Joe Danger: Special Edition, as it's called on XBLA, offers a racing format highlighted by some clever platforming. The background of the game is set amidst the staged comeback of a fallen star stuntman. As such the progress is laid out in a series of “trials” to show Joe's journey back into the spotlight. Each event is progressively more challenging than the next, thereby drawing bigger audiences or whatever, I don't know. There's no real story here, just a paunchy Super Dave clone doing his thing on a motorcycle. Am I dating myself by referencing Super Dave? Kids, Super Dave was a guy who used to set-up stunts starring a mannequin wearing his costume meant to look like they went horribly wrong. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure I see the appeal. If I wanted to watch older people get hurt doing things they shouldn't do I could just watch myself play Kinect.
In addition to guiding Joe Danger through his trials, you also have the option to visit “The Lab”. In the lab, players can run through progressively challenging tracks in which you have to meet the requirements to pass the course and move on to the next. Often, I found that the lab prepared me for some of the obstacles found in the trials so maybe they meant it to serve as a tutorial of sorts, even though you kind of have to go looking for it. Personally, I found the Lab to be more fun than some of the trials, but that's just me. In the area as the lab you can find some of the multiplayer options, allowing up to four people to race on the same track. You can assign bots to occupy the empty seats but their difficulty doesn't really offer anything beyond seeing someone else at the starting line. Either that, or they are the most courteous opponents I have ever faced. It's almost like they want you to win sometimes. It's nice, don't get me wrong, but if you're looking for a challenge and the guy on your left is happily careening into every obstacle he can, and the guy on your right can't seem to negotiate the treacherous hazard of the speedbump, it leaves you wanting.
Some DLC was released in the way of new riders, Santa on his quad was a fav, that added a little something to the experience. With each rider came a different doodad to gather on the track, Santa had candy canes, and the monkey had bananas. Oh yeah, there's a monkey rider. Now you wanna check it out.
In my opinion the game is worth getting if you're the type to play with other people, as a single player experience I would say you're better off with something that holds a little more depth like, Trials Evolution.
If, you've already played Joe Danger, were already aware of it, or are now interested, keep reading, as Joe Danger 2: The Movie is on the horizon and looks to be coming at some point late this year, so within the next few months. The sequel sees its titular stuntman back in the business of stunting and according to what I've read, starring in his own movie.
If you'd rather not be spoiled about some of the upcoming game's features then I suggest you stop here as I get into some of the new features and mechanics.
Still with me? Right on.
This sequel starts with a “mysterious director” approaching Joe about the opportunity of a lifetime, to star in his very own film (or films, this part is still a little unclear). This sets the stage for the new approach for the game. Instead of competing in a series of trial to attain fame and recognition, Joe will now complete a series of increasingly elaborate action sequences from the various parts of his film, or films. These scenes from the films are said to be presented out of sequence during the course of the game, to retain the mystery of whatever film the player is working on until the end. It sounds a bit like the old “Stuntman” franchise from a few years ago, with more of a sense of humor, and from some of the screens I have seen, a lot more color.
In addition to a new premise and upgraded color-scheme, this outing sees Joe atop more than just a motorcycle. Already confirmed for the sequel are skis, jetpacks, minecrats, police motorcycles, and snowmobiles; and there are “loads” more that haven't been released. All the vehicles are said to handle differently thereby requiring the players to master the simple controls of all the vehicles if they want to get the gold for all the scenes. I will say, if there aren't any seafaring vehicles in this one it is a missed opportunity. I mean, if we could get some solid jetski gameplay then we'd be combining Excitebike with Wave Race 64, the implications there are incredible.
The controls remain super-simple but the trick mechanic has been reworked. The first game focused on quantity over quality in regards to tricks, with the multiplier being the key to getting maximum points. This time the emphasis has been placed on holding certain tricks and their individual execution rather than flipping through the air and spamming shoulder buttons in hopes you land your ridiculous trick combo. Each vehicle is said to have different tricks the Joe can do with different ways of upping their respective values. The usual ramps, loops, pits, track-switches and bumpers return from the original but add the occasional directions from the director during the ride prompting you to hit certain queues or events to complete the scene you are in. One example was to knock fleeing robbers off their rides to “save the day” by sending them to the asphalt at top-speed. Those mugshots are going to look like half eaten Mayor McCheeses.
As I mentioned earlier, the sequel boasts a much broader color-palette and more obstacles, set-pieces and decorations throughout the track/scene. The background action now appears to bust through and interact with Joe as he attempts to finish the scenes. I saw giant boulders racing alongside the track on one level and falling pillars destroying the track on another. Common film tropes make appearances throughout the game like minecart chases with giant rolling rocks and snowy action-packed getaways on skis. It has even been said that some scens require Joe to switch rides halfway through, like going from skis to a snowmobile, or motorcycle to unicycle. The latter, of course being a super common occurrence amongst bears in Russia.
Right now the sequel is set to be released in 2012, but with this year already past the halfway point and holiday season just around the bend, I'd expect to see this fun continuation coming out within the next 2 months.
I'm off to the races in my monkey suit.
(Any other time, that would have been beautifully non-sequitur.)
