E3 2004: Konami's Line-Up in Full
Here's Konami's full line-up with MGS3, Silent Hill 4 and Enthusia Professional Racing at the front of the pack.
Here's a guide to Konami's officially confirmed releases at E3 this year. The publisher has yet to officially release its line-up list, but this list should be more than enough in the meantime, bar any surprises Konami may have planned.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater gets its second E3 showing, hopefully in playable form, while Silent Hill 4: The Room makes its public debut. Enthisia: Professional Racing, announced earlier this week, is also set to be big news at Konami's booth.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2) - Huge sequel set in the jungle. The innovative new 'Camouflage Index' is represented by a numerical percentage to the top-right of the play area. Its use of the Camouflage Index perfectly illustrates the more survival-orientated elements of the game - as players control Snake, they must rely on their wits to evade capture, by switching between fatigue designs ideally suited to blending in with tree bark, fallen leaves, long grass or even the shadowy and darker areas of the jungle. This is going to be big.
Silent Hill 4: The Room (PS2, Xbox) - With the Silent Hill series famed for its unsettling blend of psychological and visceral horror, Silent Hill 4: The Room turns the screw even further. Taking the series in a new direction, apprehension and fear immediately run high when the new main character, Henry Townshend, finds himself trapped in his own, cursed apartment. Only by exploring mysterious portals leading into disturbing alternate worlds will Henry begin to uncover clues as to why he is trapped. However, in true Silent Hill fashion, mysterious new characters, horrendous creatures and the undead will use any means necessary to impede his progress.
Enthusia Professional Racing (PS2) Konami's big new racing title, in which winning requires superior driving ability, establishing Enthusia as a true racer for driving Enthusiasts who appreciate the details of car physics, performance and motion. The game is also said to boast "approachable gameplay for novice drivers yet challenging for experts... a racing game that will appeal to players of all levels." A new system entitled the 'Visual Gravity System' is said to convey a true sense of G-forces experienced by high-speed driving and manoeuvring around a race track.
Gradius V (PS2) - A throw-back to the gung-ho old school of video gaming, Gradius V is an unashamed blaster with all the trimmings expected of a next generation title. The horizontally-scrolling title retains the same mix of shooting and weapon collection that provides the basis for the series, yet upgrades every aspect of the game - adding some of the most incredible backdrops and varied adversaries seen in such a title. Players control the Vic Viper craft as they steer it through wave after wave of alien craft. Initially armed with just a front-mounted laser, blasting specifically-coloured aliens releases a yellow icon that, when collected is added to an 'Option Panel' located at the bottom of the screen. As more icons are collected, so different and more powerful weapons are accessible, including lasers, bombs, shields and additional weapon pods. Gradius V, however, ups the ante even further, giving the player access to five different weapon systems, each including 12 new upgradeable power-ups that will be essential if the seven stages are to be successful cleansed of the alien menace.
Suikoden IV (PS2) - An absorbing role-playing title in which the player guides a party of heroes through a number of missions, facing an increasing danger as they explore. While the plot remains a secret, though, the gameplay has been massively reworked, with the familiar 2D views of the original games replaced by vast and rich 3D environments. In another first, Suikoden IV also takes the player on to the high seas, as they traverse the game world to distant shores.
Dance Dance Revolution Extreme (PS2) - DDR Extreme takes the best-selling dancing series to new heights with the most fun-filled gameplay modes and a spectacular and diversified line-up of tunes to enjoy. Showcasing over 100+ minutes of licensed and original dance music, DDR Extreme is packed with chart-topping dance songs that have been recorded by internationally acclaimed artists.
Neo Contra (PS2) - Following 2003's critically acclaimed Contra: Shattered Soldier, Neo Contra takes the traditionally 2D realms of the long-running series into a fully interactive futuristic pseudo-3D play area. Bill Rizer, the grizzled hero of the series, also makes his return as the player runs, jumps and blasts their way through a series of apocalyptic stages inhabited by a huge array of alien and humanoid adversaries, which give way to towering 'Boss' creatures that will test the mettle of even the greatest shoot 'em up fans.
Nanobreaker (PS2) - Nanobreaker is a fast-paced 3D action game in which the main character wields a powerful, shape-shifting plasma blade as he takes on wave after wave of deadly nano-machines. Set in a futuristic world under siege from its mechanical servants, Nanobreaker tells of a nightmarish vision where the tiny nano technology that was devised to enrich mankind has turned against its creator. Nano units are minute constructions that were supposed to benefit people, but have gone awry and are now harvesting the blood of their victims and stripping buildings of metal to create an army of monster machines.
Rumble Roses (PS2) - Starring the foxiest female wrestlers to grace the ring, Konami's over-the-top grappler has been designed to offer wrestling fans all the moves and pin-downs expected of the genre, while the intense girl-on-girl action is enhanced by an incredible level of aesthetic detail. Players select their chosen wrestler from a roster of would-be champions. Each character is endowed with a series of unique moves, with Country Girl Dixie Clemets famed for her Wild West-style costumes and 'Dixie Buster' attack, while Japan's Reiko Hinomoto is a more traditional wrestler who is an expert at drop-kicks and German suplex pins.
Karaoke Revolution Vol. 2 (PS2) - Last year's award-winning title and only interactive karaoke video game for the PlayStation 2, Karaoke Revolution was praised for its innovation, superb gameplay and sheer enjoyment as a party game for all ages. The critical acclaim for the game reached multi-platinum status when Time Magazine hailed it as the best video game of 2003.
Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django (GBA) - While introducing a totally new play style involving the natural environment, Boktai allows you to play it at any place at any given time -- the fun only a handheld game system can provide. In the game, there are more characters, the story is even more absorbing, and the puzzles are even more challenging to solve. In addition to the solra gun, new weapons such as swords, spears, and hammers are made available.
With the help of the "solar smith" -- a new gimmick made possible with the solar sensor -- the player can fuse these different weapons.
McFarlane's Evil Prophecy (PS2) - McFarlane's Evil Prophecy is set in the early 19th Century, during a time when six evil forces have awakened. Controlling four McFarlane-designed monster hunters with magical powers, gamers must destroy the evil forces and their minions before they overtake the world. Gamers step into this environment and face off against more than 150 monsters, including six beasts from McFarlane's Monsters line of action figures: Dracula, Mummy, Werewolf, Frankenstein, Sea Creature and Voodoo Queen.
YS VI: The Arc of Napishtim (PS2) - The "YS" series which first appeared as a PC game in 1987 is an RPG that depicts the adventures of its hero, Adol Christian. The game's grand view of the world, exciting plot twists and distinct characters set it apart among other RPGs. In "YS VI - The Arc of Napishtim", players embark on a rich adventure set on a deserted island. Featuring beautifully rendered 3D graphics, this action RPG delivers a uniquely deep and compelling gameplay experience.
New Yu-Gi-Oh! Titles (Var) - A bevvy of new titles - Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monster Coliseum for PS2, Yu-Gi-Oh! Reshef of Destruction and Yu-Gi-Oh! Destiny Board Traveller for GBA, and Yu-Gi-Oh! Power of Chaos Joey the Passion for the PC
Shaman King: Power of Spirit (PS2) - Having earned widespread industry accolades for previous anime-licensed titles such as 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' these are Konami's two new Shaman King video games. The PS2 version is subtitled Power of Spirit and the GBA version is called Master of Spirits.
Rave Master International (PS2) - Based on the exciting comic books from Tokyopop, become the Rave Master in this action-packed multiplayer game for the PlayStation 2. Embark on an epic quest with characters and storylines adapted directly from the comic book series. With easy controls, rich 3D graphics, dynamic action scenes and 3 different modes of play, Rave Master International offers unlimited fun and a unique mix of action, adventure and fighting. Let the Groove Wars Begin!
Our team will bring you more on all these games next week.
Adam Doree
Director, Kikizo.com
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