The limited mission types mean that you’ll be seeing a lot of each of these modes - the limited variety does hurt the game, but the fact that the gameplay remains both challenging and rewarding throughout the campaign is a testament to the driving model. The game takes place over three different locales - Russian wasteland, Vietnam and Russian winter. Sure, it doesn’t sound like much, but the maps are unlike anything you’ve seen before. Stretching plains and rolling mountains are yours to roam through as you please - the go anywhere do anything structure leaves plenty of room for your own improvisation and even after completing the game, it’s unlikely you will have fully explored each of the maps. The game emphasises that you learn these maps to take advantage of their terrain, which is vital to your success.
Each of the 9 cars are armed with two defensive counter measures. For example, the Baja Truck can drop bombs to destroy pursuing enemies and also jump vertically in the air to clear obstacles or avoid attackers. The ATV Monster has a turbo boost and also a shield to repel enemies. You are only granted five uses of each counter measures, meaning that you must use them both carefully and wisely.
Your performance in each mission is ranked, ranging from ‘OK’ and ‘Good’ to ‘Great’. Taking too long or getting involved with the authorities will damage your rating. After you complete the game for the first time, you unlock access to the second counter measure (which is locked in the campaign) and earning ‘Great’ ratings on each of the levels will grant you access to the secret vehicle - the Hoverbike.
The single player campaign, with its impressive 36 missions, only makes up half the game. Aside from the three maps available in the single player campaign, you are also given access to Eastern Europe and, if you unlock it, North America. The Joyridin’ mode gives you access to any of the available maps and lets you choose a vehicle to ride around in. There are no time limits in this mode and law enforcement presence is an option, so you’re free to drive around, explore and find the biggest mountains to jump off (personal record: landing a triple front flip in Vietnam). Hidden throughout each of the maps are four tokens - collecting them all will unlock the North America map for Joyridin’ and multiplayer modes.
Aside from the single player campaign, all of the modes are all available to be played in multiplayer. Depending on the type, you can choose computer AI opponents to play against or play with up to four players - an option that the PlayStation 2 version lacked. Finishing each of the missions will unlock more extras like newsreel style clips of early development and cheats.
Smuggler’s Run: Warzones’ graphics are improved over its PlayStation 2 cousin. The game is sharper as a whole and runs at a constant 60 fps. The massive environments look better than ever and the massive scale of the environments far outweighs the visible LOD (Level Of Detail) texture draw in. Vehicles look great with plenty of polygons, destructible models and moving parts. At times the game can look a little plain, mostly due to the lack of a complex lighting engine, but the environments are packed with buildings, people and animals, other traffic and plenty of plant life. It’s not packed with eye-candy, but the graphics are functional and suitably impressive.
Neither the voice acting nor the music are going to win any awards, the good stuff will ultimately be worn out by the end of the game anyway. Sound effects are, again, okay. Nothing particularly outstanding nor offensive.
As detailed earlier, the massive amount of unlockable extras, long campaign and tonnes of extra modes will keep you coming back for weeks. On top of that, the variety of multiplayer modes and the support for up to four players will definitely please the crowd.
Comments: I was pleasantly surprised by Smuggler’s Run: Warzones. While not offering much to players that have already beaten and retired their PlayStation 2 version, but if you’re a new-comer to the franchise or missed out on the PlayStation 2 original - I highly recommend you give the title a look, even if it doesn’t sound like your cup of tea. Great gameplay, amazing environments, good presentation and plenty of replay value leaves little to be desired. -- James Ledley
Gameplay Elements
Action
Strategy
Challenge
Speed
Originality
Long-Term Interest
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Categorized Scores
Graphics - 12/15 Art Direction - 3/5 Technology - 4/5 Performance - 5/5
The impressive outdoor engine runs at a rock solid 60fps. The lack of a more complex lighting system or higher detail textures hold it back.
Sound - 6/10 Effects - 3/5 Music - 3/5
Fairly average stuff. Some repetitive samples do wear thin. Not great, not bad.
Accessable control mechanics and great pick-up and play appeal makes it's multiplayer a huge hit. A long single player campaign and tonnes of extras will definitley keep you busy.
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