GAMES REVIEWS

Hitman codename 47
Publisher: Eidos

Hitman is a third person action game where you are a hitman (how surprising), who has to complete a successful hit for which you collect your reward. By collecting reward money you can afford to buy various new weapons and gadgets to help you on your next hit.

One of the nice things about Hitman is that your character thinks and acts much more like an actual person than a virtual character. In true spy style, you can nick the clothes of your victims and disguise yourself. Unlike many other like games the bodies don't just vanish when you've shot them and you can move them around, hide them and steal things from them, much more realistic than them flashing a couple of times and then vanishing, realistic NOT.

Don't expect to get to grips with this game immediately. It's not easy but worth persevering with. There is a great deal of skill and strategy involved in mastering Hitman so if you are a lazy games' player who doesn't have the patience to get used to the controls and expects to put no effort into a game then this isn't for you, however, if you really enjoy a challenge and a game that has more dimensions than most then get your hands on Hitman. If you like the sound of it, see our competitions page where you could win your very own copy! 4/5

UEFA Dream Soccer
Publisher: sega

Sega's little grey box is undoubtedly a fine piece of kit, but, unfortunately, there are more trophies in Newcastle United's cabinet than decent football games on the Dreamcast. While every other format has a plethora of fine footy sims, like the ISS or FIFA series, the Dreamcast has had to make do with second rate rubbish. European Dream Soccer is the latest attempt to bring the beautiful game to the small screen.

Featuring some impressive graphics, with some of the most realistic player models yet seen on a console, European Dream Soccer looks the biz. There are a wealth of gameplay options, from arcade survival challenges (like the survival mode in, say, Tekken) to full blown leagues and cups from a number of countries.

Unfortunately, the game is flawed in a number of areas, most noticeably the player AI, tackling and goalkeeping. Players have a tendency to meander around, oblivious to the fact that they are involved in a game, while tackles have a random factor which is guaranteed to keep you on your toes. I had thought that these flaws were only present in early, pre release copies, but apparently little has improved in the final version.

This is the gaming equivalent of Middlesbrough defender Ugo Ehiogu, average and overpriced. 3/5

Tomb Raider Chronicles
publisher: eidos

Apparently, the last Tomb Raider ended with the cliffhanger is she, isn't she?, when Lara Croft was buried under a ton of rubble. As if developer Core would ever kill off their cash cow. Chronicles opens with Ms. Croft's funeral, and a bunch of her old friends tearfully recounting past deeds over a stiff drink. This conveniently leads the player into a series of scrapes based on the busty heroines back catalogue.

As with every new Tomb Raider game, there is a slight cosmetic overhaul, plus the addition of a couple extra moves. This is a real shame, because, for me, the fundamental flaw with these games has always been that the controls are awful, in need of a complete rethink, and the camera is almost as bad. Once again, Lara spends most of her time bouncing off walls due to her inability to run straight, and plummeting to her death after mistiming a jump. I would suggest that, for future reference, the developers go back to the drawing board, and redesign the controls. Or better still; let the woman rest in peace. 1/5

Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX
publisher: acclaim

In BMX circles, Dave Mirra is a God, known as the 'Miracle Boy' due to the impossible things he can do on a bike. It was inevitable then, due to the success of Tony Hawks Pro Skater, that he would be offered a game of his own, and here it is.

The game boasts all the usual features that you would expect from the genre, including career, single session and free ride modes. Levels are large and open, with various natural and man made jumps, drops and grinds, and on the whole are inventive and interesting. Unfortunately, the levels are let down by the graphics, which are large and blocky, and suffer from an uninspired palette of greys, browns and greens.

Games of this style will always be judged on their control method and handling though, but again Dave Mirra is a letdown. While the control interface is simple to pick up and use, there is little potential for creativity. After a while it becomes obvious that success can be gained by bashing the buttons in mid air to pull off tricks, and there is little feeling that the player is in control. Add to this a bike that has almost magnetic wheels, such is the difficulty in crashing, which also struggles to go in a straight line, and you are left with a disappointment.

Ultimately, the best thing about the game is the killer punk soundtrack and as such, it's an insult to the great mans name. 2/5

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