NGC Magazine Issue 78

Introduction

For March NGC looked at Enter the Matrix as the team got a chance to play the game that would accompany the latest films from the franchise. The fact that it was overseen by the Wachowskis, and the heavy scripting going in seemed to indicate that the game was going to be good. They also had an investigation into Starcraft: Ghost, which was shaping up as a great spin off of the PC based strategy game. Other previews included Soul Calibur II and Red Faction.

In the news this issue was the story that the successor to the Gamecube could be Launched as soon as 2005, as well as Metroid Prime getting a sequel. In addition they also asked the question whether the Xbox or Gamecube was number two in Europe.

Resident Evil Zero got a UK release this month, with Al Bickham giving it the same score as two issues ago of 85%, again the main issues being that it utilised old PSX mechanics. Also this issue Monkey Ball 2 got a UK release, gaining 82%. Rich Owen enjoyed the new story mode and some of the new levels, but criticised the difficult level, exaggerated by the difficult camera. Phantasy Star online was the game of the month, scoring 90%, showcasing the Gamecubes online capabilities. Rayman 3 achieved 84% and the Japanese version of Ikaruga scored 85% in a very unique sideways review.

Resident Evil Zero got a further 10 pages in tips section on this issue, as they took apart the first half of the game. They also covered the 2002 Reader Awards as Super Mario Sunshine was crowned Gamecube game of the year and Metroid was game of the year on GBA. In the Compendium this month Jes Bickham talked us through a diary of a typical day working on the magazine.