well the game of the games anyway.
The main mode of play in Beijing Olympics 2008 is the Olympic Games themselves, so what better way to start the review than with these. When you select this option you are required to choose your country and then divide the points you are given between precision, strength, power, agility, speed, slow motion and extension slow motion. While most of these stats explain themselves, slow motion and extension slow motion are used to help you get the perfect start or throw etc. The set up of the Olympic mode is very unforgiving, basically you start off on day one with the task of qualifying for just one of the events, as you progress these requirements will increase, making it more difficult to get any further, and should you fail on one of the days it's game over.
During the Olympics you are also given challenges, one such challenge sees you taking part in four events, Hammer Throw, Javelin, Discus and Shot Putt, your task during this challenge is to accumulate a score of more that 200 for the combined distance thrown in each of the events.
Variety is certainly something you won't be short on during this game, all in there are 38 events, these range from track events such as 100m and 1500 meter to cycling, swimming and archery as well as weightlifting, table tennis and quite a few more. For any event you qualify in during the Olympics you will be given points, at the end of the day you can then spend these on the stats mentioned earlier to improve your team.
So what of the controls, well if you are a lefty like me then you can forget winning any events with ease as there is no option to flip the controls over. Otherwise the controls to haven't really evolved much since the last time I played a game such as this, in fact the only difference is that as well as bashing two buttons intermittently you can also choose to waggle the left stick from side to side, either way you are in for either a sore arm or sore fingers. To be fair though it's not all button bashing, the archery for instance (which is highly addictive) has you pull the right stick back and aim with the left stick, once you have accounted for the wind you then simply let go of the right stick to fire. Another event which is fairly simple to pick up is table tennis, a press of the green button serves while pressing it again will return play. The game also gives you the option of watching a tutorial before starting each event so there is no excuse for getting the controls wrong, it's just that the vast majority of them are very awkward to use.
As well as the Olympic mode the game also has a competition mode, this allows you to take part in any event you wish in order to earn medals. There is also a practice mode which I'm guessing is there to enable you to build up the strength in your fingers and arms.
While it's all very well playing through these events, to be honest it is fairly boring unless you are playing with friends. It is a bonus then that Sega have included an online mode as part of the package. Online you can either play a friendly match or ranked match, you also have the ability to create your own matches. All of the events are present online and obviously playing through the games with strangers and friends is a lot more fun, although it still isn't very forgiving on your limbs.
As far as the presentation goes, Beijing 2008 cannot be faulted, the athletes look great as do the surroundings. The sound also adds a nice atmosphere to the proceedings, and while the commentary during the replays isn't the best in the world, it is sufficient enough.
Beijing 2008 is ok, that about all I can say to sum it up really and while it won't win any awards for innovation, playing it with friends and online does make it a worthwhile experience. If however you are planning to buy this game to play on your own, take my advice, don't bother.
0.1
Story
n/a
6.9
Lastability
Boring fast offline, online fairs better though.
6.0
Playability
The controls are awkward and its not much fun on your own.
5.8
Originality
Nothing much has changed since these type of games began.
8.0
Graphics
Decent presentation so no complaints here.
8.0
Sound
The sound is as good as it needs to be.
6.1
Overall
Disappointing really, although it's fun online it really is nothing special.