Corvallis Gazette-Times from Corvallis, Oregon • 51

Friday. March 9 16, 2001, Corvallis Gazette-Tfrries and Albany Demooratterald Mind rove r' is ultimate robot race Mill fa The Dallas Morning News "OX I'liiiiiiif i yf ih ft Mi iiriiyliiiiit ipr i Motto 'Bene! Italian-Style Espresso All-Natural Flavors! 219 SW2nd 754-0181 Live Music Fri. Sat Eves. mm earning kudos gets too hard too quickly. Because of that, the average player will never see most of the game's 40 sports cars.

Playing Metropolis Street Racer feels more like taking a driving test than a joy ride. Superb graphics and tight control are not enough to compensate for the frustration of being unable to advance to the next level. For skilled drivers only. Rated for all ages. Jim Buu CLOSE COMBAT: INVASION NORMANDY Maker: Atomic GamesSSI Rating: 12 System: PC CD-ROM System requirements: Windows 9598, Pentium 200 MHz, 32MB RAM, 4MB video card, 4X CD-ROM drive, 250 MB hard drive space Suggested price: $39.99 Number of players: Up to 2 via Internet The Normandy invasion was one of the most decisive campaigns of World War II.

Atomic Games and SSI have now attempted to re-create this battle in Close Combat. They succeeded but sacrificed simplicity in the process. As commander of either the American or German forces, you'll lead your troops on dozens of missions. Although falling in the real-time strategy genre, the game distinguishes itself in several ways. You have no construction capability you make do with your starting units.

The chief goal is not to wipe out the enemy but to occupy special victory locations while maintaining morale among your troops. Normandy's learning curve is steep. There are countless statistics for everything from the relative cover of a tree to a particular soldier's intelligence. Your forces have minds of their own and sometimes won't obey commands. The game also moves slower than most strategy games.

Graphics, while not very animated, are well done and accurately depict a war-torn landscape. There's little sound, and the controls are more difficult to use than in other strategy games. If you're patient and love strategy, this game is ideal. Otherwise, think twice before buying. Rated for all ages.

Micah Jones March 9th MINDROVER: THE EUROPA PROJECT Maker: CogniToy Rating: 'i System: PC CD-ROM System requirements: 200 MHz Pentium, 32MB RAM, 4X CD-ROM, 3-D video card, 70MB hard drive space Suggested price: $29.95 Number of players: 1 Several scientists doing research at Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, want to add spice to their uneventful lives, so they've decided to construct robot vehicles for competition. Your job is to build and program the ultimate robot for these events, which include everything from drag races to hockey to all-out battles. In each event, you get to choose from nine vehicle chassis three different types with three weight classes for each. Next, youll outfit your vehicle with components such as thrusters, engines, sensors, communication devices and weapons. Finally, because you don't directly control your vehicle in the game, youll need to program your robot.

The graphic programming interface is where MindRover truly shines. There are enough commands to make your robot do just about anything, and the interface is remarkably simple. If you need help, the game offers multiple tutorials and a help box for every component and command. Within the actual game, the graphics and sound are little more than adequate, but they do their job. Overall, MindRover is a fantastic niche game.

Rated for all ages. Micah Jones METROPOLIS STREET RACING Maker: Bizarre Creations Rating: System: Sega Dreamcast Suggested price: $39.99 Number of players: Up to 2 Racing cars on public streets is illegal, dangerous and the theme of Sega's Metropolis Street Racing. It is an interesting game that could use a variable difficulty setting. The game is unique in the crowded field of racing games. To win races, you need more than the best time you need to garner kudos, or points, for skill, style and precision.

But What Your Mama Warned You About 1 International Touring Artists March 15th Free Jazz with Neil and The All Stars 1 i March 16th Acoustic Showcase A Variety of Local Talent 7:00 LUNCH SPECIAL 12 Sandwich ffcCOQ Salad or Gumbo Soda Mon-Fri 11am-2pm only 225 SW 4th Downtown Corvallis Open Mon-Sat 754-FOOD Pizza And Good Times For All! Traditional Northwest Style Pizza, Great Burgers Awesome Salads plus Ales, Wines Spirits! All in our Unique Setting in the Old Gazette-Times Building Take Out and Delivery available. Visit The PRESS ROOM Downstairs 4 pm on Pool Tbies ill r4if.iu! ttn I till Home of the BEAVERS SPORTS TALK Tues. 6 pm.