In Shaft: Sharp Shooter, you assume the role of the iconic detective in a series of shooting-based minigames. Although the games are mildly entertaining the first time around, and while you might have some motivation to become the baddest mother (shut yo mouth), the game isn't rich enough in the gameplay or in its use of the license to be worth picking up.
There are 10 different minigames in Shaft: Sharp Shooter, all of which involve navigating a set of crosshairs across the screen, taking out only the bad guys while making sure the foxy ladies stay safe. Although all the minigames are similar, some are more challenging and more interesting than others. In one, you must shoot knives that are hurtling through the air before they hit a woman on the opposite end of the screen. In another, you must hit the center of a moving target to achieve a specified number of points. This particular minigame is the best one in the game, because it's challenging, but sadly, it comes around only once every 10 levels. To complete each level, you must meet the required point value or number of kills within the specified time limit and without running out of ammunition. Your points are tallied up at the end of the level, and then you're sent on to the next one.
After completing all 10 minigames, you start the rotation at the beginning again. As the levels begin to repeat, the requirements get more challenging, which gives the game a bit more longevity. However, for the most part, the minigames are very simple, even in their more advanced iterations. The goal in the game is to rise through the ranks by beating levels and adding to your total score. At certain point intervals, you get promoted, culminating in the rank of detective. Promotions also give you an extra life, which is useful for the one or two challenging minigames in the later levels.
While there's some of the Shaft vibe in the game, it's hard to compact so much character into such a small medium. The various characters are dressed like they're straight from a Shaft movie, and the main title theme might have you bumping, but there's not nearly enough of Shaft (in Richard Roundtree or Samuel Jackson form) himself. You don't get to play as the character and see the way he interacts with other people, which is arguably the best thing about the franchise. It's unfortunate because there is a lot of opportunity for the character to say and do unique things here, but instead the developers settled for making a below-average shooter. The controls are a little unresponsive, which means that you have to fight with them to make the cursor move smoothly. The graphics, while above average on the LG VX7000, don't really enhance the mood of the game. The sound effects are good, and the main title theme works well, but the Shaft theme would have been a much better fit.
Shaft: Sharp Shooter's entertainment value is very short-lived. You'll spend most of the game hoping to hear one of his famous quotes, and will ultimately have to settle for a less-than-average gameplay experience. If you're looking for a little dose of Shaft, you know where to find him, and it's not here.
