Dynamite Cop
- January 01, 2000 00:00 AM PST
If you remember Die Hard Arcade from the old Sega Saturn system then you'll remember Dynamite Cop. Released as Dynamite Deka 2 in Japan, it's the sequel to DHA here in the states, and it's packed with more of the same hard-hitting explosive fighting action of the original.
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Dynamite Cop Out
Working with a thin storyline (must�rescue�president's�kidnapped�daughter!), the game relies heavily on fists of fury. You play as one of three characters (the all-around stud, who curiously has a monkey for a partner, the tough female special forces agent, and the brother with the fade haircut) as you battle through the numerous levels, meeting a variety of opponents ranging from pirates to shaman priests. There's a couple of bosses to fight, including a very angry chef, and the game has the novelty of you losing clothes with each punch you take. Hence the popularity of the female character.
You also have a variety of weapons at your disposal, literally lying around the fight arenas. They range from the serious (missile launcher) to the silly (large frozen tuna fish), and they can also be used against you. The fight arenas can be unusually cramped (like small bedrooms on a cruise ship) or fairly open (like the deck of the ship). If a friend can take all the onscreen confusion, two players can hook up for some serious head-bashing. There's even simple combos and drawn out super holds where you can go on cracking an opponent's limbs for several hours - well, several seconds then. There's also several different paths through the game, so there's some replay value.
Bright and Simple, Just Like Mom
The graphics are bright, colorful, and detailed, which is usually a good thing. However, when action on the screen gets crowded it's often hard to tell what you're doing. You often inadvertently grab your partner in two-player forays. The explosions are large and polygonal, and there's not a lot of variety to the animation of secondary enemies.
The game doesn't exactly set your ears on fire either, although the explosions are fairly speaker-rattling. Some screeching, some standard heart-pumping soundtrack music, some grunts and groans - you won't do any better at a Jackie Chan movie.
Control is limited to three buttons, thankfully. You kick, punch, and jump, all with ease and finesse. Rapidly tapping buttons gives you simple but effective combos, and if powered up (pick up the big P's you find on the ground - again, not brain surgery), some of the combos last for several hits.
Can You Top the Cop?
Unfortunately, all the heart-stopping action-movie chop-sockie comes to an abrupt end. The game is extremely short, and even a mediocre player can get through in less than an hour. Even with the multiple paths, the game has to rely on gimmicky diversions like an art gallery or bonus games to extend its life. A weekend rental? Perfect for you weekend warriors.
