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Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2)
by professorlamp
Ripping the celophane off a game like this should be done with haste but consideration. Obviously you're familiar with the GTA franchise and if you're not then I suggest you familiarise yourself.
Without a shadow of a doubt, this is the best the PS2 has ever offered us. San Andreas takes everything from the previous games and ... adds onto them with an amazing amount of detail, story and gameplay.
The game itself HUGE (although if you REALLY want huge then buy skyrim). 3 cities, each could have been a game on its own but thankfully them rammed it all into one!
I love the urban direction they went in, the radio stations and soundtrack are the best yet and has some brilliant old school classics (NWA anyone?).
The story is wonderfully written and the animations are carried out perfectly.
There are some extra elements that the developers have added to the series in the form of leveling up your abilities such as driving, shooting and fighting which is like that of an RPG, however it is very subtly done and works flawlessly with the rest of the game.
There are no flaws in terms of story and gameplay that can be said about it. It is pure genius.
The only downside to it is that due to the magnificant scale and amount of detail present within the game, the graphics are not upto par with that of other games that came out more or less at the same time, however this is such a minor flaw and really just representative of the limitations of the lowest common denominator of hardware..ie the PS2.
Huge game with great gameplay
BUY THIS GAME!!!
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Outlaw Golf 2 (PS2)
by simon020187
== OUTLAW GOLF 2 ==
Outlaw Golf 2 is the second installment of the fantastic adult golf games that are available for the original Xbox and the PS2. Outlaw Golf 2 was developed by Hypnotix and published by Global Star Software. Outlaw Golf 2 is very similar to the first game and rarely features anything new and exciting. It does ... however contain more adult humour than the previous game. Again there isn't an actual story mode to Outlaw Golf 2 but that's mainly because its golf. Both versions of the game are the same and have all the same features and content plus the game isn't based on actual golf, golfers and course because its all fake but don't let that put you off the game. Outlaw golf 2 is definitely one of my all time favourite golf games so read on to find out more.
=== GAMEPLAY ===
The first Outlaw Golf game featured only 2 separate game modes but Outlaw Golf 2 now has a total of 5 different playable modes to test your skills in. The made mode to the game is Tour mode. In Tour mode there are a lot of different events you can enter but first you have to win each one that is open. It usually involves playing a round of golf but sometimes it can be just the first 9 holes. Most events are stroke play but some of the later ones will be something new and exciting. When you're on the golf course ready to take your shot you will notice that the game looks slightly better but you will also notice that its exactly the same controls, exactly the same courses and exactly the same characters. However there is a new power system when taking your shots now which do give you a little hint where to stop your swing. The putting is the same except for the new and improved power bar that you will absolutely adore because it makes the game a lot easier.
Outlaw Golf doesn't just have the same golfers and course because there are some new ones and some that fit perfectly into the game. You only start with the first four you started with on the first Outlaw Golf. All of the characters have new and old celebrations and some will be extremely offensive to some gamers. Also each character has a caddy which you can literally beat to death in a mini game. There are 10 unique golfers on the game along with 8 varied golf courses which includes an 18 hole mini golf course. The commentating in this game is done by comedian David Attell who is really funny in the game but can be off putting. One of the new features to the game is the ability to use a token to either beat your caddy to death or to drive a golf cart through so many hoops in so many seconds and to do this you must hit ramps to get airtime. Both are a lot of fun to play but the awkwardness of the golf cart is a problem. However its still a lot of fun and will make you giggle.
There is now a brand new mode called Outlaw Range which is used to raise skills of your characters. In the previous games you would come up against golfers that were much better than you and it became a little complicated but now with the new Outlaw Range you can get all characters stats up to compete against the best. In Outlaw Range you can play mini games to increase each stat individually. Some include putting which you have to putt so many balls in succession, driving which increases your shot power and the aim of this game is to smack the ball as far as you can to hit target pads and there are a lot more to be played to increase stats. Outlaw Range is a lot of fun to play and you can spend hours alone enjoying this mode. Also you can go and play Exhibition mode which lets you play what ever games are on the game which include stroke play, match, skins, best ball, scramble, my one and only, casino, time attack, bingo bango, high low, vegas, pick up sticks and baseball. All games tell you what you have to do to win before playing them. You can also now play Quick Play mode which basically puts you straight into the game without picking your golfer or your opponent.
All characters have numerous costumes so if you get bored experiment with them see which you like. Outlaw Golf 2 has an online mode where you can play friends online in any of the above match types but the only problem is that nobody plays the game online anymore because its old and the games not a well known game. You can however make up for this mode by playing friends on the same console which makes things a little more interesting. The game also has 9 bonus movies which can be unlocked. To unlock these you must win certain Tour events. In the options menu you can alter the games music or change the game to suit you best. Overall Outlaw Golf 2 is an interesting golf game that has a nice variety to offer gamers. It is a very rude game and does contain scenes people may find offensive. The previous Outlaw Golf game is the same as are the other games such as Outlaw Tennis and Outlaw Volleyball. Fun gameplay features all round.
=== GRAPHICS ===
Something about the game that has been slightly improved from the first one is the graphics. Characters look a lot better detailed and stand out a lot more too. Some of the course look delicious but there are a few that look plain and ordinary. I don't like the fact that some of them are from the first game and they look exactly the same like they've just been ripped from the first game and stuck into the second with no improvements. The animations that take place in the game are really stunning and certainly make the game look better overall. I also like how most the courses are designed with objects and such, I really think it stands out well. The textures and colouring of the game is simple but effective and overall the graphics are really good for a game that is a little dated.
=== SOUND EFFECTS ===
Outlaw Golf 2 has some good quality sound effects that stand out and to be honest they have been greatly improved on since the first game. The first game featured poor sound effects all throughout the game but Outlaw Golf 2 is really well done. Okay the music isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea but there are some songs that I like and think fit well into the game. However the menu music is far too heavy and boring. The in game music is much better. Sound effects come out properly when you're playing golf especially the sound of your fist against your caddy's face or the sound of you whacking the ball 200 odd yards down the fairway. It really does sound much better than the previous game and is definitely a strong point to the game.
=== DIFFICULTY ===
The game can be difficult sometimes but only until you either get your golfers stats up or you master the games sensitive controls. Using the analog sticks to take shorts is a great idea but you have to keep a steady hand when doing so or your shots will be out of bounds. Its quite easy when you get the hang of it but at first you might struggle. The putting is easy because like the first you can use 3 hints to show you where the balls is going. Difficulty against friends is varied and depends on their actual skill level. Overall I would say its a little simple but a fun game to play.
=== LONGEVITY ===
Outlaw Golf 2 is reasonable in terms of length because whilst its only golf its also the type of game you can play with friends over and over again with different outcomes. The main Tour mode is okay but again its not a very long game mode even though there are multiple events. It even seems shorter than the first game in some respects. It does feature different game modes though that include Outlaw Range which isn't massive but you have to go on with every character if you want their stats improved.
=== PROS ===
*10 golfers, 8 courses and 5 playable game modes.
*Outlaw Range is really good and improves golfers stats. Full with mini games.
*The graphics are fantastic and the sound effects are much improved.
*Beat your caddy up or drive a golf cart up ramps and through hoops.
*The game can be found fairly cheap.
=== CONS ===
*Tour mode just isn't long enough.
*The controls are very sensitive especially when taking your shots.
*Could be a little easy for some gamers.
*The online game modes are dead now and nobody plays them anymore.
*Some of the music is annoying but you can turn it off.
=== FINAL THOUGHT ===
Outlaw Golf 2 is definitely a lot better than the first Outlaw Golf games and possibly better than other Outlaw games. I would even say its better than these pro golf games. Its very similar to Everybody's Golf that is available for the PS1 and PS2. The game does have a decent amount of game modes but I feel a few more or a much longer Tour mode would of been sufficient It does contain scenes of a sexual nature as well as violence and some strong language.
I would recommend the game to many different gamers especially if your a massive fan of golf games but fancy trying something new with variety. I would also recommend if you like a bit of adult material but if your not a fan of stuff like that then the game is probably worth avoiding. The game manual to the game is quite good and has all relevant information and will help you out a lot. The game is the first golf game to have an age rating of 16+ because of what it contains.
I bought the game pretty cheap from Amazon. I did want them GameCube version but there isn't one so had to opt for the PS2 game. It cost me only £2 which included postage which is fantastic value for money. The game is still on Amazon for the same price. It will also be hard to find in most game shops.
Overall its a good game and offers a lot to all sorts of gamers and I would give the game an 8/10!
Review also posted on Ciao under the username: MrBrightside1987!
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Fahrenheit (PS2)
by simon020187
== FAHRENHEIT ==
Fahrenheit is one of my all time favourite games mainly because it offers gamers something different. The game is a cinematic adventure video game that was developed by Quantic Dream and published by Atari. Fahrenheit has the best opening to a game, it features some of the best gameplay and it has one of the most ... thrilling and intense storylines. Almost everything about the game had me addicted when I was playing it and at first when the game came out it didn't really appeal to me. The game was released back in 2005 for the original Xbox, PC and of course the PS2. Fahrenheit isn't just an adventure game and at first most of the game is normal but later on it turns extremely weird. I was quite surprised that a follow up game wasn't made after the game won several awards. However there is a similar game on the PS3 entitled Heavy Rain.
=== STORY ===
Fahrenheit is a thriller adventure game and the main thing the game has to offer is its seriously intense story that revolves around Lucas Kane (your character). The game is set in January 2009 and starts in a small diner. Lucas is in a possessed state inside the toilets of the diner, he stabs a guy to death with a knife. He then comes back from the possessed state and panics because hes lying over a dead body with a knife in his hands and blood all over him. Lucas remembers that there is a cop inside the diner and panics even more. Now you must race against time to either try and get rid of all evidence pointing to you or you must flee the scene. The next morning Lucas wakes up at his apartment and realizes its not a dream and he has in fact killed a man. Now Lucas must search for clues on what has happened and why he cant remember anything after taking his seat in that diner. Lucas knows the murder wasn't his fault but now with the police slowly tracking him, can he uncover the truth behind the mystery?
=== GAMEPLAY ===
In Fahrenheit the game is split into scenes and the main reason for this is because you actually control three different characters even though you are Lucas Kane for the main plot. You also control two detectives called Tyler and Carla in which both fit well into the game. So basically with Lucas Kane you play the weird, thriller and intense scenes whereas with the other two characters you play the detective scenes. Its a little confusing because whilst you have to hide all evidence leading to you with Lucas, you actually also have to try and solve the case with Carla and Tyler so its like you're hunting yourself down.
With Lucas some of the things you can do include moving the body in the diner restroom into the cubicle. You also hide the knife that was used but you actually don't see where he puts it because of the next scene you play with Carla and Tyler. Back in your apartment a cop starts ramming on your door so you must do things to hide suspicion such as wash the blood off your hands, hide the bloody clothes you had on the previous night, bandage your wrists up and a few other bits. As Carla and Tyler you can swap between the two by pressing a button. Each character must find certain bits. Sometimes the game changes as well which is good because for example I have found the murder weapon with Carla and Tyler on different playthroughs and sometimes you can even find it with a certain character.
Most of the scenes have you racing against time and trying to not get caught. Getting caught means you must load the saved game where you last saved it. Something I love about this game is in some of the scenes there are also large action set pieces in which are completely scripted to turn out the same way most of the time but do require you to have very good and quick reflexes to complete and if you don't you will lose a life. Lives are gained from doing certain things right or you can find them in certain objects like cupboards. When you're out of lives its game over. Also during these scenes there are two circles with colored segments that appear on screen and you must react quickly to move the corresponding analog stick or sticks to match the combo that appears on screen. each one of the circles indicate each analog stick. there is also segments of the game that require you to quickly press the L1 and R1 buttons in between each other but these usually appear when you have to do things such as swimming or running.
Your character has a mental health meter which changes every time something happens whether its good or bad. It doesn't really effect your characters too much but it can lead to a different ending. There are a total of three different endings so you have to play through the game on more than one occasion. Overall the game has a lot to offer and will definitely keep you on your feet. I like almost everything about the game and the fact you can interact with characters and almost every item on the game is brilliant. There are many places the game takes you too which include things like work because Lucas tries to carry on with his everyday life after what has happened, to the past for flashbacks, diners, police station, rooftops and more. The game does have a few disappoint things which include the short game time overall.
=== GRAPHICS ===
Fahrenheit is actually pretty good for graphics and one of the things that stand out the most are the cinematic scenes the game have. They are simply brilliant, they offer lots of variety, look stunning and make the game almost feel like a movie. Most of the overall graphics are great, the characters are nicely designed but I feel Lucas is a little weak looking for the main role of the game but he does actually look fantastic later in the game. Some of the places you go to also look really good especially the diner because its brilliant and a great idea. The design of the game overall is stunning, the colouring is almost perfect, objects in the game stand out really well and the movies are flawless. For a game that is a little old the graphics overall are really good.
=== SOUND EFFECTS ===
The sound effects are absolutely fantastic and one of the best features is the fact that the game has several real songs that play in certain parts of the game. Some of these include songs from Theory Of A Deadman (one of my favourite bands), Teddy Pendergrass, Society's Bag, Nina Simone, Bobby Byrd and a few others. The in game sound effects are brilliant especially when the game gets chilling because the sound effects come to full effect and it definitely puts you on edge. You can also hear the characters voices instead of reading what is said so that works well. Other sound effects to the game are really good and are definitely a plus side to the game.
=== DIFFICULTY ===
Fahrenheit isn't a very hard game overall. There are some parts of the game that might cause a couple of problems because it does feature a few problem solving puzzles or some tricky sections where you have to hide or do things in quick succession. The controls can be awkward at times especially with the constant button bashing with the L1 and R1 and also the analog sensitive controls are a bit crazy. Most of the game though is common sense stuff and pretty easy to do. Overall its not a difficult game and many gamers will find this fun and easy but its a win win situation.
=== LONGEVITY ===
Fahrenheit isn't that very long and this is by far the biggest downfall to the game. Whilst some of the scenes in the game can last a while, the game itself is incredibly poor in length. For an example if you know everything about the game and you're playing with knowing where to go and what to do then it only takes about 6-8 hours. Games shouldn't be that short for the price you pay. However if you're new to playing the game it will take you a maximum of 15 hours. Which isn't too bad but its just not enough.
=== PROS ===
*One of the most chilling, thrilling, intense and exciting storylines to a game I have ever seen.
*Some beautiful cinematic scenes and the sound effects are perfect.
*You have to cover your tracks, solve puzzles and try and survive.
*3 different endings to the game so you must play multiple times.
*The price is fantastic for this unique and different game.
=== CONS ===
*The game is ridiculously short and should at least contain something else.
*Only the one game mode which is a little poor.
*Some of the controls can be quite annoying especially later in the game when they get a little tricky.
*Some of the little mini games are poor and unnecessary.
*The fact you have lives is a little daft in my opinion.
=== FINAL THOUGHT ===
Fahrenheit really is a game that is intense and is full of surprises. Each scene has something you wouldn't ever expect and its not the type of story where its predictable. Lucas Kane and Carla have something between them and its noticeable when they meet but I wont say anymore. This game is one of the first adventure thriller games that I have played. I love the fact there is so much you can do such as hide things and try to cover your tracks. It certainly makes a change to find a game like this and its definitely worth checking out.
I would recommend the game if you still play the PS2 or what ever else its on because its an addictive game. I'd also recommend to gamers who want to try something new that has a lot to offer because this game is exactly that. If you don't like thrillers or things that can scare you then its probably best to avoid this. It is a challenging game to say the least and don't let the fact its not a massive game put you off. The game manual is fantastic and tells you everything you need to know about playing the game. Fahrenheit has an age rating of 15+ because it does contain blood, violence, strong language and nudity that's not suitable for younger gamers.
I bought the game for a fairly reasonable price and I definitely think its value for money. I bought it for £8 which included postage fees. The game is quite hard to find in most game shops but Amazon and eBay sell it for a fantastic price. Amazon have the game for roughly £3 which includes postage. That is a brilliant price for this game and its worth every penny.
Fahrenheit is one of my favourite PS2 games and there aren't many like this. Overall I would give the game a solid 9/10! Great game, fantastic price!
Review also on Ciao under the username: MrBrightside1987!
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