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Perspective from a die hard 24 fan.

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 7 / 12
Date: March 02, 2006
Author: Amazon User

First of all, I've noticed that a lot of these reviews were written after only playing for a few hours. If you are a real fan of the show I think your "two-thumbs-up" attitudes will and should change drastically upon finding out what the terrorist threat actually winds up being.

***SPOILER ALERT***

The terrorists' "brilliant" plan to bring L.A. to it's knees is to somehow drill deep, deep beneath the city's surface in not 1 but 10 key locations along known fault lines where they've managed to apparently obtain permits and set up fake construction sites that have garnered zero suspicions from city officials and then set off powerful bombs simultaneously activating an earthquake so devastating that the entire city of Los Angeles will be leveled.

This idea is so ludicrous that not even Stewie Griffin would attempt it. So ok, I thought to myself, this is a retarded idea but no one ever accused terrorists of being the pointiest drywall screws in the box so clearly CTU will foil this idiotic plot or at least this will have just been a decoy plot to distract our heroic agents from a much more realistic threat happening somewhere else in the city, right? No.

One of the bombs actually goes off triggering a massive 8-point-something earthquake. *sigh* Jack jumps in his car to return to CTU and while trying to navigate an earthquake stricken downtown L.A. his SUV plummets into a 12 foot chasm that has opened in the middle of the street. So I'm supposed to believe that in the 24 universe between seasons 2 and 3 the city of Los Angeles suffers catastrophic land displacement effectively rendering the landscape completely unusable, is then somehow flattened back out and totally rebuilt all before season 3 starts and then is not so much as mentioned in the 3 subsequent seasons? Give me a flippin' break. I would buy this in an episode of G.I. Joe or maybe the Power Rangers but in 24? You have got to be kidding me!

I am so thoroughly disappointed by this story line that I almost can't even bring myself to finish the game. Despite the great voice acting by the main characters I can't take a thing they say seriously anymore knowing the asinine nature of this plot.
This idea is flat out ridiculous and I know for a fact that a story like this could never have gotten aired on an actual season of 24. The most disappointing thing about it all is that this came from an actual writer from the show! I just don't understand what happened here.

While this game does have some redeeming qualities including great voice acting by the main characters (and I emphasize the main characters because the enemies and secondary players have arguably some of the worst dialogue and delivery in recent video game history with armed gunmen CONSTANTLY asking calmly in the midst of a shootout "Who are you?" or "What are you doing here?" over and over and over again. It like you HAVE to kill them just to get them to stop asking stupid questions. End lengthy tangent.) great models, fun ragdoll physics and superbly recreating the look and feel of the show in the cut scenes, it just isn't enough to detract from this completely outlandish plot.

You could also tell throughout the game that a lot of corners were sloppily cut, like half-second engine sound samples that loop abruptly making your SUV sound more like a floor buffer for instance.

This is an example of an ok game that could have easily been a phenomenal game. I guess Splinter Cell has spoiled us by setting such a high standard in this genre but 24 could have come so much closer if not for such an implausible story. If liking this game is what it takes to be a REAL 24 fan then... I don't know how to finish that sentence, but I truly am a die hard 24 fan and I hate to say that I don't really like this game. I refuse to accept it as the "untold story" between seasons 2 and 3. Sorry.

I Quit

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 7
Date: March 05, 2006
Author: Amazon User

The graphics and story are fantastic, but the driving sequences are absolutely horrible, and the controls overall are just bad. EVERY vehicle in this game drives like a seven horsepower go cart.

Even more annoying, in my opinion, is the constant character switching. Jack Bauer is the coolest character, the character that I most enjoyed playing, but so far I've only spent 1/4 of the time in his shoes. Too much of the time is spent acting out the adventures of peripheral characters that aren't very exciting.

At this point, I'm giving it up without finishing because it's not worth it. I'm very dissappointed.

A great concept gets ruined

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: August 11, 2006
Author: Amazon User

On paper, the idea of a 24 video game sounds like a great idea, and upon first glance of it, it seems like it's firing on all cylinders. Featuring all the major players from the series reprising their roles (Kiefer Sutherland, Dennis Haysbert, Elisa Cuthbert, etc.) and a storyline and tone and atmosphere that captures the feel of the show, 24: The Game falls apart once you get further into it. The missions are repetitive, the animation and graphics are jumpy and glitched, and the controls are unresponsive to say the least. Targeting enemies is a chore at times as you use the analog sticks, but the targeting along with just plain moving gets incredibly cumbersome thanks to a camera that seems to want to work against you. Some of this could be forgiveable, but the further you get through 24 the more rushed the game feels. It's a shame too, considering how innovative the series was in it's early life and everything the game had going for it. If more polish was put into it, 24: The Game could have been something special, but as it is, it's only recommended as a rental for fans of the series.

Only worth playing if you're a fan of the show

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: February 25, 2008
Author: Amazon User

If you aren't a fan of 24, skip this game. Otherwise, you'll enjoy the superb cut scenes and the voices from all the actors, but not too much else. There's unfortunately no left handed friendly controller settings (I prefer to move with the right joystick and aim with the left), but thankfully, the auto aim function makes it just barely playable for me. In my opinion the 24 franchise was the only thing that saved what is a hackneyed 3rd person shooter.

A GOOD GAME BUT VERY VERY VERY DIFFICULT!!!!!!!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 3
Date: April 08, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game a few days ago. I played it thinking that it would be a brilliant action game. I started on the first level. I failed the first time..... then the second time....... then the third time.......then the fourth time. This happened in the same FIRST LEVEL in the same spot every time. I failed the level 11 times. I think that this game is quite good. But there is a giant downfall with how difficult it is. If you like this sort of game I reccomend you purchase TRUE CRIME STREETS OF LOS ANGELEAS. On True Crime Streets of LA you have the choice to continue the game instead of staying on the same mission forever. A GREAT GAME AND STORYLINE BUT VERY VERY VERY VERY
DIFFICULT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Live a day in the life of Jack Bauer

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 33 / 51
Date: March 05, 2006
Author: Amazon User

If you have ever wanted to step into the shoes of Jack Bauer... this is it. 24: The Game is your chance to become CTU Agent Jack Bauer and be the hero that thwarts terrorist threats. The one thing that makes this worth playing is the fact that Kiefer Sutherland and many of the regular cast members from the television series actually do the voice-over acting in the game making you feel as though you are really playing a day from the series. The following takes place between Seasons 2 and 3. As Jack Bauer, you will occassionally receive updates from CTU from Michelle Dessler on your cellphone and receive important data files on your PDA to hack into security programs and when you fail to complete your mission objectives, Chappelle will chew you a new one, just like in the show.

It would seem, at least superficially, that 24: The Game certainly has all the main ingredients to translate the landmark series into an entertaining video game in spirit, but it definitely has its technical shortcomings, and by shortcomings I do mean short. For one, the difficulty level is so easy that any novice player could complete the game in far less than 24 real hours. Events do not occur in real-time as they do in the show and if you thought they cheat time in the show you will burst out laughing here. Chances are you will complete each "hour" in under 15 minutes. What could have been a perfect opportunity to bring the series' trademark real-time format to the game console by creating more elaborate mazes, riddles, and threats to complete in 60 "real-time" minutes is rushed, however, the show's familiar digital countdown clock does start ticking down when you only have a few minutes to finish your objective before time expires and elevates the suspense just like in the show. Unfortunately, most of the objectives are so easy to complete that any 6 year old kid would have no difficulty beating the clock.

The cutscenes are entertaining and capture the look and feel of the show but the in-game graphics could have been improved by utilizing more realistic bitmaps and better 3D modeling engines that will make you wish it had been built on a Metal Gear Solid core. The auto-targeting system is severely lacking and deficient. If you have played any one of the recent James Bond games from Electronic Arts, the auto-targeting system is much easier to engage and far more accurate including the sniper zoom that would have been a really useful function in this game. The driving levels have pretty shoddy steering controls compared to Grand Theft Auto. Even the driving levels in From Russia With Love and Everything Or Nothing are more exciting to play than the crude driving engine built into 24. The 360 degree camera pan is also somewhat jerky and the framerate is occassionally choppy and the switch between stealth mode and cover is really lame and does not disengage easily. If it wasn't for the involvement of the shows' major cast members doing the voices, Sean Callery's original music score and the entertaining cut scenes, this game could have been a complete disaster. How I wish that this game had been available on the Xbox console instead but I guess we have to take our man Bauer any way we can get him. I guess that is just what it takes to be Jack Bauer, you just have to get through the day no matter how bad it is.

In 24 Hours, This Game Can Be a Headache

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: March 11, 2006
Author: Amazon User

The hit television show finally gets a game. It's not a horrible game by any means, but it does have a lot of problems, mostly in the gameplay department. The good news, however is that if you really love the show, you'll find yourself immersed in the game's overall good plot.

Once again, Jack Bauer is about to have a harrowing 24 hours. They'll be full of stealth, terrorism, and all around butt-kicking. All within the time-span of 24 hours. It won't take you 24 hours to beat the game, of course (more like eight or nine hours), but they do a pretty good job emulating the show. The cutscenes have split screens and fast paced action. The storyline never slows down. Ever. For those who love the show, this aspect of the game is to die for! Not only that, but the story is instantly absorbing. If you're not familiar with the show though, you might be asking yourself a lot of questions. Many characters and references made are linked directly to the show. In other words, the game aims itself at the right crowd: Fans of the TV show.

I wish the gameplay could be as absorbing. While the cinematics do a great job in keeping to the show, the gameplay is nothing to get excited about. It feels like a run and gun, and to an extent it is. At first the gameplay is pretty easy. When you go into a firefight, the game automatically selects the best weapon of choice. In a stealth mission it will automatically select a silenced weapon, while in firefights you get the strongest. This works out well for the gamer. The enemy AI is also lackluster. Most enemies will just stand around waiting for you to take them out (at least until they spot you) and some of the accuracy of these enemies is off.

However, as I said, that doesn't mean the game is easy. For one, in a firefight, you actually do want to keep your distance. While they may not be that smart, they do gang up on you rather quickly, and because of the weird, subpar camera angles you can't pinpoint where the person shooting you is.

Melee combat isn't very rewarding either. And the only reason it isn't is because the same buttons to perform melee attacks also search downed bodies. It really sucks when you go up to punch a guy and you end up searching the dead guy next to him. You're left open for attacks.

It is cool that they integrated the split screen into the gameplay. Mostly it's just to show you what the bad guys are doing, but it's not so bad. It works.

The puzzles and mini-games are also nothing special. It's mostly hacking out codes or interrogating enemies. Some of them are fun (the interrogation game is especially fun), but for the most part, they're not challenging. That's sad, given the complex appeal they try to give it.

The driving levels are also frustrating. The enemies (and allies) spend a lot of time running into each other and running into you. You'll also find yourself knocking them off the road. They're just not very fun levels. They could've been so much better.

Graphic wise the game is just... okay. There are glitches. Mostly they're parts of the bad guys sticking through the wall. This only lets you know that there are bad guys ahead. The frame rate sometimes slows down as well. The cinematics, however, look devastatingly good. Like I said, it emulates the show perfectly. The audio is pretty good too. The music keeps up with the action, and the voice talents are a spot on match. Although sometimes the voice acting sounds off, it's presented in a fairly good way.

What it boils down to is what you want from the game. If you're looking for a fast-paced in-your-face storyline, 24: The Game has got it! If you're really looking for the gameplay, 24 doesn't handle itself all that well. Fans of the show might be able to forgive the setbacks in gameplay, but serious gamers may find it to be a problem. So the game isn't horrible, but it isn't spectacular either. The good news is that it certainly isn't a waste. Because of how it expertly recreates the show, it uses the license perfectly. I just wish the gameplay could've been more organized.

The Good
+Fans of the show will love it
+Fast paced action
+The story never slows down or gets old
+Great sound
+The voice acting is pretty good
+It does a really good job recreating the show, perfect execution.

The Bad
-Driving levels suck
-Enemy AI isn't all that great
-The camera angles are annoying
-The mini-games don't provide enough of a challenge
-The overall gameplay mechanics just need work. It sucks when you search a dead body when what you're really trying to do is beat up the guy next to the body. Along those lines, the gameplay just feels unbalanced.

24 hours of this may be too many

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: March 07, 2006
Author: Amazon User

First the good news: there are a few levels in this game where you can shoot, pistol whip, or beat Kim Bauer. In fact, I make no apologies for intentionally shooting her multiple times just to hear her scream "I've been shot!". If only the rest of the game were so satisfying.
While I agree with a few of these reviews that the game does a reasonable job of capturing the essence of the show, it also ends up failing in this respect as well. The voice acting, while provided by the cast, is awkward and sounds as if the actors really weren't sure how to play their characters standing behind a microphone. Kiefer Sutherland (as Jack Bauer), even in dire circumstances never sounds anything more than a bit irritated and the poor voice acting from the non-cast members only makes the disparity more glaring. Perhaps if the story were as spectacular or interesting as the show, it wouldn't matter; unfortunately, the story is of the inconsequential videogame variety, bland and uninvolving. Just about the only thing the game has working in it's favor is the music by Sean Talley and that it does use the show's split screen convention in an inventive and clever way. Unfortunately, I never became immersed in the world of the game. It didn't help that while the game is broken up into 24 separate "episodes", they aren't of the can't-wait-for-more, cliffhanger variety (one episode, for instance, ends with Chase getting on a plane to Los Angeles - which is hardly very nail-biting). So while the story may have worked for a balnd, yet passable, season of the series - it doesn't translate into a videogame.

But this isn't a tv show. It's a game, and therefore it should be evaluated on those merits - rather than whether or not it works in the same way as the show. And the look and feel of the game can be summed up simply: sloppy.
The game is unbalanced and can be frustratingly buggy (you'll find yourself cursing at the sluggish driving controls, or when you've lost a suspect in a foot chase because you bumped into a box). It takes elements from other games (such as the aforementioned Splinter Cell series, the GTA and Driver games, and even Metal Gear) and then throws them together without regard for the game's playability.
Broken down into its elements, this is what you get -

Driving: Some pursuit levels, timed driving levels, follow the suspect levels, all of which have you driving the same routes over and over again. In the pursuit levels, it's impossible to lose a tail, so you spend a good amount of time running your pursuers into oncoming traffic until their vehicles explode.

Shooting: The typical rescue/find the bomb/flip a switch/kill scenarios with very little challenge. There is a feature that allows you to use cover, but it really doesn't matter since the game is so forgiving that you can be shot about 100 times before you're really in danger. It almost always makes more sense just to run into a room and start firing madly. The game encourages stealth, and has a ranking system based on how stealthy, quickly, and undamaged you are in a level. Again, you needn't bother if you just want to get to the next level, and the game doesn't offer much in replayability

Puzzles: Simple puzzles that involve scrambling letters, precision button pushing, and easy maze-like puzzles come into play to facilitate unlocking doors, defusing bombs, defusing computer worms, and interrogating suspects. These games never really evolve or change, and quickly go from being an uninteresting addition to a nuisance.
Probably the biggest crime of this game is that it is so buggy and sloppy. Character animations never look right, and hearing a terrorist ask "Who are you?" three seconds after you shoot them is annoying, at the least. The cut scenes look great from a GTA III perspective, but if I didn't already know the characters and actors, I probably would've had a hard time figuring it out. Michelle Dessler looks like she has birth defects, and the other characters just look so generic. That added to other overlooked items (if you finish a mission in a police car, for instance, the next cut scene will still show you pulling up in an SUV) make the game far less involving then it should have been.
One hopes that the game sells well and the game makers listen to the fans and fix some of the problems. If the story were better, the game would be a bit more palatable. Or, if the gameplay were shinier, the story might not matter as much; as it stands, both are mediocre and cliché - and make for a disappointing combination.

Great Potential - Not Enough Time in Development

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: January 23, 2007
Author: Amazon User

If you've got a PS2 or PS3 and love the TV series 24 with Keifer Sutherland, the 24 game is worth taking a look at. Just know that the game isn't perfect.

First, I'll admit that I am both a big fan of the 24 series and also of Keifer Sutherland. We were too busy to watch the first seasons live, but instead we waited for each one to end and then rented the DVDs for a full-out marathon of watching them. It really helped not to have to wait through commercials or for the next week to come to see what happened. So I'm probably the ideal target audience for a game like this.

I also love shooting games and Bond-style games, so I really was looking forward to playing this. It has the real voices of Keifer and other cast members, and unfolds based on the time between Season 2 and Season 3. It uses the time music style and intro 24 addicts know and love. Your game is broken into "hour long segments" which in reality probably take you 15 minutes or so to play through, depending on your gaming skill.

Unfortunately, gameplay just did not live up to the expectations. The camera was *awful* - there were numerous problems that made the game very frustrating, very quickly. At times you're running along in various terrorist areas, crouching behind cover, jumping over boxes, peering around doors. You might have a few fellow CTU units with you who do basic operations like blowing open doors, but they're rarely any help in a firefight.

The enemies don't show great AI either. It also gets frustrating that an enemy might suddenly decide to surrender while you're in the middle of shooting him - and by the time you've pulled your finger from the trigger, he's already killed by the bullets that were in the air when he surrendered. So you get penalized for his death.

There are also little decoding style puzzles, car driving missions and so on tossed in to keep variety interesting. It figures that none of them are either challenging or fun to play. With all of the thousands of games on the market that nail each of these areas, I wasn't asking for spectacular here - just reasonable. It just wasn't.

It almost seems that they raced this game out quickly in order to get sales and nothing got quite done properly. Which is a real shame, because the series is well loved by millions of people who buy the DVD sets, watch the shows repeatedly and who would LOVE to get this game and replay it to immerse themselves in the world. There is certainly great potential for replayability here, to keep going through a mission over and over to nail the top rating. If the missions were fun, I know I would gladly do that to hear Jack's voice and to be in that world. But with the way things were designed, I'm going to have to wait for a sequel to come out that hopefully spends more time in development.

As a side note, this game does play fine on the PS3.

Great story, poor gameplay

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: July 12, 2007
Author: Amazon User

As a die-hard 24 fan, I loved playing this, if only to watch the storyline featuring the voices and character models of beloved characters from earlier seasons of the show. The graphics work fine, and the audio is nice, but the gameplay is pretty awful at times - especially on the driving stages. Casual fans and non-24 gamers may want to give it a pass - this is only for those who really need their Bauer fix.

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