More of the same, but the same is still good

When the first Yakuza game came out a couple of years ago, it was compared to GTA: Shinjuku before anyone actually played it when, in actual fact, the best comparison would be to call it Takeshi Kitano's Shenmue. It was deep, with a sprawling plot and a lot of things to see and do, be it numerous side quests to just exploring the city and sampling everything there is to find. And, of course, it had some of the most wince-inducing combat in any video game, with anything that isn't nailed down (and a few things that are) all being potential weapons.

Yakuza 2 is more of the same, in both good ways and bad.

In good ways, because it doesn't rejig the combat system or the exploration aspects, which were standout parts of the first game, so people who played the first game know what they're doing as soon as they fire up the game. And it's bad because you're walking the same locations as before, or a new city that doesn't look too different but offers different mini games, sub quests and things to find.

The biggest change from the first game is there isn't a translation, so the game is in Japanese with subtitles, which actually aids the feel of the game in my opinion, making it feel more like one of Kitano's yakuza epics. There is, however, a glitch with some of the audio in the cinematics, mainly as a result of the disc format (which also delays the game's start-up for a second or two compared to other PS2 discs), so occasionally dialogue can come across as fuzzy, for lack of a better word. However, the soundtrack and ambient sound isn't affected.

Whilst some gamers may be put off at the thought of reading subtitles throughout the cinematics, another potentially off-putting device is the game opens with a ten minute cinematic, and the first chapter of the game is an optional flashback of the first game, which refreshes the memory of returning gamers whilst bringing new ones up to speed, but that's another ten minutes before you can hit the ground running.

Whilst the characters are strong, the plot isn't as good as the original game, partly because it just doesn't pack the punch of the first, but also because the antagonists of the first aren't around (for obvious reasons), so needed replacing but they simply lack the depth and the menace offered by the first games' group.

The game has, however, picked up an absurdist sense of humour which does freshen up proceedings, so side quests can also involve finding someone's kidnapped cat, or a run-in with several yakuza dressed in nappies (yes, you did read that correctly), so it isn't po-faced by any means.

There's also a bigger selection of things to do, with the batting cage, pachinko parlours, arcades, casino and dice joint being joined by, among others, a bowling alley, driving range, mah-jong parlour and shogi to while away the time.

Yakuza 2 may feel like Yakuza 1.5 with a few new mini games and a second map added and little else, but as the first game was so well put together it only really needed a few tweaks to tide fans along, especially as Yakuza 3 looks like a radical departure from the first two games.

If you can, pick up the pair of the games and play out the Kazuma Kiiryu saga, each game offering 40+ hours of gameplay easily, and 60-80+ if you get sucked into the world, as can happen.

Excellent stuff!

You probably know BUZZ games so just a nod to the wise and this edition is probably the best ( if you're into films anyway!! ). More or less the same as other BUZZes but some nice new rounds like the final points round where anyone can storm a late win. Get it and be happy !!

Singstar Quits

I completely agree with most of the previous reviewers. This game is a huge disappointment if you own any of the previous games. Avoid!

Great product

This is as good as all the other Grand Theft Auto games - great graphics, great vehicle handling etc. Always takes me ages to complete - giving you a real challenge that is difficult to get bored of. But it is a little gloomy and some of the script is a bit naff!

Brillant but 1 Fault For Me

The Game Play Is Brilliat, The In Game Venues and Gigs are Better than Guitar Hero 1, The Only Thing That Disappointed me was the lack of well know songs. Guitar Hero 1 had a lot of bands and songs that everyone has heard of, but unless your a music buff, i don't think there is a lot of famous bands or songs.

It Still Rocks!!! though

Great gameplay but too easy

I bought this game for the laughs and fun I would get out of this. It didn't disappiont me. The levels show the humourous side of star wars without losing distance from the film's plots. Graphics = Great, Gameplay= Great. With lego it makes it hilarious and fun. Only problem is that it is so easy and you will whiz through all the levels in no time. So if you are stalling over what to get- 1-3 or 4-6 then go for the other as it is more worth it.

good but somewhat dissapointing

i am a great fan of the series. and was thrilled when i got the metal gear solid 3 demo. but after playing it a few minutes without any radar and a camera angle that dosent allow you to see ahead. it did get very frustrating
especialy as i consider myself to be fairly good at the series.so i decided not to buy the game. but as metal gear solid 4 came out recently which i am intrested in. i decided to buy metal gear solid 3. i got the origional not subsistence because it is about twice as much as the origional mgs3. so anyway even though the whole overhead camera with no radar is hard. once i got used to it. the game did start to pick up. its good but my only real criticism is that i prefer not to use weapons unless i absoloutely have to. but this game makes that very hard. and you just dont get that satisfaction from going round and shooting everyone. as you do from just having sneaked past a whole load of people completely undetected.

the graphics are realy top notch though. even though i have a ps3 this game looks nearly as good as some ps3 games. it offers surround sound. but dissapointingly not widescreen which i was realy hoping it would have

good but not as good as the first two.

pes 08

ok if your a great at footie games get it the difference between pes08 and fifa 08 is that with pes you can score more realistic goals wonder goals when its raining its good to shoot outside the box because the goalie thumbells when the ball is wet while fifa you score the same goals pes is a good buy

awesome - a must have!!!!! definitly my best game :)

this game is in my opinion the best free roam game ever, i bought a couple of years ago and still enjoy playnig it. there is a massive interactive world and you can do almost anything.
i urge you to buy this game!!!!

Best of the series on PS2

Plenty of playing time in this one with loads of options to customise the cars and the career mode is addictive! Definitely worth it in the end when you unlock the M3.

Brilliant fun ! Either on your own or with friends

Great videos, great songs, brilliant fun - fabulous game for the PS2.

This is Love.

I got this game for my birthday and I am obsessed with it! I am not a great singer, but I'm always eager to see how many points what 'level' I get. Especially when you are playing against another person, its great fun. The Rap Meter is a great idea (although quite difficult) and on some of the songs (where there are two different people/groups singing in the same song) you can choose which one you want to sing as. There is also a Duet option, and you can playback the song after you are done which is 'interesting' to hear (especially when you aren't very good!). There is a good range of songs to choose from, which most people should know. A big thumbs up! =)

Sony PlayStation 2 Console

when this ps2 come i could not what to play on it i was on it all day so thank you for selling IT TO ME.

The best of its class

Basically im complying with what everone else has written, simple, reliable and very fun. If I had to citicise it I would say the joysticks are not quite springy enough ( they roll around their socket to easily and with too little resistance), that it is slightly heavyer than the dualshock original and that the R and L buttons have a slightly different feel. All this is trivial though, - you only notice how important a good controller is when you dont have one- well worth the money ,well built, brilliant gaming quality, no lag and generally a brilliantly reliable controller.

Recommended

Bought this steering wheel as i wanted to play NFS underground on my PC. It works great with it. Plug in and play, no messing around with drivers etc. Been playing around for a few hours and its great fun, gives driving games a different feel, instead of press left/right on 2 buttons.

There are 6 levels of sensitivity, so should suit your needs, and has vibration. Which you can switch on/off.

Good value for money, recommended.

Quality gaming

Absolutely top notch game, about a hundred times better than its predecessors. The game contains new faces, such as Jeff Hardy and MVP. The only tiny annoying thing about it is that the run and finisher buttons have literally swapped over, I don't see the logic in it personally, but who cares?! I actually bought mine from Gamestation for £14.99 brand new, so I don't know why all the other outlets are selling it for full price.

But anyway great game, recommended for wrestling fans.

Tomb Raider Underworld

Lara is back in tomb raider underworld so far from what i have seen in the playstation magazines it looks fantastic i think it will be one of the best tomb raider games ever but we have 2 wait and see.