April 2002 Volume 83 Number 4 "serving the protectors"
Edited By John Ballantyne

Medal of Honour
Format: PC

This is probably one of the biggest and most exciting action games of recent vintage.

It drops you right into the middle of World War II and takes you through seven challenging and goal-oriented missions, including the dramatic Omaha Beach scene from the movie Saving Private Ryan.

You get to lead an elite US assault team sent to execute covert operations, search and rescue missions, and commando raids, in various locations from North Africa to Europe.

This is a game guaranteed to appeal to the widest variety of people.

Although you get to shoot hundreds of Nazis, there is no actual bloodshed in the game.

This does not, however, detract from the game’s authenticity and thrilling atmosphere.

Key features include:
• A realistic 3D environment.
• 12 authentic weapons.
There are rifles, semi-automatic machineguns, grenades, bazookas, and, of course, the ever-popular sniper rifle.
• 24 levels, including a secret V2 rocket plant and deadly U-boat.
• 20 enemy types, including the German Wehrmacht Light Infantry and Elite Heavy Shock Troops.
• 2-player split screen mode.

The game is painstakingly detailed, with vivid landscapes, realistic tanks and vehicles, and excellently animated soldiers.

The accompanying sound effects of distant explosions and gunfire, the menacing rumble of tanks closing in on your position, or artillery pounding your fortifications – all contribute to making you feel that you are part of a larger battle.

The artificial intelligence aspect of the game is quite ingenious. In one mission – when you have to disguise yourself as a German soldier and work your way through to a military base – you are confronted by a guard who demands that you show him your papers before you can proceed any further.

If you fumble or hesitate in finding the correct key on your keyboard, he instantly points a gun in your face and threatens to shoot…

Ico
Format: PlayStation 2

This is a unique, heroic 3D adventure, with stunning graphics, an absorbing storyline, and a blend of adventure, role-playing, fighting, puzzle and strategy elements.

Players are introduced to a mysterious forgotten world, where every generation a young boy is born with horns.

Ico, this generation’s boy with horns, is fated to be kidnapped from his village and taken to the tomb of an isolated castle to be sacrificed.

The game takes players through Ico’s perilous adventure, as he seeks to escape from the castle as well as save a princess from the clutches of a wicked queen.

Ico leads the princess through the secluded castle, murky dungeons, shadowy corridors and magnificent river scenes.

He runs, jumps, climbs, swings, fights, and does battle with spine-chilling monsters.

Along the way, players have to solve challenging puzzles, from mazes to complex brain-teasers.

The game is set against clever interactive backgrounds that come to life with spectacular lighting effects and immersive gameplay.

It should appeal to both hard core and casual gamers – even to those who feel hesitant towards or bewildered by complicated games.

Parappa the Rapper 2
Format: PlayStation 2

Parappa the Rapper – the funkiest rapper in town – returns in this brand new adventure.

The two-dimensional Parappa and his bizarre collection of friends – Beard Burger Master, Guru Ant, Instructor Museisha, Hairdresser Octopus, and the phenomenal Milk Can Band – must dance and rap their way through eight innovative stages.

Developed by a former Japanese pop star, Masaya Matsuura, Parappa’s roots are planted firmly in music, from the theme tune by De La Soul to the funky raps performed by Parappa himself.

Players must use the controls in time with the music in order to defeat the dastardly Noodle Gang which is bent on turning the whole town into noodles!

The new Microsoft Xbox

Microsoft claims that its new Xbox is the most powerful home video console ever made.

Although it is more expensive than its competitors, it is expected to sell well, particularly to dedicated gaming enthusiasts.

Xbox has four game controller ports that allow easy multi-player gaming for the whole family.

Like Sony PS2, the Microsoft Xbox has a built-in player for DVD movies and audio CDs, thus making the device a complete entertainment centre.

(Critics, however, have said that, for the same price as an Xbox, one can buy a DVD player and a Nintendo GameCube and have the best of each dedicated machine.)

Xbox has a full array of controls, including:
• Two analogue triggers (giving one precise control over the acceleration and braking in racing games).
• Six analogue buttons (with 256 degrees of sensitivity).
• An eight-way digital directional pad.
• Two analogue directional pads.
• Two menu navigation buttons (back, start).
• Two peripheral expansion slots.
• Nine feet of cable (so one can sit back in one’s favourite chair or couch).
• Two vibration feedback motors.

Xbox , compared to many game consoles, is of a decent size, so that one’s fingers don’t become sore or cramped by the end of a marathon game session.

Fantastic Computer Game Offer:
Win one of the five following computer games: Playstation 2 games, Ico or Parappa the Rapper 2 (reviewed above), or one of our previously reviewed games: Fifa – This is Soccer 2002 (PS2), or Formula One 2001 (PS or PS2 versions).

On the back of an envelope, write down your preference along with your details, and send the envelope to Computer Game Comp, SA Police Journal (168).

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