Mini Reviews (Inside, The Getaway)

[Vasco]

For those of you who would like to rent games, i will encourage you to start writing a "mini-review". These are just some quick-opinions on the game, instead of a full-fledged review.

My mini-review on "The Getaway"

Okay, as i popped the disc into my PS2, i was wondering what kind of a game i could expect from this. Would it be like Vice City? Worse, or even better? I had to learn the controls quickly, as the game jumped straight into it. I watched the first cut-scene of the game, and noticed that the cars were licensed, and this did look a lot more realistic. Indicators included, I was thinking that M5Power might like this game . I made it to the factory, still learning the controls i tried to go all out, and died. I then learned the realistcness of the game. It was all a bit too confusing though, as I had no clue where to go, and the character did go very slow on stairs. Finally i made it up thinking that this is the end of the mission. It was, but immidiately began another mission. I was very annoyed at this because i wanted to do a bit of roaming without the pressure of not being on a mission. I played a bit more, just couldn't manage the controls, and ended up returning the game the next day, quite disappointed in fact.

More realistic than Vice City, but in my opinion, certainly not better.

Nothing better than average, but again that is my opinion. Definitely a rent-before-you-buy game.

50 / 100

 

[HRT_Maloo]

When I bought it I thought the same as you, except i didnt give up after the first day. I f:censored: round with it, getting to know the controls and what you are supposed to do for the next 2 days and it became easy. But it only took me 5 days to complete it and now Im back playing GT3 since I dont know my way around London and theres nothing to do in free roam except steal cars and trashing them

 

[Vasco]

Cool, so is it a good "mini/rental-review?"

 

[duo17]

Cool idea Dodge, but don't expect any from me. I'm kind of out of money right now.

OA

 

[Vasco]

Oh ok, well i just got back from holiday so expect to see a few soon...

 

[Ruffryder27]

I thought this game was quite good but too easy, i think if u have visited London or live there you mite like it a bit more.

 

[advanR]

i think the idea for a mini review is good. its also good that you state that it is not a full fledged review, or completely correct because you had only rented it. but i think if you are going to write any review at all, you should atleast play a game for about 5 days, certainly more than one.

if not, i wouldnt call it a mini-review. but a "first impression".

i say this because there are a lot of games that require you to put some effort into before they get entertaining.

 

[Vasco]

Ah ok, good idea advan. 👍 In future i'll try to do that.

 

[slip2rock]

Just to add to this very briefly......

Initially I was very excited about this game, expecting a London based vice city. However having completed the game in about two weeks of playing in the evenings for a couple or three hours each night. Hey I had to do something once the ski lifts were closed! I reckon it was easier for me as i know London so i don't have to figure out the routes (follow the indicators in other words) and I'm also currently addicted to Counter Strike so the shootup aspect was a breeze.

Anyway, some of the shooting aspects of it were incredibly fustrating, the auto aim being a particular pain in the arse. I hated the way the bad guys always "spawn" in the same place every time. Basically the AI is thick as a brick.

Driving around London is fairly accurate although a number of roads simply aren't there in the game. But most of it is frighteningly accurate. The easiest way to lose the cops is to turn in to a side street, jump out the motor, kill 'em all jump back in a continue on, they lose track of you if you kill all the persuers. The gangs tend to be a bit heavily tooled up for that so just wait until you have both cops and gangs after you then stop, they all jump out and shoot each other up and you can then just jump out and finish 'em off. When being chased also try to run them in to lamp posts or oncoming cars (we drive on the left over here!) and also jump on the brakes wait for the bad guys to get out, then drive off. They just stand around a bit, never seem to get back in the car and chase you again ???? Like i said the AI is thick.

If anyone wants my save game (completed) then post or PM and i'll email / post a sharkport save. All it really alows you to do is drive around London, there may be some way of getting the gangs and cops to chase after you again once the game is completed but i can't find out how ??? Oh the car he ends up in at the end is a Lotus / Caterham super seven and the car in the Garage of the Jolson's gaff is a TVR.... i think?

If you ask me, which of course you didn't (heh) either buy it in half shares with a mate, second hand or on cut price in 6 months. Good fun but not worth 40 notes......

 

[Duke]

Hey, slip! Nice to see you back. Thanks for the input on what looked like an interesting game. Too bad it was disappointing.

 

[slip2rock]

Thanks Neon.

It's nice to be back, I see a lot of new names are about and I see your name is in bold, massive congratulations.

 

[risingson77]

Yes, and about your streets, Slip - now I know why the roads in New England are such a pain in the arse to navigate. I think the same person designed them. >_<

My first impressions -

Well, it's not for kids. I believe this is the first game in which I have heard the "f-bomb" dropped. The game seems almost like an interactive version of Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels (atmospherically speaking). I do like it when you gun down a grunt and Hammond calls them a "****ing muppet".

The grapics are very good. The character models are incredible in close-up, and the lip-synching is extraordinary. The details are bit sparse at times, especially out-of-doors. Frames-dropping rears its head a few times as well. What can I say? My Cube has spoiled me (and it only took Metroid Prime to do that ).

The soundtrack is great. Sound effects are good as well. Acting is right up there...I just wish Capcom would figure out how to hire better voice actors now.

The gameplay is entertaining enough. My big gripe is with the camera. It swings around too much, especially in tight places. That's bad enough by itself, but since the controls are camera-relative you can wind up running in circles. The way Hammond automatically turns when he gets close to a wall can also be irritating.

The auto aim is generally good, except when there are too many targets available in different positions. It always seems to pick the thug who poses the smallest threat to your health (I.e., the one furthest from you). It seems like adding a routine that tells auto-aim to aim for the nearest target would be easy enough.

In general, the game is a "narrower" version of GTA. I was kind of hoping for that, honestly - I'm getting lazy in my old age. The gameplay definitely has its flaws, but the production values make up for that somewhat. I'm sure I'll play it through once and be done with it.