While I don't rate what I've heard from Ja too highly, nor do I rate him as a brilliant rapper, the hate seems over the top in some sections. Nonetheless, the pop-rap singles from Ja Rule would get better from here with me not feeling 3 of the 4 singles, 'Between Me and You', 'Put It on Me' and 'I Cry' much. None of the harder songs though are that bad, with a good run of three of them being featured around the middle of the album. The production does the job and as much as Ja Rule is probably known better as a pop rapper, his deep gritty voice-kind of like DMX-sounds good over gangster rap beats.
Best Tracks: 6 Feet Underground, Love Me Hate Me, Die, Extasy
"Boy, I'm going to drink you like milk". That and many other cheesy disses are just some of the fun you can have playing this game. You play one on one b-ball where the aim is to shoot, dodge, block or steal at the exact right time to get a video of a successful shot or defensive moment, rather than a failure. Many of the FMV cutscenes are so bad, they're good, but the gameplay pretty much lacks anything worthy, apart from the originality and novelty value of what it is.
I finally got around to playing this game. I have vivid images of watching the trailer prior to its original release but it's taken me a while to explore it first-hand. Finishing it in a couple of sittings, I liked the story, it's pretty simple but works. The game plays well with the combat system working fine, and again it's fairly simple with no aiming available. The puzzles will make you think and are all different from each other.
The problems I felt with this was the draw distance on occasions. It gets away with it most of the time due to much of the game being indoors and due to the snow and fog outside though. I don't know if it was because I played it on easy difficulty or not, but the bosses are fairly lacklustre as well. Some of the backtracking, that I tend to hate in games, and that are common in games like this where keys/items need to be found to open doors got frustrating, not to mention running around outside into dead end after dead end. While it has a disturbing atmosphere, there are no moments of fright either, but I don't think the developers were really attempting to do that to be fair. It has its flaws that are no doubt more noticeable playing it 16 years later but it's still well worth playing this landmark title.
Gameplay 4/5
Graphics 4/5
Sound 4/5
Difficulty 4.5/5
Originality 4.5/5
I got the demo of SS06 and apart from being a bit easy I liked it and thought this should be good on a harder difficulty level. Which the full game will have. Surely. I was WRONG. Being very very easy but still fun it only kept me entertained for a week because of the easiness.
Why the developers wouldn't put a difficulty setting in a SPORT game just doesn't make sense. Another beef I have with it is that some games run normal and quick as you would want it to, and others just run slow. No matter what graphic setting you have it on. It's like it wasn't tested probably. Also the keeper's animation could have a lot better as you feel like you are being robbed half the time they save it. The penalty system is also mediocre.
So if you are looking for a good game with good single player and are older than eight look elsewhere. Multiplayer is the only way this game will keep you occupied for longer than a week. The game has promise but it's like Codemasters rushed it out. Hopefully, if they make another one, it will be much better.
Gameplay 4/5
Graphics 3/5
Sound 2.5/5
Difficulty 2/5
Originality 3.5/5
There is nothing outstanding or original, especially in terms of the subject matter, but almost every track is enjoyable to listen to and you can just play this without skipping tracks. In a number of duos or groups, the artists can sound too similar to each other, and even though Birdman isn't a great rapper, but you get variety with him and Wayne who are very different rappers that mix well. I wouldn't call myself a big fan of Wayne, I think he has been garbage for years and years post this album, but here he spits some good lines, often with a bit of humour. Its biggest strength is the production though that rarely falters and has some high moments.
Beats: ★★★★☆
Rapping/Bars: ★★★★
Hooks: ★★★★
Best Tracks: Over Here Hustlin', Stuntin' Like My Daddy, Like Father, Like Son, You Ain't Know, Out the Pound, Get That Money, No More