GameTap Thursday: Mark Hamill Edition [Update: more games added!]
by Jared Rea 
{ Jul 5th 2007 at 6:00AM }
Proof that you just can't win them all, this weeks GameTap releases features more than its share of stinkers. Well, that's a fairly negative way to put it. Look at it this way: if you were too young to appreciate the FMV craze of the 90's, Wing Commander IV has more of it than the entire Sega CD catalog combined. And speaking of which --- Wing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom (PC): Definitely not the first choice of enthusiasts, the GameTap release of Wing Commander IV means that you won't have to swap through all six discs of this FMV epic just to play through it.
- Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen 2 (PC): If we ever compile a list of series that simply don't stand the test of time, Legacy of Kain would be somewhere near the top. This one in particular takes place during a time paradox set up by the previous game. Fantastic.
- Samurai Shodown III (Neo-Geo): While not the lowest point in the series (SS64 and SSV fight for that honor), it's no prize either. With a ridiculously high damage scale, matches in this sequel rarely, if ever go beyond 10 seconds.
- King of Fighters 2000 (Neo-Geo): As the last of the SNK developed KOF titles, it's sad knowing that they left the series on such a low note. The Strikers got even more ridiculous this year, resulting in tons of bugs and 90% combos across the board. Next week, you'll know what true pain and suffering is all about. After that, however, it's smooth sailing!
Hey, cheer up, subscription-based gamers! Not only do you have The Last Blade to look forward to next week, but this week, X2: The Threat and Disciples: Sacred Land have been added to the free play section of GameTap. As for other soon to come titles, Clockwork Knight 2 has popped up, along with Morning's Wrath and Blast Miner.
Maybe, if we're really lucky, they'll release the Mac client today as well. We'll keep you updated on that one.
[Update - A quick peek at the freshly updated coming soon list reveals some nice closure as two of the finest in the series, Street Fighter Alpha 2 and Super Street Fighter II Turbo are finally making their way to GameTap. Also appearing are complete collections of Hitman and Bloodrayne as expected, along with another Eidos titles Just Cause, Legacy of Kain: Defiance and Thief: Deadly Shadows. Lastly, Space Quest IV will be arriving on GameTap, adding to the ever growing classic adventure pile on tap.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kris @ Jul 5th 2007 6:36AM
Wing Commander iv was one of the best ones. what the hell are you guys talkin about
Savok @ Jul 5th 2007 6:45AM
Slagging off Legacy of Kain AND Mark Hamill in one post. Your geek license should be revoked.
Also it's Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen 2, the "previous" game being LoK: Soul Reaver 2.
J.Goodwin @ Jul 5th 2007 7:43AM
SNK/Playmore developed KoF2003 and later.
Eolith only did KoF 2001 and 2002.
I guess you could make a distinction between SNK and SNK/Playmore, but it's the same management and same developers...
bearxor @ Jul 5th 2007 8:43AM
Yeah, wtf? WC4 improved on WC3 in every way and is definitely my favorite as far as the storyline goes. Love it so much I still have the DVD laying around and and play it every once in a while. No six-disc swap for me (though that is how i played it the first time... ugh)
Viridium @ Jul 5th 2007 9:05AM
I'm with bearxor; WC4 was still a solid game. I got my hands on the DVD version of it, so no swapping for me either.
warcormc @ Jul 5th 2007 9:19AM
Chalk up another for the maniac!
DarthDavid @ Jul 5th 2007 9:22AM
Luke be a Jedi tonight, Just be a Jedi tonightttttttttt!!!! Love that episode!!!!
t_m @ Jul 5th 2007 9:44AM
Soul Reaver was the best in that series, by a long way.
Wing Commander never lived up to the X-Wing series.. but it had its moments..
AirIntake @ Jul 5th 2007 9:43AM
Yeah, what the hell. I'm very much a Wing Commander enthusiast, and WCIV is the best WC game IMO. I liked the gameplay of Prophecy a bit better, but WCIV had the best complete package.
And I like FMV when done right like WCIV. It's video game version of a 'choose your own adventure' book. Not to mention it still includes a great space combat game too.
wildweasel @ Jul 5th 2007 9:49AM
What's with the KOF 2000 hating? That's probably my favorite entry in the series just for the strikers. Having Fio from Metal Slug fly in on a hang-glider and fall off and land on your opponent...pure awesome.
And then Shingo's alternate striker being a female rip-off of the classic Kyo. Amusing.
Erik Novak @ Jul 5th 2007 10:27AM
LoK is one of the best series I've ever played, and yes, BO2 is the one that sucked. It also had nothing to do with the overall plot.
Savok @ Jul 5th 2007 11:17AM
That's not entirely true, it's the altered history SR2 created in Kain's mind, why he looked so horrified at the end of SR2.
Also brought the hylden more into the overall story. That said it was hardly necessary, I think they just wanted an excuse to have an all Kain game.
L @ Jul 5th 2007 11:41AM
Mark Hamill? I don't get it. Is that supposed to be funny? WTF is the reference? What does it mean? Did he voice in all those games?
KrazyIan @ Jul 5th 2007 11:59AM
Dunno about the others, but Mark Hamill played the main character (Christopher Blair) in the Wing Commander III and IV.
Also, WC IV is an awesome game, no question.
Savok @ Jul 5th 2007 12:03PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Blair
David @ Jul 5th 2007 12:51PM
So many opinions in one post! I love it. I just have to say that Samurai Shodown 3 may have had short matches, but also the most sublime atmosphere and *unrivaled best* animation of all the Neo Geo SS games. I wouldn't even put that game as "below average."
Also, Disciples: Sacred Land? I thought that game would be lost to obscurity forever! What a pleasure! =D
Anyway, if Last Blade is coming to Gametap, I'm signing up just for that!
Dave Silva @ Jul 5th 2007 2:28PM
Wing Commander IV... They didn't bother going with the DVD edition? Boo. There's two versions, one on four CDs, and one in a double sided DVD which featured uh, DVD quality cinemas. The DVD version is very rare and was only offered as a bundle item, I believe.
duggie @ Jul 5th 2007 4:23PM
Soul Reaver was, as far as gameplay goes, a 3D version of A Link to the Past. Even if you don't like the other games in the series you should play it.
ryan @ Jul 5th 2007 7:27PM
Wing commander IV tyo me is by far the best fmv based game out there.... it shows how fmv based games should be done...
its just a shame that ea wont make any more wing commander games (and no im not talking about Wing Commander: Arena thats coming out for XBLA)
Anonymous @ Jul 5th 2007 7:59PM
Blood omen 2 was great.
refinedsugar @ Jul 7th 2007 5:49PM
Jared, buddy, you obviously missed out on the FMV phase in gaming. To diss WCIV and then follow up and say it has more FMV sequences than the entire Sega CD catalog is wrong ... literally.