ShareThisBy CHRIS CAMPBELL
Friday, October 27, 2006
("Okami." Platform: PlayStation 2. Genre: Action/Adventure. Publisher: Capcom. ESRB Rating: T for Teen. Grade: 4.5 stars out of 5)
Normally when a game sets its self apart, it does so by taking a risk _ trying some wild and crazy gameplay that normally crashes and burns. But when it succeeds it redefines what a video game should do, which is to entertain you and challenge your perceptions.
"Okami" does exactly this. Capcom has delivered a stunningly fresh concept. You play as Amaterasu, the Japanese sun god, and while your task sounds simple (rid the land of evil and restore beauty and happiness to all) nothing about the game is typical.
The two biggest items worth discussing are the visuals and the brush technique. First, the whole game is presented like a rich, dynamic watercolor painting, where everything floats as if the action was taking place within a dream.
In the gameplay, you will occasionally use Amaterasu's tail as a paintbrush, where his powers come into full bloom; you make brush strokes that attack enemies, solve puzzles or bring life back to a desolate area.
With its visual style and creative gameplay, "Okami" is easily one of the top 10 games to be released this year, and we haven't even hit the holiday rush.
And now a look at this year's crop of NBA titles:
("NBA 07." Platforms: PlayStation 2, PSP. Genre: Sports. Publisher: SCEA ESRB. Rating: E for Everyone. Grade: 3 stars out of 5)
What sets Sony's NBA game apart from the other two major mainstream titles is that it is more story-centric than a straight simulation game.
Like "NBA 06," you follow the path of either Big W or The Kid, and take them through the season on the court and off. Often you won't get to play full games with these guys, because in-game challenges and achievements are given for you to try to succeed at, rather than just beating your opponent.
Though the story mode is more entertaining over time than a straight franchise mode, it's troublesome that a franchise/owner mode isn't even part of "NBA 07."
To only be able to play one season is pretty weak, and made worse because there's no barrier to absurd trades, allowing you to load up on All-Stars before the season begins and crush the competition.
Visually the game has not improved much from last year, but that is not a surprise since most of Sony's efforts now are focused on getting the PS3 ready for shipment this winter. If you're looking for something outside the ordinary realm of NBA games, this might be your answer.
("NBA 2K7." Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Xbox. Genre: Sports. Publisher: 2K Sports. ESRB Rating: E for Everyone. Grade: 3 stars out of 5.)
"NBA 2K7" hits gamers over the head with modes of play, so there's something to appease just about anyone who picks up a controller.
Whether you are trying your hand on the streetball courts, online gaming or the more robust franchise mode, there's little left out in this game.
The visuals look a lot like last year's, so here's to hoping that 2K Sports is done trying to push the graphics envelope on the 360, because there's certainly more room to grow. But the animations are superb, as it seems time was spent developing each player's real-life movements instead of making everyone move and shoot the same way.
"2K" gets solid marks for its ability to deliver a crisp package with lots of content and no glaring missteps.
("NBA Live 07." Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Xbox, PSP, PC. Genre: Sports. Publisher: EA Sports. ESRB Rating: E for Everyone. Grade: 2.5 stars out of 5)
In "NBA Live 07," many of the improvements are cosmetic, while fundamental aspects of the game are left dragging once again.
There is improved ball-handling and superstar moves in this year's offering, and the slam-dunk contest is awesome because of the versatility of the dunks you can throw down. But overall, the game is just a tad better than last year's, and that's not saying much.
EA Sports has always had the best graphics in sports games, and that trend continues. If you're a loyal "NBA Live" gamer, you'll be OK, but others should rent before buying.
