Title: Point Blank 3   Developer: Namco   Type: Arcade Shooter Kids

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	Point Blank 3 "The ultimate G-Con45 game is back as Dr Don and Dr Dan return in an all-new sharp-shooting frenzy from Namco. Point Blank 3 (titled Gunbalina in the East) is based on the immensely popular Japanese arcade smash Gun Bullet."

PSone REVIEW:   For those who have been around Playstation gaming for more than a couple of years it must be questionable as to whether the release of a third Point Blank game can be justified. Considering there is virtually no difference in terms of graphics and gameplay then the answer would have to be… probably not. However, with more and more people still converting across to the Sony console on a daily basis, then I\'\'m sure the \'\'newbies\'\' out there are well within their rights to demand to pay full price for the latest arcade offering from Namco (rather than hunt down the almost identical older version at less than half the retail price). For the uninitiated out there Point Blank 3 involves aiming a cross-hair guide over a series of fast moving pop-up targets. Anyone who has visited a fairground shooting gallery or played out a session on an arcade gun game should be fairly familiar with the main objective within Point Blank 3. Simply pump the trigger and then check your scores! No special technique is required and because it is so easy to pick up and play it is perfect to enjoy with a crowd of friends (sober or not). This latest version presents many new stages and has finally ditched that dubious RPG mode. With the emphasis strictly on pure, addictive gameplay, I\'\'m sure your immediate reaction will be of shock and amazement that during these days of 3D dominance, graphics such as these can be paraded on a 32-bit console (or even for that matter a PS2). But I plead with you to stick with this and gain your just rewards in gameplay heaven. Rather than slow down the fast and furious pace of the game Namco have retained so much of the original visual style using flat 2D sprites and colorful cartoon animation. There are five varied versions of play up for grabs, including Arcade, Versus, Endurance and Practice. But if there\'\'s one mode that insists on you having a few friends in your life then it must be the fun packed Party mode as up to eight players can compete either in teams or against one another. The purchase of a light-gun is not essential as the game remarkably plays well using a standard or analog control pad, but if you prefer to capture some of that \'\'true arcade feeling\'\' then a G-Con peripheral should be tried. Needless to say, all of the crazy noises in Point Blank 3 are a perfect translation of its arcade counterpart. Although each event is over in a matter of seconds time has been taken to provide individual background tunes that accurately match the gallery theme. The sound effects are equally impressive. Every shot ringing true with each empty bullet casing being distinctly heard fall to the floor. Bottles smash, bombs explode, tin cans rattle and innocent bystanders scream out in agony when hit by a stray bullet. If there is one thing that Point Blank 3 has over all of it\'\'s rivals, it must be variety. There are over 80 different wild and crazy shooting scenarios that are thrown at you in random order. These include tasks such as: · Shoot all the \'\'fake\'\' Dons leaving only the \'\'real\'\' ones · Hit a single moving target with just one shot · Take out all the armed villains, but watch those hostages · Break 30 revolving targets in just 20 secs · Destroy all the junk thrown by the audience at Don before it strikes him · Hit a tossed coin with only one bullet · Shoot the correct clock face after a time is flashed up in digital mode FEATURES:   · Enjoy the sharp shooting antics of Dan and Don · Light-gun or analog control compatible · Up to 8 player turn-based multiplayer mode · Simplistic style of play involving shooting as many targets in the allowed time as quickly and accurately as possible. · Over 80 varied challenges · 5 game modes including: · ARCADE, a single or two-player shoot-out over a range of targets split into four difficulty settings. · ENDURANCE bares similarities to Tekken\'\'s survival mode. The player must see how many levels can be won before their paltry three lives are used up. · VERSUS allows all the stages to be played against a friend, in any order. · PARTY MODE enables up to 8 players to play against each other in a series of \'\'knockout\'\' or \'\'winner stays on\'\' battles. OPTIONS:   • 1 Disk(s) • CD Media • 1 Block required on Memory card per save (min) • Up to 2 Players (without Multi-tap) • 2 way split screen multi-player option • Uses Dual Shock Pad Buttons • Uses Dual Shock Pad Analog Sticks • Uses Dual Shock Pad Vibration facility

	Martin  "Hardly worth buying if you already own either of the first two Point Blank titles as it\'\'s basically more of the same thing. Meanwhile arcade shooters such as this have taken a massive leap forward on PS2 in the form of Silent Scope. However, if you don\'\'t have access to any of the above and are looking for a couple of hour\'\'s mindless fun when your mates call around, then check this out." Graphics  9/20 Playability  19/50 Sound  7/10 Lastability  15/20 70% This is a good solid title that should still appeal to those who like this type of game.

REVIEW SCORE GUIDE: OUR PLEDGE: We promise that we have fully played 'Point Blank 3' before writing this review. The scores given above are our honest opinion and were not influenced in any way by the manufacturer or distributor of the game. SUMMARY OF FINAL RATING (%) 00 - 59 This makes your console seem like an older machine. It utilises little or none of the PSone power. 60 - 69 This game is little more than average and we advise renting or play-testing before considering a purchase. 70 - 79 This is a good solid title that should still appeal to those who like this type of game. 80 - 89 This is a fantastic game that we think you will enjoy playing for quite some time. 90 - 100 This game either pushes the boundaries of it's genre further than ever before on this system, or creates a completely new gaming experience. Either way, it should not be missed and is an essential purchase in our opinion. IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ: It is very important that you are aware that the criteria we use to obtain review scores on the PS2 is very different to that used for games on the original Playstation (PSone). The Processing and Graphical power of the two consoles are vastly different and as our reviews are graded against what we estimate is the achievable potential of each system, it does not mean in any way that a game scoring 80 percent on PS2 is worse than a Playstation (PSone) equivalent which scores 95. A more detailed breakdown of this guide can be read here. READERS REVIEWS: If you have owned 'Point Blank 3' long enough to have formed a solid opinion on it, then why not send us your own personalized Game Review using this form. Alternatively, if you would like to read what other gamers who already own this title think of it, click here.