Artful design (original) (raw)
Xbox
Madagascar
Activision, PG, RRP $80. Also PS2, GameCube, PC, * * * *
Artfully designed for the attention-deficit generation, Madagascar keeps youngsters constantly entertained by serving up fun activities. The amusing movie characters and dialogue ensure plenty of giggles and mistakes are never punished. Players must use the varied abilities of a lion, giraffe, hippo, zebra and penguin to complete tasks beginning with an exciting zoo escape and concluding with a daring island rescue.
Players can race ostriches, sneak past guards, dodge city traffic, explore the jungle, guide bees, solve puzzles, waterslide against alligators, block toilets, operate cranes, rescue critters, bounce on mushrooms and co-ordinate a penguin mutiny. Fun bonuses include shuffleboard, dancing contests, mini-golf and wonderful retro-inspired arcade games. Adults will breeze through the game in a few hours, but youngsters should be content replaying the adventure many times.
PS2
Area 51
Midway, MA15+, RRP $80. Also Xbox, * * ½
More than 50 years since a UFO allegedly crashed at Roswell in New Mexico, the public's fascination with the Area 51 military base remains strong. But this competent yet generic shooter will disappoint even the most dedicated conspiracy theorist, despite a frenetic opening featuring plenty of explosions, swarms of mutant creatures and heart-threatening frights. Traipsing through endless corridors becomes dull and repetitive, even when it is overlaid with a story of shadowy government intrigue.
Alien powers such as enhanced melee or ranged viral attacks add spice, and you can also get your hands on alien weaponry to complement the well-balanced selection of terrestrial firepower. Online multi-player modes are standard fair, apart from Infection, in which players assume the role of soldiers or mutants, which is unlikely to hold your interest for long.
PS2
Monster Hunter
Capcom, M, RRP $80, * * * *
This game transports players to a mythical prehistoric era when humans used their cunning to rise to the top of the food chain. The village chief delivers hunting and gathering assignments. Most gathering duties are dull (except egg stealing), but slaying beasts and bringing back spoils such as meat, horns, bones and hides is terrific fun. You can construct weapons such as blades, swords, hammers and blowguns.
Attacks are performed by flicking the right analog stick, which initially feels awkward and is hampered by a wayward camera. While enjoyable alone, you need to head online to get the most out of this game. With friends, the sense of camaraderie and teamwork is fantastic. Working together luring monsters into traps is hugely satisfying. Pity that setting up network games is so fiddly.
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