Wheelman Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

System: X360, PS3, PC	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Midway / Tigon	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Ubisoft	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: March 24, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

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.

By Adam Brown
CCC Staff Contributor

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).