oorspronkelijk geplaats door: IGN
March 1, 2007 - Stuntman: Ignition was on show at THQ's recent press event, providing us with our first playable look. It's been nearly five years since the first Stuntman game and the IP has since made the leap to a new developer and publisher. THQ isn't looking to reinvent Stuntman entirely, but it is apparent that the company has listened, and listened well, to the criticisms leveled at the first game. The result is a game that has the same general feel of the original Stuntman but comes with a slightly more friendly style of gameplay.
Two films from the game were on show, Aftershock and Overdrive. Aftershock is a volcano themed level with lava hazards and explosions erupting from the ground at every turn. Overdrive has the aura of a classic '70s chase scene, requiring players to race through the streets of a city modeled after San Francisco in classic cars. Both featured their share of jumps, skids, and other directed stunts to keep the player on his or her toes.
Each film had three unique runs that had their own set car for you to use. For the career mode, you'll be required to use specific cars for each movie or commercial. For the multiplayer online mode or any courses you've created yourself using the editor you'll be able to choose whichever rides you've unlocked to use.
The directed stunts aren't the only way to get points in this new Stuntman. In fact, the entire point system has been reworked to be more forgiving and free. This go around, players are allowed five mistakes before the director calls a close to the action. Making a flawless run may just be as difficult as the last Stuntman, but you won't immediately be cut out of the action for a single fault. Instead, you'll just get a lower rating at the end and less of a bonus. Still, failure came often to us on our first few tries which only highlighted another new feature. Load screens between failed runs are nonexistent, removing one more element that adds to frustration levels.
The director's instructions aren't the only way to score points. In between the big stunts that the director has planned, you can also create your own to increase your score. Random cars that may be on the set are just another way to add to the scene. Swerve by one at close range and you'll find a bonus. String them together and you'll find your score reaching unheard of levels.
The graphics in Stuntman are looking good at this early stage. In keeping with the film motif, there is a ton going on both directly in front of you as you're driving as well as in the scene around you. Explosions, other cars crashing, scattering people, and bits of airborne environment never stop coming. We did notice a few minor clipping issues, particularly when big jumps were landed; a problem that will likely be cleared up long before release.
So far, Stuntman: Ignition is looking like a nice revision of the initial concept that is both an expansion of the original idea and a more friendly and inviting experience. If we were to draw any issue with what we saw, it would be with the similar feeling each car had. A greater differentiation in handling between a sports car and a 4x4 seems a bit necessary. Still, the game feels like it is on the right course, even if that course involves a few ramps and exploding cars.
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