Mania Grade: B
Platform: Playstation One
ESRB: Everyone
Genre: Driving
Players: 1-2
Save: Yes
Developer: SCI
Publisher: Rockstar
Suggested Retail: $9.99
Graphics: B+
Sound: C
Gameplay: B+
Replay: C
Fun Factor: B
Reviewer's Wild Card: A-

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THE ITALIAN JOB

What is with the weird obsession with the mafia that Rockstar has? Whatever it may be it has translated into yet another game from the criminal masterminds. This one is THE ITALIAN JOB, a game based on the late 60s cult hit of the same name that starred Michael Caine. The game roughly follows the movie as Charlie Croker has just been released from jail and is on a mission to steal 4,000,000 in gold bullion.

THE ITALIAN JOB is a third-person adventure driving game set in London, The Alps and Turin. Gamers will get to drive 14 different vehicles including the Mini Cooper (which has a very impressive sequence in the movie). Each mission is objective based and you'll have to get around without getting too much of Scotland Yard's attention.

The levels in the game are fairly large, but nothing on the scale of what you'd find in GRAND THEFT AUTO III. You can jump onto rooftops or head into sewers to dodge the police during your missions and generally head into all sorts of seemingly unreachable areas. The biggest problem with the game is that a timer keeps you from ever getting a chance to really explore the environments.

The missions are all fairly simple-minded and don't really have too much to them. The game is confined to car driving as well, don't expect to run around on the streets. But it does turn out to be fun to play. Cruising the streets of London and reliving some scenes from the movie is actually the hook that you can't seem to get off of until the game is finished.

If THE ITALIAN JOB was priced at a full $49.99, I'd have a hard time recommending it as a purchase. That money would easily be better spent on a PS2 game (GRAND THEFT AUTO III being the prime candidate). But Rockstar knows that this game is more of a value-title and has pegged the price at $9.99. For that price, this game's value is very good.

The graphics in THE ITALIAN JOB are a definite reminder of the last generation. The Playstation One can't handle much more than the low-res, low-poly count of yesterday. But for the Playstation One title, this game looks damn good. The environments are massive, and the framerate moves at a decent pace. The cars are also very nicely modeled and look pretty good.

The sound in the game isn't too bad. There is some decent voice-over work and sound effects. There is nothing really major in the music department. Overall it's not a shabby job, but nothing too spectacular and about what you'd expect from a value-title.

THE ITALIAN JOB is a pretty good game that is definitely worth picking up at its low price point. Between the easy to pick up gameplay, cheap price, and good graphics (for the console anyway) the game is a strong addition to any gamers' library. If you're the slightest bit interested in another Mafia game from Rockstar, check this one out.