Tomb Raider IV: The Last Revelation, PC, £39.99 Indiana Jones and The Infernal Machine, PC, £39.99
Both of these games could be accused of taking ideas from each other. Lara in Tomb Raider has often been referred to as the "female Indy" and when her first game appeared it was best described as an "Indiana Jones type of game". But Lara has been so successful with the Tomb Raider series that now any similar game will be measured against her efforts. So instead of Lara been compared to Indy the situation is reversed.
At first glance Indiana Jones and The Infernal Machine looks like a top game. The graphics are excellent and, combined with rich sound effects, create a great atmosphere.
After first being dazzled by Infernal Machine's good looks, however, it soon becomes clear that its beauty is only skin deep. It would have been a great game a few years ago but now it looks naive. The first Tomb Raider game involved too much pushing of crates - for instance moving them to gain access to another ledge. Infernal Machine is guilty of this. Although there is some variety in the gameplay, Indy's staple activities are jumping, climbing and pushing crates around. (Oh, and crawling, which Lara can also do now.) Lara, on the other hand, has the benefit of experience. Tomb Raider II focused too heavily on combat and version III the levels were too big, leaving the player to run around aimlessly. Tomb Raider IV seems to have brought the best parts together and jettisoned the bad. Infernal Machine is by no means a bad game. Tomb Raider IV is a class act, though, and its refinement shines through.
[Recommended: P266/32MB/Win9x]
Music 2000, PlayStation, £34.99
This is perhaps the only real piece of software for the PlayStation that isn't a game. It is enjoyable to experiment with, but experiment is about all non-musical types will be able to do. It is easy enough to make some catchy tunes, but Music 2000 can get complicated. Samples can be recorded directly from audio CDs and used in your own tracks. Alternatively, you can write songs note by note. There are hundreds of samples included, ranging from rock to dance, and the program also features a video creation system. The music jam mode allows up to four players to form a virtual band. This game's predecessor won "most innovative game" at the official PlayStation awards and it is easy to see why. The more you like music the more you will like this.
Crash Team Racing, PlayStation, £34.99
Super Mario is the Nintendo icon and Crash Bandicoot - although not nearly as famous as the plumber - is his equivalent on the PlayStation. Mario was so popular that Nintendo made a racing game around him to cash in and Crash seems to be doing the same thing here. Super Mario Kart was an exceptional racing game, though, and it has since spawned many clones. Speed Freaks (made in Ireland by Funcom) is one that comes to mind and although it was derivative of Super Mario Kart it was the first such game on the PlayStation. Crash Team Racing is another in this genre and again what it lacks in inspiration it makes up for by providing a game that is great fun to play, especially in a group.
No Fear Downhill Mountain Biking, PlayStation, £34.99
Another "extreme" sport comes to the PlayStation, although this time snow doesn't feature. Converting any sport that is fundamentally about stamina and strength into a game is always a tall order. This explains why weight-lifting, running and swimming games are rare. This game is not a Tour de France simulation, however. Energy levels go down as you pedal, but the most important aspect of the game is staying on the bike. It has novelty, but that might soon wear thin except for those who love the sport.
games@irish-times.ie