Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under PressurePublisher: Atari/The CollectivePlatform: Xbox, PS2Trane (voiced by Talib Kweli) is your name and New Radius is your city. It's a place where graffiti has been banned and freedom of expression suppressed by a corrupt mayor and his Civil Conduct Keepers (CCK). You are a "toy" (beginner) graffiti artist trying to get your name out and become All City King, the artist with the most respect. But to get respect you need to battle the city's officials and rival crews, all the while risking your neck to tag the prime spots in your vertical landscape-a well-placed piece earns you respect and ups your rep.
The game features authentic tags from 50 of some of the most well-known artists from all over the world. Six of them appear as characters (Cope 2, Futura, Obey (Shepard Fairey), Seen, Smith and T-Kid). These six teach Trane their specialties to add to his arsenal of graff skills. You will need all their techniques (grafitti tags, stencils, stickers, posters and throw-ups using aerosol, rollers, markers and wheat paste). There are 11 distinct environments and 20 levels to complete in New Radius.
As the story unfolds (the storyline was written by Marc Ecko-of Ecko Unlimited, you fool) you'll need to complete specific objectives (under-pressure graffiti scenarios, stealth/sneak missions and fast-action battle sequences) for a mission victory. But there are also minigames and challenges for those times when you just want to enjoy some rebel fun. If you're good, you'll get to meet some graff legends and flash your digital "Black-Book."
The best part is you get to learn about hip hop's roots-not through MTV or "Breakin'" and "Beatstreet" videos. I'm All City, you are just a toy. www.gettingup.com
God of WarPublisher: SCEAPlatform: PS2Occasionally, a game comes along that just makes everything else look like crap. God of War is just such a game. From the opening scene, you're treated to a heaping dose of in-your-face, ass-kicking graphics as well as some of the most hardcore action sequences and biggest monsters. Make no mistake, this is perhaps the best game ever made for the PS2.
The game follows the syrupy-sweet story of Trojan warrior, Kratos, who was sent on a mission from the gods of Olympus to take out Ares, the god of war. While you get a healthy dose of Greek mythology, you don't get the tame, watered-down version of events. Oh no, there's enough murder, destruction and pillaging to make even a Viking blush. God of War provides a refreshing interpretation of Greek mythology and shows it in all of its brutality. Heads will roll and the bodies will fall, for Kratos is the type of guy who would kill you in front of your own mother.
Violence is not all this game is about though. It's also one of the best platformers to have ever graced a console. And that means there are puzzles to solve and mysteries to unlock. No, you will not be collecting 100 butterflies to help free the Care Bears. You will be making human sacrifices, fighting hordes of enemies to get items, avoiding fierce traps and finding sirens hidden in the desert that just oh-so-desperately need to die.
Another striking element is its atmosphere. It simply immerses you from the very beginning. Everything from the lighting to the soundtrack pulls you in and won't let your ass go until it's good and ready to. Buying the game allows you to download the God of War soundtrack for free. This is a great bonus, as you'll be able to experience God of War no matter where you go.
This game absolutely belongs in your collection. It is the best and most technically advanced PS2 game ever to hit the market. Simply put, if you could only have three games in your PS2 collection, they should be God of War, GTA: San Andreas and GT4.