Tag: Release year: 2002

Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter – Extermination Geonosis

Strap in and secure your hold-out blaster pistol. It’s time to once again set out to defend against the Trade Federation droids. Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter is a continuation of Star Wars: Starfighter, but bigger and better, with a more focused story that plays into the Star Wars movie prequel a bit more. Notable Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and specifically: the battle of Geonosis. Another difference in this game, compared to the original, is that the spot for the main character is now shared with a Jedi, who comes with unique devastating force abilities. 

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Largo Winch: Empire Under Threat – The Life of a Billionaire Playboy

Franchises can be odd on a personal level. How huge pieces of fiction can exist right under your nose for years in obscurity, without you ever noticing them, even if the genre fits your taste. Largo Winch is one of those franchises to me. Before Largo Winch – Empire Under Threat, I had never heard about this anti-corruption-fighting billionaire. It’s a name that has spawned both movies and games (as you can tell), from its humble beginnings as a comic from Belgium. So, what is it, and is it any good? Well, good might be stretching it, but I found the title charming. However, you must have a fondness for puzzles and point-and-click adventure gaming, even if the game includes combat segments. Let’s get into it.

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Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem

Eternal Darkness is a Lovecraft-inspired survival horror from all the way back in 2002. It was made by Silicon Knights and released for Nintendo Gamecube only. However, thanks to emulators (Dolphin in this case), it’s possible for even me to play it without too much trouble. I did try it out when it was released, though, since I borrowed a friend’s Gamecube to play this game specifically and Resident Evil (the remaster). I don’t remember the reason, but I never got very far – I can only assume my focus was on finishing Resident Evil before I had to return the console. Anyway, here we are, and I have just completed Eternal Darkness, and what can I say? It’s a great addition to the genre, even if a bit linear at times. It did feel good to once again have to use tank controls and experience fixed camera angles. It’s kinda ironic because nowadays developers are hell-bent on cinematic experiences, yet, have totally ignored fixed camera angles, which to me personally feels very movie-like. If embraced, it would make their lives much easier since the game director has full control over what you will see and how.

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Icewind Dale II – Temple Hell

I can’t critique the full game since I have not finished it, and unfortunately, I’m not sure how likely that will be. Anyways, talk about a game that goes from awesome RPG goodness to a pure bore of the slog +2…

Let’s start with the good parts. The intro, like the first Icewind Dale, is great and gets me into the adventure headspace immediately. Creating the characters for your party is fun – especially now considering the engine was updated to D&D 3.0 edition rule set (which is my favorite version) from 2.0. The prologue and the first chapter have a magnificent feel to them, a freezing old town under siege by goblins and orcs. Mercenaries and guards are all over the place, and with an exciting narrative that steers towards conspiracy and treason. 

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