Video game reviews

By ROBB GUIDO

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 24, 2000

Street Fighter III: Double Impact

SYSTEM: Dreamcast

PRICE: $49.99

MAKER: Capcom

The king of fighters flexes its muscles again offering a perfect adaptation that is two games in one. The characters are huge, beautifully animated and complemented by unique backgrounds. Fighters can choose from three special moves, as well as perform "techs," in which players predict an opponent's next move and gain strength by absorbing it.

Grade: A+

Marvel vs. Capcom 2

SYSTEM: Dreamcast

PRICE: $49.99

MAKER: Capcom

This game may look like a Street Fighter clone, but Marvel vs. Capcom 2 stresses team cooperation over one-on-one face-offs. Combos include linking three teammates' special moves for high hit totals. Players can choose among 56 characters when forming alliances. Talk about a fun two-player game.

Grade: A

The Legend of Dragoon

SYSTEM: PlayStation

PRICE: $39.99

MAKER: Sony

I think everyone had high hopes for this role-player to rival the Final Fantasy series, but as many players have learned, expectations don't always translate into reality. True, Dragoon is gorgeous and took a team of more than 100 developers three years to make, but its story and battle system are like child's play compared to the game's masterful artwork.

Grade: B-

Silver

SYSTEM: Dreamcast

PRICE: $49.99

MAKER: Infogrames

Silver is a role-playing game of a different mold. The graphics are pre-rendered, which means they have a smoother, more realistic look to them, and combat consists of real-time sword fights with a variety of magic spells and special moves thrown in for fun. With a more polished story than typical role-playing games, this game will appeal to those into Tolkien-esque adventures.

Grade: B+

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: 2nd Edition

SYSTEM: PlayStation

PRICE: $39.99

MAKER: Sony

Sony prudently snatched up the rights to this game, and it should pay off. Millionaire is almost as fun to play as it is to watch. This version boasts more Regis and more questions than previously, though it does tend to repeat itself.

Grade: B

Covert Ops: Nuclear Dawn

SYSTEM: PlayStation

PRICE: $39.99

MAKER: Activision

This game took me by surprise. Then again Activision did release Blue Stinger for the Dreamcast, the system's first mature-themed adventure. Nuclear Dawn is full of suspense and even remains pseudo-realistic, weaving a story that involves politics, terrorism and nuclear weapons.

Grade: A-

- Robb Guido is an avid gamer who lives in Tampa.

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