Die Hard Trilogy 2: Viva Las Vegas

by Enid Burns
March 28, 2000 00:00 AM PST

McClane is back for more action, this time in Las Vegas, where three modes of play in this trilogy bring cinematic action to the computer.

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Though Bruce Willis has not made another Die Hard movie since Die Hard: With a Vengeance, his character has been portrayed in two computer games with enough cinematic action to rival the film trilogy itself. The intro sequence tries to explain why John McClain is running around a prison in a tuxedo, but doesn't do too much for the game. In this case he gets sucked in while attending a black tie event at a prison when a riot breaks out. The action then follows the prisoners who escape to a bunker, and then to a Vegas casino. However, all that really matters here is that our friend is once again fighting alone against a large threat.

Like the original Die Hard Trilogy game, Viva Las Vegas features three modes of play including a third-person explore and eliminate the bad guys, an arcade shooter mode that takes all tasks away from the player except aiming and shooting, and an arcade driving mode complete with time power-ups. Each mode provides something different to the game, but requires unique skills to complete the 25 levels.

The most interaction takes place in the third-person levels, which not only allow McClane to explore buildings like the prison, bunkers, and casinos, but also to eliminate prisoners and even a few corrupt guards fighting on the side of the bad guys. In these levels there is some simple puzzle solving as you find your way through mazes, and trigger switches to open doors and move on. The control can be a little tricky if you use the mouse, so it's best to stick with the keyboard, except when targeting a specific object like a switch.

The shooter mode is an all-out blast that finds McClane grossly outnumbered, though he somehow manages to get through with just a few scrapes. The levels are on-rail as you progress through the level being controlled by the computer, the only thing to worry about is targeting and shooting. Here is where the Light Gun controller that ACT Labs developed with this game in mind can be fun. If you have the Light Gun, you can use it to shoot the opposition and the power-ups-though expect a little effort in calibrating the gun. Since you don't have to worry about travelling through the level, it offers an obvious advantage over the mouse and keyboard-but does require some calibration.

The driving mode in DHT2 is a timed chase sequence in which you have to eliminate the enemy cars on the road. It is a bit different from most driving sims out there, as it does not rely on realistic physics, but that's not the point of the level. Since there are no weapons available, it's really a smash 'em-up derby to the end. The time allotment is not that forgiving, so it becomes necessary to gather the floating clock power-ups to complete the level.

The 25 levels in DHT2 are challenging, and the three styles of play really make this like playing three games. The third-person and shooter levels offer varied play from the same theme. The driving mode is a different type of game, and could be argued that it does not belong, but it balances out the gameplay. The game almost requires you to like, or at least be competent at all three styles of play, as you can not proceed to further levels out of turn. DHT2 offers a lot for fans of the Die Hard Trilogy, and brings the feeling of being in the movie to anyone who appreciates the action.