| Introduction
I was a little surprised when Atari announced earlier
this year that it was going to produce a handheld version
of its best selling PlayStation 2 game, 'Stuntman',
for the GBA. We've seen quite a few ambitious 3D projects
hit the handheld market but while games of this genre
were simply given the overhead treatment in the GBC
days, the Advance audience desires a bit more polygons
for their money. Last year's 'V-Rally 3' proved that
3D graphics were achievable on the GBA, and with Atari
using the same 3D engine for 'Stuntman', it remains
to be seen if they've managed to tweak it enough for
an even better racing experience.
GamePlay
'Stuntman' is a mission-based driving game, which
means that in order to reach the coveted 'A-list' stunt
driver status, you'll have to fulfil many different
criteria. The game starts with a helpful tutorial mode
where an instructor will challenge you to demonstrate
your skills. The skills that you'll need to demonstrate
range from passing on the left, to hitting a wooden
crate. This will rapidly progress to more difficult
stuff such as speeding up a ramp and landing in a marked
area.
'Stuntman' is not all about simply finishing the
courses within the time limit. To succeed, you'll have
to master a whole host of different vehicles and learn
how to maneuver them in some rather inhospitable environments.
One task for example, challenges you to tail a car while
another involves you following a helicopter. Your results
are given as a percentage and you'll need more than
50% to progress initially. Success is calculated on
how many of the challenges you manage to complete and
the all important prize money you are awarded.
After completing the tutorial mode, you should be
qualified enough to apply for 'real' jobs. These are
presented as scenes from a variety of movies where the
director fills in the plot details and how he thinks
it will eventually look on screen. The scenes are a
lot more serious and unforgiving, the time limits tighter
and an almost perfect rating is required before you're
allowed to move on.
There are six movies in all, containing around three
stunt runs each. The excitement doesn't end there, however,
because once they're completed, you can enter the 'arena'
section either by yourself or as a multiplayer experience.
This area features a variety of mini games divided into
'ramps' and 'precision tests' and it's here that you
can use the cash acquired in the main game to purchase
an impressive selection of cars or other strange modes
of transport. You'll also need to buy your way into
the courses and the further you progress the more expensive
it becomes.
Control
The controls in 'Stuntman' are not easy as it should
be and new drivers would be advised to drop by the 'icon'
section to fully understand which buttons to press and
when to press them. Fortunately, before you're allowed
on the movie set, there are loads of tutorials to play
through with audio guidance on exactly what to do. There
are also 'precision tests' in the arena section which
is rather like an advanced driving test. This tests
allows you to practice both your jumping and overall
skill by putting you through a series of progressively
more difficult and occasionally ludicrous challenges.
You'll also notice that the various vehicles handle
very differently depending on the terrain and as this
shifts from sand to snow, you realize that mastering
one has absolutely no bearing on how you'll do in another.
Graphics
'Stuntman' is based on an advanced version of the
3D engine used in last year's 'V-Rally 3'. Although
it's not as immediately impressive as its predecessor,
it's still looks considerably better than the majority
of current GBA titles. One of the visual highlights,
for example, shows a train racing along side you in
an effort to beat you to a crossing. As for the stunt
areas, I must say that most of them have been designed
and implemented with a pleasing level of care and attention
to detail.
There are, however, some minor graphical glitches,
like the ability to 'ghost' through lorries. Also, some
of the other cars on the road occasionally appear to
be travelling sideways and in a less than road
worthy condition. This doesn't detracts from the overall
enjoyment of the game, however, as the graphics
and visuals in 'Stuntman' look really good on the GBA.
Sound & Music
This is possibly one of the weakest aspects in 'Stuntman'.
Everything from the music to the sound effects is distinctly
under whelming. The music only plays during the intro
and menu screens, however, and the rest of the game
is given over to the sound effects. These are minimalist
to say the least, consisting of engine whirring noises
accompanied by the odd explosion, bang or crash.
My main gripe with the sound is aimed particularly
at the movie scenes when the Director is shouting out
instructions to you. This should have been clearly audible,
instead what we get is poor quality samples that makes
it difficult to hear exactly what he's saying. This
is a huge oversight by the developers. It's not too
annoying but greater attention to the game's sound could
have improved the overall atmosphere that much more.
Final Comments
The main thing that the PlayStation 2 version and
the GBA version of 'Stuntman' share is the utter frustration
you feel when you don't manage to fulfill a stunt criteria,
either because you can't reach the required stunt percentage
or because you've simply run out of time. In short,
'Stuntman' in either versions is not easy, and because
you'll have to start the stunt all over again, don't
be surprised if you feel like throwing your GBA against
the wall after the 10th of 15th attempt.
On the plus side, 'Stuntman' certainly offers something
different to the usual GBA titles. Aside from the 3D
engine that has been put to use here with some stunning
results, it's also great value for money - the main
game alone will take you some time to complete and after
that, you can go on to the arena section which is incredibly
enjoyable especially in multiplayer mode. Overall though,
'Stuntman' stands as a good example of the 3D that's achievable
on the GBA, and for that reason alone, it warrants a
place on your 'want' list.
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