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RATING: (weak) 1 2 3 4 5 (awesome)
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IN BRIEF
Pros: With more full motion animation and complex plot lines than any other game, this is the new standard by which developers should measure their games. Cons: To load a saved game takes time. In a nutshell: A fantastic fighting game that offers different challenges and story lines based on the character you choose. Multiplayer: Up to 4 players *ESRB rating: T (Teen) |
FACTS
Game Title: The Bouncer Platform: Playstation 2 Developer: Squaresoft/Dream Factory Publisher: Square EA Accessories supported: Vibration Price: $49.95 |
THE REVIEW by David Daniels for Gamers Today
A new console creates excitement. The true success, however, of any new system depends on how well game developers exploit the technical features of that new system. The team behind The Bouncer demonstrates not only the mastery of PS2's technical specifications but also some very fresh ideas.
The premise is simple: Your friend, Dominique, has been kidnapped and you have to rescue her from an evil corporation's headquarters. A simple premise is the only thing The Bouncer shares with any video game that has come before it. With a look that rivals any Hollywood production, a plot that keeps you involved, and music that truly sets the mood, The Bouncer proves that a PS2 disc really can hold almost 10 times the data of a regular PS disc.
You first get to see different parts of the game and learn how the three characters (a.k.a. the Bouncers) come together to face the challenges. It's like watching a movie and then deciding whom you'd like to see as the lead. Usually, playing different characters only entails learning alternative button combinations to execute different moves. In The Bouncer, the characters have different plots, challenges, and backgrounds (which you see through flashbacks). The Bouncer allows you to save your data along the way, as well as change characters, so you can see the road initially not traveled.
Gameplay is excellent, with all the thrills, moves and battles you'd expect from the best fighting games. Often you'll be fighting beside the other two Bouncers when you are attacked alternately by a bunch of goons, robots, special forces, and the ultimate challenge near the end of the game. Decide to fight as a team or individually.
When you have no choice but to duke it out, throwing a single punch is fine, but experiment with combinations to really do damage. Personally, I like to kick my foe while he's in the air from a vicious uppercut. Time it wrong and you'll find yourself on the brutal receiving end. The controls are challenging, but not confusing. Win enough fights and you'll earn enough points to unlock special moves unique to each character.
In between fights, sit back and enjoy the show. The Bouncer has some of the best looking, full motion animation I've ever seen in a game. Explosions jump off the screen rivaling the best movie pyrotechnics. Moreover, it's not just the full motion video that grabs your attention. While fighting, the players move fluidly and go exactly where your thumb directs them.
In a game that is so strong, the slightest flaw stands out that much more. Dialogue is stiff and simplistic, but does advance the game's story. What is said depends on the character you choose. Fortunately sound effects don't disappoint. Explosions shake the speakers and punches land with a crisp resonance.
The Bouncer is the next best thing to controlling a character in an action movie. You'll want a sequel.
*For a complete explanation of ESRB ratings, check out the official ESRB Web site.
