Digital Dimensions

The classic music and scrolling text sets the scene for Bounty Hunter.  A deadly cult by the name Bando Gora has infested the infrastructures of the galaxies dominant industries, threatening the stability of the Republic’s economy and the dark aspirations of Darth Sidious.  Sidious employs Count Dooku to rid the galaxy of this elusive cult, as well as find a specimen with superior DNA to clone.  Dooku sees an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone, and sets a colossal bounty on the Bando Gora’s leader, dark Jedi master Komari Vosa.  Whomever has the skill and determination to accomplish this harrowing task deserves an army in their image. 

Mandelorian Bounty Hunter Jengo Fett catches word of this bounty.  Dreaming of retirement, Fett begins his long journey to destiny.  Along the way he’ll shake down death stick dealers on the streets of Coruscant, zip back and forth between two skyscrapers on a hunt for a corrupt politician, and navigate swampy jungles to infiltrate a criminal compound. 

One mission requires the capture of an arms dealer Longo Two-Guns (yep, oddly enough, his name is Longo) in order to gain audience with Gardula the Hutt.  Fett must battle high noon style through the gang congested plazas and dusty alleys of Tatooine to get his man.  Another interesting mission takes place on a meteor, where Fett must break into and out of a heavily fortified prison.

Levels are absolutely huge and enemies come in hordes.  Naturally, Jengo Fett has some nifty gadgets to beat the odds.  The missile-equipped jetpack plays a major role in game play; ascending cliffs, crossing canyons, or simply swooping over crowds and eliminating baddies with a lock-on targeting system.  Fett will automatically shoot at two enemies simultaneously with his dual laser blasters.  Gear also includes a flamethrower, grenades, toxic darts (good for silent takedowns), a sniper rifle, and some additional heavy guns acquired in play. 

One of the best features in Star Wars Bounty Hunter would be the ID Scanner.  With it, Fett can scan any humanoid to see if there is a bounty posted on their head.  Once a bounty is found, a mug-shot and detailed information appear on your HUD, including: name, race, brief personal history, who issued the bounty, and why they are wanted.  If a bounty is worth more alive, Fett’s whipcord subdues them non-lethally. Bystanders or henchmen…each level has five to fifteen optional bounties, providing challenging replay value and greater depth to the Bounty Hunter universe.  The ID scanner also acts as binoculars, enabling Fett to zoom great distances with detail.

As always, LucasArts has put out a product worthy of the Star Wars name—unlike the recent films—pushing the limits of the latest gaming technology.  Clean CGI cut scenes carry the engaging story between missions. Sound and graphics are flawless.  Fire effects—from the flamethrower to the jetpack’s exhaust—look smooth and realistic, laser beams streak by with blinding clarity, and Jengo himself is rendered/animated impeccably.  A full orchestra accentuates the action, rising with conflict or softening during stealthier sections of the game.