Techtite's PC Game Reviews!

Every summer offers games based on the latest blockbuster; it's to be expected. Well, who'd expect a brand new, 2002 game, based on a movie from 1988? Such is the case with Die Hard: Nakatomi Plaza, a game concept even more perplexing because, in fact, no less than two video games have already been released based on this film series. Regardless, there's always that one group of map editors somewhere, who feels they can salute a film better than the other guy. The question you're asking is, "Did they...?"

First, let's compliment the pluses, which include some well chosen voice actors. Police Sargent Powell is voiced by the same actor in the movie, Reginald Vel Johnson, while all other voices are excellent impersonations of the original actors. Some characters even look a lot like they did in the film...while some do not. The screen clip shown here, for example, shows Holly McClane talking to Ellis, the fast-talker who later tries to make a "deal" with the terrorist leader, Hans; while she looks just like she did in the film, Ellis lacks the smirking, goatee-clad expression that made his character even more annoying. No biggie. Thanks to the Lithtech game engine (of No One Lives Forever fame), characters are more than realistic elsewhere; some even smoke, with actual smoke coming from the cigs. Better yet, dialog ranges from the classic lines from the film ("Yippie-Ki-Yay...!"), to funny conversations you can eavesdrop on (like the criminal who dreams of opening a coffee shop on the beach). So far, so good...

The game designers did everything they could to make the game last longer than the film's 2 hours...with mixed results. Some added objectives are intriguing --like deactivating a few bombs-- though some are just tiresome bores (like fighting a bunch of enemies while the lights are out). While I liked going down to the parking garage to save the friendly limo driver Argyle from being attacked, most objectives are little more than typical, "kill all enemies and reach the exit" missions. Admittedly, shooter-games have never been logical in this way, yet the storyline of the film begs the question: what is Hans Gruber doing with this many hired thugs? It's one of many elements of the game that makes no sense.

To make matters worse, this game's faulty, barely-interactive game environment makes any possible puzzle in the game merely "reach map area X and press the USE key." This makes re-living cool movie moments --the whole reason you bought the game-- a severe letdown. Remember that cool scene when John throws a bomb, strapped to a chair, down an elevator shaft to defeat Hans' sharpshooters? Well, upon reaching that part of the game, the chair is already set up for you, right next to the open elevator shaft...HUH??? Then there's the "puzzle" of saving an architect who in truth cannot be saved (see sidebar); <groan>!

The level maps are decent...eventually. Not unlike the mistakes of Daikatana, the majority of the first levels are entirely in lackluster basements and a parking garage; you'll have to be really patient before the maps change to more intriguing offices, computer labs, and lush meeting rooms. Some levels, as a result, seem made by people who truly cared about their job, with graphics that include papers flying out of the books on the shelves when fired at, or, if you look out the window, a clear shot of the police cars and media vans down below (I was particularly impressed by the attention to detail there). Other maps seem far less impressive, as though someone made one hallway and one side room, and cut-and-pasted their way through an easy work day.

It's the little details in game design, that can either make or break a game. Sadly, this game has more of the latter. Where oh where is the dimtwit who is so super-fascinated with "stamina" in games? Forget reality, kids; when I want to run, I want to RUN...and I don't want some stupid stamina meter --complete with a cutie-patootie "lung" icon next to it-- telling me I can't run until I stay idle for 90 seconds. What's worse, in this game John McClane has less stamina than my 3-year-old niece. This makes running a rare commodity that's often too tedious to attempt.

Let's be fair, and admit this much; this is far from the worst game based on a movie. It's not even the worst game based on a movie, using the Lithtech game engine. There are indeed some pluses to this game, that other, far worse games didn't even have. Regardless, it doesn't deliver on the promises on the back of the box. The point is: where is the promised fun, of being able to BE John McClane? All I am is a typical Quake-clone sharpshooter with a voice actor who sounds a little like Bruce Willis. That is something. Sadly, though, it's just not enough.