Gaming Target - Dreamcast: Vigilante 8: Second Offense

Written by AJ LaSaracina on June 22, 2000

Review: People who say, "They should named it Vigilante 9," I beat up for a living

The second installment to Activision's car combat series is back and in an updated format on the Dreamcast. But does the sequel live up to it's predecessor?

The visuals are a notch above the PSX and 64 version of the game. Kudos to the developer of not using the limitations of the 32 bit systems. Even though some pop up is VERY evident, it still manages to keep a cool frame rate. That's probably the most evident thing about the game is the frame rate. It's GREAT, consistent, and never EVER drops down, even in the 4-player slpit screen mode.

As for the controls, I have a problem with V82. There are so many cars that are just horrible at controlling. Simply tapping the car to the rightmake it completely veer off that way and screws you up, a lot. There are some cars that don't suffer as badly as others do. (Stay away from Bob-O!!!) One of the saving graces with this game though is that you can use either the digital or analog controller. My advice is to use the regular D-pad; it makes life MUCH easier. Also worth mentioning is the HORRIBLE control of the new power-ups like the hovercraft and the hydrofoils. BAD...BAD...BAD!!! V82's control just doesn't feel like an arcade game like it should more of a real life physics game.

The audio doesn't really lives up to the original V8 in the music department. The sound effects are great, and sound really cool when you have the game hooked up to a Pro-Logic source. But back to the music for a second. They seamed rushed, and stupid. Gone are the cool 70's tunes, which now are replaced with weird piano melodies, and some odd sting compositions, not really pumping for car combat.

Was I satisfied? In a way yes; in a way, no. The only aspect that really was disappointing is the dropout and the control. But it's car combat baby. It's GREAT!

The replay is fairly high, with a 4-player mode that shines and a neat quest, and survival mode you won't be putting V82 up on the shelf quickly.