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		preview DEVIL MAY CRY After delivering the smash-hit action-adventure Onimusha, it might be difficult for a developer to come back with a new game even more graphically ravishing, original, and just downright fun to play. It looks like the prolific folks at Capcom's headquarters in Japan have somehow managed to do it, and Devil May Cry is the proof. A playable demo of Devil May Cry will be distributed with the September release of Resident Evil Code: Veronica X. To be shown at E3, which begins 10 am, Thursday, May 17, Capcom's latest endeavor is a slick, beautiful action game with a dark, gothic look that stars a silver-haired descendent of a long-forgotten hero. Dante has inherited heroism from his ancestors, and along with it, vampiric genes, to boot. These generic attributes enable Dante to perform several important actions that make Devil May Cry unlike any action game Capcom has created before. Dante can shoot with guns and slash with several kinds of swords, but he's also able to transform into a hovering nightmare that's even more powerful. As Dante progresses through the game, he unearths numerous weapons (including his dual-pistols and shotguns), and powerful swords, each possessing various elemental powers. Among the enemies Dante fights are the low-class Demonic (which normally are slow but fight surprisingly fast), the grim-reaper like Death, which hover in air and travel through walls, and attack with scissors-like weapons and scythes, and the high-level castle rulers, the Phantoms. These huge, ugly creatures resemble magically dark spiders that are even more intelligent than humans, and can attack with fierce magic, fire, and other ground-shaking powers.
		review OGRE BATTLE Looking for a game deep enough to make the Pacific Ocean look like a baby pool? This may be your ticket. The Ogre Battle series has treated its hard-core following to some of the best tactical strategy games ever, and now those fans have an N64 version that doesn't disappoint. There have also been gamers who have been asking for an RPG since the N64 was released. Luckily, Ogre Battle 64 won't disappoint those people either. Those who have followed the Ogre Battle series know that the games aren't traditional RPGs, and Ogre Battle 64 remains true to its noble house. However, it features an innovative blend of RPG and strategy elements that should please RPG fans. Ogre Battle 64 wasn't designed by the series' creator, but it still has all the spirit, complexity, and incredible depth of an Ogre Battle game. This is the type of game that you can play for 50 hours, replay for another 50 hours, and still not see everything. Graphics Old-school gamers will appreciate the classic 2D look of Ogre Battle 64. The graphics are a combination of sprite-based scenery with a few 3D elements that are tastefully thrown into the mix. The Ogre Battle series was never about visual feasts, but most gamers should be able to appreciate the beautiful artwork and character animations in the game. Speaking of character animations, Ogre Battle 64 definitely exceeded what I had originally expected before playing it. The characters will look directly at each other when speaking, they'll bend to get up from their chair, they'll reach out when opening a door - it's this type of attention to detail that makes me feel this game was definitely worth the long wait. The backgrounds are also detailed with moving grass, bushes, fires, and other parts of the setting. The whole overall look achieves a quality cartoon feel to the game, which is fun to look at, and a blast to play. A Zelda fanatic used to the graphics in Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask might watch a cutscene and not think much of it, but it gets the job done. Sound The music is beautiful and peppered with variations on old Ogre Battle themes. Ogre Battle fans will be humming the theme as soon as they get to the start screen. While the midi-instruments might not be anything special, the compositions are definitely as grandiose as ever. The sound effects are nice and fit the game well. There are battle sounds that are quite interesting, and different themes will play when a certain event happens or when a certain character comes on-screen. The menus have pop and click sounds when a button is pressed, and altogether the sound should keep your ears happy. Gameplay Are you new to Ogre Battle? Then there might be some things about the series that you will be surprised to know. Did you know that the player doesn't control the characters with the controller? Pretty much all of the game is played through menu manipulation. In fact, 80% of the strategy is decided before the first drop of blood is spilt. Even when entering a location, you don't walk around and talk to characters. The only point in the game when there is character interaction is during cut-scenes when a character is encountered on the world map. When that happens, a standard battle scene will come up, but instead of fighting commands, you will have a command to talk. Despite not being able to walk freely and talk to all the non-playable characters, there is quite a bit of conversation in the game. When a battle begins, your characters will begin attacking and defending on their own without word from you. Where do you come in? You are able to use "interrupt commands." There is a meter that is filled as the battle is fought, and once it is full you are able to issue one of three interrupt commands. The three commands include battle strategy, retreat, and Elem Pedra. Other than the world map and battle menus, another interface that players will become familiar with is the organize screen. The menus, while a little complex at first, should be simple enough to figure out after tutorial mode. There are a variety of options to configure at the organize screen. The characters in the game have two sizes, normal (like humans) and large (like dragons). They have different classes, such as cleric, archer, dragon tamer, etc. You can name each character and even change the name at a later time in the game. Each character also has their own pieces of equipment, ranging from weapons, shields, and clothing. The strategy comes in when you put your characters into units. You place them in a unit and assign a unit leader, then dispatch them to the world map. Then you will issue commands to the unit, such as where to move. The units are laid out in a 3x3 grid, with a front, middle, and back row. Players can use up to five normal characters per unit, and the large characters take up an extra space on all sides. There is a lot of strategy involved in setting up your units, because where certain characters are placed will have an effect on their attacks, and characters in the front are the ones that are usually attacked first. I'm talking strategy so addictive that you'll want to open up the cartridge, crawl inside, and live there. The controls are very intuitive and functional at all times. The button layout is perfect for when you go to open a menu or deselect something. It just feels right pressing a particular button to do something. Ogre Battle 64 is incredibly realistic and deep. Presentation You play as Magnus Gallant (you know he's the hero with a name like that), a purple-haired subject of the Palatinean kingdom. He volunteers to go to his world's equivalent of Siberia after graduating with top honors from the nation's top military academy. Trouble follows Magnus, and his troops barely have any time to train before a revolution flares up in his neck of the woods. In the beginning, Magnus fights to quell the revolt, but the ideals of the troops he slays eventually work their way through his purple locks and make him join in the revolution. Much like the hero of the last two Ogre Battle games, he's in charge of the revolutionary army and fighting for his life before he understands what's going on. Just like all the other Ogre Battle games, he's in for more than a few plot twists, betrayals, and meetings with supernatural forces. The story of Ogre Battle 64 is well told, although at times a little tough to follow. That is expected though with all the characters that you see in the game. There are so many characters that Atlus even included a chart to help you remember who they are and why they're so busy making your noble efforts a royal pain in the ass. A great, detailed story and easy to navigate menus will keep you hooked to this game for quite some time. Depth In case you haven't figured it out yet, this game is very deep. Players will be sucked into the story, and they'll stay for quite a while. It's so addicting that some players will be tempted to play through again once they are finished. For some players, the game might be too deep that they get lost in it. If you want a game that is easy to learn and hard to master, you don't want Ogre Battle 64. This game is hard to learn and freakin' impossible to master. However, if you read through the manual and go through the tutorial, you'll feel like you graduated from the military academy with Magnus, and you'll be ready for battle. Overall Any game with little 2D guys that cuss and kill each other will get the thumbs up from me, but Ogre Battle 64 has so much more. If you thrive on the sense of tactical strategy involved in manipulating an entire army on the field of battle, then I couldn't recommend any game more than Ogre Battle 64. If you're unsure of Ogre Battle 64, and think that it might not suit your gaming tastes, I would still have to recommend a rental. Only then can you make a real judgment of Ogre Battle 64. Ogre Battle 64: The Scores Graphics 8.0 Sound 6.0 Gameplay 9.0 Depth 8.0 Presentation 7.5 Overall 8.5 The Final Word: If you've got spare time and don't mind using your brain, Ogre Battle 64 is a good way to fill it. If you have the attention span of, say, George W. Bush, you won't get much out of Ogre Battle 64. The great, complex story and strategy make this game deeper than Pamela Anderson's, um, pocketbook, and I couldn't be happier.
		review GAUNTLET DARK LEGACY In total there are eight worlds consisting of five levels each, excluding the final battle realm plus secret levels, legend items to collect, runestones, crystals and more. There is always something left to do. Gauntlet: Dark Legacy will keep you busy for quite some time. If you need more challenge you can even switch characters between levels. Gauntlet does a great job of tweaking the formula for home consumption. If you're a fan of the series or just looking for a great multiplayer seek and destroy mission, Gauntlet will provide thrills in spades. Pros: Great multiplayer Nice depth tweaks for home version Great sound Near perfect menu system Cons: One player experience is dull Camera can infuriate at times Graphics 8.0 Sound 9.0 Gameplay 7.5 Depth 8.0 Presentation 9.0 Overall 8.0 The Final Word: Rent it if you have doubts, but Gauntlet is highly recommended for anyone with a fellow adventure to count amongst his or her friends. "Welcome back, yellow Dwarf!"