4x4 Evolution sends gamers on an off-road ride through 16 courses, each with its own distinct design, music score, and challenges. In addition to contending with other vehicles, people will face a variety of obstacles such as gates, trees, tractors, or on-coming traffic in construction zones. Drivers choose their own path, beginning with a basic vehicle and competing in a series of races to win cash. This money can then be used to upgrade and customize the vehicle with enhancements such as a better suspension, brush guards, performance exhaust, and special racing tires. 4x4 Evolution will allow up to four Dreamcast owners to compete online; the PC version will support up to eight people over the Internet or a LAN.

Sydney 2000 will offer the most comprehensive event listing for a multi-sports game ever, Eidos said in a press statement, including 100m sprint, 110m hurdles, hammer, javelin, triple jump, high jump, 100m freestyle swimming, sprint cycling, weight lifting, 10m platform diving, and more. The game will feature high-resolution graphics that incorporate the latest motion capture technology, animations of the real athletes, and accurate models of all the official facilities based on the actual blueprints.

Users will be able to choose between a variety of modes, including OLYMPIC and Arcade. The Arcade mode is a points-based game in which competitors participate in the finals of each selected event. The OLYMPIC mode is a one-person challenge that enables users to train a squad of athletes to compete for the Gold medal in each event. Gamers are in charge of 12 athletes--one for each event--and must progress through various competitions before reaching official qualification. Once there, they must compete through the heats to the finals of each event. Virtual coaches have the ability to improve their athletes' build and mental demeanor, resulting in improved performance. Stamina, strength, ability, and morale can all be increased in the Virtual Gym, which changes the athletes' appearance.

Unique athlete models for each of the 32 countries will be included, and the actual OLYMPIC television commentators in each country will provide the commentary. Multi-person action supporting eight people on the PlayStation and PC, and four people on the Dreamcast and Nintendo 64, will be included.

"I worry about kids these days. Really. No, I'm not talking about peer pressure or drugs and alcohol; I'm talking about the lack of a good solid gaming education. Basically, kids need to learn a little R.E.S.P.E.C.T. at the hands of a cyber demon or some similar adversary."

"The variety between ships and races makes for an overwhelming amount of tactics. The graphics are a step above most RTS and the mixture of mission types gives it an added edge. The Federation campaign is a bit too fast. In the opening four missions, you're through them relatively fast and you don't get to use much of the Federation technology. The other three campaigns more than make up for it though, as does the final mission for the Federation. It's only March and we've already got a great candidate for RTS of the Year."

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"The graphics in Majesty are nothing special but at least the average looking models of the different units create a feeling of variety as the colors and shapes vary quite a bit. It is only when you start to see your high level units fighting big tough bad guys that all the special effects start pouring onto the screen. The special effects can be *very* colorful and look very nice too, which is in sharp contrast to the normal casual feel of the graphics. Overall the graphics really aren't that good, but it still scores well because it gets the job done just fine. I'd sacrifice graphics for gameplay any time, and perhaps this should be another lesson to developers to stop focusing all their attention on the damn graphics and look at their lousy gameplay for a change."

Be sure to check out the rest of our Majesty review including a quiver full of screenshots. Enjoy!

"Shifts are the equivalent of levels. As you advance through the levels, you will meet more interesting customers as well as be required to whip up much more extravagent cocktails. The patrons of the bar actually add to the atmosphere quite nicely, especially if you mix your drinks properly and they begin to get drunk. As the bartender, you have very limited interaction with the customers, however, you can flirt, check ID, call the bouncer and take their orders. This game is not intended for a younger audience, which becomes apparent with some of the responses you get to your flirts. When dealing with customers, you must always card them upon meeting them for the first time. Should they not meet the age requirement of 21, call the bouncer."

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People will follow in the footsteps of Hellenic legends in a second product called The Odysee. In this offering, Penelope calls upon Heritias, a childhood friend, to find her missing husband. This pure adventure game will be available in May 2000. A third title, Kiss the Sword, is an action and adventure title that blends history and fantasy. Near the end of the 18th century, a young libertine who delights in women and duels is living in Venice. Suspense and action abound, with ample opportunity for people to improve their fencing abilities. This product will be available in October 2000.

A fourth title, The Sword of Justice, is set in 7th Century England, where Christianity and Celtic traditions cross swords on the ruins of the Roman Empire. As a nobleman named Bradwen, gamers will rediscover the symbolic places and characters of Arthurian mythology, including Avalon, Camelot, Morgan, Merlin, fairies, and many others. This adventure can be experienced through the Celtic or Christian viewpoint; each path is a self-contained graphic and scenic unit. The Sword of Justice will be available in October 2000.

Towns serve as focal points, allowing gamers to repair, furnish, and upgrade their ship, select new crewmembers, search for jobs, and listen to rumors. Combat on the high seas will be a big part of the action, though those with less aggressive tendencies can earn their fortune as a trader. Through wealth or combat, people can obtain additional ships and begin building a merchant marine under their command.

People then decide which NPCs to hire as captains for their ships, as well as decide on their crews and supplies. Ships can be sent to storm and defend other locations, or commanded to accompany gamers on their missions. Fleets can be customized through selecting from a variety of different ships and cannons. For example, one can purchase a new battleship loaded with the best cannons for lots of combat, or choose a smaller vessel for trading goods and outrunning the enemy.

Sea Dogs offers high-resolution 3D graphics with realistic water effects, beautiful landscapes, detailed towns and forts, and day and night as well as weather effects. Small details such as sea foam, billowing sails, and translucent water add to the authentic feel. In addition, wind and weather effect how a ship sails, and can leave gamers sitting dead in the water or crashing into shallow shoals. Sea Dogs will sail into stores in Quarter 3 2000.

"In the original Thief, the AI was so good yet so bad, so realistic yet so inconsistent. I'm sorry to say that degree of uncertainty manifests itself in the sequel as well. While guards react to sounds and events surrounding them, they don't quite do so with extreme realism. Several times during the game I'd throw boxes to get the guard's attention, only to attain a quip such as 'Alright, who's out there?' Personally, if I had a large wooden box thrown two feet in front of me I'd be more than a little suspicious. Guards rarely investigate enough before creeping back to their posts, particularly when there's been enough noise to wake up the neighbourhood. Why they don't seem startled when lights go out in front of them or doors mysteriously open, is beyond me. They react so well to sounds and bodies around them yet the realism is broken by such obvious mistakes."

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"Besides the fact the engine is five years old, it seems the puzzles are too. You'll find yourself wandering aimlessly around massive levels looking for that elusive button or that extra lever that will allow you to continue in your adventures. We've been through countless sequels and a couple of expansion packs yet the same typical puzzles continue to rear their ugly heads. The Lost Artifact would have been so much better if the quality of level design was matched in terms of the puzzles and graphics that coincide with the game."

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According to Shrapnel Games, Steel Beasts features real-world tank tactics the Leopard 2A4 and the M1A1 tank, Integrated mission and map editors, accurately modeled M1 and Leopard gunnery and the interplay that takes place between the crew members of a tank, a terrain rendering engine that enables players to read the lay of the land, 'superior AI', a 2D map with line-of-sight display, friendly forces that aid the player but are not directly under their control, and accurate tank Infantry and artillery damage models. Steel Beasts will retail for around $40.00 and will be available at Shrapnel Games website. Pre-orders before May 25, 2000, will be slightly discounted.