Pursuit Force

CRIME AND EXCESSIVE PUNISHMENT

» was one of the very first games I got for my PSP, and it was exactly the kind of game I wanted from my new console. Essentially, the game is an updated spin on the old Chase HQ formula, in which you pursue criminals and ram them off the road – or maybe leap out of your car, shoot them in the face and carry on with their vehicle. It was made exclusively for the PSP, it took full advantage of the console’s 3D graphics power and had an awesome orchestral soundtrack by Richard Jacques. What’s not to love?

Well, there are a couple of things and I’d been warned about both by reviews. Firstly the on-foot sections control rather awkwardly, which is at least in part due to the PSP’S lack of a second analogue slider. Secondly and rather more importantly, the difficulty level is brutal. I’m not the kind of gamer to lose my temper badly – I’ve certainly let out a few expletives in my time, but I’ve never been the sort of guy to chuck a controller, so I thought I could handle it. Nope. I never cracked, but the difficulty in Pursuit Force had me fantasising about taking my expensive, brandnew handheld in both hands and violently smashing it across my knee.

Between that difficulty, the demands of university and the allure of other games, I never finished Pursuit Force. I’ve often thought about going back and tackling it again though, and revisiting the sequel recently has tempted me anew – there’s nothing quite like triggering slow motion as you jump towards an enemy vehicle, shooting gangsters in a glorious display of mid-air marksmanship. However, I think I might opt for the North American release because that one at least has some checkpoints to mitigate some of the worst issues. I might not be afraid of a challenge, but even I have my limits. » »