Genre: Driving	Developed By: Midway/Ubisoft
	The game provides a high octane Hollywood style ride. However questionable game mechanics and some bugs may have some put the breaks for this one.

Like a Hollywood Action Movie

The dialogue is forgettable. The story is just an excuse to drive around fast, drifting, twirling, ramming and shooting things in the process. It has something to do with three gangs vying for power and some big job that is about to go down. But I didn’t give it much attention.

The game takes place in Barcelona and players will take the role of an undercover agent with a rather poorly name for a Vin Diesal character, Milo. But if it is any consolation, Milo starts of in a car with license plate “MRTL KMBT”

Fancy New Moves:

It seems that every game these days with driving mechanics tries to be realistic. One of the reasons why I really enjoyed this game is that it is refreshing as it does the exact opposite. It knows its an arcade game and at no point does it provide the illusion otherwise (I am looking at you GTA 4). The controls in the game are responsive and easy to master.

The game also introduces some innovating and fun moves for the genre. The first is called “Airjacking”. Players are able to jack a car while driving another car. This has Milo launch himself towards his prey. It is a lot of fun and never gets old. It also blends well with the missions in the game.

Another unique feature in the game is the ability to ram cars sideways. A right or left movement of the right analogue stick will swing the car in that direction. This turns your car into a weapon. Players will have to decide between the strength and speed of the car to suit their own styles in the various missions. Using a large car such as a truck is very satisfying as the other ramming other cars will feel like swatting flies.

Last but not least, the game introduces “Aim Shot” and “Cyclone”. Aim Shot slows down time and lets you take aim at the targets in front of you. Accurate shots to the engine can destroy cars in only a few bullets. Cyclone does the same thing except it turns the car 180 degrees to take aim at those behind you. It is as cool as it sounds. The focus bar will need to be built before players can use these moves. Focus bar is built through fast speeds, high jumps, drifting and handbrake turns. Players can also use focus to use nitro boost and get that extra speed.

Game-Types:

 The campaign is short and can be completed in less than six hours. The campaign serves the purpose of putting players in fun scenarios. The unique and highly enjoyable scenarios include vehicles battling it out in an arena, motorbike chases in the subway and an 18 wheeler chasing another 18 wheeler leaving a lot of collateral damage. From time to time the game has you gunning down enemies on foot. These are few and far in between and they are refreshing from all the driving.

The side missions form a major part of the game. Although they vary in their type, all of them (with the exception of rampage) have the common theme of getting from point A to point B in the shortest possible time. My personal favorite was Fugitive. This mode has you getting to your destination while being chased by ruthless gangs with guns. This mode is an adrenaline rush and the latter levels require the use of air jack constantly. You may start off with in a fine convertible, but you’ll end up in a barely recognizable car whose only remains are the seats and scrap metal. Oh and the last mission has you being chased by Pandas with machine guns.

There are plenty of slopes, ramps and shortcuts to go around. Although the game can be completed by using the proper roads and playing it safe, using the environment is a major part of what makes the game fun.

The Major Issues:

The game has a huge rubberbanding issue. This is most visible when being chased by enemies. Even when riding a sports car at high speeds and using nitro boost, the enemy cars can not only keep pace but also catch up from a distance.

Secondly, some of the campaign missions are highly scripted. With that I mean when you have to catch someone via in a car or on foot, no matter how many bullets you shoot them with, they will not be affected. This is because the designers want the players to chase the enemy to a particular area in the mission and trigger another event.

Finally people may have questions of rationalization. Why does a bike jump 20 meters into the air when rammed into a building? Why would a high end car showroom keep exploding barrels next to the expensive cars?

These issues can add up to make the player feel that they are not being rewarded for their efforts. I was not too disdained by the rubberbanding issue. Even though enemies kept pace, better driving led to arriving at the destination quicker. The highly scripted missions are minor. The non-rational settings just added to over the top style of the game.

The Final Word: If you can look past the rubberbanding mechanic and some highly scripted missions in the main campaign, you will find a game that delivers an exciting and very enjoyable ride that has some innovative ideas is akin to a summer blockbuster movie.