Calling All Cars

Game producer David Jaffe has a proven track record. The PlayStation 3 arcade downloads is hoping to gain that status. Enter David Jaffe and his arcade title, Calling All Cars.

A simple little concept, Calling All Cars is a vibrant arcade game that has you chasing other cars, nuking them to loosen the escaped criminal, then popping on a siren and trying to get the convict back to the police station before you are tagged and the convict is bounced away. The levels all have a way to jail the convict. The tougher the route, the more points you score. The more points you score determines your standing at the end of the timed round. There are a total of four cars in any level – player controlled or AI controlled. The AI-controlled opponents do not back off. Even when you first launch the game, this can be a tough proposition.

On-screen prompts show you where the convict is. An opponent’s car will have a flashing red light to indicate that it is carrying the convict. There are three weapons you can collect (and the environments are wonderfully destructible) and you simply tag the target car to bounce the convict high in the air, then scurry to the landing spot to try to collect him, and – finally – make the dash for the home base/jail. You may have to take a circular route to avoid the other cars from stealing your catch.

The weapons are a missile, a giant hammer that attaches to the front bumper of your car and a magnet. You can generally avoid the first two weapons if you are on your toes and your reflexes are quick enough, but the magnet is a tough one to avoid. Because the weapons are collected by running over question marks in the level, there is no way to know which weapon you might get.

While the game is fun as a single-player event, multiplayer is when the entertainment factors really kick into gear. There is four-player split screen as well as online support for up to four players. And two players can go head-to-head as well.

The game has unlockables as well, which come in the form of the cars that can be selected. These seem mostly aesthetic but add an element of charm to the game.

The game modes are single-player, tournament and, of course, the multiplayer element. Tournament seems to be a bit off the boom in regards to what it actually does. It is not so much a tournament as it is a single-player session that will work you through the four environments.

The game’s graphics are a cel-shaded wonder that are reminiscent of a Saturday morning cartoon. The sound is redundant, but that’s Ok as it fits the game style. Controls are easy to use and the entire package wraps neatly around producing the most fun possible within the arcade setting.

Sure, the game lacks a lot of variety and thus the focus is seated firmly on the action and battling others (players or AI) to rack up the most points. This is a game that may seem simple, but is one of those “tough to master” titles that packs in the fun, particularly in multiplayer sessions.

Score this a winner for the PlayStation 3 arcade downloads, and yet another winner in Jaffe’s resume.

Gameplay: 8.3
The game is not complex by any means. It is a simple format that is challenge, but all the elements – including the control scheme – work together to put the emphasis on the action and entertainment value.

Graphics: 8.6
Cel-shaded and joyful is about the only way to describe this game. The camera is fixed but the buildings will ghost a bit when you go behind them. Or better yet, just go through them and knock them down so there is nothing blocking the camera view.

Sound: 7.0
Appropriate effects but nothing to get really excited about.

Difficulty: Medium
The controls are simple, but the further into the levels you go, the tougher the AI becomes.

Concept: 8.5
A simple concept, but a lot of fun. This harkens back to the good, old days of arcade gaming.

Multiplayer: 8.6
The single-player is Ok, but multiplayer is where this game really shines.

Overall: 8.4
It’s an arcade title and in the context of other arcade titles, Calling All Cars is a certified winner. The game can be played in short spurts or you may find that hours have drifted past as you focus in on the action. The game is party solid and even suited for families. Action packed and a lot of fun, Calling All Cars is a wonderful gaming experience.