E3 2003: Namco's Line-Up

Namco Hometek have revealed their E3 line-up, including R: Racing Evolution - first screens inside.

Namco Hometek Inc. today announced the company's stellar line up of video games to be unveiled during E3.

R: Racing Evolution (all) - Created by the same team that developed the critically-acclaimed Ridge Racer and MotoGP franchises. Featuring licensed cars, 11 real-world and fantasy tracks, and 8 different race types (Circuit, Rally, Drag, etc...), R will showcase 4 game modes: the Racing Life Mode, Time Attack Mode, Arcade Mode and Vs. The Racing Life Mode focuses on the human-natured competitiveness of racing and gives players a cinematic story of two female racers and their rivalry. Also featured in R is the "New Interactive Driver AI System" that enhances realistic racing situations. The system is indicative of the pressures that drivers feel during real races. Races can be won or lost depending on how a driver reacts to pressure from other racers. In-game communications allow for incoming transmissions from crew members and even in-race trash talk from rival drivers!

Soul Calibur II (all) - the highly anticipated 3D fighting game on GameCube, Xbox and PS2. Here's our review.

Spawn (all) - Based on Todd McFarlane's best-selling comic book character, Spawn is a 3D action/adventure game that will give players access to all of his distinctive abilities - his superhuman strength, hand-to-hand combat techniques, his arsenal of weaponry, his Hell Powers and, of course, his living symbiotic costume. Caught between the battle of Good vs. Evil, he struggles to break free from the controlling influences of Heaven and Hell.

Breakdown (Xbox) - A sci-fi thriller that combines the best elements of shooters and fighters in a first-person action/adventure game. The game's intense storyline is told through high-quality real time rendered graphics that bring an unprecedented level of realism to the player. The game features fierce weapon-based first-person shooter combat, challenging puzzles to solve, surreal dream sequences, advanced AI, and massive detailed environments for exploration.

kill.switch (PS2, Xbox) - Namco's new 3rd person action/adventure game featuring a unique Offensive Cover System, allowing the player to engage the enemy from various cover positions. The game also utilizes Blindfire, enabling the player to launch a frontal assault technique against the enemy without being exposed to counter-fire. This feature encourages the use of warfare tactics, forcing players to strategically plan their moves and quickly adjust on-the-fly through each intense and challenging mission. Enemies work together in teams and not only seek out and engage the player, but also thrive in team-based tactics and attacks. Six war-themed missions are spread out across 18 different levels and feature environments from Middle Eastern deserts to an underground submarine base.

Time Crisis 3 (PS2) - Compatible with the GUNCON 2 light-gun, this fast-paced shooter delivers superior shooting action and supreme excitement. A new weapon select system enables players to chose from 4 weapons (machine gun, hand gun, shotgun and grenade) and optimize their game play strategy. Time Crisis 3 includes the original arcade game as well as console-exclusive game modes. Sniper combat provides intense and lethal sharp-shooting action, sure to be a winning combination for this popular franchise.

I-Ninja (PS2, GCN) - An adrenaline-charged adventure game. An ultra-cool ninja with major attitude meets extreme sports game play, I-Ninja is the consummate warrior who has spent years mastering his weapons and honing his skills. In true gravity defying game play, I-Ninja can scale buildings, "shred" on extreme rails, hover great distances with a "sword copter", ride drifting roller spheres and utilize specialized manga-style ninja moves to navigate through each dynamic environment. A multiple weapon control system allows the player to throw lethal shurikens, use deadly chain-whips, blowguns, rocket launchers and more. I-Ninja's quest includes a variety of comical missions that span across five expansive environments, each uniquely designed to incite I-Ninja's special abilities. The game features challenging enemies and ruthless bosses that must be defeated, ranging from foot soldiers of the Ranx Army to a menacing 150 foot giant robot. I-Ninja is graceful in honor, but deadly in combat.

Tales of Symphonia (GCN) - Namco's latest chapter in the Tales universe. A fully immersive 3D experience comes to life as an adventure unfolds that will place the existence of two worlds in the balance. Featuring high-quality Anime cutscenes and character designs by renowned artist, Kosuke Fujishima, the real-time 3D battles, formation attacks and combos, and customization of character abilities round out a fabulous epic.

Extreme Force: Grant City Anti-Crime (all) - scheduled for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube in Q4 2003, is a 3rd person action/adventure game that takes place on the deadly streets of Grant City - a well-known setting from Namco's blockbuster, Dead to Rights'. As a member of Grant City's elite GAC Squad, the player will be submerged into the crime-fighting world of special weapons and covert tactics. A diverse arsenal of weapons and equipment including night vision goggles, grenades and door charges can be utilized by the player to battle criminals. The player can also silently neutralize his opponents through stealth maneuvers and "target rich" run-and-gun combat.

Adam Doree
Staff writer, Kikizo Games