Beckett Gaming

I was a late console gamer – my parents banned all consoles in the house, thus limiting my gaming exposure to the computer and later, handheld systems. It wasn’t until I moved in with a roommate in college, who had every system available, that I was able to sit down with a real console game and play it from the comfort of the couch. One of the first games to enchant me? The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. Is it any surprise then that I snatched up the sequel to the game without a second thought?

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass picks up shortly after where Wind Waker leaves off. Zelda, who isn’t too fond of her new name and would rather everyone call her Tetra, stays true to her pirate roots and jumps aboard a ghost ship, ignoring the warnings of her crew. Link tries to go after her, but slips off the ship and is separated from both Tetra and her crew.

Link awakes on an island, meets a little fairy who’s lost her memory (this is the locator to know where your stylus is touching, which is identical to The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and the fairy showing you where the Wii-mote is pointing), and learns some basic moves from an old man who, after some exploring and questing, finally gives up his sword (you buy the shield on the island). With sword and shield in hand, Link has to rescue the cowardly captain from his own greed in order to access his boat and rush off to save Zelda yet again.

As it is with any Zelda game, don’t expect the entire story to be dumped into your lap at any one key moment in the game. Details about the ghost ship are slowly revealed as you explore other islands and learn that there’s more going on than meets the eye. Dungeons are long, though not too terribly complicated (much like Wind Waker), rely heavily on quick actions with the stylus, exploration, and plenty of notes on your maps. It might not appease old-school Zelda fans who like to bang their heads on nearby objects out of frustration, but it does make it easier for a wider (and younger) audience to get into it.

Everything, and I do mean everything, is controlled with the stylus. Certain shortcuts can be used with the other buttons, but it’s easier and faster to just stick with the stick. I only have one complaint about this method though: it’s annoying to try and walk due north or south in and out of a zone. Without fail, when I drag my stylus down to lead Link out of a dungeon, he either stands still or takes a quick front swing with his sword. Why they don’t let you control Link’s movement with the D-pad in addition to the stylus is beyond me, but it would’ve made navigating him just that much easier.

Unlike most DS games, which utilize the stylus simply because it’s there to use, the stylus is a key part of the gameplay. Nearly every area you come across has a map, and you will mark up each map at least once with information necessary to complete a dungeon or puzzle. Sometimes it’s as simple as a villager saying “oh, there’s a tree up here that you need to shake for a nice reward!” and then you mark it on your map so you don’t forget where it is. Other times it’s more vital information, such as which switches out of a dozen to flip and in what order. The most interesting use of the map drawing feature that I’ve seen came in the form of a puzzle that required me to find four points on the island, use two lines to connect those four points like a giant X, and then dig where X marked the spot to find a secret cave. It’s a fun and creative way to really make use of what the DS has to offer.

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass is one of the most solid and entertaining games I’ve had the pleasure of picking up and playing. Though it’s far from hard, the fun factor really makes up for it. As this is a sequel, those who haven’t played most (or all) of the way through Wind Waker might not get as much out of it as those who have played it will, but for the experience alone, it’s worth it.

-Rebecca Bundy

What is it exactly about the Pokémon games that makes older (and when I mean older, I mean old enough to have gone through puberty) gamers continuously buy the newest versions of what is, in essence, the same old thing?

Obviously the kids (sort of) have an excuse: it’s the big thing right now, and they were too little to have been playing the last version(s) when they were the big thing.

But what about those of us who are old enough to have kids of our own?

Some might say that it’s fun to obsess with collecting every last freaking Pokémon. Most of the adults I know love the games for this. But who exactly do we show these completed lists to once they’re complete? Any significant other in our life would likely roll their eyes at us, and unless you’re in a company where goofing off with kiddy games is expected (like it is here), you can’t gush about it with co-workers.

For me, it really isn’t about collecting them all. Waiting around on route 214 for Thursday night to roll around so that rare Pokémon “might” show up never really interested me. Nor do I have to have a maxed-out team or become the best Trainer.

It most certainly isn’t about the story, that’s for certain. And while the Pokémon are quite cute, it’s not to satiate that urge I get from time to time to grab every cute thing in my line of sight. Even the “new” features don’t really interest me.

What I think it is that keeps many of us coming back for more is the way this game lets us be kids again without patronizing us (once you get past the beginning few minutes, that is, that exist solely to teach new players how to play). The game, while embraced by children, doesn’t make adults feel stupid for playing. It says “hey, we know there are adults out there, so come have fun with us.” Quite honestly, it’s nice to be a kid once again without actually being treated like one.

-Rebecca Bundy

Okay, this is going to be a little strange. I received this e-mail today from a publicist trying to promote this daredevil stunt in NYC. He told me that the AP didn't pick up on it so he thought he'd send it to a few people. I believe we're one of the first to get it and post it. So, here it is...

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I have exclusive photos of Ringling Bros daredevil Bello Nock risking his life high above the Spectrum in Philadelphia -- hanging from a helicopter!  Bello received recent national attention when his tiny bike got stolen in NYC.  Today (April 20) he did an unprecedented trapeze act without a harness as his brother the chopper.  Bello's stunt marked the arrival of Ringing Bros. and Barnum & Bailey at the Wachovia Spectrum through April 29.

There has always been a strong aversion to theft. In the old west, a horse thief could get strung up, while a murderer might not even get a second glance (especially if the killing was in a saloon). In the mid east, you could still have your hands cut off for pick-pocketing. Even in modern America, the lowest of the low is the person who takes something that does not belong to him.  

The game designers think so. Kill stealing is one of the major design focuses of MMOs. Big games and small games alike work hard to make sure that kill stealing is made as unlikely as possible. Guild Wars, for instance only allows you to go out into PvE areas with a chosen party. Only you and your friends are there to reap the rewards of your hard work. And even then, drops and experience are doled out on an equal basis, so that everyone in the party gets a share. In other games that allow non-party characters to mingle, such as Acclaim's new 9 Dragons, experience and drops are based on who has done the actual damage. So if you do 99% of the damage, you get the lion’s share of the experience and drops.  

The temptation to walk over and take that shiny little trinket from someone who you don't even know and will probably never meet is overwhelming to some. MMOs allow the nerds to become the school bullies and the one thing that bullies do best is to pick on the weak.  

And thus we get to the inevitable “can’t we all just get along” statement. Seriously, though; does taking that little victory really make you feel good? If the game consisted of nothing but people you could swoop in and take their kills, would you really want to play that game?

I’ve always combated my urge to kill steal by looking at it as an opportunity to give the little guy something. Sure, I’m not really giving him the kill. But I am giving him something a little more than that. I’m giving him a break.

- Marco Soto

This is my first review for a music-related video game. I think SingStar Pop is a blast! If you've ever gone to a Karaoke Night at a nearby food and drink establishment or just love to sing songs in your car or at home, then this new game is for you! SingStar Pop contains music from many top music artists from the past 30 years. Some of the biggest names include: U2, Avril Lavigne, Alicia Keys, Gorillaz, James Blunt, Franz Ferdinan, Destiny's Child, Cyndi Lauper and The Clash. Just pop this game into your PS2 or PS3 grab hold of one of the accompanying microphones and you're all set to feel the music. You can sing the songs as a duet or individually. There are three different levels: Easy, Medium and Hard. When on the Easy mode, it's okay to miss a few of the words as long as you get most of them. However,  on the Hard mode you need to correctly pronounce every word that the artists sings and time them properly in order to receive "Good!" or "Cool!" points. These points are then added up at the end of the song and if your total is high enough, you'll be placed on a Top 5 list of singers.  One thing to remember, when you're looking to sing individually, place the red Microphone plug into the blue jack instead of the red jack on the SingStar USB port connector. If you don't it won't work properly.

And if you ever set your sights on becoming the next American Idol, this could help you improve your singing and help you remember the words to each song.

I got to play this game with my family and we had a lot of fun. If you love today's music artists, I would highly recommend it. I would rate it an 8.5 out of 10.

-Doug Kale

My eyes have been glued to my television screen for the past couple of evenings. It isn't from a movie or TV series, and it's not even from a game on a next-gen system. No, the game that has held my rapt attention lately is Tales of the Abyss. It's not even a new game, but it is the latest in my towering stack of unplayed titles.

The Tales series has always impressed me with its relatively simplistic, yet innovative design as compared to other RPGs. It doesn't rely on eye-candy and high-polygon models nor fancy CG cut scenes to impress the player. Rather it utilizes what I believe to be one of the two most important elements of an RPG to great effect: the characters.

From the time I first saw Rutee of the original Tales of Destiny game, scavenging the battlefield for loose change while her companions fought for their lives, I was enamored with the characters of the Tales series. Story, which I feel is the other most important element to an RPG, is usually pretty hit or miss in the Tales games, but any flaw is masked over by the characters' unique personalities and inevitable growth throughout the game, and the interactions between characters through skits and in-engine cut scenes are priceless in their entertainment value.

Tales of the Abyss has thus far lived up to my expectations in delivering engaging characters. The main protagonist, Luke, in all his sheltered naïveté, serves as the perfect vessel for the other characters and NPCs to explain the world to the players (The "Idiot Lectures" exposition, as I've heard them called). The only character he holds any sense of superiority over is the group's small animal companion, Mieu, a fire-breathing cheagle who is bound to Luke for repentance.

The other characters include Tear, the cold-hearted soldier with an unexpectedly soft side; Anise, the rambunctious young bodyguard who isn't shy about displaying affection; and Natalie, every bit the princess she was raised to be. These ladies serve as potential love interests, or perhaps more like sources of endless antagonism, for our belabored hero. Guy, the heterophobic servant who is hiding much more than he lets on, and Jade, the intellectual elitist colonel from the enemy nation with an ominous reputation help to complicate matters with their snide remarks and teasing.

The developers of the Tales series always include several opportunities for character interaction throughout gameplay, including post-battle quips and periodic skits in addition to the normal story development. Tales of Legendia had character interludes between the two major stories in the game, each focusing on one of the supporting characters to further develop their backgrounds. I absolutely loved those stories, and I felt that those were superior to the main plot and the sole reason for playing the game. I doubt I'll get to see that for Tales of the Abyss, but at least I'm not disappointed by what I've watched so far! - Joe Chan

We've been updating several of our Web sites over the past few months. Our Web designers recently finished the layouts. Let me know what you think of them. I'll take any comments or suggestions. This is the message I recently posted on the main Beckett.com Web sites: 

We've updated several our Beckett Gaming Web sites with brand new message boards. Here's a list of links to all of them. Check them out and leave a comment or two.

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 Thanks! 

- Doug Kale 

The scene is simple enough: a group of Hobbits reclining in oak chairs as they enjoy a tall mug of ale, their feet bobbing in time with the music being played within the quaint tavern. Or what about a great, towering hall of silver where the tall, graceful Elves dancing lithely to the beautiful melody streaming forth from a flute?

These are the types of things that you’d encounter in the world of Tolkien, but it might come as a joyous surprise to most that the music, one of the most incredible things about both the LotR books and movies, is much like a mini-activity within the Lord of the Rings: Online.

Some of us here at Beckett have spent some time testing out the beta version of this new MMO, due out next month, but my biggest joy came when I realized that any character, no matter the class, can whip out an instrument (in my case, the lute) and by using the 1-8 keys on your keyboard, play real-time music with two octaves and the ability to strum flat notes as well.

Several of us spent an hour just standing around making music, taking turns as we played everything from classical melodies to Christmas carols to even Darth Vadar’s theme song/march. Once we got the hang of a song and wrote down the numbers to press, it was a simple matter of typing out the numbers in chat to let each other play the exact same songs.

Quite honestly, I’ve never had more fun just standing around. There was no combat, no bickering about class imbalance, no fighting over loot... just several people enjoying whatever tunes we could come up with at the time. It was simple, relaxing, and most importantly... extremely Tolkien-like.  

Once the game goes live, I can see people setting up open mic nights at various taverns all across Middle Earth. Guilds will form for the sole purpose of getting together to perform as a band. Players will become famous on their server, not for having the most kills or for wearing the best armor, but for being able to create music that reminds people that after a long, hard day of adventuring with their fellowship, nothing is better than relaxing to some real music.

-Rebecca Bundy

God of War 2 (M = Mature 17+)

REVIEWER #1

I had the privilege of sampling an advanced copy of the much anticipated PS2 release of God of War II, and I assure you it lived up to expectations.  The second installment to one of the most popular PS2 titles starts out right where it left off with Kratos installed as the ruling minion of the blade.  From step one you are thrown into a battle scene with a giant Colossus type figure who in a multitude of scenes tries to smash you to dust.  The brutal attacks are just as gory as the last game and will surely please the mob scene for this title.  PlayStation kept the controls consistent with the first game making the progression into this new chapter in the saga of Kratos a breeze.  The gameplay is slightly limited due to the restrictions on the console, and I would love to have seen what they could have accomplished on the PS3 or 360 platforms.  Game play is also constrained by not being able to rotate a full 360 degrees with the main character.  Due to this going backwards into areas you have already been through is a bit difficult, and at times feels like you are running blindly into sections.  I would give this game a 9 out of 10 overall.

- Brett Robertson

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REVIEWER #2

The graphics and sound were awesome.
It's a lot of fun decapitating bad dudes and watching them explode into pieces. The Colossus is very cool when he comes alive and you're forced to face him. I thought it was cool how you have to power up the cattapult to launch yourself onto the Colossus.
Overall, God of War 2 was very fun to play and deserves a 9 rating out of 10.

- Eric Knagg

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REVIEWER #3

I definitely have to agree with Brett and Eric. This game rocks! I was blown away by the strength of the Spartan warrior Kratos. He takes on hundreds of men that are coming at him in every direction and slices and dices them into pieces. You can also see him pick the guys up and smash them down to the ground with incredible force. He jumps onto ledges, rocks and windows, climbs ladders and walls, swings Spider-Man style, swims deep in water and does so many other things as well. The biggest test was Kratos taking on the huge Colossus marble statue dude. WOW! That is by far one of the coolest areas I've ever seen in a video game. The only negative side to the game was not being able to turn a 360 when Kratos is searching the rooms in the buildings. Other than that, this game is a MUST BUY for anyone (17+) with a PS2 or PS3 system. I give God of War II a 9 out of 10!

- Doug Kale, Editorial Director

Pick up a copy of Beckett Cheat Codes magazine at your local newsstand.

Sports video gaming has certainly come a long way. MLB 07 The Show for your PSP is as close as you can get to a real ball game and the best thing about it is you control the outcome.

All of the teams along with the players that made each team's everyday lineup in 2006 are included. You get to pick the teams that you want to play including inter-league matchups. You could play Cardinals vs. Yankees  or perhaps you could relive last year's World Series.

Each team takes turns hitting and fielding just like in a real game. Plus, you'll put your pitching skills to the test. After playing my first game I can tell you that pitching definitely plays a major role in the outcome.

MLB 07 has many levels of gameplay such as Exhibition games, Home Run Derby, King of the Diamond and regular season games.

The game comes with a 19-song jukebox, online leagues and player cards. One of the additions to MLB 07 is the ability to create a user profile and track your progress. This built-in profile system contains goals that when reached will earn you points that can be used towards unlocking specific items and superstar players from the past. There are several new features to this game. However, the most unique new feature is something called API, or Adaptive Pitching Intelligence. API allows your catcher to give suggestions to you (the pitcher) on which pitch to throw and where to locate it for each individual player. The catcher looks at each batter's strengths and weaknesses and then takes them into account when selecting a pitch. This feature can also help to improve your pitching skills. This is a big change from the past game that just randomly picked a pitch.

This game has so many amazing features it's hard to put it down. Even the play-by-play calls from the announcers make you feel like you're really in the game.

I would rank the quality of this game right up there with Madden NFL. Anyone who has watched or played in a baseball game will love MLB 07 The Show. I give this game a 10 out of 10!

-Doug Kale