24: The Game

With design lifts from here, there and everywhere peppered throughout, it’s safe to say that the developer has rather appropriately played things by the numbers. [Mar 2006, p.88]

24 isn't the ambitious action opus it should've been, but its engaging quirks and variety of gaming experiences still raise it above the cash-in gutter.

If you're a gamer wondering what all the fuss over 24 is about, the game is not the right place to find out. Without the connection to the characters and the twisting, turning style of 24, you're left with an average third-person action game with simple gadget puzzles and bad driving.

But the actual game itself really is simply poor. There's almost nothing redeeming to find during any section where the analog sticks are in use, and being that this is a game and not a TV show, that simply doesn't cut it.

Captures the frenetic atmosphere of the popular TV-show successfully. The game is fun to play, although the controls feel a bit clunky. The car chase scenes could have used a bit more thought. [Mar 2006]

Like the show's action, 24's gameplay tries to throw in everything but the kitchen sink, but in this case, it couldn't make any one of these attempts work well enough to be fun.

Not remotely as long as its title. Rather, it winds down after about 12 hours or so, with no multiplayer options. Nor is it the most original. But the story is above par for a game or a TV show, and the sum of its parts equals a good, old fashioned, popcorn gaming experience.

The look and feel of the show is there, and the story is compelling enough to keep you trudging through the amateur gaming parts. [Apr 2006, p.68]

Bottom line is that when you’re in the game you’ll be angry and want your money back but as soon as the cutscenes roll around fans will be pleased. It’s amazing how one side of this game got so polished while the other was all but neglected.

The game features a number of scenarios and a gripping storyline that will suit fans of the series rather nicely. It still comes to an end way too soon, follows a bit of the basics at times, and doesn't really offer anything for the casual fans in terms of innovation, but it could've been a lot worse.

As a game, 24 The Game is absolutely horrible, an unfinished, barely playable, multigenre wreck. But judged as a lost season of 24, the game fares notably better. In this sense, 24 The Game is simultaneously one of the best and worst licensed titles to hit in some time.

24: The Game isn't a bad game, but it isn't a new, interesting or exciting one either. It's one of those depressing tie-in games where the proposal came before the creativity - as, I suspect from the banality of all the interactive sequences, did the script.

While there's real potential in the source material for an outstanding game, the gameplay here just doesn't quite deliver.

With a stellar script from the show's writers and outstanding cinematography and voice acting, it really feels like you're playing through a season of 24. Good show. [Apr 2006, p.100]

The developers were a bit too ambitious with the project and crammed in far too many gameplay styles, none of which are terribly exciting. This game is an injustice to the phenomenal TV series.

Calling 24: The Game a disappointment is a bit of an understatement. Its uninspired third-person shooter gameplay and sluggishly dull driving sections really do fail to capture the brilliance of the TV show, with the mini-game puzzles and the rare idea representing the only spark of creativity in the entire game.

Apart from the occasional distraction of a mini-game such as diffusing a bomb or the excellent cut scenes this game is poorly constructed even for a budget title.

For all its faults, 24 is strangely compelling largely due to the snappy story-telling, but non-fans of the show may well disagree.

The game will only take you about eight hours to complete and with no multi-player modes or unlockables, there is no actual replay value. If you want to get 24 hours out of it, play it three times.

Despite of its flaws, it still works.

24: The Game manages to duplicate the shows frantic pace and distinct look while providing an interesting story fans will want to experience. Unfortunately it also features some bad control and terrible driving missions. But who said Jack's day was going to be perfect?

Newcomers to the trials and tribulations of Jack Bauer are unlikely to be impressed by this game's generic shooting and driving action. But fans of 24 will be quaking, thanks to the authentic atmosphere and gripping story, set between season two and three of the TV series.

The game's story, written by the show's writers, is also top-notch, with the requisite last-second plot twists. [Apr 2006, p.81]

Being able to play as Jack Bauer and do all the stuff they've seen him do in the show is the most important thing to them, and on those basic terms, 24: The Game is an unqualified success.

In the world of games, it deserves a body bag. In the world of 24, it's just as good as the show. [Apr 2006, p.122]

It's really a bummer to see 24: The Game fail so miserably at being a competent title. It seems that the main focus of the game was on making it look cool and impressing fans of the show when they looked at it.

A title meant for the fans, and in that regard it delivers the goods, and then some.

If you love 24, you’ll get a kick out of the game. If you don’t know 24 from 10, then you’d better drop a couple of points from the score, start from series one, then decide if it’s your thing.

If Sony Cambridge had placed as much emphasis on the gameplay mechanics as it had recreating the show’s style, then 24: The Game would have been an excellent action title. [Apr 2006, p.102]

Be prepared for a odd mixture of other games with the 24 presentation and story.

Nothing comes across as 24 except for the plot and the cut scenes which is only a small part of it. I’m now off to get a Happy Meal and to watch Judy Garland sing with a bunch of midgets with funny hats.

For once, you'll wish you could skip the action to get to the cutscenes.

This is more for 24 fans, who will instantly love it — so long as they don’t mind another TV addiction to feed.

The camera is a constant pain, general movement can be challenging at times, and even aiming can be extremely cumbersome.

No doubt about it, 24: The Game has flaws. That said, it's a quality recreation of the show and is lots of fun to play. [Feb 2006, p.2]

True, a lot more could’ve been done with this license, but for 24 fans it’s more forgivable and only a hope that another day is in store for the virtual Jack Bauer.

In terms of TV series adaptations, it's incredibly faithful, nailing the look and feel of the series, and big fans of the series will want to add the game to their collections pretty sharpish. Gamers, on the other hand, would be better suited to renting the title, as (aside from the annoyingly stupid driving sections) it's not that hard, and the replay value is suspect.

24 lacks the focus and innovation to make it stand out from the crowd, and is yet more proof that throwing as many ingredients into the pot as possible rarely yields favourable results.

The controls are just too unpolished to make it worthwhile, though. Movements are flaky, and aiming is far too loose. Sometimes, I got into a tight firefight where I couldn't hit a terrorist a few feet in front of me. And the driving missions are worse.

This game has a few mixed production values, but comes out on top in terms of being an episode in the 24 series.

The story is brilliantly told and it's great to see some of the gap between season 2 and 3 being filled in. Sure, it should have been a better game, and it's not exactly a challenging game to play through, but if you're a fan of the show it'll keep you hooked from start to finish.

So take our irritable advice, and leave this half-cooked “kernel” unpopped.

The gameplay experience is a little too ho-hum, even with the many different mini-games. It’s a nice effort, but a fairly average experience.

The one hundred missions will keep you playing for ages. Unfortunately what could've been a top notch title is let down by poor camera issues and some repetitive gameplay.

If you're not a fan of the show then you're probably not interested in feeling like a CTU member. [Apr 2006, p.98]

It's like one of those paintings by Rembrant (or was it Monet?) where up close it's all dots and squiggles, but when you back away and appreciate the whole thing, it becomes a beautiful composition.

Coverting a trully engaging and action-packed TV show should have been a no-brainer, but sadly so are the AI and controls in the game.

As a game, 24 is not that strong of an entry into the PS2 library, but as a videogame treatment of a TV show, it does a remarkable job of nailing the presentation and style of the original content.

Topical, political, preposterous, dynamic, frustrating and addictive in equal measure.

While the disparate elements of 24: The Game aren't stellar, they come together like peas and carrots when combined with the solid and engaging storyline.

The game’s story and presentation are good. Really good. And we’d like to be able to see what happens. But the gameplay is just “okay”, and you get the feeling you’re just playing through it for the story.