A lot has changed since the last time we featured an episode of the Cover Critic. Both Sony and Nintendo have released new portable game systems, long time companies have shut their doors forever, and the world has been reintroduced to a certain lawyer named Jack Thompson. Heck, even this site you're looking at has changed in many ways. So maybe it's time we take another serious look at video game covers, letting you know which ones we like and which we hate. After two years I invite you to embrace a brand new Cover Critic, one that isn't afraidto tell you what we really think. So enjoy five new covers and one new look!
7 - Wild Arms 3
Now when I brag about covers, I usually say things like "it has a lot of style", well, Wild Arms 3 doesn't have a lot of style. It is, however, one of those covers that manages to capture the mood of the game in one small cover. I like the picture of the desert, the cracking land, and the hopeless forever that appears in the distance. The anme of the game is placed perfectly, and there isn't any ugly writing to distract you from this stunning image. No matter how easy this picture is on the eyes (and it's very easy to get lost in it's beauty) the chances of the game keeping this cover in the U.S. is slim to none. And that, I'm afraid, is the biggest injustice of the year!
6 - Fur Fighters
No matter what you think of the game (it's one I have to review for another writing assignment), Fur Fighters has a cover that is intruiging. It's like that movie Cats and Dogs, just strange and twisted, cute but violent. There is just something about this plush doll that has been sewn back together more than once, clipped together, and patched that makes me laugh uncontrollably. What a refreshing cover.
5 - Shin Megami Tensei II
At first look you might thing you're looking at it upside down, but that's just half of the charm of this brilliant cover. Part haunting images, part mysterious ghost like creepiness, part good old time simplicity. If I could find a poster of this cover art it would be something I would hang up on my wall. Along with Herdy Gerdy this is the best cover so far this year. I know it's a PlayStation game, but it still has the most style I've seen this year. And I'm DYING to see what the game is like!
4 - Herdy Gerdy
Hey kids, I think we might have a prime candidate of cover of the year! Okay, it's still early, but just take a look at this fun, humorous, and brilliantly drawn Herdy Gerdy cover. Why is this cover so much fun? Marvel in each characters stance and personality, and if their look doesn't make you at least want to TRY the game, I'm not sure what will. Few covers have this much style ... it's just a shame the game wasn't a little better ...
3 - Capcom Vs. SNK 2 Fan Disc
Even though it's only the Dreamcast Fan disc this cover takes the cakes as the best cover for the series, PERIOD. It's a beautiful dramatic shot. It has rain, blurry focus, and a background that actually appears in the game (it's the Osaka II stage. It's a sin that this cover wasn't chosen as the Dreamcast/PS2 cover art. A crying shame.
2 - Twisted Metal Black
It's refreshing to finally see a cover with some bite. Instead of suffering from a cartoony, or overly busy cover, Twisted Metal Black has a fantastic and simply cover. Here we have the main star of the game (of the series, really) Sweettooth sinister as always, however this time only showing half of his face. The past Twisted Metal games have features extremely busy and silly covers, however this one is different, and really nice looking. Truly one of the best looking covers for the PlayStation 2. Georgeous, simply georgeous.
1 - Grand Theft Auto III
The most surprising game of the year also has the best cover of the year. Even better than the Twisted Metal Black cover? YES!! It's artistic, it's classy, and best yet, it reminds me of classic film posters. The cover also hints at the themes and violence found in the game, but doesn't give too much away. As far as I'm concerned it's going to take a miracle for there to be a better cover this year. But, we still have Metal Gear Solid 2's cover to review ...
