"Xena Playstation: Code & Strategy Cheats"
  02/01/2000

As a Playstation novice and Xena fan, I was a bit nervous tackling the new Xena Playstation game. There was no way I was going to finally get the chance to play one of my heroes and get my butt kicked. To my relief, I was  delighted to find a game which should challenge advanced players and novices alike. 

The creators were smart to include a training area for us novices so we can perfect our skills before facing the baddies. This was a pleasant contrast to Resident Evil II where I found myself being cannibalized by the zombies before I had the opportunity to figure out all my fighting moves. The training area is a stadium where you can practice your jumping, kicking, and most importantly, chakram throwing. 

I spent several enjoyable hours hurling my chakram across the stadium and breaking all the crockery. R1 plus X allows you to throw the chakram. You can guide the chakram mid-flight by holding the R1 button and using the D-Pad (directional arrows) to guide its path. When it reaches the target, you will feel the thrilling vibration of the hit. All this practice was useful. When it came time to play the game, I was prepared. 

I was able to take out several of the baddies before I bought it. And then I discovered a wonderful code cheat that made me invincible to my enemies. This code cheat is a life saver for us novices who don’t want to start from the beginning of each adventure (there are 21 in all). And it’s a major boredom saver. At the opening menu, program the following code for invincibility: Up, Up, Up, Circle, Square, Up, Right, Left. If you programmed it correctly, you will hear a sound. This will allow you to take unlimited blows from your enemies and still survive. However, you won’t be protected if your enemies push you off a cliff or if you accidentally fall. 

Also, you can select any of the 21 levels instead of the automatically programmed first level. Make sure you have a Playstation memory card. From the main menu select LOAD GAME, Triangle, Square, Circle, Triangle, Square, Up, Up, Up. This will allow you to choose such adventures as Renegade Amazon Village where you fight alongside your sidekick Gabrielle against some misguided Amazons, the Lost Temple of the Titans or you can save several village hostages at Trouble in Oebalus.

I have been charging through the various adventures over the last few weeks and have not tired of the game. My only beef is that the game does not allow you to save your progress mid-play. You need to successfully complete the level before you are given the option to save; otherwise, it’s back to the beginning of the level.

There are some positive strategy aspects of the game. You can accumulate good karma points for not taking lives unnecessarily. You can sneak up on your enemies and bash them with your sword to knock them unconscious. When you have been sufficiently merciful, you will fill up your karma meter and radiate a soft glow. During this time, your attacks are double strength.

The game incorporates most of Xena’s signature moves. I was amazed at how many they actually included. Here are some of the codes:

• X makes Xena slash with her sword

• Square makes Xena kick

• Triangle makes Xena jump

• Continually pressing the X plus Square allow Xena to do a 360 degree spinning attack.

• X plus Circle allow her to deliver a groin kick

• L1 plus Triangle allows Xena to do a front flip.

Another cool move:

Press and hold the circle and single tap the directional pad to do a cartwheel.

I found doing a combination of X then Square allowed me to take out the baddies quickly.

I highly recommend the game and enjoyed the various graphical environments they created. However, it’s sometimes easy to get lost and not know what’s ahead. Here’s a quick solution: Throw your chakram in various directions to scout the terrain. It will give you a preview of what lies ahead. I also recommend the strategy book by Prima. Happy gaming! Yiyiyiyiyi!!

  - by Ariel Penn