Game producer
David Jaffe has a proven track record. The PlayStation 3 arcade downloads is
hoping to gain that status. Enter David Jaffe and his arcade title, Calling All
Cars.
A simple little
concept, Calling All Cars is a vibrant arcade game that has you chasing other
cars, nuking them to loosen the escaped criminal, then popping on a siren and
trying to get the convict back to the police station before you are tagged and
the convict is bounced away. The levels all have a way to jail the convict. The
tougher the route, the more points you score. The more points you score
determines your standing at the end of the timed round. There are a total of
four cars in any level – player controlled or AI controlled. The AI-controlled
opponents do not back off. Even when you first launch the game, this can be a
tough proposition.
On-screen
prompts show you where the convict is. An opponent’s car will have a flashing
red light to indicate that it is carrying the convict. There are three weapons
you can collect (and the environments are wonderfully destructible) and you
simply tag the target car to bounce the convict high in the air, then scurry to
the landing spot to try to collect him, and – finally – make the dash for the
home base/jail. You may have to take a circular route to avoid the other cars
from stealing your catch.
The weapons are
a missile, a giant hammer that attaches to the front bumper of your car and a
magnet. You can generally avoid the first two weapons if you are on your toes
and your reflexes are quick enough, but the magnet is a tough one to avoid.
Because the weapons are collected by running over question marks in the level,
there is no way to know which weapon you might get.
While the game
is fun as a single-player event, multiplayer is when the entertainment factors
really kick into gear. There is four-player split screen as well as online
support for up to four players. And two players can go head-to-head as well.
The game has
unlockables as well, which come in the form of the cars that can be selected.
These seem mostly aesthetic but add an element of charm to the game.
The game modes
are single-player, tournament and, of course, the multiplayer element.
Tournament seems to be a bit off the boom in regards to what it actually does.
It is not so much a tournament as it is a single-player session that will work
you through the four environments.
The game’s
graphics are a cel-shaded wonder that are reminiscent of a Saturday morning
cartoon. The sound is redundant, but that’s Ok as it fits the game style.
Controls are easy to use and the entire package wraps neatly around producing
the most fun possible within the arcade setting.
Sure, the game
lacks a lot of variety and thus the focus is seated firmly on the action and
battling others (players or AI) to rack up the most points. This is a game that
may seem simple, but is one of those “tough to master” titles that packs in the
fun, particularly in multiplayer sessions.
Score this a
winner for the PlayStation 3 arcade downloads, and yet another winner in Jaffe’s
resume.
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Gameplay:
8.3
The game is not
complex by any means. It is a simple format that is challenge, but all the
elements – including the control scheme – work together to put the emphasis on
the action and entertainment value.
Graphics:
8.6
Cel-shaded and
joyful is about the only way to describe this game. The camera is fixed but the
buildings will ghost a bit when you go behind them. Or better yet, just go
through them and knock them down so there is nothing blocking the camera view.
Sound: 7.0
Appropriate
effects but nothing to get really excited about.
Difficulty:
Medium
The controls are
simple, but the further into the levels you go, the tougher the AI becomes.
Concept: 8.5
A simple concept,
but a lot of fun. This harkens back to the good, old days of arcade gaming.
Multiplayer:
8.6
The single-player is
Ok, but multiplayer is where this game really shines.
Overall: 8.4
It’s an arcade title
and in the context of other arcade titles, Calling All Cars is a certified
winner. The game can be played in short spurts or you may find that hours have
drifted past as you focus in on the action. The game is party solid and even
suited for families. Action packed and a lot of fun, Calling All Cars is a
wonderful gaming experience.
