The Emperor's New Groove Review

Developer: Argonaut Games

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Review platform: Playstation 1

Release date: November 13, 2000

Genre: Action

Series Background:  The Emperors new Groove was first and the last game in series, trough there was
                                   a second movie released in 2005. named Kronks new Groove.


                      Story:   Game is based on the same titled movie released in 2000. Kuzco is selfish teenage
                                   emperor of Inca Empire. He gets transformed into IIama,and must transform his self
                                   into human again. To transform his self back in human form he must go to Yzma,but
                                   he gets stuck in peasant village. Kuzco teams up with Pacha to defeat evil Yzma and
                                   adventure begins.

             Gameplay:   Main goal in levels is to collect coins, Kuzco Idols to open doors and wampies.
                                  Wampies are used to start on last checkpoint instead of the level starting again.
                                  There can be found potions trought the game that turn Kuzco into different animals
                                  to help him challenge difficult tasks. He can turn into turtle, rabbit and frog.

              Graphics:   There are 8 big levels to complete which most of them look cheerfull,bright and very
                                 simple.Pop up can be a problem sometimes,too bad that there was not more time
                                 invested in this issue.All in all graphics will be something that players will have to
                                 accept them as they are.

                   Sound:  Soundtrack is probably the best thing done in this average game. Voice work is
                                 mediocore at best sadly. Latino sounds dominate trough the game.

                 Verdict:  The Emperors new Groove can shine at moments,but those are far trough each other.
                                 Still it is worth to try it because movie was very nicely done.

STORY: 7
GAMEPLAY: 6
GRAPHICS: 5
SOUND: 8

OVERALL: 6

Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped Review

Crash Bandicoot :Warped

Developer: Naughty Dog

Publisher: SCEA

Review platform: Playstation 1

Release date: October 31, 1998

Genre: Platform

 Series Background:   Playstation 1 era of Crash Bandicoot was developed by Naughty Dog

                                              (CrashBash,Eurocom) in 1996. exclusive for original Playstation. Made asplatformer   

                                              in which player controls  Crash Bandicoot,a mix between hedgehog,Tasmanian            

                                  a fox trough the three islands of the game defeat his creator Doctor Neo Cortex and    

                                  and rescue his girlfriend Tawna.It is well known that Crash is now probably the                     

                                              biggest Playstation icon and one of most recognizable gaming names.

                                              As of November 2003, Crash Bandicoot has sold over 6.8 million units worldwide,   

                                              making it one of the best selling PlayStation 1 video games of all time.

                                              Game was re-released for the Sony greatest hits in 1997. and its now available as 

                                              downloadable game for Playstation 3,PSP via Playstation Network.

                                              Serials second entry Crash Bandicoot: Cortex Strikes Back shipped on market one                                  

                                              year later, October 31, 1997. Gameplay was basicly the same with few different key 
                                              elements. Game introduced players with crystals,few new characters,warp 

                                              rooms....Game used new engine GOOL 2 that was three times faster than the 
                                              previous game's engine, could handle ten times the animation frames and twice 

                                              the polygon count.  Like first game Crash Bandicoot 2 received generally positive 

                                              reviews from critics and was considered to be superior to its predecessor.

                              Story:   Game's story takes place just after the events of Crash Bandicoot 2 where Dr. Neo  

                                             Cortex Space station is destroyed by Doctor Nitrus Brio's laser beam device. Cortex's 

                                             Cortex's Space station pieces fall down on earth and crash into mountain.

                                             This event sets free Uka Uka mask. Uka Uka finds and tells Cortex to find crystals

                                             and gems, which are ''great'' source of world energy.Crash must defeat all 

                                             bosses and find all crystals to save the world again.

                    Gameplay:  Crash Bandicoot 3 is a typical old school style platformer where you collect a lot of 

                                            stuff,smash boxes, kill enemies,jump a round and so on. Most of the game takes 

                                            in a hub called Time Twisting  Machine. There are total of five plus one bonus

                                            worlds with five levels each,not counting boss battles. The goal of each 

                                            each level is to find  Crystal hidden in level area. Smashing all boxes gains additional 

                                            gem. Most of levels have Bonus areas where player must collect everything in sight.

                                            When player completes all five levels in each world,sixth one opens with boss 

                                            battle. After that you are free to go on next world.When all 25 crystals are found and 
                                            all five boss characters are defeated, the game is won. Crash and Coco start with four 
                                            lives. If an enemy touches you lose life.To earn more lifes player must collect 
                                            100 "Wumpa Fruits" or break a special crate to collect a life.Aku Aku mask  act as 

                                            shield. Get three Aku Aku masks in a row Crash get invincible for a short time.
                                            Crash can kill his enemies by jumping on them,spining like tornado,sliding and with 
                                            new feature bazzoka. Also if you want to complete the game on 100% you can play                   
                                            levels again in time trial mode to earn relics.

                        Graphics: Given that the game camed out back in 1998. it looked bright and colorfull like any 

                                            previous Crash game with improved engine. Artwork will be fine for anyone basicly

                                            kids or adults.Notice that Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped was probably  the best looking

                                            platformer on Playstation 1 along with Spyro 3.

                           Sound: Soundtrack will be familiar to anyone that played Crash before. Its on the same level

                                          as the rest of the game, maybe little too much childish for adults but very funny

                                          for kids.

                        Verdict: All in all Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped is the best platform game on Playstation 1, maybe

                                         even best platform game of all time and it deservs your time. If you still haven't played

                                         this great game now its your time, check it out online. Prices are from around 

                                         7 bucks up till 45.

              

STORY: 10
GAMEPLAY: 10
GRAPHICS: 9
SOUND: 9

OVERALL: 10

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 (Review)

               

Developer: Neversoft
Publisher: Activision
Review Platform: Playstation 1
Release Date: September 20, 2000 (PS one)
Genre: Extreme Sports

Series background:  First THPS was released one year earlier back in 1999. by Neversoft. At the turn off 

                                 the new millennium game was considered revolutionary at its genre. In 1999. Activision 

                                 signed contract with professional skateboarder Tony Hawk to star in Tony Hawk's        

                                 Pro Skater. Gameplay was open-ended, in which players  had to complete number  of

                                 tasks with professional  skaters like finding secret tape  and doing high score. Game                 

                                 was  well received by critics, scoring mostly high ratings. HD version of the game was
                                 released July 18,2012. on Xbox 360,and later on Ps3 and PC.

                     Story:  Altrough there is no real story mode in THPS2, there is a Career mode in which player
                                progresses with one of many licensed pro skaters trough ten various levels. Completing
                                missions result in money rewards. With gained money players can purchase new levels,
                                boards, skills and tricks. Notice that THPS2 is the first game in the series that has Park
                                Creator and manual which enabled skaters to combine their tricks.


             Gameplay:  THPS2 features multiple modes like: Single player, Free skate, Multiplayer, Career
                                and Create-a-park. There is also Mat Hoffman's pro bmx demo with one additional
                                level "Hoffman Factory".
                                Levels are open-ended of which seven are for missions and three are for competition.
                                Mission levels are designed for the players to complete numerous tasks in two minutes
                                like high scores, S.K.A.T.E. letters, secret tape and other level uniqe tasks. While
                                competition levels are made as real life competition, where judges rate your runs.
                                Controls are easy, more arcade than simulation style, and easy to learn.
                                Now we come to the best part of the THPS2, Multiplayer aprops 2 player  mode.
                                Through there was no online on PS1 still this mode stole many many sleepless nights
                                too millions kids all over the world. Trick attack, graffiti, horse, tag and free skate were
                                more than enough to keep you satisfied for a long, long time.


              Graphics:  Game was made on The Apocalypse (1998) game engine that was redone for THPS2.
                               Through skate parks were desinged good,we gotta agree that this was not the best
                               that Playstation 1 could offer. Also notice that this engine was used for other Tony
                               Hawk games for Playstation 1 and for Spiderman 1 and 2.


                  Sound: THPS games are well known for their great and genre diverse soundtracks. Songs like
                               Goldfingers "Superman", Dead Kennedys "Police truck" and Rage against the machine
                               "Guerrilla radio" are now classics in THPS community. THPS2 covers various genres
                               like skate punk, hardcore, hip hop and stoner rock. Millencolin, Lagwagon, Anthrax
                               and Bad religion songs can also be found on this awesome soundtrack.


                Verdict:  Tony Hawk pro skater 2 is now considers true classic. There is no doubt that this game
                               is best in whole THPS serial. If you are interested in buying this game check out
                               Amazon or Ebay,game can be found by fair price around 7 up to 20 dollars.

STORY: 7
GAMEPLAY: 10
GRAPHICS: 8
SOUND: 10

OVERALL: 9