a NAV I G AT E |02 WORLD Fable II hands-on QUICK FINDER exclusive preview Every gam e’s just a click a w ay! Tomb Raider: Battle Fantasia EXCLUSIVE Exclusive Peter Underworld Ride to Hell Midnight Club Fable 2 Molyneux interview Los Angeles 4 Lips Hail to the Chimp Fable II Pub games Sonic Unleashed Fallout 3 “Just to warn you, Peter probably won’t let you Alpha Protocol Warhammer: play the game straightaway. He’ll want to show Aliens: Battle March you around his baby first.” These were the Free Fable II Colonial Marines Madden NFL 09 words with which the PR greeted us at magazine revealed Project Origin XBLA . When we’d arranged for an exclusive hands-on with the release candidate MORE FREE MAGAZINES! LATEST ISSUES! of Fable II, not seen by anyone else outside of Lionhead before, we’d asked for a developer to be available so we could quiz them on what we found. Little did we realise that Microsoft would arrange for none other than Peter Molyneux himself to spend the entire afternoon with us. Now we’re seasoned games writers, but this is Peter Molyneux, the genius behind Populous, Syndicate and, of course, Fable. And he spent the whole afternoon with us, answering every DON’T MISS ISSUE 23 SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE ! question we could think of about Fable 2, as he showed off one of his characters, played a bit WARNING! M ULTIMEDIA DISABLED! of co-op with us and then let us loose on the If yo u ar e r ea ding th is, th en yo u di dn’ t cho o s e “Pl a y” game. Come on, it’s pretty cool. MEET THE TEAM wh en A d o be R ea d er aske d yo u ab o ut multim e di a wh en So this issue is the result of a rainy day in Probably the best games writers… ever! yo u open e d th e m a g azin e. Guildford when the sun shone in Albion. Read our exclusive hands-on, watch the exclusive Wi thout the multimedia p l aying, the ma g a zine wil l lo o k co rre ct, but you wil l interview, and mark October be m issing out o n al l of the extra co ntent bu ilt into e ach issue, l ike vide os, 360Zine 24th on your calendar. Fable II is an imated scre enshots, an notati o ns, qu izze s, co m peti ti o ns an d mo re. FEEDBACK! coming, and we can’t wait. Click here to We re co m men d you close an d re-o pen the ma g a zine an d sele ct “Pl ay” when tell us what a sked about the multimedia to en j oy the ma g a zine a s inten ded. you think of D a n H u tc h i n s o n , E d i to r Chris Steve Hill Ian Morris 360z i n e@g a m e rz i n e s. co m Schilling Is apparently Is the man to talk the new issue Is Fable-ous suffering from Fallout to about XBLA

CO N T R O L 360Zine NAVIGATE |03 Previews

For our money, this FIRST LOOK is easily the nicest- looking Tomb Raider Publisher: Eidos yet – check out that Developer: Crystal Dynamics gorgeous lighting. Heritage: Tomb Raider: Tomb Raider: Legend, Tomb Raider: Anniversary Link: www.tombraider.com ETA: 21st November Underworld Stop! Hammer time…

Lara’sWhat’s going deeperthe underground story? in her latest adventure, in an attempt to recover the legendary weapon of Thor, Norse god of thunder. At the bottom of the Mediterranean, Lara discovers proof of this hammer, but her digging may have inadvertently awakened a long-dormant power with the potential to devastate the world. It’s business as usual for the rope-swinging heroine…

ExpectWhat something do we a little know? darker than before – with the trailer showing Lara Of course, the essence of any Tomb detonating Croft Manor, all bets are off with this one. It’ll probably represent a Raider game is in its puzzles… bit of a series reboot – hopefully more along the lines of Tomb Raider: Legend than Angel Of Darkness. With Crystal Dynamics once again on development Combat has been tweaked so duties though, it seems we’re in for yet more gymnastic exploration, brain- it’s more effective, and you’ll twisting puzzles and thrilling combat. It’s been built specifically for HD consoles face off against some unusual opponents, like the kraken. from the ground up, and from what we’ve seen so far, this is the most graphically impressive Tomb Raider to date. Time to start getting excited, we think.

WhenIt’s due fordo release we on 21stget November. more? Expect a demo to “From what surface on Xbox Live before then, and we should have a PREVIEW we’ve seen so review for you in two issues’ time. FEEDBACK! Click here to far, this is the tell us what most graphically Anything else to declare? impressive Tomb As you might expect from the name, you won’t just be you think of facing earthly beasts and human foes. Some more Tomb Raider: Raider to date” supernatural foes will feature this time, testing Lara’s Underworld abilities to the full.

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The attention to detail is extremely FIRST LOOK impressive – if you’re an LA resident, you’ll be able to find your way around very easily. Publisher: Rockstar Games Midnight Club Developer: Rockstar San Diego PREVIEW Heritage: Red Dead FEEDBACK! Revolver, Midnight Club 3: Click here to Dub Edition Los Angeles tell us what Link: www.rockstargames. you think of com/midnightclubLA Bright lights, big city, fast cars… Midnight Club ETA: 10th October Los Angeles

MidnightWhat’s Club theoften seems story? to be Rockstar’s forgotten franchise, yet it’s actually The dynamic day-night the publisher’s second highest selling (after GTA, of course). Last time, Midnight cycle and weather Club 3: Dub Edition had three cities, but this time it’s just one – LA appearing in make for more varied all its glory. Rockstar San Diego has represented the city as closely as possible races than the previous without being slavish to the layout. It’s a highlights package of the city – the real Midnight Club games. roads and sidestreets being tweaked to provide optimum racing fun.

For those who believe two What do we know? wheels are better than Rockstar has always been all about the immersion, and this has been taken to four, bikes will be putting the next level with Midnight Club: Los Angeles. Rather than having to tap through in an appearance, too. menu screens, you’ll merely see everything pop up as part of the main display, allowing you to get back to the driving with a quick button press. And this time round, you won’t be struggling to pass individual events, with the new Reputation Points mechanic rewarding you even if you don’t finish first. You might not earn as many points, but if you’re placing reasonably well often enough, you’ve got a chance of moving on. You’ll even be racing before you race – flash your headlights at another car, and you can compete to be the first to reach the starting point! “Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition had It’sWhen out next do month, we and getwe should more? be able to bring you a review in the next three cities, issue of 360Zine. but this time it’s just one” FedAnything up of night racing? else You can to now declare?compete during the day. And with a fully dynamic weather system, you’ll have to be prepared for all eventualities.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |06 Previews “Lips will come Plenty of tracks are included with bundled with two the game, and you’ll be able to use FIRST LOOK wireless microphones your own music collection to expand the range of songs much further. which are motion sensitive, too” Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios Lips Developer: iNiS Heritage: Ouendan, Elite A serious rival to SingStar’s karaoke crown Beat Agents, Gitaroo Man Link: www.xbox.com/ What’s the story? en-US/games/l/lips Microsoft is clearly dead-set on appealing outside the traditional gamer ETA: November/December demographic, and one of its big hopes to woo more casual gamers is this karaoke game. You might have thought that SingStar had that particular genre sewn up, but when Lips arrives you may have to think again.

JapaneseWhat developersdo we iNiS know? might seem like an unusual choice to helm the game, but PREVIEW If you’re after more of a we suspect that their work on rhythm-action classics Gitaroo Man and Ouendan FEEDBACK! challenge than a bit of make them ideal candidates for the job. Lips will come bundled with two wireless Click here to simple karaoke fun, you microphones which are motion sensitive, too – simply shake them to activate them tell us what you can try to win medals whenever you want to play. You’ll also be able to shake them for percussive think of Lips and other rewards accompaniment, and clapping motions are recognised, too. It’s a very social kind of through great singing. karaoke experience, positively encouraging players to join in whenever they want. And while its interface looks very familiar, it offers support for your own tunes (plug in an iPod or Zune and you can sing along to your own music collection) which is a nice, and original, touch to the game.

It’sWhen due out do on the we 11th Novemberget more? in the US, so expect a European release around that time – possibly slightly later to allow for any localisation delays that might crop up. Anything else There’sto d moreeclare? of a game-like progression system, where you can earn medals depending on how well you perform.

The menu offers a choice from the song’s original video, or one created by the game. CONTROL PLAYBACK OPTIONS:

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Warhammer®: Battle March™ © Games Workshop Ltd 2006-2008. All Rights Reserved. Games Workshop, Warhammer, Warhammer: Mark of Chaos, Warhammer: Battle March, and all associated races, race insignia, marks, names, characters, illustrations and images from the Warhammer: Mark of Chaos game, the Warhammer: Battle March game and the Warhammer world are either ®, ™ and/or © Games Workshop Ltd 2000-2008, variably registered in the UK and other countries around the world, used under license by NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. All Rights Reserved. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. (P)2008 Deep Silver, a division of Koch Media GmbH, Austria.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |08 Previews Alpha Protocol Publisher: Sega | ETA: Early 2009 Obsidian Entertainment are the folks behind this spy-themed RPG, as you take control of a CIA field Project Origin agent who, when a mission goes A fistful of top new titles coming to 360… Publisher: Warner Bros. | ETA: Q4 2008 wrong, finds himself on the run from Accept no substitutes, as this is the US government. With the the official sequel to Monolith’s opportunity to choose from a James horror FPS F.E.A.R. – the Bond or Jack Bauer approach to Sonic Unleashed developer returning to provide conversation, this could leave spy Publisher: Sega | ETA: Christmas another slice of shock and gore. fans both shaken and stirred. Could Sonic Team’s latest attempt to revive It’s no surprise to find the the blue hedgehog’s flagging appeal provide frightening (and frighteningly a decent game? Signs are looking good so far powerful) Alma is involved, and – Sega has a new bespoke ‘hedgehog engine’ with significantly improved which transfers the action instantly from 2D to graphics and AI, shooter fans 3D, with the gameplay in the two-dimensional should be in for a creepy ride sections echoing Sonic’s earliest adventures. once more. Ride to Hell Publisher: Deep Silver | ETA: Q2 2009 Aliens: Colonial Marines Easily one of the most unusual Publisher: Sega | ETA: Late 2008 Battle Fantasia sandbox games we’ve ever seen, Publisher: 505 Games | ETA: Q1 2009 Ride to Hell transports you back to Another new project from Brothers in Arms From Arc System Works, creator of the Guilty Gear games, the late 60s, where you’re part creator Gearbox, this builds on the developer’s comes another 2D fighter, this time with pseudo-3D of a biker gang, riding around and expertise in squad shooters by offering plenty characters to make the action visually a little meatier. The attempting to protect your turf of tactical team-based action. Each marine combatants aren’t your usual beat-’em-up types, as they’re from rival groups. Expect beer will have his own personality, while the first- based on fantasy characters – and with an interesting RPG- drinking and bare-knuckle fighting, person action will be lent further immersion style health bar replacing the usual energy meter, this is a soundtracked by some good old- by the removal of any kind of HUD. very different brawler. fashioned rock and roll music.

OCTOBER NOVEMBER CHRISTMAS Q1 2009 FIFA 09 – 3rd October Destroy All Humans: Path of the Furon – 7th November High School Musical 3 – Christmas Rock Revolution – Q1 2009 NBA Live 09 – 10th October Need for Speed Undercover – 21st November Shaun White Snowboarding – Christmas The Precursors – Q1 2009

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CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |10 Previews

WORLD EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW

Welcome to an afternoon with Peter Molyneux, and the release eter Molyneux might be one of protecting me!” Later, he’ll pull off a candidate version of Fable 2 that nobody else has seen.... videogaming’s most important Cossack dance in front of a crowd of Pdevelopers, but he’s not brilliant bemused observers, and force his at his own game. We’re playing co- character to belly-laugh loudly at a operatively on Fable 2, and he’s just funeral, chuckling quietly to himself as died at the hands (or rather swords) of his chortles inappropriately a pair of assailants. onscreen, causing some NPCs to laugh “That’s your fault,” he casually along and others to be outraged. informs us, “you were supposed to be Some time later, after being

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |11 Previews fant astic all y realis ed wor ld of Albion, EXCLUSIVE SCREEN ROLL OVER Fable 2continued simp l y bec aus e it’s such a joy to be a repeatedly asked to relinquish the part of it. You’ll have loa ds of fun just THE BIG joypad by us, one of his employees at w ander ing around. PICTURE Publisher: Microsoft Lionhead Studios and some passers-by S o what exactl y is Fab le 2? Is it a Developer: Lionhead in the street, he finally, and reluctantly, ro le-p laying game? Is it a sim-game? Is Heritage: Black and White, places the 360 controller down on the it a “The Sims” game? , Fable (and desk and smiles. It’s clear that Molyneux “Well, it’s a ro le p laying game that before Lionhead, Populous, is enraptured by his own game, and has by far and aw ay the best story Syndicate, Theme Park, given how often he’s probably had to that we’ve ever been invo lved with,” Dungeon Keeper) play it recently, that’s quite something. expands M o l yneux. “It’s a story which Link: www.fable2.com Fable 2 is obviously a real labour of has been crafted by peop le who know ETA: October 24th love for Molyneux and his team. You how to tell stor ies. It’s got amaz ing can see it in his eyes and hear it in his moments, s ometimes it makes you feel voice as he enthuses about the various great about your s elf and there’s many Each location is hugely detailed and PREVIEW aspects that make his game so great. unique elements to it , and s ometimes evocative – pirate port Bloodstone in FEEDBACK! But more importantly, he wants you to the story is about you, what you’re particular positively drips with atmosphere. Click here to love his game. He wants people to play doing in the wor ld and it’s reacti ve to tell us what Fable 2, and enjoy an experience you and how weird or s ensib le you are they’re all here now, and there are you think of unique to them. That’s why there are in the wor ld. S ometimes the story is a plenty of other elements, too. Fable 2 timing-based minigames where you real a d venture story, it’s all about Molyneux variously describes it as a repeatedly whack swords into shape as beating the ba d guy and getting to non-traditional role-playing game a blacksmith, that’s why you can send the end.” (“because it’s not like role-playing chickens flying through the air with a games where you play a priest or a hefty whack from your boot, that’s why “It’s clear that Fable 2 mage or a fighter… it’s a different take you can use rude gestures to make fun has been a real labour on role-playing because what you play of passers-by, or – as above – giggle is the way you play…”), a simulation away while someone is mourning the of love for Molyneux (“you can, for example, affect the Though you start off with a modest caravan residence, you’ll be able to purchase houses. loss of a family member. Though some and his team” economy – you can raise the economy might complain that Fable 2’s story up, you can bring the economy down, mode can potentially be done and you can invest in property, you can buy dusted in under 15 hours, we M o l yneux has been know n in the whole regions for yourself, you can confidently predict that no-one will past for w axing l yr ic al about his ow n collect income, you can be an evil want to complete it in that time. games, b ut here you finall y feel as i f landlord…”) and even a casual game of Molyneux says someone could he’s achieved everything he w anted. sorts (“because there’s so much to do speed run the game, of course, but that The or iginal Fab le w as arguab l y one of with things like getting married. It’s also this would miss the point (see our the most enjoyab le disappointments about dressing a house and buying exclusive interview on page 19 for ever ma de – partl y dow n to the furniture, and what your house looks more on this). There’s so much to see features the game’s creator t alked like and what you look like…”). and do off the beaten track that you about dur ing development which ha d What’s important here is that The marketplace is particularly lively, won’t be able to resist exploring the to be left out in the final reckoning. But these non-core RPG elements aren’t with plenty of people to talk to.

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If you’re not careful, the larger enemies can whittle your health down fairly quickly.

Albion has plenty of cavernous areas to explore – these have to be loaded in, though the transition doesn’t take too long.

“You won’t be able to resist exploring the fantastically realised world of Albion”

who is doing an offer on something, developer meetings while we sat there, buying their stock and then selling with the upshot that property prices onto another merchant – and you can were going to be hiked in order to buy another property, maybe a market accommodate this feature where the stall. Now you can start setting your economic simulation effectively prices. Are you going to gouge your continues running while you’re not customers and tenants, and negatively playing the game. affect the way people see you, or be The idea is to make you excited to kind but poor? get back into the game so you can see Make sure you set the rates that you how your empire is doing. If you’re not Your sister accompanies you want before you stop playing though, interested in this sort of thing though, during the prologue. Fable fans know what’s coming next. because – get this – your properties don’t worry, there are plenty of other will continue to earn you gold while ways to earn some cash. Go and take you are out of the game. So the next up weapon smithing and play the mini- time you log in, you’ll have a stack of game where you have to hit the Fable 2 continued with your own caravan that you grew new cash waiting for you. This is likely sweetspot as the metronome ticks up in. You can keep it and it will add to tail off (so you can’t simply not play back and forth, and you’ll make a tacked on, or some sort of mini-games. somewhat to your reputation, or you for 30 days and come back to be a perfect blade. Now try and do it again They are intrinsically valid ways to play can rent it out and begin to bring in millionaire), though this mechanic was and build up a chain – again Fable 2 the game. Ignore the main story, and some money. Gather enough money – still being tweaked as we played. encourages you to beat your previous set about trying to master the do some trading between merchants, Literally in fact, because Molyneux had best. Work not your thing? Well, go economic simulation. You start out for example by finding one merchant one of his famous impromptu and have a gamble and try your luck

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |13 Previews EXCLUSIVE SCREEN Fable 2 continued

at earning on the tables. See? It’s a rich economic model. Likewise, the casual social gaming ROLL OVER aspect isn’t an afterthought. When we arrived Molyneux was lamenting that THE BIG he had just got divorced. It turned out PICTURE it was fair enough as he hadn’t been to see his wife in ages and she’d had As you level up your spells will be more plentiful and enough. So you can court an NPC (with more powerful – slowing time to dance rings around the same sex marriage options enough your assailants is a particularly useful talent. to warrant an “M” rating in the USA by itself, Molyneux reckons), but you can’t There’s a full day- just then ignore them. As has been night cycle, while weather conditions revealed before, you need to give them vary throughout. “Each choice in the money; if you have kids, be aware that few people will experience every single game affects how they will ape your behaviour – good or aspect. It’s vast because I want you to you’re perceived by bad. It’s a whole other world to explore play the game how you want to play the non-player beyond the main storyline, a different the game. We don’t force all these kind of RPG. elements down your throat.” And then, characters” So in every aspect, Fable 2 is a pretty with a twinkle of delight in his eyes… “ damn huge game, as Molyneux I love that experience when people explains: “It’s a vast game, of which very play games when they think ‘I wonder what will happen if I do this?’ and ‘will this pay off?’” And this time you know he genuinely believes it – and from our experiences with the game, so do we. None of this tapestry of gameplay is at the expense of the meat and two veg of the RPG though: the main story, combat and levelling. Firstly, the combat. As in Fable, you have a choice of melee, ranged and magic, and the opportunity to combine the three for the best results. Experience is gained through collecting orbs, which are sucked Depending on how you despatch a foe up by holding the right trigger – you’re extremely vulnerable will affect what experience orbs drop. You’ll find plenty of market when doing this, so make sure you’ve eliminated all enemies. So, you get some general experience traders selling various items, or (green) and then more specific you can open your own stall. experience depending on whether you used melee (red), magic (blue) etc.

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Bowerstone is the largest city in Albion – parts of which will be fairly recognisable to players, though the game is set 500 years after the original.

The fearsome Balvarines return in Fable 2 – and they look nastier than ever this time. “You won’t be able to resist exploring the fantastically realised world of Albion, simply because it’s such a Free running joy to be a part of” comes to Albion.

while he cast a spell, but also because Fable are gone, and you can simply that would increase our XP. Maybe he’s come back to life, you will lose all the not so bad at his own games after all. XP orbs that you had created. With the AI calculating your XP on As with Fable 1, a pull on the the fly based on your actions, the controller’s right trigger will draw the combat multipliers from the original XP orbs to your character, but here’s Fable have been dropped as they where juggling comes in, because performed the same function, but in a while you are gathering XP, your much more crude fashion. character is extra vulnerable. So, if There are lots of weapons in the you’re running low on health do you game to choose from (“about 350, risk it and gather the XP you need though I’m not sure exactly”) and these before you die, or will that speed your can be augmented as in the first Fable, demise and lose everything? but unlike the first game you won’t get When you’ve got your XP, you’ll want your hands on the best weapons to level your abilities. In the original Fable 2 continued abilities, you get more XP. As we’re quickly, so there’s a reason to keep Fable, you had to portal back to the playing in co-op mode with Molyneux playing. For more information on Guild to upgrade. Now you can spend These orbs of XP will be bigger if you we also learn that acting co-operatively combat controls, see ‘Swords and your XP on new abilities wherever and managed to pull off some fancy increases your XP drop as well. When Sorcery’ boxout on page 16. whenever you want. What’s more, you manoeuvres. So if you use more than he said we were supposed to be Just be careful not to get killed in can now sell abilities back, so if you just stabbing away frantically with a guarding him earlier, he meant it, and the middle of a fight, because while the choose an upgrade and decide it’s not sword, and use some of your special not just to save him from getting killed Resurrection potions from the first what you wanted, you can effectively

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |15 Previews EXCLUSIVE SCREEN You just know that ROLL OVER muggers and thieves are lurking in every doorway. THE BIG PICTURE

He’s a good guy.

Fable 2 continued “There’s no doubting We glean all this from playing that Fable 2 is a visually trade it in. There’s an XP hit of course, alongside Molyneux as his henchman, so you only get a portion back, but like but when our time with the stunning game” everything in the game, it encourages co-op mode is done, Molyneux finally you to experiment. yields the Player 1 controller and it’s needs pages to explain because how promises plenty more moments when All the original abilities from Fable 1 time for us to start our own adventure. your character acts affects not just your moral compass will be confused are still here, though Flourish is now a After playing as a powerful female for a quest branching, but also how other and when you’ll not know which is the melee ability you need to buy. There short time, we opt for a male NPCs will respond to you. “right” choice. are the old favourites like Time Stop as protagonist back at the game One example of the moral As well as introducing you to the well as some new spells. beginning, and are transported to a uncertainties the game poses though – game’s controls and a few of its basic The Guild hall is still in existence too, snowy, Victorian world, running errands you witness a touching vignette mechanics in this prologue, you’ll also though it’s now a hidden ruin, which for townsfolk to purchase a mysterious between a budding Romeo and Juliet, encounter a character who’ll be with you get led to by, well, we won’t spoil item which triggers a dark event that before their lovelorn cooings are you for the entire game. There’s a it. It’s a nod to Fable 1 fans. kicks off the game proper. Even as a interrupted by the woman’s mother whimpering dog which is at the mercy Demon doors are still littered youngster in this brief but enjoyable telling the gentleman in question to of a local bully – you’re tasked with around the world, though some will be prologue section, you’ll experience the clear off. He gives you a letter to pass to protecting it from a beating, harder to access this time. They add a game’s morality system, with each his beloved, and upon knocking at the whereupon it will follow you home and dimension to the game to get you to choice affecting how you’re perceived door you’re given the opportunity to become your companion for the rest of do non-quest actions. by the non-player characters. There are hand the offending item to the mother, the adventure. While your canine chum What is missing from Fable 2 though far more shades of grey this time round, or to wait until her back is turned and accompanies you automatically, you’ll that was in Fable 1 is the mana bar. with the straight good/evil choices run upstairs to present it to its intended still be able to interact with it in a Gone. Eradicated. Apparently it just got replaced with subtler conundrums. The recipient. Is it good to let true love run number of interesting ways – you can in the way and was boring, so now you game tracks three different axes this its course, or good to inform the praise or scold it, or give it food treats if can cast away as much as you like, just time instead of just good/evil – we’ll concerned parent? Even at this early it’s doing well. You’ll have to teach it to like you can swing your sword as much cover this in more depth in our stage, you’ll stop for a few seconds to do tricks, such as fetching, by throwing as you like. upcoming Fable 2 magazine because it consider your decision, and Molyneux a ball repeatedly so it gets the idea.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |16 Previews Fable 2 continued The first time you throw the ball, the SWORDS AND SORCERY dog just looks at you expectantly. Mage or warrior? Fight however you want… There are, apparently, training manuals in the game too, but Molyneux went uncharacteristically dumb after dropping that bit of info. Usefully, the dog will assist you in combat too, There are plenty attacking downed enemies and of action-packed preventing them from getting up to hit moments in Fable 2. you while you’re taking on other foes. It’s even possible to pamper your pooch a little too much – regularly spoil it with affection and it will start to whine when you’re not giving it constant attention. Though you’ll likely Live by the Range of A kind of spend most of your time following the breadcrumb trail – which guides you sword optioptionsons magic towards your destination without ever simply taking you to the precise spot – your dog will often trot ahead or off LiveRangeA kind by of the optionsmagic sword to one side and bark when it’s found IfShouldMagic you likeusers you your prefer have combat a to few keep upmore yourclose options distance, and personal, at their you’ll disposal you’ll find plenty find – though plenty of ranged ofthat’s ways to dealweaponsdependent death to toon suit your how your opponents. many style. spells Bows Though you’ve and arrows learned.you can can mash Essentially, target the individual X button you have toenemies, gettwo something of interest, in the first case throughwhilemain typeswe battles, particularly of spell you’re – areaenjoyed rewarded attacks testing with and out single-targetmore the experience capabilities spells for of– mixing anda blunderbuss which up your one we experienced it took us off moves.duringis execut ourTimeded playthrough. is dependent presses or Thetaps on howmechanics in conjunction long you are hold essentially with the directions B button the same on down the as for.leftwith Once somewhere to dig, and we discovered analoguemeleeyou’ve combat,accrued stick executeathough few more youdifferent techniques,won’t attacks, have theyou while opportunitycan youset themcan holdto up block. onthe a buttonkindStill, ofyou to found the ball to play with. While it block.can‘spell switch ladder’ Keep between it – pressed you can styles down allocate whenever while slots holding usingyou want the stickD-pad– just towards moveand simply from your the releaseenemy Y button and might seem like Fable 2 is trying to theyou’llback button to pull X if off whenyour a charged opponents the attack attack, are you awhich w littleant doesshowstoo close much up forin more the comfort. window. damage if it connects. have its cake and eat it by suggesting you follow one route while leading you astray, it’s a mechanic that works have clearly honed this feature well surprisingly well, and it’s up to the during development. The breadcrumb player to decide whether to stick to the trail appears as a sparkly line (it feels a path, or go searching for secret little like following Tinkerbell). It isn’t treasures. There are so many choices. there all the time, it just fizzles into “Fable 2 is a game In removing the mini-map and being when you’re starting to look lost. which, at turns, feels replacing it with the breadcrumb trail You can turn it off altogether, but The hollow men – it’s not a little like GTA, and dog mechanic, it was always going Molyneux reckons that in play testing clear if they have hollow legs. to be a question as to whether such a most people who turned it off pretty World of Warcraft revolution in RPG gameplay could quickly turned it back on again. The and The Sims” work. Won’t the player get lost? Won’t genius of both the breadcrumb and you wonder where to go? But Lionhead dog mechanic is that neither are

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |17 Previews EXCLUSIVE SCREEN

ROLL OVER THE BIG PICTURE

There’s a tremendous atmosphere about Fable 2’s locations, and the immersion is further enhanced by some superb lighting.

Fable 2 continued night and a dynamic weather system, intrusive, but they are a form of safety you’ll often find yourself simply Though you’ll be able to make your avatar every bit as evil as in the original Fable, the net to help you from wandering stopping to admire the view. Your character development is much more subtle. aimlessly around. And as teleportation character will grow into a unique is still available in Fable 2, you can looking figure based not just on how always zip to places quickly. you act (yes, the “good” will still have flora and fauna – and more than a few but Fable 2 manages it. It’s an Though Molyneux complains about an angelic aspect, and the “evil” a more enemies to test your combat skills. incredibly ambitious game, which just the lighting in this latest build, there’s demonic aspect), but also on how you Before we got our hands on Fable 2, about hits every target it’s aiming for. no doubting that Fable 2 is a visually play. So, your character can get really, we were unsure about whether As we’re leaving, as reluctant as stunning game. With day shifting to really fat – seeing a character like this Molyneux had once again bitten off Molyneux to stop playing, the man we asked what you do to more than he could chew. In the wrong himself jokingly offers to let us take the end up this way. “You eat hands, it could come across as a development kit home just so we can Looks idyllic, too much,” said Molyneux, patchwork quilt of ideas – a jack of all play some more. For a fleeting doesn’t it? looking at us as if we hadn’t trades, master of none. But that moment, we excitedly wonder if he’s a basic grasp of reality. couldn’t be further from the truth. The serious, before realising he’s only KEEP GOING! It’s a big world no doubt narrative is strong and rich, with plenty teasing. But that speaks volumes about about it, but Albion’s not as of charm and character – helped by a how much we enjoyed playing Fable 2. large as something like fantastic voice cast including Stephen Roll on October, when we can finally Click here to Bethesda’s Cyrodiil. It makes Fry and Zoe Wanamaker. The gameplay get our hands on the finished version, continue on to up for that by packing a is hugely varied and the controls are and then you’ll all be able to see what our exclusive great deal into the smaller superb. It’s quite an achievement for a the fuss is about for yourselves. interview spaces – towns and villages game which, at are teeming with turns, feels a little characters who’ll greet you like GTA, World of HOW COMPLETE? FIRST IMPRESSIONS as you pass by, while even Warcraft and The 95% 90% the larger areas between Sims to somehow hamlets have plenty of remain cohesive, We’ve got high hopes for this one

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 DS, 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 |19 Interview WATCH IT! See that video be something difficult t o be good box on the at. Is it something that’s difficult t o right? It’s not implement in gameplay t er ms? just a picture. You can The troub le with ranged is that it’s very watch the full 15-min easy to make it very simp listic . You c an interview on the page! us e auto-t argeting to t arget every PETER creature, s o there’s a subtle balance between making it challenging but not too challenging and powerful, b ut not too powerful. But out of the three MOLYNEUX combat dis cip lines, ranged is probab l y the easiest. The hardest has got to be melee, bec aus e with melee there’s not David Taylor interviews Peter Mol yneux, onl y the feel of it , b ut you’ve got lots of different weapons and this unlockab le and if you need us to tell you who he is, well, combat style which means what the b utton does changes as you go up the we despair. He’s only the genius behind styles. There’s lots of things that mix Populous, Syndicate, Black & White and, together. Ranged is just simp le. N ow magic is comp lic ated as well of course, Fable and Fable II… with all thos e different combinations.

The main quest [in Fable II] is said We’ve already got downloadable There’s been a dearth of dec ent t o be f air ly short, 12 hours long. c ont ent for Fable II in the pub single-player RPGs in rec ent years How long do all the side quests games, but what other DLC have in preferenc e for MMORPGs. Do take? How long c ould you spend you got planned? you think MMOs will eventually playing Fable II? We are wor on dow nloa dab le c onsume the offline RPG? Well, let’s get this leng th of time thing content. I’d like dow nloa dab le content S ometimes I love p laying MMOs. I love r ight , bec aus e one of the ethos es to be coming out as s oon as we the s ocial interaction; I love the behind the who le of Fab le is ‘this game possib l y c an. There are s ome features in surpris es that human beings c an br ing. is up to you’. Per s onall y, I haven’t Fab le II that we are probab l y going to S ometimes the last thing I w ant to do managed to comp lete this game in 12 have to pull out in this tr iage process is go out with a b unch of peop le and hour s. That’s not say s omeone isn’t we’re going through r ight now. If that’s have the tension and pressure that going to speed run this game, but i f the c as e then the D LC will include that being relied upon c an br ing. you are going to rush through this content , and we’ve als o been wor king For me the ideal game is one that game, you’re going to be poor, on s ome bigger D LC . has all the streng ths of a single-p layer penniless, unpop ular, unmarr ied and game and the streng ths of an MMO. unloved. You won’t have got invo lved When you were playing through So I think you are going to s ee more in any of the side quests, any of the Fable II ear lier, you said you and more Li ve elements in games, all Lionhead Studios, Peter’s b uying of property or anything to do yourself t end t o play a genres of games, but I think that R PGs company, was acquired by Microsoft in 2006. with wealth or fame or any of the c ombination of ma gic and melee. are the ones that c an be most easil y repeat ab le quests. In RPGs, ranged always seems t o a dapted to MMOs.

CONTROL 360Zine WWW.GAMERZINES.COM NAVIGATE |20 Interview Interview continued out of it, the PC market is You’ve said that you’d like to work stagnating rather. Publisher: Microsoft on a sports game and an MMO, but Well, I think there’s as many games Developer: Lionhead given your talent for re-inventing being played on the PC as ever Heritage: Black and White, genres, doesn’t the RTS need your before, but by people we have no The Movies, Fable (and help on the Xbox 360? contact with, through the likes of before Lionhead, Populous, It’s a tough problem. It’s an interface casual gaming sites. Syndicate, Theme Park, problem. The RTS was born out of the With the big franchises, I do think Dungeon Keeper) mouse. It’s all about moving things it’s a sadness to see the platform not Link: www.fable2.com The Lionhead offices are chock full around the screen, but I think that Halo keep up the pace. I think the PC is ETA: October 24th of monitors with Fable II on as the Wars is looking really interesting. I think going to have a rough ride in the final push is in full evidence. Ensemble, if any company in the world future for triple-A titles. can, can break that genre and make it KEEP GOING! happen. I do worry about the RTS genre Quite a lot of people are moving forward. It’s definitely one of my complaining that the UK is losing favourite genres. its competitive edge in games Click here to development. What’s changed in find out about Which of your old games would the community since you started our Fable 2 Peter took the whole afternoon out to magazine show us around Albion and talk to us you like to re-acquire and how and how would you rate the state about the game, and anything else would you feel if a new Syndicate of the industry in the UK today? which crossed our mind. Respect. was announced without you? I think the big difference is the sheer Syndicate would be on the list of games amount of money it takes to make one that I would want to do again. I just feel of the games – it’s millions and millions THERE’S this incredible honour if I see anything and millions. While it was great to see MORE! We that I touched before being touched the old days when you could develop a also recorded again by other people and it’s title with five or six people, now that’s masses more Fable 2 fascinating to see their take on it. simply impossible. It’s a minimum of 30 info with Peter. Look to 40 people, much more likely out for our dedicated Given that Microsoft own Lionhead, climbing up to 100. Fable II magazine! and your own heritage, will we see That means that the cottage some Games for Windows coming industry that we had up to six or seven out or are you dedicated to the years ago is gone. You used to be able Xbox 360? to start a company up with what you Obviously today is all Fable for me and had in your pocket. Now you need to I don’t know what tomorrow brings. be well-funded and with a team which Personally though, I’d like to be touching doesn’t only include technicians and “Syndicate would be on the more things, but that really is in no way programmers and artists, but also an announcement! business people who can negotiate. All list of games that I would of these things have to be right and in want to do again” It just seems that, if you take MMOs place before you can be a success.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |21 Coming soon Out September 26th DON’T MISS OUT! 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. FIFTEEN PAGE SPECIAL EDITION DEDICATED TO FABLE 2 INCLUDING… EXCLUSIVE HANDS-ON PREVIEW BEHIND THE SCENES ACCESS NEW AND EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH PETER MOLYNEUX KEEP GOING! Click here to FREE & EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE! MORE EXCLUSIVE read our Fable 2 pub games SCREENSHOTS review CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |22 Previews

The music’s great and the graphics are superb, but HANDS ON the dress sense? Hmmm.

Publisher: Guitar Hero: Developer: Heritage: Tony Hawk series, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock “The bundled guitar Link: www.guitarhero. World Tour com/ghwt/uk has had a revamp and ETA: 31st October Activision unveils its Rock Band beater it looks streets ahead of Harmonix’s effort” espite being the best-selling videogame franchise of last Dyear, Guitar Hero’s been usurped in the hearts and minds of There’s much more variety in Career mode, with a many music fans by Rock Band. Put wealth of different venues to choose from, allowing simply, returning to Guitar Hero after you to personally chart your band’s rise to stardom. the multi-instrument blowout of Harmonix’s rhythm action masterpiece felt like a regression, and Neversoft’s comparative lack of experience with the genre was noticeable on some tracks, where note patterns didn’t I’d change those eyes if I were you, as they look a bit, well, scary. always seem to fit with the music. And Rock Band’s incredible success with its online store – its downloadable content making millions of dollars in a very short space of time – has clearly made Activision envious. Now the series has returned with its biggest that it looks streets ahead of coloured buttons at the top of the revamp to date, and it offers a quite Harmonix’s effort. Expert peripheral neck, there’s a touch-sensitive pad astonishing feature set that could well craftsmen Red Octane has produced a lower down which allows players to end up blowing the current rock kings lovely-looking axe with a gorgeous strum without using the strum bar – it’s clean off the stage. Sunburst finish, but it’s not just its particularly useful for those pyrotechnic The bundled guitar has had a aesthetic appeal that’s had a boost. As guitar solos on some of the trickier The character customiser has many more options this time significant revamp, and it has to be said well as the now-traditional five tracks. The strum bar itself has around, so you can create the rocker of your dreams.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |23 Previews

There’s a quite remarkable array of options in the Music Studio, with a number of ways to refine your band’s sound.

Not content with its detailed character customiser, Neversoft has included a number of options to alter the look and sound of your guitar. “The special music studio allows players to World Tour’s game screen will look familiar to create their own tunes” Rock Band players – our one slight qualm is the reshuffled colour order on the drum section. raised cymbals and a kick pedal you wouldn’t necessarily expect from a (which will hopefully be sturdier than Guitar Hero game – we’re thinking Harmonix’s effort). The pads Michael Jackson’s Beat It here. All tracks themselves are much less noisy than will be master recordings, and we’re those in Rock Band, with a rubber finish promised more like 80 to 90 for the that provides satisfying feedback, while finished game, a quite amazing range allowing you to hear the in-game notes for a single-disc product. rather than your own cacophonous Yet perhaps the biggest revolution clattering. Not only that, but each pad comes in the form of a special music is velocity sensitive, so the harder you studio, which allows players to create whack the drums, the louder they’ll their own tunes (or recreate classic sound in game. Nice. ones), edit them, add effects and then Of course, if you fancy yourself as upload the finished product online, more of a frontman, then you’ll be able made available to other Guitar Hero to use the included microphone to players for no cost via a download Yet to truly rival Rock Band, howl over the game’s impressive song service known as GHTunes. To increase Guitar Hero: World Tour Activision clearly knew more was selection – at the time of writing, over the quality of the song selection, continued needed, and so guitars won’t be the 40 songs have already been confirmed, players are restricted to uploading five only instruments you play in World with Nirvana’s About A Girl rubbing songs, though that total will be increased in size, and the clicking Tour. There’s a drum kit which features shoulders with Light My Fire from The increased should your efforts be highly sound accompanying each strum has five pads to Rock Band’s four, with three Doors and cult classics like Dinosaur Jr’s rated by other users. Though vocals practically been completely silenced. coloured circular pads joined by two Feel The Pain sitting alongside tunes aren’t included in this section (both for

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |24 Previews Guitar Hero: World Tour continued licensing reasons and to save space), you’ll be able to record bass, rhythm and lead guitar tracks, and add drum lines, too. The studio can record real- time performances, or you can slow things down to a more relaxed pace – or even add notes one at a time. Your notes will form the hardest difficulty As usual, there’s a level – Expert mode – and the game wonderful range of will automatically subtract notes and guitars to unlock. “The game’s structure simplify lines to construct the easier difficulties. It’s a phenomenally clever has been tweaked to tool, with a truly remarkable level of You can even record provide a less linear flexibility, and it also feels like the most that Activision has set a new watermark a song completely career progression, too” significant evolution in the rhythm- which its rivals may struggle to reach. alone – just create action genre since… well, the original As such, it appears that the number- the individual parts Guitar Hero was released. one selling franchise of last year will separately and The game’s structure has been continue its success without having to combine and edit tweaked to provide a less linear career worry too much about anyone stealing them at the end. progression, too – you’ll be able to its crown any time soon. select from several different venues, rather than forced along a strict path. Elsewhere you’ll find all the same game modes as in the previous game, with the welcome addition of a ‘Battle of the Bands’ mode where up to eight players can compete to see which band reigns supreme. Rock Band raised the bar for the music game genre, and now it seems

PREVIEW FEEDBACK! The atmosphere in the new arenas should be Click here to even better this time around – particularly tell us what HOW COMPLETE? FIRST IMPRESSIONS when you’ve got a full band playing. you think of Guitar Hero: 85% 90% World Tour Rocks harder than ever before

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CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |26 Previews

Online play is enjoyable, but Hail to the Chimp is at its best HANDS ON with four players gathered around the same TV. Publisher: Gamecock Developer: Wideload Games Inc. Heritage: Stubbs the Zombie Hail to the Chimp Link: www.gamecock media.com/chimp.html Primaries for primates and elections for elephants… ETA: 19th September ail to the Chimp might just be together – the truth is that somehow the weirdest party game you’ll this strange brew works. Just. The graphics are ever play. Coming from the The idea behind these political party well-animated and H are full of charm. makers of cult Xbox hit Stubbs The games is that the king of the jungle has Zombie – another bizarre game with a stepped down, with 10 animals vying “The king of the warped sense of humour – it mixes to fill the vacated position. But instead jungle has stepped political satire with party games, of campaigning for votes, you’re down, with 10 The minigun can just about providing an experience that’s totally battering enemies to get clams. And chew through anything, though unlike any other on 360. political point scoring is simply about animals vying to it needs a little time to warm up. It’s worth the wait, though. Yet while that might seem like a being top dog at the end of one of 16 fill the spot” problem – in that its two key elements, different minigames. You will get to the mature (in the true sense of the indulge in a little mud-slinging, but word) humour and the simplistic nature here it takes on a more literal form of the party games, don’t seem to fit as you hurl pawfuls of gloop at your

Chucking mud at your rivals’ signs while keeping your own protected is one of the best minigames in the whole package.

Each of the characters plays very differently. Ptolemy the hippo is slow and powerful, whereas Crackers the Chimp is weak but fast.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |27 Previews

Hail to the Chimp cont. great, with large, well-realised animal characters grabbing as many clams as opponents’ posters, attempting to possible, knocking opponents around, cover up their message while keeping while environmental hazards add a your own display as clean and clear as degree of unpredictability to the possible. And all the while the game frenetic action. throws in plenty of between-level While the single-player game might campaigning, which may go over the lack a little depth, it’s when you have heads of younger audiences who more players involved that Hail to the might enjoy the fast-paced multiplayer- Chimp really shines. One of the most focused action of the minigames, but inventive mechanics has you will definitely hit the spot with those temporarily teaming-up with a rival, As you can see, the action who like their humour smart and witty. usually to take down the leader if he or gets pretty busy, and on some Though some of the analogies she seems to be streaking ahead. The stages it’s all too easy to lose stretch the political theme a little, the game mixes up the objectives well track of your candidate. minigames themselves are entertaining enough to keep things entertaining – enough to keep things flowing when one stage has you navigating your way the story stuff starts to flag. The cel- through a very literal political minefield shaded arenas you compete in all look – and the news-style presentation adds to the laughs, too. And it’s oddly was this entertaining – if only Brown empowering at times, too – when you and Cameron hurled soil at each other perform well and gain a substantial during Prime Minister’s Questions… amount of clams, you’ll have more Teaming up is key to winning some political power at your disposal. This battles, though as you’ll share the rewards, it’s best to do it with an unlocks more news segments, so opponent who’s lagging behind. there’s a real incentive to grab as many clams as you can, and the number of secrets makes for plenty of replay value. Not everyone will take to Hail to the Chimp, but it’s refreshing to play a minigame compendium with a dose of smarts to back up its fast-paced, simplistic action. The only problem is that it will make you wish real politics

PREVIEW FEEDBACK! Click here to HOW COMPLETE? FIRST IMPRESSIONS tell us what you 95% 75% think of Hail to Potty politics – a crazy party game with a brain the Chimp

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |28 Previews

HANDS ON “Bethesda can Publisher: Bethesda be accused of Developer: Bethesda Heritage: Oblivion many things, but Link: http://fallout. making short bethsoft.com Fallout 3 games is not ETA: Autumn 2008 one of them” Apocalypse soon…

ethesda can be accused of who has spent your entire life locked in many things, but making short an underground vault, safe from the Bgames is not one of them. wastelands and the feral beings that In an era where six to eight hours of occupy them. All’s well until the day gameplay is considered value for that your old man – voiced by Liam money, it’s testament to their Neeson – decides that he’s had enough dedication to the long haul that well and promptly buggers off. “Two pints of lager and a over two years after its release, Intent on tracking him down and packet of crisps please.” thousands of people are still stumbling discovering exactly why, you decide to around the verdant fields of Oblivion. follow suit and take your first tentative And while Fallout 3 looks set to occupy steps out of the vault. This momentous approximately as many arse-numbing occasion occurs around an hour into hours as its more goblin-oriented the game, with the previous time spent counterpart, it’s comprised of a very establishing the story and choosing different kind of scenery. your character’s appearance. And in a Set in and around a post-apocalyptic nice touch, if you do manage to catch Washington DC, you play a 19-year-old up with your Dad, there will actually be some facial resemblance. We join the action as the vault door creaks open and you emerge blinking into the post-apocalyptic wasteland. Bethesda admits that the third-person view in Oblivion was pretty ropy, as they didn’t think anyone would use it. There’s a strong argument that if Arcane sentry-bots The handheld Pip-Boy acts roam the wastelands. as your interface.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |29 Previews

The over-the-shoulder Fallout 3 continued view. Chat is similar to Oblivion, with view in full effect. characters appearing in your face and you’re dressing up your character you staring you in the eye as they lip-sync want to see him though, and the view through the options. has been improved, along with a It’s a dangerous place out there, and Resident Evil 4 over-the-shoulder affair within a few minutes a rabid dog – as well as the purist’s first-person launched itself at our throat, and we took great pleasure in shooting it in a traditional first-person fashion. We then soon found ourselves in the squalid settlement of Megaton, where residents worship an unexploded bomb – providing a quest if you are able to defuse it – as well as an array of amenities, including a saloon, that appeared to be closed.

Leaving them to their bomb wings off a fly. While it’s fair to say that deification, we set out towards a an hour’s play was barely scratching the disused school full of so-called raiders, surface, we did find time to stick a who had set out their intentions by grenade under a two-headed cow… hanging the dismembered corpses of their victims from the ceiling. They naturally took against our appearance, although this gave us an opportunity to try out the new VATS system, whereby the game pauses, you select areas that you wish to shoot and the action is carried out in gory slow motion. Multiple enemies can be dispatched, or you can even shoot the

PREVIEW FEEDBACK! Click here to tell us what HOW COMPLETE? FIRST IMPRESSIONS The recession you think of started to kick in… Fallout 3 90% 80% Stop worrying and love the bomb

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CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |31 Reviews LET BATTLE COMMENCE! “Battle March is The three stages of war clearly a game that’s more suited to Warhammer: keyboard and mouse commands”

game’s been designed for all-powerful sentient beings with four thumbs. Publisher: Battle March Think we’re exaggerating? How about if Namco-Bandai Games we tell you that to execute this simple Developer: Conflict of interests… process, you need to squeeze the right Namco-Bandai Games t’s not often you play a game and Case in point: the hero characters. trigger, then hold left on the D-pad, Heritage: Ace Combat 6, get stuck in the tutorial, but that’s Now each army can have one or more keeping the trigger held while you Beautiful Katamari what happened with Warhammer: special units, taking the form of a press B to activate the join command, Link: www.namcobandai I Deploy Secure Engage Battle March, due to an ill-timed bit of single, all-powerful troop, who can before moving the cursor to the unit in games.com/games/ note-taking making us miss an essential roam around the battlefield causing question and pressing A? We’re not warhammerbm piece of information which wasn’t havoc on his lonesome, or teamed up joking. It’s clearly a game that’s far ETA: 12th September repeated. After fumbling around with with a unit to lead them into skirmishes. more suited to keyboard and mouse SecureEngageDeploy the controller for a bit we restarted that It’s a nice idea, and the special attacks commands, and it’s the most ThisBattlingThe deploymentdoesn’t isn’t happen a case stage of in beforeeverysimply battle, youthrowing start but moving allyou’ll your often yourunits havetroops at a tosituation is capture more – an in areafact, section of the tutorial, and immediately are generally well-realised. However, ofit’simportant land the quickestwhich than will wayyou produce mightto lose, think,funds as it canforas it’syou put here toyour pay you’ll heroes for setreinforcements at up risk your and basic if allshould those realised what was going to be one getting them to join a unit is incredibly yourperish,formations. starting it’s game For army the over. be most inUse trouble. part your you’ll ranged Then be again,fightersmoving even swathesto whittle in a standard of down units, attacking skirmish,so it pays of Battle March’s biggest issues complex, requiring controller it’snumbersto have best themto before sec inure thecharging advantageous right positions,at the initialareas ready towave get for withthe any jump rivalyour onambushes.own your melee foes. units. throughout the game – the controls. gymnastics that make you feel the

Reduce an enemy unit’s morale to zero and they’ll start fleeing madly – they’re out of commission for the rest of the fight.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |32

Reviews Roll over screen for annotations You’ll only get one or two heroes to start with, but you can level them up and increase their already devastating powers.

The sense of scale is impressive, and it’s nice to see the graphics getting more detailed as you zoom in.

Warhammer continued significant hint that this is a PC game of confusing icons and the bizarre many ways to approach combat, and The first time you effectively flank an first and foremost, rather than a game controls. And slowly, surely, you’ll the ability to alter formation, stance enemy is thrilling, and it’s great to see that’s been tweaked for consoles. get over that hump, and you’ll be and the direction your units face makes your men reacting intelligently to a It’s a shame, as commanding armies micromanaging effectively before you a huge difference in the heat of battle. thread when the reason they’ve done never feels quite as intuitive as it realise how much work you’re putting so is because you’ve given them very should, and if you leap into a skirmish your thumbs through. If it never feels “The first time you specific instructions. In essence, the without starting the Campaign mode – entirely intuitive, it at least gets easier. effectively flank an fact that you’re battling against the even on easy difficulty – you’ll likely get And then you’ll discover the game’s controls as well as the enemy makes destroyed within a few minutes of depth – though on the surface it seems enemy is thrilling, getting it right even more gratifying. combat commencing. But fortunately shallow, as it’s all about battling rather and it's great to see It gets deeper – you’ll be able to the game’s campaign – for whichever than anything more substantial, with your men reacting level up your heroes, explore expansive side you choose to fight on – offers a resource management limited to skill trees and customise your army’s much gentler learning curve, which ensuring your troops have enough intelligently” look and setup. And once you get helps you get to grips with the myriad stamina and morale. But there are so further into the campaign, the game FREEZE FRAME Breaking the game down, one stage at a time… 20 MINUTES 1 HOUR 4 HOURS 10 HOURS 25 HOURS That tutorial, and those controls – Still getting to grips with your squad Problems? What problems? You’re Taking a break from the story to play Campaign number one is over, with man, it’s going to be a long, hard – so why exactly are they all facing now hacking up orcs and rats like online, and getting humbled once two others to come… if you get road to campaign success. the wrong way? there’s no tomorrow. again as you get your arse kicked. hooked, you’re in for the long haul.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |33 Reviews PULSOMETER Signs of life Tricky controls, but Amazingly meaty the tutorial’s thorough Finally, it clicks! campaign

Still struggling to But now it’s command effectively getting tough The Skaven are ugly brutes, but these verminous units make for vicious As well as upgrading your heroes, you fighters – particularly the rat ogres. can award units with special capabilities banners above each unit make things – like the Long Range Shot, which allows a fair bit clearer, but we’re still a little units to shoot further than they can see. disappointed that the Warhammer universe hasn’t really been done justice It’s a good job the game’s Warhammer continued outside the cutscenes. As for the tutorials are fairly game’s audio, the music is serviceable detailed, though it would starts throwing new challenges at you but forgettable, while the voice acting have been nice to have the left, right and centre – what could have is idiosyncratic but really quite charming. information drip-fed become incredibly repetitive manages A mixed bag then, but if you’re a fan through the early stages a fair amount of variety, and it’s partly of Warhammer and/or strategy games of the campaign. thanks to the number of commands at – and if not, why are you reading this your disposal. Online play is another review? – you’ll find plenty of content plus, and you’ll be able to engage in here to keep you busy until the fourth- “If you're a fan of team-based skirmishes as well as quarter rush of games. Completing all strategy games then one-on-one battles. campaigns could easily take you over you'll find plenty So… controls bad, gameplay good. fifty hours, so its longevity is without What of the presentation? Well, it’s a question. Let’s just hope for a more of content here to mixture of the two. The opening sensible controller setup next time. keep you busy” cutscenes are stunning – genuinely Chris Schilling jaw-flooring CGI sequences, with exciting action, superb direction and dramatic lighting. But then the in-game Decent, but there are better visuals are rather less praiseworthy – strategy games on 360 even with the customisation options, battles often turn into a muddle of barely distinguishable sprites, while if Deep as you like you zoom in, the animation flaws It’s a pity the story sequences become more obvious, as half your Will potentially last months don’t match up to the CGI opening, soldiers stand there aimlessly while Over-complicated control system % which is absolutely amazing. others swing and shoot jerkily. The 73

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |34 Reviews Madden “EA’s Madden series has ruled the genre since its console Publisher: EA Sports NFL 09 Developer: EA Tiburon debut in 1990” Heritage: Madden NFL Far from the Madden crowd series, NASCAR 08, Tiger hatever you think about the control of the plays, and you’re Woods PGA Tour 09 actual sport of American directing the ludicrously complicated Link: www.easports.com/ Football, there’s no doubt action with all manner of button madden09 W that it works well in videogame form. presses – conducting audibles, MATCH OF THE DAY OUT NOW Probably better than its real-life informing your players in code where Because simple action replays are old hat counterpart if we’re being totally you need them all to be and when. The game also has a unique Fantasy honest, as the stop-start structure Then, once the snap happens, you’ve Football feature which sees you importing must be incredibly frustrating from a got a few seconds or so to quickly your chosen team from your PC to the 360. spectator’s point of view. But it’s execute your plan (or, if it’s going pear- massively entertaining when you have shaped, attempt to adapt to your current situation), and then you’re stopped again, ready to plan another offensive or defensive charge. So yes, American football’s curious mix of over-in-seconds action and deep, tactical planning, with plenty of freeform spontaneity thrown in for good measure, is a natural fit for a console, and it’s fair to say that EA’s Madden series has ruled the genre ever since its console debut on the Sega Lights… Camera… Action! Mega Drive back in 1990. Each iteration has brought its own refinements and improvements, but this latest version feels like the most significant leap Camera…Action!Lights… forward for current-gen gridiron, with SelectThen,One of if athe youplay, most want and notable toyou save can additions the watch highlight, it againis the you EAfrom Sportscan any choose angleHighlights from in Free eight section. mode different –During a host of new features that make this movingcameraor after anglesathe match camera – (when from to sidelineget you the have bestto controlendzone, view of theto commentary action.ball, at It’sleast) hugely box you and canhelpful more. enter in a gameWiththe Pause up like to this,menu ten saveableas and it allows view plays replays you per to bettergame,of every analyseyou single can where createplay in you’reyour the game.own going highlights That’s right or the most complete sim of the sport wrongreelright. of Everything thewith match, plays, that’s and eachwill happened allow play is you ingiven theto pinpoint matcha ‘greatness’ can your be score, favourite watched too. strategies.again. we’ve probably ever seen.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |35 Reviews You’re able to fully simulate any matches you don’t want to play – though invariably you’ll tend to lose quite a few!

Weather effects have been vastly improved, offering more atmosphere and affecting play to a more significant degree. Rivalries between teams affect the atmosphere of a game, with partisan crowds responding effectively to the action unfolding below them. Madden NFL 09 continued The game’s enormous Franchise way by FIFA’s Be A Pro. The simple fact Madden Moments, which tasks you the Packers against the Broncos to earn mode remains one of the best career that you can spend much of the match with recreating plays from famous a famous victory are pretty tricky, modes in any sports game – it’s the barely involved at all – if you’re a games in gridiron history. Challenges especially if you’re not up to speed kind of mode that sucks you in to quarterback you have three downs to like driving 82 yards in overtime with with your playbook. playing ‘just one more game’ and work with, and if you fail to get the Yet Madden offers plenty of help for before you know it, it’s three in the necessary yardage, it can be some time “The game's those who can’t quite get their head morning. It’s just as richly detailed and before you get the ball back – kills it as around the baffling strategies on offer fully featured as ever, but the game’s a satisfying experience. It’s the lack of enormous – the man himself will often pop up to Superstar mode (where you take variety in your role – you’ll either be Franchise mode offer hints as to the best plays to control of a single player, through blocking, throwing or running and remains one of the choose. Though more often than not, training camps and exercises from the catching pretty much the entire time. best career modes our own choices seemed to work initial draft to Superbowl stardom, The off-field activities try to mix things better, as unless you yell an audible taking in agents, interviews and even up, but it’s not our favourite of the in any sports game” or change things about a bit, the IQ tests on the way) is usurped in every modes available. Much better is excellent opponent AI gets wise to FREEZE FRAME Breaking the game down, one stage at a time… 15 MINUTES 45 MINUTES 3 HOURS 6 HOURS 15 HOURS+ Feeling slightly embarrassed by your Realising you’re not in for an easy ride Writing off Superstar mode, but Boost your Madden IQ, and opponents More content than you could expect Madden IQ, but getting on with the – the adaptive difficulty is perfectly engaging with the awesome – and are getting tough. Grabbing a few – Madden will keep you playing until game anyway. judged to give you a hell of a game. feature-packed – Franchise game. yards feels like an achievement. next year’s game.

CONTROL 360Zine NAVIGATE |36 Reviews PULSOMETER Signs of life Scrambling a touchdown Sucked in by Madden NFL 09 continued Ace Tron-style tutorial with your quarterback Franchise mode your moves. You can choose from a full, detailed playbook, flipping through the pages with the triggers, or scale it back to running, passing and special plays – or even get the computer to pick the Getting to grips with An online schooling best play in any given situation for you. the tricky passing game – depressing Then there’s the Madden Test – a virtual training session set in a Tron- esque neon computer simulation TV-style presentation and some terrific environment – which gauges your own graphics (we love playing in the snow) personal skill level, and adjusts the and you’ve got an extremely difficulty accordingly. You’ll be given accomplished sports title which is Previous Maddens have had fairly empty an IQ figure, and four stats which will pretty hard to seriously fault. sidelines, but this gets much closer to a pinpoint your strengths and Chris Schilling real game with plenty of players standing weaknesses with offensive and “There's something at the side of the pitch as you play. defensive play, for both running and for gridiron fans of passing strategies. Each time you play, any gaming ability these stats will be affected depending in Madden NFL 09” on how well you did, and if you’re struggling in any area, it will suggest you take on a training drill to help boost your skills. There’s also the useful option to rewind a play should you fail – with the option to choose from 1, 3, 5 or infinite rewinds during a game. This might considered to be a controversial inclusion, but it can always be turned off, and it will alleviate a lot of frustration for beginners trying to get The most complete to grips with the mechanics. American Football sim ever In other words, there’s something for gridiron fans of any gaming ability in Madden NFL 09. While the sport isn’t Splendid presentation The game offers four standard difficulties to everyone’s taste, this is a hugely – Rookie, Pro, All-Pro and All-Madden, as playable and enjoyable game which As deep or simple as you like well as the standard adaptive difficulty recreates this idiosyncratic game Superstar mode isn’t great % based on your recent performances. beautifully. Throw in some impressive 88

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Xbox LiveAnother Arcade fantastic four available for download Round-Up today… Fable 2 Geometry Pub Games Wars 2 Developer: Xbox Live Productions Developer: Publisher: Microsoft Price: 800 MP (~£6.80) Publisher: Activision Price: 800 MP (~£6.80) he idea with Pub Games is that Tyou can gamble to earn money eometry Wars 2 or win items for your Fable 2 avatar, Braid Gtakes everything the first game to give you a head-start. Though you Developer: Number None Inc. did so well and then multiplies it by could use the widely-reported Publisher: Microsoft Price: 1200 MP (~£10.20) a number so big we couldn’t fit it on ‘cheat’ which wins you big bucks for this page – it just does everything small bets, we’re not risking it in case ontrary to what you may have bigger, better, and far more it’s a ploy to set you on the path to Calready heard, Braid is not the spectacularly. The achievements the dark side. Spinnerbox is random, gaming equivalent of the second are more ‘gettable’, each of the six but card game Fortune’s Tower and coming of Christ, but is in fact exactly modes is equally as awesome as the craps-esque dice-roller Keystone what it looks like – a reasonable next (a real feat for any game, yet offer tempting risk-betting. Worth a enough independent game, with an alone a dual analogue shooter) and “You’ll be look, and it might just improve your interesting twist and some gorgeous the four-player co-op mode rocks Bionic Commando: swinging Fable 2 experience. visuals that have the Internet foaming our socks into next week. at the mouth. The ability to rewind like a chimp time isn’t that groundbreaking to be Rearmed in no time” honest – Blinx did it on the Xbox for Developer: GRIN example, but it’s integrated well here, Publisher: Capcom Price: 800 MP (~£6.80) jump button in a 2D platformer takes and the platform action’s as some getting used to, once you’ve enjoyable as they come. But worth rom the second you start Bionic got used to the arm controls, you’ll be £10.20? We think not. FCommando Rearmed, you know swinging like a chimp in no time. Great. it’s been a labour of love. The 8-bit music really fits the mood here, as Good sense of humour Gold carried into Fable 2 Good platforming Awesome Bionic Commando Rearmed is Great music Great presentation Gorgeous Awesome essentially a retro blast from the past Perhaps a bit too retro Almost totally random Overpriced Awesome – complete with the gameplay that Infuriatingly addictive Overhyped Yes, it really is awesome accompanies it. While the lack of a Thumbs up to GRIN 89% 75% 70% 93%

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THE DEFINITIVE REVIEW! Cranberry Publishing Limited Contributors: Chris Schilling, Ian Morris, Dave Taylor 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 STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHEDWWE SMACKDOWN 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 VS RAW 2009BROTHERS IN ARMS: HELL’S HIGHWAY Call Duncan to discover how e-publications can work for you! any changes made to them. All contents © Cranberry Publishing Ltd 2008 DEAD SPACESILENT HILL: HOMECOMINGLEFT 4 DEAD Company registration number: 4987058

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