Desired FX

Just as much fun the second time around., Dec 23 2003

I'm not sure why any reviewer would say this game has no replay value: when I finished it the first time, I immediately went into the game's replay mode, which allows you to go through the entire storyline again, but with all the weapons and upgrades you acquired through the first campaign. The enemies are tougher, the rewards are greater, and the challenge increases as the player plays to beat his own best scores, not the game.

In the first Ratchet & Clank, the replay mode was similar, but the rewards were higher: crates had more bolts in them, enemies were worth more, etc. In Going Commando, the second playthrough introduces a bolt multiplier: the longer you go without taking a hit from… Read more

Compelling and Addictive, Sep 24 2003

This game has me in its grasp. I've been playing it for about 3 months now and have tried to beat it at every level. The slightly unusual controls (you use the shoulder buttons almost exclusively) took a bit of time to get used to, but the game makes it worth the effort.

Like Tetris, the game is deceptively simple: you use your ship to shoot note capsules which release the energy of the music you're listening to. Shoot enough capsules to complete a phrase, and the track plays for 8 bars before you have to return and re-activate it. Each song has six tracks to keep active, so you spend a good bit of time moving back and forth to keep them all alive. The more consecutive phrases you… Read more

Flat-footed sequel to a charming original, April 8 2003

The original "Legend of Legaia" was a delightful game. Started out feeling simplistic and child-like, ended up surprisingly stirring and sophisticated. The graphics fit the style of the game, and it was the first game I ever played where the characters' outfits changed drastically in combat as they got new weapons, armor and accessories. It was truly a gem for the PSX.

The new game sacrifices most of the charm for "improved" graphics, which are shockingly bland. The colors are very drab, the characters festooned with strange lines that are supposed to delineate muscle tone, and the camera just sits squarely on the floor, with very few dramatic angles used throughout the game. It's a very… Read more