The purveyors of racing, action and all things Pac-Man unveil their list (but, what's with no Soul Calibur 2???)
Namco recently announced their E3 lineup, among the list includes the highly anticipated <b>Dead to Rights</b>, <b>Tekken 4</b> and <b>Xenosaga</b>. Below is a brief synopsis of each of the games which will be showcased.
<b>Dead to Rights</b> (PS2 - July 2002)
Debuting on the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, is Namco Hometek’s largest in-house developed game to date. A new maximum-velocity, supercharged Action Noir thriller, it features a never-before-seen mixture of storyline, game play elements and mechanics, as well as character interaction. Dead to Rights also introduces Namco’s new action hero, Jack Slate: a once proud officer now a fugitive hunted by good cops, bad cops, and crooks alike. Without a home and with pitifully few friends, Jack wages war on the criminal element that murdered his father, destroyed his life and continues to rain crime and heartbreak on Grant City.
<b>Tekken 4</b> (Xbox - August 2002)
The next installment in Namco's premier fighting franchise. Tekken strikes back with new jaw-dropping graphics, game play mechanics, and fearsome fighters. Newcomers engage old favorites in interactive, multi-leveled arenas. New strategies in fighting are introduced with the addition of walls, terrain effects, position changes, and enhanced side-stepping. Expanded game modes such as Training, Team Battle and the new Tekken Force provide the player with a deeper game play experience.
<b>Xenosaga [tentative title]</b> (Platform unknown - Q1 2003)
An epic RRG which takes place several years into the future, well after the human race abandoned Earth in favor of the next frontier of space. An amazing 50+ hours of intriguing game play, a variety of mini-games, gorgeous movie sequences and a sprawling sci-fi storyline make this RPG a must-have for any game fan.
<b>Ninja Assault</b> (PS2 - Sept. 2002)
The newest addition to the GunCon2 compatible list of shooters. Set to the backdrop of Feudal Japan, three heroic ninjas must fight off hundreds of powerful demons in order to save the Princess Koto from being sacrificed in a ritual to resurrect the evil Shogun Kigai. Featuring new levels, modes, and rendered cut-scenes, plus improved graphics over the Arcade version, this new shooter is ready to put trigger fingers back in action.
<b>Pac-Man World 2</b> (Xbox, 2002 - Available now for NGC and PS2)
Pac Man's back in his most challenging adventure yet. Pac-Man sets out on a quest to recapture the Magical Fruit stolen by the pesky Ghost Gang and the most evil of all entities, Spooky. With new skills like in-line skating, ice-skating, the shimmy and flip-kick, plus using the handy Pac-sub, Pac-Man will battle new enemies and explore new areas. This whimsical adventure also includes 3-D Pac-mazes and classic arcade favorites.
<b>Pac-Man Fever</b> (Gamecube, PS2 - September 2002)
The outrageously fun party game stars Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man and many other Namco favorites from popular franchises such as Tekken, Ridge Racer and Soul Calibur. Up to four players partake in more than 30 mini-games and three differently themed game boards. Try to recover all of the mini-games stolen by those pesky, party-crashing Ghosts and determine who the real party animal is!
<b>Namco Museum</b> (Gamecube, Xbox - October 2002, Avaiable now for PS2)
Currently available for PS2, soon Xbox and Gamecube players will have the chance to experience the great classics of the Arcade’s Golden Era. The original quarter munchers: Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Dig Dug, and many other favorites are all here. Old-school gamers will re-live their greatest arcade moments and brand new gamers will experience the excitement of what makes these classic games so much fun to play.
