GamePro Arcade

Vigilante 8: Arcade Review

Nov. 12 10:35 PM by Andrew Ramsey

Back in 1998 Vigilante 8 graced the PS1 with its vehicular combat mayhem and fun gameplay. Activision has revised this title for Xbox Live Arcade and is calling it Vigilante 8: Arcade.

Much like the original, in Vigilante 8 gamers pick a vehicle and use it to destroy other vehicles as quick as possible. Strewn about the map are power ups to help aid you in this destructive quest. These range from weapon upgrades to shield/health packs. Working your way through level after level you reach a boss in which need to destroy. Though similar to fighting games, beating this game isn't what's fun - it's the overall experience.

Vigilant 8: Arcade has a few modes to try to keep you occupied. Quest mode is your typical story mode. Featuring eight different characters to play through and each of them have their own unique story, thus making the replay value a little bit higher since you get different story mode elements depending on the character you pick. Other modes include Multiplayer, Quick Battle, Custom Battle and Free Mode. The Free Mode is kind of odd to have since its just the map with no enemies. This doesn't seem like something to include in this type of game but if you want good practice for online you now have it. You won't really need practice for the single player since the AI is pretty dumb. Most of the time they will drive in circles and just try to ram you then use special weapons. But you can counter this easily by moving close to them and using them yourself because they will just sit there half of the time.

Visuals and sound and controls is where the game truly is disappointing. The vehicles themselves have glitches and sometimes parts fly off while just driving about. The maps feel very bland and weak, lacking any sort of depth. Lastly are the controls. God awful is being kind to this title. They're so loose you have to constantly fight with them in order to keep your car on the road in order to use your weapons.

Overall Vigilante 8: Arcade has more minuses then pluses. Having such a bad time with the controls will not only cause you to lose the match, it will frustrate you till no end. What saves this title is the nostalgia factor you get from playing it. While the love for this genre is the redeeming factor, it still doesn't give it enough oomph to justify downloading it.

Pros: Story mode has good replay value

Cons: Controls,Visuals, and Sound are all terrible

Sound: 2.25 Controls: 2.0 Graphics: 2.75 Fun Factor: 2.5

The Info: Platform: XBLA, Publisher: Activision, Developer: Isopod Labs / Luxoflux Corp., ESRB: T, Players: 1-8, Price: 800 MS points ($10)

Gamepro.com's news,reviews,previews and features

Gameproarcade.com's Weekly 360 and Wii downloads!

• << prev
• next >>