The Italian Job Preview
The Italian Job currently under development at Climax and down as a September 5th release shouldn’t need an introduction. Launching alongside the new film set to release this year it should offer the high octane thrills and classic moments that are unique to the Italian Job.
Release date: September 5th 2003 Developer: Climax Publisher: Eidos Players: 1-2
Charlie Croker and his gang are left for dead in Venice after being double-crossed during one of the biggest gold bullion heists in history. Taking on the role of Charlie and his gang members, you must wreak vengeance on the man who betrayed you and reclaim the gold. In order to achieve this you need to create the biggest traffic jam in LA history and make your escape in super-charged new Mini Coopers. One of the great things about this game is that it includes hidden extras including movie footage, interviews with the film’s cast, film stills, concept art etc
The Italian Job, set for release on all next generation consoles should be a huge hit when it’s released. Launching alongside the new film the game does not follow the exact same story line as the film as it is more of a racing game at heart, although connections between the game and the film will probably be clear. Racing your friends and beating the clock is the aim of the game and you do so through the streets of Los Angeles as in the new movie.
The best aspects of the game though, are the ability to use the courses you are set. No hidden walls or “clipping” are hardly used. Driving along sidewalks, down stair cases even along the tops of buildings are all possible in the game. However mistreat your vehicle and the wheels will wobble, steam will pour from the busted radiator and smoke will billow from the damaged engine.
The vehicles in the game (mainly Mini Coopers) are very nippy. They are challenging yet they become second nature to drive. You must really commit yourself to the corners and most definitely the hairpins, you must make sure the entry to the corner is just right so you enable yourself to make a quick exit. Miscalculate turns whether they are to sharp or taken to fast will result in you either crashing or rolling your car (which is always fun).
The emphasis in the game are not surprisingly the cars. Each car represents a character and element from the movie. Frantic high speed races ensue and you aren’t left with time to think about anything else but the job in hand. You can almost go anywhere on the huge maps, though if you wish to complete the game’s missions you will need to go from point A to point B in the fastest means possible. How you traverse the streets to get there is up to you, find shortcuts, smash your way through the bustling streets or scale huge buildings to achieve your goal. The Italian Job is highly enjoyable if not tiring at times! All in a positive manor of course.
The Italian Job is an arcade driving game with three modes of play - Story Mode, Circuit Racing and Stunt Driving. The Story Mode is based on the film’s plot as you attempt to steal $28 million in gold bullion from under the nose of the man who betrayed you. The game features 15 different missions utilizing a range of vehicles and gameplay styles. Create havoc on the streets of LA as you drive at break-neck speeds through environments based on locations in the film including the Hollywood Hills, Downtown LA and the city’s Metro and storm drain system. To re-create this sense of speed the game runs at a constant 60fps.
Climax are also incorporating a 2-player mode in the game which is circuit racing via a split-screen around tracks based on locations seen in the film. Test your driving skills to the limit when Stunt Driving offering you the chance to control a Mini Cooper over various obstacle courses including building rooftops. Of course the range of vehicles is impressive with the new Mini Cooper, muscle cars, armored truck and cable van all offered in the lineup.
This game is smooth and seamless and fans of mission-based race games will likely find this an enjoyable ride to say the least.
Game Information and Summary:
GET IN. GET OUT. GET EVEN.
Charlie Croker and his gang are left for dead in Venice after being double-crossed during one of the biggest gold heists ever. Taking on the role of Charlie and his gang members, you must wreak vengeance on the man who betrayed you and reclaim the gold.
Recapture the high-octane thrills of the 2003 blockbuster movie by creating the largest traffic jam in L.A. history and attempting your escape in super-charged MINI Coopers.
Game Features:
- The Italian Job® is Paramount Pictures’ contemporary re-make of the 1969 cult classic film of the same name. The film’s all-star cast includes: Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Donald Sutherland, Seth Green, Mos Def and Jason Statham.
- Tear through subway stations, rip apart golf courses and plow through storm drains with the cops hot on your tail.
- Race through L.A. driving 10 different vehicles from MINI Coopers to muscle cars.
- Master 4 action-packed modes including death-defying stunt driving, intense circuit racing, multiplayer madness (2-player) and story mode based on the movie’s gripping plot.
- Cutting-edge graphics engine running at a constant 60 fps with highly detailed textures and spectacular graphical effects.
- Exhilarating car handling and realistic damage model including body deformation and component removal.
- Bonus features including movie footage, concept art and more.
You can visit the official game site by clicking HERE You can view the trailer HERE