OK, I admit it. I’m confused.
Put simply, I just don’t understand why people are giving this game such a hard time. Sure, it’s a multi-event athletics title which should mean that – given it isn’t published by Konami (bow down) – by law, it has to be unplayable.
However, I find that this isn’t the case at all. Admittedly, my first experience of the game was with a group of friends – which instantly raises the fun level when it comes to track and field-‘em-ups. With that said, even the most honest of attempts (read every single official Olympics game since Olympic Gold on the Megadrive) have managed to foul up the multiplayer side of things, simply by making the controls too difficult to understand in quickfire situations.
Imagine the scene. Four players, only one has played the game before. “Hundred Metres next, boys! Hammer the A and B buttons to go faster.” That’s easy enough, isn’t it? Sure thing. “Diving next….select a dive, before jumping with the trigger button. Then, hold the sticks in the direction of the highlighted area indicated on the outer and inner of the circle surrounding your on-screen character. Follow the highlights around the circle to execute the dive.”
What, now?
Thankfully, the ratio of controllable events to uncontrollable events in Beijing 2008 is generally favourable. This means that with some careful event selection, your multiplayer mode is pretty much right on the money. The single player career-based mode – which could be a little deeper still – is a relatively nice addition to what was expected to be a straightforward package, too. Some of the innovation on offer is surprising too. I never though that I’d enjoy playing through the gymnastics events (uneven bars, vault, beam, rings and floor exercise are on offer here), but they are quite fun and relatively well executed. The Rings could do with some work though – as that event drops the ball when it comes to fun levels.
There is a quibble or two to be had, none more so than the apparent problem of high scores and records not being saved anywhere in multiplayer mode – but nothing here kills the game stone dead.
So, where are the massive issues that bring this game down to “unplayable” status? Beats me. Unless of course, you count the weight of expectation and around fifteen years of appalling licensed titles that are unrelated to this one in your scoring system, that is. If multiplayer is your bag, then Beijing 2008 is a solid game and a worthy enough purchase.[rmgallery id=6]
