The DP Challenge
The DP Challenge is a research project in which you play and analyze the top 100 games ever to hit your console(s). At the end of this project, I hope to be a better writer with a host of ideas for my own projects. I anticipate that I will learn more from the games that are in genres that I don't usually play or simply from games I wouldn't usually pick up than from the games I love. I'm looking forward to that education!
Information on the DP Challenge can be found at: http://www.dpfiles.com/dpfileswiki/index.php?title=THE_DP_CHALLENGE
**Note: As it takes a long time to evaluate 100+ games and new games are constantly being rolled out, my top 100 list continually changes. There will undoubtedly be discrepancies in the numeric rating of my list. As I catch them, I'll try to update them, but, I want to play all of the great games, so I know I'll be changing the list often.
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Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Tuesday, January 17, 2012,
 If you're on this website, nothing else needs to be said. You're tech savvy and Internet-aware enough to know what's going on. If you don't, here's the short version: Internet censorship is bad! Continue reading ...
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Game InfoPublisher: ActivisionDeveloper: Neversoft EntertainmentPlatform: PS2Genre(s): Action/Adventure
Players: 1ESRB Rating: T (Teen)Release Date: April 8, 2003Intro: It’s not what the intro does; it’s how it does it. Splinter Cell tells
the story of two agents sent in behind enemy lines and captured. You
are then introduced to Sam, who will be sent in to rescue them. For a PS2 game, the pine cone and tree graphics blew me away. But here’s why Splinte... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Friday, June 24, 2011,
In :
Books
 Playing and being well-informed about a variety of video games is
somewhat like being well-read in literary circles. Anyone can design a
game; really understanding great design is not something you can learn
in school. It's learned in the trenches; playing, working at it, and
sharing knowledge with other developers. A DP Challenge Compendium takes a hard look at established video games and breaks them down for their design elements. This book is now available for sale on Kindle. Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Tuesday, May 31, 2011,
Dante’s Inferno Game InfoPublisher: Electronic ArtsDeveloper: Visceral GamesPlatform: PS3Genre(s): ActionPlayers: 1 PlayerESRB Rating: M (Mature)Release Date: February 09, 2010Intro:The
beginning of the game tells the backstory. Some of it is told in
narrative writing, some in a freakishly disturbing cut scene, and some
in an odd sort of comic style that seems out of place with the amazing
graphics in the game. Getting Going:The
comic gives way to action and we find Dante in the cen... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Saturday, April 9, 2011,
In :
Sports
#84 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 Game InfoPublisher: EA SportsDeveloper: EA SportsPlatform: PS2Genre(s): GolfPlayers: 1-4 PlayersESRB Rating: E (Everyone)Release Date: September 22, 2003Intro:A
random golfer introduces the game as an EA Sports game with their
familiar motto: “EA Sports: It’s in the game.” In one scene, it’s a
famous golfer on a green. In another, it’s a golfer in motion capture
gear. The load screens gradually give way to DMX’s “Y’all Gonna Make Me
Lose M... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Wednesday, March 2, 2011,
In :
Platformer
#69 Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando  Game InfoPublisher: Sony Computer EntertainmentDeveloper: Insomniac GamesPlatform: PS2Genre(s): PlatformerPlayers: 1ESRB Rating: T (Teen)Release Date: November 11, 2003Intro:Ratchet & Clank give
an interview about their adventures as champions of the Universe, which
is seen by someone in need of assistance. In no time, they are whisked
away on another adventure. The intro draws the player briefly into the
backstory of our two heroes without being dr... Continue reading ...
#76 Viewtiful Joe Game InfoPublisher: CapcomDeveloper: Clover StudioPlatform: PS2Genre(s): ActionPlayers: 1ESRB Rating: T (Teen)Release Date: August 24, 2004Intro:Joe
takes his girlfriend to the movies to see a classic superhero movie,
his favorite. When his hero is defeated, the villain snatches his girl,
bringing her into the movie. His hero, grabs him from the seats and
takes him into the movie, as well, granting him the super powers to save
his girl and the day.Getting Going:Viewti... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Monday, February 28, 2011,
In :
Car Combat
#58 Twisted Metal: Black Game InfoPublisher: SCEADeveloper: Incognito, Inc.Platform: PS2Genre(s): Car CombatPlayers: 1-4 PlayersESRB Rating: M (Mature)Release Date: June 18, 2001Intro:There really isn’t much of an intro to the game. The beginning strains of Paint It Black by the Rolling Stones plays as cars careen and crash at the end of a street, which takes us directly to the load screen. Getting Going:Players
are given a choice of advancing through arenas in Story Mode, choosing a
car... Continue reading ...
Heavy Rain Game InfoPublisher: SCEADeveloper: Quantic Dream Platform: PS3Genre(s): AdventurePlayers: 1ESRB Rating: M (Mature)Release Date: February 23, 2010Intro:The
camera pans across a man lying face down on the edge of a bed in
nothing but boxer shorts. Sun streams through the window. As the
camera moves in closer, the player takes control.Getting Going:The
player is prompted to get Ethan up. From there, various controls will
be explained as Ethan moves about the room and, eventu... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Thursday, December 2, 2010,
In :
Sports
#33 NFL 2K3 Game InfoPublisher: SegaDeveloper: Visual ConceptsPlatform: PS2Genre(s): FootballPlayers: 1-2 PlayersESRB Rating: E(Everyone)Release Date: August 12, 2002Intro:A
real, live, video of the Sports Center announcer introduces NFL 2K3,
giving way to animated gameplay footage of various NFL teams. Getting Going:Players first get to choose from a variety of options:- o Preseason Games
- o Trade Deadline
- o Fantasy Draft Roster
- o Customize League
- o Impor...
Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Monday, November 29, 2010,
In :
RPG
#115 Crisis Core Game InfoPublisher: Square EnixDeveloper: Square EnixPlatform: PSPGenre(s): Role-PlayingPlayers: 1 PlayerESRB Rating: T(Teen)Release Date: March 24, 2008 Intro:An
action sequence featuring the major players of the game plays against
dynamic music as the credits roll. A brief cut scene introduces us to
Zack, a cocky upstart hoping for promotion and a future as a hero.
Angeal, his mentor, warns him not to be arrogant as he completes his
mission. Sephiroth appears and ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Sunday, November 21, 2010,
In :
Sports
#41 NHL 2002 Game InfoPublisher: Electronic ArtsDeveloper: EA SportsPlatform: PS2Genre(s): Major League SportPlayers: 1-8 PlayersESRB Rating: E(Everyone)Release Date: September 24, 2001Intro: A
brief montage of players hitting shots and showing off plays against a
windowed backdrop. A rotating puck on the left side shows team symbols,
giving players a window into the world of ice hockey.Getting Going:Players
choose a team from a list of familiar teams and world teams. Players
can choo... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Saturday, November 20, 2010,
In :
Sports
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 Game InfoPublisher: Activision Developer: Neversoft EntertainmentPlatform: PS2Genre(s): Alternative SportsPlayers: 1-8 PlayersESRB Rating: T(Teen)Release Date: October 23, 2002Intro:Real,
old, sometimes scratchy, footage of the professional skaters featured
in the game tease players. The pros are seen competing, skating at
parks, doing tricks and goofing around in the environment. You may not
be able to perform those tricks in real life, but the thought of be... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Sunday, November 14, 2010,
In :
Fighting
Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution Game InfoPublisher: SegaDeveloper: SegaPlatform: PS2Genre(s): FightingPlayers: 1-2 PlayersESRB Rating: T(Teen)Release Date: August 13, 2003Intro:Evolution
begins with a fighting scene montage that shows each fighter, along
with their name, which allows the player to get to know the player
characters before the game starts.Getting Going:Players can choose from a number of play options:- Arcade
- Vs
- Duel against a human opponent.
- Quest
Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Wednesday, November 10, 2010,
In :
Platformer
#27 Braid Game InfoPublisher: Number None Inc.Developer: Number None Inc.Platform: PS3Genre(s): PlatformerPlayers: 1 PlayerESRB Rating: E10+Release Date: November 12, 2009Intro:There is no real intro to Braid.
A silhouette of a squat figure is seen against a bright background.
The player takes control and moves him into an apartment of sorts that
looks cold and depressing. The only direction the player gets is to use
the stick to move.Getting Going:Once
the player reaches the apartme... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Sunday, November 7, 2010,
In :
Fighting
#104 Tekken: Dark Resurrection Game InfoPublisher: Namco Bandai GamesDeveloper: Namco Bandai GamesPlatform: PSPGenre(s): FightingPlayers: 1-2 PlayersESRB Rating: T (Teen)Release Date: July 25, 2006Intro: The
intro shows various scenes of the fighters in their element. Lili, for
instance, is kidnapped and fights her way out of a limousine. Other
fighters are seen in actual competitive fighting, flexing very large
muscles, and participating in a military assault. The original music
sco... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Wednesday, October 27, 2010,
In :
Survival Horror
#95 Dead Space Game InfoPublisher: Electronic ArtsDeveloper: EA Redwood ShoresPlatform: PS3Genre(s): Survival HorrorPlayers: 1 PlayerESRB Rating: M (Mature)Release Date: October 13, 2008Intro:Dead Space
begins with a video message from Nicole to you, Isaac, apologizing and
wishing you could be together. When the message is through, you return
to reality and find that you’re on a spaceship destined for a mining
vessel that sent out a distress call. It’s the ship that Nicole is on.
N... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Saturday, October 23, 2010,
In :
Racing Genre
#100 Burnout Legends  Game InfoPublisher: EA GamesDeveloper: Criterion GamesPlatform: PSPGenre(s): RacingPlayers: 1-4 PlayersESRB Rating: E10+Release Date: September 13, 2005Intro: Burnout Legends fades in to high-speed driving action ending in a high speed crash. Getting Going: The
player is prompted to create a profile and then may select from World
Tour, in which they can race and crash around the world; Single Event,
in which they can set up their own races and crash events; Multip... Continue reading ...
#87 Shadow of the Colossus Game InfoPublisher: SCEADeveloper: SCEIPlatform: PS2Genre(s): Action/AdventurePlayers: 1 PlayerESRB Rating: T(Teen)Release Date: October 18, 2005Intro: Poignant
and ethereal, the 10 minute intro simply shows a young man on his horse
traveling through the countryside. It is only when he arrives at his
destination that we see the girl and find out the reason for his travel.
The graphics appear misty, adding to the mood. The game is told in a
made up language th... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Sunday, September 26, 2010,
In :
RPG
#28 The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game Info Publisher: Bethesda Softworks Developer: 4J Studios Genre(s): Role-PlayingPlatform: PS3 Players: 1 Player ESRB Rating: M (Mature) Release Date: March 20, 2007Intro: Play
begins by choosing a character, including ethnicity. A flyover of
Cyrodiil accompanies a brief narrated history, then play soon begins. Getting Going:Following
the emperor and guards through ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Saturday, September 25, 2010,
In :
Platformer
#63 Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy Game Info Publisher: SCEA Developer: Naughty Dog Genre(s): PlatformerPlatform: PS2 Players: 1 Player ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) Release Date: December 3, 2001Intro:Narrated
by the Green Sage, the story begins with a willful student who does
something he was told directly not to do. His friend pays the price.
The pair return to the sage to tell their story and are sent t... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Tuesday, September 21, 2010,
In :
Puzzle
#77 Lumines Game Info Publisher: Ubisoft Developer: Q Entertainment Genre(s): PuzzlePlatform: PSP Players: 1-2 Players ESRB Rating: E10+ Release Date: March 22, 2005Intro: There is no real intro to Lumines.
Instead, players head immediately to the load screen and choose from 4
different modes: Single Player, VS., vs. CPU, and Puzzle Mode. In any
of these modes, players will be able to earn new music and... Continue reading ...
#100 Metal Gear: Portable Ops Game Info Publisher: Konami Developer: Kojima Productions Genre(s): Action AdventurePlatform: PSP Players: 1-6 Players ESRB Rating: M (Mature) Release Date: December 5, 2006Intro:A
slideshow intro of screenshots gives way to a story-establishing cut
scene. We become aware that this will be the story of Big Boss/Naked
Snake and exactly what the mission is about. Getting Going:You
ha... Continue reading ...
#101 Resistance: Fall of Man Game Info Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America Developer: Insomniac GamesPlatform: PS3 Genre(s): First-Person Shooter Players: 40 ESRB Rating: M (Mature) Release Date: November 17, 2006Intro: Players
begin by learning the history of the war and the backstory of the
Chimera. The timeline is set as July 11th through July 14, 1951 and we
learn that we will be foll... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Saturday, August 7, 2010,
In :
Fighting
#29 Super Street Fighter IV Game Info Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom Genre(s): FightingPlatform: PS3 Players: 2 ESRB Rating: T (Teen) Release Date: April 27, 2010Intro: Artistic,
full-motion fighting action spotlights various player characters
against a stylish background with a rocking beat. The opening invites
players into exciting gameplay and shows players that there is at least
one perfect... Continue reading ...
#74 BioShock 2 Game Info Publisher: 2K Games Developer: 2K Marin - 2K Australia - Digital Extremes Genre(s): First-Person ShooterPlatform: PS3 Players: 8 ESRB Rating: M (Mature) Release Date: February 9, 2010Intro:BioShock 2 is
a big install, requiring 5011 MB of hard drive space. It took a half
hour to make room on my hard drive and another 10 minutes to install it.
Even with this huge install, the... Continue reading ...
#43 Assassin's Creed II Game Info Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Genre(s): Action, AdventurePlatform: PS3 Players: 1 ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Release
Date:
November 17, 2009Intro:
The beginning CG and
walk about gives the player a refresher course regarding the previous
game’s story and the character of Desmond. Players are able to briefly
take control of Desmond and it become... Continue reading ...
#41 Killzone 2 Game Info Publisher: Sony Computer
Entertainment America Developer: Guerrilla
Genre(s): First-Person ShooterPlatform: PS3 Players: 32 ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Release
Date:
February 27, 2009Intro:Providing a bit of
backstory and throwing down the gauntlet, the intro to Killzone 2 is so graphically
intense that you can literally see the pores and wrinkles on the faces
of the characte... Continue reading ...
#19 God of War III Game Info Publisher: Sony Computer
Entertainment Developer: SCE Studios Santa Monica
Genre(s): Third-Person Action,
AdventurePlatform: PS3 Players: 1 ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Release
Date:
March 16, 2010Intro:Silhouettes in gold
and red or shadows in black against a gold and red background highlight
this stylish introduction to God of War III. The opening soundtrack is epic,
le... Continue reading ...
#7 Red Dead Redemption
Game Info Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: Rockstar San Diego
Genre(s): Third-Person Action, ShooterPlatform: PS3 Players: 16 ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Release
Date:
May 18, 2010Intro:
A scarred gunslinger
walks on the docks between two important-looking men. It is unclear
whether he is under arrest, to be hanged, or to help. None of the men
say anything. He carries a... Continue reading ...
#15 God of War Collection Game Info
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Bluepoint Games - SCE Santa Monica
Genre(s): Third-Person Action, Adventure,
Compilation
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Release Date: November 17, 2009
The God of War Collection is God of War and God of War II, re-mastered. The graphics have been given a complete overhaul, including improved lighting and texturing. Trophies have been added to gameplay, as well. Bonus features th... Continue reading ...
#33 God of War II Game InfoPublisher: Sony Computer
Entertainment America Developer: SCE Santa Monica
Genre(s): Third-Person Action,
AdventurePlatform:
PS2
Players: 1 ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Release
Date:
March 13, 2007Intro:
The intro is very
brief, telling the backstory of Kratos, whose bitterness towards the
gods of Olympus has grown. Kratos, is himself, a god now and the
Spartans fight for him. But, ... Continue reading ...
#21 Devil May Cry Game Info Publisher: CapcomDeveloper: CapcomPlatform: PS2 Genre(s): Action
Players: 1 ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Release
Date:
October 17, 2001Intro:
Figures of flame move
against a solid dark background, sometimes brandishing a sword, and
sometimes, dual pistols. As the story begins, a mysterious woman jumps
down from a building top. She looks down the street to a neon sign that
says “Devil... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Monday, June 28, 2010,
In :
Sports
Madden NFL 2004 Game InfoPublisher: EA
Sports Developer: Electronic Arts - Tiburon Platform:
PS2
Genre(s): Sports, Football Players:
8 ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) Release Date:
August 11, 2003
As has become my usual with franchise
games, I will not write a complete dissection of Madden NFL 2004.
It is similar to Madden NFL 2003 in too many ways. The intro
begins the same as in 2003 and leads directly into the main menu, where
players will immediately choose a team. After the game saves and t... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Monday, June 28, 2010,
In :
Sports
Madden NFL 2003 Game InfoPublisher: EA
Sports Developer: Electronic Arts - Tiburon Platform:
PS2
Genre(s): Sports, Football Players: 8 ESRB
Rating: E (Everyone) Release Date: August 13, 2002
Intro: There
is no real intro to Madden NFL 2003 at all. The EA Sports logo
pops up with a voice-over that says "EA Sports. It's in the game.",
followed by a virtual football player who says the same thing. The main
menu then comes up, overlayed by a save message. It's an effective
beginning which keep... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Sunday, June 20, 2010,
In :
Fighting
Street Fighter IV Game InfoPublisher:
Capcom Developer: Capcom Platform: PS3
Genre(s):
Fighting Players: 2 ESRB Rating: T (Teen) Release
Date: February 17, 2009
Intro: Street
Fighter IV opens with an FMV of fighting sequences. Some are
smokey, some appear to be a watercolor paintings. Nature in full motion
surrounds one fighter, conveying flow. Colors drift, swirl and blend
into one another. This unusual and innovative beginning draws the
player in easily, creating an atmosphere of exciti... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Thursday, June 17, 2010,
In :
Fighting
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger Game InfoPublisher:
Aksys Games Developer: Arc System Works Platform:
PS3
Genre(s): Fighting Players: 2 ESRB
Rating: T (Teen) Release Date: June 30, 2009 Intro:The
opening CG is very reminiscent of any anime, complete with Japanese
music and anime-style screenshots. The opening credits are fully
voice-acted and have subtitles, but the scenes are all still shots more
reminiscent of a full-color manga. Until the opening credits, the
artwork in the opening CG made me... Continue reading ...
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence Game InfoPublisher:
Konami Developer: Kojima Productions Platform:
PS2
Genre(s): Third-Person Action Players:
8 ESRB Rating: M (Mature) Release Date: March
14, 2006 I'm not going to dissect this game thoroughly simply
because the main game is actually an extended "director's cut" of
SnakeEater. The 2 disc set here also includes copies of Metal Gear
Solid and Metal Gear Solid 2: Solid Snake. In addition, Kojima
Productions has added features such as the Hidden... Continue reading ...
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Game InfoPublisher:
Konami Developer: Kojima Productions Platform:
PS3
Genre(s): Third-Person Action Players:
16 ESRB Rating: M (Mature) Release Date: June
12, 2008 Intro: Before the game even starts,
there is an odd commercial for a workout video and one for a weapons
company. Metal Gear Solid 4 then launches with Snake ruminating
on the fortunes of war. We find him in the back of a truck, traveling
with other soldiers, and moving through a battle-... Continue reading ...
Resident Evil 4Game InfoPublisher:
Capcom Entertainment Developer: Capcom Production Studio 4 Platform:
PS2
Genre(s): Third-Person Action, Adventure, Survival
Horror Players: 1 ESRB Rating: M (Mature) Release
Date: October 25, 2005 Intro:Resident Evil 4
begins with a brief history lesson of Raccoon City and an update of
what the government has done about the Umbrella Corporation that
released the virus on an unsuspecting world. Players are introduced, or
re-introduced, to Leon who has becom... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Monday, May 31, 2010,
In :
Racing Genre
Burnout Paradise Game InfoPublisher:
Electronic Arts Developer: Criterion Games Platform:
PS3
Genre(s): Racing, Driving Players:
8 ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) Release
Date: January 21, 2008 Intro:Burnout Paradise
begins with an inviting look into Paradise City. Some of the coolest
cars are seen racing down the street, taking down other exciting cars,
crashing into cars, flying through the air, and cartwheeling through
traffic while Paradise City by Guns N Roses plays in the
ba... Continue reading ...
Grand Theft Auto IV Game InfoPublisher:
Rockstar Games Developer: Rockstar North Genre(s):
Action, Adventure, Racing Platform: PS3
Players:
16 ESRB Rating: M (Mature) Release Date:
April 29, 2008
Intro:
There is an
opening CG in which we are introduced to Niko, a Russian coming to
Liberty City, on a barge, to live the American dream as his cousin has
described it to him in letters. America will not be all that his cousin
has made it out to be, however, and Roman, the cousin, has a bit of a
... Continue reading ...
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Game InfoPublisher:
Konami Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Japan Platform:
PS2
Genre(s): Action Players: 1 ESRB
Rating: M (Mature) Release Date: November 17, 2004
Intro: As
in all of the Metal Gear Solid games, Metal Gear Solid 3:
Snake Eater begins with an extended cinemagraphic. Just prior to
loading the game, the player is asked if they are new to the franchise,
liked Metal Gear Solid or Metal Gear Solid 2. The
decision makes a small difference in ... Continue reading ...
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Game InfoPublisher:
Rockstar Games Developer: Rockstar North Platform:
PS2
Genre(s): Action, Racing Players: 2 ESRB
Rating: AO (Adults Only) Release Date: October 26,
2004
Intro:The intro to Grand Theft Auto: San
Andreas is rather nondescript. Random snapshots of gangster-type
personalities flash across the screen as music plays and the credits
roll. The player becomes aware that San Andreas will be about
gangs, but while the mostly Hispanic shots give away the... Continue reading ...
Flower Game InfoPublisher: Sony Computer
Entertainment Developer: thatgamecompany Platform:
PS3 Download
Genre(s): Action Players: 1 ESRB
Rating: E (Everyone) Release Date: February 12, 2009
Intro:
The scene closes in on a single flower bud in a pot on a
windowsill. The world outside is bleak, making this flower the
brightest, happiest part of the scene. Using the capabilities of the
SIXAXIS controller, the player hovers over the bud and pushes any button
to enter the world of Flower.
Ge... Continue reading ...
Kick-Ass Game InfoPublisher: WHA
Entertainment Developer: Frozen Codebase Platform:
PS3 (Download)
Genre(s): Fighting, Action Players:
2 ESRB Rating: M (Mature) Release Date: April
29, 2010
Intro: Kick-Ass is a game
based on the movie of the same title. The game begins in the same way
the movie does, using a clip straight from the movie. Once the player
chooses a player character, a flyover shows the first scene of the game
and Kick-Ass gets his ass kicked.
Getting
Going: Once you take co... Continue reading ...
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories Game InfoPublisher:
Rockstar Games Developer: Rockstar Leeds Platform:
PSP
Genre(s): Third-Person Action, Adventure Players:
4 ESRB Rating: M (Mature) Release Date:
October 24, 2005
Intro:
As the
credits roll, comic book-style pictures of tough-looking characters play
across the screen, most of them carrying guns. Tony is out and Mr.
Leone tells Tony that he's family and that he will take care of him.
Tony gets in the car and heads out for the safe h... Continue reading ...
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Game InfoPublisher:
Rockstar Games Developer: Rockstar North Platform:
PS2
Genre(s): Action, Racing Players: 1 ESRB
Rating: M (Mature) Release Date: October 28, 2002
Intro:
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City begins with a Miami
Vice-style video montage of girls in bathing suits, cars, and neon
lights, while the credits appear on-screen. There are no gameplay
scenes in the opening credits, but the game effectively brings the
player back into the 80's using nostalgic ima... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Sunday, April 25, 2010,
In :
Racing Genre
Burnout 3: TakedownGame InfoPublisher:
Electronic Arts Developer: Criterion Games Platform:
PS2
Genre(s): Racing, Driving, Action Players:
8 ESRB Rating: T (Teen) Release Date:
September 7, 2004
Intro: Burnout 3
begins with a musical smorgasbord of driving action and spectacular
crashes ending with an airborne sports car crashing dramatically into
traffic and exploding. It's a rush and it does draw the player into
gameplay instantly.
Getting Going:
Identify
yourself in your ... Continue reading ...
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Game Info
Publisher:
Konami
Developer: Konami
Platform: PS2
Genre(s):
Action
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Release
Date: November 13, 2001
Intro:
The
opening credits is accompanied by a montage of soldier scenes amongst
names and chemical symbols. It looks very much like the opening credits
of a movie. Following the opening credits, the story begins with Snake
on a bridge over the Hudson River. Without spoiling... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Sunday, April 11, 2010,
In :
Sports
SSX Tricky
Game Info
Publisher: Electronic
Arts
Developer: EA Canada
Platform: PS2
Genre(s):
Sports
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release
Date: November 6, 2001
Intro:
SSX
Tricky begins with an opening montage showing the characters doing
crazy tricks, mostly tricks that will be uniquely theirs. Between
flashes of snowboarding excitement, players get a glimpse of the
character personalities.
Getting Going:
Players
are given a 3D view of the character choices in action as ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Saturday, April 10, 2010,
In :
Racing Genre
Burnout RevengeGame InfoPublisher:
Electronic Arts Developer: Criterion Games Platform:
PS2
Genre(s): Racing, Driving Players: 6 ESRB
Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) Release Date:
September 13, 2005
Intro: Fans of
the SSX franchise will find a familiar tone in the intro to Burnout
Revenge. Big Radio comes on-air to show the improvements in this
latest installment in the franchise. The game shows and tells giving
players an enticing view of the new modes,events, special cars, and
leve... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Saturday, April 3, 2010,
In :
Sports
SSX 3
Game InfoPublisher: Electronic Arts Developer:
EA Canada Genre(s): Extreme Sports Platform:
PS2
Players: 2 ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) Release
Date: October 20, 2003 Intro: A radio announcer
comes on-air to introduce players to what's new and great about SSX 3.
But, just like in-game, the game shows and tells. A camera flies over
the mountain sites as the three mountains are shown. Weather conditions
on the mountains peaks are announced. Features are shown as a camera
glides over t... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Saturday, April 3, 2010,
In :
Music
Guitar Hero 5Game
InfoPublisher: Activision Developer:
Neversoft Entertainment Platform: PS3
Genre(s):
Music Players: 8 ESRB Rating: T (Teen) Release
Date: September 1, 2009 Intro:Players
are introduced to the latest iteration in the Guitar Hero franchise
with electricity and an exploding brick wall which reveals a star-shaped
cut-out in the wall, back-lit with a spinning color scheme. Familiar
residents of the game rock out in the foreground and, the game begins.
Getting
Going:Unless playe... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Friday, April 2, 2010,
In :
Music
Guitar Hero: Metallica
Game Info
Publisher:
Activision
Developer: Neversoft Entertainment
Platform:
PS3
Genre(s): Music
Players: 8
ESRB
Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: March 29, 2009
Intro:
After
the initial, metal, load screen completes, players are greeted with
"stage footage" of Metallica arriving onstage. There is fanfare
and members of the band are shown close-up. The band moves right into
the music and players find themselves immediately playing the first
song. A trophy is... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Tuesday, March 23, 2010,
In :
Music
Guitar Hero II Game InfoPublisher:
RedOctane Developer: Harmonix Platform: PS2
Genre(s):
Music Players: 2 ESRB Rating: T (Teen) Release
Date: November 7, 2006
Intro: Just as
in Guitar Hero, the intro is relatively straight-foward, keeping
the player's desire to get playing in mind. After a brief cartoon
guitar fight, the load screen comes up and the player is taken through
the same basic player decisions as in Guitar Hero. Immediately
noticeable is the addition of new player characters to pl... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Saturday, March 20, 2010,
In :
Music
Game Info
Publisher: Red
Octane
Developer: Harmonix
Platform: PS2
Genre(s):
Music
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release
Date: November 7, 2005
Intro:
The intro to the
first game in the franchise is pretty simple. The sound of a slide
across guitar strings and visuals of real players tuning their guitars
and turning up their amps gives way to the load screen. Players are
prompted to choose a band name and then a rocker. A mini-tutorial of
the controls is shown and an image of an...
Continue reading ...
TimeSplitters 2Game InfoPublisher:
Eidos Interactive Developer: Free Radical Design Genre(s):
First-Person Shooter, Action Platform: PS2
Players:
16 ESRB Rating: T (Teen) Release Date:
October 8, 2002
Intro: The game starts on
an apparent spaceship with a Stargate-type portal on the bridge.
Creatures of a sort, called TimeSplitters have taken a crystal
and are entering one-by-one into the portal with pieces of this crystal
while a male and female who look somewhat like bounty hunters try to... Continue reading ...
 OkamiGame InfoPublisher: Capcom Developer: Clover Studio Platform: PS2
Genre(s): Adventure Players: 1 ESRB Rating: T (Teen) Release Date: September 19, 2006 Intro:The
intro took a full 20 minutes. This seems to have been common in game
design on the older systems. The story is setup via a series of scrolls
that are "read" with verbal gibberish while the artistic cinematic
plays before the player. In other words, there is no real voice acting
and the player must read the scrolls while watching the ... Continue reading ...
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2Game InfoPublisher: Activision Developer: Infinity Ward Platform: PS3
Genre(s): First-Person Shooter Players: 18 ESRB Rating: M (Mature) Release Date: November 10, 2009 Intro: The Intro feature s
a selection of video clips over a world lighting up in neon green
lights. The haunting music has a war-feel that effectively compliments
the video clips while the credits play in the same neon green. It
gives a feel for the game while reminding players of previous games in
the... Continue reading ...
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal
Game Info
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Developer: Insomniac Games
Platform: PS2
Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Platform
Players: 8
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: November 2, 2004
Intro:
After a montage of gameplay scenes designed to get the player
excited about gameplay, the scene opens on a chess-type game between
Ratchet and Clank. There is a minor power struggle here followed by a
video where we see that... Continue reading ...
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Naughty Dog Platform: PS3
Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Shooter
Players: 10
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: October 13, 2009 Intro:You
awaken on a train which, unexpectedly begins to plummet, with you in
it. With no idea what is going on, the player is immediately thrust
into gameplay, moving Drake to safety. This is a tremendous
introduction to gameplay that will require the player to think and to
kee... Continue reading ...
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Game Info
Publisher: Eidos Interactive / Warner Bros. Interactive
Developer: Rocksteady Studios
Platform: PS3
Genre(s): Action, Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: August 25, 2009
Intro:
Batman: Arkham Asylum begins with the familiar environment
we've come to expect from any Batman media. It's dark and rainy. The
Bat Signal is in the clouded sky and the Batmobile is racing down a
wooded road. It doesn't quite say why Batman is transporting Jok... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Tuesday, December 15, 2009,
In :
Sports
Tony Hawk's Underground
Member
by
Shelly
on
December 15, 2009 at
11:23 AM
... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Sunday, December 13, 2009,
In :
Sports
FIFA Soccer 09
Game Info
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Canada
Platform: PS3
Genre(s): Sports, Soccer
Players: 10
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: October 14, 2008
Intro: Players
wanting to get in and play will appreciate that EA kept the intro to
this game under two minutes. In fact, it's just over one minute long.
It's enough to give players a taste of the visuals to come and entice
soccer fans to want to play.
Getting Going: Pick a
team a... Continue reading ...
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction Game Info
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Developer: Insomniac Games Platform: PS3
Genre(s): Action, Platform
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)
Release Date: October 23, 2007 Intro:
The intro shows a futuristic planet with flying airships and immediately gives players a sense of Ratchet's enthusiasm and longing for adventure. Effectively setting up the goal of the game, it is evident that ne... Continue reading ...
LittleBigPlanet
Game Info
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Media Molecule
Platform: PS3
Genre(s): Action
Players: 4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: October 28, 2008
Intro:
The cute little sack boy gets an instant introduction on a blackened
screen under a spotlight. A disembodied voice tells the player how to
move and he moves along past amusing pictures. It's an innovative and
creative way to do game credits at the beginning of the game, allowing
the player to ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Thursday, December 3, 2009,
In :
Strategy
Valkyria Chronicles
#100 Valkyria Chronicles
Game Info
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega
Platform: PS3
Genre(s): Action, Role-Playing Game
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: November 4, 2008
Intro:
The intro is shown with music only. There are no words, no story,
just a montage of storybook-style pictures. It was easy to catch a
glimpse of a love story to come and to realize that this would be a war
game, but neither the graphics nor the music ne... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Monday, November 23, 2009,
In :
Racing Genre
#79 WipEout Pure
Game Info
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: SCE Studios Liverpool
Platform: PSP
Genre(s): Racing, Driving
Players: 8
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: March 15, 2005
Intro:
WipEout Pure offers a pretty sweet intro in the form of watching a
space racer come to life artistically. The glossy textures on the
racer and the accompanying music give a futuristic feel to the game
before you even start playing. And, as ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Sunday, November 22, 2009,
In :
Fighting
#48 Soul Calibur IIGame Info
Publisher: Namco
Developer: Namco Platform: PS2
Genre(s): Fighting, Action
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: August 26, 2003
Intro:
The
dynamic intro to this game gets is visually stunning. From the
multiple player characters to the scenery, weapons and sound,
everything about this intro made me want to dig into this game and
play. It doesn't give a backstory, it simply teases the player into
action.
Getting Go... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Sunday, November 22, 2009,
In :
Fighting
#24 Virtua Fighter 4
Game Info
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega
Platform: PS2
Genre(s): Fighting
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: March 19, 2002
Intro:
The opening CG for this game is nicely lit in neon. It looks pretty
cool. There isn't much of an intro before getting to the main screen
and getting ready to play, but that's ok, because this is the kind of
game you want to play, not watch.
Getting Going:
There are a few options in the o... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Sunday, November 22, 2009,
In :
Sports
# 19 Madden NFL 2002
Game Info
Publisher: EA Sports
Developer: Electronic Arts - Tiburon
Platform: PS2
Genre(s): Sports
Players: 8
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: August 21, 2001
Intro:
The opening animations Madden NFL 2002 give a great feel and add
anticipation to playing an NFL game. I could tell from the start that
EA Sports had put a lot of work into player animations, which meant
that the play would feel at least like watching a game on TV... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Sunday, November 22, 2009,
In :
Strategy
#94 Jeanne d'ArcGame Info
Publisher: SCEJ / Sony Computer Entertainment America
Developer: Level 5 Platform: PSP
Genre(s): Strategy, Role-Playing Game
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: August 21, 2007
Intro: Cartoony and a little mundane, the intro to Jeanne d'Arc
brings you into the story with an evil being trying to rule the world
with demons and taking hold of a young prince Henry. The introductory
CG is where mundane ends in this game. This game is any... Continue reading ...
#43 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Game Info
Publisher: Ubi Soft
Developer: Ubi Soft Montreal
Platform: PS2
Genre(s): Action, Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: November 6, 2003
Intro:
My first thought was "what intro?". It seemed to have a floating
camera scene leading to an extreme close-up of a female then curtains
and voila, there was a guy on the veranda. I was waiting for the cut
scene until I realized I was supposed ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Monday, November 9, 2009,
In :
Sports
#61 NCAA Football 2002
Game Info
Publisher: EA Sports
Developer: Tiburon
Platform: PS2
Genre(s): Sports
Players: 4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: July 24, 2001
Intro:
Showing the mascots of the various teams and the cheers of the
crowd, NCAA Football 2002 really does capture the excitement and feel
of a broadcast college football game.
Getting Going:
While many things are shown in the manual and on-screen, the
controls are complicated and nu... Continue reading ...
# 23 God of War
Game Info
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Developer: SCE Studios Santa Monica
Platform: PS2
Genre(s): Third-Person Action, Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Release Date: March 22, 2005
Intro:
The intro to God of War is brief and confusing. That's actually a good
thing. I didn't know why Kratos was mad at the gods or why he felt his
life was no longer worth living, but I figured the story would unfold.
This ... Continue reading ...
#4 Grand Theft Auto IIIGame Info
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Developer: DMA Design
Platform: PS2
Genre(s): Action
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Release Date: October 23, 2001
Intro:
The intro is brief. I liked that. I was able to get going in the
game pretty rapidly. It established the back-story, at least a little
bit and got me going in the game quickly.
Getting Going:
An in-game tutorial lets you know what to do pretty effectively.
The camera angles wer... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Sunday, November 1, 2009,
In :
Sports
#3 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3
Game Info
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Neversoft Entertainment
Platform: PS2
Genre(s): Sports, Action
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: October 30, 2001
Intro:
While Ace of Spades plays, 13 professional skaters perform stunning
skating feats and, really, who doesn't want to try that out? The intro
is very effective at drawing the player in and giving them a small
taste of the gameplay that might be coming. ... Continue reading ...
#107 inFAMOUSGame Info
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Sucker Punch Platform: PS3
Genre(s): Third-Person Action, Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: May 26, 2009
Intro: As
you enter the game, Empire City is a buzzing metropolis. Your finger
hovers over the start button, the game prompts you to push "start" and
you set off an explosion that destroys the city. This is the
introduction to inFAMOUS. You wake up and ... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Monday, October 26, 2009,
In :
Sports
#30 SSXGame Info
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Canada Platform: PS2
Genre(s): Sports
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: October 26, 2000
Intro:
From
the time you put in SSX, you know it's going to be fun. The Player
Characters are introduced briefly in sports-show-like format and each
has a unique personality. The intro shows the game and effectively
draws you in to make you want to play. The music, the courses, the
characters, everything... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Sunday, October 25, 2009,
In :
RPG
# 58 Final Fantasy XIIGame Info
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix Platform: PS2
Genre(s): Role-Playing Game
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: October 31, 2006
Intro: Final
Fantasy XII begins with an opening cinematic that rivals most fantasy
movies. The world of Ivalice unfolds before your eyes with a royal
celebration. The populace parties in the streets and the player is
effectively introduced to the multitude of cultures and ... Continue reading ...
#14 BioshockGame Info
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: 2K Marin, 2K Boston, 2K Australia, Digital Extremes Platform: PS3
Genre(s): First-Person Shooter
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Release Date: October 21, 2008 Intro: It
had been approximately one year since I had descended into Rapture and
it felt good to be back. You notice things when you go into a game
that you didn't notice the first time. I didn't remember actually
being on the airplane, for i... Continue reading ...
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Friday, October 16, 2009,
Posted by Shelly Warmuth on Thursday, October 15, 2009,
In :
Racing Genre
Game Info
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developer: Polyphony Digital Platform: PS2
Genre(s): Racing
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: July 11, 2001 Intro:
I have to say, the intro to this game had me going. The camera pans over the shiny curves of a sports car as the garage door opens and we are treated to some pretty sweet graphics as fluid enters the chambers and we have combustion. Cars were shown on various tracks and there were so many t... Continue reading ...
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