Genre: Action
Developer: Angel Studios
Publisher: RockStar
# of Players: 1-4
Memory: 6 blocks
ERSB: Teen
Released On: August 6th, 2002
Also On: None
Features: Progressive Scan
Website: http://www.rockstargames.com/smugglersrunwarzones/
Rockstar has finally released a title for the Nintendo GameCube; it’s not Grand Theft Auto but not a bad title by any means. Smuggler’s Run: Warzones for the Nintendo GameCube is a semi- sequel to the previously released Playstation 2 title, Smuggler’s Run: Hostile Territory. Featuring enhanced visuals and gameplay elements, Warzones is the ideal Smuggler’s Run game that Rockstar’s Angel Studios wants you to experience.
Presentation:
Warzones’ load times are noticeable but to make that wait seem shorter a few tips are displayed onscreen to help gamers do better during missions. Menus are slick and easy to navigate, much similar to the ones in Rare’s Perfect Dark for the Nintendo 64.
However, the one thing that bothers me are the cinemas... Real time actors are used instead of FMV and this static look is present throughout the entire time. I don’t know if that static look was done intentionally for presentation, but for whatever reason, it was is annoys the hell out of me because the picture is worse than the FMV found in Resident Evil 2 for the N64 and the sound is more painful to hear than a female Asian metal band.
Gameplay:
Smuggler’s Run: Warzones is one of those games which feature a learning curve that takes about just five seconds to master. After the first training mission or two you’ll be picking up goods and taking them to their destinations without a problem. However,
"Warzones is the ideal Smuggler’s Run game that Rockstar’s Angel Studios wants you to experience"
|
despite having a very short learning curve, the game does present a high difficulty level on later levels, so high that you might want to restrain yourself from throwing your WaveBird across the room.
Warzones features 36 missions waiting for you to play, all with various goals and tasks. Most missions require you to pick up contrabands and deliver them to their destination. Others require you to deliver bombs, chase enemy factions, or even compete with enemies in order to see who can deliver the most goods. Like I said before, the game can be incredibly hard at times; the police are usually the cause of this... They seem to never give up, always trying to smash your vehicle into a wall, and I damn them for that! Never before has a game ever caused me to hate the law so much, but don’t worry, each vehicle can be equipped with at least two countermeasures so you can take it to the law.
*Here’s a tip: If you are unsuccessful in a mission always try selecting a different vehicle, since all vary in performance according to the weather conditions and mission goals. The ATV is probably the best performing vehicle until you unlock the hover bike, but in order
"the game can be incredibly hard at times"
|
to do that, you must earn a GREAT rating in each mission. So that doesn’t help you much, does it?*
Multiplayer:
Warzones, believe it or not, is an excellent multiplayer title; good enough to buy the game just for it. Multiplayer modes include capture the flag, a race for capturing goods, and a race through checkpoints (can also be done in single player against up to 7 CPU opponents). All modes deliver an excellent multiplayer experience and if you have no friends you could always play against CPU bots. Warzones isn’t a Super Smash Bros. or Bomberman Generation in the multiplayer department but it’s still a good multiplayer experience.
Visuals:
Warzones is a beautiful looking game. The levels in which you travel around are huge, freakin huge, so huge that there seems to be no end to them. Not only are these levels of
"Warzones is one beautiful looking game"
|
gargantuan size but high in detail, textures, and feature an excellent draw distance. Tons of nicely detailed vehicles can be seen onscreen at once, with dirt and tons other particles flying everywhere, all locked at 60 fps. Warzones is one beautiful looking game and levels such as Vietnam and Eastern Europe show it quite nicely.
Audio:
This is the games weakest department, while I find the game’s soundtrack fitting to the game’s nature I still can’t help but hate it. Techno has never ever been my thing and crappy techno in a videogame just makes things worse. Engine noises, collisions and explosions are done very nicely though but nothing can make up for a bad soundtrack.
Well, at least it’s not Linkin Park or Limp Bizkit...
Lasting Appeal:
Warzones is more than just a rental, with a difficult and long lasting single player it will keep you busy for awhile, but with a kick ass multiplayer it may keep you busy for months! Invite some friends over and plug in those Wavebirds because it didn’t earn the name Warzones for nothing.
Final Thoughts:
Rockstar’s first GameCube title is an enjoyable and worthwhile experience. If you’re looking for a fun title to purchase other than Super Mario Sunshine, then Smuggler’s Run Warzones wouldn’t be a bad choice. Unless you’ve played Hostile Territory for the PS2, I suggest picking this one up.
*GamersMark.com reviewed this game with a copy of the title purchased from retail
