Stuntman

"What a thrill ride..but for some there is one flaw"

This review is after I've beaten the game fully, and 100% on everything, so no Bull**** here. Everything including Career, and all of the Driving Games.(Oh, and ill say it right off the bat, there is no Free Mode)

Features-
36 vehicles
Stunt Career-6 movies with 3 to 5 stunts a movie
Driving Games-Precision tests (weaving in in out of cones) Speed Tests (Timed laps around the sets that you have unlocked) and Stunt Test (collecting tokens on a pre made stunt track)
Stunt Arena- Build your own Stunt course with the various objects you have unlocked.
Behind the scene interviews, videos etc.

Graphics- The graphics were WAY under rated in the most of the reviews I have read so far. Yes things sometimes tend to get choppy, and maybe even jagged around the edges, but you have to look at the WHOLE picture. First of all, most of the objects have shadow casting. If you hit a barrel the shadow is drawn to fit what the real shadow would portray...then take 10 barrels...then 10 barrels and a car you just smashed in the air..etc...it could go on and on adding up to a lot of things the game needs to process. Another thing, is that during the game, you feel like you in a living breathing world which greatens the feeling that you are not only controlling the vehicle and how the movie plays out,but that you are actually IN it! Pedestrians walking about, traffic, busting various objects, explosions..it all adds up to one great experience! So with a minor hiccup in graphics occasionally i give it 9/10

Sound- I have a mixed feeling about the sound. First off the music in the game does seem catchy at first..but then it becomes too repetitive. And although the director can get annoying, he has a clear enough voice so that you can hear what you next objective is. As for the rest of the sound, I think it is pretty close to being dead on. The sounds on the cars are all different, especially the Monster Truck! And, all of the explosions and things taking place on scene sound well. Even though it can get quite annoying at some point, it has its highs so i give it 7/10

Controls- If you are used to Driver's controls, then you should have no complaints. But, I think this has out-done Drivers controls greatly. This is mainly due to the fact, that there are so many different cars, and each of them have their own physics. Believe me, you can tell the difference between a Monster Truck, and a Sports Car..and even better you can tell the difference between like vehicles. I think the controls are spot on, and give you the precision that you need to overcome the obstacles of Stunt man. I give this 10/10

Gameplay- This is where the game really shines, yet faults is one category. The gameplay, as you know has you working from low-budget films, up to the higher ones such as a ''rip- off'' of a new bond film. You the Stunt man must follow what the Director tells you to, as he fires off one stunt at a time. The difficulty is high throughout the whole game, but once you've made it to the later levels and re try the older ones, you will realize how much the difficulty really jumped, finding the earlier movies a lot easier. This really shows how much better your gaming skills got, which is a good feeling that most games cant re-produce. And yes, the game can get difficult at some points, but that is what makes you keep coming back for more and its a complete adrenaline rush!. And the reason that you keep coming back for more is my only complaint with the gameplay. I beat the game in 3 days, with 100% on everything. And once yesterday in about 3 hours. I did this due to the fact that I couldn't pry myself away from the game, telling myself I will do this stunt only 1 more time. Then, that one time turns into 10 times..and then before you know it, I've passed 2 hrs! I call what this game is, is ''Stunt- Crack'' because it is THAT addictive. (And for all of you people that think weird..I'm not a crack head or a drug addict... I'm 14!!) So even though it is a little on the short side, and can be completed in a rental..theres more to it then just the Career mode, and the Driving games....there the Stunt Arena. The stunt arena, is what will have you wanting this game more then just a rental. As you progress through career, you unlock more ramps, things to smash, and special items..and up to 36 different vehicles!! And even though after a while the tools you have seem to be boring, you suddenly get an thought of a new crazy idea, or stunt. So even though it can be on the short side, if you have a good imagination, the Stunt arena will have you crawling back for more..I give gameplay a 9/10

OVERALL, I GIVE IT A 9/10. (Not an average)

Rent or Buy- I would say rent it first, and see how you like it. It can be rather short, due to its addictive-ness. And if you don't have a great imagination the Stunt Arena wouldn't have much of a lasting effect on you. I personally am glad I have bought this game because even though it is short the Stunt Arena due to my imaginativeness and crazy mind, will keep me crawling back for more!!

Note: I truly say that even though this is MY review, and MY opinion that this is the best review for this game. I've given a fair view at all of the perspectives of this game and I would not try and mislead anyone when dealing with large sums of money (Hey I'm 14 money doesn't come easy!..ha ha)

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/29/02, Updated 06/29/02