Bungle in jungle makes regime-change game fun
Wednesday, November 08 2006, 12:10 AM EST
Contributed by: Jeb Haught
‘JUST CAUSE’
Game: "Just Cause"
Publisher: Eidos
System: Microsoft Xbox 360
Cost: $49.99
ESRB rating: M
Review rating: 3 stars
Eidos combines the open-sandbox game play of the "Grand Theft Auto" series with Hollywood-style stunts,
then transports the intense action from the urban jungle to a tropical rain forest to create its latest action title, "Just Cause." Granted, nearly every stunt is impossible to perform in real life, but who wants their games entirely grounded in reality?
Embark on this open-ended adventure as field operative Rico Rodriguez, who is assigned to facilitate a regime change on the lush Latin island of San Esperito. The coup can be accomplished several ways, most of which mimic the gang takeovers in "Grand Theft Auto." For example, players can choose to align themselves with rebel forces and cartels, create chaos or perhaps play the island's factions against each other.
But disposing of the despicable potentate is only part of the fun, as "Just Cause" lets players commandeer and drive 89 vehicles ranging from cars to airplanes to helicopters. You'll need them all to explore the 250,000 acres of jungle.
SPECIAL STUNTS
Players also can test themselves by attempting 32 death-defying stunts that can be strung together any way they can imagine. Imagine stealing a car, driving it off a cliff, sky-diving out of the car, hooking onto a plane, boarding the plane, tossing out the pilot and then flying off into the gorgeous sunset. That's just one possibility this game offers. While the controls can take time to get used to and the side quests can become monotonous, "Just Cause" is a fun adventure from start to finish.
Game: "Dance Dance Revolution: SuperNova"
Publisher: Konami
System: Sony PlayStation 2
Cost: $39.99
ESRB rating: E
Review rating: 3 1/2 stars
‘DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION: SUPERNOVA’
For the young or old, looking like an idiot has never been more fun as you dance to more than 70 songs from David Bowie to Kelly Clarkson or The Crystal Method in "Dance Dance Revolution: SuperNova."
Using a special PS2 "dance pad" placed on the floor, players must step on spots on the pad in sync with the music, following cues that stream across the TV screen.
Consecutive "hits" on the right spots on the pad create combos that increase the player's score, while "misses" are the quickest way to end a combo. Even though it may sound easy, some songs play at more than 130 beats per minute with intricate dance steps, so it's easy to become overwhelmed and lose your place.
For a different experience, players can use the PS2 EyeToy peripheral camera to show themselves on-screen. In this mode, symbols appear on the screen and must be activated by waving the hands and feet in the air instead of using the dance pad. It's also possible to go online and dance head-to-head in the regular mode, chat with friends and chart Internet rankings.
LET’S DANCE
The developers of "Dance Dance Revolution: SuperNova" have even included a workout mode to get potential players in shape, which takes away the main excuse people use to avoid playing. Just a few minutes with this title will make you realize why the series is so popular, and why it also makes such a fantastic party game.
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RATING KEY
4 stars - Must have
3 stars - Pretty good
2 stars - So-so
1 star - Don't waste your time
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Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)
E: Everyone
T: Teen (13 and older)
E10-plus: (Everyone 10 and older)
M: Mature (17 and older)
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