Scores
Graphics: 7
Sound: 7
Gameplay: 6
Replay: 5
Overall: 6
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Dynamite Cop!
Review by: Mike
Sega's arcade beat 'em up finally finds its way to the console. While arcade to console ports are normally good news, Dynamite Cop unfortunately, is one of the few exceptions. Maybe it's the loss of arcade atmosphere or perhaps the fifty bucks spent, but this home version seems to have lost a little something that made the arcade counterpart an appealing game.
Let's start with the graphics. Though certainly not ugly, the game fails to shine as brightly alongside other top-tier Dreamcast titles. Comparing with the newer and even some from the initial batch of Dreamcast games, Dynamite Cop's graphics simply fail to impress. Considering what the Dreamcast is capable of, the overall graphic quality is merely passable. Many of the effects, namely explosions, are horribly composed. Coupled with poor animations, one really begins to realize the age of the Model 2.
Sadly, the story only worsens from that point on. Dynamite Cop is divided into missions, and to acquire new missions you must successfully complete the current ones. Generally, background story is meaningless in this gaming genre, and continues to hold true in this title. The first mission depicts a cruise ship being taken over by, of all things, pirates. And with a set of 3 characters to choose from, you must kick foot soldier arse to reach the boss.
The gameplay, while keeping in tune with the arcade version, struggles to hold my attention beyond 15 minutes. As one would expect from a beat 'em up, the simple premise of Dynamite Cop : punch, kick, pick up gun, shoot, lose gun, punch and kick some more. This makes for an entirely monotonous experience, as each scenario is essentially identical to the one before it. Each scene may add a new weapon or two, but overall feels and plays out very much the same. Dynamite Cop is the epitome of the button-mashing experience, because unlike most good beat 'em ups, doesn't require the least bit of skill. Well, save the end bosses that is.
With that in mind, what may help improve the overall experience is the game's two-player support. Having a live person to kick arse alongside you may help ease the repetitious tone of the game. In addition, the end level bosses are a breath of fresh air after wave upon wave of foot soldiers. However, these few aren't enough to offset the tiresome gameplay, so any and all replay value is virtually down the drain.
In the end, what might have been a stimulating arcade experience, feels old and stale at home. Pumping a few quarters into this beat 'em up at your local arcade for some instant kick-arse action might not be a bad idea. To shell out fifty dollars is another story. Graphics fail to sell, and the gameplay is dry. That, essentially, is the story here and therefore not worth the hefty price of admission.
- We have 1 review for Dynamite Cop! (1 Staff, 0 Member)
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