Gaming Target - Feature: E3 2004: Ubisoft Booth

Written by Matt Swider on June 01, 2004

E3 2004: Ubisoft Booth:

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 3 (PC, Xbox)
Ubisoft released Pandora Tomorrow for the Xbox and PC just two months ago and the company is already at the door with an E3 demo of its third Splinter Cell game slated for late 2004. Although this title, tentatively named Splinter Cell 3, was only confirmed for the PC so far, console versions are expected to follow and you can be sure that includes the Xbox. A lot of the details are as silent as Sam Fischer himself, but there were a couple of exciting game changes and improvements declassified at the expo. The first shift for the series is actually a shift back to its original developer, Ubisoft Montreal. Ubisoft expresses the utmost confidence in the experience of its Montreal studio, claiming that: "we expect Splinter Cell 3 to be the best-looking game on any platform, period thanks to Ubisoft's incredible command of the latest technologies and visionary creativity." And, from the game's first demonstration, it appears to be on track thanks to ragdoll physics, particle effects, perfect interaction with the environments, and open-ended levels with optional secondary objectives. The multiplayer mode will also be taken a step further with all-new co-op stealth challenges. For these operations and all others in your campaign starting in North Korea, new weapons and moves will be made available, including a combat knife.

These improvements alone sound promising and I expect Sam Fischer to have a few more surprises in store when the third Splinter Cell game arrives in stores.

Prince of Persia 2 (PS2, Xbox, GameCube)
For one of the biggest, most visually stunning and critically lauded titles of last year, a sequel was inevitable. No one expected it quite this swiftly though. The Prince of Persia is back, and he is lot darker and grittier than the naяve heir we knew. The Prince now looks unkempt, and his face seems both more mature and a trifle less heroic. His actions also reflect his newfound brutality as he severs limbs and heads from attackers. In one particularly memorable fight scene, I watched as the Prince squared off against a giant that easily quadrupled his size. The Prince deftly dodged his massive attacker, then slashed at his ankles until the monster was forced to his knees. At that point, Prince climbed upon his back and began to attack his much more vulnerable head, all the while dodging left and right to avoid the giant's attempts to swat the Prince. Finally, in a coup de grace, after weakening the behemoth, the Prince drove his sword completely through the giant's head, decisively ending the battle. There are a number of improvements to an already superb formula, including more interactive environments, a seemingly deeper combat scheme, and the ability to now travel in time, although almost nothing has been revealed about that so far.

Notorious: Die to Drive (PS2, Xbox)
This title seemed to be evocative of a mixture of the classic Road Rash Sega Genesis games and the Twisted Metal series. Your character races a truck while a brave and belligerent individual in the truckbed using weapons against the other racers. The left analog stick controls the vehicle, while the right controls the direction the weapon is aimed. Although it seems as if it could become confusing, the controls are very intuitive and work very well. While playing, I was able to swing a very ineffective bat as passing foes, fire a more effective shotgun, and mow down my enemies with an automatic weapon. Unlike Road Rash, it seems that it is actually possible to kill enemies, heightening my chances for better placement in the race. So far, Notorious seems like Twisted Metal Racing with an urban twist, but the game has undeniable fun factor and potential.

Rocky: Legends (PS2, Xbox)
Rocky Legends is the latest in the Rocky boxing franchise. Players can fight with Rocky and any of his adversaries from the Rocky movies. Now players can also follow the career path of not just Rocky, but any of his foes, right up to their final battle with Rocky. The mini-games also return, each one focuses around building up a particular attribute for your fighter. It was both amusing and refreshing to see the addition of the chicken-chasing training mode from the early movie finally make an appearance in the game. Rocky Legends looks and plays very well so far, and may be a contender for one of the better boxing titles this year.

The Dukes of Hazzard: Return of General Lee (PS2, Xbox)
Ubisoft is brining back the Duke boys and their 1969 Dodge Charger in a driving game aptly named Dukes of Hazzard: Return of General Lee. This TV-inspired title takes players through Hazzard County where they will encounter stunts, chases and adventures as Bo and Luke. The brothers attempt to save an orphanage from the likes of the always-crooked Boss Hog and Sheriff Rosco and enlist the help of Daisy Duke, Uncle Jessie, and Cooter in the process. Although this story sounds very typical of a Dukes of Hazzard plotline, don't go believing the gameplay will be a typical stroll in the park. Instead, buckle up for a wild ride full 18 or so missions and an unlockable two-player multiplayer mode containing pursuit and destruction derby game types among others. Ubisoft expects the boys to be in stores in September, just three months after the Season One DVD goes on sale.