E3 2002: Ryan's Xbox Picks Special @ Gaming Target

Written by Ryan Smotherman on May 29, 2002

Special: Three sequels and a babe-y

Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball
Developer: Tecmo
Publisher: Tecmo
Intended Release: Q4 2002
No, no, my fellow gamers, this is not a joke. Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball is really one of my top E3 picks. Sure, you can call me shallow cause more than anything I look forward checking out the DOA babes in their skimpy bikinis (come on now, who doesn't?), but according to TeamNINJA's numero uno, Tomonobu Itagaki, the game will offer much more. УGameplay is our number one priority,Ф says Itagaki. УFans of the DOA fighting games have always appreciated the sex appeal of the characters. With this game, we are looking to push the envelope in terms ofЕ [ahem] artistic creativity.Ф If you can't get excited about that then I'd like to know what exactly does excite youЕ heh, well maybe not. So what we're looking to have here are the most gorgeous babes (no word yet on the men) in videogame history playing an innocent game of volleyball (jumping up and down in their revealing outfits) that should turnout to offer some worthwhile gameplay that's sure to be wicked fun. And let's face it; Volleyball is one of the few sports that has yet to have its place in the video game world. But along with Sega's upcoming Gamecube volleyball title, Beach Spikers, and especially DOA Xtreme Beach Volleyball, the sport finally seems to be getting its dues. Look for it later this year, and stay tuned to Xbox Target for the latest details on the soon to be masturbational festЕer, sensational fest!!

Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Intended Release: November 2002
What's an Xbox owning, Metal Gear fan supposed to do if he wants some Metal Gear Solid 2 action? Apparently, all he/she has to do is wait. That's right, Konami officially revealed Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance at the big E3 show, and substance this game is definitely not lacking. If really comes as no surprise that Substance's main inclusion is a huge variety (almost 300 to be exact) of missions similar to the VR missions found in Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions. But if you've played Metal Gear Solid 2 already, the best news comes in the fact that you can now ditch that wimpy Raiden guy and play through the entire game as THE man, Solid Snake. Additionally, you'll also be able to use a mixture of other characters, like Grey Fox (the Cyborg Ninja), as well as the ability to play as Snake in a variety of uniforms, such as his Tuxedo, original sneaking suit, and his NAVY Seals outfit (a.k.a.- Pliskin). The title is also set to include various other goodies, such as alternate missions, additional missions (known as Snake Tales), and the weirdest of them all is where you get to see Snake turn into a regular Tony Hawk as you skateboard around busting out some sweet tricks and combos. No details have yet to be announced on any actual gameplay or graphical enhancements, but they should be expected. No doubt about it, all these extras should add up to the definitive Metal Gear title.

For me personally, I was a huge fan of the original PSOne Metal Gear Solid, and I really wanted to get my hands on the sequel. However, I just could never bring myself to purchase a PS2. Plus, I was one of those guys that over the past year have been hoping Metal Gear Solid X is real (why get a PS2 for it if it's supposed to be coming to the Xbox, right?). Which is exactly why this is one of my top picks, Xbox owners like myself will finally get a chance to see what Metal Gear Solid 2 is all about, and then someЕ and then some more.

NFL 2K3
Developer: Visual Concepts
Publisher: Sega
Intended Release: August 2002
Okay, I know what you're thinking, УWith all those exciting Xbox titles why would he choose a sports title that is set to hit all the next gen platforms?Ф Well, simply put, I'm a huge football fan (it is the best sport you know), and even more so, I'm a huge fan of Sega's NFL 2K series. While I'm always excited about the prospect of the latest addition to the hot franchise, I really didn't put much thought into it till E3 rolled around and a bunch of the details were revealed on what to expect in the latest installment, NFL 2K3. Naturally, it's been unveiled that you'll get your regular yearly updates, such as updated rosters, improved graphics (even more so in the Xbox version), and enhanced gameplay, but it's the other extra additions that are going to make NFL 2K3 truly shine. Of course, the fact that Sega got the ESPN license has been known for a long time, but I still can't help but get excited about the new ESPN inspired additions, which are mainly contained in the look and presentation. There are also other little things to take note of. Thanks to Sega acquiring the NFL coach's license, every coach will be rendered in the game, showing reactions and expressions to each play. It'll even go as far as to show a split screen replay where you can see the play unfold and how the coach reacts to the play as it happens. It's really some interesting stuff.

Other additions announced includes the ability to save right in the middle of a game, the ability to save those amazing replays (imagine how many will fit on the Xbox's hard drive), and a totally revamped franchise mode that's similar to what was found in the recently released World Series Baseball. The franchise mode has always been something that was lacking in the series, and it's good to see them taking note of it. Although, with all these new additions, the absolute biggest goes to the full Xbox Live support. Just imagine playing friends from across the globe on a broadband network, always having someone to play and talk trash against. It's really taking online gaming to the next level, and the question remains Ц how the hell can you not get excited about this?

Panzer Dragoon Orta
Developer: Smilebit
Publisher: Sega
Intended Release: Fall 2002
To prevent you from passing into the dream world, I'm not going to sit here and blab on about how much I adore the classic Saturn series, Panzer Dragoon. Just let it be known that I'm an absolutely huge fan, and the new installment in the franchise, Panzer Dragoon Orta (Orta referring to the female protagonist of the game), really gets my blood pumping. The game officially came out of its shell at E3, taking a spotlight in Microsoft's pre-E3 press conference and showing up in both Sega and Microsoft's booths in playable from. Maybe my excitement for the game stems from the fact that it's all I loved about the originals and so much more. Orta is very similar to the second installment, Panzer Dragoon Zwei, in that it takes that basic rail shooter element and adds in the multiple branching paths and the devastatingly powerful move known as the berserk attack. But the game even goes further, adding in a multitude of additional techniques, such as the capability to actually control the speed of your dragon (go faster or slower) and morph it into different forms. The morphing feature was something found in Saga (you could make an agile dragon, an attack dragon, a dragon strong in defense, or even a magical dragon), but what makes the morphing feature so wonderful in Orta is that it is done in real time and as much as you want! Allowing you to switch to whichever dragon suits you best in whatever situation. The strategy elements in the game far out cedes any game in the series before it, as it should. It's also good to know that the title will feature unlockable sub-quests and Panzer related extras (historic Panzer Dragoon art gallery anyone?), adding something to the game that the other titles in the series seemed to lack Ц replayability

With the gameplay refinements aside, what really gets me excited about the title is that, simply put, this is Panzer Dragoon. Follow me here -- since Team Andromeda split up and Smilebit took over the franchise, I feared they'd change too much and it just wouldn't feel right. But thankfully nothing seems touched. The art, the music, the intense gameplay, and the huge bosses -- everything that made the first three titles so memorable is there. And of course, I can't forget to mention how visually stunning the game is. E3 allowed us to finally see the game in action, and it is easily one of the best-looking Xbox games ever, period. From the fluid motions of your dragon's wings as it soars through the air, to the explosive lasers that shoot out of it's mouth, to the huge, beautifully detailed landscapes, Panzer Dragoon Orta is what we in the biz refer to as eye candy, and it's certainly not the sugar free kind. I tell ya, Fall 2002 can't come quick enough. Look for a full comprehensive preview from me soon.