2008 Woodie Awards
Video Game Sequels are Popular this Holiday Season
Kristen Bussanich
Issue date: 12/8/04 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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As with all types of entertainment, big name video games are being released en masse for the holiday season. Companies are trying to boost sales in the hope that Santa drops more than a few first-person-shooters into our stockings. What is especially noticeable about this set of releases is that many of them are not original titles, but sequels with high expectations due to their predecessors.
One of the most renowned video games to come out in time for the holiday season is Halo 2 (Microsoft, XBox). The original Halo was the reason many gamers actually purchased an XBox. It is considered one of the best first-person-shooters ever created, and its sequel is a very highly anticipated addition to the growing series. The developers were so successful with the first game that they changed little when it comes to the basic game play mechanics. This will most likely not disappoint fans of the original, 1.5 million of which actually preordered the game.
The original Prince of Persia came out in 1989, and at the time was a great and innovative action/puzzle game. About a year ago, the classic series was followed by the extraordinary platformer / puzzle Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Again expanding on their existing and immersive world, the wizards at Ubisoft have now created Warrior Within (Ubisoft, PS2/GC/XBox/PC). The new Prince of Persia installment boasts of infinite ways to destroy your enemies. The game also has a more sinister edge to it. Gone is the naïve and self-centered prince from Sands of Time. He is now a seasoned warrior with a dark past.
The game that made side-scrolling cool again is back. Viewtiful Joe 2 (Capcom, PS2/GC) is also out this holiday season. Joe has returned and is now joined by his girlfriend, Sylvia, who he saved in the original game. This time she is a playable character, and her abilities are slightly different from Joe's. Game play requires switching between the both of them in order to get through levels. Sylvia also possesses the only new power in this game, the ability to replay. This allows her to automatically repeat some of her moves.
One of the most renowned video games to come out in time for the holiday season is Halo 2 (Microsoft, XBox). The original Halo was the reason many gamers actually purchased an XBox. It is considered one of the best first-person-shooters ever created, and its sequel is a very highly anticipated addition to the growing series. The developers were so successful with the first game that they changed little when it comes to the basic game play mechanics. This will most likely not disappoint fans of the original, 1.5 million of which actually preordered the game.
The original Prince of Persia came out in 1989, and at the time was a great and innovative action/puzzle game. About a year ago, the classic series was followed by the extraordinary platformer / puzzle Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Again expanding on their existing and immersive world, the wizards at Ubisoft have now created Warrior Within (Ubisoft, PS2/GC/XBox/PC). The new Prince of Persia installment boasts of infinite ways to destroy your enemies. The game also has a more sinister edge to it. Gone is the naïve and self-centered prince from Sands of Time. He is now a seasoned warrior with a dark past.
The game that made side-scrolling cool again is back. Viewtiful Joe 2 (Capcom, PS2/GC) is also out this holiday season. Joe has returned and is now joined by his girlfriend, Sylvia, who he saved in the original game. This time she is a playable character, and her abilities are slightly different from Joe's. Game play requires switching between the both of them in order to get through levels. Sylvia also possesses the only new power in this game, the ability to replay. This allows her to automatically repeat some of her moves.