Star Wars Bounty Hunter

"A worthy entry for a Bounty Hunter, Star Wars game."

Opening Comments:
After many years of wanting to see a game and TV series made about bounty hunters in the Star Wars' universe, one of these desires has finally been satisfied. Not in the form of a TV series, but a game. That game being ''Star Wars: Bounty Hunter''.

Story: 9/10
This is where ''Bounty Hunter'' really pulls itself together. If this had of failed, I think so would have the game (in my eyes).

The story here is something worthy of being watched simply by itself. In other words, it could stand alone as a mini movie (or more if desired). From the great voice acting and in no way ''cheesy'' script, ''Bounty Hunter'' has no miss-steps and this only enhances the overall gameplay experience. Not only this, but the placement of these cutscenes (be it in-game or prerendered) are found at the very right moments. Never did I feel that they came up too quick in the game, or lasted too long.
It seems to me a great deal of effort went into this part of the game and ultimately keeps you fueled in wanting to finish level after level (personally I took the game at an ''episode'' per day kind of way, which only a few other games are this good, or setup to be, to consider doing. ie. ''Disgaea'').

Graphics: 6/10
''Bounty Hunter'' does a wonderful job at recreating the Star Wars universe. From things seen in the film, to things you might see in the comics.
The execution put behind actually creating the levels from concept are some of the best I've seen, as the concept art seems to have been - for the most part - conveyed perfectly into the final 3D works.

Although, the low polygons found throughout the levels, as well as pretty simple looking textures, hamper the overall ''visuals''. If these were only average in terms of today's standards, I would have given ''graphics'' a 9/10.

Sound: 7/10
Pretty much everything you've heard in Star Wars is heard here. From robots to monsters, lasers to explosions; everything seems as it should be.
The music is another thing fitting to be in a Star Wars game. It keeps intense moments intense and quiet moments quiet. All coming about in their right times during gameplay.

Gameplay: 7/10
''Bounty Hunter'', (in it's concept) is a descent action adventure title, with very wonderful level design. However (in execution), lack of use for much of the weapons given to you, as well as myriads of glitches (which just keep piling on from what I've seen others play of it), pulls this area way down. In fact, I would have given this an even worse score if I wasn't fortunate of finding less than most and not succumbing to it's effects.
The few things I've encountered are: Falling through floors (which was the worst I came up against - but only happened in one area). Messing up your controls, as in making other buttons or joystick movements change what they are suppose to do (which I tried testing after seeing a lot of glitches - this is quite easy to do, especially for button mashing people. Simply do too many things at once; such as aiming, moving, crouching, switching weapons). And not per se a glitch, but bad collision detection - the ricocheting or distorting of a bullet's direction, which have an obvious clear path to the target.
Other glitches that others I know have come across are: Getting stuck in mid air in a somewhat crowded area (another collision problem, I assume). Simply do nothing and have your (in-game) cutscene freeze up.

Mind you, these glitches seem to rarely repeat themselves, but the severity of some can lead to frustration beyond the players control. Like the falling off the map or freezing may require to completely restart a level (which get longer as you go along), if you are in no way able to kill yourself and have enough continues to go on.

And finally about the items at your disposal... You mainly need what you were originally given.
Your blaster may be puny looking compared to other upgrades, but the possibility that's given for it's fire rate (if you can hit the button quick enough) is able to kill even the hardest enemies in 3 seconds or under (not counting bosses). And if range is a concern, and you think about whipping out your old sniper rifle, there's really no need; as the ''ID Scanner'' that's given to you by default (which you can actually see more and distinct with) can align your sights up perfectly. After which you simply switch to your guns and fire away.
All other weapons do not have the range or quickness that's associated with your pistols either. Ultimately making the times I've used the other weapons but a few (if at all).

I might should also address the camera issue most have a problem with - This, to me, is no more worse than a lot of games I've played. Like I mentioned about the controls, if you're one that just flails about and does not act on insight or reasoning, then some bad things could happen.

While I'm at it, I can also talk about the difficulty. Although you can not change it, I never had a problem with it. I finished every level without completely restarting and only about half way through started having to use continues. Those used to the old days of gaming should have no problem in playing this. One good thing, though, is I always got a satisfaction out of beating a level, so it's definitely not too easy. But with patience (or some good run and gun action) the game should be beaten leisurely.

Closing Comments:
Fans of Star Wars should definitely give this game a try (and at it's current price, just buy it more and likely). Fans of Star Wars and Boba/Jango Fett (hey, they're basically the same) have absolutely no reason to miss this. But those who do not like action adventure games in general should probably stay away (even if you're a fan of Star Wars). What ever ''peeves'' you might have with this genre (although I don't know many who hate action/adventure titles, as they seem the most in between of everything, and driven by the franchise or idea put into it) will only make you find fault with it.

I feel the game (for what's made by people in the industry) does a really good job at presenting an interactive adventure with the most famous bounty hunter in the Star War's universe (or second... if you count Boba) as its star.
Although it might not have been intended to be this way, this Action/Adventure game's best feature is actually its story (A rarity from what I've seen of the genre). And I look forward to any more installments, based on Jango, Boba, or any darn bounty hunter in the Star Wars saga.

Oh, and I'm still waiting for someone to make a Star Wars TV show... preferably about bounty hunters.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 05/01/04