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Activision’s paintball series makes another appearance on Xbox. The last game was pretty successful, prompting Activision to commission developer WXP for a sequel. The game showed many that paintball is a somewhat serious sport. The sequel is a much more thorough game than its predecessor but offers more bang for the buck.
The game doesn’t skimp on multiplayer modes. It includes a cooperative mode to let players take on the career mode together. It also includes offline multiplayer. Online multiplayer is undoubtedly the star of the multiplayer package though with tournaments, the ability to download user-created content, and clan support.
The game includes a number of new weapons from various manufacturers including WGP and Kingman. The game includes 200 field layouts to participate in, spanning 29 tournaments. For added replay value, the game includes a field editor to make your own. You begin by choosing the map size, picking the objects, and changing a few textures and such. The game gives you a fair amount of control over the maps which is pretty good. You can user-created maps in the online or offline multiplayer modes.
The gameplay is pretty similar to last year’s version but nonetheless very effective. The team control features are especially effectual at making the gameplay enjoyable. The AI is good enough but it hasn’t really been overhauled from last year’s game. Nonetheless, the AI puts up quite a fight. The biggest changes have occurred in the team control features. In pre-match, you’ll have access to Breakout Manager, which lets you make a detailed strategy for the upcoming match. You can assist certain teammates to certain bunkers (perhaps for sharpshooting) or actions (ranging from defending, shooting, and running). In the match, you’ll be able to move specific teammates to an area if they weren’t there. You perform these via simple button moves or using the headset.
The game’s visuals are pretty similar to the previous game in the series. The art direction was changed to be more extreme and “MAX’D.” The actual graphical engine in the game is only decent, nothing spectacular. The character models are pretty simple with relatively basic textures and architecture found in the environments. The different shots are pretty effective in showing the difference in the type of shooting you can do, but again, don’t expect to be wowed by the game’s visuals.
The game’s sound effects are solid though again similar to last year’s game. The shots are pretty distinctive which definitely helps the game out. The other sound effects are good as well. The voice acting in the game is surprisingly good which is good since communication plays a pretty important role. The soundtrack is fitting for the genre though the most noteworthy artist is Cypress Hill’s B-Real.
Greg Hastings’ Tournament Paintball MAX’D will definitely please fans of the first game. Gamers who are interested in the recent paintball fad should also play the game since it’s a pretty good primer. -- Michael Taylor, PGNx Media
---- Oct 26, 2005
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