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View Full Version : 24: The Game Gets Bad Reviews


bean19
03-04-2006, 03:57 AM
Gamespot's creative video review (http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/24thegame/media.html) gives the game a 6.2.

24: The Game can't be dismissed as just another lazy, licensed action game, because laziness is in no way apparent here. If anything, it feels like the developers overextended themselves beyond what they could capably do, and the game suffers for it. 24 fans might be able to forgive the lackluster gameplay, though, simply because the game does do a great job of emulating the show, and the story really is very good. But those who want some gameplay to go with the storyline will be thoroughly disappointed with what 24: The Game has to offer.
IGN's review (http://ps2.ign.com/articles/692/692726p4.html) is even less forgiving as the game's 3.5 gameplay rating bottoms out the overall score at an abysmal 4.2 overall.

Yes, you'll see some cool stuff and you'll get to watch Jack shoot and threaten a bunch of folks. But the actual game itself really is simply poor. There's almost nothing redeeming to find during any section where the analog sticks are in use, and being that this is a game and not a TV show, that simply doesn't cut it. If you must check it out for the story and presentation content, do it as cheaply as possible. Anyone who's not a major fan of the show would be wise to steer very clear.
Finally, 1up (http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3148512&did=1) gives the game a 6.0.

If only more of the game had been able to capture the essence of the show's action as well. But so much of what makes the TV series special hasn't found its way into the game. That failure stretches back to the very founding premise of 24. It's twenty-four hours, in real time, on the show, but not in the game. All you get are a series of missions taking place during an hour; you only know which hour because, every so often between cut-scenes, you hear Jack telling you when the following takes place. Yet, with all that said, the game is still an absolute must-have for 24 fans. Every time you set the controller down, you'll be anxious to get back and learn what happens next, and that feeling is intensified by knowing that you don't have to wait until next week's episode, all you have to do is get back to playing. At least it won't take you more than a few hours to work through the whole game, and once you have, you can go back whenever you want and watch the cut-scenes. After all, that is what you wanted to see all along, anyway.
Sadly for fans of the show, the message that is repeated over and over is "STAY AWAY! HORRIBLE GAMEPLAY!" This is sad considering that 3rd person shooters have been done over and over. Surely they knew that they hadn't done it right when they went to release.

Jiguryo
03-04-2006, 06:17 AM
I'm fairly sure that this game will be for hardcore 24 fans only. Too bad the gameplay doesn't live up to it, apparently. :(

koorb
03-04-2006, 07:01 AM
The sad thing is it might be seen as a success by the publisher because it will sell so well.

holysin
03-04-2006, 07:36 AM
gamespot sums it up just right:
"24: The Game can't be dismissed as just another lazy, licensed action game, because laziness is in no way apparent here. If anything, it feels like the developers overextended themselves beyond what they could capably do, and the game suffers for it. 24 fans might be able to forgive the lackluster gameplay, though, simply because the game does do a great job of emulating the show, and the story really is very good. But those who want some gameplay to go with the storyline will be thoroughly disappointed with what 24: The Game has to offer."

The gameplay really is crappy, but the story and cutscenes are great :)

Paranoia
03-04-2006, 07:44 AM
Had to see it coming, even the preview video showed how awful the game plays.

Spigot
03-04-2006, 08:26 AM
I'm glad I didn't buy this. I'm definately renting it, don't get me wrong, but my cautiously optimistic feeling toward the game is now deflated.

It's nice to see that the story and cutscenes are well done. That's about the only thing I'd be expecting to take away from the game anyway.

Beelzebud
03-04-2006, 08:40 AM
What? A game based on a TV show or movie sucks?

I'm shocked! Shocked I tell you!

fitbabits
03-04-2006, 08:45 AM
All I'll say is that it would have rocked had it been developed for the Xbox rather than the already-dead PS2. :rolleyes:

Spigot
03-04-2006, 10:35 AM
All I'll say is that it would have rocked had it been developed for the Xbox rather than the already-dead PS2. :rolleyes:
I was about to say that you must be channelling the spirit of Borys today, but realized that you were once again showing off your famed sarcasm.

:)

The Iron Weasel
03-04-2006, 10:36 AM
I was expecting this, I'm still dissapointed though. Although I'm tempted to play it just for the storyline.

Megalith
03-04-2006, 11:42 AM
Who cares.

Just give me the score.

outontheporch
03-04-2006, 12:08 PM
I loved this game, although I can see why it would get bad reviews. I'm a huge 24 fan, and the fact that all the actors contributed to the game I though was very cool.

Nothing beats hearing Keifer Sutherland say "CTU GET DOWN!!" As you blow two people away with a shotgun.

outontheporch
03-04-2006, 12:09 PM
PS For whoever's interested the game fills in story details that take place between seasons 2 and 3 (ie where did Chase come from, how did Kim start working at CTU, etc)

Peen
03-04-2006, 01:10 PM
PS For whoever's interested the game fills in story details that take place between seasons 2 and 3 (ie where did Chase come from, how did Kim start working at CTU, etc)

I'm in the middle of watching Season 2 right now. Would you recommend "playing" this before watching Season 3 then?




Also: Games are a combination of several arts. Its interesting that everyone is quick to forgive a game with a terrible storyline which has good gameplay, but will crucify any game that is the opposite.

That being said, this is pretty much the only game I will knowingly get into that has bad gameplay.

Nessus
03-04-2006, 02:26 PM
I really wanted this game to be good.

Primal was okay, but similarly marred by their reach exceeding their grasp, it seems.

As it is I might buy a used copy a year from now if the price is right.

Rirath
03-04-2006, 02:34 PM
Gah, no comments about how funny and well done the Gamespot review was? Hilarious.

mister_slim
03-04-2006, 02:47 PM
The demo was interesting, if unexciting. It had some interesting ideas, but too much of the game wasn't really there (horrible vehicle physics, boring combat). It's really a game for fans, and I imagine it'll be fine for them. Once they get through the weird quirks of the controls they'll probably have a great time.

Royal Fool
03-04-2006, 04:29 PM
I called this. Sony Cambridge always screws up the gameplay and goes for looks instead.

EDIT: Hahah! Brilliant video review. Kudos to GameSpot. :)

Anyway... I might get this game once it goes cheap. Even if I really don't look forward to forcing myself through the bad gameplay.

The Iron Weasel
03-04-2006, 10:19 PM
God my love for gamespot just jumped way up after that video review.

easi
03-05-2006, 10:13 AM
These reviewers just earned themselves an illegal NSA phonetap. Freedom-hating libruls.

EGO
03-05-2006, 11:07 AM
Primal, Ghosthunter and now 24... looks like they're 0-3.

Also, why is this a surprise to anyone?
The only thing that's a surprise is how high the scores are.

Spigot
03-05-2006, 06:31 PM
Primal, Ghosthunter and now 24... looks like they're 0-3.

Also, why is this a surprise to anyone?
The only thing that's a surprise is how high the scores are.
I actually quite enjoyed Ghosthunter, incredibly lame ending aside. Primal had some gameplay flaws but again, the story and visuals were top notch and I enjoyed it.

I guess that's why I'll probably enjoy the 24 game, crappy gameplay aside. If the story and presentation is decent enough and the gameplay isn't maddeningly bad, I'll play through it for the 24 story.

But I could see why this wouldn't appeal to the unwashed masses.

Edit: Oh, and I am one of the 4 people who actually was able to play through and enjoy The Getaway, so that tells you something... Mainly about my masochistic need to play games with really unintuitive gameplay.

Bubby
03-06-2006, 11:49 AM
Anyone who has played it: How often does Jack Bauer say "DAMNIT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME!" ?