There’s Always Something Better … For months we have been hearing about the wonder that is Metal Gear Solid 2, yet the month it was released other AAA titles made some reviewers question what the big deal was about. Halo, Grand Theft Auto III, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 performed well, and reviewed well, upsetting some who had been waiting with baited breath for such a long time. Electronic Gaming Monthly and other popular magazines even gave Halo the game of the month, with little word about the phenomenal programming in this second Metal Gear Solid. We reviewers unimpressed with Metal Gear Solid 2? Or were they more impressed with Halo’s progress from the sluggish frame rate in early versions to the polished game we are now playing? Personally for me this year was summed up by Grand Theft Auto III. Like the Star Wars prequels, maybe something’s are never as good as the hype. This Years Special Effect Was Water I’ve seen the wind before, I’ve seen the fire done to perfection, and even ice has been done to death. So who knew what to expect come 2001? If it’s any indication what the new technology is good for, it’s water effects. That’s right WATER. Can anybody forget the underwater scenes in Metal Gear Solid 2? Not only was it visually stunning, but it was dreamy. In similar fashion, Ico’s final act is filled with drop dead gorgeous water effects. And how about the wet ground effect in Gran Turismo 3-A Spec? And the stunning realism the water has in WaveRace: Blue Storm! And maybe we shouldn’t even bring up the hours of Blitzball one can enjoy in Final Fantasy X! Speaking of Blitzball, why can everybody breathe underwater? Hmm … Acclaim Hasn’t Learned a DAMN Thing!! Remember a few years ago when Acclaim was in financial peril? I remember in interviews employee after employee talking about their new game plan, their new vision of life. Well, even though Acclaim has come through with a couple good games, this year was the pits. At the GameCube launch Acclaim readied Crazy Taxi while other companies brought us Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3. That’s right, Crazy Taxi … not a new Crazy Taxi, and definitely not Crazy Taxi 2! Acclaim also is porting other “classic” Sega games, like 18 Wheeler! I hate to be the grinch, but I smell a cash cow. KEEP GOING!