This Week In Games #28: April 2nd 2006 by Michael Anderson April 02, 2006

• Kao The Kangaroo Round 2 (PS2 & GameCube, Rated E) – Early Buzz: the release was pushed back a week, but the game is still bland and lifeless.
  
• Top Spin 2 (XBOX360, Rated E) – Early Buzz: although it has some nice moves and a solid career mode, this one hits it into the net with loads of gameplay issues and uninspired visuals.
  
• Harvest Moon: Magic Melody (GameCube, Rated E) – Early Buzz: the best game in the series, this wonderful adventure does have a bit of a learning curve for new players.
  
• River King: A Wonderful Journey (PS2, Rated E) – Early Buzz: another delayed release, this comes out just in time for the new Harvest Moon game to provide the contrast as to how inferior this clone is.
  
• Kingdom Hearts II (PS2, Rated E-10) – Early Buzz: a perfect blend of Disney and Final Fantasy, there are only a few minor issues with the camera and the need to know the other games in the series to get the most from the story.
  
• Beatmania Bundle (PS2, Rated E-10) – Early Buzz: a nice controller and game concept hampered by a lousy track list and annoying user interface.
  
• Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires (PS2 & XBOX360, Rated T) – Early Buzz: huge content filled hack & slash game, but the battles can become tedious and the XBOX360 graphics are not up to par.
  
• Rumble Roses XX (XBOX360, Rated M) – Early Buzz: delivers a graphical voyeuristic tour-de-force ... but the rest of the game is pretty much a mess.
  
• Far Cry: Instincts Predator (XBOX360, Rated M) – Early Buzz: continues the solid delivery the Far Cry series has established, but having to replay the original XBOX game to get to the new content could be annoying to some.
  
• Far Cry: Instincts Evolution (XBOX, Rated M)
  
• Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter (PS2, Rated T)
  
• Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers (PS2, XBOX & PC, Rated M) – Early Buzz: with a longer, deeper and better looking campaign, this still feels much like the original game and some of the issues with the artificial intelligence and controls remain.

• Top Spin 2 (GBA, Rated E)
  
• Top Spin 2 (DS, Rated E)
  
• Super Black Bass Fishing (DS, Rated E)
  
• Kao Challengers (PSP, Rated E) – Early Buzz: the release for the handheld version was also pushed back a week, but the early reviews calling this a ‘bland and purposeless platformer' were apparently right on.
  
• Untold Legends: The Warrior's Code (PSP, Rated T) – Early Buzz: while improved in many ways, the overall experience is no more satisfying that the original.

• American Conquest: Divided Nation (PC, Rated E-10) – Early Buzz: an uninspired stand-alone expansion to a game that is no longer relevant in the RTS genre.
  
• Space Rangers 2: Rise of the Dominators (PC, Rated T) – Early Buzz: released in Europe last fall, this excellent turn-based role playing game features a bit of everything in terms of gameplay, and does it all very well.
  
• Buccaneer's Bounty (PC, Rated T) – Early Buzz: a nice compilation of three decent strategy games in one budget collection.
  
• Neighbors from Hell: On Vacation (PC, Rated T) – Early Buzz: some decent point and click fun, but very short, even considering the inclusion of the first game in the series and a budget price.
  
• Daemonica (PC, Rated T) – Early Buzz: fun adventure game with some nice twists on otherwise tired genre clichés. Nice story, if somewhat short.
  
• UberSoldier (PC, Rated M) – Early Buzz: nice detailed designs and levels, but terrible story, voice acting and performance make this a real untersoldier.

• Heroes of Might & Magic V (PC, Rated E-10) – latest addition in the venerable turn-based strategy series got a lot of criticism in a public test, so it remains to be seen how it will follow up the widely praised predecessor.

• Donkey Konga 2 (GameCube, Rated E – GamerDad Review Score 4/5). This wonderful GameCube rhythm game is available at Amazon.com for $19.99! The GamerDad review says "Donkey Konga is still one of the best kid's games available. If they can drum and follow the symbols as they fly past, they're going to have a lot of fun with this game. They'll also learn timing, better reflexes, and counting – that's what percussion is all about. Donkey Konga 2 is more of the same, and there are far fewer kid's songs, but that's okay." Check out the GamerDad review here!
  
• Myst V: End of Ages (PC, Rated E – Average Review Score ~4/5). This final game in the groundbreaking adventure series is available at Amazon.com for $19.99! The game got solid reviews but never took off at retail – still, it is a worthy game is you enjoy the genre.
  
• Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (PS2, Rated M – Average Review Score ~4.5/5). This excellent retooling of the solid game is available at Gamestop.com with the bonus Saga DVD for only $29.99! The GamerDad review is not here yet ... but a sneak peek indicates that you should definitely get this game!

• Yu-Gi-Oh! Ultimate Masters (GBA, Rated E) – another solid release, but another unspectacular game. It is an easier entry for new players than most of the series, making it a solid choice for kids getting started.

Comments? Chat about it in our forums!

Format For Printing | Tell A Friend

Home > Columns > This Week In Games > #28: April 2nd 2006