Dirty Dozen: Revival of the Fittest - IGN (original) (raw)

Welcome to another round of the Dirty Dozen. This makes it two weeks in a row that we're taking a closer look at 12 unique games deserve to be talked about in their own special way. Besides, we've already reviewed every game to come out this fall and recently did a Dirty Dozen regarding the top 12 games we think you should look out for in 2005. But there are still plenty more games that still need to be recognized, and this time around we figured that we'd go back to the archives for a Revival of the Fittest: a collection of PSOne games that need sequels or follow-ups on the PlayStation 2.

The qualifications for this particular Dirty Dozen are rather simple: if a game in question hasn't had a sequel or remake for a console since its last appearance on the PSOne, then it can make it on our list. This means that up to this point, none of the games mentioned below have been given follow-ups (foreign or domestic) for the Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, Sony PlayStation 2, and Windows PC since the year 2000.

Even with these restrictions in mind it was still easy to draw up an initial list that consisted of more than 30 deserving games. When we whittled the list down to get it into fighting shape we had to all agree that it was a title that deserves to be re-envisioned in a fresh way with new technology. In other words, these games are still unique even after being out of the public eye for at least half a decade. They are still relevant and deserve some props so give it up for the newest Dirty Dozen: Revival of the Fittest.

| (12) One | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Imagine Gungrave OD... Crossed with Ratchet and Clank | | What It Was: There were shooters for Sony's first PlayStation system, and then there was One -- Visual Concepts' pre-sports experiment that mixed platforming, adventure, and total destruction into one elite little package. Explosions, bullets, and difficulty are what this game was all about. Unfortunately, One was a bit overshadowed by higher-profile games the year it was released and admittedly suffered from somewhat slippery controls. Even so, the game's mix of various elements helped it carve a special niche. What It Could Be: The best way to recreate One would be to take a page from two of this year's most entertaining action games: At its core, One should be structured similarly to Gungrave -- complete with the insane number of enemies, destructible environments, and control scheme. Throw in a better framerate and a more imaginative selection of environments and you're halfway to greatness. One's other half would do best by incorporating Ratchet's extensive list of unique weaponry in addition to borrowing its experience point upgrade system. A few jumping and grappling hook scenarios wouldn't be a bad idea either. Odds Of It Happening: 10% |

| (11) Jet Moto | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Imagine Wave Race 64... Crossed with Star Wars | | What It Was: It may have been plastered by Butterfinger and Mountain Dew advertisements, but the original Jet Moto was still a novel racer with enough staying power to make it an instant hit. The game can be best described as motocross without wheels. Players would have to speedily maneuver their hover bikes across pristine beaches, through thick jungles, and over shattered freeways of the future to win. You could pull of tricks too. What It Could Be: In addition to being a little too challenging for most, Jet Moto also suffered from feeling floaty. JM PS2 needs to resolve that issue by taking cues from the original Wave Race. Retain the bobbing and weaving of the first Jet Moto, but make the hover bikes grind into turns instead of sailing into the air like feathers on the wind. Jet Moto PS2 will also need to crank up the speed. This where a multi-level thrust system comes in. One section of a track would force players into a specific gear that limits their speed (to Hot Pursuit 2 levels). Another section lifts the restriction and suddenly you fly like Darth Maul on his speeder. Odds Of It Happening: 30% |

| (10) Bushido Blade | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Imagine Kill Bill Vol. 1... Crossed with The Last Samurai | | What It Was: A demanding 3D fighter applauded for its hardcore design but scorned for its limited action, Bushido Blade still ignites a fire in the hearts of the warriors who remember it. Its distinguishing features? The untimed matches of BB didn't have a life bar and one good hit could kill. This made the battles fast and intense. Sadly, strikes were a bit too quick to counter, as the game, which also featured expansive environments to battle in, controlled a touch on the clunky side. What It Could Be: The boys behind Bushido went on to create Way of the Samurai, but it's just not the same. Ditch the cheese ball junk, please. Now, if the game would expand this by incorporating some of the brutality and flair of Kill Bill's famous showdown in the snow while retaining the sensible design styles of the popular Last Samurai film, we could have a real winner. The trick would be making the controls responsive, but the action balanced. In a game like this it's extremely important to be able to easily dodge or parry any attack, so the fights could feel as stressful as lengthy tennis volleys. Odds Of It Happening: 70% |

| (9) Tobal | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Imagine Dead or Alive 3... Crossed with Bourne Identity | | What It Was: Tobal was a 3D fighter that ran at 60 frames per second and featured some of the smoothest animations and tightest controls of its time. Tobal was the closest thing to the intensity and impromptu action often associated with the most memorable Hollywood fight scenes. Employing the most convincing grappling and counter system on PSX, as well as combos that logically tie together, Tobal developed an extremely loyal following. Unfortunately, most people outside the cult never bought the game. What It Could Be: Ideally, Tobal PS2 would retain the fluidity of its predecessor without going overboard. This is a game that shouldn't move at warp speed like Dead or Alive, but it could benefit from that title's detailed graphics and multi-tiered arenas. The real trick is ensuring that Tobal PS2 doesn't ruin the grounded fighting system that made the short-lived series so loved. This is why thegame would need to shun popular wire-fu in favor of something like Bourne Identity's ruthless living room fight scene. The action needs to stay grounded while managing to keep the art as absurd as it was in the original. Odds Of It Happening: 40% |

| (8) Super Puzzle Fighter II: Turbo | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Imagine the original PF2... Crossed with Puzzle Kombat | | What It Was: There have been dozens of puzzle games out there, but few can hold a candle to the legendary Super Puzzle Fighter II: Turbo. Copies still sell on eBay for around $40 as people keep rediscovering it. It may look like Tetris or Puyo Pop at first, but constant play reveals a whole lot more. Like those other dropping games, Puzzle Fighter is dependant on matching up colors and getting combos to bury the competition. But with the addition of the Crash Gems that count down to destruction as well as different patterns for each characters gems that get dropped on them there's quite a bit more strategy than other games in the same genre. Get some friends who share this obsession and the fun will last a long, long time and make the inflated eBay prices start to sound cheap. What It Could Be: Since the graphics are mind-numbingly simple to reproduce on the PS2, all that we could ask for would be to get the same classic gameplay as the original with maybe a few other options as well. Different rule sets, particle effects for the hell of it, and the one thing that would make it rule: online. Just make it cheap and available to the masses and we can finally calm down. Odds Of It Happening: 30% |

| (7) Warhawk | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Imagine Ace Combat 5... Crossed with MechAssault 2 | | What It Was: It's rare that a game hits a system at its launch and still maintains the same level of respect and acclaim that it did when it first debuted. Luckily for us, Warhawk turned out to be just that kind of experience with its successful mix of cutting edge graphics, solid cinematic presentation, and intense flying action. But not only did Warhawk help drive the original PSX into homes across the country, it also paved the way for future first-person vehicle games. Diehard G-Police fans can thank the team at Singletrac for some rather helpful ideas. What It Could Be: Ace Combat has set the standard for modern flight-based action games and it would be great to see a similar implantation of its stellar physics system, graphical engine, and sheer speed in the brand new Warhawk. Unlike the first PSOne game, however, Warhawk 2 should also look to Microsoft's MechAssault 2 for inspiration for environments and an overall level of destruction. Regardless of what happens, though, the cheesy FMV from the old days needs to be axed in favor of kickass in-game cutscenes. Oh! And the former Singletrac guys at Incog should develop it. Odds Of It Happening: 80% |

The qualifications for this particular Dirty Dozen are rather simple: if a game in question hasn't had a sequel or remake for a console since its last appearance on the PSOne, then it can make it on our list. This means that up to this point, none of the games mentioned below have been given follow-ups (foreign or domestic) for the Sega Dreamcast, Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation 2, and Windows PC since the year 2000.

| (6) Chrono Cross | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Imagine KOTOR... Crossed with Final Fantasy XII | | What It Was: Following up on one of the greatest 16-bit games of all time is a tall order, but Square's masterpiece Chrono Cross somehow manages to do it. This sequel to Chrono Trigger not only used a terrific combo-based gameplay system, it also had well over 40 different characters and a ton of different storylines and endings. It was also one of the most beautiful PSOne games ever made, which helped cement its place in history. We wanted a sequel to this one years ago. What It Could Be: Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross were partially so addictive because of their unique ability to be different every time you played through. But why not take that kind of approach to the next level by adopting the same decision making system that made Knights of the Old Republic such a hit last year? Not only would the story and characters change as your adventure progressed, but so too would the main character. As he becomes good or evil along the way, his types of available decisions would change accordingly. The game would even support simultaneous multiplayer and allow gamers to command their subordinates the same way you can with Final Fantasy XII. Odds Of It Happening: 60% |

| (5) Die Hard Trilogy | | | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Imagine Grand Theft Auto... Crossed with NFS Underground | | What It Was: The notion of putting three different kinds of games into one should've had no way of surviving, but Die Hard Trilogy pulled it off. Light-gun shooting, driving, and isometric third-person shooting managed to play nicely with each other. Throw in buckets of gore, and players were able to plow through city streets and tons of bad guys to kill in an action movie come to life. It was one of the first signs of things to come and helped clear the way for the mixed-genre type of games. What It Could Be: Take the detailed open city from Need for Speed Underground 2 and toss in some varied action of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas for a game that combines different forms of action and looks damn good doing it. With a cinematic style and realistic physics players would be able to relive the classic movies more realistically. Instead of making the different forms of gameplay linked to the different levels, they could all be put together for a game that lets players choose what they want when they want and still feel like they're being propelled along in something bigger and blowing things up like in Hollywood. Odds Of It Happening: 0% |

| (4) Disruptor | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Imagine Ratchet and Clank... Crossed with Red Faction 2 | | What It Was: Insomniac's first game was the awesome Doom clone, Disruptor. It utilized a cool ranking system and some terrific gameplay ideas thanks to its Psionically-powered list of abilities. More importantly, though, Disruptor featured a huge amount of enemies, fast gameplay, and some of the most responsive FPS controls the PSOne ever had. It's only real problem is that it was easy, but hey, Rome wasn't built in a day. What It Could Be: Our vision of Disruptor is so clear that it's scary. The team at Insomniac made it apparent that they know how to do first-person shooters with its excellent online mode in Ratchet 3, and it was good enough to copy almost exactly as the core gameplay engine for Disruptor 2. Throw in some Psi-Ops-like psychic abilities and greatness is just around the corner. What would really push the new Disruptor over the top, though, (besides the obvious online play) would be a Red Faction-inspired Geo Mode engine. Destructible environments and a flexible level design would be a lot easier with the decision to include such a thing. It would be awesome. Odds Of It Happening: 20% |

| (3) Descent | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Imagine Ace Combat 5... Crossed with Freespace 2 | | What It Was: It was classing shooting in space in true 3D and it ruled. Players flew ships around in levels with tunnels going every which way. Mastering the game was a combination of learning how to maneuver in three axis' and blowing up everything in sight. It wreaked havoc on your brain but it was worth it. The only problem with Descent was that it had been ported over to the console a generation too early. The textures were muddy and the sounds were downright horrible. Without the first-rate PC original behind it, it could be easily said that this is a game that came from nowhere and went nowhere. But we know that this was just the first draft of a title that was waiting to appear on a system that could truly handle it and that day is today. What It Could Be: Give us the original game with more detailed levels that make us think of Ace Combat 5 and some online play and all will be forgiven. A Freespace-like setup wouldn't be bad either. We'll stop the hate mail and the ongoing threats if we just get the chance to be playing this classic on our TVs rather than hunched over in front of our monitor, Thrustmaster in hand. Odds Of It Happening: 10% |

| (2) Return Fire | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Imagine StarCraft... Crossed with Ratchet and Clank | | What It Was: Capture the Flag in its purest and most beautiful form. Two players fought each other on the battlefield via split-screen with tanks, jeeps, helicopters, and whatever else was available. Each player had a base to defend and just about everything could be smashed or blown to bits for the glory of the cause. Snagging a flag and making a run for it in your puny little jeep while your opponent does everything possible to stop you is where Return Fire becomes absolutely brilliant. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, like the feeling of driving across the whole map as a pissed off chopper blows up an entire forest to stop you. But nothing can stop you and when you got back to your base bragging rights were yours to own forever. What It Could Be: Make it the same and make it online, period. Take the ridiculous weapon selection, vehicles, and online play from Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal and develop maps that let players control bases in an action/RTS style that's as deep as StarCraft. Just make sure to keep the controls simple and intuitive and keep all of the objects destructible for some killer explosions. Odds Of It Happening: 10% |

| (1) Colony Wars | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Imagine Crimson Skies... Crossed with Rogue Leader | | What It Was: Brilliant! Colony Wars was a brilliant action game. This space combat title featured an incredible branching storyline, slick effects, rich coloring, and the smoothest control any space combat title on any console has ever had. Think back to Colony Wars and wonder, "Why the hell aren't I playing that right now?" While Colony Wars didn't trash PC space sims like Freespace, Tie Fighter, and Starlancer, it is still unrivaled in the console market. Even recent franchise competitors like Rogue Leader and Jedi Starfighter pale in comparison to the intuitive grace of Colony Wars. Sure, the new games look better, but they certainly do not play better. What It Could Be: The rolling dual analog play is what made Colony Wars and that play should not change at all. If another game's gameplay needed to be learned from, we'd hope it would look at Crimson Skies rather than Rogue Leader. The only thing Colony Wars should learn from RL is how to do graphics and scale. When it comes to dogfighting and general control, that game is hardly worth paying attention to. Big story + new graphics + same smooth control = Colony Wars PS2 greatness. Odds Of It Happening: 50% |

And that's that, another Dirty Dozen from the editors here at IGNPS2. Thanks for taking the time to read through the ramblings of gamers who get a little too misty-eyed when discussing the great games of many years past. It may make us feel old, but we respect what has come before and others should too, damn it. Of course, there are still other games that we couldn't get to since they would have made the title a complete lie. After all, Parasite Eve, Tomba, Wild 9, Vagrant Story, Loaded, Legend of Dragoon, Jumping Flash, Valkyrie Profile, Ogre Battle, and Final Fantasy Tactics could all use some updates too. But what about your own Dirty Dozen? Which PSOne follow-ups would you like see made that haven't been given sequels yet? Drop us a line and let us know!