Namco

Namco is a name that means a lot to me as a gamer. It touches me spiritually, almost. Not only is it the company that invented Pac-Man, Galaga and a monstrous slew of other hits during the golden days of the arcade, but it continues to be a vital, successful and influential force in the gaming scene today.

Game Description: Dragon Valor provides the narrative structure of role-playing games and combines it with the fighting action of adventure games. You'll take on the role of Clovis, the patriarch in a succession of Dragonslayer warriors. In the first chapter of the game, you'll battle in real-time combat through a fantastic world of powerful dragons and evil bosses. Power-ups along the way will make you an even more formidable hero, and you'll also benefit from spells you'll receive from defeated foes.

Game Description: In the gorgeous follow-up to Soul Blade, players will choose from a roster of 20 determined warriors, all trying to gain possession of the mysterious Soul Edge a weapon of untold power. In Soul Calibur, players will fight through all opponents, using their chosen character's unique martial arts style and weaponry, leading up to the final battle with the Soul Edge's current owner. There are many ways to play beyond Arcade and Versus modes, however including a journey across the land where your victories will be won against difficult opponents, which will unlock hidden characters and items while honing your skills.

Already widely praised by critics and fans alike as the main reason to own a Sega Dreamcast system, I was extremely looking forward to continuing my 'education' with the home translation of the two-player competitive arcade fighter. But much like the first day at any new school, I didn't get off to such a good start. I had some serious reservations and what appeared promising at first was starting to look an 'incomplete' grade.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Animated Violence, Suggestive Themes 

Soul Calibur is simply a joy to watch, but thankfully, it's even more fun to play. The moves are easy to pull off (that scores big with me every time) and look great while they are being performed. And they all flow into each other without much any interruption in the animation (my personal thanks to the motion capture people and programmers).

When the original Ridge Racer was released on the then newborn PlayStation, it impressed me as a graphical wonder and was an excellent showcase for the system. However, I was then a Nintendo loyalist so I didn't admit my opinion of the game too loudly. In fact, I avoided the game and the PlayStation like the plague. But fortunately now in 1999, I have outgrown my devout system loyalty and it seems only fitting that I am reviewing R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 (R4) since it may be the last installation of the series on the PlayStation. The next one is expected to migrate to the yet-to-be-named next generation Sony system.

Game Description: It is speed incarnate. Its sexy sheet metal restrains a 3000 CC power plant that hits 0-190 MPH in a snap of a linguini. It is the Bisonrte—just one of the automotive marvels the scorch the streets in Ridge Racer Type 4. With over 300 new cars 45 fantastic models 8 thrilling courses a 2-player split-screen mode there is only one way to drive...fast. R4's asphalt gulping graphics and spectacular racing environments deliver racing speeds that were once deemed impossible.

Over the years, I became an extremely harsh critic of the series' lack of innovation, and when it came time to review R4, I was not a happy camper. Yet this time around, things were different. It certainly helped that it has been a long hiatus since the last incarnation, but I think it had more to do with my own personal maturity, and new-found understanding of the business world.