'Portal' to 'Extreme' Thrills for Everyone

By AARON CURTISS

Oct. 4, 2001 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

Despite its many strengths, Sony’s PlayStation 2 hosts relatively few titles parents can feel good about letting their kids play. Sure, there are a gaggle of games aimed at general audiences, but the majority of those are schlocky and not much fun.

The best games in PS2’s first year have catered to older players--you know, the ones with money of their own to burn. But as the machine becomes more mainstream, developers are forced to focus on titles that appeal to the whole family.

Two of the best are 3DO’s “Portal Runner” and Acclaim’s “Extreme G3,” both of which offer imaginative play wrapped in tight technical packages. Although appropriate for children to play solo, neither game is strictly for kiddies.

‘Portal Runner’

3DO has never been shy about milking its “Army Men” franchise. Many of these offshoots have been unsavory curds, but “Portal Runner” is nothing but cream.

A third-person action-adventure, “Portal Runner” follows the exploits of star reporter Vikki G. as she battles the narcissistic Brigitte Blue. Brigitte, already banished from the Army Men World to a toy store, has her eyes on Vikki’s beau, Sarge, and knocks the green-haired scribe into a portal that connects to a series of ever more imaginative worlds.

Vikki explores realms that sparkle with colorful characters, from evil gingerbread men to lumbering rock creatures. The levels--which range from a medieval castle to a prehistoric dinosaur land--have an almost Nintendo-like quality to them: bright, complex and full of nooks and crannies hiding secrets and power-ups.

Vikki is easy to control, and the default camera angles--so tricky in a third-person game--work most of the time. The only challenge lies in making effective use of Vikki’s bow and arrow. She can run and shoot at the same time, but some targets require a first-person “sniper-style” view that plants Vikki’s feet. This makes her an easy target for bad guys.

Although players spend much of their time as Vikki, she picks up a sidekick early on who quickly becomes an integral part of the game. Leo the Lion guards the portals through which Vikki passes on her way to confront Brigitte. He boasts his own set of strengths.

Pure physical power and unbridled animal rage top the list.

As in games such as “Donkey Kong Country,” players learn to use Vikki and Leo together at various points. Sometimes Vikki rides Leo for extra speed. Sometimes players control Leo alone. And sometimes the two can fight enemies separately, with Leo’s artificial intelligence actually doing some good.

In other words, he’s not the usual video game sidekick who just gets in the way and does more harm than good. Although Vikki and Leo fight enemies, there is no gore or explicit violence. Bad guys just sort of disappear when hit. It’s not even as graphic as other titles in the tame “Army Men” series.

Despite its plot of renegade toys and psychotic gingerbread men, “Portal Runner” appeals to more than just kids. Its adventure and play are compelling enough for adults looking for a little light entertainment.

‘Extreme G3’

Games such as “Extreme G3” can make even the biggest nerd feel at least a little cool. And it can make even the littlest kid feel a little grown up.

The moody techno music and brooding cityscapes of “Extreme G3” create a slick atmosphere more welcoming than it looks. As in all the titles in the “Extreme G Racing” series, players ride high-tech, gravity-defying motorcycles along tracks that twist and turn like concrete corkscrews. This game is warp-speed fast. The bikes scoot along at a good clip, but players can boost them into the realm of blinding speed with well-timed shots of turbo. As players win races, the cash they earn can buy upgraded weapons and components to trick out their bikes.

But it’s the 10 tracks that shine in “Extreme G3.” Cooler than anything in “Wipeout,” the tracks put players through a virtual spin cycle and traverse beautifully rendered environments that snap into place with almost no fill delays.

Like “Portal Runner,” “Extreme G3” delivers grown-up thrills in a game suitable for almost any age. It’s this sort of broad appeal that will be necessary in the coming months if video game makers want their wares to become truly mainstream entertainment.

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The Skinny “Portal Runner”

* Genre: Action-adventure

* Platform: Sony PlayStation 2

* Price: $50

* Publisher: 3DO

* ESRB* rating: Everyone

* The good: Great story

* The bad: Very

little

* Bottom line: Sweet for all ages

“Extreme G3”