E3 2004: Tekken 5 Leads Namco Line-Up
Namco's biggest franchises to bust up Los Angeles next week, including Tekken 5, Time Crisis: Crisis Zone, Ace Combat 5 and Dead to Rights II.
Namco announced its E3 line-up this week, and is clearly pleased to be offering a combonation of its own major franchises, new original content and "a few surprises".
Namco's Robert Ennis said: "Namco is showcasing its most impressive line up of new content ever at this year's E3Expo. We have taken our core franchises to exciting new levels and are introducing some incredible new content with our biggest showing ever at E3. We think convention goers will really take notice of Namco's significant presence this year at the show."
Tekken 5 (TBC) - To get its world premiere at the show next week.
Time Crisis: Crisis Zone (PS2) - Players can enjoy an unprecedented level of interaction with the environment in Time Crisis: Crisis Zone, the most ambitious new installment of the series to date. Using the GunCon 2, gunfire has a realistic effect on almost everything in the game: players can blow up items on shelves and tables, shatter glass windows and doors, and destroy beams, statues, and even desktop computers. Players who have two GunCon 2 guns can select a single- or double-gun game to take down enemies John Woo style, adding a fun and unique element to the game.
Ace Combat 5 (PS2) - The premier air combat game combining realistic graphics and dog fighting with the sheer excitement of soaring through the air, destroying enemy planes and ground targets. Players experience the thrill of commanding a squadron, knowing that the squadron's fate is in their hands. The game features over 50 different licensed planes and an intense storyline with over 30 missions, providing hours of non-stop flying action.
Death by Degrees (PS2) - Tekken's ultimate assassin, Nina Williams, stars in Death by Degrees as the voluptuous undercover operative sent to recover a stolen weapon from a disgruntled terrorist who double-crossed his own underground organization. Using a cutting-edge combat system to fight enemies in all directions, DBD combines signature moves from Tekken with firearms and melee weapon attacks.
Smash Court Tennis Pro Tournament 2 (PS2) Create and customize players in Pro Tour Mode, then take them through the tennis rankings all the way to the top. Players compete in the Australian Open, Roland Garros (French Open), Wimbledon, and the US Open against such pros as Andy Roddick, James Blake, Lleyton Hewitt, Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters, Anna Kournikova, and ten others.
Dead to Rights II (PS2, Xbox) - Marks the return of action-hero Jack Slate and his K-9 companion, Shadow. In this super-charged sequel, Jack and Shadow find themselves once again in the mean streets of Grant City, ensnared in a labyrinth of crime, corruption and betrayal. Dead to Rights II is a third-person action shooter featuring gritty, Hong Kong cinema-style action and innovating new gameplay mechanics such as greater interaction with Shadow; brutal, all-new disarm moves; a lightning-fast 360 degree fighting engine; vicious melee weapon battles; and a dramatic new spherical slow-motion diving system.
Xenosaga Episode II (PS2) - The epic sequel picks up right where Episode I left off. With a new, more realistic looking character art style, players can look forward to improved graphics, an improved battle interface and more outdoor environments.
Tales of Symphonia (GameCube) - The latest installment in Namco's enormously popular Tales franchise. Using characters designed by renowned anime artist Kosuke Fujishima, Tales of Symphonia allows players to command real-time battles in a unique 3D battle system that gives them full control over the characters, executing hundreds of special attacks and magic spells. With more than a dozen mini-games and side quests at the player's disposal, Tales of Symphonia offers over 80 game play hours.
Street Racing Syndicate (All) - Nights are filled with high-risk, nitrous-injected, illegal racing on real city streets in Namco's Street Racing Syndicate. With money, pink slips and respect always on the line, and cops lurking behind every corner, SRS is taking street racing games to a new level. Players can customize over 40 licensed cars with authentic parts, cool paint, and anything else bought or won from sanctioned or illegal races. Race in both closed track and open city environments, meet at secret locations or pull up on opponents on the open streets. And for the first time ever, throw down with real-life opponents all over the world via online pink slip races.
Ghosthunter (PS2) - Already released in Europe by SCEE, Ghosthunter blends the action and adventure aspects of a third-person shooter with macabre humor. Players battle vengeful sprits and are equipped with a selection of high-tech weaponry and gadgets specially designed for hunting and capturing ghosts. Diverse cinematic locations set the scene and make the game come to life with eerie versions of familiar sights, including an Alcatraz-style prison and a haunted ship. Click the link for our full review.
Baten Kaitos (GameCube) - Enter Baten Kaitos on a journey to unlock the mystery of the lost sea in an enchanting story of friendship, betrayal, and prayer. Over 1000 types of "Magnus" cards deliver an intense battle system combined with breathtaking graphics and a world overflowing with character detail.
Namco will also have various events and contests occurring on-stage in its booth, including martial arts demonstrations, prize giveaways, gaming contests and more. Stay tuned for our complete coverage.
Adam Doree
Director, Kikizo.com
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