Release Spotlight May 2004

UEFA Euro 2004 (PC; XBOX; PS2; GC)
With a release schedule timed to coincide with the Euro 2004 finals in the summer, all the constituent parts of a good soccer simulation are there - dynamic morale, injury and suspension tracking, and the ability to play as one of any of the 51 teams it only remains to be seen if the game plays as good as it looks.

(Screenshots from gameinfowire http://gameinfowire.com/ss.asp?gid=1051&... )

The development is in good hands, at EA Canada, but you have to wonder whether having such a strict schedule to adhere to will affect the quality of the release.

Digimon Rumble Arena 2 (XBOX; PS2)
The cynics amongst you might fob this off as another attempt by Bandai to squeeze more money out of the Pokemon/Digimon franchise. By the look of the screenshots, it has had a facelift, including space-saving floating globe health/damage meters.

It is unclear exactly how the game will play; but it is sure to center around health and damage rather than simply bouncing your opposing Digimon off the screen. Expect it to be harder, therefore.

The new twist in the tale seems to be the fact that your Digimon can digivolve and digidevolve (not quite the opposite, I agree) depending on points gained or lost in battle.

Shrek 2 (XBOX; PS2; GC; GBA)
Aimed at the same audience as the movies of the same name - namely younger gamers - this is another graphically pleasing yet somehow slightly shallow outing. The premise is a continuation of the original movie and focuses on arcade style adventuring built on group combat.

Strike Force Bowling (XBOX; PS2)
It's bowling with a difference. See what you make of the screen shots. Especially the one in the second column of the third row of the second page ( http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/200... ). And the last one on the third page ( http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/200... ).

There also look like some novel twists, including what could be a tutorial mode (http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/200... ), where you get to preview the path that the ball will take. Looks very entertaining.

(Screen shots: http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/sports/strik... )

Van Helsing (XBOX; PS2; GBA)
Go to 19th century Transylvania as monster hunter Van Helsing, with a mission to destroy all the evil out there before the world is plunged into darkness.

Of course all the key fictional locations are there - Castles Frankenstein and Dracula, for example - and the usual line up of weapons which seem to include a hand-cranked gatling gun, and Van Helsing's grappling hook. According to EDGE magazine, the physics of that particular item seems to be in place making an otherwise average offering more entertaining.

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