Stuntman Platinum (PS2)

Stuntman, from the makers of the highly acclaimed Driver series, is a very unique game that, despite its flaws, still packs a lot of fun--especially for those who love action-style driving games such as Burnout. Stuntman puts you on the sets of several fictitious, stunt-heavy movies, such as the 007-inspired "Live for Two Tomorrows" and the Guy Ritchie-inspired "Toothless in Wapping". You're to execute detailed driving stunts by following the director's instructions over a radio and the visual cues that appear on-screen. The stunts are constructed mostly out of driving around, through and over obstacles, but there are more than a few inventive sequences that you have to time just right. If you do it wrong, or mess up the timing of the shot, you have to retake the scene.

The game can be quite a strain on one's patience, however. There's no initial "walk-through", as there would be for a real production, so it takes several passes through to even get a grasp on what you're doing. Plus there's a reloading pause between each scene which can be grating. Still, there's tremendous satisfaction from mastering a scene.

Players may be disappointed in the quality of Stuntman's graphics--it seems only a half-step above Driver 2--but they'll love the handling of the vehicles and the interactivity of the environments. Nearly everything in the game can be moved or broken. The really versatile Stunt Constructor lets you play with all kinds of fun toys, such as jumps, loops and even cannons--lay them out in an arena and then drive the course. You have to unlock all but the most basic toys and vehicles by completing scenes, but it's a great way to blow off steam. --Porter B Hall

"A compelling, extreme and addictive driving game whose rewards do outweigh its frustrations. 85%."

In Stuntman you'll go behind the scenes and perform dangerous stunts in 3 or 4 wheel vehicles; become a real hero of the silver screen as you play the part of a Hollywood stuntman for hire. You need to be good: the stunts get harder and you need to accumulate skills to progress your career from low budget productions to multi-million dollar Hollywood blockbusters. Have you got what it takes?

Each stunt consists of a series of clearly defined objectives, which can range from 180-degree spins to perfectly timed jumps, dramatic barrel rolls and T-bone smashes. In order to succeed the player must achieve all or some of each scene's set objectives. Stunts take place on movie sets in 6 different countries around the world; completing each stunt rewards you with bonus items which can be used in the Stunt Arena, which you create yourself.

Stuntman was developed with the help of one of the movies' most experienced stuntmen, Vic Armstrong, who has appeared in such blockbuster series as The Terminator, Indiana Jones, Superman, James Bond, and Charlie's Angels.

Imagine being a rookie stunt driver starting your career in B movies. Learn new skills as you work your way from movie to movie in some of the world's most glamorous locations. As the stunts get harder and your reputation grows you'll aim to become the industry's most wanted stuntman. Inspired by classic movie car stunts, Stuntman takes the gamer from the backstreets of small-time shoestring productions to the heart of high octane, big budget action movies.