Namco?s 2004 lineup is filled with almost a dozen games from a wide variety of genres.
Tales of Symphonia takes place in a world where magic and monsters are common place. This anime style RPG uses cel-shading and high-quality cut scenes from the hand of Kosuke Fujiahima. This game is scheduled for release this June.
Namco?s racing game for 2004 is SRS: Street Racing Syndicate. This street racing game puts you behind the wheel of some of the hottest cars as you tune, race and rule the road. You will race down open city streets and closed off tracks while avoiding the cops waiting for you to make a wrong move. Money isn?t the only thing on the line in this game. For the first time ever, you will be able to bet with your car ? if you don?t make it, you lose the pink slip. Look for SRS later this year.
With the PlayStation 2?s Guncon2, you will once again take up post in Time Crisis: Crisis Zone. The destructible objects in this game include the CD?s and books that are lying around, racks of clothing, glass and metal bars. Also available for those gamers who have two Guncon2?s is a ?double-gun game?.
Nina Williams from Tekken takes on hordes of enemies in the action game Death by Degrees. The 360-degree intuitive combat control system will allow you to take down your enemies no matter which direction they come from. One of Death by Degrees? features is the ?X-Ray? mode that allows you to target enemies? vital areas like bones and internal organs to do as much damage as possible. Death by Degrees isn?t all action though. There is an element of stealth and espionage that you can employ for a slightly different gameplay experience. Both Time Crisis and Death by Degrees hit the shelves for the PS2 this fall.
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War is a flight combat game that gives you wingman command to let you control your squadron in-flight. You will need to make split-second decisions that will either help or hinder the mission. You will have the ability to control over 50 planes in this game. Expect to see Ace Combat 5 this fall.
Dead to Rights II is the sequel to the hit game Dead to Rights. You take control of Jack once again as you shoot, punch and kick your way through streets and alleys. Combos allow you to not only attack enemies in rapid succession ? but you will also be able to pick up items and weapons in mid combination. Besides the guns that Jack will have available to him, he will also be able to use bats, pipes, 2x4?s, machetes and swords, as well as his pet dog - wait, don't get the wrong idea. You actually become the dog during certain missions to add a new flair to the gameplay. Dead to Rights 2 will come out on the XBox and PS2 this year.
Baten Kaitos takes place in an era when land exits in the sky and you must unlock the mystery of the lost sea. This is a story of friendship, betrayal and prayer. You will be able to use creatures in battles by capturing their essence in ?Magnus Cards?. With them you will be able to fight you foes, heal and solve puzzles. An interesting feature built into this game is how time affects your inventory. The cards will age, the food will rot and metal will rust.
Ghosthunters is a third person action game where you will mow down ghouls and ghosts with a wide variety of weaponry as you try to survive the monster ridden town of Oakville.
Namco also announced Tekken 5 and Xenosaga Episode II which are scheduled for 2005.