Star Wars: Bounty Hunter

Pros • Smart control layout for the most part • Very large, heavily populated levels • Lots of Bounty Hunter tools and weapons • GameCube version graphics are slighty better than PS2's • Good story, even better voicework	Cons • Autocamera can be disorienting • Save system could be better • Smart control layout for the most part, except for the bounty scanner • Bounty system is a great idea, but should be more integrated into game
Bottom Line The GameCube edition's slightly better graphics make it the version of Bounty Hunter to own. Work past the autocamera and you'll love being Jango Fett. Of all the Episode II games, Bounty Hunter is the one I wanted to get my hands on the most. The concept was new; it was an aspect of the Star Wars universe the fans had been begging for but never got to explore in game form. When I finally got to play the PS2 version, I was not as blown away as I'd hoped to be, but you could still colour me impressed. Now I have the GameCube version, which beats the PS2 title by a nose.

We've already checked out the PlayStation 2 version of Bounty Hunter, and we find that much of what we said still applies to the GameCube version, be it positive or negative.

The positives: let us start by saying again that the game does an excellent job of making you feel like you're a hunter in the Star Wars universe. With all of your many weapons and tools and big environments to explore, it's almost as good as the feeling Jedi Outcast gives Jedi wannabes (side note: could you imagine a really good, multiplayer Jedi vs. Bounty Hunter game? Mmm-mmm). The game is backed up by a good story and some excellent voice work. Fett himself is voiced by the actor who played him in the movie (Temuera Morrison), and there are other great characters such as Montross, Rozatta, and the villainess, Komari Vosa. Why must evil always be so damned sexy?

The negatives: that odd save system. The game saves every level, and there are checkpoints within most levels. But you only have a limited number of lives, and if you lose one you restart at the last checkpoint, or at the beginning of the level if you lose them all. I wish they'd gone for permanent saving at checkpoints.

The autocamera might be a bit tamer than the PS2 version, but I suspect there's really no difference; I'm just used to it having played the PS2 game. Whatever the case, the autocamera tends to move too quickly, disorienting you at the worst possible times, such as when you're in flight.

Although the controls are have changed slightly due to the differences in the PS2 and GC controllers, the GC version still has excellent control of Jango Fett. The R button locks on to opponents, the L button fires Fett's jetpack. It is very easy to move, fly, shoot and fight in this game. Selecting a weapon is no problem either. The control pad can be used to cycle through the weapons, and you can push up on it to go immediately to the ID scanner. Despite this, the PS2 problem of it being very cumbersome to identify, tag and capture bounties persists. When you stop Fett to scan someone, you'll feel like you're trying to tie your thumbs together. As with the PS2 controls, the ID scanner needs its own dedicated button, and capturing bounties should have been worked into the gameplay better. Wouldn't it be great if it unlocked hidden levels, allowed you to buy new equipment, something more than the bonus artwork and the like?

If choosing between the two versions, I think I'm giving the GameCube one the slight edge. The two versions are identical in most ways, however the GC graphics are slightly better. The colours are sharper and more vibrant. In addition to making the game look prettier, it's easier to make out enemies at a distance and up close. That's no bad thing, given the game's tendency to put you into big firefights in public places, with lots of enemies and civilians around.

The Bounty Hunter idea and execution are solid, though I suspect this game will get much better with a sequel. I'm sure the buzz on the Internet will get the improvements we want, such as a better camera and a better spotting and award system for bounties. For now, Bounty Hunter is a pretty good tour of the sleazier side of the Star Wars universe.

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