After a brilliant homage to the era of the Commodore 64 in the opening credits, the first thing you'll notice is the improved graphics, which are smoother and more detailed, and--with effects like neon lights reflected on rain-slick streets, and intense Florida sunlight--have a lush, tropical look that immediately gives you a strong sense of place. The architecture is more fabulous by tenfold, with art deco buildings, high-rise hotels, and believably seedy back alleys. The control scheme is essentially the same as in GTA3, but the cars handle much better, and in pedestrian mode there is a new crouch move. You will have access to fast, great-handling cars right away, as opposed to GTA3 which made you unlock the second island before you could get your hands on any respectable wheels. This game has such riches to offer that there is no need to be chintzy with the vehicles.

Cops are more vigilant this time--minor offenses like whacking innocent bystanders will more often than not get you a two-star wanted level--and are harder to elude (though they still can't seem to climb stairs or negotiate sharp turns). So while free-roaming exploration is as fun as ever, there is more incentive to perform the missions instead of randomly raising hell. Not that that's a bad thing: even lazy criminals like myself (in GTA3, I would rather toss hand grenades into traffic than follow orders from some rude Mafia boss) will be quickly caught up in the vivid characters and hilarious, fascinating story, in which you play an acid-washed-jeans-wearing thug named Tommy Vercetti. Where in GTA3 missions were blocky, schematic affairs only nominally connected to the story, this time tasks move the story briskly along and deftly blend cinematics and game action. For example, there is a scene of a character throwing Tommy a gun, at which point you are suddenly thrown back into the action and must make an instant decision about whom to trust and what to do.

There are more, and more detailed, indoor environments, including a hotel, police station, and mall (a slight downside to this is that some of the more elaborate indoor environments require load times). The layout of the city, with tons of backyards, narrow alleys, and fire escapes, encourages creativity when eluding pursuit, as does greater access to rooftops. Get your motorcycle up the fire escape and a whole new world of action is possible, including... well, use your imagination.

This overview barely scratches the surface of the Vice City experience, its colorful explosion of music, clothes, combat, and brilliant voice acting, not to mention the plot twist midway through the game that changes the very nature of the game itself. Though it was the outrageous, amoral violence that got all the press, the essential genius of GTA3 was its intoxicating blend of script and open-ended action. In Vice City this is--to use a cliché that is for once apropos--taken to a whole new level. --David Stoesz

Pros:

• Astonishing, innovative gameplay
• Godlike attention to detail
• Opportunity to drive on the beach at midnight listening to the Human League's "Fascination"

• More load times

Full Auto 2: Battlelines revs up its engines as the next generation of high-speed combat racing. The game is the sequel to the award-winning Full Auto, and this new standard of vehicular mayhem is exclusively available for the PlayStation 3 as a launch title. In Full Auto 2: Battlelines, the once-pleasant districts of Meridian City are turning into battle zones, rife with automotive destruction. Use explosive weapons, high-speed vehicles and skillful technologically-groundbreaking demolition of the environment to defeat your opponents and claim the city as your own.

Explosive racing arrives on the PlayStation 3.

Vehicles are more resilient than you'd expect. View larger.

Muscle cars make great weapon mounts. View larger.

Environments are more destructible than ever. View larger.

Team up with friends in online battles. View larger.

Start it up and never look back
Full Auto 2 takes you right into the action and doesn't bother itself with a fluffy story line or lengthy cinematics- this game is all about hardcore cars and even more hardcore weaponry. Thankfully, the vehicles handle well and it's easy to quickly feel comfortable directing your ride while firing rockets and other munitions. And speaking of weapons, all the classics are back and improved, such as the front-mounted machine guns, shotguns, Titan Missles, and mini rockets. Rear-mounted weapons such as the smoke screen, mine layer, and flamethrower are also available for selection.

The appeal of Full Auto 2 is not difficult to explain: cars and explosions go together like a wink and a smile. The game's developers know the sweet feeling that can only come from mounting a full frontal assault from the drivers seat of an armored SUV. While the scenarios in the game are sometimes over the top, they are always fulfilling and exciting. If SUVs aren't your cup of tea, there are also classic muscle cars, low riders, monster trucks, and industrial vehicles to drive, enjoy, and destroy.

A trip around the "Razetrack"
All four racing districts from Full Auto have returned, but most are barely recognizable. The Outskirts District, for example, barely resembles its previous form- bigger landmarks, smoother drive paths, and new traffic vehicles make the experience of racing in the city one second and a canyon the next even more exhilarating. Each district also has new shortcuts and alternate paths, so even if you had mastered a route before, be prepared for an entirely new environmental challenge.

As if the existing districts weren't already plenty, Full Auto 2 adds two additional districts to the mix. The impressive Financial District is a maze of glass and iron, just waiting for some heavy artillery to rip it apart. Taking out major glass structures opens up new paths for racing and shortcut options. Just don't miss the exit window, or you'll be the one that's looking for cover.

The new Industrial District is like a jungle of massive machinery. This district, more than any other, seems to be created for the sheer fun of blowing everything in sight sky high. Nearly everything you see or race around can become a target. Huge explosions will engulf your enemies as you speed to the next weapon upgrade- driving on the wrong side of the tracks was never this much fun!

The scale of destruction that you can unleash upon your enemies and the environment is truly unique, and simply cannot be matched by other racing titles. Explosions can even trigger additional, larger explosions, creating a literal chain of destruction. Take out an oil barrel and watch it ignite some unsuspecting traffic. If the burning traffic makes a wrong turn, it can bring an entire building down!

Unlimited firepower with friends
Multiplayer modes are the centerpiece of any quality racing title and in this regard, Full Auto 2 doesn't disappoint. Gladiator and Team Gladiator feature deathmatch rules with a challenging twist: how can you possibly cooperate with teammates with all that tempting firepower on the road? Fortunately, it's extremely fun to gang up on the other team, especially if you can ram them from both sides or force them into a building or off the road.

Base Assault is a new multiplayer mode that plays as a sort of "capture the flag" on very destructive wheels. Teams must find a bomb power-up and carry it to their enemies' base to cause massive damage and score points. The first team to destroy their opponents' base wins. Because of the strategy required, this mode is online-only, and works great as an excuse to take your PlayStation 3 online. Full Auto 2 is so much more than simple "drive and gun," and the huge variety in the vehicles and environments permits for hours and hours of rocket launching fun.

The adventure continues

Rallen & Jeena work as a team. View larger.

Confront Krawl in field battles. View larger.

Excavate spectrobes where you can. View larger.

Spectrobes battling in multiplayer. View larger.

Play Modes: Singleplayer & Multiplayer
Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals is playable both in singleplayer and a variety of multiplayer modes. The singleplayer campaign consists of the player, in the role of Rallen, battling to secure and awaken the fossilized Spectrobes that are buried beneath the surface of various surrounding planets. These battles come in two flavors. First, "Field Battles" where Rallen, using his own abilities, takes on the powers surrounding vortexes he comes across while searching for and awakening Spectrobes, and "Encounter Battles." In the latter Rallen enters these vortexes and uses up to two spectrobes at a time to battle for him.

Up to four players can participate in Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals multicard play over a local Wi-Fi connection via three different battle modes. The combat and tactic of each of these is similar in feel to the Encounter Battle experience in singleplayer Maps are chosen by the player hosting, with the ability of individuals to participate based on whether they have played through the map already. Modes include:

One-on-one Mode - Here you go head-to-head with a single opponent where both have the use of two spectrobes.

Two-on-Two Team Mode - Here you pair up with a friend and battle another team of two, where each player controls two spectrobes.

Battle Royal - Here it's everyone for themselves as 2-4 players pit a single spectrobe against their opponents.

Key Game Features:

• 1-4 player support.
• New, revamped three-dimensional perspective.
• Players can take on the role of either Rallen or, for the first time, Jeena in special missions where her technical expertise is needed.
• A new map system to assist with exploration.
• New excavation and battle features.
• More than 100 creatures, plus all-new items, gadgets, and a customizable patrol cruiser.
• Online battle system utilizing the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.
• Tradable and backwards compatible code input cards, included with the game and available elsewhere, that give players access to in-game items.
• Includes DGamer, Disney Interactive Studios' innovative new technology that provides a fun, connected online game community for Disney video game fans.

Wi-Fi Upload - This system allows the game to track all the items you have collected and goals accomplished. All this data is uploaded to the Disney's Spectrobes website and added to player's profiles. Individual player data, as well as squad-base data compiled during team-based multiplayer sessions via different leaderboards, can be viewed and shared with other players.

Wi-Fi Market - Because many physical things in Beyond the Portals are limited to ownership by any one player, there is a thriving market for rare and useful in-game items. The Wi-Fi Market system provides a spot where players can post and shop for (with in-game currency) everything from customized items and accessories to spectrobes themselves.

Wi-Fi Download - Through Wi-Fi downloads players can receive new and rare Spectrobe items directly to your DS. Players can expect new and exciting items to be made available after the game is released.

Added Bonus of DGamer Functionality
Offered free with Spectrobes: Beyond The Portals, DGamer is Disney's online community that utilizes the Wi-Fi capabilities of your Nintendo DS to allow you to connect with other Disney gamers across North America. Through the DGamer community players can create their own identity via an avatar, chat about games, unlock unique collectibles, collect virtual currency and track leaderboard stats. You also have the ability to "gift" items collected in the game to your friends.