Strategy & Sim

A focus on classic orchestral tunes immediately sets Mad Maestro apart from its more contemporary brethren. A rhythm music title, Mad Maestro allows players to assume the role of a conductor whose job it is to "manage" the music, instead of actually playing it. The three aspects of each piece, namely, the transitions between sections of the piece, the volume and the tempo are controlled by the D-pad, the pressure applied to a particular button, and the timing of button presses, respectively. Depending on the particular piece of music, up to five points can be displayed onscreen at once. A constantly moving cursor provides cues, informing the player when to press the button. The color of the point currently highlighted by the cursor changes from blue to green to red, indicating the amount of pressure to be applied to each button press.

The distance between points changes based upon the tempo of the current piece of music, with slower pieces giving rise to greater distances and faster sections punctuated by shorter distances. Players will also be required to press a button as well as a direction on the D-pad at certain points in the piece. A horizontal meter fills up with each correct input; filling up the entire meter will initiate "angel mode." Only by being in this mode when the song ends can you successfully complete the stage. Make too many mistakes however, and a "devil mode" will ensue, during which time the meter does not fill up. Not making a mistake for after a brief period will return the game to "angel mode." The goal of this incessant orchestration is to drum up support by aiding the local townspeople, with the ultimate goal of saving the local concert hall -- a story told between chapters through the use of CG cut-scenes.

During each stage the backgrounds change dynamically in accordance with your performance: perform well and the screen will be filled with frenzied action, lights, and objects, do poorly however and the stage will begin to darken and eventually fall apart. A performance-based ranking is provided at the end of each stage allowing players to gauge their conducting prowess. A Free Play mode lets you play through any beaten stage; a Replay mode allows you to view past performances; A Music room lets you listen to unlocked pieces, and ten unlockable bonus games round out the selection of gameplay choices. A total of 35 songs are included within the game, many of which must be unlocked. ~ Gavin Frankle, All Game Guide

An offshoot of Microsoft's MechWarrior series on the PC, which in turn is based on the FASA-licensed BattleTech universe, MechAssault is an action-oriented mech combat game designed specifically for the Xbox. Rather than strap players into the cockpit for a simulation style of game, MechAssault is played from a view behind the 30-foot mechs as they lay siege to anything foolish enough to stand in their path. In total there are 12 upgradeable mechs to guide across 20 combat missions set within fully destructible environments.

As a mercenary from the Wolf Dragoon clan, players are in the dangerous position of infiltrating an enemy planet to prevent a war. Negotiations on this world are not forged with the pen but with firepower, and strategy will play an important role in the outcome of a mission. Certain mechs are more agile than others, so the environment becomes a key factor in which to choose. Objects within the scenery can also be used to an advantage. Tanks coming out of a tunnel can be neutralized by focusing firepower above it, collapsing the entrance and trapping the enemy inside.

Trees can also be set ablaze to smoke out infantry lurking behind them, and a missile to an oil refinery, fuel drum, or even a skyscraper can have a devastating impact on enemy mechs nearby. Each mission can thus be completed in several different ways since players are given the freedom to destroy anything and everything they see before them. A mech can squish soldiers underneath its massive feet, blast the glass out of windows and watch as the shards blanket the street,

The single-player game follows a campaign format complete with mission briefings and cinematic cut-scenes to further the story. Once the campaign is over, the game can still be enjoyed with some friends (or would-be enemies). Players can challenge up to three competitors on a split-screen or take the combat online via the Xbox Live broadband service. The latter option includes voice communication support and downloadable content such as maps, mechs, and more. Multiplayer games offer a selection of team-based missions as well as deadly free-for-alls. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

A follow-up to Microsoft's acclaimed PC title Crimson Skies, High Road to Revenge continues the adventures of crack pilot Nathan Zachary as he sets out to avenge the death of his best friend in alternate 1930s America. The game focuses on the action associated with flying a plane rather than the technical aspects of a simulation, so players will engage in dogfights using one of ten planes armed with napalm missiles, magnetic grapples, and sandstorm cannons. Each of the landscapes offer destructible terrain, allowing players to shoot down bridges, water towers, create landslides, and more to help in defeating enemies. In addition to the single-player story mode, up to four pilots can battle each other in a series of split-screen sorties. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

After years of celebrating rock & roll culture and making gamers feel like guitar gods, Activision turns its attention to hip-hop pioneers like Kool Herc and Grand Wizard Theodore by offering players more than 80 original mixes to blend, juggle, and scratch in DJ Hero. Featuring a variation of the "note highway" mechanic popularized by Guitar Hero and Rock Band, and incorporating a turntable-and-mixer peripheral controller, DJ Hero finds gamers manipulating a crossfader and effects knob with one hand, while using the other hand to press three gameplay buttons located atop a fully rotatable faux record. Instead of increasing difficulty by making players account for more buttons, DJ Hero begins to incorporate more scratching and crossfader movement in an attempt to foster a more authentic feel.

Developer FreeStyleGames worked closely with world-renowned artists DJ Shadow, DJ Z-Trip, DJ AM, and Cut Chemist to create a realistic experience, and all four DJs contributed original mixes and mash-ups. DJ Hero also features DJ Jazzy Jeff and Grandmaster Flash as playable characters, but the game does not mine its track list solely from the world of hip-hop, featuring portions of more than 100 individual songs from artists such as Marvin Gaye, Beck, Nirvana, Daft Punk, and Tears for Fears. The game takes players to a variety of locations designed to mimic real-life party hotspots, and gamers looking for multiplayer action can hook up multiple controllers for competitive "DJ vs. DJ" mode, or the co-operative "DJ + DJ" and "DJ + Guitar" modes.

The "Renegade Edition" comes packaged with a "Renegade Turntable Controller," a hard carrying case that converts into a DJ stand, and a two CDs featuring music from Eminem and Jay-Z. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Headbangers and moshers can thrash to 20 heavy metal songs in this standalone entry to the Rock Band series. Six tracks making their Rock Band debut include "Transmaniacon MC," "Master of the Universe," "Levitate," "Killed by Death," "Hair of the Dog," and "Bulls on Parade." Other featured songs are as follows: "Two Weeks," "Blinded by Fear," "ShockWave," "Walking the Demon," "Are You Dead Yet," "Thrasher," "I Stand Alone," "D.O.A.," "Forever," "Screaming for Vengeance," "Closer," "Laid to Rest," "3's & 7's," and "Red Devil." As with previous Rock Band packs, all of the songs can be played with guitars, drums, and/or microphones. Owners of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the disc have the option to play the songs separately or import the tracks for use in either Rock Band or Rock Band 2. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Gamers drive their virtual alter egos toward greatness, as the second generation of "people simulation" gets a life on consoles. Though it features the same charming style and real-world challenges, the PlayStation 2 version of Sims 2 has been customized for the console. As in the console ports of the original Sims game, there is more of a focus on the player's main character, and less on the neighborhood interactions as a whole. Along this line, the most obvious difference between the computer and console versions of Sims 2 may be in the way players control their characters. Instead of a point-and-click strategy-game styled interface, players take direct control of their console characters, "driving" them around the game world with the analog stick (as in a third-person RPG).

Other differences also allow players to concentrate on their individual console characters. Unlike characters in the PC version of the title, PS2 sims do not age or have children. Players still have great control over their characters' looks and lifestyles however. By choosing different "grandparent DNA," players can alter the look of their sim until it's just right. A new "fashion designer" feature allows players to create their own custom outfits from a wide selection of mix-and-match components. The console version also uses the Sims 2 aspiration system, which allows players to define their character's "life goal," and makes it easy to find everyday activities that help work toward it.

Other features are exclusive to the console versions of the game, such as personal interactions that blur out the background to concentrate exclusively on the involved sims, and a food creation system that challenges the players' creativity as well as the characters'. Characters can collect objects found all around the game world, from fruit off a tree to fish in an aquarium, and combine these as they see fit into a new meal. Some custom meals may produce desirable effects in those who consume them, while others may just make characters sick, so discovering and perfecting recipes can be an ongoing, profitable mini-game for those who are willing to experiment. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Players scrub up and prepare for virtual surgery in the Operating Room simulation brought Stateside by Atlus. The main gameplay in Trauma Center is akin to a high-tech version of the 1960s board game Operation; players use their DS stylus to apply anesthetic to, make incisions in, and remove failing body parts from their touch-screen patients. In light role-playing segments, away from the O.R., players will also need to demonstrate a decent bedside manner, to help their patients to keep a positive, curative attitude. ~ All Game Guide

Pretend, (practically) perfect puppies come to life in this triple-release line of pet simulators from Nintendo. In Nintendogs, players adopt, raise, and train an impressively intelligent virtual dog, of a breed they choose. In addition to Miniature Dachshunds, this version of the game offers Golden Retrievers, Beagles, Pugs, Siberian Huskies, and Shih Tzus. The dogs can be taught a number of tricks, and even entered into virtual dog shows to earn cash for useful items.

The most distinguishing elements of the DS interface allow players to interact with their pets. The touch screen is used to for physical interaction. Rub the puppy's belly and he might kick his leg; poke his foot and he'll pull it back in surprise. The stylus is also used to manipulate in-game items, including the dog's leash and variety of toys. Players must communicate with their dogs by voice, as well, and a new puppy may need to hear the name he's given (spoken into the DS microphone) numerous times before he learns to respond properly.

In addition to the regular attention he'll expect from his owner, the puppy will appreciate a chance to interact with other computer-generated canines. Nearby Nintendogs players can meet in virtual community parks, supported by the DS' wireless capabilities, where their dogs can romp and frolic together. Each of the three versions of Nintendogs is distinguished by a title species (the other two are Chihuahua and Labrador Retriever), but all editions of the game are designed to interact with one another, regardless of breed. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Pretend, (practically) perfect puppies come to life in this triple-release line of pet simulations by Nintendo. In Nintendogs, players adopt, raise, and train an impressively intelligent virtual dog, of a breed they choose. In addition to Chihuahuas, this version of the game offers German Shepards, Boxers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Yorkshire terriers, and Shetland sheepdogs. The dogs can be taught a number of tricks, and even entered into virtual dog shows to win cash for useful items.

The most distinguishing elements of the DS interface allow players to interact with their pets. The touch screen is used to for physical interaction. Rub the puppy's belly and he might kick his leg; poke his foot and he'll pull it back in surprise. The stylus is also used to manipulate in-game items, including the dog's leash and variety of toys. Players must communicate with their dogs by voice, as well, and a new puppy may need to hear the name he's given (spoken into the DS microphone) numerous times before he learns to respond properly.

In addition to the regular attention he'll expect from his owner, the puppy will appreciate a chance to interact with other computer-generated canines. Nearby Nintendogs players can meet in virtual community parks, supported by the DS' wireless communication capabilities, where their dogs can romp and frolic together. Each of the three versions of Nintendogs is distinguished by a title species (the other two are Miniature Dachshund and Labrador Retriever), but all versions of the game are designed to interact with one another, regardless of breed. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life expands on the farm simulation aspects of its predecessors by having players develop a "life" through marriage and raising a family. Farming in this GameCube version is further enhanced by having more animals to care for, more crops to harvest, and an option for players to create hybrid vegetables by combining the seeds of two different types. As in earlier titles in Natsume's Harvest Moon series, players are not confined to a rigid storyline or plot while advancing through the game. Players are free to do whatever they want in the effort to become successful in both business and in life.

This PS2 "Special Edition" of A Wonderful Life adds to the GameCube original by allowing players to earn the chance to play as either a boy or a girl, and by providing more potential spouses for courtship. It also allows players to continue to work and develop their farms, even after they've completed the main campaign. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Headbangers and moshers can thrash to 20 heavy metal songs in this standalone entry to the Rock Band series. Six tracks making their Rock Band debut include "Transmaniacon MC," "Master of the Universe," "Levitate," "Killed by Death," "Hair of the Dog," and "Bulls on Parade." Other featured songs are as follows: "Two Weeks," "Blinded by Fear," "ShockWave," "Walking the Demon," "Are You Dead Yet," "Thrasher," "I Stand Alone," "D.O.A.," "Forever," "Screaming for Vengeance," "Closer," "Laid to Rest," "3's & 7's," and "Red Devil." As with previous Rock Band packs, all of the songs can be played with guitars, drums, and/or microphones. Owners of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the disc have the option to play the songs separately or import the tracks for use in either Rock Band or Rock Band 2. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Baby Pals, the second "baby raising" game on Nintendo DS, has players adopting an infant and selecting its gender, physical attributes, and name. While the game doesn't have an ending per se, the focus is guiding a baby through three distinct development stages. "Development" in Baby Pals involves completing an assortment of touch-screen teaching activities. Players must also keep a watchful eye on a baby's cleanliness, food, play, and sleep levels. Failure to address a specific need will make the baby unhappy.

Mini-games are also based on the baby's needs. The stylus is used to dry babies, cut ingredients to prepare food, engage in games of patty cake or peek-a-boo, and help sheep reach the end of a maze to ensure a good night's rest. Other activities include teaching the baby colors, sounds, body parts, crawling, and walking through various rhythmic and matching techniques. Hearts earned from happy infants can be redeemed for new baby supplies, clothing, hairstyles, and additional recipes to cook. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide