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Fight Night 2004 – Consumer Guide

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According to ESRB, this game contains: Blood, Mild Lyrics, Violence

Parents, if you don't have a problem with the often brutal and bloody sport of boxing, it's unlikely you'd fault Fight Night. However, take note of the abundance of blood, unsportsmanlike behavior of the fighters and the option to "purchase" and dress-up scantily-clad groupies into a player's entourage.

True boxing purists, Fight Night is the real deal through and through. Some may be slightly disappointed with the weaker roster (despite having no relative competition to speak of) and the inability to recreate some of boxing's most memorable rivalries.

Casual fight fans should enjoy the brutal knockouts and the silky smooth controls. Just don't expect any flaming punches or superhero-like transformations.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing gamers should be aware that Fight Night relies heavily on audio cues through out the game and there are no subtitle options. When a fighter is about to be knocked out, the action slows down a few frames and the background audio is drowned out to a near silence. If the player removes on-screen menus to give the game a more organic feel, they won't be able to hear the announcer give the time left in the match. The player also wouldn't be able to hear the referee when being counted out or the corner instructions in-between rounds although the value of this advice is at times questionable.

Chi Kong Lui
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In the 1980s, Chi grew up in small town on the outskirts of New York City called Jackson Heights. Latino actor, John Leguizamo referred to the town as the "melting pot of the world," and while living there, Chi was exposed to many diverse cultures, as well as a bevy of arcade classics such as Pac-Man, Space Ace, Space Harrier and Double Dragon. Chi's love of videogames only seemed to grow as his parents finally caved and bought him an 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System (after being the only kid in the block without one). In the 1990s, Chi finagled his way into the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. Somewhere between all the gaming, Chi some how managed to finish high school and get into the New York Institute of Technology. At the same time, Chi also interned at Virtual Frontiers, an Internet software consultancy where he learned the ways of HTML. Soon after acquiring his BFA, Chi went on to become the lead Web designer of the Anti-Defamation League. During his tenure there, Chi was instrumental in redesigning and relaunching the non-profit organization's Web site. Today, Chi is the webmaster of the American Red Cross in Greater New York and somehow managed to work through the tragic events of September 11th without losing his sanity. Chi considers GameCritics.com his life's work and continues to be amazed that the web site is still standing after the recent dotcom fallout. It is his dream that GameCritics.com will accomplish two things: 1) Redefine the grammar of videogames much the same way French film critic Andre Bazin did for the art of cinema and 2) bring game criticism to the forefront of mainstream culture much the same way Siskel & Ebert did for film criticism.

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Gungriffon Blaze – Consumer Guide

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According to ESRB, this game contains: Animated Violence, Mild Language

Parents, if the little tikes are begging for this one (though I can't imagine why) or if you're looking for a game to go alongside the purchase of a brand new PlayStation 2, I would stay clear of this one. There's no violence, sex or profanity issues to be concerned about, but you'll probably ruin your child's taste by forcing them to play this one.

PlayStation 2 owners and giant robot fans looking for their latest fix of the genre should steer clear of Gungriffon Blaze. This is a title that misses the mark on so many levels, and it's not like gamers don't have options, either. Not only is Armored Core 2 a better title (though in many ways, it too has its problems), but there's also Zone Of The Enders to look forward to. Those who own a Dreamcast and PC, should also strongly consider Gundam Side Story 0079: Rise Of The Ashes and Mechwarrior 4 (respectively for each platform) as well.

Chi Kong Lui
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In the 1980s, Chi grew up in small town on the outskirts of New York City called Jackson Heights. Latino actor, John Leguizamo referred to the town as the "melting pot of the world," and while living there, Chi was exposed to many diverse cultures, as well as a bevy of arcade classics such as Pac-Man, Space Ace, Space Harrier and Double Dragon. Chi's love of videogames only seemed to grow as his parents finally caved and bought him an 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System (after being the only kid in the block without one). In the 1990s, Chi finagled his way into the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. Somewhere between all the gaming, Chi some how managed to finish high school and get into the New York Institute of Technology. At the same time, Chi also interned at Virtual Frontiers, an Internet software consultancy where he learned the ways of HTML. Soon after acquiring his BFA, Chi went on to become the lead Web designer of the Anti-Defamation League. During his tenure there, Chi was instrumental in redesigning and relaunching the non-profit organization's Web site. Today, Chi is the webmaster of the American Red Cross in Greater New York and somehow managed to work through the tragic events of September 11th without losing his sanity. Chi considers GameCritics.com his life's work and continues to be amazed that the web site is still standing after the recent dotcom fallout. It is his dream that GameCritics.com will accomplish two things: 1) Redefine the grammar of videogames much the same way French film critic Andre Bazin did for the art of cinema and 2) bring game criticism to the forefront of mainstream culture much the same way Siskel & Ebert did for film criticism.

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Resident Evil Code: Veronica – Consumer Guide

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According to ESRB, this game contains: Animated Blood & Gore, Animated Violence

Parents, Code: Veronica is labeled mature, so heed on the following comments. There is one instant where there are scant flashes of skin (all carefully framed to obscure any private parts) from an emerging nude body. There is also much incestuous innuendo that goes on between the twin antagonists of the story. Though the mature rating is mostly earned by all the blood drenched environments and splattering guts that fly about when blasting away at the zombies and monsters.

Long-time fans of the survival horror genre and the Resident Evil series who aren't expecting much more than what the series has always delivered will be more than satisfied with the updated graphics and further revelations into the Resident Evil mythology found in Code: Veronica.

Dreamcast owners expecting more innovation due to the platform leap will probably be disappointed, but not by much. The production values are extremely high and worthy of Capcom's moniker. The game also offers up a solid and decently satisfying challenge (though any persistent gamer will be able to finish it in a matter of days and "extras" like the Battle mode are surprisingly lacking). Surprisingly, the Resident Evil wannabe, Carrier is in some ways more innovative. The story is more intriguing, aircraft carrier environments are more believable and its use of the first-person mode is more integrated into the actual gameplay.

Chi Kong Lui
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In the 1980s, Chi grew up in small town on the outskirts of New York City called Jackson Heights. Latino actor, John Leguizamo referred to the town as the "melting pot of the world," and while living there, Chi was exposed to many diverse cultures, as well as a bevy of arcade classics such as Pac-Man, Space Ace, Space Harrier and Double Dragon. Chi's love of videogames only seemed to grow as his parents finally caved and bought him an 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System (after being the only kid in the block without one). In the 1990s, Chi finagled his way into the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. Somewhere between all the gaming, Chi some how managed to finish high school and get into the New York Institute of Technology. At the same time, Chi also interned at Virtual Frontiers, an Internet software consultancy where he learned the ways of HTML. Soon after acquiring his BFA, Chi went on to become the lead Web designer of the Anti-Defamation League. During his tenure there, Chi was instrumental in redesigning and relaunching the non-profit organization's Web site. Today, Chi is the webmaster of the American Red Cross in Greater New York and somehow managed to work through the tragic events of September 11th without losing his sanity. Chi considers GameCritics.com his life's work and continues to be amazed that the web site is still standing after the recent dotcom fallout. It is his dream that GameCritics.com will accomplish two things: 1) Redefine the grammar of videogames much the same way French film critic Andre Bazin did for the art of cinema and 2) bring game criticism to the forefront of mainstream culture much the same way Siskel & Ebert did for film criticism.

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