PlayStation 2
Source: Girls of Gaming – Volume 1
Devil May Cry 2 is a 3D action adventure game that was initially released for the PlayStation 2 in 2003. It consists of a series of mission and while the plot is somewhat convoluted, the ultimate goal is to defeat an evil demon. As a sequel, Devil May Cry 2 was somewhat of a disappointment. Judged on its own merits however, it was a pretty decent game.
Source: Girls of Gaming 5
Girls of Gaming was a spinoff of Play magazine, both now defunct. Girls of Gaming featured pin-ups of girls primarily from gaming and anime. Here we have I-No from the Guilty Gear series. The Guilty Gear series is a long-running series of fighting games that started on the PlayStation in 1998 and continues today (the last release was in 2016).
I-No first appeared in Guilty Gear X2 (also known as Guilty Gear XX) on the PlayStation 2 in 2002 as a playable boss. Guilty Gear X2 was the third game in the main series. Guilty Gear X2 and most games in the series have generally received very good reviews. If you are a fan of fighting games, this is definitely a series you should check out if you have not already done so.
Source: Computer & Video Game Magazines – GameGo! – Volume 1, Issue 1 – 2001
Stretch Panic was notable for being Treasure’s first 3D game. It was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2001. It had some fairly unique game play elements, primarily the ability for the main character (Linda) to stretch, pinch and bend objects and opponents with a scarf. You play the role of Linda as she sets out to rescue her twelve sisters who are possessed by demons. Fortunately, Linda has full control over a scarf possessed by a 13th demon which is what gives it magical abilities.
I never really played this game. It received mixed reviews with a very positive one featured above in GameGo! magazine. Electronic Gaming Monthly on the other hand only gave it 4.9/10 stars. I would tend to trust the EGM review though I’m still a little bitter about that fact that GameGo! took my subscription money and then never published another issue. This game gets some relatively high and extremely low scores in other places as well though.
This game was called Freak Out in Europe and Hippa Linda in Japan. There weren’t any sequels or remakes of this game that I am aware of but fortunately, used copies are reasonably priced. This doesn’t seem to be a particularly rare game. For Treasure fans it might be worthwhile to track down a copy if you don’t already have one but for everyone else, maybe try it on an emulator if you can before you buy.
