PS3

Pretty gruesome with players taking to the narrow confines of the slum and its best not to hang around with the dull glint of a machete never too far behind. Clever programming to not keep the gaming world too open and assist players without feeling the restraint. Not for the faint hearted.

With production values of a high budget Hollywood and no doubt a cast of voice actors to match, Biohazard 6 sees it all kick off again with nerves of steel and plenty of bullets a requisite to not ending up zombie fodder. Genki feels a nervous twitch returning as the hordes of undead begin to mass and a real sense of dread when the bosses begin to surface.

3D battle all out action as New York seems to once again take the brunt of the meteor shower and rampaging giant monsters (but I suppose Tokyo has had more than its fair share of those.) Impressive results from the PS3 hardware and nice pacing to the relentless action.

Based in in ancient Japan, Genji really brings the Heian period to life with graphical splendor in the rich, colourful kimonos where you can make out every thread. The cut scenes are of sublime quality as the scene is set: Genji clan must once again defeat the rival Heishi clan with a seeming supernatural influence. As you’d expect from a game of rich samurai heritage the action is hack and slash, or dice and slice more appropriately with the sharp sword used and the combos soon roll off the joypad. With progress comes the opportunity to play as new characters: the slow, but powerful Benkei, the spear armed Lord, but its the nimble priestess Shizuka with her nifty grapple hook that looks most stunning. All group members must be equally protected if you don’t want the credits to roll early – one death of any member means game over. The game also utilises the systems motion sensing controller.

Hack and slash through hordes of mechas as the stirring Gundam soundtrack once again kicks in. Excellent use of lighting adding to the marvel of the meticulous special moves that are applied to the cannon fodder. Use of the head up display brings in plenty of conversations with the series protagonists adding infinitely to the atmosphere with there ‘Battle of the Planet’ retro-style avatars and reminiscent of the seminal Cybernator on the SFC. Of course its possible to transform into a ship to banish a batch of mecha foot soldiers to vehicle Valhalla.

Immortalised by the line ‘You are already dead’ and Kenshiro’s lightning fast attacks, the post-apocalyptic world of North Star was one of the first animes released in the West. Think of a cartoon Mad Max where you meet adversaries and more often than not, their heads explode. Koei gets nasty and heads roll with their multi character mechanics working a treat in a top, top license.

Snake is starting to develop that thousand yard stare that a veteran of so many conflicts is in danger of. Yet the gameplay is invigorating and far from jaded as it once again ups both the gameplay and visual ante with seeming ease. Granted the action ante has also been upped and some will bemoan the lack of stealth. May will have little chance to notice amongst the strafe and shrapnel.

Genki’s lack of moral fibre again comes to the fore in visiting the Cat Fight Club, ten pin bowling, or down the Sega Arcade enjoying Outrun, Fantasy Zone, Hang-On, Space Harrier and Beluga; rather than being out on the streets sorting out yakuza with more tattoos and scars than there are RPGs on the Super Famicom. Superbly executed, as stylish as ever. Shades, shadier folk, getting attacked in the urinals, tattoos, bad boy bosses – who would begrudge Genki a wee dram in the local snack later on in the day? The spiritual successor to Shenmue continues to go from strength to strength.Shades, shadier folk, getting attacked in the urinals, tattoos, bad boy bosses – who would begrudge Genki a wee dram in the local snack later on in the day? The spiritual successor to Shenmue continues to go from strength to strength. #spiritofshenmue