Reviews – GamesMaster Magazine Issue 199

Sins of a Solar Empire: Real-time Strategy, Unrivalled Scale Collectors Edition review:
Try reading a Klingon phone book, learning the number of every individual and writing it all out again from memory. Sins of a Solar Empire can be just as confusing, initial tutorials tell you how to politically police entire galaxies and expect you to manage whilst under constant attack. The steep learning curve however makes it immensely satisfying when your space fleet flattens other races as you vie for control of the expansive galaxies. Give it time and you’ll find a deep, involving Real-time strategy game that’ll last you for months.

Format: PC
Out: NOW
Developer: Ironclad
Publisher: Stardock
Players: 1-10

Caption: Research your ships to maximum potential to conquer the galaxy.
JUDGEMENT:
Overall: 86%
Comment: Not for casual play, but big enough to block up a black hole.

Sega Superstars Tennis:
Not so much the cream of the Sega character roster, more like a glass of warm milk. Sega Superstars Tennis would be a good tennis game, if it concentrated on the tennis. Shots lack accuracy and finesse and whilst the Tournament mode can be finished in a day. Some mini-games are cute and actually challenging, we particularly liked directing Chu’s into a rocket for blast off, reminiscent of Chu-chu Rocket, but these can’t compensate for a pretty average tennis game, especially at the price.

Format: DS
Out: NOW
Price: £29.99
Developer: Sumo Digital
Publisher: Sega
Players: 1-4

Caption: A tired and dejected Sonic wonders what his next outing will bring.
JUDGEMENT:
Overall: 64%
Comment: Fun mini-games, but these can’t keep the rest of the game afloat.

Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer review:
Mystery Dungeon isn’t for everyone. Though similar to most role-playing games, it also offers some drastic differences. Randomly generated dungeons greet your quest to reach the Golden Condor atop an unreachable mountain, turn based battling harks back to the SNES days of the series and the weapon upgrade offers depth. When you die however, it’s game over. No excuses. You start from the beginning minus all levels and items which is frustrating, especially if you run into foes ten times stronger than you. Only for gamers with masses of patience.

Format: DS
Out: NOW
Price: £29.99
Developer: Chunsoft
Publisher: Sega
Players: 1-2

Caption: Going into battle means you could progress further or lose everything you’ve grinded for.
JUDGEMENT:
Overall: 67%
Comment: A journey littered with pits and troughs, but can be rewarding if you give it time.

Ford Off Road Racing review:
Although essentially a Ford car overload, Ford Off Road Racing isn’t half bad. The cars feel solid and weighted like real off road vehicles and it’s variety of challenges add longevity. Modes include Career mode, Elimination races and Time trials amongst others, set against usual rally backdrops of deserts and forests. However, the only reason to keep going back is to increase the amount of Ford cars in your showroom and the wide tracks can sometimes take the competition out of a race. Not bad, but nothing to rev your engine for.

Format: PSP
Out: NOW
Price: £19.99
Developer: Razorworks
Publisher: Xplosiv
Players: 1-2

Caption: Ford enthusiasts will love the range of cars available to unlock.
JUDGEMENT:
Overall: 76%
Comment: A solid little racer that handles well, but doesn’t pull away from the pack.

Peggle Review:
Big and bright like Bonfire night, Peggle is addictive high scoring fun. The aim is to clear the screen of Orange pegs with magical assistance from your animal tutors. Greed for Higher scores and increasingly difficult level design will ensure you keep coming back, but Peggle doesn’t reward skill. It leaves you to casually fire a ball into a crowd of pegs and hope for the best. It can be fun and terribly compulsive, but we can’t help feel there’s nothing more than pointing, clicking, and hoping.

Format: PC
Out: NOW
Price: £10
Developer: PopCap Games
Publisher: PopCap Games
Players: 1-2

Caption: Top up the Fever meter for explosive high scores!
JUDGEMENT:
Overall: 83%
Comment: Addictive play for the score junkie and a fun distraction for everyone else.