To: Burlitis who wrote (1540 ) 11/14/1999 11:25:00 PM From: Scot Read Replies (1) | Respond to
Alex,avault.com Neversoft... Wow. That's all I can really say about these guys. Twenty years from now, when we're all reminiscing about the golden age of PSX gaming while waiting for our VR neurolinks to cool down after our last eight hour session of id's latest fragfest, we're going to be talking about EA's sports games, SquareSoft's RPGs, and practically everything Neversoft ever did. Remember that whiz-bang PC-to-PSX port of Shiny's MDK a few years back? Yep, that was them. And how about my pick for '98's shooter of the year, Apocalypse? The one that not only had gorgeous graphics, situation-based Redbook audio, but also a little trick where FMVs ran on video screens right in the game engine? Yep, that was them too. If these guys ever stop amazing me, I'll probably throw away my gamepad. So why, exactly, am I so awestruck by them this time? Because Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, a skateboarding game of all things, has had me drooling like a newborn for the past week or so. Color me impressed. avault.com Overall: [4 of 5 stars] If you're looking for a new fighting game for the PlayStation, but you're tired of the endless stream of Street Fighter clones that have swamped the system since the early days, I can't think of a single title I would recommend more highly than Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style. I had a complete and total blast playing this game, especially in the multiplayer mode, and can easily see the title appealing to all fight fans, including those who wouldn't normally consider themselves to be "fans" of the Wu-Tang Clan. At the very least, this title is definitely worth a quick rental. You very well may end up becoming a fan in spite of yourself. avault.com Comedy is a tough act in games, but when it is wrapped up in some of the snappiest auto combat and new wave music this side of the Eighties, it becomes a natural extension of a game?s concept. Who could not smile while raining down Star Wars-inspired air assaults on Road Warrior-borne enemies to the syncopated hipness of Eighties pop music sensation Devo? The masterminds behind this scene are lead designer Zack Norman, the man who gave us the wit and grit of the classic Interstate 76, and his team of digital mechanics at Activision. Their sequel to that game, Interstate 82, is scheduled for release on Tuesday, Nov. 16. We sat down with Norman to discuss the process of developing the title, to pose some pointed questions about the gameplay, and to find out what Activision has planned for the future of the franchise. While you're reading the interview, be sure and download the 8 MB movie, which contains the first publicly released game footage. avault.com
