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| | Title:
24: The Game
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System:
Playstation 2
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Genre:
Action
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Publisher:
2k Games
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Developer:
SCEE
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Release:
February 28, 2006
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Online:
No
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ESRB:
Mature (M)
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24 is without a doubt a groundbreaking television series. Love it, hate it, or fail to understand it, you have to admit that it’s one of the most original and intense shows on TV today. Following in the tradition of the show’s intensity and real-time effect, SCEE has developed 24 the game with remarkable similitude. Better yet, they even have cutting-edge writing for the game’s story and voice acting from the real life actors of the show.
24, Day 2.5 in progress
Fans of the show don’t have to worry about pinpointing events in the game to those of the show. Because the game will take place between season 2 and season 3. It’s not one of those games that try to replicate something we’ve already seen. Instead, the story follows through some of the events that occurred at the end of the second season and beginning of the third season. Some of which left us with some unanswered questions. Sort of like where Chase, Jack’s partner, originally came from, or who was behind Palmer’s second assassination attempt. I’m not going to give anything away here, so you’ll have to play the game to find out.
The game will also feature around 100 missions that will even out, when combined, to 24 hours. However, due to the constraints of fun, and playability, not everything that happens in the game will play out in the same real-time fashion of the show. I mean, let’s face it, who wants to spend 21 minutes on the freeway trying to get to a suspect’s house when they may not even be home? Instead the game is paced with certain elements being in real-time to keep the intensity high and the playability smooth. While some events that take place are sped up to the point where we get to the drama and action right away.
The game’s pace is also evened out by switching to certain characters that players will control during certain points of the game. While Jack is the main character, he’s not the only one you’ll be playing. Tony, Chase, Kim, and a new employee of CTU, Sean, will also be in your hands as you try to stop the terrorist threat.
Hours of visual perfection
The first thing I noticed, and I’m sure the first thing every gamer and fan of the show will notice, is the graphics. Kiefer, Dennis, and Carlos look exceptionally detailed with near real-life perfection; or as close as you’re going to get it on the PS2. The texture mapping is so clean and the polygon mapping is so smooth that you have to blink twice to make sure you’re actually looking at the game. Coupled with the fantastic directing and cinematography that are often used in the show, this game’s presentation is magnificent. The visual look and stylized camera work are amazing; the vehicles, though, don’t have the highest polygon count. However, the clarity and slight shake of the camera gives them a much more realistic look than many other games out there. The buildings, environments and reflective detail in windows and other mirrored surfaces are also stunning. This is the sort of PS2 game that Xbox owners will envy.
The animations are also motion-captured with startling realism for the PS2. Mirrored by the voice-talent and high-intensity of the story, and this game will suck you in just like the show. The only down-side to the graphics would have to be the non-main characters. Anyone who isn’t a someone looks a little like a backdrop character, with only enough detail to pass them off as competently modeled character.
Car chases and exploding streets
Besides the high-impact shoot-outs, great story-telling, and excellent visuals, gamers will also be treated to multiple gaming elements present within 24. As mentioned earlier, there will be vehicles present for you to use during certain segments of the game. These tasks will sometimes require you to trail a suspect, chase a fleeing foe, or escape from pursuing enemies. This is all done in a very neat, stylized fashion...very similar to the show.
But what’s a good car chase without a few exploding cars, fleeing pedestrians, and glass-shattering effects? The physics engine used in 24 will use what looks a bit like rag-doll physics for some objects and obstructions within the environment. That’s not to mention that the explosive effects look spectacular. The dynamic glows look good with lighting that transcends the vertex lighting system by leaps and bounds.
Gadgets and gizmos
In just about every season of 24 there’s a part where something has to be decrypted, unlocked, hacked into, or decoded. So keeping in that tradition, the developers have included a beefy amount of puzzles, electronic tricks, and other gadgets and gizmos that gamers will have to play around with in 24. These range from trying to gain access from PDA’s or simply hacking into a computer system. You can be sure to get a healthy dose of some mini-game puzzle elements here and there during the 24-hour campaign.
Luckily though, players will also get a healthy dose (if there is such a thing) of stealth related tasks, sniping, and interrogating, Jack Bauer style. The sniping isn’t anything new. However, it will be a good change of pace between the shooting and the driving. The shooting itself is similar to many newer third-person shooters, where you can lock-on to a target with an auto-targeting system. From there you can refine your shot to a specific area and take the shot (think 007 Everything or Nothing).
Ask before torturing
The interrogating tactic, which is also nothing new in today’s action genre, has been refined from the simple torture tactics, though. Instead they actually match more of the interrogating techniques featured in the show. A slider will be present that shows your method of interrogation and the suspect’s willingness to talk. The player will have to balance out their methods of syphoning information from the suspect by using different means of interrogation. I’m sure many fans can’t wait to hear Jack holler in the face of the suspect, with that classic question ...”Who do you work for?!”
Licensed or not...
Many games coming from respected licenses–whether comic books, novels, or movies–have failed considerably to bring competent content and respected gameplay to the table. From the looks of this game alone, 2K Games and SCEE seem to have made it a goal to make the game as true to the series as they could, without detracting from the fun factors. My only concern would be the replay value, and how well a game like this can fit that into its structure. Regardless, with the same script writer from the show, and voice acting from the top stars on the show, this game looks like it’s shaping up to be a smash hit. Just like its real-life counterpart. You can look for it to hit shelves on February 28, 2006 for the PS2.
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