The Getaway Review

By Kristan Reed Published 9 December, 2002

Review - everyone is fighting

Version tested: PlayStation 2

28 square miles of central London, painstakingly recreated for your gaming pleasure, 50 real life vehicles to drive around in, 24 missions of stealth action and an hour of cut scenes featuring torture, murder, gang warfare, racism, and some hard core swearing are just some of the things you'll find in The Getaway, and no one in their right minds should dare criticise Sony for lacking ambition in this era of sterile rehashes and sequel obsession.

It goes without saying that The Getaway is an ambitious project, but then the Millennium Dome was ambitious; that doesn't give it the right to be immune from extensive analysis and criticism. Anything that a) claims to break the mould, b) takes years to make and c) costs multiple millions better be bloody good, or it runs the risk of buckling under the weight of indignant, spiteful criticism from an expectant, demanding community.

We wish we'd known nothing about it

'The Getaway' Screenshot 01b

This is actually an 'action' shot - he's not flailing due to the targeting system's quirks...

If The Getaway had emerged from nowhere it would be easier to be impressed. Hype isn't a prerequisite to having a big hit; remember how GTA3 stealthily emerged with virtually no pre-release activity, and then became the biggest word of mouth hit ever? As a result of the unrealistic hype and the years in the making, many assumed The Getaway wouldn't be any good even before they'd played it. A wonky E3 demo hardly helped, replete with less than forgiving handling, a hard to grasp combat system and frame rate issues - all of which resulted in some of the most vitriolic pre-release coverage ever seen.

But sod the deafening wall of negativity - we wanted to make our own minds up. As with any game, the first thing that strikes you is the visuals. The recreation of London is, a month after our first impressions, still an astounding technical achievement on such a relatively limited piece of technology. While it's clear that compromises have been made (some shop signs are missing, there are no road signs, smaller roads have been blocked off, no parked cars, etc), the overwhelming sensation is that Team Soho has pulled off something very special indeed. In the main it looks right; the graphics are crisp and clear, there are no loading delays to speak of, almost no discernable pop up and no major frame rate issues. It's no small praise that Sony could have released this as a London Simulator without the missions or cut scenes and people would still have had fun playing it. It would have been a bit pointless, but as a curiosity it's alluring enough as it is just to bomb around London playing the happy tourist.

If you're a Londoner, or have plenty of experience driving around London, it's an almost surreal experience driving around places you've known for years in a videogame. You find yourself pootling about, doing your drive to work, driving to a mate's flat to see if it's really been recreated, checking out the bits you know and exploring the areas you don't. On this basis alone it's probably worth buying, and we haven't even talked about the missions and the plot yet.

The first mistake

'The Getaway' Screenshot 02b

Killing outside Les Mis? Must be the queues

Strangely, Sony has elected to lock the Free Roam mode (it was unlocked in the preview build), meaning that you have to play through all 24 missions to access the facet of the game we have been evangelising about, which is Team Soho's first mistake.

The real meat of the game centres around the arch villain Charlie Jolson, a despicable, ageing racist gang leader who has decided it's time his Bethnal mob were top dogs in London once again. The game kicks off with a kidnap attempt of a young boy, who happens to be the son of the game's first playable character, Mark Hammond.

The kidnap goes tits up, and Hammond's wife is left dead at the scene - which is where the game kicks off. The disconsolate lead character is thirsty for revenge, and very soon he's up to his neck in trouble, with not only the law on his back, but rival gang members too.

Evidently, Hammond will do just about anything to get his kidnapped boy back, even if it means taking out his former associates, wiping out an entire police station or any number of Triad or Yardie gang members.

The story itself is actually one of the better we've witnessed in a videogame - and with over an hour of cut scenes, interspersed across the 24 missions (12 as Hammond, 12 as Frank Carter - a member of the fuzz) you're regularly rewarded with new clips. Sadly the voice acting, while not bad in videogame terms, comes across as forced and low rent in comparison to the real deal. Vice City proved beyond all doubt what can be achieved when you get name Hollywood actors involved, and given the game's big budget, we're slightly disappointed that Sony's budget didn't stretch this far. (After all, The Actor's Centre is but half a mile down the road from Team Soho). We'd like to say it doesn't suffer through the use of name actors, but we'd be lying.

See You Next Tuesdays

'The Getaway' Screenshot 03b

Waiting for a bus is tiresome in any context

The liberal use of swear words would embarrass a Touretts sufferer, never mind the more mild mannered among you and will no doubt result in a 'shit storm' down at the Daily Mail's newsroom sometime soon. It really is peppered with everything bar the still taboo 'See You Next Tuesday' word and uses them as regularly as possible. Even driving around, passers by take every opportunity to rebuke your shi... sorry, terrible ability to control your vehicle. Some would say this amount of bad language is unnecessary, but seeing as it's an 18 certificate, we say 'bollocks' to that. If you don't like it, don't buy it, but it's nice to see publishers taking risks and deliberately doing something adult, even if it doesn't quite hit the mark. Sony has probably done more to take gaming away from its perceived kiddie heartland than any other company, and The Getaway is proof that gaming entertainment can be just as compelling in real world settings (and how refreshing to play a game based in the place that you live, in a modern day environment).

So what of the gameplay? Essentially The Getaway is two distinct games in one - equal parts driving and stealth shooting. The driving element generally involves getting from point A to point B; sometimes this involves a time limit, other times a bit of destruction. Playing as Mark Hammond, you're often on the run from the law and various gangs at the same time, so it can pay to stick to one way systems, traffic signals and avoid crashes - because the police come down on you like a ton of bricks. The handling is totally different to the GTA model, and as such is far more realistic, and therefore harder than Rockstar's classic. Smashing up your car, or having your tyres shot out has a noticeable effect on your handling - which makes it even more important to be a bit more careful when you're haring around like a maniac. If you find yourself taking too many knocks, the engine will start to smoke, before eventually catching fire, giving you just a few seconds to get out before you too become engulfed in flames.

Fortunately, there are always dozens of other vehicles to hijack, and the system of capture works almost identically to GTA, except you press circle. All the cars are realistically modelled, and thus handling, speed and even engine sound is recreated. Sometimes, though, when you're on the run, beggars can't be choosers, and even a Renault Clio is better than a knackered Lexus. Sadly though, Sony missed the opportunity to emulate London radio stations and without a musical accompaniment all you're left with is a roaring engine and indignant pedestrians to keep you company. Presumably, this was a budgetary issue, but most gamers will be asking Sony "if Vice City has real music, why not The Getaway?", and they'd have a valid point. It's sorely missed.

The damage modelling is convincing to a degree - windows get shot out, tyres burst, front and back end damage can look extremely realistic, but it's no Burnout 2 in this respect. There are some nice touches, though. If one of your tyres gets a puncture, you can get out of the car and shoot the other side to balance up the handling - although eventually you'll be driving on your wheel rims.

Murder, Death, Kill

'The Getaway' Screenshot 04b

I am the King. And. No, wait.

If you're particularly fed up with your pursuers, you can kill them - as you'd expect. Pressing square brings out your gun, and tapping R1 targets your nearest aggressor, with a further tap on square firing the weapon. If you're just feeling murderous, you can manually aim at whatever you choose by holding down R2, and aim with the left stick. It's a system that feels clunky at first, but fairly natural after a couple of hours.

The 'off road' missions generally take place indoors, and almost always rely on a liberal use of stealth. While it is possible to charge in and try and blast through like a hero, you'll probably be dead within about 10 seconds. Instead, you get far more reward for taking your time, sidling up against walls, peeking around corners and using cover wherever possible. At first this element of the game can feel hideously clunky, but after a while becomes by far the most enjoyable part of it.

Usually backed up by some atmospheric 'Professionals' style music, you find yourself slowly picking your way through levels, with a limited, but very cool array of moves - none more so than the one that enables you to poke your weapon around a corner and fire blindly. Given that the game controls the camera for you, you're always aware when an enemy is approaching - so long as your back's against the wall - and picking off enemies like this is immensely enjoyable. Slightly jarring is the less than perfect animation - Hammond lumbers around like someone who's been caught short - although it's never something that gets in the way of the overall game.

Superbly realised environments

'The Getaway' Screenshot sep026b

Who's that bird, then?

The indoor locales are always richly detailed - possibly some of the most well realised game locations we've ever seen, and the in game chatter between the non player characters creates a supremely convincing environment. Check out the Snowhill Police Station, or the Yardie's crack den. They're superbly realised, and as such act as huge incentives to play through to the next stage. Not matter how stuck you get; the urge to find out what happens next never lets up.

However, having recently played Splinter Cell, it's apparent that as a stealth based shooter it falls way short of the majesty that Ubi Soft's title manages. For a start, the game assumes total control over the camera - which often works against the player, and often makes assumptions that cause you to miss things that are about to kill you.

The AI, while certainly not perfect in most games, can be inconsistent and unpredictable. In one mission, as DC Frank Carter, you're expected to sneak about without getting anyone's attention. Some of the time your foes don't spot you when you're stood six feet away from them - while other times they seem to have X-Ray vision, with an irritating ability to see through walls. Meanwhile, most of the time, if their back is turned you can more or less run right up to them - while they carry on oblivious.

Keep it clean, son

'The Getaway' Screenshot sep025b

White van man approaches... say, maybe we can ramraid Fleet Street!

In something of a first, Team Soho has decided to keep the interface clean, so there are no icons on screen. No health bar, no ammo meter, nothing. It gives the game less of a videogame look, (and hence, more of a movie-esque feel) but it does create obvious problems: how much ammo is left? What's the health situation? Which road are we on? It's not a major issue, but it would have been helpful, at the very least, to enable players to decide for themselves whether they needed on screen information (and wouldn't it have been cool to have bundled a mini A to Z with the game to enable you to check your route in-game?).

Also, some gamers will be disappointed to learn that there are just three weapons in the whole game. While this does lend a degree of realism to the experience, the average gamer is constantly looking forward to the next gadget to get to grips with. The fact is that in The Getaway, you've seen all the weapons within a matter of minutes - and frankly after all the years in development that seems a bit of an oversight (especially stood next to Vice City and its plethora of killing implements).

Based on the missions alone, the game won't last as long as you'd think, either. One of the best bits of the preview version was the fact that when you got shot to near death, you could recover a few more hits and stagger on if you leaned up against a wall. In the finished build, the game, bizarrely, allows you to restore your entire health if you stand up against a wall long enough. This reduces the element of tension dramatically, because most gamers will - with a bit of patience - be able to rip through the missions within a few attempts. To give you an idea, a month back it took us about 12 hours to finish all 12 Mark Hammond missions. With the finished build, we blitzed through the 12 Frank Carter missions in just over four. Admittedly, the Carter missions are easier; thanks to the driving sections not requiring avoidance of the law, but still, it was a disappointingly straightforward way to round off an otherwise entertaining experience.

We feel sullied

Perhaps the most interesting thing about The Getaway is the way you feel when you're engaging in such acts of gratuitous violence. At no time does it feel like you're killing for fun - and under no circumstances would you ever feel justified letting a young child get to grips with such carnage. GTA this most definitely isn't, and even though you want to help Hammond get his boy back, it defies belief how the game descends into a black hole to make you achieve this. While most of the people you kill in the game are hardened criminals (and some may arguably deserve to die), you do find yourself taking out hoards of 'good guys' (such as in the horrendous Police Station level). The overtly racist jibes of Jolson and his henchmen also feel uncomfortably near the knuckle. Some would argue that even movies wouldn't push things as far as The Getaway does in the respect, and it would be no surprise at all for an almighty stink to emerge from this aspect of the game.

Despite its frustratingly imperfect state, The Getaway is still a tremendously enjoyable experience. On a technical level it's a major achievement, with a superbly realised graphics engine, but on a gameplay level it's neither the best driving game, nor the best stealth-based shooter, and some of you will have issues with the hammy voice acting (and maybe the race driven plot). As a template for the future, The Getaway is a very solid base to build on. A more authentic looking, more interactive environment, a less linear mission structure, use of name actors and some killer tunes would make an amazing sequel. But for now, The Getaway still has more than enough to deserve your attention, and will be one of the few games you'll want to play to the very end.

8 / 10

Read the Eurogamer.net scoring policy
Picture of Kristan.

About Kristan Reed

Kristan is a former editor of Eurogamer, dad, Stone Roses bore and Norwich City supporter who sometimes mutters optimistically about Team Silent getting back together.

Read more articles from Kristan by visiting the Kristan Reed archive page.

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Comments (133) Latest comment 8 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • st3ph3n #1 9 years ago

    Nice review Krudster, pretty much what I was expecting after my brief time on the demo.

    Any reason why this is out on a wednesday btw?

  • Mugwum Verified Operations Director, Eurogamer Network #2 9 years ago

    Yes, it's because Sony fancy themselves :)

  • JaysonG #3 9 years ago

    Hrm good review... People complain about the comparisons to GTA but they do need to be made.

  • ekko #4 9 years ago

    I read somewhere that it did have 60Hz, any confirmation either way?

  • UncleLou #5 9 years ago

    Why the heck do you all need 60 Hz? It's an European game, no borders, no slowed down gameplay, nothing. 60 Hz mode would probably mean the game's running 17,5% too fast.

  • Royal Fool #6 9 years ago

    It seems a 7 is in order rather than an 8. Judging from all the negative points mentioned in this review, I'm pretty surprised it scores this high.

  • krudster #7 9 years ago

    It's has too much going for it (in terms of the London novelty factor) to score it at 7. Without its obvious USP, then I agree, 7 is fair.

    Definitely no 60Hz chaps. Not that it matters - there are no borders anyway. As far as I can tell it's only when it's a 60 to 50 Hz conversion that it ever matters.

    By the way, CEX were selling this on SATURDAY, and apparently Woolies has broken street date as well. Check it out.

  • Whizzo #8 9 years ago

    My local Woolies were selling it on Friday too, ah well I've saved a few quid buying it online and I'm too busy being a starship captain in SFCIII at the moment.

    Release dates are starting to become a bit of a joke these days aren't they? Any chance of an investigation to see if the softcos care or not? I don't think Sony would be best pleased to be honest.
    Edited by 1 at 09/12/02 @ 20:45

  • Razz #9 9 years ago

    "bar the still taboo ‘See You Next Tuesday’ word"

    What word would that be than?

  • Razz #10 9 years ago

    Ahh... a jack of all trades but a master of none.

  • Fixxxer #11 9 years ago

    What's the replay value like with this?

    From the review it didn't sound like there's much to do after you've completed it.

  • Viktor #12 9 years ago

    No frame rate problems? Any others disagree?

  • Razz #13 9 years ago

    Do you have to pay the congestion charge?

  • #14 9 years ago

    Why settle for crappy NTSC resolution with 60Hz, when you could get 100 extra lines with 50Hz?

  • krudster #15 9 years ago

    The NTSC/PAL, 60/50 Hz argument rages on. Will someone, somewhere give us an answer to this thorny issue. Frankly my head hurts. The bottom line is: there are no borders, and the frame rate is consistently acceptable.

  • bleeptest #16 9 years ago

    7 or 8 seems fair - been playing it since Friday, and it is a great experience. With the caveat that I live in London, know my way around etc I can say I'm certainly enjoying it more than VC..and the map is simply huge, must be bigger than VC, I seem to find new places every time I play. Bugs aside (Look Yasmin, get in the car, get in the CAR, oh s*** don't shoot the police, nee ne nahhh restart mission?) I'd recommend it to almost anyone.

    And for the swearing police - I believe one of the Triads does use the most colourful four letter word, and for those who can't speak Chinese, it's nicely spelled out in the subtitles.

  • lost_soul #17 9 years ago

    I think c**t should be kept taboo. It's nice to have one swear word that still has some shock value.

  • krudster #18 9 years ago

    It's hardly shocking these days. I find the racist crap more offensive, but sticks and stones, etc....

  • Whizzo #19 9 years ago

    There's always *whispers quietly* Belgium *looks around makes sure no invasion fleets head towards Earth*

  • Henrik #20 9 years ago

    I like that game show bit in an episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus where they have a contest for the no. 1 insult for Belgians. "Let's not call them anything, let's just ignore them" is a runner up and the winner is "miserable, fat, Belgian bastards".

  • beep #21 9 years ago

    My answer to the 50/60Hz question is simple.

    If a game is developed specifically for 50Hz, then I have no problems. It's likely the game's animation will be tuned to run at 25/50fps and all timing will reflect. Borders should be non existent unless absolutely necessary (technical reasons, see Fear Effect on PS1).

    I do have problems when a game is a port of NTSC code, resulting in something like FFX (which does not need repeating). Rushed, lazy NTSC ports should have 60Hz options as standard.

    So basically for me, it is a quality issue. I will buy a good game if it is a good PAL version, I will buy a good game if it is a shite PAL version with a 60Hz option (thus negating the 50Hz mode), but I ain't gonna touch no FFX calibre conversion. Not no more. No way, man, etc.

  • Blerk #22 9 years ago

    Now im starting to figure out why this game is $10 cheaper than the average PS2 game!

    Pff! For you maybe. We're paying full whack. How the bloody hell does that work out? I say we strike. :-)

  • Frogger #23 9 years ago

    This 8/10 is surprising !
    Is it because of Sony ? the London background ?

    I've seen a 5/10 on the very serious french website gamekult.com, and based on all the game's bad points, it seems more realistic to me...

  • otto #24 9 years ago

    I like that game show bit in an episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus where they have a contest for the no. 1 insult for Belgians. "Let's not call them anything, let's just ignore them" is a runner up and the winner is "miserable, fat, Belgian bastards".

    I love that sketch (for obvious reasons). On Sunday I watched a long interview with Michael Palin on Belgian telly, it was pretty good but I was very surprised they didn't ask him about that sketch... heh.

    Eric, in Europe we have the PAL tv standard as opposed to the North American NTSC tv system. NTSC runs at 60hz but with a slightly lower resolution, PAL runs at 50hz (slightly lower refresh rate) but with a higher resolution. Console titles developed for NTSC (i.e. Japanese and US games) have to be converted to run on PAL systems - the problem which many people have is that such conversions are sometimes done very shoddily, and can lead either to big borders on PAL screens (because they're higher resolution than the NTSC original) or slightly slower game speeds (because 60hz is faster than 50hz). Fact is, it's become something of a hobby horse for some European gamers, to the point that they moan if they don't get a 60hz option even when the game is developed in Europe for the PAL system, in other words when it's native 50hz.

  • pjmaybe #25 9 years ago

    Started off hating it...
    Grew to like it a little bit...
    Now I hate it again.

    It just doesn't look, sound, play or feel like a 3 years plus in development title. Sorry Soho, must try harder next time.

    Peej

  • Pirotic #26 9 years ago

    the point you all seem to be missing is that no game is developed in 50hz, all the dev kits are shipped from either japan or america and output NTSC. even if the company is based within the UK the PAL version will be handled afterwards and it'll always be a port of the US/JAP version.

    if they worked on the UK version first, then the US/JAP version. surely UK developed games would be released in the UK first? but this isnt the case

    Rareware went on record as saying all there games are developed NTSC, with work on the PAL version starting a few months before deadline in order to fully optimize it.

  • otto #27 9 years ago

    OK Pirotic, but presumably with a game like Getaway which is obviously going to be heavily reliant on the UK/European market, I'd imagine that they're thinking about the PAL version from a very early stage in the programming process, and that the 50hz will be pretty much native and identical in all respects to the NTSC one. Still, what do I know. All I can say is that in my very limited experience I have never noticed any discernible difference between 50hz and 60hz modes.

  • Human Taco #28 9 years ago

    I have never noticed any discernible difference between 50hz and 60hz modes.

    o_O

    Anyway, I think the next generation of consoles should use PAL60 as a default standard, no fuss there as it's exactly the same as NTSC frequency and resolution wise. (HDTV is still unlikely to make an appearence)

  • Halo.Jones #29 9 years ago

    As the reviewer has pointed out, the story revolves around an racist character, sadly this game goes to far with it's racist comments.

    Calling black people, jungle bunnies and spear chuckers is not acceptable in this day and age.

    Oh and the game attacks nearly other culture, foreigner etc.

    Let's remember what happened with Hitman 2, this game is going to bring some major shit down on gaming.

    If I wanted to, I could go to the police and report SCEE for releasing racist material, regardless of it being entertainment.

  • Pirotic #30 9 years ago

    Im affraid no matter how much you "think ahead" about the PAL conversion, there is no way your going to make up that 5/10fps unless you include the 60hz option.

    Also the 'no borders' argument. i think upon close inspection you'll find all fully-optimized PAL PS2 games do have borders, just very small ones. this is due to the PS2 not having enough VRAM to create the buffers for the PAL resolution.

  • #31 9 years ago

    ICO and Jak and Daxter definitely are better in 50Hz even though they were developed in NTSC first. Most of the racing games also benefit greatly from the 100 extra lines, you can make out details much further away.

  • otto #32 9 years ago

    Human Taco, I take it you think there *is* a discernible difference?

    I'm a console newbie, the only 60hz games I have are Cube games (most of them are 60hz). I'm being totally honest when I say that I can see no difference between the 50hz and 60hz versions. I can think of two possible reasons for this: (a) at my advanced age, my gammy eyes and senescent brain can't register the 10hz difference (o_O); and/or (b) the conversions were very good in the first place.

  • Human Taco #33 9 years ago

    Most racing games benefit from a higher frame rate of 60fps and no terrible flicker (see GT3)

  • Human Taco #34 9 years ago

    otto, the 50hz conversions are getting better these days, but having 60hz as standard would just make things so much easier.

    Did you own a PS1? I think the fact that just about every PAL PS1 was unoptimized 50hz gave a lot of people a trained eye to support such shoddy conversions. Going back and playing PS1 games now is terrible, the flicker and jerky 25fps framerate just kill the games.

    Also, it's worrying to notice that just about every PAL dreamcast, xbox and cube game has a 60hz mode, but all the games from Sony's 'can't be arsed' market leaders PS2 don't.
    Edited by 1 at 10/12/02 @ 09:29

  • #35 9 years ago

    Err... 50Hz picture doesn't flicker that much more than 60Hz picture, at least not with any half decent TV.

  • Pirotic #36 9 years ago

    All i can say is try PSO in 60hz, then go back to 50hz, the difference in both walking speed and visible flicker is blatantly obvious.

  • Human Taco #37 9 years ago

    To most people who can spot it a 50hz picture does flicker and a 60hz picture doesn't.

    Take a game that shows a SEGA logo on a white background as it loads up, try that in 60hz then 50hz - you will notice a difference.

    Oh and it's worth noting that these differences will be much greater if you're using a proper RGB cable (as you should) Mushy Svideo and composite (for shame) pictures will downgrade both pictures significantly.
    Edited by 1 at 10/12/02 @ 09:36

  • pjmaybe #38 9 years ago

    Give it time. Once the gutter press actually wake up and review it, the word will get round..then Sony will offer a hasty apology and resolve to remove all offensive material from the next version...

    So in other words, it's a bit late to complain when they've already mastered and distributed their copies...Agreed that in this modern day and age it's a bit like watching "love thy neighbour" - ie, it's embarrasingly offensive (and I thought mankind had actually come on quite well in the last 30 years!)

    Peej

    Peej

  • #39 9 years ago

    "Take a game that shows a SEGA logo on a white background as it loads up, try that in 60hz then 50hz - you will notice a difference."

    They both flicker, luckily most games don't use white backbrounds :-)
    Edited by 1 at 10/12/02 @ 09:36

  • sam_spade #40 9 years ago

    There is an obvious difference in 50/G0hz once you know what to look for.

    I have a terrible time at cinemas now I am aware of what a good projected picture should look like. I notice if a film is slightly out of focus, when it isn't framed correctly and I particularly notice sound problems.

    Once it's stuck in your mind, it's there forever.

  • Halo.Jones #41 9 years ago

    The main problem with 60hz is the stretching of the NTSC picture to fit on a PAL screen.

    I hate it, I hate seeing the lines and I certainly hate seeing the artifacts you get with 60hz.

    I like 50hz, you can do more in a frame in 50hz than you can with 60hz.

  • krudster #42 9 years ago

    Ok, my mistake - there is indeed a 60hz mode; but unlike most games it doesn't ask you when you boot up. Instead it is, in fact, tucked away in an options menu. Good news also for those who can support progressive scan - that option is also included.

  • Halo.Jones #43 9 years ago

    Give it time. Once the gutter press actually wake up and review it, the word will get round..then Sony will offer a hasty apology and resolve to remove all offensive material from the next version...

    So in other words, it's a bit late to complain when they've already mastered and distributed their copies...Agreed that in this modern day and age it's a bit like watching "love thy neighbour" - ie, it's embarrasingly offensive (and I thought mankind had actually come on quite well in the last 30 years!)

    I can bet you a dollar that SCEE will not withdraw it and make changes to it, not unless the suits in Japan don't like the bad publicity, and I am sure Mr Kutaragi won't be too pleased either!

    The other question is:

    If SCEE can release a game with racist material, what is stopping the BNP from doing the same? Nothing.

    But if you pass out racist leaflets etc, you'll get locked up!

    Gaming is going to get dragged over the hot coals for this.

  • #44 9 years ago

    The Australian version of The Getaway will already be censored, maybe the US version will be also.

  • Halo.Jones #45 9 years ago

    Probably, but only if there are any sexual scenes in the game.

  • Pirotic #46 9 years ago

    ohhhh 60hz goodness, im tempted now :)

  • Killerbee #47 9 years ago

    wouldn’t it have been cool to have bundled a mini A to Z with the game to enable you to check your route in-game?

    Hmmm... I got one through the post from Sony's marketing department a couple of days ago. An advert for the game and a fairly decent A to Z with it! Bonus!

    I am quite tempted by this, although I'm not sure that the swearing and racism will necessarily make for a great game. I imagine I'll still enjoy the "cartoony" side of GTA Vice City a lot more.

    Also, what is there to do in the free roam mode (other than roam, obviously)? Any taxi missions? Can you get the police to chase you if you kill enough civilians?

    I'll probably wait till after Christmas some time before picking this up.

  • krudster #48 9 years ago

    Gruff. The voice of sanity. I've had so many fellow games industry "professionals" dismiss The Getaway, it's untrue. Any game I can be arsed to finish means, as far as I'm concerned, it's good. Yes, you can pick holes in The Getaway, but that applies to every single game ever made, including Vice City, Splinter Cell, Halo, Half Life, and so on.

  • krudster #49 9 years ago

    DKR? Are you seriously talking about Donkey Kong Racing?

  • Halo.Jones #50 9 years ago

    Charlie Jolson is the racist, there was no comments saying Mark Hammond is racist.

    Still, I don't think a game with any kind of racism is right, it shouldn't be allowed!

  • pogothemonkey #51 9 years ago

    Bit pissed off to hear the free roam mode isn't unlocked until the end. Stupid sods.

  • sam_spade #52 9 years ago

    I don't have a problem with racism in games, just like I don't have a problem with murderers, rapists, sexists and drug dealers portrayed in them.

    However, I think you have to tread carefully and have a decent set of actors to perform it well, rather than the amateur dramatic society they seem to have employed.

  • LaundroMat #53 9 years ago

    Hear, hear.

    Same thing goes for movies.

  • Xensor #54 9 years ago

    As a black gamer, I have to agree with gruff. Racism should never be glorified ala the BNP, but to deny its existence and pretend that old-timer east end scum like Jolsen were politically correct and all touchy-feely is ludicrous. The fact that YOU know its wrong means you are more likely to empathise with your character, and more likely to hate Jolsen and his mob. It all about emotional resonance.

    The underworld Team Soho have created is very realistic and they should be praised for pushing the boundaries, not reviled.

  • pogothemonkey #55 9 years ago

    So they're flogging it already at Game in town...

    Why do people bother any more with release dates anyhow?

  • pjmaybe #56 9 years ago

    "Why do people bother any more with release dates anyhow?"

    Beats me..if the thing's out there, and ready to sell why not sell it! It was idiotic working at EB, recieving a game a week ahead of its release schedule and then having to effectively sit on it whilst customers clamoured for the damned thing.

    Dumb...I guess there has to be a reason for it...damned if I know what it is though.

    peej

  • UncleLou #57 9 years ago

    It's basically to protect smaller shops which often get stocked later than big electronics markets.
    Edited by 2 at 10/12/02 @ 14:23

  • Muerte #58 9 years ago

    Just f.y.i. - the 'c' word is accually in the game, if I remember correctly. One of the Triad guys is translated as calling Jolston a 'c**t' in the subtitles =)

  • pjmaybe #59 9 years ago

    Weird that. Most of the indies in Brighton would quite happily sell you a game ahead of its release date...!

    Pointless exercise or what!

    Peej

  • Blerk #60 9 years ago

    I thought it was all to do with the charts? Everyone gets their stock on different days - if they just started selling it whenever they received it then they might mess up the charts, i.e. half of the shops sell in one week while the other half sell after the cut-off point and are hence in the next week. Makes the first-week sales figures look poor.

  • krudster #61 9 years ago

    Actually if they sold early, it would make their first week sales look potentially better. Charts run from Sunday to Saturday, so if it was sold early - i.e on a Wednesday, then it wouldn't mess the charts up at all.

  • #62 9 years ago

    Wasn't The Getaway already number 37 in last weeks UK charts?

  • Blerk #63 9 years ago

    Charts run from Sunday to Saturday

    So why release everything on a Friday? o_O

  • Nemesis #64 9 years ago

    /Nem turns up late for the party/

    I'll be picking this one up. At last a mature game for the mature gamer. Er. The joy of finally getting old is you can buy older material. Wahoo!

    (To Otto - saw Michael Palin t'other day - nice bloke)

  • krudster #65 9 years ago

    I know of no logical reason why publishers release games on a friday, when music and DVDs (and books?) get released on monday. Or failing that, I don't know why ChartTrack doesn't run its charts from friday to thursday to account for a full week's sales.

    Star spot - EG's mark saw Paul McCartney in Brighton!

  • pjmaybe #66 9 years ago

    Slebs we had in our store...

    Jeremy Irons (decent local bloke - picked up a copy of Die Hard Trilogy and wanted to know why he wasn't getting any royalties from it...! Cheeky sod!)

    Mel from Mel and Sue (I used to fancy her but in the flesh? Definitely a 10 pint beer goggle job)

    Desmond Morris and his comedy comb-over "barcode style" hairdo.

    Peej

  • Blerk #67 9 years ago

    I once knocked over Craig Charles while walking down a crowded street in Reading, much to his bodyguard's amazement. It was an accident! They shouldn't have been running. :-)

    He wasn't bothered, btw. He thought it was quite funny.

  • Nemesis #68 9 years ago

    My Dad had to suffer the girls from CATS Eyes every morning whilst they did the filming in our area. (One for you old gits out there....Eugh).


  • UncleLou #69 9 years ago

    I'll probably pick this up, too. Does anyone know whether the German version has an English language option? Guess this isn't the right place to ask this, huh? :-)

  • pjmaybe #70 9 years ago

    I think it's disgusting how no one ever goes to the toilet in this game. It's a gritty, realistic east end gangster movie-game right? Not once so far have I seen a line of villains standing at a row of urinals discussing their latest blag. I think the House of Commons should be told...

    Peej

  • Whizzo #71 9 years ago

    Got my copy via the Eurogamer shop this morning and have been playing it most of the afternoon. Really enjoying it and it runs quicker than the demo too, whether that's because it's running in NTSC I don't know.

    Flying across the roundabout in front of Buck House in a stolen jam sandwich, marvellous stuff! :-)

  • Doogle #72 9 years ago

    "If I wanted to, I could go to the police and report SCEE for releasing racist material, regardless of it being entertainment."

    I can't see the big deal personally.If every culture and religion is getting the rise taken out of them then so what?.

    So its ok to have untold violence in a game but not name calling.

    In an ideal world there would be peace and love between all humanity.Unfortunately there isn't.There never has been or ever will.

    Get real.

  • Nobby #73 9 years ago

    Strangely, Sony has elected to lock the Free Roam mode (it was unlocked in the preview build), meaning that you have to play through all 24 missions to access the facet of the game we have been evangelising about, which is Team Soho’s first mistake.

    I might still buy this game, but this just seems to be the icing on the cake. Why bother doing this? It's so utterly inexplicable.

  • UncleLou #74 9 years ago

    Playing this atm and really enjoying it. However, I don't seem to heal when I stand against a wall?!? There's nothing like this mentioned in the manual also.

    Btw, in the game they're all using the same mobile that I've got. No wonder, it's a Sony. ;-)

  • otto #75 9 years ago

    Strangely, Sony has elected to lock the Free Roam mode

    OK, imagine for a moment that I own a PS2. This loses SCEE a sale. What an idiotic thing to do.

    Lucky for SCEE I don't have a PS2. Now they haven't lost a sale. Er.

  • krudster #76 9 years ago

    To heal, just stand side on to a wall, rather than with your back to it. Your character will put his arm out and lean up against the wall...and mysteriously the blood you see on your character will start disappearing...

  • Whizzo #77 9 years ago

    However, I don't seem to heal when I stand against a wall?!?
    Just stand next to a wall, don't stand (by pressing X) against it, after a few seconds Mark will lean against the wall and his breathing will steady and the blood stains will slowly disappear. Just like real life obviously! ;-)

    It's weird it's not mentioned in the manual and potentially the only clue you might get is Mark saying "I need a rest" when he's in trouble.

    Btw, in the game they're all using the same mobile that I've got. No wonder, it's a Sony. ;-)
    Funny that bit of product placement! :-)

    Much like the music helped the atmosphere in VC, the real cars and locations make this game so much more enjoyable. I've never driven across Leicester Square in a stolen Micra before and considering how difficult it is to walk across it I don't think I ever will in reality! Nor have I ever had a three way gunfight between Yardies and SO19 in Trafalgar Square until today...

  • bleeptest #78 9 years ago

    That Sony mobile was my first contract phone about 2 years ago! This game really has been in development for a long time..it was probably bleeding edge when they started.

    'Interesting' rumour I heard - Yasmin not getting in the car very readily is a bug associated with the voices - she won't get in until she's finished speaking, and she's normally going off half cocked at the rozzers.

  • UncleLou #79 9 years ago

    Cheers krudster and Whizzo - this makes life a bit easier indeed. To nitpick a little: the turning circle of the cars is a bit extreme, isn't it? without the handbrake you really need both sides of the road and the sidewalk to make a 90 degree turn.

    The story's got me totally hooked, I have to say, though it's nothing new at all and full of clichés, but I really want to help that guy Mark Hammond.

    Btw, Errol, there's a nude (or rather topless) girl in the game ;-)
    Edited by 1 at 10/12/02 @ 23:29

  • Blerk #80 9 years ago

    Mafia kills this game and Vice city.

    Pff. In its dreams, maybe.

  • #81 9 years ago

    Mafia? Is that the game that got 4/10 from Eurogamer?-)

  • BartonFink #82 9 years ago

    This game really has been in development for a long time..it was probably bleeding edge when they started.
    Seems the edge got a little dulled and went a little rusty along the way somewhere.
    After reading the review this one definately seems worthy of a purchase after Christmas.
    On the review though I'm a little surprised that it received a 8/10 with all the flaws, glitches etc pointed out by krudster it seemed to be deserving of no more than a 7/10.
    That said it is scoring in the 80's and 90's in other reviews.

  • UncleLou #83 9 years ago

    Barton, I think bleeptest's comment "it was probably bleeding edge when they started" referred to his former (and my momentary) mobile rather than to the game itself. :-)

  • BartonFink #84 9 years ago

    Nope he definately said This game really has been in development for a long time..it was probably bleeding edge when they started.

  • UncleLou #85 9 years ago

    That Sony mobile was my first contract phone about 2 years ago! This game really has been in development for a long time..it was probably bleeding edge when they started.

    Now don't you omit the first sentence! "It" refers to the Sony mobile. How could the game be bleeding edge when they just started to code it? Some people! ;-)

    We need some clarifying words form bleeptest here.

  • Whizzo #86 9 years ago

    bleeptest was obviously talking about the Sony mobile.

  • BartonFink #87 9 years ago

    The it in the sentence refers the subject of the sentence that is This game ergo 'The Getaway' not to another subject in the previous sentence.

    Anyhew I was only taking the piss :)

  • Errol #88 9 years ago

    Welcome to 'English Grammar Today'.

    Please give a round of applause for your host, Errol, and his beautiful assistant, Isla.

  • BartonFink #89 9 years ago

    Welcome to 'English Grammar Today'.

    Please give a round of applause for your host, Errol, and his beautiful assistant, Isla.     LOL

    So teacher Sir. What is your opinion on the sentence structure in question. :)
    Edited by 1 at 11/12/02 @ 10:21

  • Errol #90 9 years ago

    So teacher Sir. What is your opinion on the sentence structure in question. :)

    Sod that, I'm just here to bone Isla.

  • BartonFink #91 9 years ago

    Thought as much :)

  • UncleLou #92 9 years ago

    Btw, to answer my own question from yesterday, there's an English language option (and French, Italian etc.) in the game, so the Pal version seems to be identical across Europe. To my surprise, though, the German version is almost better. They used the German voices of Samuel Jackson, Johnny Depp etc. for the dubbing. But it feels much more authentic in English of course.

  • Errol #93 9 years ago

    you ask 1000 pc gamers whats better mafia or gta3 and 999 will say mafia

    I doubt that, frankly.

  • Whizzo #94 9 years ago

    As do I, I like all three; GTA3/VC, Mafia and The Getaway. I would say that The Getaway, to me at least, is a better game than Mafia but it's not directly comparable to GTA3/VC. The set missions the lack of the ability to roam around and do your own thing does make quite a difference.

    One thing The Getaway does do better than either GTA title though is the fact that Police and gangs will fight each other when they're both trying to get you! I also like the short musical burst you get that indicates that a certain gang is now chasing after you. I really wish there were more camera controls though and the inability to look behind you in the car is a pain in the arse although I guess technical limitations would restrict that.

  • Whizzo #95 9 years ago

    A single key press/mouse button to enter and exit cars(held down to lockpick) surely isnt that taxing?
    Press circle when next to a car, if it's empty you get straight in, if occupied you tell the occupant to get out and then you get in. If you get in on the wrong side you slide over. Pretty much the same as in GTA3 even if it does take longer to ditch the previous owner. In Mafia if you tried to get in the wrong side the little menu would pop up and ask if you wanted to get in the front as driver or passenger.

    One huge criticism of The Getaway comes on level 11, just two words : laser beams! What the hell were they thinking? :-O

  • Errol #96 9 years ago

    I asked 10 pc gamers what was better.
    9 said gta3...

    I asked 2678594, and 2678593 said gta3.

  • bleeptest #97 9 years ago

    Sorry Barton, I was talking about the phone being bleeding edge.

    I still haven't finished the 12th level (bloody box), and Yasmin is still annoying me by not getting in the car, whilst simultaneously shouting 'Come on Mark'.

  • BartonFink #98 9 years ago

    Sorry Barton, I was talking about the phone being bleeding edge.
    Grand so, bleedin English grammar who needs it eh.

  • Errol #99 9 years ago

    Why O Why does the guy in The Getaway run like he has been rogered up the arse?

    I think you answered your own question ...

  • UncleLou #100 9 years ago

    He walks a bit strange, ok, but what they really managed is to create an absolutely desperate main character. I can't remember having ever played another game where the main character is so comprehensibly and believably in absolute despair. It's almost too real sometimes, when he rather crawls than walks, shotgun in his hands, blood stains on the jacket, mumbling stuff like "This is too much". They captured that perfectly.

  • pjmaybe #101 9 years ago

    Hmm, I think opinion's pretty much mixed on this one then. It's pretty tough, and some of the glitches/handling problems are unbelieveable in a modern multi-million quid game. I think had they made the driving sections with a little bit more attention to a believeable physics model, and taken a leaf out of Splinter Cell's book with the movement of the main character, the game would've been a shedload better. I think the main problem most people have with this game is that it just doesn't feel like something that's had 4 years of attention lavished on it.

    It's merely "OK" it's not a killer app by any description. Don't judge it on the demo, go and rent the full version or buy it from somewhere with a decent returns policy. But if you're buying this in preference to either GTA 3 or GTA VC you're a f*****g muppet!

    Peej

  • mook #102 9 years ago

    At least they can re-use all of the scenery for Getaway 2, that should speed up development on the sequel.

    Lets hope that no skyline-changing terrorism happens to London until then...

  • UncleLou #103 9 years ago

    Give it some time, it really grows on you. It has some annoying design flaws and feels rushed, but once I got used to that, I was (and still am) enjoying the game very much. Easily one of the best games I have played on the PS2 so far. I'll give it a 9 out of 10, could have been a 10/10 without all the flaws. So much better than MGS2, GTAIII etc., all imo of course.

  • UncleLou #104 9 years ago

    Certainly not.

  • Whizzo #105 9 years ago

    No it's PS2 exclusive as UncleLou says, it's a Sony first party title so it has about as much chance appearing on the PC as Saddam Hussein winning GQ's Man Of The Year...

  • pjmaybe #106 9 years ago

    Worryingly this game does grow on you, doesn't it! I'm about 8 missions in and it's getting better...you learn to ignore the glitches. You just wanna see what happens..!

    Peej

  • UncleLou #107 9 years ago

    Yes, it does. :-)

    Come over to the dark side, son.

  • bleeptest #108 9 years ago

    Right, last level - impossible. Surely it can't be done. Anyone..?

    I'm beginning to think the replay value might be a little low - does anything actually happen in free roaming mode?

  • krudster #109 9 years ago

    Last level? Did it on about the 10th attempt - Just make sure you don't faff about too long is the best advice. You can avoid certain enemies, such as some of the ones when you enter the warehouse. Shoot the barrels too when you can. Make sure you use pistols as much as possible, as they seem to be more accurate for some reason (and it goes without saying that auto targeting is essential).

  • krudster #110 9 years ago

    UncleLou is right - all of you bitching about flaws are missing the point. The point being that it is hugely enjoyable once you get into it - and he's also right in saying it's one of the best games on the PS2 to date...
    Controversial, and only my opinion also, but if you can forgive the flaws, there lies a damned fine game.

    If I'd have reviewed it halfway through level 3 I would have probably given it a 5 or a 6...with much whinging and moaning. after about level 14 I was tempted to give it a 9, but the lack of replayability means an 8 is fair. The free roam mode, while a novelty, isn't something you'll come back to very often.

  • Whizzo #111 9 years ago

    Right, last level - impossible. Surely it can't be done. Anyone..?

    It is possible, it's very tricky and towards the very end just keep moving rather than shoot your way out, once the "hurry up" music starts you really need to be pretty close to the end. You can do it resting a bit once, anymore than that and you haven't a prayer.

    I'm beginning to think the replay value might be a little low - does anything actually happen in free roaming mode?

    There's no tasks to complete in free-roam other than driving around, causing trouble and finding the hidden cars. There's a lot less police though and the gangs still appear, so you've got something to shoot at but you won't have to obey the road rules or have cops on you so quickly. All interior locations I've seen are completely closed though, pity really having another bash at Snowhill could have been fun.

    One thing I realised from playing free-roam is the fact that the police will never shoot at you if you have a hostage, pity I hadn't tried it during the story mode...

    Oh and another thing in free-roam I noticed is that L1 and L2 control your indicators! Not much use really but at least they do cancel when you turn the wheel straight again.

  • pjmaybe #112 9 years ago

    I'm getting there with it. I think my initial reaction was one of huge disappointment after playing GTA Vice City..and seeing what they'd achieved there. But there's something about the familiarity of The Getaway that gives it the appeal. That and it really is a "proper grown up" game too...

    Tell you what though, if Rockstar ever do GTA London with the same 60s theme it had before, but with a nice 3D makeover in a new engine I think that would be the better game..but I don't think they will...will they?

    Peej

  • Whizzo #113 9 years ago

    Did you play Mafia peej? The Getaway reminds me a lot more of that than GTA and TG is better than Mafia (which is still one of my favourite PC games this year). Mafia's Freeride and Freeride Extreme modes offer a bit more longevity though.

  • pjmaybe #114 9 years ago

    Never played Mafia...I ought to give it a go though cos a lot of people have said it plays like a 1930s version of The Getaway...

    Peej

  • UncleLou #115 9 years ago

    I've played only the demo of Mafia unfortunately, but was absolutely blown away. Brilliant graphics, cool cut-scenes, intense shootouts etc. Is there a reason why so many people seem to bash it?
    Edited by 1 at 16/12/02 @ 15:35

  • Whizzo #116 9 years ago

    I've no idea why it's bashed so much. It's true that the cars are pretty slow and handle poorly, however that's more the fact that they're slow, poor handling cars than the game! The race is annoying (not as annoying as Charlie's Mansion is in TG) but it didn't take more than about half a dozen tries for me to do it, you're given some practice driving the car in the previous level too.

    It has pretty high system requirements and I had severe frame rate problems until I ditched using my Nforce sound (crappy drivers) but it certainly looked good and played pretty well in my opinion.

  • AnotherMartin #117 9 years ago

    Not sure if this has beeen covered here or in the forums but there are more than three weapons in the game.

    There are three more that I have used and I reckon on about another 2/3 at least.

    Bonus points to anyone who can tell me what they are.

  • UncleLou #118 9 years ago

    pistol/double pistol
    Ak 47
    Uzi/double UZI
    shotgun
    crowbar (used only by enemies, can't pick it up,can you?)

    Any more???
    Edited by 1 at 16/12/02 @ 15:45

  • Whizzo #119 9 years ago

    Generic pistol (probably a Glock 17 as that's what SO19 uses).
    I think there's three types of shotgun, including the sawn-off you see in cutscenes but never actually use.
    AK47 assault rifle
    H&K MP5 (should be the carbine version but doesn't appear to be here as it goes full auto)
    Baseball bat. (don't pickup)
    Meat Cleaver. (don't pickup)
    Truncheon/night stick, not the telescopic version. (don't pickup)
    Smoke grenades, I thought they were tear gas at first but you don't seem to suffer any ill-effects. (don't pickup)
    Crowbar (don't pickup)
    Cars, easily the most dangerous weapons in the game! :-)
    C4 plastic explosives (can't use only in cutscenes)
    Fertiliser filled barrels (bang!)

    another edit : slight cheat, forgot about the crowbar, (thanks UncleLou!) and the explosives.
    Edited by 2 at 16/12/02 @ 15:56

  • AnotherMartin #120 9 years ago

    And the winner is...

    ...UncleLou (Edit: you too Whizzo ;-)

    and the prize is....

    ...not a lot, smugness?

    pistol/double pistol
    Ak 47
    Uzi/double UZI
    shotgun
    crowbar (used only by enemies, can't pick it up,can you?)

    Any more???


    I wasn't counting double weapons as extras but the rest are right.

    UZI's
    - are they the ones that the Police special forces use? If so that was one of them if not, one more to look for.

    Crowbar
    - was one I was thinking of, though haven't actually bothered picking it up. I assume it falls into the same category as the

    Meat Cleaver/Baseball Bat/Truncheon/Cosh - the first two of which I have used. Put your guns away and walk over them.
    Edited by 1 at 16/12/02 @ 15:59

  • UncleLou #121 9 years ago

    -> Whizzo: lol! 0wnage.

    Ok, I tried to be fast, not thorough. ;-)

    ->Another Martin: nice of you to call me the winner :-)
    Edited by 1 at 16/12/02 @ 16:00

  • Whizzo #122 9 years ago

    Meat Cleaver/Baseball Bat/Truncheon/Cosh - the first two of which I have used. Put your guns away and walk over them.
    Oh didn't realise that, I'll have to try it, although you may as well just hit people with a gun I suppose it gives you something to use when you're out of ammo.

  • AnotherMartin #123 9 years ago

    ->Another Martin: nice of you to call me the winner :-)

    I saw your's first and then by the time I did my reply Whizzo snuck one in before me. I must admit his substantial offering almost swayed it but you did get there first!

    Is the tank rumour true? 'spose that could/should be classed.

    Found the Golf cart on free roam last night, also one of those little 'Van with the back missing to become a little truck' things aswell.

    oh, and the Lotus rocks!!

  • Whizzo #124 9 years ago

    Yes my lengthy reply took some time to type up! Apparently the tank is somewhere near Buck' Palace but I haven't found it, I'm rather enjoying jsut driving around, although it would have been nice if the taxi mode had been implemented. It might appear on the Japanese version, you have to deliberately drive a circuitous route as an unscrupulous cabbie to screw more money out of your clueless customers! Perhaps some at Team Soho have bad experiences... ;-)

  • Scientist #125 9 years ago

    "The point being that it is hugely enjoyable once you get into it.."

    Have you considered that the multitude of flaws may prevent one from getting into it?

  • UncleLou #126 9 years ago

    Good thing is the game's definitely good enough to shine despite all its obvious flaws. Now if that doesn't speak fo the quality of the game, I don't know what does. :-)
    Edited by 1 at 16/12/02 @ 16:34

  • pjmaybe #127 9 years ago

    I thnk the enjoyment of this depends on how harcore a gamer you consider yourself...take something like Mario Sunshine f'r instance. Applauded left right and centre when it first game out because it did the whole mario thing a lot prettier/bigger etc...now, I can't even bear to load the thing even though the flaws in it are minimal. With The Getaway, something keeps making me want to play it. Don't know what, but I just want to finish it and get a free roam around London for my troubles. So I will keep plugging away at it until I do...The flaws are glaring but if you can see past them you will get something out of the game, even if it's just a dire need to play a polished up sequel to it.

    Peej

  • Scientist #128 9 years ago

    Did anyoine notice how the game becomes more buggy as you get closer to the end? Speech scripting is all over the place to a point where it becomes comical and removes any sense of "movie-ness" from it. The frame rate seems to have dropped by 25%.
    As a conusmer who has had to put up with years of hype, I expect a title with a little more polish (well, a title form a big developer).
    And the most childish thing is the maunal credits where they say "bollocks to all those who thought it couldn't be done". Pathetic

  • Whizzo #129 9 years ago

    I judge a game on how it plays rather than how it was hyped before hand. I liked the game it could have been better and strictly speaking should have been but it's still one of the best games I've played this year.

  • krudster #130 9 years ago

    I'd liken The Getaway to a band's album. You listen to it, and initially it sounds like a loads of crap - and you're even happy to admit that it's got lots of things wrong with it. But somehow, with repeated listens, it grows on you. It may have shoddy playing, bad production, or whatever, but the songs shine through. It's a bit like this with TG - it's almost more than the sum of its parts. It succeeds despite having so much wrong with it.
    I predicted after playing the preview build that TG would be the easiest game in the world to rubbish, and I stand by that. But somehow I still love it...Very weird.

  • krudster #131 9 years ago

    And Scientist - no, I can't say I did notice it being buggy toward the end. Trouble is, I seemed to breeze through so many of the final missions, I probably didn't play them enough to trip things up. Luck of the draw it seems...

  • Scientist #132 9 years ago

    It's what's known as an earworm with music:-)
    I'd really like to play the sequel. Damn it, I might even apply to work there as a designer!

  • bleeptest #133 9 years ago

    Cheers for the 'yes the last level is possible' advice - I'll have a go in a bit.

    Still thinking it's great - once i worked out you could hold auto target and walk at the same time the on-foot sections seemed to gain a new dimension, and I defy anyone not to have smiled the first time they hid behind a wall and shot someone just by poking the gun round.

    I've seen a few criticisms of the driving model but I actually quite like it - having to press the analogue buttons quite hard means you can reasonably emulate realistic driving, braking for corners and accelerating off. One of my favourites parts of the game is trying to 'subtle-drive' from one place to another. And the traffic following actual driving rules is funny (although they'll have to update shoreditch) - is this the first game with roundabouts?

  • Whizzo #134 9 years ago

    I used the right analogue stick for accelerate/brake/reverse it allows you to be a lot more subtle with the amount of speed and stops your thumb getting sore!

    I went back to playing about with GTA:VC and wondered why I wasn't going anywhere! Tommy jumping all over the place instead of shooting was rather silly too! :-)

  • UncleLou #135 9 years ago

    When they are too low or there are too many to use "roll", you can always sneak past them somewhere (press x to lean against the wall, then walk sideways).

  • bleeptest #136 9 years ago

    ....and even if you set off the gas, if you do a couple of rolls and get out of the room quick enough, maybe run down the stairs, you can survive.

  • UncleLou #137 9 years ago

    No, it doesn't, iirc, but this shouldn't influence your decision...get it, it's great.

    edit: if you failed the mission, you can' drive aound anymore
    Edited by 1 at 22/12/02 @ 00:55

  • pjmaybe #138 9 years ago

    The hidden cars are behind the donit shop.

    Peej

  • Machiavel #139 8 years ago

    /confused at above comments.

    There's definitely a 60hz option, right next to the widescreen option. Perhaps I'm playing the "stop being a bastard to BT" later version?

  • pjmaybe #140 8 years ago

    I like being a bastard to BT

    Peej