Star Wars Bounty Hunter (PS2/Cube)

By JO MINIFIE

(Herald rating: * * * * )

It looks as if EA Games may have teamed up with LucasArts at just the right time. The expectations of legions of the "hard to please" Star Wars aficionados are high, but in more recent times, LucasArts (under the nurturing wing of EA) seem to be getting closer to the winning formula — Rogue Squadron II on the Gamecube and now Star Wars Bounty Hunter are good examples of this.

Star Wars Bounty Hunter is a third-person action title starring Jango Fett, father to Boba, gene donor to the clone army and sadly beheaded by Samuel L. Jackson in Episode II — or was he?

The intricate plot begins with Darth
Sidious and his apprentice Darth Tyranus seeking to hire a bounty hunter to
assassinate the leader of a mysterious cult that is wreaking havoc around the galaxy.

Playing as Jango, you must undertake a series of tasks and sub missions to nail the big contract.

The Star Wars universe is crowded with wanted criminals, some with impressive bounties on their heads. Using the first-
person view from within the famous helmet, you are able to distinguish easily any
targets, but be careful, shooting civilians is not advised and often your targets are wanted alive.

The game is huge and takes place in a sprawling Star Wars universe, with six worlds to visit and as many as 18 levels, each lovingly recreated by the team at LucasArts.

Star Wars Bounty Hunter's many memorable cut scenes were created by Industrial Light and Magic, the same team behind much of the CGI work in Lucas' films.

Temuera Morrison provides the voice of Jango, and other actors from the films
provide voices for their respective characters, which adds to the already first-rate presentation.

Available for the PS2 and the Gamecube, Star Wars Bounty Hunter is one to look out for — especially if you're a Star Wars fan who has been burned before.

$129.95

jon@tenthplanet.co.nz