Customer Reviews

Vigilante 8: 2nd Offense

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Vigilante 8 really surprised me. I was expecting an updatedTwisted Metal, which Vigilante is, but it surpasses TM on every level.The graphics, music, and weapons are the best features on the game. Some minor problems are there though. It can be hard to control the cars, especially in the air and on the water. You eventually get used to it, but there is a learning curve. The physics engine has some issues as well. If you're not careful, your vehicle will bounce around the screen like an out of contol pinball--causing a game crash/freeze or having to start the level over. However, I highly recommend the game, especially if you like Twisted Metal.

This is the newest game in the Vigilante series. It has awesome capabilities in multiplayer mode, and has a smooth frame rate even with four players. It is a car combat game, letting you blow your enemies to smithereens. It even has a 2 player quest mode. A great buy.

Single player version of this game is lacking something, just isn't that much fun. How-ever, this is probably the best 4-player, non-sports game I've played on DC.

Second offence is probably one of the most anticipated games to hit the Dreamcast. Having many selectable vehicles and characters, it is easily my favorite Dreamcast title to date (having played nearly every released title so far). The strongest point of the game is it's go-anywhere, shoot-anything-that-moves perspective. The graphics are top notch and the action is non-stop. Although this game may not appeal to all, fans of the genre will be more than satisfied with what Second Offence has to offer.

Vigilante 8- 2nd Offence
Shortly after buying the short-lived Sega Dreamcast, I purchased this Twisted Metal rip-off. I enjoyed Twisted Metal and I figured this would be a nice addition to my collection. Vigilante 8 does a very good job in creating interesting levels and vehicles. Characters do not have a lot of depth to them, but they are interesting enough for you to keep playing this one.

Graphics- 8/10
As far as the Sega Dreamcast goes, Vigilante 8 had very good graphics. Particle effects are very nice. Explosions all look realistic. Cut Scenes are all done well. Vehicles and levels each have a unique design that keeps the game interesting. There are really no problems with the graphics other than that they could be better.

Vehicles range from buses (as seen on the cover), sports cars, and even a hover car. Each of the vehicles can be upgraded by picking up power ups. If you get enough power ups, your vehicle will begin to change its design. There is nothing like a hovering, armored bus dominating the competition.

Levels are all different and interesting. There are some bright levels, and there are some dark levels. Each one has a theme. One may be a nuclear power station, and another may be a NASA base. Some of the levels even have special parts of the stage that allow you to go through special sequences. In the NASA base I already referred to, you will be rocketed into the air and then plummet to the ground below.

Story- 5/10
Much like Twisted Metal, all the characters in this game have their own agenda for the vehicular mayhem. Some of these involve time travel, revenge, and other stories you do not care about at all. While playing Twisted Metal, you cared about what the characters would wish for at the end. In this game, you could really care less about each characters agenda.

Sound- 7/10
This is another area where this game is decent, but does not really stand out. All the gun sounds and vehicles sounds are well done. The vehicles sound different depending on whether or not they are on tires, hovering, or on skis. Music is slight, but often applies to the level very well.

There are massive amounts of weapons in this game that you can attach to your vehicle. Each one is useful, and has its own sound. No two weapons sound alike.

Gameplay- 7.5/10
Exactly like Twisted Metal, you start in a level with other vehicles and try to destroy them all. Destroying them all will advance you to the next level. Then repeat. In Twisted Metal, this was fun for the first time through, and then you had no reason to play through again. This game however features upgrades for you vehicles that keep the game interesting for a while. Since the storyline is not interesting at all, the single player game might get repetitive after awhile. Multi-Player is a fun addition as well.

Single player mode sees you doing the same thing each level. Destroy all the cars and survive yourself. Whenever you destroy a vehicle, you will be able to grab a power-up upgrade. The single player mode is repetitive, but fun for a play or so. Upgrades might keep this one running a bit longer for you.

Multi-Player is a fun addition to this game. You can play up to a four-player deathmatch. You can also play co-op and play through the story mode. However, you will only receive the cut scenes for the first player. Playing this game with friends is fun, but not enough of an addition to bump this game up in score.

Difficulty- 8/10 (Note- This is how much I like the Difficulty)
This game is hard, but not hard enough for you to break the controller. You will find yourself being defeated every now and then, but never to the point where you get frustrated with this game. Vehicles are easy to control. Speaking of the controls, the controls of this game are easy to catch onto.

Overall- 7/10
This game is a fun alternative to Twisted Metal. I did not enjoy the story as much as Twisted Metal, but I enjoyed the Gameplay a bit better than the early Twisted Metals. There are many secrets to discover and fun to be had in this game. Multi-Player is fun for when you have some maniacal, destructive friends coming over. Co-op keeps this game running for even longer. The problem is the unappetizing storyline that you will never care about.

Considering this is the Sega Dreamcast version of this game, the graphics are much better than the Playstation version of the game. However, with better games like Twisted Metal: Black out right now, this is defiantly a pass. If you own a Dreamcast and have some spare cash, this may give you a few good days of fun.

Vigilante 8 is a lot like Twisted Metal, but lacks, of course, the updated graphics in the more recent TM games. However, the 4 player head to head game is the one we always play when we have guests over. The learning curve isn't too steep, the physics are reliable, and overall it makes it competitive and fun for everyone. Also, the cooperative play is a joy. If I bought this game as an indvidual I would give it a so-so rating. But, for me, it's always been hard to find a solidly performing, fun multi-player game that your friends can get into. And, for me, I haven't found a better one than Vigilante 8.

This game absolutely blows away all other games in the genre, largely because of the Dreamcast's capabilities. The concept is pretty standard, and I'm not sure that the game itself is truly outstanding in that regard. But the hardware capabilities make the execution near flawless, unlike other games of this type. Graphics, sound, control, gameplay...it's ALL there. I really have nothing negative to say about it.

Another comment I would add is that I bought this game used, without the manual, and found the controls very easy to figure out. I was venting my road rage within minutes! I did pick up the cheat book to learn secret moves and what not, and I will try to get the manual for completeness' sake, but it's really pretty easy to figure out the gameplay without it.

I thought it would be a lot better game than it turned out to be. The cars are new but the levels are repetive and the graphics are also a dissapointment. I reccomend getting the first one. I also recomend that you not get this game!

This is a good game, don't get me wrong. But there are annoyances that drag down the entire experience. The controls are a little awkward, and there is no way to edit them. you are stuck with a standard controller configuration, making it a little hard to drive at times.

The levels have multiple goals, which need to all be solved. Collecting items and destroying all oponents are two of them. But the level always ends after destroying all oponents, and you fail if you haven't found all the secret items. So you may find yourself searching for hidden items, while constantly under fire. If you defend yourself, the level may end as a failure.

The music is awesome and I love the future hover car. I would totally recommend this game if you love twisted metal. the only problem is, IT'S BETTER THAN TWISTED METAL!