Strategy & Sim

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

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

MechAssault makes its second appearance on Xbox, once again offering multiplayer gaming through the Xbox Live service. Players return to the 31st century to pilot heavily armed, 40-foot-tall walking assault vehicles in a war for the future of humankind. As the subtitle might suggest, MechAssault 2 is designed to offer a deeper, more engaging single-player campaign than the original, for "Lone Wolf" players. Online multiplayer gaming is fully supported as well however, with features to promote team strategy and competition with players all around the world, regardless of region. The MechAssault games are the Xbox offshoots of Microsoft's long-running MechWarrior series of PC games, based on the BattleTech universe of tabletop strategy games. ~ T.J. Deci, 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

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

Players cast a line and try to hook the big one, in this socially oriented fishing RPG from Natsume. Taking the role of one of four family members, players seek angler immortality by catching the legendary and elusive big fish known as "the River King." Of course, there's also much to do between trips to the waterside, such as collecting rare items, trading for better equipment at shops, and making new friends. While the publisher's Harvest Moon companion series gained popularity with multiple releases throughout the 128-bit generation, A Wonderful Journey is the first River King game produced for North American PS2s. ~ All Game Guide

Players have the opportunity to create a living zoological park in their Nintendo DS with this port of Blue Fang Games breakthrough home computer hit. Building upon conventions of PC management simulations such as Sim Theme Park and Roller Coaster Tycoon, Zoo Tycoon has the player laying out cages and enclosures for animal attractions, and placing pathways and landscaping for the people who come to see them. Good design will lead guests comfortably through the zoo, with refreshment stands and bathrooms set up in convenient locations among the attractions.

Caring for the animal attractions themselves requires foresight and nurturing maintenance. The player can learn about the natural environments and preferences of the different animals in the park and use that information to design habitats that will keep them all safe and happy. Happy animals are more active and interesting to zoo visitors. Animals that are not comfortable in their cages may just stand around doing nothing, providing little entertainment to the guests that have paid to come to visit them. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Revisit pastoral farm life as a young boy or girl in this entry in the unconventional Harvest Moon role-playing series. The storyline finds the benevolent harvest goddess transformed into stone, but it is rumored that 100 musical notes will break the curse. Yet in order to collect the notes, players must fulfill a number of farm-related objectives, from shipping out goods and creating recipes to taming wild animals and winning festivals. The play style is otherwise the same as previous Harvest Moon titles, as players plant various crops, raise and care for livestock, participate in special events and mini-games, and more. New twists to the series include a rival farmer to compete with on a daily basis, the ability to marry one of ten prospective suitors, and the option to expand the farm by purchasing new plots of land. Four-player support is also available in many of the competitive events, ranging from horse races to fishing derbies. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Inspired by the hit computer series from the 1990s, Catz for Game Boy Advance has players adopting digital versions of a Persian, Himalayan, Abyssinian, Ocicat, or nine other cat breeds from an in-game pet store before naming and then caring for their animal in and around a house. As in most games in the genre, players must monitor a number of traits to help care for their pet as well as develop a feeding schedule and make time to play with or groom the animal.

Achieving high rankings in categories such as affection, health, and energy will not only ensure a cat's long life, but also increase the number of available toys, supplies, and other items for players to use. Each cat can also be immortalized in a hall of fame after being retired, and different breed variants will gradually open up as players become more proficient in raising their pet. Curious Catz owners can explore each other’s neighborhoods by linking up systems via Game Link Cable. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

One of the few flight combat games for handheld devices, Freedom Wings from Natsume includes an automatic mode for beginners and a manual mode for advanced fighter pilots. Taking place in the South Sea islands where aircrafts are a necessity for travel, players are part of the Air Patrol Association and are charged with eliminating airborne pirates terrorizing paradise. When players are not disposing of the dishonest dogfighters, they can catch up on gossip in the café, run sub-missions, or purchase upgrades for their lean, mean, flying machine. ~ Gracie Leach, All Game Guide

Music-loving DS owners can tap more than their toes with the release of Elite Beat Agents, a stylus-striking rhythm game with a premise that is part Men in Black and part Saturday Night Fever. The Elite Beat Agents are a sharp-dressed group of covert government operatives who solve problems and predicaments by grooving to the beat. Gameplay involves tapping and tracing patterns on the touch screen while the story is revealed in comic book-like panels within the top screen. Twenty songs are included from such artists as Madonna, Queen, The Rolling Stones, Ashlee Simpson, Deep Purple, David Bowie, and Chicago.

Maintain the beat throughout each song and the story will reach its conclusion based on your overall performance. An "elite-o-meter" monitors progress as players try to make the story end on a happy note, but the drama can just as easily take a turn for the worse. The offbeat tasks range from helping a dog find its way home to charming a football player on behalf of a lovesick babysitter. In an unusual twist for the genre, the game includes support for up to four players in a series of competitive challenges. Elite Beat Agents is an update to Japan's Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, featuring new characters, scenarios, and songs designed to appeal to Western audiences. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

As in any good role-playing adventure, the object of this game to gradually gain experience and level up the main character, in order to be ready to face the final challenge at the end of the tale. Unlike most other RPGs, however, the heroes of Brooktown High are regular teenagers, and their final challenge is something far more frightening than evil overlords or fire-breathing dragons: finding the right date to senior prom. To be crowned Prom King or Prom Queen would be the ultimate victory in this game.

Players can choose a young man or young woman as their character, and then begin their quest for the amorous attention of one (or more) of six characters of the opposite gender. Potential partners are easily recognizable as caricatures of secondary school stereotypes, such as "jocks," "preps, "or "nerds," but further interaction reveals more sophisticated personalities. The trick to winning the affections of these characters is in listening closely to the things they say, even when they say things that don't seem particularly relevant at the moment. Not so much unlike real life.

Also as in real life, there is more to becoming the most popular kid on campus than simply being nice. The student must also cultivate a good sense of style. This means wearing the right clothes (which can be purchased with cash from a part-time job), staying in shape (by exercising at the gym or elsewhere), and having something valuable to add to the conversation from time to time (gained by keeping up with classes and homework).

Inspiration for Brooktown High may have come from Japan, where anime-styled dating simulations for PC are popular among both men and women, with stories that run from pure to prurient. On PSP, the characters and game world are modeled in full 3D, however, and a selection of action-oriented mini-games simulate all sorts of daily activities and interactions, from telling jokes and dancing to French kissing and apparel-shedding board games.

Brooktown High has received a "T" for "Teen" rating from the ESRB; younger players may find the game's romantic content to be highly icky. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Cooking Mama goes beyond fantasy and gathers inspiration from real-life situations. Gourmet gamers utilize the stylus as an all-in-one cooking utensil to prepare over 76 dishes ranging from pepperoni pizza to cabbage meat rolls. Players begin with 15 default recipes and must unlock the other 61 by cooking a decent meal. Recipes can be combined to create more difficult concoctions that will increase a player's overall performance grade. In over 200 mini-games, Cooking Mamas prepare the food by slicing, chopping, mixing, peeling, grating, or mashing ingredients, and then cooking items to pretend perfection. Culinary companions may share recipes through a local wireless connection. ~ Gracie Leach, All Game Guide