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Wheelman Review for Xbox 360

Wheelman Review for Xbox 360

Cars, Controller, Action

You’re sitting in a chair watching Vin Diesel behind the wheel of a heavily damaged car, attempting to escape a group of gun-wielding enemies. He meets with some success after slamming into a couple of henchmen on motorcycles, leaving both the bikes and their riders rolling end over end in his wake, but he is still by no means safe.

Wheelman screenshot

While being nudged by enemy vehicles and taking bullets through shattered car windows, time suddenly slows down. Vin spins his car 180 degrees as he pulls out a pistol, which he uses with pinpoint accuracy to quickly take out his pursuers’ engines, resulting in several fiery explosions. As the car seems to magically spin back around to its previous heading, you look down and realize that you’re holding a controller. What you’ve just witnessed wasn’t a scene from a new movie starring Vin Diesel, it was actually just a typical car chase in Wheelman.

Although it probably sounds more than a little cliché, the best way to describe Wheelman is the video game equivalent of a mindless popcorn flick. This is partially because of the game’s focus on constant, over-the-top and unrealistic action but this comparison is also quite apt due to the almost non-existent story that serves only to loosely justify and explain the mayhem that occurs. Players will control Vin’s character otherwise known as Milo Burik, who is apparently some sort of undercover agent trying to gather important intel on some major players in Barcelona. Because of this, you’ll end up taking jobs from several seedy and stereotypical characters in an effort to eventually achieve your ultimate goal.

As I previously stated, this game has a fairly sad excuse for a story, but it is never bad enough to detract from what actually makes Wheelman so much fun, the often ridiculous but enjoyable action. Players start off slow with only the most basic of driving skills but are quickly introduced to a slew of absurd abilities that, once combined, make Milo quite deadly when behind the wheel of a car. The first thing you’ll learn is how to check other vehicles. Unlike other driving games that have you swerving into opposing drivers, Wheelman essentially allows you to punch enemies’ vehicles using your own. Pressing the right analog stick in any direction but down will result in your vehicle producing a powerful lunge in the same direction. This allows players to slam enemies’ cars into flaming heaps rather quickly and can also be used as a tool to avoid similar attacks from your opponents or even obstacles and oncoming vehicles.

Wheelman screenshot

Every other ability you gain in Wheelman, except one, makes use of a focus meter. Driving quickly, using the handbrake, drifting, and smashing objects will all help fill this meter, while driving slowly, hitting traffic, and running over pedestrians will drain it. Using your special moves will also deplete this meter but the results are usually well worth it. Players can use their stored focus for an added turbo boost or to initiate either a Cyclone or Aim Shot. The Cyclone allows you to take out the pesky enemies behind you by spinning your car 180 degrees, slowing time, and giving you the chance to quickly disable their vehicle or take out the passengers themselves with a few well-placed shots. Aim Shot is essentially the same thing, only without the need to spin, since it allows you to dispatch foes directly in front of you.

Even with all of these entertaining and useful abilities at your disposal, you will often find yourself in need of a new vehicle once your car begins to heavily smoke from the constant battling that is usually required. Its times like these that I really appreciated Wheelman’s Airjack maneuver. Feeling somewhat reminiscent of a mechanic found in the PSP title Pursuit Force, players can actually leap from whatever vehicle they are currently driving onto another moving vehicle, kick its current occupant into the streets, and drive away with a new car. While completely unrealistic, this move is fairly easy to pull off, incredibly useful, and quite hilarious all at the same time. Players will only need to hold down a single button while following a vehicle, wait for an arrow above the car to change from red to green, and then release the button.

Wheelman screenshot

While Wheelman is clearly at its best with Milo sitting behind a steering wheel, players will also sometimes be forced to take part in some on-foot action during the occasional mission. Milo’s movements are incredibly limited in these instances, only allowing players to crouch, walk, sprint, aim, and shoot. There is no jumping, no taking cover, just the fairly bland third-person shooting of a ton of similar-looking and acting enemies. Making matters worse, all of your foes will often just mindlessly run towards you no matter the situation, almost inviting their inevitable deaths. Thankfully, these lackluster on-foot segments are few and far between, leaving the majority of the game to highlight the incredibly fun driving experience.

Wheelman screenshot

Aside from the story-based missions, players will also find a plethora of side missions scattered about the streets of Barcelona. There are actually seven different varieties of side missions, each with their own objectives and benefits. Fortunately, whether you are racing opponents through the city, evading the police en route to a safe house, or stealing and delivering certain vehicles within a time limit, all of the game’s side missions will keep you behind the wheel. Also, since players have no use for money, instead of earning cash for completing these tasks they will instead receive more tangible rewards. With the possible benefits including more focus power, increased vehicle performance, upgraded checking strength, and unlocking repair and respray garages around the city, successfully completing these side missions seems all the more worthwhile since the rewards will actually help you to get through some of the more difficult missions found later in the game.

So, if you are looking for an action game with a heavy focus on vehicular combat, over-the-top driving sequences, and ridiculously unrealistic abilities, you should definitely check out Wheelman. While its on-foot segments are lame at best, you won’t be forced to spend much time outside of a vehicle. The included story is also pretty weak but the intense driving action more than makes up for many of the game’s shortcomings. In the end, Wheelman provides an incredibly entertaining experience that encourages you to just shut your mind off and enjoy.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 3.9 Graphics
The character models, vehicles, explosions, and Barcelona itself all look pretty good, although not quite as sharp as they could be. 3.6 Control
Steering can sometimes feel a little washy but it rarely adversely affects the game. However, controlling the on-foot segments in the game can feel awkward. 4.0 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
While the dialogue may not be Shakespeare, it is delivered convincingly. The music in Wheelman is also quite good, supplying a perfect mix of calm and heart-pounding tunes that fit the action on screen. 3.7 Play Value
Between the game’s missions and plethora of optional side missions, there is a surprising amount of fun, action-filled gameplay to be had with Wheelman. 3.8 Overall Rating – Good
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

  • Vin Diesel is the Wheelman: Action film megastar Vin Diesel and his Tigon Studios have collaborated with Midway in the design and production of Wheelman to ensure an edge-of-your-seat gaming experience. Diesel’s voice and likeness will appear as the game’s main character, expert Wheelman Milo Burik.
  • Cinematic thrill ride: Rubber-burning, asphalt-churning excitement takes you on a white-knuckle thrill ride through the streets of Barcelona. Featuring car chases inspired by Hollywood’s most famous action sequences, Wheelman delivers powerful cinematic moments throughout the game’s compelling storyline.
  • Supermove stunts: Survive death-defying feats by performing pulse-pounding maneuvers. Pull off a Cyclone and spin the vehicle 360 degrees while precision firing at your enemies.
  • More than just a driver: Sideswipe pursuing enemies to get them off your tail, execute devastating maneuvers for maximum motor vehicle carnage, or grab your gun and start blasting right through the windshield.
  • Maximum mobility: Commandeer a semi truck to leave your mark on the city. Escape down a narrow alleyway on the back of a tricked-out motorcycle. Hop behind the wheel of exclusively licensed vehicles and make your getaway in style.
  • Hit the pavement: Even the best Wheelman sometimes needs to get out of the vehicle. Take to the Barcelona streets for on-foot action, but make sure to remember your guns.
  • Living, breathing Barcelona: Set in exotic Barcelona, Spain, this classic European city is densely populated with traffic and pedestrians who react intelligently to your actions as you roam around realistic environments filled with massively destructible objects.
  • Screen Resolution: Up to 1080p (Full HDTV).

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