Review by: Nick Stewart
Published: April 18, 2002

Little could George Lucas have suspected that when filming a little movie called Star Wars, he was in fact laying the foundations for what would later become a full-blown cultural phenomenon of staggering proportions. Attribute it to the epic story, to the special effects, to the interesting characters; whatever the reason, the legendary reach possessed by this cinematic giant has been enough to carry the film’s popularity across generations and through the decades, leaving a nearly endless trail of books, spin-offs, and merchandising mania in its prodigious wake. Even during the 16-year lull between the original series and Episode I, countless products have emerged in an attempt to satiate fans’ eternal longing to catch even a faint glimpse of the Star Wars universe. One such product was the PC title Star Wars: Dark Forces, which introduced the gaming community to Kyle Katarn, a grizzled, pessimistic mercenary who reluctantly found himself a hero to the Rebel Alliance. Meeting with great success, it was soon followed by the award-winning Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II, which found Katarn fighting a much more personal mission to avenge his father, while becoming a Jedi Knight and defeating a group of Dark Jedi along the way. With the ongoing series now in the able hands of Raven Software, creators of Soldier of Fortune and Star Trek Voyager: Elite Force, Kyle Katarn returns to action once more in the anxiously anticipated Star Wars Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast. ( read more… )

Review by: Nick Stewart
Published: April 18, 2001

“I feel like a casualty waiting to happen. How come we redshirts are the first to go down?”
“Your fears are well-founded. Ensign casualty rates have risen dramatically in the last few years.”
“Right. Thanks.”

-Dialogue excerpt from Star Trek: Away Team

Few realms of science fiction have captured the imagination with the style and class as that of Star Trek. The many incarnations of late Gene Roddenberry’s creation have represented countless aspects of human interest, daring to explore such realms as science, morality, creativity, and even humor in its nearly four decades of existence. With its vast array of personalities, races, alliances, storylines, scientific designs and more, the purveyors of the Star Trek universe have certainly done their best to cover all the conceptual bases. Much the same can be said for developers and publishers, as the last several years have seen a broad spectrum of entries into the digital canon of Trek games. Covering the likes of adventure, real-time strategy, tactical starship commandeering, first-person shooters, and even a virtual tour, it seems that there’s precious little that fans haven’t had the chance to do or see in the name of exploring Roddenberry’s legacy. Hoping to further add to this variety of flavors is the latest addition to the franchise, Star Trek: Away Team, a self-proclaimed squad-based strategy game that hopes to take fans beyond the safety of sanctioned Starfleet territory. ( read more… )

Review by: Nick Stewart
Published: April 14, 2001

Say what you will about the potential horrors and effects of war, but there’s no denying that some of man’s greatest conflicts have provided some of our most enduring and stirring stories. Countless tales of bravery, of camaraderie, and of teamwork have emerged from the dangerous fields of battle, creating heroes for generations to come. World War II in particular has proven to be a noteworthy phenomenon, not only for the sheer breadth and scope of its involvement, but also for the level of interest that it’s generated even now, some 60 years after its conclusion. Books and film have reminded everyone of the terrible Nazi threat that emerged in that period, which in turn made the victors and veterans that much more heroic, a fact not lost on the realm of computer gaming. Strategy titles have long allowed fans to relive key battles, giving them the chance to see if they could perhaps bring about the same successes, or to see victory where others met defeat. First-person shooters have been slow to realize this same digital reality, and while golden oldies like Wolfenstein 3D brought the war’s primary aggressors — the Nazis — to the fictitious fray, few have ventured to bring players to the virtual battlefields. Hoping to put a slightly more realistic spin to the genre is the value-priced WWII: Normandy, which sets you deep in the heart of occupied territory.

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Review by: Nick Stewart
Published: April 13, 2001

One fantastic aspect of video and computer games is their ability to transport us through time and space, to allow us to witness and meddle in affairs that have never been. Countless realms of science fiction and fantasy have been brought to life thanks to the efforts of tireless developers intent on telling great stories and weaving interesting tales. Invented creatures and individuals have often graced our computer screens, giving gamers a window or two into their own imagination, and that of the title’s creators. Sometimes, though, a peek into the pages of history can be a refreshing and wholly entertaining experience. Recent titles such as Riddle of the Sphinx have breathed life into Ancient Egypt, while the latter two Journeyman Projects offered views into the likes of Da Vinci, the Mongols, the Aztecs, and so forth. Hoping to continue in this vein is The Messenger, which attempts capture the richly textured past of the Louvre as well as its countless famous and infamous inhabitants in a time-travelling adventure.

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Review by: Nick Stewart
Published: April 5, 2001

It’s an all-too-common occurrence for a game to wander onto the market, meet with some minor financial success or perhaps a critical thrashing, and then to disappear into the void, never to be heard from again. It’s one of those events that can be consistently relied upon; after all, not everyone is capable of making award-winners such as Baldur’s Gate, Command & Conquer: Red Alert, or Diablo. However, when one such critically acclaimed title does stride onto store shelves, it’s equally expected that its popularity will guarantee the eventual release of an expansion of some sort, as was the case with the three aforementioned offerings. Another example of this phenomenon is Will Wright’s latest brainchild, The Sims. As last year’s best-selling title and perennial fan favorite, it seemed inevitable that it would produce an expansion, which it did, in the form of The Sim: Livin’ Large. Considering the latter’s success and the plug-in nature of the core gameplay, it’s only natural that Maxis has put forth yet another add-on to their breakaway success: The Sims: House Party. ( read more… )

Review by: Nick Stewart
Published: April 4, 2001

There’s no doubt that digital role-playing has seen a sort of rebirth these past few years, a feat that can almost exclusively be attributed to the geniuses over at Black Isle and BioWare. Between Planescape: Torment, two Fallout titles, and several trips to Baldur’s Gate, these past couple of years have seen some of the absolute best RPGs ever seen in the genre’s digital history. Epic stories combined with stellar graphics, terrific interactivity and solid gameplay have been classic hallmarks of each of these — a tradition that continued with last year’s excursion into the Spine of the World, Icewind Dale. Considering the critical success that followed its release, it seemed natural that an expansion was to follow; now, after months of eager anticipation, fans can now get their hands on Icewind Dale: Heart of Winter, which seeks to cement the foundations set by its predecessor. ( read more… )

Review by: Nick Stewart
Published: March 30, 2001

If you’re the least bit a fan of real-time strategy, you’re probably well aware that the genre is stricken with a great number of problems that have an unfortunate tendency of breeding clones. Whether the stories are too similar or the units too generic, the industry has seen wave after wave of RTS offerings that have been far too interchangeable. Take any two random games, switch a title here, a name there, and you’ll still have the same basic product either way. Fortunately, the genre has been witness to some innovation as of late, with products like Sudden Strike bringing revitalizing doses of innovation to an overly crowded table. A German development and publishing house by the name of Data Becker is hoping to make a few beneficial additions of their own. With America, they push aside the increasingly tired conventional sci-fi and fantasy settings in favor of the dusty tumbleweeds of the Old West.

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Review by: Nick Stewart
Published: March 20, 2001

Whatever the reason, it seems that the industry has led to the classification of certain gaming topics as belonging to one genre or another. For instance, modern cityscapes are almost always home to fast-and-furious street racers such as Midtown Madness and Driver, while the depths of monster-infested dungeons are almost exclusively explored by role-playing games like Baldur’s Gate. Thematic crossovers only occur in rare instances: alien-infested planets are often open both to the “blast-em-while-you-can” fans of FPS offerings, as well as the “secure-the-colonists-via-alien-genocide” tactics of the real-time strategy realm. As a result, it’s always surprising to see new efforts attempting to breach this unspoken wall to explore new genres and new opportunities. While the two World Wars have been revisited time and time again thanks to countless squad-based efforts, it’s an environment that’s barely seen the light of a RTS day. Hoping to set a new standard and stake a claim in this relatively unexplored terrain is the ambitious and decidedly different Sudden Strike. ( read more… )

Review by: Nick Stewart
Published: March 15, 2001

The time was 1492, and Europe was split up into various superpowers, each with its own unique identity and motives. It was a time of change, in virtually all possible realms: politics, culture, the economy, as well as religion. It was a time where England, Spain, France, Austria, Russia, and others were looking to expand their respective empires, hoping to build upon the various foundations that had begun to crumble under the heavy weight of endless war and the Black Plague that had stricken more than a hundred years previous. Hoping to increase trade without dealing with the Ottoman empire that sat in their way, countries such as Spain and Portugal set out to sea, running with the possibility of arriving at economically-rich India via a more direct route. Discovering America, the New World, would eventually spark a unique set of problems of its own, as the struggle to control this vast and potentially rich land incited countless conflicts. This was the beginning of a time where artists such as Michaelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci would make their indelible mark, where Machiavelli would write one of the most defining doctrines of “realpolitik,” and where Martin Luther would change the face of religion. It was the beginning of a period that would shape the face of history, and it’s the exact realm that you have the opportunity to enter, mould, and control within the epic Europa Universalis. ( read more… )

Review by: Nick Stewart
Published: March 9, 2001

In any forum where commercial competition is involved, success often goes to those who manage to stand out from the crowd. This has often led to some incredibly positive changes in a given field, as this fierce rivalry has forced bands to improve their music, writers to improve their prose, and companies to introduce various innovations. Nowhere is this phenomenon more easily observed than within the realm of digital gaming, as titles can easily be broken down to their various components and features. ( read more… )

Review by: Nick Stewart
Published: March 2, 2001

Presenting countless worlds where medieval chivalry and combat clash with the mysteries of the mystic arts, fantasy has allowed numerous authors to weave complex tales of heroism and treachery. Its widespread popularity has lent itself extremely well to the gaming world, with such timeless pen-and-paper classics as Dungeons & Dragons still occupying dice-littered tabletops to this day. Even the digital realm has felt its sorcerous touch, as most fans who have spent time laying waste to orcs within Warcraft 2 will gladly attest. Regardless of its relative success in the industry, digital fantasy has almost always been deeply lodged in one of two very different camps: that of real-time strategy or role-playing. While Warlords: Battlecry ambitiously tried its hand at bringing these two genres together, Korea-based Phantagram attempts to do them one better with their own release of the much-anticipated Kingdom Under Fire. ( read more… )

Review by: Nick Stewart
Published: February 21, 2001

Never underestimate the power of a well-told story. This is but one of the lessons that can be gleaned from the success of out-of-nowhere cinematic tales such as American Movie, Clutch, Cube, and more recently, Chicken Run. While cynics and critics alike were expecting this animated tale of escape-hungry fowl to shamelessly pander to children, there lie a surprisingly universal appeal hidden within its off-the-wall and decidedly silly antics. As a result, the film became somewhat of a media darling, charming its way into the hearts and wallets of movie-goers everywhere. In light of its box office success, this goofy story continues to live on, hoping to further extend its lifespan with its adoring audience in video game format, with an offering entitled — what else? — Chicken Run. ( read more… )

Review by: Nick Stewart
Published: February 15, 2001

In many respects, this is an exciting time to be a sports fan. Apart from the emergence of new endeavors such as Vince McMahon’s XFL, and the rebirth of such greats as Mario Lemieux, the realm of athletic ability is privy to a singularly stellar individual. In his three short years as a pro, he’s shattered records, and is rapidly approaching countless others that have taken some of the greatest legends their entire careers to accomplish. His youth and his power have appealed to the jaded while his unconventional attitude and occasionally raw emotion have drawn their criticism; regardless of your attitude towards the man, Tiger Woods is one of the most dominant athletes to grace the storied sport of golf. With unbridled talent also comes top-shelf sponsorship, which has given him the devoted attention of the likes of Nike. It was only a matter of time before he was courted by EA Sports, whose own reputation within the industry was akin to the swoosh-wielding, footwear-producing corporate powerhouse. Unfortunately for gamers, this collaboration has yet to yield any kind of truly worthy experience, though they may find renewed hope with this year’s attempt, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2001.

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Review by: Nick Stewart
Published: November 29, 2000

If somebody were to ask you about some of your fondest gaming memories, there would possibly be some mentions of your first encounters with Doom, a particularly great frag in Quake, or maybe a marathon session with Civilization. This isn’t to say that digital entertainment has always dominated fans’ attention; in fact, certain board games or pen-and-paper outings have generated some of our most memorable moments. Hardcore RPG fans are likely to recall their first roll of the dice within Dungeons and Dragons, just as certain strategy-mongers will quote at length certain sessions they’ve enjoyed with Avalon Hill’s perennial classic, Squad Leader. Though it’s decades old, the latter is a game that’s captured many an imagination with its war-themed, turn-based, soldier-management antics. It seems that the specific, decades-old appeal of this timeless classic is such that Hasbro — who now owns the once-great Avalon Hill — has allowed Random Games to create a title based upon its flagship product, Squad Leader. ( read more… )

Review by: Nick Stewart
Published: November 24, 2000

As box office receipts have certainly shown, the cinematic world has an obvious love affair with spies. Between the high-glitz living, the exotic locales and the outlandish gadgets, there’s something about them that has appealed to the movie-going public for the last half-century. Naturally, the most obvious specimen would have to be the eminent James Bond, perhaps the most famous spy of them all, who has since stood as a symbol of his trade. Of course, there have also been several attempts to spoof this extravagant and often cliché-ridden genre, including Our Man Flint and its campy ilk. This trend has recently been revived with the arrival of the incredibly popular Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and its sequel, which not only skewered many of the laughable Bond conventions, but also returned to the wild colors, “cut loose, hang out” attitude and unique atmosphere of the swingin’ sixties. Although such titles as Metal Gear Solid have made serious attempts at the espionage scene, few have taken a more laid-back attitude such as the Powers series; that is, until now. With tongue planted firmly in cheek, Monolith has put forth the kitschy, campy, ’60s-themed No One Lives Forever, an obvious spin on the Powers mythos, with one particularly distinct twist: a female protagonist.

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