Stuntman: Ignition

September 7,2007 - The original Stuntman for PS2 put you in the role of a stunt driver, performing stunts for different movies in a variety of situations. For its time, the game was a unique driving game experience, but the trial-and-error gameplay it demanded turned many people off. Five years later the series is now on the Xbox 360 with Stuntman: Ignition. Overall, the stunts are a little bit easier and the game is more forgiving of mistakes, but at heart it’s still based on trial-and-error. The driving in Ignition is great, and it feels really satisfying pulling off some of the more complicated stunts. The new online modes and stunt creator give the game some more lasting value than its predecessor, but if the first game turned you off, or the idea of attempting missions multiple times sounds frustrating, you won't enjoy Stuntman: Ignition.

The single-player campaign has you fill the shoes of an amateur stunt driver trying to make it to the top in Hollywood. Each movie you work on has about six or so stunts that you need to complete in order to move on. The basic layout of any stunt has you in some kind of vehicle as your stunt coordinator directs you. You'll have to overtake vehicles, drive close to objects without hitting them, smash objects, drift through turns, launch off ramps, and much more in order to pass each scene. You're allowed five mistakes before the director calls a re-shoot, and while that may seem like a lot of mistakes at the beginning of the game, as scenes get longer and more complicated you'll be wishing you could make double that amount. As a result, these later scenes can get really frustrating.   Some people will give up, but the ones that stick it out will get a considerable sense of accomplishment afterwards.

You'll get to drive a huge variety of vehicles in a disparate group of settings, so although you'll be trying the same missions multiple times to get them just right, you won't find much repetition from mission to mission. Each vehicle handles differently. For example, motorcycles are quick, but you can lose control if you're not careful. Bulldozers are bulky and sluggish, but instead of weaving in and out of traffic, you can simply run right over it. The settings are impressively varied as well; whether you're starring in a lava-filled disaster flick or a secret agent movie taking place in the snowy mountains, the settings are always interesting and match the mood of the films well.

One of the best features about Stuntman: Ignition is the personality of each movie director. Before each movie you'll get treated with an intro from the director explaining what the film's all about and what is expected of you. Each director has a distinct voice and personality that really brings their character to life. Personalities range from strict and professional seasoned veterans to clueless first-timers, and even overconfident actor-directors who think they should be doing the stunts themselves. Your main goal is to impress the directors as best you can by doing what they ask. The more points you rack up doing stunts while keeping a string (a series of consecutive stunts), the more stars you'll earn and the higher ranking you'll get towards becoming the highest-ranked stunt driver in the world. The lowest rank you can get on any one stunt is one star, but if you're able to keep one continuous string of stunts from the start to the finish, you'll earn the coveted five-star rating. As you can imagine, it's extremely hard to earn such a rating, but if you have the patience and the drive, it certainly can be done. Only achievement point fiends and perfectionists will try for five stars on every stunt.

The movies are also very well done. Each one is not-so-loosely based on films we've come to recognize.  One features a bulked up macho, Arnold Schwarzenegger-like man, and another is a disaster flick called After Shock that draws a lot of its ideas from the epic 90s fire movie, Back Draft. Because of the directors and specific settings, it actually feels like you're completing stunts for movies rather than random missions. The trailer you unlock once you finish a movie also adds to the cohesiveness of the experience. Once you've completed all the stunts that a movie demands, you'll get to watch a CGI trailer interspersed with actual footage of you performing the stunts from the game. It's a really nice touch that compels you to do your best so you can create the best trailer possible.

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