When I first
heard that a modernized Miami Vice would be hitting the silver screen
and video consoles everywhere, I incorrectly imagined a style similar to Grand
Theft Auto: Vice City. Just like the movie, starring Jamie Foxx and Colin
Farrell, the video game is much darker and grittier than its 1980s namesake
featuring Don Johnson and his pastel wardrobe. Miami
Vice: The Game is a victim of unmet potential. There are some
creative elements to spruce up the usual shooter gameplay.
But the linear game design, awkward AI, and unsatisfying brevity of the title
hurt its appeal.
Taking on the
role of either Sonny Crockett or Ricardo Tubbs, the game leads you through the
world of drug trafficking. Rightly so, the developers have implanted an
over-the shoulder camera view which has proven to be more visually appealing
than FPS on the PlayStation Portable. The controls
work fairly well considering the noticeable lack of a second
thumbstick on the handheld system. Miami Vice
relies primarily on gun combat to progress through the levels completing
mission objectives we have all seen before in cop games including drug
confiscation and taking down drug lords. Unfortunately, the game is very
linear in design and suffers from a pattern of “shoot, follow path, shoot”
that detracted from the overall experience.
To make
Miami Vice more interesting, the developers have thrown in a neat feature
to get the 411 on drug lords and new shipments. You can go to informants and
bribe them with cash or confiscated drugs for information about the upcoming
mission (standard protocol for Miami’s finest). More over, drug dealers on the
street create a virtual economy where you can earn extra cash on the side by
buying and selling on your own. Even though it’s an interesting feature, the
game’s progression doesn’t depend on using it so it feels pointless.
Additionally, Sonny and Ricardo occasionally chase evading drug lords in speed
boats to mix up the gameplay.
Like I said
earlier, the game revolves mainly around close-ranged gun combat. From the get
go, you have the option of choosing what guns to use and what outfit to wear.
A reputation system placed in the game will rate your performance in every
mission based on your damage and the gear you use. This reputation is
important in gaining access to higher-powered drug dealers. Sporting a
Hawaiian shirt and sandals during combat will take you straight to the top
while protecting yourself in Kevlar and a bulletproof helmet won’t get you any
further than a street-corner weed peddler. The enemy AI is poorly executed in
Miami Vice. The baddies run around the levels like chickens with their
heads cut off in search of cover during action. They are far less combative
than most video game opponents I have encountered. Similarly, your character
will need to use cover before firing because the controls offer no aim
functionality when moving. (being forced to stop
and shoot constantly gets old fast).
There are a
couple mini games which are fairly entertaining. One such game involves
hacking into a FlashRam that contains encrypted
information. The game lets you control a triangle-shaped icon that destroys
square-shapes filled with data you can collect. Although not realistic at all,
the mini-game looks very nice and works well with the main game. The greatest
setback for this game is its short play time. Although it is a portable game,
I was expecting Miami Vice to last longer than it did (about 7
hours). Considering such an effort was made to buff up it’s playability with
the reputation system and the underground trade feature, the developers could
have added an extra few hours of play time to make the game worth it.
The characters
are modeled to look just like Farrell and Foxx and come out solid. Despite the
linear design of the levels, the environments are nicely detailed with
locations ranging from Miami Beach to the city’s back alleys. There is a
noticeable lighting problem in some levels that make it hard to see close
enemies, but the graphics are one of the game’s high points. The enemy voice
over work is way too repetitious during combat. Although the movie actors
don’t lend their voices to the game, the voice acting for Sonny and Ricardo is
pretty good. The atmospheric soundtrack, also works well.
There were
some things I enjoyed about Miami Vice including the reputation system,
the controls, and the mini-games. But the game lacked depth and a legitimate
AI engine which hurt its performance. If you enjoyed the film, rent the game.
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Gameplay: 6.6
The
shortness of the game and the problematic AI engine pulls down this game’s
potential.
Graphics: 8.0
The
character models look pretty good. Although the game levels are noticeably
linear and dark in particular areas, they are nicely detailed.
Sound: 7.0
The
enemy voice acting is pretty monotonous. The main characters are voiced
professionally despite the absence of the film actors. The soundtrack is also
appropriate.
Difficulty: Easy
Concept: 7.0
The
drug enforcement genre is nothing new, but I liked the idea of trading the
drugs you confiscate to bribe informants.
Overall: 6.8
The
reputation system and the underground trade feature had the potential to work
exceptionally well with the action gameplay of
Miami Vice. But the short play time, confusing AI,
and the lack of aim functionality when in motion makes this title only worth
renting.
