Despite still having the largest installed userbase in the world, and despite still posting decent sales of new units, I'm finding the lack of timely PS2 game reviews rather disturbing.

I do understand that the focus for online media is primarily on the latest consoles, but that doesn't mean that there isn't still a market or readerbase for PS2-related material. How hard is it to dedicate even one person on a staff to playing through these games and posting something? It can't be that taxing.

As I mentioned in my initial blog entry, I just got three recently-released PS2 games over the last couple of days: NHL 2K8, NHL 08, and Brunswick Pro Bowling. The two hockey games were no-brainers, since I'm a fan of the sport. I was even on the 2K Sports conference call prior to the release of NHL 2K8, and was mildly impressed with some of the additions to the game, such as the Superstar moves. NHL 08 has a full AHL license, which is a first for the series. That's a pretty big deal, considering that there's an AHL team in my backyard. (FWIW, I have some serious work to do in NHL 08. My first game was a scoreless affair.) Both games have some frame rate consistency issues. 2K8 has some strange audio dropout from time to time. That's not to say that both games aren't playable, because they are; unfortunately, it's a shame that there wasn't seemingly any interest in trying to resolve these issues before shipping. I can hear the producers now... "It's just the PS2. Who cares?"

Indeed.

My biggest gripe is with Crave's bowling game. Prior to this release, the original PlayStation saw the release of two above-average bowling titles, sharing practically the same name. The development team behind both titles was Adrenalin Entertainment, and they did a respectable job of nailing pin physics while creating a serviceable gameplay engine that was similar to a golf game. In this PS2 bowling game, the development team is different... and the results are disappointing.

The delivery is analog-based, which, in theory, isn't a bad idea... altering the speed of your delivery affects how much hook (spin) the ball has and may also affect the accuracy of each shot. In Brunswick Pro Bowling, it just doesn't work. The analog delivery just isn't consistent. Why, despite nailing the same analog motion five times over, is the accuracy (backswing) all over the place? When releasing the ball, why does the meter come to a screeching halt? If I'm releasing the ball with full power, why is it struggling down the lane?

I have no answers to these questions, and these problems kill an otherwise decent take on the sport. League bowling is implemented rather well (although it's individual and not team-based), and there are achievements to pull off and items to unlock.

I'll post more impressions of the two hockey games tomorrow, as I'll hopefully be spending more time with them today.

Have a good Thursday!