DAMN!
Gameplay: "You know they say the DMZ is the most dangerous place on earth right?"
Everything is on point with this game. The controls work so strongly from the weapon work to the movement and everything in between. I only got aggrivated getting in and out of tanks occasionally, but thats usually because there would be an intense firefight going on. The difficulty level is right on. It gets tough at points, but if you strategize and take advantage of the support features offered to you. The faction system is awesome, putting you on missions that are pretty linear, but still allow for the level of freedom that I enjoy (check one of my few blogs).
Graphics: "Look at me I'm the GOVERNOR!"
Considering how this came out early 2005/late 2004 (not sure on release date) the graphics are damn good. Every explosion is modeled in awesome detail, even when a whole village crumbles around you. There is NO slowdown that is not intended to cause dramatic effect (the larger nuke-like" air strikes, and when you get below 20 health points). There are TONS of different vehicles and buildings and they all look great.
Sound: "DONT JUST HEAR IT, FEEL IT!!"
For some reason, (from my experience at least), sound is usually the greatest part of a Lucas Arts game. I mean I know the game was developed by Pandemic, who did a great job, but man, the music is always top notch, and the voice acting is the best you'll find in a video game. As the video review mentions, Carl Weathers and Peter Stormare are great. The faction leaders all deliver their lines well, but I have to say my favorite lines come from the character I chose first, Chris Jacobs, voiced by Mad TV's Phill Lamarr. I dont really care about the stuff mentioned in the video review, as Im not a machine gun expert and I'm usualy too busy dodging a missile to worry that a cars tires squeal on dirt.
Value: "As long as his money's good"
The two maps are so huge that you NEED vehicles to get across it in a timely manner. This sheer size alone allows for so much variation. You can sneak up and over a mountain chain to get into the back of a base, or charge in the front in a tank. Disguise yourself in an enemy truck or sit on an overlooking platform and call in an airstrike. Its completely well carried out. Also, the size means more stuff along the way. You can literally blow up almost every single thing you see. Also, aside from completing the main contracts, you have the option of catching the deck of 52 by searching the map for hidden bunkers and garrisons. Furthermore, you can either kill each card, or capture them. Personally, Im a perfectionist, and would not rest until each was captured NOT KILLED. So that added several hours to my play time.....ok I should probably just sum this up very easily
THERE ARE FIFTY TWO BOSS LIKE CHARACTERS TO GO AFTER!!!!!!!
if that doesnt add gameplay time, I don't know what does. Not to mention the little mini games and hidden collectables (holy crap I spent so much time just looking for these).
Finally after you beat the game, you can play it over again with your boatload of cash and all the support options youve earned. Or you could start over with one of the other two characters. Value? Yeah I think so
Reviewer's Tilt: "Target Aquired"
I'm a fan of A LOT of lucas arts games, which is what turned me on to this game. I wasn't sure what it'd be like, but I've gotta say, Pandemic is turning out to be a great company. Destroy all humans and star wars battle front are similar and great as well, but thats another story.
All in all this game is superb. It's not a GTA ripoff at all