PC Zone Magazine – August 2005 – Issue 157 – Battlefield 2

Original UK PC Zone gaming magazine from August 2005, Issue 157, featuring a major Battlefield 2 review, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, F.E.A.R., Peter Jackson's King Kong and extensive E3 2005 coverage.

An excellent piece of mid-2000s PC gaming history, published during an important period for online multiplayer gaming, first-person shooters, open-world adventures and increasingly ambitious PC graphics.

This issue features the distinctive Battlefield 2 front cover, with oversized red lettering, military imagery and a battlefield-inspired design.

The magazine contains a wide selection of contemporary game reviews, previews, industry news, hardware coverage and gaming commentary.

Please note: This listing is for the magazine only. Any original cover-mounted discs, promotional software, supplements or additional items are no longer included.

Magazine Information

• Magazine: PC Zone

• Issue: Number 157

• Publication Date: August 2005

• Publisher: Future Publishing

• Country: United Kingdom

• Language: English

• Original Cover Price: £5.99

• Category: PC Gaming / Video Games / Computing

• Format: Original printed magazine

• Condition: Pre-owned, with visible signs of age and handling

• SKU: 1572

Front Cover – Battlefield 2 Special

The cover is dominated by EA and DICE's military first-person shooter Battlefield 2, one of the most prominent PC multiplayer releases of 2005.

The magazine uses a distinctive military-inspired design, featuring a large armoured vehicle across the lower portion of the cover.

The background has a distressed, scratched appearance, with simulated bullet holes incorporated into the PC Zone masthead.

The title BATTLEFIELD 2 appears in enormous red and black lettering, with the oversized numeral 2 occupying much of the upper-right section.

The main headline announces:

"Combat evolved! Exclusive review of the greatest online shooter ever!"

This bold presentation captures the excitement surrounding Battlefield 2 and the growing popularity of large-scale online multiplayer combat during the mid-2000s.

The cover also advertises a major E3 2005 report, GTA: San Andreas and several highly anticipated PC games.

Featured Game – Battlefield 2

Battlefield 2 – Review, Page 70

The principal feature of this issue is PC Zone's review of Battlefield 2.

Developed by Digital Illusions CE (DICE) and published by Electronic Arts, Battlefield 2 introduced players to large-scale modern military battles involving infantry, tanks, aircraft and coordinated multiplayer teams.

The magazine's contents page describes the game as:

"The next stage in online combat is unveiled."

The review is accompanied by military gameplay imagery, including a fighter aircraft positioned on an airfield with a mountainous background.

Battlefield 2 was particularly notable for its emphasis on teamwork, squad-based combat, vehicles and large multiplayer environments.

This makes the issue especially interesting to collectors of the Battlefield franchise and early online PC gaming publications.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

GTA: San Andreas – Review, Page 76

Another major feature is the PC version of Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

The front cover advertises:

"Busted! The verdict on Rockstar's crime spree!"

The contents page confirms a dedicated review of the PC release.

Originally released on consoles before arriving on PC in 2005, San Andreas became one of the defining open-world games of its generation.

The game follows Carl "CJ" Johnson through the fictional state of San Andreas, incorporating urban environments, countryside, vehicle customisation, missions and an expansive soundtrack.

The magazine includes a prominent illustrated GTA: San Andreas character on its contents page.

This issue is particularly relevant to collectors of original Grand Theft Auto magazine reviews and Rockstar Games memorabilia.

Exclusive E3 2005 Report

The front cover prominently advertises an Exclusive E3 2005 Report, featuring games that were attracting attention during the industry's annual Electronic Entertainment Expo.

The issue provides a valuable snapshot of what PC gamers were anticipating in 2005.

Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood – Page 36

A preview of the World War II tactical shooter developed by Gearbox Software.

The contents page describes it as a follow-up to the original Brothers in Arms game.

Hellgate: London – Page 40

A preview of the action role-playing game from Flagship Studios.

An interesting early look at a title that would later become known for its combination of science-fiction, fantasy and action gameplay.

F.E.A.R. – Page 42

A preview of the supernatural first-person shooter from Monolith Productions.

The contents page features a screenshot of an armed character in dark tactical equipment.

F.E.A.R. was particularly notable for its atmospheric environments, advanced enemy AI and cinematic action sequences.

Call of Cthulhu – Page 44

A preview of the horror game inspired by the fiction of H. P. Lovecraft.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Page 46

One of the most interesting previews in this issue.

The magazine features Bethesda's forthcoming fantasy role-playing game, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

The contents page includes a screenshot showing a fantasy combat encounter with creatures in a dungeon-like environment.

This preview dates from before Oblivion's eventual release in 2006, making it a useful contemporary record of the game's development and early promotion.

X3: Reunion – Page 48

A preview of the space simulation game from Egosoft.

Company of Heroes – Page 50

An early preview of Relic Entertainment's World War II real-time strategy game.

Black & White 2 – Page 52

Coverage of Lionhead Studios' god-game sequel.

Codename: Panzers II – Page 54

A preview of the military strategy title.

Fable – Page 56

Coverage of the fantasy action role-playing game.

Prey – Page 58

An early look at the science-fiction first-person shooter.

Operation Flashpoint 2 – Page 60

A preview of the planned military simulation sequel.

Ghost Recon 3 – Page 62

Coverage of the next instalment in the tactical shooter series.

Just Cause – Page 63

An early look at Avalanche Studios' open-world action game.

Rise of Legends – Page 64

Coverage of the fantasy and science-fiction real-time strategy title.

Additional Game Reviews

The contents page lists a substantial selection of reviews.

These include:

• Dungeon Lords – Page 80: Fantasy role-playing adventure.

• Boiling Point: Road to Hell – Page 82: Open-world first-person action.

• The Bard's Tale – Page 84: Fantasy role-playing game.

• Singles 2: Triple Trouble – Page 86: Life simulation game.

• The Settlers: Heritage of Kings – Page 87: Strategy and settlement management.

• Area 51 – Page 88: Science-fiction first-person shooter.

• The Day After: Fight for the Promised Land – Page 90: Strategy gaming.

• SCAR: Squadra Corse Alfa Romeo – Page 90: Racing game.

• Cross Racing Championship 2005 – Page 91: Motorsport simulation.

• Rising Kingdoms – Page 91: Fantasy real-time strategy.

• Indie Zone – Page 92: Independent gaming coverage.

• Replay – Page 94: Retrospective gaming content.

This broad selection makes the magazine a useful reference for enthusiasts interested in how PC games were reviewed and received during 2005.

Other Editorial Features

King Kong – Page 10

The opening news section includes coverage of Peter Jackson's King Kong.

The contents page shows a large illustrated scene featuring prehistoric creatures and a jungle environment.

The cover also prominently advertises Peter Jackson's King Kong among the issue's major attractions.

Spore – Page 12

Early coverage of Will Wright's ambitious life-simulation project.

The magazine discusses Spore during its pre-release development period.

Games That Changed the World – Page 140

A substantial retrospective feature examining influential games.

The contents page describes it as a look at major gaming milestones.

California Dreaming – Page 32

A feature discussing PC gaming and the American games industry, with reference to the E3 event.

Additional Regular Sections

The magazine also includes:

• Online gaming news and multiplayer coverage.

• Reader letters and community discussion.

• PC gaming hardware news.

• Hardware reviews and buying advice.

• Technology features.

• PC Zone's regular humour and commentary.

• The A-List recommendations.

• Industry-related features.

These sections help make the issue a comprehensive record of the PC gaming scene in August 2005.

Online Gaming Coverage

A particularly interesting aspect of this issue is its extensive coverage of online gaming.

The contents page lists features concerning:

Quake Wars – Page 16

Early coverage of Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, illustrated with a futuristic soldier wearing a helmet and tactical equipment.

PSO Blue Burst – Page 80

An online gaming feature concerning Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst.

The accompanying screenshot depicts a colourful science-fiction fantasy battle with a large creature.

Other online gaming topics include multiplayer developments, community news, online role-playing games and gaming events.

This content reflects the rapid expansion of broadband gaming and persistent online communities during the mid-2000s.

Original Back Cover Advertisement

The back cover features a full-colour advertisement for Codename: Panzers Phase Two.

The design combines a large blue technical blueprint-style illustration of a military tank with several smaller screenshots of World War II combat scenes.

The advertisement uses a mixture of white, blue and yellow colours, together with military engineering imagery.

Its slogan reads:

"We covered the details – you'll go give 'em hell."

The original publisher and game branding remain visible.

This advertisement is an interesting example of 2005 PC gaming marketing and adds further appeal for collectors of vintage video game advertising.

Condition Report – Please Read

Condition: Pre-owned magazine showing visible signs of age, use and storage.

The magazine is not new or mint.

Front Cover

The front cover remains present and displays the Battlefield 2 artwork clearly.

Visible condition details include:

• General surface rubbing and scuffing.

• Small scratches and handling marks.

• Light creasing and pressure marks.

• Wear along the top and bottom edges.

• Corner wear, particularly around the lower-right corner.

• Slight bending and wear around the outer edges.

• Minor discolouration and marks on the lighter printed areas.

• Some wear along the spine.

The distressed marks and simulated bullet holes incorporated into the cover artwork are part of the original printed design rather than physical damage.

The main artwork, headlines and issue details remain clearly legible.

Spine and Binding

The spine remains present.

The side-view photograph shows a narrow magazine spine with some rubbing and edge wear.

There are signs of handling around the spine ends and the corners.

The photographed pages remain attached, although the entire binding has not been checked page by page.

Interior Pages

The contents pages are shown open and appear generally clean and readable.

Visible observations include:

• Minor page curvature.

• Light handling marks.

• Slight edge wear.

• Some light surface marks and age-related wear.

• No obvious major tears in the photographed interior pages.

The pages retain their original colour printing and gaming illustrations.

Back Cover

The Codename: Panzers advertisement remains present.

The back cover shows some light rubbing, scuffing and handling wear.

There is minor wear around the corners and edges.

The advertisement remains clearly visible.

Overall Condition

A collectable original PC gaming magazine with signs of previous ownership and storage.

The cover and photographed interior pages remain visually presentable, although cosmetic imperfections are visible.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

The magazine has not been checked individually from cover to cover, so complete page-by-page contents cannot be guaranteed.

Important – Original Extras Not Included

MAGAZINE ONLY – NO ORIGINAL COVER-MOUNTED EXTRAS INCLUDED.

Any original CDs, DVDs, demo discs, software, promotional supplements, free gifts, vouchers or other detachable items that may originally have accompanied this issue are no longer included.

The sale is for the original printed magazine shown in the photographs only.

No digital games, game activation codes or software licences are included.

Packaging and Postage

UK Orders

The magazine will be carefully packaged and posted in a protective hardback envelope to help reduce the risk of bending or damage during transit.

International Orders

International orders will be packaged in a sturdy cardboard mailing-size box for additional protection during shipping.

The photographs show the actual magazine being offered for sale.

Please review all photographs and the condition information before purchasing.

SKU: 1572