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> Results: 24 - the Game
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Blood & Violence: GamerDad found some combat and some bloodstains but this game is probably a little less violent than the show it's based on. Fans of Fox's hit television show, "24," can now step into the shoes as Jack Bauer and other familiar characters in the first video game based on the popular series. Created exclusively for the PlayStation 2 platform, "24: The Game" succeeds in delivering the same tight writing and race-against-the-clock tension as the television show, but the U.K.-based designers mix in too many game-play styles, which dilutes the adventure. First, the good news: "24: The Game" was created with the help of the team behind the groundbreaking series. The story, which takes place between seasons two and three, was written in collaboration with "24" staff writer and story editor, Duppy Demetrius. Many of the show's top actors -- including Kiefer Sutherland (as Bauer), Elisha Cuthbert (as Kim Bauer), Carlos Bernard (as Tony Almeida) and James Badge Dale (as Chase Edmunds) ﾖ also lent their likeness and voice to the game. Music was composed by "24"'s Emmy award-winner, Sean Callery. The game's visual style was also ripped right from the show, including its trademark camera angles, split-screen windows (that show multiple events happening simultaneously) and a countdown clock that adds an additional layer of tension while completing your tasks. "24: The Game," which takes place over an entire day (opposed to the show's one-hour timeframe), starts off promising enough: Bauer and a couple of other members of the Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) enter a ship to locate and diffuse a ricin bomb hidden in some cargo. Played from a third-person perspective, you stealthily navigate through the bowels of the ship, take cover behind objects and subdue any resistance by restraining them, or if need be, shooting them down. When you reach the bomb you have 45 seconds to diffuse it by playing a circuit-breaker mini-game. Players have two ways to aim and fire at terrorists. Holding down the left shoulder button (L1) on the PlayStation 2 controller automatically locks onto a target for you. You can then flick the right analog stick in a given direction and it will target the next baddie; press the right shoulder button (R1) to fire. Seasoned video gamers, however, may prefer the challenging free aim shooting mode by simply pressing R1 to shoot without locking on first. You can cycle through your weapons by tapping the up and down arrow keys, while pressing down on the right analog stick reloads your weapon. "24: The Game" features 15 types of guns in total, from .38 Revolvers to AZ7 Soviet assault rifles to micro machine guns. Gamers can also give orders to teammates and refer to a PDA (personal digital assistant) to read the mission briefing, map viewer or weapon info. Nab a suspect and you can interrogate them for information by selecting when to be aggressive, calm or coaxing, and so on. The clock is ticking, so you must carefully analyze the situation by keeping an eye on the suspect's stress graph and using the appropriate approach. Problem is, the game soon introduces many other game-play types, such as hard-to-control driving missions, so-so sniping challenges and multiple mini-games that range from ok to boring. Sure, variety may be the spice of life, but "24: The Game" tends to switch from one game-play type to another just as players begin to get into the swing of things ﾖ and none are as good as the straight-forward on-foot action sequences. Other issues include enemy artificial intelligence (A.I.) that isn't too intelligent and a finicky camera that can often block your view of the situation. That said, casual gamers and followers of the television show will likely enjoy playing through the nearly 60 missions in "24: The Game." Its faithful look and feel to the television show is its greatest asset, but the mix-mash game-play hovers just a few notches above mediocrity. 
Given that this game is based on a violent, intense, and controversial TV show, you should expect the game to be the same. It isn't, it's actually a little tamer and, in some ways, less violent (no torture). If you let your teens watch the show with you, then the game might be a fun way to play together or share the hobby. But if the show is something you don't want your kids to see, then the game won't change your mind.
Kid Factor by Andrew Bub
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