• Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
• Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep
• Sim City DS 2
• Dissidia: Final Fantasy (1, 2, 3)

This review was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Its format does not match our own but we support its content. It was written by Brian Mohr.

Role-playing games have been a big part of Sony’s console success both in the United States and abroad for the PlayStation 2. They are hoping to continue that trend on the PlayStation 3 with one of the system’s first RPG’s, Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom. Sony Online is very familiar with the hack and slash genre with hits like Everquest and Champions of Norrath. Does Sony have a hit in the making or is Untold Legends another run of the mill role-playing title?

Overall the story and game experience are solid. You go on a near 20 hour exploration in the land of Dureth. In the beginning you are given the chance to choose one of three fighters - the warrior, scout, or mage - and then you can choose to play in one of four levels of difficulty. Both the inclusion of three different characters and four difficulty levels does provide a nice variation in play and gives players the opportunity to go back, especially considering each fighter has a slightly different story to tell.

From there, you are chosen by the king to go out and extinguish the barbarian unrest by facing wave after wave of enemies. Soon enough though, you realize that the king himself is killing his own people and now it’s up to you to stop him.

Like most other RPG’s, the game allows you to level up by gaining experience and various orbs in a variety of colors. Red orbs are for health, blue for mana, and yellow for essence. As far as experience goes, killing enemies will boost your statistics which in turn can be used to level up one of nine spells included in the game. Meanwhile, essence is used at checkpoints to upgrade a wide variety of items for you including new armor, upgraded weapons, and more.

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This article was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Certain formatting, imaged, and embedded content may have been lost in the transition process.The original author is Evan Lahti.

In addition to WEBZEN’s unmatched diverse product showcase, Nam Ju Kim, CEO, WEBZEN Inc., is scheduled to give a special presentation at the convention on July 27, 2006. His presentation to attendees, which will include many of the world’s most respected game industry icons and veterans and high-level Chinese government officials, will cover successful global strategies for video game companies.

This article was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Certain formatting, imaged, and embedded content may have been lost in the transition process.

“KINGDOM HEARTS II is a perfect demonstration of what can be created when two companies with astounding resources come together,” said Daishiro Okada, president and COO, Square Enix, Inc. “The result is an absolutely stunning video game that will engage gamers of all ages in multiple worlds both familiar and new."

“The creative collaboration between the Disney and Square Enix production teams has resulted in a game that is not only innovative but truly remarkable in scope,” said Graham Hopper, senior vice president and general manager, Buena Vista Games. “With the addition of new worlds from Mickey Mouse’s classic screen debut in ‘Steamboat Willie’ to the current film franchise ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ KINGDOM HEARTS II covers the spectrum of Disney properties.”

Be sure to read our full review by clicking here. The game has a suggested retail price of $49.99 (USD).

This review was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Its format does not match our own but we support its content.

Very few game sequels are even half as anticipated as Kingdom Hearts II, the second installment in the immensely popular Disney and Square Enix collaboration franchise. The game marks the return of Sora, Goofy, and Donald in the search for King Mickey, who has apparently freed himself (and Riku?) from the horrors behind the "dark gate" witnessed at the end of the original. The gang's new adventure once again spans several worlds - some old, some new - taken from Disney's archive of "most celebrated" animated films. As with the game's predecessor, KH2 features a cast of both Final Fantasy and Disney characters, from now familiar classics like Final Fantasy VIII's Squall (Leon) and FFVII's Aeries to Sleeping Beauty's three good faeries. Yes, the only franchise able to successfully base itself in the Disney realm is back, and it’s certainly worthy of its predecessor.

After a very lengthy and mysterious prologue that centers around a mysterious boy named Roxas and reminds the player of events that occurred in the

Some tweaks made. Menu system a touch cumbersome. Same great action as original.

More visual flair and pretty cutscenes utilizing in-game graphics. Gorgeous CG and effects.

I still love the franchise’s use of music, though KH2’s musical theme could have used reworking

You’ll really enjoy visiting favorite Disney worlds and speedily slaying foes.

You’ll like it enough to finish it and probably play it again. Nice draw-in factor.

This preview was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor. Its format does not match our own but we support its content.

Very few game sequels are even half as anticipated as Kingdom Hearts II, the second installment in the immensely popular Disney and Square Enix collaboration franchise. The game marks the return of Sora, Goofy, and Donald in the search for King Mickey, who has apparently freed himself (and Riku?) from the horrors behind the "dark gate" witnessed at the end of the original. The gang's new adventure once again spans several worlds - some old, some new - taken from Disney's archive of "most celebrated" films. As with the game's predecessor, KH2 features a cast of both Final Fantasy and Disney characters, from now familiar classics like Final Fantasy VIII's Squall (Leon) and FFVII's Aeries to Sleeping Beauty's three good faeries. Yes, the only franchise able to successfully base itself in the Disney realm is back, and it's looking equally as fantastic as its predecessor.

After a very lengthy and mysterious prologue (which I certainly won’t spoil for you here) that reminds the player of events that occurred in the

This article was originally published on Gaming Horizon, GameBump's predecessor.

Check out these first screenshots of EverQuest 2: Kingdom Of Sky for the PC. The expansion is due out on February 21.