bit-tech Shopping: THQ Stuntman: Ignition (XB360)

• 1080i (HDTV)
• 1080p (HDTV)
• 720p (HDTV)

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Much improved on the Stuntman titles from the PS2Good use of humor Good challenge with excellent controls

Weaknesses: RepetitionUnlocking the later movies takes too longTerrible mutliplayer

Summary: If you ever played the original Stuntman series on the PS2 than you know the definition of the word frustration. The game was enjoyable, but a little too challenging and confusing. Plus you had to perform the stunts over and over until you landed them perfectly. While I can appreciate the quest for perfection in my video game playing; this took it a step too far. Stuntman Ignition improves on the old formula with better graphics, an easy mode, better controls and most importantly better direction. You have a much clearer idea of what to do in a given scene in this game than any of its predecessors. That said the game is not without its own faults. First, it takes way to long to unlock all the movies and in fact I still don't have the last movie unlocked. Second, the multiplayer graphics are horrendous and while gameplay is pretty fun, you will be hard pressed to find anyone online to play with or lag-free games. These two dings are minor offenses and given that the game sold terrible it can be had for mega-cheap now, probably $10 used. In fact, it sold so poorly that we most likely will not get another Stuntman game, which is a shame, because these titles are very similar in my opinion to the Tony Hawk style games and have a very unique gameplay element. If you are a fan of the old Stuntman games, racing games or even Tony Hawk style games, then I highly recommend this title.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3

Strengths: difficulty has been toned down, ease of play, graphics

Weaknesses: difficulty can be inconsistent at times

Summary: If you played the first Stuntman years ago, you probably broke a few controllers due to its insanely difficulties and frustrations. Fear not, Stuntman Ignition have toned down on the frustration and difficulty and the game is blast to play. Each action movie scene requires you complete a certain numbers of objectives before going on to the next scene. You will have to precisely time your stunts while buildings are collapsing, with cops or bad guys chasing, and explosions erupting. A great feature allows you to make your own stunt tracks; which can be wildly addictive to mess with. Overall, a fun game that you will have a blast to play with.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1

Strengths: Ludicrous stunts, things blow up real good, highly entertaining

Weaknesses: Got tired of trying and re-trying (and re-trying again) to execute some of the stunts

Summary: The challenge in this game is not completing a single stunt, but rather a series of stunts and maneuvers over a set course. Miss too many of the individual stunts and you have to start the course over again---which is something you will become very familiar with. The send-ups of recognizeable Hollywood film franchises and personalities adds to the amusement factor. Lately this title has been budget priced at a lot of sellers. Well worth twenty bucks if you like challenging driving games with a twist.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3

Strengths: Good action gameplay, enjoyable stuntman feel

Weaknesses: No plot, limited replay value, no multiplayer

Summary: Stuntman: Ignition is a racing game of sorts, playing as a stuntman charged to do movie stunts. Each scene has specific requirements to pass to the next scene, with differing amounts of points for varying levels of success. Working through the game, there's not a lot of re-playability, save for trying to get the top scores and all the achievements. There's no real plot to speak of, as it's just connected movie stunt scene, and no multiplayer action to increase the gametime. It's a fun game with enjoyable action.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2

Strengths: Fun to perfect, Good graphics, cool stunts

Weaknesses: Pretty short, some slowdown, can be tedious

Summary: Overall it's a pretty fun game even though there isn't much to the story and there really isn't any reason to replay the game unless you want to get a higher score. Sometimes getting the higher scores and perfecting the stunts is a lot of fun, but other times it can get tedious because of bad direction. There are also some points where too much is going on and the game slows down. Other than those flaws the graphics are great and it's a blast to play.