Titan Quest
PC
From: THQ
Price: $49.99
Click-and-slash players who yearned for a sequel to the popular Diablo series got their wish in Titan Quest, a game that’s eerily reminiscent, and perhaps even better than the all-time classic. Instead of a descent into hell, the heroes of this lengthy adventure go toe-to-toe with creatures straight out of a primer on Greek mythology–satyrs, harpies, Gorgons and, of course, Titans defeated and banished by Zeus.
But the strength of this game is the slaying and looting, not the plot. Graphic hardware gets a serious test from impressive spell effects and non-stop fighting in beautifully detailed settings such as the Parthenon, the Great Pyramids of Egypt and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Players also get additional core ability points (e.g. strength, intelligence, dexterity) to distribute at each level.
Instead of selecting a class when the game begins, skill points are distributed along the way.
The adventure can continue indefinitely, thanks to a level editor that makes it possible to create new missions to share with friends online.
RATING: 3 GHOSTS
FlatOut 2
PS2
From: Vivendi Universal
Prices: $49.99
Two American pastimes–cars and destruction–join forces in this well-tuned game that’s guaranteed to make insurance agents cringe. Racers join the circuit in a clunker. By winning, they can upgrade their ride or swap it out for something faster or more durable. Pure speed rarely wins in FlatOut 2, which rewards smashing opponents into trees or other immovable objects as much as it does horsepower. Flimsy, quick cars will quickly be turned into automotive pretzels as a result of the “Dukes of Hazzard”-style action on the racetrack. The cars also handle well, accomplishing a near-perfect blend of simulation and arcade elements that few racing games offer. Track settings range from cityscapes to a backwoods swamp, and a lag-free online mode takes the chaos global. Twelve mini-games, including a smashing good demolition derby, round out a game that’s sure to please anyone looking to tear up the track–and their opponents.
RATING: 3 GHOSTS
GAMERS ARE …
MALE: 62 percent
FEMALE: 38 percent
BY THE NUMBERS
Although video gamers are mostly males, systems aren’t just for kids.
Gamers’ ages
33 The average game player’s age
31 Percentage of gamers younger than 18
44 Percentage of gamers ages 18-49
25 Percentage of gamers 50 or older
[HOUSTON CHRONICLE; SOURCE: ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE ASSOCIATION].COMING SOON
In stores next week
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