PS2 New Games

McFarlane's EVIL PRPOPHECY
Spawn creator Todd McFarlane's monster visions have obviously stretched beyond comics, movies and figurines into the gaming realm. The fantasy / Egyptian backed adventure story overflows with monsters and beasts (on land, in the sea and in the air). Story Mode would be a good place to start. It is the late 19th century and werewolf attacks & disappearing ships trigger events steering towards humanity's doom. An ancient book contains prophetic verses and a secret elite investigation unit led by Hans Jaeger is set up with monster hunters to attempt saving the world. This team consists of Jaeger (who uses Electrical currents as a weapon), a pirate, Logan Blackheart (representing Fire), Sundano, an African warrior & shaman (Magic) and Delphine Soras, a French markswoman (harnessing Holy Light). You learn about, collect and test your 4 cardinal elemental magic properties from the four great sages, doing your training at these statues. You can toggle between any of the warriors to fight off monsters as well as combine their powers depending on the compatibility gauge. As you fight, the other characters do their own thing, and can get a bit crowded at times. While it follows the Final Fantasy pattern, at least you get in the thick of things instead of turn-based battle. There are also character specific weapons to be collected in the cold, foggy, barren land that leads to many interesting locations and many bloody clashes (the kill counter ticking away). Some of the visual styles include a cool map in the corner, rotating and orientating with a chain as you move. The written (as opposed to voice-over) dialogue gets a bit tedious at times, like the extended back-story at the opening. You can go for a less lengthy party in the Battle Mode or hit the Dungeon where up to 4 players can compete against each other. (As to be expected) a Time Attack mode is added. Bonus features include the collection of monster cards as you destroy them and the unlocking of an art gallery.

3 / C
- PB

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