| Introduction
Smuggler's Run was one of the original launch titles
on the Playstation 2. Although not the greatest title
to grace the format, its quirky mix of 'off-course'
driving and general disregard for law enforcement gained
it something of a cult following and more recently,
a sequel on all the latest home consoles. Here though
is the GBA version of the game and it'll be interesting
to see how well the developers have managed the port
from powerful home console to the less endowed portable.
GamePlay
Your basic task in Smuggler's Run is to deliver contraband
across various borders while avoiding cops, border patrols
and most importantly, other smugglers. This generally
entails driving at speed through various checkpoints
determined by colored flares and indicated by your on-board
compass.
The task changes slightly from mission to mission
so although sometimes you'll simply have to deliver
your contraband within the allotted time, at others
you may have to go head to head with a rival smuggler
who'll occasionally steal your goods. When this happens
you have to pursue the culprit, who's always easy to
spot thanks to the huge arrow above them, and recover
your booty. The police will also occasionally chase
you although they generally pose little threat because
they're so slow and incredibly unintelligent.
The other gaming option available is Turf War, which
is basically your quick fix mini-game. Taking its central
theme from the main game, the object here is to collect
the contraband and deliver it to your collection point
before your opponents do. This is not too difficult
initially but gradually gets harder as the other smugglers
become more determined to steal your goods. When I say
'opponents' I'm referring to computer controlled ones.
Unfortunately, there's no multi-player support which
would have added greatly to the overall gameplay value.
Most developers I talk to cite a mixture of time and
financial constraints in determining the features that
end up in the final product but given the amount of
money we pay for these games, an omission like this
is a real oversight.
Finally, everything is password saved and the game
only records level progression rather than your actual
score, which keeps things reasonably simple.
Controls
The control system really is as basic as 'accelerate'
and 'brake' whilst steering around the varied terrain.
It's all very responsive though and your vehicle does
have an incredible feeling of weight as it slides over
ice or bounces over hills. It's here where a degree
of strategy has to be employed so spending some time
with your vehicle and getting to know its turning circle
and just where it lands after a hand brake turn is essential.
Graphics
Visually Smuggler's Run is a real mixed bag and while
you can't help but admire what has been attempted it
really doesn't quite come together in the final product.
This is mainly due to the 3D terrain engine, which has
an incredibly short draw distance on the GBA and tends
to compromise the illusion of both speed and impending
danger.
The various vehicles, however, which are also created
with polygons, look wonderful and handle realistically
as they bounce and skid around the various environments.
It was always going to be an ambitious undertaking and,
as gamers will no longer accept the 'top down' view
offered by the GBC, developers will continue to push
the GBA's hardware with mixed graphical results.
Sound & Music
The audio department is split into two very separate
sections and, while the vehicle sounds are the least
you'd expect from any handheld racing title, the speech
samples are very high quality. This is courtesy of your
female radio operator who not only keeps an eye on things
but also adds her own unique style of comments that
really wouldn't be out of place in the next Austin Powers
movie. Instructions such as 'you're running out of time'
can sometimes be very helpful but level completion audio
along the lines of 'not bad, baby' had us laughing out
aloud. As I said before though, good quality.
Final Comments
With less than thirty levels and only one additional
mini-game you'll find your time with Smuggler's Run
very short indeed. This is bad enough but it's not much
fun to play either as the constant driving from one
checkpoint to another, whilst avoiding the completely
stupid police, is perhaps some of the most tedious gaming
I've ever encountered. There are some redeeming factors
and the technology employed to bring this title to the
humble GBA is impressive but it simply doesn't deliver
the excitement of the console original. There are lots
of much better racers on the GBA including some mission
based titles like the recent 'Driver 2' which lets you
immerse yourself in the world of illegal driving. So
consider this only if you're a Smuggler's Run addict.
Everyone else should steer clear.
|
Hardware
Reviews 
Game
Title
