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!
Zettai Zetsumei Toshi
Here's one of those covers that you either love or hate, I guess. When I first grabbed the scan of the cover of Zettai Zetsumei Toshi, best described as the Earthquake survival horror game, I showed it to all my friends. Many were very intrigued by this unique cover, however, there were some that were less than thrilled. But if there's one thing this cover does, it's make you ask "what is this?", and isn't that was a cover is supposed to do? I love the earthquake design on the cover, as the picture is breaking apart. Very simple, but extremely effective. This is the kind of cover I rave about, and if they had more like this over here in the U.S. I'd be a very happy camper. The ONLY thing I don't like is the writing on the top left hand side of the box. But that's a small complaint. This could be a contender for cover of the year.
Bloody Roar 3 Extreme
Remember Zettai Zetsumei Toshi, the cover we reviewed just before this? You know how I was talking about generic covers and what not? Well, I give you Bloody Roar 3 Extreme for the GameCube. Could this cover be more generic? (Actually yes, wait till you see Eve of Extinction.) Anyway, as you can tell, we have your basic fighter pics sprinkled all over the cover. And the background? Fire. Could it be blood? Nope, it's fire. And what's with that tragic color scheme on the bottom. I'm sure I'm not the first to point out that blue, yellow, and fire red DON'T GO TOGETHER. This whole box is really a mess, and when you consider how much better the PlayStation 2 original looked, and really, that wasn't all that attractive to begin with. Well, it can always be worse ... read on ...
Next Generation of Chaos
There are bad covers, and then there are GREAT covers. And this, my friends, is one great cover. I know I said I like simplicity, and I do (see Zettai Zetsumei Toshi above), but I also like this cover. Is it an amine DVD or a PlayStation 2 game (why not both?) I'll tell you what it reminds me of, the classic Working Design covers found on the Sega CD and Saturn. Oh won't those the days. Anyway, this cover is filled with color, character, and excitment. Are you ready for an adventure ... I haven't even played the game, and I know I am after looking at this pic. Hopefully the game is as good as the cover ... oh, and did I mention that the name kicks butt too.
Eve of Extinction
And then there's Eve of Extinction. I'm not saying this is a terrible cover, no wait, I am saying this is a terrible cover. I've already forgotten what the U.S. counterpart looked like, but it couldn't be worse than this. Could it?? This cover just looks thrown together. It's not just one pose, but THREE ... and none of them really make me want to play this game. Even the city scape in the background is more interesting than this cover. Lame lame lame.
Jet Set Radio Future
I'd really like this cover, if it weren't for that completely bland color scheme. The shadow is a great effect, but that dull red and barcode black just don't go together. They are just, well, you know ... I don't even want to talk about this cover. Can we talk Sega's recent names? Panzer Dragoon Next? Crazy Taxi Future? Um ... aren't there more original names than these?? They will probably be WONDERFUL, but I could do without the word "next" and "future" just tossed on. How about throwing "Super" at the start of the name? Or maybe even "64"?? Crazy Taxi 64?? Has a nice ring, don't it! And with that ...
