Fast-paced addictive fun! This is a highly recommended game
Stuntman: Ignition takes you on a journey as a beginner stuntman, one with high goals of reaching the top the film industry as the most daring stuntman ever; but like all beginners, you must start at the bottom of the pack. To reach the top, you must drive your fastest and most dangerous to earn stars. These stars enable you unlock more movies, stunt shows, advertisements and get stunt pieces such as jumps and explosives to use in your very own stunt arena. Indeed, this shall be quite a ride!
The gameplay is definitely action. If you're a person who likes relaxing games, this is not your type of game. Stuntman brings fast paced action that actually makes you feel like you're driving in a movie. The first few levels you may find this isn't the case, but as you progress you'll be on the edge of your seat (unless of course you resist the urge). Every scene you do, whether for a stunt show or for a movie, you'll find yourself guided by both the stunt coordinator (over the two-way) and by yellow stunt icons. You must successfully 'hit' these stunt icons to finish, and you'll get big point if you can 'string' the stunts. In general, it's very fun gameplay, but unfortunately that's on the condition on how well can play. Inexperienced players will find themselves repeating the same scene several times till they get it right, often only making it by a hair. Thankfully, there is an easy option, but this will drastically reduce your score, and thus, the number of stars you get, but it will help you get past a hard scene.
As you progress, you drive in big movies such as "Never Kill Me Again," a super sequel to a long running spy series, or even "The Night Avenger," playing a super hero with cool gadgets and an arch-nemesis clown. At the end of all the scenes in your movie, you can watch the trailer to see where your hard work has gone. But movies aren't everything; you can also make it big on television by driving in advertisements for brands such as "Armor All," or perhaps your style is doing it live in front a stage full of people. Whatever you drive in, you'll find yourself unlocking events, vehicles, awards and much more every minute you play. Most of these unlocks can be used in the arena editor.
I'd like to mention the stunt arena at this point. In the original stuntman game, the major flaw was that you could only place a few limited pieces which didn't allow you to make a decent level. So, what is it like now? Surely this great game will have an epic arena editor (the icing on the cake so to speak)? Alas, no it doesn't. The limitations on the arena are still in place, allowing only a certain amount of pieces on the track at anyone time. This is crippling when you try to make a level, which usually doesn't end up completed because you can't place the final pieces. However, all is not lost. In 'Stuntman: Ignition' you can choose from not two, but THREE arenas! These new arena types will enable you to be a little more creative, but they still don't remedy this damaging flaw.
On a positive note, the graphics are very crisp and clean. While playing stuntman, I wanted a larger TV simply so I could see the amazing graphics close up. Of course, the graphics on the PS2 version will never match up to the next gen consoles, but they are the best I've seen for PS2. The main defect amongst this stunning artwork is the cinematics. As mentioned, you can watch the trailers for the movies you've completed the scenes in. Sometimes, the human-like movements are unnatural, and this is quite noticeable at times. Another very noticeable part of stuntman is the sound.
The sound is constant. Whether it's music on the main menu, the continual guidance of your stunt coordinator or the director explaining the scene or movie, you'll find your ears are always busy. This may come across as negative, but I wish to contradict that opinion. The developers have gone to a noticeable effort to make the cars, people and places the most realistic sounding as possible. You can have all the stunning graphics you want, but unless the sound is right, it will be in vain. Stuntman wins hands down for great sound.
The multiplayer mode was a surprise addition to me. I had always thought that the original stuntman game needed one, so I was glad when I saw that 'Stuntman: Ignition' had one. In multiplayer mode you can race or have a stunt battle with your mates in 'behind the scenes' type levels. Alternative routes are many and you can even steal your mates points or boost by slamming into them. In general this is a really fun mode. However, I did find that I had to spend a few minutes explaining how to play, and that even after I had, the other players still didn't quite get it. I think to fully enjoy the multiplayer mode, you need other experienced stuntman players, as they can understand (and play) better. To find them is the trick though.
Stuntman: Ignition is a delight to play. The fast paced action is fun, although at times you'll find yourself repeating the same scene. The difficulty is just right, but you may find it hard on the first few tries. The sounds and sights are fantastic and you leave this game not frustrated, but in true movie style, you finish longing for more.