Vigilante 8: 2nd Offense

"Vigilante 8: Second Offense vs Vigilante 8 - is this new improved version worth a buy?"

This review is for Vigilante 8: Second Offense for N64. The predecessor is Vigilante 8 also for N64. Most part of the review will make comparison with its predecessor. Here is the review:

Graphics 8/10 with expansion pak, 7/10 w/o expansion pak: Very well done. Background and Car are drawn in detail. Noticeable difference from its predecessor even though they are (i think) using the same overall engine. I recommend turning on High Res mode if possible because it does make explosions and background much crispier without impairing the game's smoothness. Much less pop-ups comparing to V8, in the last V8 the 4-player mode is almost unplayable.

Gameplay 8.5/10: Excellent! One new weapon is added and for each weapon there is now one more special move. More structures to destroy and police car chase for some of the missions. The added hover pad allows flying and traveling on water surface. The flying is also smooth, but in the N64 version you can't fly back up again once you cancel and resume back to the ground unless you get another fresh hover pad. You can even launch a rocket in NASA space center and do many more crazy things that you couldn't do in V8 =)

Sound 6/10: The music is again from the 60/70's, kind of neat. Sound effect is exactly the same as V8, not much improvement there.

Control 8/10: I think they improved the physics of things. For example in V8 if you're hit by a cow puncher and was smashed into the wall, sometimes you get funny landing and fly into the sky again. But in this episode the driving and physics associated are more real and enjoyable.

Overall 8/10 (not an average): A very good solid car combat game that has high replay value. If you loved V8, V8 2nd offense will keep you happy for a while. Most of the things are inherited from V8 but the added features are definitely worth a try in this beautifully polished version.

Buy or Rent: For those of you that loved the first episode, you might want to consider buying it, for others rent it first and try to see if you like it. Since the N64 version does not have the ''opening up old levels'' feature, I'd say you should keep your old V8 cart and at least play thru 2nd offense for a while before consider selling it.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 10/13/01, Updated 10/13/01