Previews

Go ahead and snag our latest previews, which are Zelda 64, Forsaken, and Starcraft.]

Zelda 64

Well, I have one word to say about Zelda 64 - WOW. We had a look at this game from the latest Space World, and it will amaze. Link actually grows older as you go through the game. The light sources are amazing, and it's just incredible how such huge monsters can be computed so quickly. The game's control looks promising, which ought to go beyond that of Wave Race or even Mario 64. The graphics look awesome, with textures that don't pixelate, and lightsourcing that beats Quake II. Sound, I expect, won't be too incredible, since all the characters now will have voices, and the music from the previous Zelda games hasn't been too great. The other factors:

The fun factor - people will be addicted to a game where you're not just stuck, yet it's not too easy to get through the game.

The Miyamoto factor - despite the game's outer appearance, people will play it, and I expect it to become an instant hit.

The replay factor - I've heard that the storyline is branching, so that will never produce the same game twice.

The Romero factor [ :) ] - come on! You really expect blood and gore in Zelda!?!

Well, this game will be astonishing. Expect the numbers to set some records. (And by the way, we're sorry we don't have screen shots. If somebody bugs us about it, we'll get some.)

Forsaken

Forsaken, (formerly Condemned,) is the new Descent-rip-off from Acclaim. You're some guy on this Jet Moto kinda vehicle called a pioncycle. A lot of weapons will make this one unique. The control is a clone of Descent. Pretty good too. The graphics look like some of the best so far on the N64, and it will look much like the god-awful eye candy Terracide on the PC, with great transparency and multicolored lighting effects. The AI at this point is pretty crummy and it's being tested at LANfests all over the place. If you attend those things, talk to Acclaim, and you might get to play it there. The sound is great, the music is done by a couple of freelancers who call themselves "The Swarm." The extra factors:

The fun factor - Oh, lord. This will be fun for a while, but then it will SUCK. The multiplayer will be a hoot, however, if you have somebody to play it with.

The multiplayer factor - Expect this to be contending with Goldeneye. But then again, Extreme-G's multiplayer did stink.

Replay value - none whatsoever.

The Acclaim factor - I've never actually liked Acclaim's games. They just seem to be stupid. (Look at the NBA Jam games, Turok, Extreme-G,...) Don't expect this one to be any different

Starcraft

Starcraft is the next RTS game by Blizzard, extremely successful makers of the Warcraft games, as well as Diablo. This game will be, in a word, AWESOME. GET THIS GAME DUMMY. This game's been delayed a million times, but the wait is finally worth it. It's gonna be released this time. The graphics won't be great, just SVGA, expect its graphics to compare with, maybe, Command & Conquer... :-\ The sound will be awesome, with great stereo and a soundtrack that will please. Beta testing over Battle.net is almost over, and the results are amazing. Multiplayer's been beefed up, as well as CPU AI. Other factors:

Fun factor - Oh yeah. Very addictive and mind-boggling.

Replay value - Uh-huh. Lots.

Multiplayer factor - This will definitely be the forte of this game. 8-player, with incredible ally capabilities, as well as observers, kinda like in Quake's Rocket Arena, where people can just sit and watch.

Blizzard factor - All of Blizzard's games so far have been megahits. (Not to mention really funny) This one won't miss. If you can, reserve a copy. You NEED this game.

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