Girls_of_Gaming_6

play magazine presents

Isabella  Cold as Ice in the new Kingdom Under Fire

Featured Artists  Alex Ahad pages 32-38 Robert Duenas pages 25-27 Matthew Humphreys pages 02, 18, 19 Dany Orizio pages 01, 92 Phillip Jackson pages 28, 29 Robh Ruppel page 49 Publisher, Console Editor Dave Halverson PC Editor Mike Griffin

Contributing Editors Heather Anne Campbell Matt Cabral Eric L. Patterson Super Designers Mike Hobbs Nelson Lui  Advertising Director of Advertising & Promotions Bethany Bell [email protected] 818.470.3754 Director of Operations Julie Halverson  [email protected] 818.707.7786 x 104 Copy Editors Bill Gray Daniel Campisi Play Magazine Offices 29219 Canwood St. Suite 100  Agoura Hills Ca 91301 Tel: 818-707-7786 Fax 818-707-7212

 www.thegirlsofgaming.com

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Contents a  e s i ia  l e r d er o f E c c a O d a n i ia  va  e v  m  t  l e  s a  m J i m r m C  o  w —  h    t  t  a r a n o  ha  S h  e — Ea  m a  N r  e  H  s a t  ’ s  ha  in c e s s W h  ls  P ir  n G i irr l  s  k — S k  u l l l  c  o  c a  e  err  P  d e .  s.  s  R i d  v a    ia i a s t  R    l l  i  ea  F  B e  n A  x  e : : B  e    d d  l  o G —  ld  e ar e  w or l  d  is F l la  yrr i  s  T y  err U n d er w  d e  Ra i d — T o m b    t  t   f    o o r C a r  L a a  E i irr — L  u n i ia  e d 2  crr e  Sa c —    f f  l  g h E  H i g  ya a i ya  ha  X  i irra — S h

Faith — Mirror’s Edge 04

Lara Crot — Tomb Raider: Underworld 58

Cammy — Street Fighter IV 08

Dia, Fatima, Karen, Sophia — Luminous Arc 2 60

Street Fighter IV Girls 10

 Asharae, Varanna, Firiona Vie, Feir’ Dal, Andwella — Legends o Norrath 62

Marian 12

 Tia, Eir — Lunia 68

Lesley — Arc Rise Fantasia 14

Saki, Aya, Reiko, Misery — Onechanbara 70

Zhiva, Signe, Araletha Araletha — Aion 16

Elika — Prince o Persia 72

 Athena 18

Sheva, Excella — Resident Evil 5 73

Lady Sia 19

Sio — Aro Samurai 74

Karla, Robin Hood, Zuh Rong, Cassandra — Atlantica 20

Sacred 2 75

Shanoa — Castlevania Order o Ecclesia 22

Queen o Suering, Maiden o Pain — World o Warcrat 76

Reimi Saionji — Star Ocean: The Last Hope 24

Medic — CrimeCrat CrimeCrat 78

Princess What’s Her Name — Earthworm Jim 25

Selvaria Bles, Eleanor, Alicia, Rosie, Isara — Valkyria Chronicles 79

B. Orchid, Kim Wu, Maya — Killer Instinct 26

Stacy Turner — Champions Online 82

Suzi, Rosa — PURE 27 

Chie, Rise, Yukiko — Persona 4 83

Berri, Jugga, Mrs Sunfower — Conker Live and Reloaded 28

 Xira — Shaiya 86

Cate Archer — No One Lives Forever 29

Grimlie, Orinjina, Usagi, Xaroxy — Perect World 88

Isabella — Kingdom Under Fire II 30

Momohime — Muramasa:The Muramasa:The Demon Blade 90

Skull Girls 32

Ecafip — Waku 91

Odin Sphere Girls 36

Konoko — Oni 92

Midna — Legend o Zelda: Twilight Princess 38

Console Editor’s Top Ten 94

Zapsi, Lina, Kaos — Kings Bounty 39

PC Editors Top Ten 95

Chanter, Mage — Last Chaos 42 Queen o Thorns, Sedna — Demigod 43

Mature Content 

Cassie Nova — The Agency 44

Sio — Aro Samurai 97 

 Thage — Eternal Poison 45

Candy — Ride to Hell 98

Ikki Tousen 46

Sarah Morrison — Tabula Rasa 99

Izuna — Izuna 2: The Unemployed Ninja Ninja Returns 47 

Interpretations Interpreta tions — Robert Duenas (artist) 100

 Aya — The 3 rd Birthday 48

Zzarxis the Necromancer — Sara Forlenza (artist) 102

 Julie — F.A.K.K. 2 49

Morenn the Dryad — The Witcher 103

 Tyris Flare — Golden Axe: Beast Rider 50

Ladies in Waiting — The Witcher 104

Bayonetta 52 Morrigan — Dragon Age 53 Illusta, Kendra, Ulna — Lineage II 54

004

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treet Fighter IV  Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom System: Arcade, Xbox 360, PS3 2008/2009

ay, we’ll admit it. Sakura is ot. It was hard to say say before Street Fighter IV, because, well, she’s a schoolgirl. But almost fifteen years after she first stole our earts with her attempts at Ryu’s hotokan, she’s still wearing that fuku. Which means she may not have ver been in school to begin with! A  irl who looks that good at 30? After fifteen years of fighting? Maybe more women should look into combat trai tr ainin n in .

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hell with Ms. Pac Man; Chun Li is the eal first female of gaming. Usually, we’d e turned off by a girl with thighs shaped like angry bulls, but for Chun Li, we’ll make an exception. The only question we have for this undercover agent is . . . are they nylons, or did she stick her gams in a tanning bed? Perhaps a better question is: Does it matter?

iper was designed with American tastes in mind, and it shows. A spy in a suit,  Viper knows what really makes men melt, nd it’s not red hair. It’s not aviators, either. Crimon Viper is distant, detached . . . and most mportantly, addicted to her cellphone. That’s what the modern man wants: A girl who gets adgets.

Prepare for the Future

™

Winner, Game of Show - Game Critics Awards, IGN, GameSpy, GameSpy, and more

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Fallout® 3 © 2008 Bethesda Softworks LLC, a ZeniMax Media company. Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda Game Studios, ZeniMax and related logos are registered trad emarks or trademarks of ZeniMax Media Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Fallout, Prepare for the Future and related logos ar e trademarks or registered trademarks of Bethesda Softworks LLC in the U.S . and/or other countries. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, the Windows Vista Start button, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are tra demarks of the Microsoft group of companies, and ‘Games for Windows’ and the Windows Vista Start button logo are used under license from Microsoft. “PlayStation”, “PLAYSTATION” “PLAYSTATION” and “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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arian is a beautifully carved marionette who rips her strings from the grasp of “The Narrator” and becomes her own master. Caught in the dream world between life and death, she uses her own puppet handle as a weapon and replaces her limbs with a variety of tools in her quest to discover her true identity—and maybe even true love.

012

The Face of War Has Changed.

 Available Now 

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Online Interactions Not Rated by the ESRB

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rowing up on the streets of Pandaemonium, Zhiva learned early on how to quietly liberate people from the terrible burden of  their money. Sometimes a more direct approach was needed, and she would use her charm and feline good looks to lure them in. When she was hauled for the umpteenth time in front of the Shadow Court, with just enough of an alibi to escape conviction yet again, the judge decided that maybe it was time to harness her abilities, and secretly made her an Assassin working for the Asmodian government.

A

whirling maelstrom of blades and fury on the battleeld, but a calm, silent presence off it, Signe is a mystery to her comrades. Rumors abound: is it true that she’s making amends for the terrible deeds of her past? Or on a quest to avenge a husband and son who were murdered? Whatever the truth, Elyos have been seen eeing from her in the  Abyss rather than risk being skewered on the end of the polearm she wields.

016

  s   y   n  ,   r   a   e   t   e   u   n   e   h   o   i   n   c   w   t    t   e   n   t   r   s   l    h   t   e   a   a   o    t    d   s    f   w    d   e   f   a   m   h   r    t    l    d   e   d   a   i    d   o   h   h   n   n   r   s    i   e   u   e   n   l   s   v   a   i    i   a   c   a   r   r    l   n   n   k   o  ,    f    i  ,  ,    t   c   c   s   h   r   r   e   e   f   u   g   p   i   o   u   o   e   h   n    t   u   e   y   l   a   q   h    h   s   e   ’    l   a   p   n   s   s    E   s   d   n   G   i   o   a   n   e   e   d   a   m  o   e   t    d   e   s    h   a    d   s   n    h    h   d    t   s   e   e   t   a   f    l    W  a    f   e   g   h   v   e   e   e  .    i   o   v   r   s   i    t   g   s   t   o   w   g   s   B   r    l   o   r    ”   e   a  ,   s   l   e   e   b   e   h   e   p   n   a   p   a  .   g   h   r    h   i   g   u    h   n   S   e   e   e   t   w  m  m  e   a  .    h   g   h   n   o   c   r    i   e   e   c   e   t    R  e   g   n   r   g    h   n   t   c  ,   r   n   l   e   t   e   i    l    h   s   o   v   a   u   i    l   a   t    l    t   e   r   g   s   e   l   a   a   t    i    h   a   t    t   o   h    d   e   e   r    “   r   e   d   p   e   n   o   c   r   a   y    l    f    h   g   o   o   o   i   a    h   d   h   r   o   r   o   s   t   e   f    t   e   e   h   e   n   c   c   v    l   e   s   e   b   i   o   y   d   n   r    k   i    t    t   o   c   u   s   y   a   e   h   o   g   e   c   r   e   a   u   n   o   s   a   t    L   n   b   a   t

       A

017

D  e v   e l    o  p  e r  :  

 S  N K 

P   u  b  l   i    s h   e r  :  

A  t     h   e  n  a 

 S  N K 

 S   y   s  t   e m :   N E   S 

1   9   8  7 

L

ike a videogame Marie  Antoinette,  Athena is a gorgeous princess with a life of total leisure. But what makes this 8-bit beauty appealing is that she gives up her life of luxury to seek  out adventure. Too bad she stars in one of  the worst games ever made for the NES. Still, we forgive her. After all, she showed up much cooler in SVC Chaos.  And that’s the game we remember.

018

L  D a   e v   e d  l    o  p  y   e r  :   S  i    a  R  F  X  I   n  t    e r   a  c  t   i   v   e

P   u  b  l   i    s h   e r  :  

T  D  K 

 S   y   s  t   e m :  

 G  B  A 

2   0   0  1 

O

ne of the first games released for the Game Boy Advance, Lady Sia was handheld gaming’s first console comparable hand-drawn platforming adventure. The Xena-esque warrior princess Sia, tasked with defeating a race of anthropomorphs created by an evil warlock, could shapeshift, cast magic, wield a sword, and jump with the best of ‘em, although she was never heard from again. RFX Interactive went the way of the Dodo soon after.

019

 Atlantica Online Developer: NDOORS

Interactive Publisher: NDOORS Interactive System: PC Online 2008

Princess

K

arla is a unique mercenary acquired only through a quest. This Princess is a magic character that can use her feminine wiles to get others to do her bidding, helping to initiate the coveted Inventor’s Quest at level 50. One of Atlantica Online’s unique features is the mercenary system, where players can have up to eight mercenaries to accompany their main character into battle.

    r     e      h     c     r      A

T

he Archer is one of the first mercenaries you can hire in Atlantica Online, and naturally her weapon of choice is the bow. Like main characters, mercs also gain experience and level up. When a mercenary is upgraded to top levels, it takes on an historic persona. For instance, the Inventor mercenary can be upgraded to Da Vinci. In a gender-bending twist, when she’s upgraded, this Archer becomes Robin Hood!

020

Beast Trainer

T

his Beast Trainer a mercenary that can be acquired only by completing a specific quest. And when upgraded, she can become the infamous Zhu Rong. The Chinese god she’s based on was male and he rode around on a tiger. In Atlantica Online, the Beast Trainer rides on a tiger and has other animals at her disposal to do the attacking in battles.

Prophet

T

he bow-wielding Prophet Cassandra is based on Greek mythology’s Cassandra, whose beauty led Apollo to grant her the power of prophecy. There are many real-world elements incorporated into Atlantica: places like the Egyptian pyramids and the Taj Mahal are dungeons, and people such as Shakespeare and Caesar are NPCs, as well as elements co-opted from various myths and legends from around the world.

021

022

D  e v   e l    o  p  e r  :  

C  a  s  t   l    e   v  a  n  i    a   O r   d  e  r    o f   E  c  c  l    e  s  i    a 

K   o n  a m i  

P   u  b  l   i    s h   e r  :   K   o n  a m i  

 S   y   s  t   e m :  

N D   S 

2   0   0   8 

F

emale protagonists have been few and far between since the Belmont clan set out to slay the king of vampires. Limited to companions or the odd playable character in lesser games, the denitive female lead died when Sonia Belmont’s Dreamcast debut was put to rest for reasons that remain somewhat a mystery. That the rst would come in the shape of an elegant hand-drawn design reminiscent of the series’ generation-dening male lead Alucard is as prophetic as it is ironic. Shanoa, like Alucard, exudes the very essence of what made Castlevania a legend so strong that its fans remain ever-vigilant in the face of misstep after misstep, waiting for the next quintessential side-scrolling console opus for which they now nally have a lead worthy of following in Alucard’s footsteps.

023

  e   p   o    H    t    s   a    L    e    h     T    :   n   a   c  e    O   r   a    t     S    9    0    0    2

   0    6   x   3   o    b    X

  :   m    t  e   s    S  y

   i  x    E  n   e   r   u  a    S  q 

  r  :    h  e    i  s    l    b    P  u

  c  e    i  -  A   r

   t    r  :   p  e   o    l   v  e    D  e

M

istress of he child Edge Ma against him, thoug a new home for hu War III in Star Oce

024

Earthworm Jim Developer: Shiny Entertainment Publisher: Interplay System: Genesis 1994

 H 

H    P   e   t    t   r  n n i   r  i    e  ’    g  c   e   s   b   s  h   e   s  h   t    o  e  i   h  P   g i   r   p  e  -  e  h   s   e  i   v  n  a   a  m  s  i    g  u i   l   z   s   c   t   i   f   h   a  z   s   u i   l    s  h  l    , i   n i   n  ,  e   g  a   t   ’    Q  e  ’   n l   n l    e   d  n I    a   s   u  p  t   n  e   e   o  u  s   p  p  c  k   e  l   n l   i   n  ,  o  e   t   i    S  r   t    c  i    t    a   t    a  ’   h  l   i    t    s  n  u  e  n  g  g  a  n  s   o  t    o i   -f    a   t    u  t    o h   t   r   a  h  r  l   l    s   c   y   c   e   e   a   o  o  u r   c  n  b  m  o  o -B  n  s  v  n l    u  o i    p  s   y   t    t   l    o  t    t    e  i    a   o  ,m  o  s   u n n  s   u  t    a  w  s  l    e   a   y  w  y   g r   b   a  h   e   e  w i   n  a  ’    e   t    d   e  l    a  n l    s   J  m i    o m i    a   g  b  r   o  t   m n k  w h   e   s   e   d  i    e   d   e  n  t    o  c   a   e   a   s  n  a  . r   y  . i    d   p L   o n f    p  e  w  s  n h   o  e   d   s   ,  e  r  m  b  r  .  u  t  

025

D  e v   e l    o  p  e r  :  

K  i    l    l    e  r   I    n  s  t   i    n  c  t   G  o l    d 

R   a r   e

P   u  b  l   i    s h   e r  :  

N i   n  t    e n  d   o

 S   y   s  t   e m :  

N  6  4 

1   9   9   6 

O

nce upon a time, when versus ghting games ruled all that man surveyed, there could be only one —though Rare, Nintendo and Midway did all they could (and came mighty close) to proving otherwise with Killer Instinct—the only ghting game franchise besides Mortal Kombat that ever came close to Capcom’s Street Fighter II.  Among its shiny rendered warriors, the girls of KI Gold, B. Orchid (left) along with Maya (middle) and Kim Wu (top, right) emphasized large protruding bouncy ultra-combos.

026

P  D  e  U  v   e l    o  p R  e r  :   E  B  l    a  c k  R   o  c k   S   t    u  d  i    o  s

P   u  b  l   i    s h   e r  :  

D  i    s n  e  y  I   n  t    e r   a  c  t   i   v   e

 S   y   s  t   e m :  

P   S   3   /  X   b   o x   3   6   0 

2   0   0   8 

 s  w e r  d n  S u z i A  a  s o R  d an  J uare z

P

ure Tour’s Tour’s two female ra cers, Suzi  Andrews and Rosa Juarez, prove that girls can get down and dirty with the best of ‘em, and look a whole lot better doing it.

027

D  e v   e l    o  p  e r  :   R   a r   e P   u  b  l   i    s h   e r  :   M i    c r   o  s  o f    t    S   y   s  t   e m :   X   b   o x  2   0   0   5 

028

C   o n  k   e  r   :   L  i     v  e  a  n  d  R e  l     o a  d  e  d 

T

ucked away in gaming’s greatest lm and fairytale parody Conker: Live and Reloaded (Rare’s raunchy remake of the exceptionally un-Nintendo-like Conker’s Bad Fur Day for N64) are legions of characters, previously only accessible via hallucinogenic substances such as the operatic Mighty Poo, including Berri, Jugga, and Mrs. Sunower. Berri, Conker’s girlfriend, is the sole motivation that drives him after he wakes up in a strange world after a night of heavy drinking and profuse vomiting. Along the way, he meets Mrs. Sunower, who gives him (not to mention King Bee) a much-needed boost. Finally, Bugga The Knut’s girlfriend Jugga takes a liking to Conker after he soothes the savage beast, a.k.a. Fangy the Raptor, that Bugga turned loose in the coliseum to devour any cavemen who think they can best him. All in a good days work for gaming’s most infamous anthropomorphic rodent.

A  The Operative: No One Lives Forever 

s badass as Bourne and as suave as Bond, this sexy secret agent could easily carry her own spy-themed film or television franchise. Despite holding her own in the guns and gadgets department, though, UNITY’s top operative still manages to find herself neckdeep in henchman and their “Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ing” bosses. Thankfully, she’s she’s got t he moves—and the nine lives—of a cat. Now if only she could get another game.

Developer: Monolith Publisher: Fox System: PS2, PC 2000

029

D  e v   e l    o  p  e r  :  

K  i    n   g d   o m  U  n  d  e  r   F  i    r   e  I    I   

B  l    u  e  s i    d   e I   n  c .

P   u  b  l   i    s h   e r  :   T  B  A 

 S   y   s  t   e m :  

P   C   , P   S   3   , X   b   o x   3   6   0 

2   0   0   9 

030

A

fter the Dark Elves won independence from the Half-Vampires of the Vellond Empire, where they lived as slaves maintaining order among inferior races, many high-ranking elves ventured out to establish their own sovereign country. But for Isabella, freedom carried too high a price. Isabella’s clan was in charge of capturing slaves for Vellond, and her reputation as a brutal slave collector earned her riches beyond that of most Half-Vampires, as well as the trust of the reining ruler, Valdemar. When Valdemar is assassinated after the Encablossian war, however, her past choices lead to the uncertain future that plays out in KUF II. Isabella is the first female character an-

nounced for the long-awaited follow up to one of the most breathtaking and technologically superior Xbox games, Kingdom Under Fire: The Crusaders. Her mastery of both sword and Ice Magic makes her a deadly opponent, able to freeze and then hack away at her enemies.

031

D  e v   e l    o  p  e r  :  

L   e  s  s T  h   a n T  h  r   e  e <   3 

S  k   u  l    G i    r   l    s 

P   u  b  l   i    s h   e r  :  

T  B  A 

 S   y   s  t   e m :   P   C 

2   0   0   9 

I

t is said (at www.skullgirls.com) that every seven years, a powerful and mysterious force known as the Skull Heart grants a woman a single wish. However, should that soul be less than pure, both her wish and her body shall be corrupted into a living nightmare that haunts all of humanity with its horror and malice. She will become the Skullgirl; a condition that manifests

032

02 itself in a 2D sprite-based fighting game from Less Than Three <3, a name indicative of the small group of indie developers putting this extremely promising game together. The younger of the two Canopy Princesses, Umbrella fights to discover the meaning of the prophetic dreams in which she senses her mother’s essence in the Skullgirl. Umbrella possesses an unusual talent for magic but lacks the maturity to use it. Peacock is the result of decades of human experiments within the Anti-Skullgirl labs. She’s a living weapon on par with the Skullgirl herself, forged with distorted memories of her favorite cartoons. Painwheel has no memories of her past life but is painfully aware of the suffering that twisted her mind as she was conditioned as an Anti-Skullgirl at the hands of Valentine. After being cast aside when the council chose Peacock, she refuses to go down without a fight. Cerebella is a young performer in the Skeleton Circus where outside of their performances performances the group’s “talents” are bought for questionable tasks. Hired to relieve the Life Gem from Miss Fortune, Cerebella’s Cerebella’s character is put to the ultimate test. Filia is a young schoolgirl whose memories are devoured by a parasite named Samson that is now affixed to back of her head, where it acts as her sole means of guidance. The elder Canopy Princess, the cool and collected Parasoul commands a small group of skilled soldiers known as the Black Egrets.  After her sister enters the chase for the Skullgirl, Parasoul enters the fight to save her. Squigly was blossoming into a talented singer until she and her family were murdered. Resurrected by the parasite Leviathan she wagers her unnatural life to set things right, whatever that means. One-time member of the thieving Fishbone Gang, Miss Fortune led a wild and reckless life until the entire gang had their heads lopped off, which she mysteriously somehow survived while gaining the ability to detach her head.

01

01. Umbrella 02. Peacock  03. Painwheel 04. Cerebella

05. Filia 06. Parasoul 07. Squigly  08. Miss Fortune

03

04

05

06

07

08 033

Skull Girls

034

035

036

 ,   r   g   g   h   e   n   t   e   r   r    i   e   n   s   i   n   g   e    h   e    d   i   o   u    h   s   t   s   m   s  ,    t  ,   m  o    i    O   e   s   n   e   a   h   e   p   a   c   r   s   s   y   r    t   r    S   g   n   d   e   r   e   r   e   l   o   n   a   i   r   o   h   e   c   n   e   i    h   k   n   s   n   e    d    h    h   P   L   r   p   u   d   t   n  ,   n   t   e   s   e   r   v    S   a   s  .   o   e   n   n    f    h   s   e   e    i    O   i   n   t    l   y   o   a   t    i   e   s   r   n   t    l    t   o   i   a   e   w   t   v   e   l   m    d   l   s   o    t   e   G  a   n   g   s   e   d   e   s   e   i    f    O  e   i    l   e   b   o   o   r   n   n   D   n   u    ’    k   f   n   V   r    S   e   q       e   e    i   e    t   s   a   o   e   v    d   e   e   w   h   s   n   h  .   c   h   e   b   e   m   a   t    G   t    f    d   e   a   l    2   r   o   t    l   a    l    f    f   o   u   n   a   e   a   s   f   o    d   g   a      e   r   o   h   r    t    i   e   r   n   l   e   i    h   e   m    t   n    t   r    i    d   u   t   c   a   c   e    i   e   s   e   a   u   r    b   l    f   e   a   t   s   h   a   t    t   r    l    t   e   S   n   y   e   r    h   e   c    G  o   i   r    b   w    l   g   c   a    k    h    i  .   s   s   n   a   u   t   e    b   e   t   y   o   a   r    t    h    b   a   a   l   a   M  s   l   e   c   d    t   o   i   a   t   e   y  ,   o   P   d   -   u   n    t    f   m   a    i    l   n   m  e   d   g    d   a   a   o   i   n   r   y   a   n   r    b   y   n   r   p   l    h    k   s   t   a   a   m  a   d    l    l   n   e   m   e   o   ’   a    i    h   g    l    d   a    d   n    l   e   e    b   e   v   r   n   o   ’   s   a   t   n   i   s   u   h   a    h    l   o   l    h   v   t    d    i   p    t   e   m  e   e   o    T   a   e   n   f   a   g   r   n   i    d   r   e   w  a   i   a   c  .   n   a   a   c   i    h   G  g   s   w  e   m  a   n   t   e   s   d   e   n   f   n   e   o   g    l   a   u   e   c   i   r    l   o   t    l   o   d   a   r   n   s   y   i    t    h   s    h   g   R   t    i   a   e   n   a   i   r    l   s   o   n   f   a   h    h   V   a   m   s   G  a   f    t    t    k   o   i

       T

   7    0    0    2    2    S    P

  :   m   e    t   s   y    S   s   u    l    t    A

   e    r    e     h    p     S    n     i     d     O   :   r   e    h   s    i    l    b   u    P

  e   r   a   w   a    l    l    i   n   a    V

  :   r   e   p   o    l   e   v   e    D

037

L

ink’s sidekick in the now twoyear-old flagship game for the Wii isn’t hot in a traditional way, but she appeals to our “Moe” sensibilities, especially when she’s sickly and draped over the back of wolf-form Link. Suddenly desperate to save the little imp, it wasn’t until that moment in the game that we realized how much we cared for the headgear-wearing Twilight Princess.  Also, it’s nice to play a Zelda game with a sidekick that isn’t yelling, “Hey! Hey!” all the time.

 The  T he Legend Legend of Zelda: Twilight Twilight Princess Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo System: Wii 2006

038

King’s King’ s Bounty: The Legend Developer: Katauri Publisher: 1C/Atari System: PC 2008

he Lake Fairy is an underestimate underestimated d unit in King’s Bounty. Many generals don’t realize these perky sprites and fairies can be hired literally by the thousands, happily working and chatting together in huge numbers. In addition to her natural ability of flight, this pretty fairy Zapsi can resist and disperse magic, which makes her very efficient against mage armies and a natural companion to magical creatures such as drakes.

039

K  i    n   g ’    s  B   o u  n  t    y  :   T  h  e  L  e   g e  n  d 

D

emons like Kaos are creatures from another plane: strong mages and dangerous warriors that will possess, corrupt and dominate with destructive attacks. Born into a world of re, they have immunity to all re attacks; however, they fear cold and will act very indecisively when thrust into winter conditions. The magic of demons has only one true goal: bring disarray and inner weakness to the enemy troops before crushing them. A demoness like Kaos will often be accompanied by an entourage of irritating and merciless scoffer imps.

000 040

L

ina is a vicious battle sorcerer from a techno-magical world that lost her original body in a long and brutal fight. Despite the amazing glacial powers she now possesses as an ice spirit, Lina is nonetheless full of desire to return to her normal appearance. She is ready to serve you if you can assist her in recharging her magical devices, whose energy has almost been exhausted after centuries of imprisonment. She needs these devices to maintain her form, and she’ll fight with ice thorns, orbs and chargers to protect them.

041

Last Chaos Developer: T-Entertainment Publisher: Aeria Games System: PC online www.aeriagames.com

O A

             9              0              0              2

       s        w              n  do   i               : W

     m                  te           y s                 S

           c  k            r  do    a              St 

               r:          e        h                      lis        b      u        P

    d     o    g       i     m    e      D

         e s          a m          G          d            e  re       o w          P       a s              : G

     r          e           p                   lo           v e          e        D

G

as Powered Game’s upcoming mythological RPG/RTS hybrid Demigod pits demigod against demigod vying for universal rule after “God” buys the farm, two of which happen to be female generals, by half-god standards at least, who focus on teamsynergistic abilities and items that allow them to augment their forces. You can say that again.

043

D  e v   e l    o  p  e r  :  

T  h  e  A   g e  n  c   y 

 S   O  E 

P   u  b  l   i    s h   e r  :  

L

aunching a new MMOG in the crowded, competitive market World of Warcraft calls its beeyotch, is dicey business. Thankfully, SOE’s  The Agency has more than gadgets, guns, and globetrotting espionage in its corner. Cassie—think Lara Croft, but with more interest in kicking ass than collecting artifacts—detonates facts—detonate s explosives, dominates baddies, and demands attention in all her black leather-clad beauty. She can interrogate us under the heat lamp anytime.

044

 S   O  E 

 y   s  t   e m :  

P   C   , P   S   3 

2   0   0   9 

Eternal Poison Developer: Flight-Plan Publisher: Atus System: PS2 2008

O

f all of the visual beauty presented in the Atlus-released SRPG Eternal Poison, none is more eye-catching than the treacherous witch Thage, who takes more than a few pages from the bibles of the Japanese “elegant gothic lolita” movement. On a quest into the demon realm of Besek in search of the Eternal Poison, Thage may come off like a selfish, spoiled princess, but she’s very knowledgeable in the black arts and a formidable foe. Always at her side is Raki, aka Ranunculus the Silver Wolf, an upper-level Majin who uses his sharp  judgement and ferocious nature to help his beloved master.

045

I    k    k    i    -  T     o  u    s    e  n   :   E    H l   o  q  u    e  n   a  t   F    k   i    s    t    D    e  v   e  l    o    p  e   r  :   M    a  r   v  e   l    o  u   s  P    u  b   l    i    s  h   e  r   :  M    a  r   v  e   l    o  u   s   S     y  s   t  e   m   :  P    S    P    2    0    0    8    J    a    p  a   n  

u  f   u   ,R  y   o f   u   ,K  a  n  u   , R  y   o m  o B

ased on the Battle Vixens manga that became the Ikki Tousen anime series about students from rival school districts ghting over jewels that contain spirits from past lives—it’s a long silly story I’m afraid—the important thing to note about Eloquent Fist (if you’re a fan of the series or  just naughty bits in general) is that it contains the same exploding clothing from the series in a side scrolling Final Fight-style venue complete with animated cut scenes where everything that can, does pop-out. With PSP games in the US few and far between Marvelous would be well, not-so-Marvelous if they fail to release the game stateside.

046

   s    n    r    u     t    e     R    a     j    n     i     N     d    e    y    o     l    p    m    e    n     U    e     h     T    :     2    a    n    u    z     I    8    0    0    2

   S    D    N

  :   m   e    t   s   y    S

  s   u    l    t    A

  :   r   e    h   s    i    l    b   u    P

  o    i    d   u    t    S   a    j   n    i    N

  :   r   e   p   o    l   e   v   e    D

 The 3rd Birthday  Developer: Square Enix Publisher: Square Enix System: PSP 2009

I

t’s the return of our leastt’s exploited Square Enix hero, Aya Brea! The girl with a gun from Parasite Eve, Aya is quite possibly the best thing ever dr awn by Tetsuya Nomura, and that’s saying a lot. A  little bit of Quistus, a little bit of  Cloud, and we’ve got the poutyfaced, wedding-dress-bedec wedding-dress-bedecked, ked, former MIST member who, happily happily,, has a few clones. Aya returns for her 3rd appearance (a.k.a. birthday) on the PSP sometime in 2009.

048

F.A.K.K. 2 Developer: Ritual Publisher: Gathering of Developers System: PC 2000

T

he Heavy Metal F.A.K.K.2 F.A.K.K.2 (meaning Federation-Assigned Ketogenic Killzone to the second level) PC game picks up where the animated movie Heavy Metal 2000 left off. Having dispatched the would-be God Tyler (played with zeal by Michael Ironside), Julie embarks on a mission to save her home planet from the remaining GITH, whose leader (aptly named Gith) happens to be a disembodied head. Imagine what he could do with a whole body.

049

   r    e     d     i     R     t    s    a    e     B    :    e    x     A    n    e     d     l    o     G    8    0    0    2    0    6    3   x   o    b    X    /    3    S    P

  :   m   e    t   s   y    S   a   g   e    S

  :   r   e    h   s    i    l    b   u    P    l   e   v   e    L    t   e   r   c   e    S

  :   r   e   p   o    l   e   v   e    D

   d   e   x   s   t   u  ,   e    i    h   o   A   e   e  .   r    b    t   r   u  .   y   e   s   s    h   s   e   d   q   r   r   u   b   i    T   d   t    i   s    l    t   e    l  ,   n   e   a   i   m   i   a   e   r    h   w    h   s   D   i   m  e   t   e   3   h   a   c   a   y   t   w  g   t   o   n   r   r   e   g   0   x   d   n   l    i   a   a   t    d   a   l   o    f   o   c    2   e   r    t   e   e   n   e    d   n   o    i   r   a   e   y   e   i     e   e   h   r   n   m    h   a   0   s   n   a   s   u    h    l   w   2   r   e    b    l    t   e   i    l   o   o   y   d   w  o   a   a    t   s   n    l   a   n   o   n   y   s   k   r    i   s   e   n   g   r    i   u   i   s   o   a   M   h   m  n   a   s   n   t   x  .    h   t   e   l   n   o   e   e   n   s   s   o   e   a    d   b   i    T   n   i   s   f   o   u    d   t    ’    t   a   s   r   u    ’   e   a   n   p    i   e   s   n   g    l   g   h   r   o    i   g   e   g   n   h   n   e   t   e   z   r   o   o   a    i    i   r    G   a    f   o   m  w  e   f    k   m   d   c   d   a   m   f   e   t   r    h   a   a    8   A   e   h   i   a   a   e   g   m   r   m   t    k   e   w  r    d   c    f   e   0   -    i   c   e   e   a   r   v    d   s   o   r    0   o   l   u    d    h    2   g    f   r   a   e   g   a   o   e   l   n   g   n   d   y   w   i   n   e   p   n   F   i   n   i  ,   o   e   n   e   t    h   r    i   a   o   v   g   t   e    t   r    h   r   -   e   l   n   c    t   o   e    t   a    t    f   e   m   e    i   e   x   o   a   v   f   s   a   o   e   r    W    b   a   s   B

       O

050

051

Bayonetta Developer: Platinum Games Publisher: Sega System: PS3/Xbox 360 2009

T

he man who breathed life into the gracefully deadly Dante with Devil May Cry, Hideki Kamiya has finally seen the light and turned his sights to the fairer sex with Bayonetta. The eponymous witch draws guns with both her hands and feet to splatter monsters masquerading as angels all over the rich Victorian architecture. Her real claim to action-gaming fame, however, lies in the beautiful head of flowing black hair she brandishes for magical attacks, exposing her naked body for all to see, just before they die.

052

D  e v   e l    o  p  e r  :  

D r   a   g  o n  A   g e  :    O

B  i    o w  a r   e

P   u  b  l   i    s h   e r  :   E  A 

 S   y   s  t   e m :   P   C 

r   i     g i    n  s 

2   0   0   9 

“   T   a l    e   s   a n  d  l    e   g  e  n  d   s   , l   i    e   s   a n  d  i    d  l    e   f    a n  c  i    e   s  .. . h   a v  e   y  o  u n  o m i   n  d   s   o  f    y  o  u r   o w n ?  ”  

M

orrigan is the daughter of Flemeth, the legendary and frightening Witch of the Wilds. Raised alone by her mother in the most remote corners of the great forest, the exotic beauty has learned to hold the rest of mankind in contempt. She has watched humanity from afar, hating them for their weakness even as she yearned to explore their world . . . all the time keenly aware of the hatred they would hold for her if they knew what she was. For Morrigan has learned her mother’s arts and has become a mage as well as a shapechanger, and she will stop at nothing to further her mysterious obsessions.

053

D  e v   e l    o  p  e r  :   N  C   s  o f    t   T   e  a m E   &  G  P   u  b  l   i    s h   e r  :   N  C   s  o f    t    S   y   s  t   e m :   P   C  2   0   0   9 

L  i    n  e  a   g e  I    I   

K

endra radiates innocence and has a heart as big as Talking Island itself. Though naïve to a fault, she sees the good in every person and situation. Kendra wholeheartedly believes in the power of love and thinks that every person has a specific and unwavering destiny. Born in a quiet cottage on the rural portion of Talking Island, Kendra’s life has always been simple and uncomplicated, until the day she met a powerful Cleric who at once recognized the potential in her. Ever since that moment, Grand Magister Gallint has groomed her to become a powerful healer in the lands. Now, a mere handful of years after that fateful day, she finds herself on a mysterious mission given by her teacher. He packed her on a ship headed for Giran Harbor. His instructions, ever-cryptic and vague, were only three words: “Find your truth.”

054

H

onor, loyalty, family and strength. These are the tenants that Ulna holds most dear. She has never feared death as much as she fears disgrace, for death on the battlefield is surely more admirable than defeat. However, contrary to what most would imagine, Ulna is not all business. Though not really in touch with any feminine side she might possess, Ulna is still endowed with attributes that turn any male Orc’s head. She’s even turned the heads of some dwarfs and humans, for that matter. But if you want to find a place in her heart, you’ll have to best her in handto-hand combat, for it takes a man with an incredible amount of prowess to win this strong and independent lady.

055

    I     I    e    g    a    e    n     i     L 056

  a   n    d   r   e   y    d   g   d    l    t   n    l   o   h   d   r    i   n   e   e   e    f   o   v   i    l   a   e   o    h    d   r    d   r    h    f   a    t   n   h   w    d   n   g   o    t   r    i   s   y   i    l   e   p   e   r   a   i   o   m  u   n   e   w  n   l   e   c   r   u    l   s   w    d   o   l   n   o   n   e    i   o   d   r   o   e   o   d   g   i    i   m  e   t   e   e   y    h    h   —    t   e   n    t   w   c   w   t    h   a   m   A   u   v   u   t   e   n   s  .    t   a   e   s   r   a   r   e   a   r    i    h   e   o   a   o   g    l    t    d    d    t    d   e   e   y   o   e   r   e    i   a    h   e   r    l   n    t   o   d   h   c   r    f    t    f   c   t   e   f    T   o   h   o   o   a   e   t   n   a   n   h   s   b   n   m  .   o    t   r   s    t    i   y   r   m  o   e   a   e    t   r    t    d   m  p   p   e   t    i   e    i   o   e   f    l   s   o   o   n   e   c   c   f   c   i   m   h   u   b   b   a   r    h   s   r   g   m  r    j   e   n   d   n   e   i    t    t   e   e   t    k   i   e   h   o   l    l   e   s   m   t    O    d   e    t    d   s   u   r   p   o  ,   e   n   d  .   a   q    t   r   a   a   t   r   e   a   o   t   w   t   e   r    h   l   a    l   e   r   v   w  e   e   h   e   e    i   o   ’   o   n   r   a   w   e    t   r   c   r   g   o   e   a   n   f   e   a   a   f   s   r   e   x    h   s   i   s   e   r    d   d   c   t   a   a   e   v   r    h   e   g   e   h   o    l   e   d   n   h   c   l   n   s   i   y   k   g   s    t   n   s   n    i    i    t   s   a   l   o   r   o   l   u    k   n   c   a   l   e    t    i   n   u   g    d    l   u   c   l    i   s   e   s   m    I   r   e   e   t   r   e   r    f    i   r    b   e   e   a   u   f  ,   e   h   t   n   r   a   l   s   t   c   o   l    l   a    t    h   s    i   n   e   a   h   t    l   o   d   u   n   a   e   s   e   e   e   a   w  a   h   e    h   i   n   l   n   h  ,   s    t    h   t   c    i    b   W   c   g   I   a   o   d   h   s  ,   s   S   t    i   r    l   a  ,    t   n   s   e  ,    D    i   s   e   a   g   t    h   p  .   c   d    d   a    i   e   n   a   w  r   a   n   r  .    l   u  .   n   w    i   a   k    i   e   e   e   w   i    i   r   e   n   v   e   e   c   v    i    h   c   a   a   p   d   n    h   i   o   t   r    h   g   n   L   m   t   r   a   G   i   a   e   e   p   s   e    t   a   r    W  .    t   e   d   m  a   f   a   r   u   o  .   u   w   d   e   e   b   x    d   n   e   l    h   n   k   t   e   d   o   r    t   e   e    i    t    l    b   r   y   u   s   c   r   u   r   s    t   r   n    i   e   o    t    i   o   x   e   e   r   a   a   o   h   e   e   e   o   o   e   d   h   a   d   w   t   s   b   r    h   m   t   y   m

       H

057

D  e v   e l    o  p  e r  :  

T   o m b  R a  i    d  e  r   :    U  n  d  e  r    w  o r   l    d 

 C  r   y   s  t    a l   D   y  n  a m i    c  s P   u  b  l   i    s h   e r  :  

E  i    d   o  s

 S   y   s  t   e m :  

P   S   3   /  X   b   o x   3   6   0 

2   0   0   8 

T

he evolution of Lara Croft is nothing short of miraculous. Having sustained the ups and downs of 3D gaming, from its origins to present day, climbing to the highest echelons of the entertainment spectrum, crashing down and climbing back up again—it’s a series as enduring as its tenacious leading lady, who has gone from a crude 3D pinup to one of modern gaming most elegantly designed and animated characters, bar none. In Tomb Raider: Underworld, Crystal Dynamics and Eidos take us back to the gameplay that made her famous, via cutting edge worlddesign and physics, along with the single-most rened 3D character in all of gaming.

058

059

L  u  m i    n   o u  s  A  r   c  2 

D  e v   e l    o  p  e r  :   I   m  a  g  e  e  p  o  c h  P   u  b  l   i    s h   e r  :   A   t   l    u  s  S   y   s  t   e m :   N D   S  2   0   0   8 

us

W

itches have come a long way from being green-skinned, wart y, and, let’s face it, disagreeable. That’s good news for Roland, the hero of Atlus’ beautifully illustrated SRPG Luminous Arc 2 since he has to travel around the Kingdom of Carnva with a gaggle of them. Wickedly powerful in their own right, they get even more formidable after getting “engaged” to Roland, in one of the oddest battle mechanics we’ve seen yet.

060

061

Legends of Norrath Developer: SOE Publisher: SOE System: PC Ongoing

“You will have none of the Scryona, and the Void will take us all.” 

A

sharae’s mother was a dancer and a woman of lowly birth. Though she left her child upon her lordly paramour’s front step with a note describing the baby’s origin, the Baron and his Madam raised  Asharae as a slave, divulging not one hint of her true parentage. The young dark elven girl repaid their scorn by stealing a valuable magical artifact and a book of wizardry that awakened her arcane powers. Shortly thereafter, she kidnapped the Baron and Baroness to fnd out more about the Scryona. By the next sunrise, her questioning had killed her father and her stepmother was slain by wolves.

062

“You will die here, and I will bring your lifeless body to Solusek’s Eye. Lord  Nagafen will have further proof of the unrelenting power of Chaos.” 

T

he hierarchy of the minions of Chaos included four Lords and two Overlords. When the Lords had been defeated by the Oathbound, the Chaos Masters resolved to send the Overlords across Norrath to complete their plans for domination. Varanna, the Overlord of Pyres, was tasked with a journey to the Lavastorm Mountains to recruit the mighty dragon Lord Nagafen to the cause of Chaos. The ery mage drew strength from the ames of Lavastorm and was especially formidable on this volcanic battleeld. The small and the weak were no match for her abilities as she incinerated them with only a thought.

063

Legends of Norrath

“Do not dare look upon me as a maiden who needs saving! I am fierce as a lion, fast as an asp, and strong as a mammoth. I fear nothing and no one. I will bring your  wicked ways to an end!” 

T

he chosen of the goddess Tunare, the paladin Firiona Vie, helped the Oathbound to combat Chaos more than once. She helped to organize the struggle against the minions of Chaos across Norrath, while the Oathbound focused on the enemy leadership. In the nal battle against Kalith, the Mistress of Chaos, the Oathbound teamed up with Firiona Vie and Lucan D’Lere. Firiona wielded her sword and shield another time at the Battle of Bloody Kithicor. As the two great armies of the High Elves and Dark Elves clashed, Firiona Vie fought in single combat against the daughter of Innoruuk, Lanys T’Vyl.

064

T

he wood elves, or Feir’Dal, come from the tree city of Kelethin. Its platforms and elevators soar skyward while blending naturally with the forest surroundings of Greater Faydark. Cousins of the high elves, the haughty Koada’Dal, wood elves are instead pleasant and friendly. They love celebration and song, dedicating their lives to the goddess Tunare. The welcoming nature of the wood elves leads to close ties with other races, especially humans. The Kelethin Sunweavers wield mighty magical power used only to defend their forest home.

“I pledge to use the fiery sundering of Ro  to immolate the enemies of Kelethin.” 

065

Legends of Norrath

“Begone, foolish creature! I have more important  enemies to apprehend than the likes of you.” 

U

nlike many of the Oathbound servants of the Tribunal who wore masks to conceal their identities, the priest  Andwella battled against the forces of Chaos revealed to all. Her ardent faith was her shield against corruption by her enemies. The Chaos plot, operating secretly from within the Oathbound, required many of the Tribunal’ Tribunal’s s followers to question their faith. Andwella never faltered and did not become an Oathbreaker. She resolved to ght the Chaos plot from within the Tribunal. Her investigations exposed many Chaos agents who would never again threaten the cause of Order.

066

Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution 2 Developer: Eighting Publisher: D3 System: Wii 2008

I

f there’s one thing Naruto has in spades, it’s side characters and filler stories. Still, sometimes the original stuff dreamed up for the games or the anime has some real grip to it. Created just for Naruto: Clash of  Ninja Revolution 2, Komachi and Kagura are two women on opposite sides of the law. Kagura is a vengeful hokage-wanna-be, hidden behind a (hot?) ANBU mask. Her rival, ANBU Komachi, is easily defeated by the crimson warrior. Meanwhile, series minor character Yugao has another kind of vengence on her mind--finding the killer of her lover, Hayate. Two Two women with clear goals, and one that’ that’s s pretty much just cannon fodder.. Eh, two out of three ain’t bad. fodder

67

Lunia Developer: allm Publisher: NHN USA System: PC (ijji.com) 2008

T

ia is half-human and half-elf, reecting the union of her father, a nobleman, and her mother, a respected elf. Her father, now a high-ranking ofcer in the palace, suddenly goes missing one day. Tia undertakes a journey to nd her father, no matter the adversity. She’s a tough girl on the outside, but is soft and vulnerable when it comes to her family. She’s She’s extremely agile y et relatively weak, compensating for a light frame with stealth and magical skills that create multiple images of her to confuse and bewilder opponents.

068

E

ir is the princess of Lunia Kingdom. She has inherited special skills through her royal blood, but she thinks her skills are inferior to her older sister Lir. Dissatised with her destiny, Eir runs away from home for a life of adventure. She’s elegant, but also arrogant and self-centered. She was born with special abilities that allow her to heal others, but along with these healing enchantments Eir has learned a number of protective magics from her new friends at the royal wizard guild—who are secretly keeping an eye on her highness.

069

Onechanbara Bikini Zombie Slayers and Bikini Bikini Samurai Squad Developer: Tamsoft Publisher: D3 Publisher System: Wii, Xbox 360 2009

H

ow many times have you been splattering zombies and wished you were a bikini clad cowgirl or a Japanese school girl? I know, right? Remember Tamsoft of Toshinden fame? Well, they’re back with the greatest concept since butt-pounding living mushrooms: splattering zombie hordes as a pair of sexy sisters in various states of undress! The blood and gore GPM (gallons per minute) is off the scale on this one, as Aya and Saki slice through multiple spurting cadavers, loaded with promiscuity in the face of death. God bless Japanese game developers! The 360 version even lets you dress (or undress) the girls before they hit the streets hacking.

070

071

P  r   i    n  c   U  e   b  i    s  o  o f    t   M  o f   n  t   r  P   e  a l   e  r   s   U  i    a   b  D  e v   e l    o  p  e r  :  

P   u  b  l   i    s h   e r  :  

i    s  o f    t  

 S   y   s  t   e m :  

P   S   3   /  X   b   o x   3   6   0  2   0   0   8 

U

bisoft Montreal has achieved the onceunthinkable task of making gamers care by tethering male and female leads together,, then slowly developing a relationship together between them that by game’s end will have a profound effect on many a player. Elika acts as a vessel of healing, removing the corruption that chokes the land as she and the Prince of Persia explore four vast desert lands plagued by the darkness her father has wrought. If you’ve ever fallen in love with a game, imagine falling in love within a game.

072

   9    0    0    2    3    S    P  ,     0    6    3   o  x    b   :   X   e  m    t   s    S  y   m   o   c   a  p   :   C   r    h  e    i  s    l    b   u    P   o  m   c   p    C  a   r  :   e   p    l  o   v  e   e    D

   5    l    i    v    E    t    n   e   d    i   e  s    R

F

inally. Resident Evil 5 undoes all the inally. trauma of Resident Evil 4 by giving us a sidekick that can fight on her own. Sheva  Alomar (who may be named after our favorite baseball player, player, Roberto) is a good-guy girl who can take care of herself. This is a welcome feature in a game whose prequel boasted AI that seemed desperate to take shotgun rounds to the head. On the other side of the ethical coin is Excella, a pharmaceuticals employee in Africa... which in our experience usually means, “villain.” Still, at least both girls can brag about their fashion sense—a hard thing to do when the T-Virus T-Virus is turning everyone around them into blood-hungry psychopaths.

073

 Afro Samurai Developer: SURGE Games Publisher: SURGE System: PS3/Xbox 360 2009

S

io isn’t exactly in the first Afro Samurai game, however rest assured that she’ll be all over the sequel. How do we know there will be a sequel? Because anime and games this defining and altogether extraordinary don’t ever stop at one. Sio appears in Afro Samurai Resurrection where she relieves Afro of the Number One Headband and robs his father’s grave. Then she really gets nasty. Played with a maniacal sinuous purr by Lucy Liu, Sio is pure evil and curvaceous booty all wrapped up into one poisonous package.

074

D  e v   e l    o  p  e r  :  

S  a  c  r   e  d  2  :   F  a  l    e  n  A  n   g e  l   

A   s  c  a r   o n

P   u  b  l   i    s h   e r  :  

 C  D  V   U   S  A 

 S   y   s  t   e m :  

P   C   , P   S   3   , X   b   o x   3   6   0 

2   0   0   8 

T

he High Elf lives and breathes magic. Inside the walls of the magic academy in Thylysium, she studied the ancient lore. Now she’s about to set off into the unknown. The young pupil is eager to learn more, and she begins her adventures hoping that she will uncover more secrets to expand her knowledge. Maybe she will choose the path of Light? This would be the perfect moment to intervene! Ancaria is in turmoil. Injustice, oppression and hatred are commonplace. The Humans must fnally be freed from slavery and given the power to vote. Now is the time to lead the world into a more secure future.

075

   ”  .    d   o   o   g   o   s    t    l   e    f   r   e   v   e   n    d   a    b   g   n    i   e    B    “

    t     f    a    r    c    r    a     W     f    o     d     l    r    o     W   a   z   n   e    l   r   o    F   a   r   a    S

  :    t   s    i    t   r    A

076

  s   r   r   r   s   e  ,    t   e   s   s  ,    d   e    t  ,    t   e   e   n   e   s   l   r    h   n   o   s   a   e    t   e   e   s   b   e   a    i   g   e    t   v   l   n   t    H  s   i    l    b    h    t   g   l   m  o   r   e   i   a  .    t   a   r    h   r   m    f   n   y   e   v   e   p   t   s   s   e   e   t   o   o   e   n   s   e    f   u    l   c   m  s   a   s   d   h   n   c   s   g   f    t    b   f   a   e   i   a   u   a   r    t    S   t    k   i   n   o   o   s   a   u   S   t   r   r   y   u   e   c   n   r    t    l   o   e   n   y   i   n   a   e   c   k   b   d   c   f   r    f   r    f    h   e   -   u   o   m   r   u   c   v   a    i   c   e   s   n   y   f   e   e   u   e   e    d   t   p   u    h   o    h   e   c   t   w   r   n   n   n   s    t    S   q     e   u    f   e   e   e   e   e   a   o   o   l   u   n   o   r   e   s   t   g   o    i   y   s    l   -    l   o   w   e   t   e   Q   b   h   o   l   y   n   d   h   a   l    t   a   f    t   p   e   y    l   e   n   S   e   c   r    i   e  .   a   e   a   n   t   y   e   h   r   e   p    h    d   o    t   o   t   y   u   n   o   a   l  ,   c   a   n   t   p   o   n   f    h   n   o   i   a   e   a   r    Q   i   e   n   a    i   g   o    t   e   f    k   h  .   e   i   y   i    d   a    i   a   h   a   r    f   n   k    t    l   n   s  ,   r   e   i    L   P   t   m   r    d   a   e   o   e   o   e  .    f   o   o   u   a   e   b   v    h   o   s   o   t    d   e   n   u   d   h   e    t    d   a   t    f    i   c   a   t   g   o    b   o   c   n   n   d   t  ,   e   t   s   c   e   i   n   a   r   a   e   e   t   s   r   n   e   n   u   h    l   e   s   e    d   i    d   n   t   v   a   o   t   o   s   t   n   u    i   g    t   o   u    t   e   a   p   r   m  o    t   o   r    t    i   n   c   r   s   M   n    f   s   p    h   u   o   ’    f   m    t   e   m   e   d   m  e   h   a   t    t   e   n   r    d   e   r   e   m    h   i   o   n   s   t    b   a   f   a   h    t    i   a   s   i   s   w

       C

   ”  .   r   e    t   s   a   m   e    h    t   e    b    l    l    ’    I   e   m    i    t    t   x   e    N    “

   f   o   s    t    i   u   f   o   n   d    h   n    t   o   o   e   s   e  ,   w    i   s   o   n   g   k   c   a   n   g   s   n   i   o   i   n   c   r    i   a   r   e   r   a    k   r   g   a    t    K   e   e   r   e   P   n  .    L   e   c   h   f   e  .   p   n   s   n    f    i   m   o   e   s  ,   a   o   o   e   e   e   i   r   n   h    t   a   h   g   h    t    l   s    t    h   e    i   r    t   e   s   u   e    l    L    d   s   r   e   i   e    i   s   w   b   v   g   m   n   —   a   d    i   n   b    i   n   a    d   i   n   n   m    M   a   o   n   n   r   e   o   e   e   k   b   a   r   e   P   p   m    h   c   u   r   u   h   e   u    t   o   c   c   o   B  s   r    l    l   w  ,    l    t   u        i   o   d   r    l    l   n   e  ,    l    l   a   a   s   n   w   e   h    i   e   e   a   W  r    t   a    f   r   e   m    H  e   e   y   r    f    h    P   a   a   r    f   o   o   f   e   h   i    k    S    t    h    l   s   o   o  ,   u   o   t   e   n   e   f   r    t    t   n   s   s   e    U   h    t   e   n   r    b   e   s   o   u   p  .  ,   p   e   u   c   d   o    t   n   s   r   m   i   m   r   c   i   a   c   i   n   p   e   a   o   u    t   s   M  a   o   P   o   u   p   v    t   a   s   s   e   a    f   m   d   l    i   s   o   e   e   s    d   r    t   e   i    l   s   l   n    d   o   e   n    h    h   e   a   h   p   s   e    d   o   g   l   o   a   e   m  e   n   r    L   g    t    h   o   t   e   r    i   m   r   e   n   u   y    t   n   h   w  s   b   s   i

       S

077

C    r  i    m   e  C    r  a  f    t  

P    u  b   l    i    s  h   e  r   :  V    o    g  s   t  e   r  E    n  t   e  r   t  a   i    n  m   e  n   t  S     y  s   t  e   m   :  P    C    2  0   0  9  

I

n Vogster Entertainment’s new third person MMO shooter, crime is a way of life, and where there’s crime, there’s bound to be bloodshed, and where there’s bloodshed there’s bound to be a Medic. Sunrise City has been decimated after a series of catastrophic events that have crippled the global economy, so it’s every man for himself in this nextgeneration Free-to-Play game teeming with virtual gangs and its own underground economy. There’s never been a better reason to throw your avatar into harm’s way.

078

V     a  l    k     y    r    i    a   C    h  r    o  n   i    c    l    e  s    D    e  v   e  l    o    p  e   r  :   S   

e    g  a  

P    u  b   l    i    s  h   e  r   :  S   

e    g  a  

S     y  s   t  e   m   :  P   

S    3   

2    0    0    8   

I

n the world of Valkyria Chronicles, there are plenty of strong women worth our attention. But none are as fine as Selvaria. Stern and severe, Selvaria shows off Sega’s CANVAS Engine with cool pride. Like a living painting, this Drei Stern soldier is everything that next-gen gaming should be. She’s not just good character design; her moving lines show us that everything in HD doesn’t have to come in shades of gray gray.. It doesn’t bother us that she bleeds Valkyria blood; those special powers only serve to remind us of how impossible she is. And w hen Maximilian gives her her final orders, she serves him till the end. A woman of principles—always more important than proportions.

079

 Valkyria Chronicles Developer: Sega Publisher: Sega System: PS3 2008

S

ure, these girls are all cut from the same CANVAS, but each is unique and remarkable. remarkable. Whether it be Alicia’s simple bakery dreams, Eleanor’s Eleanor’ s calculated comprehension of  Squad 7, Rosie’ Rosie’s s self-important, brassy confidence, or Isara’s circumstantial

nobility, each of these g irls gives us nobility, another reason to play through the epic, revolutionary RPG by Sega. Sega. As if we needed another reason beyond Selvaria.

080

081

   9    0    0    2

     e r        a y    l    e r         S      T   u  r n        n  d      a  c y     i     a   . S t   e   n    i    l   n    O   s   n   o    i   p   m   a    h    C

   6   0   x   3   o    b    X  /    C   :   P

  m    t  e   s    S  y

  e  s   m    G  a    K    :   2

  r    h  e    i  s    l    b   u   s   P

   i  o   d    t  u    S    i  c    t   p   r  y    C   :

  e  r   o  p    l   v  e    D  e

  .        .k      a

M

ind Slayer is totally loyal to Psimon, new leader of PSI. To To everyone else, she is utterly cold and uncaring. She rarely speaks to anyone but Psimon, and reacts harshly and sometimes even violently to any attempt to engage her in conversation. Other members of PSI have learned to keep their distance as much as possible. Mind Slayer’s powers are all variations on telekinesis, from straightforward mental grabs to shields and psychokinetic ngers. Her favorite uses of her powers are the razor-sharp blades she fashions from pure mental force and uses to slice her opponents to ribbons. She will not hesitate to use lethal force to complete a mission for PSI, and sometimes she’ll kill just for the fun of it.

082

D    e  v   e  l    o    p  e   r  :  

A  t   l    u  s  

P    u  b   l    i    s  h   e  r   :  A  

t  l    u  s  

S     y  s   t  e   m   :  P   

S    2   

2    0    0    8   

A

magnum opus on the PS2 deserves a colorful cast of characters, and these girls flesh out the story with their distinctive personalities and sparkling designs. Chie breaks our hearts with her love of Kung Fu—nothing makes a girl grander than if she likes Bruce Lee. Rise is like the American Idol contestant you really want to win . . . if there were such a thing. And finally  Yukiko is the traditional, elegant, and silent Japanese heroine that we’ve all come to love since Clamp started publishing manga in English. These birds help deliver the ultimate swan song for the PS2. What better way to say goodbye to a console?

083

D    e  v   e  l    o    p  e   r  :  

A  t   l    u  s  

P    u  b   l    i    s  h   e  r   :  A  

t  l    u  s  

S     y  s   t  e   m   :  P   

S    2   

2    0    0    8   

084

085

   s    s    e     d     d    o     G     k    r    a     D

   7    0    0    2   e   n    i    l   n    O    C    P   :   m   e    t   s   y    S   s   e   m   a    G   a    i   r   e    A   :   r   e    h   s    i    l    b   u    P    t   n   e   m   n    i   a    t   r   e    t   n    E   v   o   n   o    S   :   r   e   p   o    l   e   v   e    D

   a    y     i    a     h     S 086

  o   s   e   e   s    t   e    h   h    l   e    h    t   a   d   s   t   e   t    h    d   u   f    h   g   e   a   o    l   n   s   g   o   o   o    i    i   s   s   r    i   s   i    h   i   u    i    G  r   s   y    l   e   o   a   h   e   l    l   r   g   a    W   r   r   u   u   p   i   n  .    i    h   g   k  ,    F    t    X    t   u  ,   s   f   a   s   f  ,   x   o   d   s   o   o   s   o   y   e    t    d   g   e   r    l    l   s   i   e   r   o   t   n   y   e   n   h   e   o   h   c   n   o   s   h   e   s   i   o   e   u   o   r    f   r   s   t   r    d   u   r    d    b   e   r    l    l    h   y   a    t   o   e    t    i   c    b   s   u   t   s   e   h   w   a    d   a   t   a   h   c   h    d   l    t   e   h   d   t   r    i   e   n   e   e   w  v   a      g   n   n   h    b   i   a   r   r   s   a   o    d    t   e   s   l   e    t   e   b   f   p   d    i    t    h   g   a   v   r   n   s   g   a  .   s   u   l   e    t    i   a   e   e   e    h   t    b   t   e   n   r    l    t    k   d   p   o   a   e   h    t   n   g   a   n   —   u   p   t    T   e   r    h   i   o   t    h  .   g   t   n   s   m   l    t   y    f    L   y   a    l   e   a    i   e   o   s   o   a   t    t    h   e   i   a   n   p   t   r   r   w  s   a   t   a   e   o   e   f     r   o   t   r   o   m   u    E   s   w   r   e    i    t    t    f    l   n   e   e   v   u   u   o   f   u   b   h   e

       D

087

Perfect World Developer: Beijing Perfect World Publisher: Perfect World Entertainment System: PC Online 2008

B

lademasters are masters of close combat, and Grimlie is no exception to that rule. Grimlie grew up in the city of Etherblade where she trained under the supervision of several Blademasters. Her strict upbringing has transformed her into a formidable figure on the battlefield. Intense training has not only made her into a legend in Territory Wars, but has also made her physique quite easy on the eyes.

O

rinjina is a unique creature.  Abandoned at birth for bearing the scar of the Untamed on her tu mmy, Orinjina was left to die inside a cave near the Orange River. The kind spirits of the river took pity upon the tiny, writhing bundle of flesh and influenced the inhabitants of the cave, the bats, to look after her. Day after day, month after month, the bats continued to feed and nourish the child. And after many moons passed, this child soon became a woman—but not just any woman. Her essence became fused with her caretakers, the bats. She inherited many of their physical, mental and spiritual traits. The three rings on her wing tips represent these inherited traits, which she bears proudly to this day.

088

U

sagi has always been a girl against the grain. Most other young Venomancers are trained in the use of poison magic, but Usagi developed an affinity for archery at a very young age. Being adept with a bow has forced her to become more agile and quick. Usagi often uses her pet to distract her opponents while she prepares the final blow with her bow. She is also known as a trickster, often transforming into her animal form or asking men to carry her from place to place.

V

enomancers are typically beautiful women that have the ability to transform into magical creatures; Xarfoxy is no exception to this rule. Xarfoxy is often regarded in her town as the traditional Venomancer: she has strictly followed the teachings of the Venomancer Elders and looks down upon anyone who does not do the same. She is often found in the public forum of her town, reprimanding anyone who speaks out of order with a glare that penetrates and allures.

089

M    u   r   a   m  a   s  a   :   T     h  e   D   e   m   o  n   B   la      d    e   D    e  v   e  l    o    p  e   r  :   V   

a  n   i    l    l    a  w   a  r   e     /    M    a  r   v  e   l    o  u   s  

P    u  b   l    i    s  h   e  r   :   X   

S    E    E    D   

S     y  s   t  e   m   :  W    i    i   2    0    0    9   

O

ne of two playable characters announced for Muramasa: The Demon Blade from the gaming industry’s reigning masters of hand-drawn art and animation, Vanillaware, Momohime is a young kimono-wearing kunoichi who starts off in Kyo and travels to Edo within the game’s Japanesemythology based storyline, a departure from their previous work on Odin Sphere, which drew from Norse Mythology. Whatever the mythology, one thing remains clear—handdrawn visuals will never go out of style.

090

   9    0    0    2

  a  c  /   M    C   :   P

  m    t  e   s    S  y

  a   a  m    k    A  n

  r  :    h  e    i  s    l    b    P  u

  e  s   a  m    G   m  a    k   a   n   A   r  :

  f  u    k    a    W   p  e    l  o   e   v    D  e

W

hen you’re a god, even the rollingdice is predictable! But for the mere mortals who circle the blackjack tables of the material world hungrily, there is no such luck. And here, it is the Ecaflips who rule over crook, thief and gold-rusher, playing lady luck with supreme skill and recklessness. Ecaflips are accustomed to gambling on chance. They collect game cards and have made fearsome weapons out of them, leaving the swords of the past to other fighters. They might even read your future in these cards . . . but if they’re lucky, you might not want to know what it is! Tips If an Ecaflipette starts opening your shirt with her soft, warm paw, just remember that a set of claws hides just u nderneath. That’s one gamble you’re sure to lose!

091

Onii On Developer: Bungie Publisher: Rockstar Games System: Windows, Mac, PS2 2001

B

efore they took the FPS world by storm with Halo, Bungie created the beforeits-time Ghost in Shell inspired Oni, a plausible third-person shooter/ action game hybrid that used interpolation to make the games complex martial arts look silky smooth. If only they would have had the power to realize Konoko in all of her Masamune Shirow-like splendor. Halo is getting a little long in the tooth...

092

 n d  .c o m a  g c    n n  i  m  a  g  n g.  i n  ls o f g  l  s  f G a m  .t  h e g i r r  i r r l  s  o  w t    s l  w  w  t  o  it  e G  a v o r i  t   n : G o  t   e n f a  e I n    m m  p  i  o  h  t   C  y o u r  t  y  i t   s u b m

Console Editor’s  Top Ten favorite Girls of Gaming 01

Nariko

Heavenly Sword

SCEA 

02

Lara Croft

 Tomb  Tom b Raider Underworld

Eidos

03

Kameo

Kameo: Elements of Power 

Microsoft

04

Tyris Flare

Golden Axe: Beast Rider 

Sega

05

Kelly O’Lenmey 

Gun Valkyrie

Sega

06

Zala

Untold Legends Dark Kingdom

SOE

07 

Gwendolyn

Odin Sphere

Atlus

08

Vanessa Schneider

P.N. 03

Capcom

09

Vela

 Jet Force Gemini

Nintendo

10

Samus Aran

Super Metroid

Nintendo

T

here’s a big dichotomy between what here’s I consider the most iconic girls of gaming versus my actual favorites. Early influences like Alicia Dragoon (Genesis), Marina (Mischief Makers N64), Gum (JSRF Xbox) and Cammy circa Cannon Spike (fighters are another matter altogether) will forever hold a special place in my gaming heart, but when it comes to gameplay and character design this is as close as I can come to producing a list. Nariko is pure poetry in motion and the most powerful, driven and sympathetic “girl” I have ever had the pleasure of controlling. No matter how many times I go back to Heavenly Sword, Nariko’s nimble action and amazing poise set against ingame cinemas by WETA Digital and Ninja Theory that remain far superior to anything gaming has ever produced, never cease to draw me in and keep me pinned to the bittersweet end. I adore her sister Kai as well…the old Twing-Twang Twing-Twang never grows old. I fell in love with Lara all over again this year; and every girl on this list remains in my regular gameplay rotation. Just missed the list: Jade (BG&E), Tati (Rise of the Kasai), Inphyy (N3), and Ailish (Sudeki). Dave Halverson

094

PC Editor’s  Top Ten favorite Girls of Gaming 01

 Alyx Vance

Half Life 2

 Valve

02

Kerrigan

StarCraft 

Blizzard

03

Firiona Vie

EverQuest series

SOE

04

Devona

Guild Wars

 ArenaNet

05  April Ryan

 The Longest Journey 

Funcom

06

SiN

Ritual

07   Viktoria

 Thief 2

Eidos

08

Rynn

Drakan

Psygnosis

09

Elaine Marley 

Monkey Island

LucasArts

10

Shodan

System Shock 2

EA 

Elexis Sinclaire

Special mention: Sarah Morrison (R.I.P.) – Tabula Rasa - NCsoft

 The best partner Gordon Freeman could ask for, Half Life 2’s  Alyx   Vance is brave and caring. And she has a really cool robot pet.

 The “Queen of Blades” (née Sarah Kerrigan) will return in Blizzard’s highly anticipated StarCraft 2.

 The indomitable Devona, stalwart leader  of Guild Wars’ original band of he roes.

 Although the SiN game series has been retired, the busty CEO of SinTEK, Elexis Sinclaire, has a place in game villain history.

095

Code Geass Artbooks

Nendoroid Anime Figures

Original Wacky T-Shirts

Japan Kit Kat, Pocky and Meltykiss

Gurren Lagann Toys, Hug Pillows

Lightning Warrior Raidy Hentai RPG

Anime Magazine Subscriptions

Miku Hatsune / Vocaloid Products

Doujinshi & Hentai Manga

Queen’s Blade Artbooks, Figures

3D Anime Mousepads

Princess Waltz 18+ Anime Game

Lucky Star Figma

“Wacky Things from Japan”

2009 Anime Calendars from Japan

Japan iTunes Prepaid Cards

You’ve Got a Friend in Japan! At J-List, we love Japan as much as you do — so much we live here! J-List is an online shop

that offers thousands of unique products, including anime magazines loaded with posters and other free stuff, original kanji T-Shirts like our best-selling “Looking For a Japanese Girlfriend” design, rare Japanese snacks, 2009 anime calendars, Domo-kun T-shirts and beanie hats, items for adults, and more. Check out our popular blog about life in Japan, too. Come visit J-List now!

www.jbox.com (anime, toy, snack, and other products)

www.jlist.com

(all products, including items for adults, must be 18 to view) Megumi-chan

Mature    9    0    0    2

   0    6    3   x   o    b    X    /    3    S    P

  :   m   e    t   s   y    S

    i    a    r    u    m    a     S    o    r     f     A    E    G    R    U    S   :   r   e    h   s    i    l    b   u    P

   E    G    R    U    S

  :   r   e   p   o    l   e   v   e    D

   o     i     S

i

f you thought Justice was a head case wait until you meet Sio. Play the amazing game by SURGE this January on PS3 and Xbox 360, and see the animation and look for the anime on FUNimation DVD.

097

Mature

Ride to Hell Developer: Deep Silver Publisher: Deep Silver System: PS3/Xbox 360 Q1 2009

   y   d   n   a    C c

andy hitches a ride in the upcoming Ride to Hell; the groundbreaking new openworld epic based on California Chopper culture in the late 60s.

098

   n    o    s     i    r    r    o     M     h    a    r    a     S

Mature

   7    0    0    2

   C    P

  :   m   e    t   s   y    S

   t    f   o   s    C    N   :   r   e    h   s    i    l    b   u    P

   a    s    a     R    a     l    u     b    a     T

  s   e   m   a    G   n   o    i    t   a   n    i    t   s   e    D   :   r   e   p   o    l   e   v   e    D

s

exy and self-assured, equal parts tomboy,, feld general and pin-up model, tomboy we’ll miss Tabula Rasa’s Sarah Morrison, one of online gaming’s most recognizable characters in recent years. The TR servers shut down in February 2009, but we’ll remember Sarah’s beauty and heroism for years to come.

099

Mature

   8    0    0    2   m   o   c  .    b   o   r    h   c    t   e    k   s  .   w   w   w   :   e   g   a   p   e   m   o    H   s   a   n   e   u    D    t   r   e    b   o    R   :   y    b    t   r    A

    ?    e    n    o    y    n     A     4     0  .     N  .     P

100

Mature

 Toadally Rad!  Art by: Robert Duenas Homepage: www.sketchrob.com 2008

101

Mature

Sara Forlenza (artist) Homepage: www.saraforlenza.com 2008

   r    e    c    n    a    m    o    r    c    e     N    e     h     t    s     i    x    r    a    z     Z 102

  e    t   o   y   m   n    f   s    i   r    t   a   e   y   o    t    i   r    h   o   l   n   s   n   r   e   c   l   s   a   a   s   a   y   f    h   a   e   m   e   a   t    T   e   v   e   y   w    b    f   c  .   w   o    l   e   s   e   s   o   p   a   f   r   m  n   y   x   r   e    i   r   r   e   r   n   e    t   e   h   e   e   p   c   d   s   t    h   c   e   e   a   z   l   a   o   n   a   r   e    f   a   s   a   i   r   o   r   o   s   e   s   d   m  a   h   e   n   u    ’   c   m    t    b   o   r   r   n   e   s   e   a   i   o   a   o   l   c   i   e   r    t   o   e   t   a   e   c    t   c   n   n   n   m  m  n   e   y    t   e   e   r   a   I   e   t    t  ,    t    d    f   m   e    h   a    k   a   a   g   w  o   r    T   e   e    “   y   n   o   r   r   c   o   :   m  o   p   e   w   h    t  ,   r    t   e   n    t   r   r   e   y    t   r   r   s   e   a   a   a   o   d   e   r    t   n   r   s   a   s   d   i   n   s    i   s   o   u   s   t    f    i    h   s   e   ”   n   e   t    ’    t   p   e   s   c   n   c  .   s   a   l   n   e    i   n   n    t   o   d   e   I   o   e   o   n   i   r   c   r   n   i   r  .    t   s   t   p   a   e   s   e    d   n   u    i   p    k   r   a   a   r   x   m  r   r   e   a   e   a   f   o    d   I   g   a   m  c

       a

  n   n   é   r   d   a   o   D  r   y   e    M    h    t  Mature

   h  e   n   T   a  n  d   i   l  o  n    i   s   t  s    i  s  e   r  o   k   u  e   e  w   e   B   f    t   h  e   q    o   o  n    t  ,   h    t   h    h   s    l  c   t   i  o  n   t  s   i  n   e  a  r   t   n   h  a   b  u   t   u  r  a   l   e  a   l   a   x  u   d   i   e   o   n  ,   a   t   c   s  e   d   E   m  e  w  n   t   o  r  é  m  a   l  e  p  e  r  n   c  o  n   y   e   e    M   a  n   a  n  c   d   h    t  d  o   d  y ,   n  f  e   s  u   e  r   t  o   m   a   s    h   o   a    i   t   h    h    l   t   ’  s   :   E  n   d  r  y   m  o  e  d   b   h  u  m   s  w   n  d   a   r   r   g    e   e    i  n    h  e   n   t   u   l   o  d   r  o  u   f  G   i   t  c   h   a  n   t   n   l  y   t   p  a   i   u   t   i  f   w  o   s   t  a    W   n  c   h   r   t  a   i    h  e  r    b  e  a    t   h  e   o  r  e   e   c  e   e  s   f  a   g     h   e  f    i  s   s   i  d   e  o   r  o  u   g    t   h    t   e  s    B  e   n  c    t   h    i  n   f  o  r   i  r   l  s .   e  a  r  a   v  e  s   o  r  p   h   g    p  p   m  o   m   a    h  e   e —   d .   s   r  a  c   o  u  n   g     l   l  s   a

   o

 The Witcher  Developer: CD Projekt Red Publisher: Atari System: PC 2008 103

Mature

   8    0    0    2

   C    P

  :   m   e    t   s   y    S    i

  r   a    t    A

  :   r   e    h   s    i    l    b   u    P    d   e    R    t    k   e    j   o   r    P    D    C   :   r   e   p   o    l   e   v   e    D

   r    e     h    c     t     i     W    e     h     T

   a     d     d     A    s    s    e    c    n     i    r     P

   g    n     i     t     i    a     W    n     i    s    e     i     d    a     L    s     ’    r    e     h    c     t     i     W    e     h     T 104

Mature

   g    n     i     t     i    a     W    n     i    s    e     i     d    a     L    s     ’    r    e     h    c     t     i     W    e     h     T

    d     i    a    m    r    a     B 105

Mature

   8    0    0    2

   C    P

  :   m   e    t   s   y    S    i

  r   a    t    A

  :   r   e    h   s    i    l    b   u    P    d   e    R    t    k   e    j   o   r    P    D    C   :   r   e   p   o    l   e   v   e    D

   r    e     h    c     t     i     W    e     h     T

   e     f     i     W    s     ’    e     b     i    r    c     S

   g    n     i     t     i    a     W    n     i    s    e     i     d    a     L    s     ’    r    e     h    c     t     i     W    e     h     T 106

Mature

    d    a    y    r     D    e     h     t    n    n    é    r    o     M

   g    n     i     t     i    a     W    n     i    s    e     i     d    a     L    s     ’    r    e     h    c     t     i     W    e     h     T

107

Mature

   8    0    0    2

   C    P

  :   m   e    t   s   y    S    i

  r   a    t    A

  :   r   e    h   s    i    l    b   u    P    d   e    R    t    k   e    j   o   r    P    D    C   :   r   e   p   o    l   e   v   e    D

   r    e     h    c     t     i     W    e     h     T

    f     l     E    e     h     t    v    u    r    o     T

   g    n     i     t     i    a     W    n     i    s    e     i     d    a     L    s     ’    r    e     h    c     t     i     W    e     h     T 108

Mature

   g    n     i     t     i    a     W    n     i    s    e     i     d    a     L    s     ’    r    e     h    c     t     i     W    e     h     T

   a     t     i     R 109

Mature

   8    0    0    2

   C    P

  :   m   e    t   s   y    S    i

  r   a    t    A

  :   r   e    h   s    i    l    b   u    P    d   e    R    t    k   e    j   o   r    P    D    C   :   r   e   p   o    l   e   v   e    D

   r    e     h    c     t     i     W    e     h     T

   r    e     l    a    e     H    e     h     t     i    n    a     h     S

   g    n     i     t     i    a     W    n     i    s    e     i     d    a     L    s     ’    r    e     h    c     t     i     W    e     h     T 110 11 0

Mature

   r    e     l    a    e     H    e     h     t     i    n    a     h     S

   g    n     i     t     i    a     W    n     i    s    e     i     d    a     L    s     ’    r    e     h    c     t     i     W    e     h     T

111

Mature

   8    0    0    2

   C    P

  :   m   e    t   s   y    S    i

  r   a    t    A

  :   r   e    h   s    i    l    b   u    P    d   e    R    t    k   e    j   o   r    P    D    C   :   r   e   p   o    l   e   v   e    D

   r    e     h    c     t     i     W    e     h     T

   s    s    e    r    e    c    r    o     S    e     h     t    s    s     i    r     T

   g    n     i     t     i    a     W    n     i    s    e     i     d    a     L    s     ’    r    e     h    c     t     i     W    e     h     T 112 11 2

Mature

   g    n     i     t     i    a     W    n     i    s    e     i     d    a     L    s     ’    r    e     h    c     t     i     W    e     h     T

    l    r     i    g    m    r    a     F 113 11 3