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Is This The Last PS2 Game Magazine Cover?

3:40AM Mike Fahey | Who would have thought that this late in the console’s life cycle that a PlayStation 2 game would make the cover of a major gaming publication? The latest issue of Play magazine features Atlus’ upcoming RPG Persona 4, with a whole slew of special Shin Megami Tensei-themed features packed inside. It’s really an odd sight to see, especially considering the other games listed in the top-right corner of the cover – Afro Samurai, Mirror’s Edge, Resistance 2, Sonic Unleashed, and Prince of Persia – all big name, current generation titles. More »

‘Working for the Man’: Models of Play

6:30AM Maggie Greene | And you thought you played games to have fun — Steven Poole has a lengthy essay trying to prove you wrong. We’re working — working for the (video game) man, man. I must confess that even if we’re on a literal or figurative rat race when it comes to ‘working’ in games (I am, after all, a passionate fan of the Harvest Moon series, which is unabashedly obvious about the necessity of work), I still find much of it fun. Still, despite the wet blanket overtones, Poole’s essay is thoughtful and makes some interesting point. Is it really just about following orders?: More »

Golden Axe Reviews Are ‘Irresponsible’ Rubbish, Says Reviewer

10:40AM Michael McWhertor | The editor of Play magazine, Dave Halverson, has some harsh words for anyone who scored Sega’s Golden Axe: Beast Rider below a 7 out of 10: “Be wary. The majority of these people (can’t call them critics) either didn’t complete a fraction of the game, don’t understand game design, or just plain suck at games.” At last check, all outlets but Play have reviewed the game well below Play’s 9 out of 10 — the GameRankings average is currently at 44%. Halverson derides these “sad reviews” as an “ever pervasive sign of the times.” More »