24: The Game

I'm not afraid to admit it. I'm not ashamed to admit it. In fact, I think it's my right as a game reviewer and a gamer to let you know that 24: The Game doesn't live up to the television show. I usually try not to start reviews with my final thoughts of the game but I just can't help it with this game. I've enjoyed every season of 24 since the series started on FOX several years ago. With each new season I can't wait to find out what's going to happen to Jack Bauer. Well, after playing the game I can say that for now Jack Bauer's exploits are best viewed via the weekly television show or on the DVD box sets.

The story of the game is really what peaked my interests since it takes place between seasons two and three of the television show. Those that have watched every season can understand the significance of this storyline since we never knew what happened. The shift from season two and season three caught me off guard when season three started. I thought for the longest time that a movie was going to be developed to explain the gaps, which almost came true. But instead of buying a movie ticket the movie plays out through CG sequences in a video game.

Since this is 24 we're talking about the storyline that is, without a doubt, the best part of the game. Once again Los Angeles is under the threat of another terrorist attack and Jack Bauer becomes involved in order stop the terrorists. But, just like the television show, nothing is what it seems when in comes to Jack Bauer, CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit) and the events in 24. Twists and turns are plenty within the game's story, and some that should shock fans of the show. Since this will be a spoiler-free review I will leave the details out but I will say this: I really don't understand why anyone would want to work at CTU anymore.

The presentation of the game does a good job of recreating the television show. All of major characters from the show are played by the same actors in the game. This mean Kiefer Sutherland plays Jack Bauer in the game with the same intensity as he does in the show. The famous multiple camera angles and cuts that appear in the show are included in the game as well. A nice feature was the game including the multiple camera angles during the gameplay and not just in the CG cutscenes. The multiple camera angles would usually show a key area that needs to be accessed or all of the enemies in a particular room. The famous clock countdown (or is it count up) from the show is included along with Kiefer telling you what hours the events occur. With the story and the presentation of the game 24 fans will be happy but the happiness is short lived when the gameplay begins.

The gameplay is where 24:The Game slaps gamers and fans of the series in the face. It seems that the developers were either told or wanted to program just another Grand Theft Auto/Driver/Splinter Cell clone. Instead of getting a new and fresh gameplay experience based on the 24 show we get a game that borrows heavily from other popular titles with the looks and sounds of 24. If it wasn't for unlocking the game's story I wouldn't recommend this game to any non-gamers that are fans of the show.

The gameplay is divided up into three different core parts; a gun/action game, a car/chase game and a puzzle game. The gun/action gameplay involve you assuming the role of one of the characters in the game and taking out the bad guys. You can either walk, run or stealth through the levels depending on how much action you want to encounter. You can even use cover such as corners, tables and other items to protect yourself from enemy gunfire. But the gameplay during these levels is mindless action since the enemy AI is usually horrible during the majority of the game. Sometimes with me just standing still, not moving, the enemies will react to me thinking I moved and open fire. Sometimes I could walk right up to them and stand next to them for several seconds without being noticed. But the best part were the enemies that would just stand still shooting at me. I would move around the stage, trying to get out of their firing range but the enemies would remain in one position firing away. 

All of the cliches from other action games are included as well, such as gaining new weapons and picking up additional bullets from fallen enemies. Health packs are scattered throughout the levels along with Health stations to heal without having to access the menu system. During all of this mindless action I kept thinking to myself "This crap doesn't happen in the show." Usually the action that does happen in the show lasts only for a brief moment. Either I have a bad memory or I don't recall Jack, Tony, Michelle or even Kim running around shooting everyone in sight during each season of the show. Sure the violence happens in the show but it seems to serve a purpose of the telling the story in the show. In this game the violence is included only to make the game "a game," but it manages to ruin the 24 experience.

The car/chase sequences just scream of Driver/GTA. During these levels you will either drive a car through L.A. or have to do a foot pursuit of a suspect. The driving levels vary from a simple go from point A to point B to driving after a suspect. The Driver/GTA similarities are apparent in the way L.A. is represented with traffic, pedestrians and a huge area to explore. Your car takes damage (of course) as you run into other cars and buildings. Pedestrians will jump out of the way and yell at you if you drive near them. If your car takes too much damage then it will explode and the level is over.

The foot pursuits will remind anyone that has played GTA of the parts in GTA where you had to chase someone down. If you fail to capture the suspect then the level is over. Which makes me wonder, why should I fail a level if I didn't capture a suspect? Can't the L.A. police or CTU keep looking for the suspect while Jack, Chase, Tony or one of the other characters hunts down another suspect or lead? Why tease us with what we think should be open-ended gameplay with a strict pass/fail system that forces us to replay parts of the game?

The AI problems I mentioned earlier even show up in the driving sections. For example, during one level Jack has to follow a suspect that is leaving his house. Jack gets on the expressway and soon the enemies van is firing explosives at Jack. This tells me they knew I was following them because they didn't want to be followed. But as soon as we arrive at their destination the game acted as if nothing happened on the freeway. The enemies got out of their vehicle without a second look.

The puzzles section of the game still follow the pass/fail rule but does offer something different when compared to the action or driving sequences. Most of the puzzle elements revolve around you having to complete certain computer sequences to unlock doors or computers. One segment had me scanning buildings in downtown LA with a satellite system to locate snipers. All of the puzzle levels have a timer is counting down how much time you have left to solve the puzzle.

One segment that I would categorize with the puzzle levels is the interrogation segments. During these levels you will need to interrogate a witness to try to find out as much information from them as possible. But instead of going all brutal on the suspect like Jack has done in the show you have to watch the suspect's agitation meter. The game shows you where the suspect should be at and if the suspect's pulse is too high or low then you need to change your interrogation tactics. Unfortunately this doesn't mean you can control how you interrogate someone, because if you press too hard then you will fail the level. You have to watch your guide point to see if you need to press the suspect harder, softer or keep your tactics the same. This part of the game was interesting but it still seemed too removed from what actually happens in the show. It was strange hearing Jack getting all psycho on a suspect one second and then talking calm to the suspect a second later. It happens at times in the show but these segments in the game don't mimic how it occurs in the show.

At this point of the review you can probably tell that this wasn't the game I expected with 24: The Game. The good parts, such as the storyline and presentation, just can't overcome a lackluster gaming experience. Even the time flow of the game seems strange at times when the 24 clock comes on during or after a level. If I played a level for 10 minutes the game doesn't count that time to the countdown. Ten minutes of actual gameplay could be 30 minutes of story time or 45 minutes. Besides the puzzle levels the rest of the game is more of the "same old stuff" that has been released in other games. But I guess that means millions of you out there will still buy the game anyway. If that's the case then so be it, enjoy the presentation and the storyline.

Gameplay: 5.5
A big problem with the gun levels is the camera angle. The camera seems to always get either in the way or starts acting irratic by shaking and bouncing. It's hard to see an enemy when the camera angle gets crazy on you. I would have thought an open-ended gameplay element could have worked in this game but instead if you don't complete a mission the game is over. Be prepared to play almost every stage more than one.

Graphics: 7.0
The look of the game does a good job of matching the television show. The majority of the characters in the game look almost identical to the actors in the show. Jack looks like Jack except for his strange looking eyes. Tony looks like Tony in the face but look really strange walking around (he seems to have a back problem). Michelle is one character that doesn't come close to the show especially during the cutscenes.

Sound: 7.5
I mentioned earlier that all of the major actors from the television show voice the characters in the game. This results in some fine voice acting in the game. The only downfall was the repetition of certain phrases the characters will use during the action levels. All of the music in the game was done by the same composer of the show, Sean Callery.

Difficulty: Medium
The game isn't very hard but it can be frustrating at times. During the driving sequences if you take the wrong turn or run into the wrong building it could spell instant defeat since your suspect can get away. Just be prepared to play the majority of the levels more than once.

Concept: 6.0
Let's just call this "Hey, you mixed Grand Theft Auto with my 24!"  We didn't a new experience, instead we got a couple different games put together with the 24 actors and a 24 storyline.

Overall: 6.5
As I've mentioned before if you're a hard core 24 fan that hasn't missed a single episode then you will probably want to pick up this game. Just don't expect a new experience never seen before in games. Instead be prepared for a odd mixture of other games with the 24 presentation and story.