Metroid Prime
GameCube £39.99 Nintendo *****
With retailers muttering about unsold stock and Microsoft's Xbox comfortably outselling it, Nintendo's GameCube would appear to be struggling in the UK. But it would be nice to imagine that state of affairs altering radically in the near future, as Nintendo lines up an impressive array of games.
First out of the blocks is Metroid Prime, the first 3D take on the classic shoot-'em-up. Here, Nintendo has performed a masterclass in how to turn a 2D game into a full 3D, first-person version without fudging anything.
It has preserved the original's format: genetically enhanced heroine Samus must once again make her way through enormous levels, acquiring new weapons, negotiating tight passages enclosed in her Morph Ball and dispatching some gloriously freaky monsters and bosses.
The first stage, set on a pirate space station, acts as a tutorial (the control system is complex but well thought-out) yet swiftly has you facing a boss monster and operating under time constraints. Subsequently, gameplay often involves finding power-ups (exploring the complex levels is a joy), and squishy aliens and bizarre bosses abound.
The oddly garish graphics are very distinctive and add a joyously surreal air - yet the game feels remarkably familiar to devotees of Metroids of yore. The one downside of the game is that it is sure to launch a tedious debate between GameCube and Xbox owners regarding whether it deserves to steal Halo's crown as the best console first-person, shoot-'em-up ever. I reckon it does. (SB)
Crash Bandicoot 2: N-Tranced
GBA £29.99 VU Games/ Vicarious Visions ****
Crash Bandicoot has done extremely well in the bid to secure a large slice of gaming pie in an arena that had previously been dominated by an Italian plumber and a certain blue hedgehog.
N-Tranced is Crash's second outing on the GameBoy Advance, the first being Crash Bandicoot: The Huge Adventure. This time, the orange marsupial is trying to thwart his old enemy Dr N Tropy and the evil floating mask Uka Uka, by collecting those items guaranteed to stop all nefarious plans - crystals and Wumpa fruit.
Along the way through the 40-level game, he has to attempt to rescue his friends, who have been hypnotised by Tropy's new recruit N-Trance, the master of hypnotism. All of this requires much exertion, including a lot of Crash's classic slam, spin and slide moves, which are later enhanced into super moves. As with the previous title, there is a concerted effort to break up the monotony of the side-scrolling gameplay with isometric and faux-3D levels.
The smooth graphics lend themselves perfectly to levels where you'll find yourself rolling around inside your Atlas-sphere globe and riding a jet ski while being chased by ravenous sharks. The learning curve is slightly steeper than the previous incarnation, with increasingly frustrating levels, which require precision jumping and a good memory. A link-up mode and timed levels add to the longevity of a well-established formula that makes for an ideal pick-up-and-play platformer. (RP)
Devil May Cry 2
PlayStation 2 £39.99 Capcom ***
Something's gone a bit wrong here. The original Devil May Cry was a stylish gothic romp that borrowed the rigid Resident Evil template - fixed-view graphics and numerous puzzles - and gave it a kick up the backside. Its ballsy, gun-blazing action was a welcome respite from the ammo conservation and fiddly controls of the RE series.
Sadly, Devil May Cry 2 throws away this heritage, opting for a fairly charmless action game. As before, players need to weave a trail of destruction across numerous environs, gaining points for stylishly despatching the enemy. All good fun, but it isn't long until the lack of storyline and regular combat becomes tiresome.
The ability to play as a second character adds variety, even if the potential differences aren't emphasised enough. The weapon upgrade system - a treat in the first game - is also under-utilised, with little of the imagination seen previously.
At least the stunts are as insane. Both characters can leap, somersault and cause acrobatic mayhem. This is undeniable fun, even if the wayward camera wipes off some of the grin. These wonky viewpoints become especially problematic when in combat.
Shooting at an assailant off-screen is an infuriating, and often fatal, experience. It's a shame, too, because at its visceral best, Devil May Care 2 is a braindead stress reliever that will satisfy newcomers to the series. But for dumbing down, and failing to build on the original, Devil May Cry 2 is a disappointing missed opportunity. (GH)
