Not So Bulletproof

First Look at 50 Cent: Bulletproof and you see a shooter that resembles Max Payne, but lacks in game play. Bulletproof uses the same physics engine as the Max Payne game and follows the same basic storyline (characters that provide story twists). What Bulletproof lacks in gunplay( overall game controls) it makes up in extras, with over 4 CDs of music and some exclusive 50 Cent tracks along with a couple dozen videos. Bulletproof boasts 20 weapons and voices of 50 Cent, G-Unit, Dr. Dre and Eminem. So bring your crew and become a soldier of the G-Unit army.

Controls
If only Vivendi Universal Games worked more on the game controls and mostly their Aiming Mechanism, 50 Cent: Bulletproof would be a much better game. While most 3rd person shooters use a lock-on system, bulletproof has a free roaming system like Max Payne. The free look system Bulletproof implements make it hard to keep up with enemies in a shootout and makes you turn slower. A feature that I thought would really improve the game play was the implementation of counter kills, kills that when preformed close to enemy breaks into a mini cut scene and executes the enemy in a unique way. With the Aiming mechanism so slow it is hard to get close enough without getting a lot of lead from the enemy, often times it seems like you will be tapping x many to perform the move, which makes the cool feature sort of obsolete. Other cool moves that 50 can perform are holding enemies hostage, grabbing onto dumpsters and using them as shields and covering behind objects.

In-Game Controls
Directional Pad Left/Right - Change Music Track
Left Thumbstick - Move
Right Thumbstick - Camera
A Button - Jump/Resume/Counter-Kill Camera Speed.
B Button - Hostage/Execute/Grab Mobile Cover/Release Mobile Cover.
X Button - Counter-Kill/Action/Reload/Swap Weapons/Cover Mode/Steal/Throw Enemy.
Y Button - Evade/Dual-Wield/Interrogate/Dive.
White Button - Heal
Black Button - Weapons Inventory
Left Trigger - Crouch
Right Trigger - Fire
Start - Pause Menu
Back - Show Current Song Title
Left (Click) Right (Click) - Center Camera

CPU (Difficulty)
The AI in Bulletproof is one major reason to get frustrated. While the controls have a lot to do with the AI, the game play still lacks in quality. The AI constantly runs around and makes it hard for you to shoot them by hiding behind any cover that it can find. With the aiming and slow moving camera it’s hard to keep up and track down an enemy that’s opening up on you during combat. There is often overshooting and in counter kill situations often times running directly at an enemy will result in the loss of most of your health without performing the move. I also noticed that in levels where there are never ending enemies sometimes enemies spawn right on top of you or a dead end that you had just secured, leading to some cheap deaths. Overall game has a decent AI but controls make AI a nightmare.

Story Mode:
Sets you on a course through 10 Missions and up against numerous bosses. Follow a well guided story that makes the best of a decent storyline. With the cash that you make during missions you can stock up on weapons, purchase exclusive music tracks and videos by G-Unit, and purchase more sweet counter kill moves. Also in missions there are optional tasks where you can find medals and other things for bonus cash.

Arcade Mode
If you do get stuck or frustrated in story mode there in also an arcade mode that opens up after you complete the first mission. In Arcade Mode the object is to kill the given amount of enemies the fastest to achieve a high score, bonus points are awarded for headshots, counter kills, and stealing money. In arcade mode every character is available from the game including bosses once you beat them in story mode.

Graphics
In 50 Cent Bulletproof the graphics are quite superb. The games character models achieve their expectation in duplicating real life counterparts. The models of 50 Cent, Eminem, Dre and G-Unit, use tattoos and other facial features that really improve the graphics. The graphics in the levels are quite good as well, there are close details in many parts of the street. I thought the cut-scenes being so into detail made it feel like you were actually playing in a movie.

Audio
While the game features 4 Cds of music from the 50 Cent crew, you can listen to your favorite G-unit tracks while working through the game. I thought the sound effects that were used were pretty good and made it work. During gameplay other members of G-Unit would call for help and tell you where to look, I thought this helps the overall feel of the game.

Final Impression
This game is not just an ordinary shooter nor does it live up to the reputation of Max Payne but I found the game quite enjoyable for a weekend. The game is a must have for any 50 Cent or G-Unit Fan and should be checked out by everyone that loved Max Payne.