Rating: Mature (17+) (blood and gore, intense violence, language, sexual themes) “Nintendogs” is an interactive pet simulator with puppies that manage to come off as unbearably cute as the real things. But it’s still more of a weekend rental or pre-played purchase than a full meal, buy-it-now deal.Ĭapcom PlayStation 2, Xbox $49.99.

The PS2 version has no online play but contains some off-line two-player modes and a bit of additional two-player content, like co-op play. Meanwhile, the Xbox version has a few online multiplayer modes for up to 16 players that are as polished (if likewise formulaic) as the single-player game, making it a package worth purchasing. The game is quite short, ultimately, but ripe for a sequel or three, which can’t come soon enough. The more you employ your hands-on feeding-frenzy prowess, the more mojo you develop as a narcissistic vampire.

The more you use your guns (and eventually, your rocket-launcher, of course), the better they get, and the better you get at using them. You’re offered a modicum of control over your character’s course of action: righteous, gun-toting, Darkwatch deputy and bane of all things evil and/or undead maniacal embracer of supernatural vampire magic or flip-flopping blender of both methodologies. You play a reluctant vampire (formerly known as a washed-up outlaw who inadvertently unleashes a super-vampire on the world in a botched train robbery) in the Old West, your typical antihero straddling the line between good and evil. It’s a drop-dead gorgeous, gothic-horror-monster-spaghetti-Western-theater of sorts.

What’s more, the theme is exceptionally fresh and polished. Digital Replica Edition Home Page Close MenuĬapcom’s “Darkwatch” may be a case of formulaic first-person-shooter gameplay, but it’s a faithful following of the formula, and fun because of it.

Darkwatch 2 player