Cinematic 'Getaway' sequel fun but flawed
By Marc Saltzman
Gannett News Service
If you enjoyed playing 2003's "The Getaway," an action-adventure title that let you run and drive around a photorealistic London, then chances are you'll have fun playing Sony's new sequel, "The Getaway: Black Monday," as it's virtually the same game.
This isn't good news for those who found flaws in the original game because a few annoying shortcomings have returned, including inconsistent artificial intelligence and a silly health system.
The story-driven game puts you in control of three characters.
You start off with Sgt. Ben Mitchell, a cop in the organized crime squad of the London police. Later, the story switches to Eddie O'Connor, an amateur boxer and bank thief from the East End.
Eventually, you assume the role of Sam Thompson, a stealthy computer hacker. The three characters' paths connect, resulting in a climactic standoff against a ruthless criminal overlord.
In terms of game play, "Black Monday" is similar to the popular "Grand Theft Auto" games as you must navigate bustling city streets, shoot at rival gangs and carjack automobiles. But when it comes to cinematic camera angles, sharp dialogue and heavy use of profanity, "Black Monday" tips its hat to Guy Ritchie films such as "Snatch" and "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels."
More than 25 miles of London were recreated digitally to make the game, including touristy areas such as Piccadilly Circus, London Bridge and Trafalgar Square. The game also lets you run through the scummy back alleyways of Soho and parts of the famous Underground subway.
You can play a handful of bonus game modes. These include a race mode (drive through London to reach the finish line before others), a black cab mode (earn money by taking passengers to their destination within a time limit), a chase mode (pursue gangs in a fast car) and a free roaming mode so you can explore the incredible detail of London with no pressure to solve missions, race cars or make money. These fun extras add to the game's replayability.
Problems, however, begin with the game's inconsistent artificial intelligence.
For example, Ben can easily handcuff hoodlums while the bad guy's associates simply stand by and watch. They will even stop shooting at you.
Eddie's foes are much tougher to take down in the middle of the game, but then controlling Sam near the end of the game is far too easy because players need only to press the "stealth" button to remain undetected.
What's more, the developers go to great lengths to make the game look like a movie -- there is no onscreen interface, for instance -- but the silly health system is back from the original game, which involves leaning against a wall to miraculously heal multiple gunshot wounds. The blood dries up, and you're ready for action again. This ruins whatever suspension of disbelief you had up until this point. Depending on the mission, you might need to ingest medicine from a couple of kits, which is more realistic.
If you can forgive the game's shortcomings, "The Getaway: Black Monday" can be a fun ride -- especially for those who enjoy the style of "Grand Theft Auto" games. It's too bad the game's creators didn't address some irritating problems from the original title, but action fans may at least want to rent it for the weekend.
"The Getaway: Black Monday" retails for $49.99.
