WHEELMAN: 360/PS3 Fall 2008: Midway Games
(From IGN.com, search for "Wheelman")
Combining spectacular Hollywood-style stunts with a gripping storyline, Wheelman provides an adrenaline-fueled, cinematic thrill ride guaranteed to leave you breathless. Vin Diesel stars as an undercover agent and highly skilled driver who must infiltrate the Barcelona underworld to gather intelligence surrounding a covert heist. Posing as a driver-for-hire, he ends up caught in a crossfire of corruption and chaos while trying to stay one step ahead of local law enforcement and rival gangs.
Genre: Action
Also Available On: PlayStation 3, PC
Release Date: November 1, 2008

-------
This is the game I've been waiting for Reflections to make, and looking at the screenshots, it's got an interior dash view, an over the shoulder and 3rd person on foot view, set in a big city (Barcelona), with sportbikes (!), cool cars and plenty of "Hollywood Style chases and stunts"! Of course I'm going to buy it, but the question is, will the steering hold up compared to the brilliance of Driver?
At any rate, the graphics look solid and more realistic than GTA4 tried to do. So far it looks like a must buy(pending the gameplay and controls aren't broken). Too bad Reflections has little to show us 2 years after DPL and still waiting.
Visit IGN for fullsize screenshots:
http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/812/812830/imgs_2.html

I don't really think that the environments look any more realistic than GTA IV's. Maybe the characters, vehicles, and everything else looks better, but the environments need more work, regardless of whether they'll be enterable often or not.

Edit: It will greatly disappoint me if Wheelman ends up being a better game than D4/D5. I think that one edge that D4/D5 will have over Wheelman are the portions on the graphics. The only way that this game will beat D4/D5 in graphics is if Tigon Studios, which worked with Starbreeze on The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay, takes the Starbreeze engine, and at leasts polishes the graphics up to where the Riddick game was at. Escape From Butcher Bay had the best graphics out of any 6th generation title in terms of photorealism. In fact, many of today's titles are even not as on par with that game's graphical capabilities. The texture mapping and other techniques have never looked better anywhere else. I think that the graphics even look as good as those in Gears of War (at least). If the remake, The Chronicles Of Riddick: Assault On Dark Athena doesn't offer graphics that blow away Gears of War 2 or even Crysis, I'll be pretty disappointed, knowing that Starbreeze's engine is one of the best graphics engines available right now.

On the contrary, Wheelman will need to offer a ton of innovation in its driving and shooting-based gameplay, if its staff truly thinks that this game is able to beat D4/D5. But it is an American-company that is working on it, and the British gaming industry is not doing too well, so I think that this might give Tigon Studios an edge in Wheelman over Ubisoft Reflections' next Driver game.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: FutureVenturer2,

I've been following announcements on The Wheelman for the past year and a half. The pre-rendered cutscene looked pretty awesome from early development and present a form of intense action like the "Run the Gauntlet" trailer for Driver 3.

The Wheelman is very close to Drivers' Style. However mixes in a little unrealistic burnout style, as the game is trying to Hollywood it a little to much.

From what I've seen you can perform a various amount of moves, (Like one of those fighting games where you can perform combos) but in vehicles.

You can jump into another vehicle while driving.
You can spin your car 180 degrees (driving reverse) to shoot people behind you).
And many other things...

Something that makes the game more fun, at a cost of losing major aspects of realistic, which I'd like to continue seeing within the driver series.

I actually thought the developers behind "The Wheelman" where based in the UK in whales close to Ubisoft Reflections studio.

I just researched this issue a little and Midway Studios are in Newcastle, Tigon who is also working on this title is based in America.

Of course this game is being made in America. Tigon Studios is owned by Vin Diesel, so it would seem impossible that he owns and runs it somewhere else and not in USA.

The ability to exit your vehicle and jack another during high speed is something I wanted to see in the new Driver. The only thing I'd say missing from this Wheelman game is the freedom to go far beyond the city, into the backroads where there's lots of trees, forests to drive through and explore. Cities are nice, but terrain variety helps.

Graphics aren't number one, gameplay is, so if the graphics don't beat the best the industry has to offer, it doesn't mean the game's not worth playing. Gamplay/controls are number one.

I hope Wheelman's release date doesn't get pushed back, like so many other open-world games I was looking forward to this year.

-Wheelman
-Midnight Club Los Angeles
-Prototype (2009)
-Just Cause 2 (2009)
-Fallout 3 (maybe)
-etc...

I've gotta say, its looking like a really good game

and I think that they've been listening to what we've been asking for more than Reflections have,

and if you watch one of their trailers, I think that they got inspiration for that from my Driver video being based on the Transporter

So I think that this shows that people are listening to us, even if it ain't Reflections!

Maybe now we'll see something that we really want in a game

although I have to point out, I am not fond of that feature which allows you to smash the cars at the sides of you, because it looks like the whole car instantly moves sidewards as though the wheels are litterally pointing to the side which would be impossible in a real car, although the other big feature of the 180 spin and shoot out of the front window looks like something that Driver could do with adding

and I am definately proud to see that the Driver experience will be available in other games too!, Maybe this will provide enough competition to get Reflections off their backside!!

-----------------------------------------------

Graphically its looking good but the Mipmapping is very noticable around the edges of the vehicles lights on the bodywork textures, Especially on the Pontiac (which will be 1 of 2 real cars in the game... it doesn't seem to make sence having the odd real car and then multiple fake cars... - lets just hope that this will encorage car manufacturers to start begging to have their cars in sandbox games!)

Yeah, I hope this gets Reflections to bump up their game, show us something concrete already, just so we have something to look forward to.

I was watching the previews of gameplay footage, and there's "special moves", one of which is the Reverse 180 slow mo shooting through the front window while in an in-dash view.

Other than that though, that was the only time I've seen the IN-DASH VIEW. Here's hoping such an awesome view isn't limited to just that one move, as that would stink. And I'm hoping there's a closer view of the vehicle, beyond the 3rd person view, which looks good, but I like to be right behind the rear bumper, even just behind the top hood is nice for a better sense of "being there".

Still time for more screenshots and info, so here's hoping Wheelman includes the freedom to choose any camera view during gameplay.

One things that's pretty cool is the wipeouts the enemy cars take, flipping all over the roads. The SIDE RAMMING is something Reflections needs to improve, as the cars are like bags of cement that offer little impact effect. Wheelman on the other hand, seems to exaggerate it, but at least it shows off some exciting ramming gameplay.

Wheelman- Consummate Professional Trailer:
There's some near perfect camera views of interior dash and close up car angles that would be perfect if they're not just randomly picked by the game, but actual camera choices to cycle through. Be sure to check out the E3 08 trailer at IGN.com, Wheelman. Very cool.

Driver 4 will have to really step up to the plate and offer a stunt/driving game even more intense than what's shown here.

I'd say the Wheelman team may very likely have visited this forum for ideas we'd like to see in a driving game based on all the cool ideas already in the game. Hopefully they'll add the in-dash view and show it during gameplay before release date.

it does look like it could be good. I'm usually wary of these spin offs because the physics usually sucks, I find it hard to enjoy driving game with crappy physics or damage. I can tolerate sub-par damage, but physics is just annoying.

The physics look pretty good, I especially like the doors flapping while driving, reminds me of D3, and looks like theres some good action. Low traffic though, not sure about that. And although it may be more cinematic, I don't really like the cop cars exploding off every tiny bump, unless theres more around the next corner, still annoying though. But if its free roam I'm in for at least a rental. Then hopefully Driver 4 can bring the traffic like PL did.

Yeah, the traffic count looked low, but with the high speeds, maybe that's a good thing at least during the missions to earn more free roam "special moves", weapoons. It does look arcade-y, but hopefully not at the expense of a nice variety of camera views to choose during gameplay, including a selectable in-dash view.

The cop cars going up in flames looks cool, but they must have weak fuel tanks or something...

Yea, I forgot the special moves, that also looks lame, I'd rather be able to do it myself than hit a combo and pull off some physically impossible stunt that looks awkward. Plus I can already 180 in DPL to shoot cops.

Now if they were cartoony graphics, I might not mind crazy physics, but since most games are going for this realistic look, I'd like the physics to be pretty spot on, but still playable

Yeah, the whole "special moves" earned should be a skill learned by the player, as Driver would force you to do (Driver 1's garage a perfect example). But since they're going for an arcade stunt/chase game, I'll let it go this time.

Driver will have to bring the "realism" in terms of physics, with a bit of exaggeration for the fun of it.

Oh yeah, it's been delayed again: Pre-order Ships 2/2/2009..... They better take this time to add a ton of cycled camera views to choose from at any time, or it's time wasted and sales lost.

Wheelman is simply Driver & True Crime put together. After all, isn't the time when you turn 180 degrees in your car and shoot at another vehicle (while driving backwards and in slow motion) that same feature from TC: Streets of LA? Wow, this game literally looks like a big rip-off, such that I'm not even going to try it out at all. No thank you. I'll wait until Tigon Studios releases The Chronicles of Riddick remake instead, which will probably happen in a while from now, but I can handle waiting that long (considering that Tigon Studios knows how to craft a good FPS). Besides, Wheelman probably won't even offer free-roam gameplay, and if the story is bad, the whole game will end up ruined. And judging by the synopsis of the storyline, it is a complete rip-off of Driver: You Are The Wheelman, which makes it seem like an insult to Ubisoft Reflections, so that's another reason I won't get this game.

quote:

Originally posted by FutureVenturer2:
Wheelman is simply Driver & True Crime put together. After all, isn't the time when you turn 180 degrees in your car and shoot at another vehicle (while driving backwards and in slow motion) that same feature from TC: Streets of LA? Wow, this game literally looks like a big rip-off, such that I'm not even going to try it out at all. No thank you. I'll wait until Tigon Studios releases The Chronicles of Riddick remake instead, which will probably happen in a while from now, but I can handle waiting that long (considering that Tigon Studios knows how to craft a good FPS). Besides, Wheelman probably won't even offer free-roam gameplay, and if the story is bad, the whole game will end up ruined. And judging by the synopsis of the storyline, it is a complete rip-off of Driver: You Are The Wheelman, which makes it seem like an insult to Ubisoft Reflections, so that's another reason I won't get this game.

Yes, but it's a driving game, and it's premise is "Hollywood Stunt/Chases" in an open city map, so hopefully it will get Reflections to up their game. This game is taking a arcade path, while Driver generally remains more realistic.

Yeah, Reflections hasn't had to worry about any other "chase games" really, you can be chased in other games, but the chases really suck. And Drivers chases haven't been up to par really since 1 or 2. Everyone complained about the unrealistic cops, which was the best part of the game, and now its ruined.

Hopefully they'll realize that we, the fans, can get it wrong too. Same with the more traffic that I among other always pushed for, seemed to hinder the chases a bit as its gotta be tough to program AI to get through that mess. Maybe take it (traffic) down a touch, but I would rather the AI be worked on some more, cause I usually get thru the mess of traffic.

Anyways, competition is good, as much as we complain about it. Maybe Reflections will make the game we've been dreaming of since Driver 1...

If Wheelman's driving will be okay, then I assume that playing as the character rather than as the car, and shooting at enemies or using other types of moves, will be a trainwreck.

I love it how this Tigon Studios and Ubisoft Reflections' from the start decided for their games to be mainly around driving, thinking of car chases as an actual genre. (sarcasm)

It may be too late to say now, but Wheelman should've chosen to focus on action-adventure gameplay rather than take racing elements and some action ones to put together a game.

Ah, linearity. You really can love knowing the fact that it's found in the majority of today's video games. (sarcasm)

As of right now, Ubisoft Reflections is at the beginning of its production for the next Driver game. I'm hoping that we'll see news very soon, or at least a demo that will show of gameplay. But then again, we don't know if D4/D5 is still a PS3 exclusive or if it'll be released for the Xbox 360 as well. By having BBC news interview them, I thought that we'd see new information regarding the concept of the game soon, but that hasn't been the case. Whatever Ubisoft Reflections is up to, I figure that the staff is very large, considering how much more people it takes to make a PS3/Xbox 360 game. And that is actually good news because we finally might see a solid on-foot game as well as a much more realistic and improved driving game.

Also, I would like it if the adventure elements would be more improved as well, making it feel as if you're playing a point-and-click adventure game, except without the point-and-click feature. With this in mind, I don't want to see anymore HUDs on-screen, and instead, they should be shown in the pause menu (that includes the weapons, health condition, items, information, etc.). Make it like Deus Ex's pause menu/inventory menu or like GTA:SA's pause menu. Selecting weapons and/or items should be done through the pause menu (in my opinion) and holding onto many weapons should be tossed out as a feature. I'd like the game to feel more like Halo as a shooter (even though I never really was a fan of the franchise).

quote:

Originally posted by J_Frumpleberg:
Yeah, Reflections hasn't had to worry about any other "chase games" really, you can be chased in other games, but the chases really suck. And Drivers chases haven't been up to par really since 1 or 2. Everyone complained about the unrealistic cops, which was the best part of the game, and now its ruined.

Hopefully they'll realize that we, the fans, can get it wrong too. Same with the more traffic that I among other always pushed for, seemed to hinder the chases a bit as its gotta be tough to program AI to get through that mess. Maybe take it (traffic) down a touch, but I would rather the AI be worked on some more, cause I usually get thru the mess of traffic.

Anyways, competition is good, as much as we complain about it. Maybe Reflections will make the game we've been dreaming of since Driver 1...

I agree, competition is good.
And Future Venturer, it's easy to judge a game before it's played, but how accurate is your judgement if you haven't played it yet? But yes, the formula is very similar to Driver, but the game could actually be a lot of fun... Or not? I'll have to play it to find out for sure.

I for one will say that I've been growing so tired, more and more, over time, of the many different games that are very similar to each other than they are different from one another. And Wheelman is one of the titles that fits this description so greatly that it feels hardly anything interesting at all. To me, going back to the arcade style of video games is a step backwards because rather than becoming more complex and evolving existent gameplay, or creating entirely new forms of gameplay, you're only adding more to the simple/traditional gameplay that long-time gamers have become so accustomed to. It may sound like a good idea to draw in casual gamers, or people that have just recently become so fond of video games and that are finally hardcore gamers, but it won't appeal as much to the majority of the long-time hardcore gamers out there in this world.

quote:

Originally posted by FutureVenturer2:
I for one will say that I've been growing so tired, more and more, over time, of the many different games that are very similar to each other than they are different from one another. And Wheelman is one of the titles that fits this description so greatly that it feels hardly anything interesting at all. To me, going back to the arcade style of video games is a step backwards because rather than becoming more complex and evolving existent gameplay, or creating entirely new forms of gameplay, you're only adding more to the simple/traditional gameplay that long-time gamers have become so accustomed to. It may sound like a good idea to draw in casual gamers, or people that have just recently become so fond of video games and that are finally hardcore gamers, but it won't appeal as much to the majority of the long-time hardcore gamers out there in this world.

Or it gives players more choices between Arcade open city versus Simulations, like GT. Midnight Club LA is 100% arcade racing in an open city, but that doesn't keep racing fans looking for a super fast paced game from making it one of Rockstar's top selling games.

Okay, I can admit that a mix of arcade-style and open-world gameplay tend to be fine for a game. However, if it's just arcade-styled, there's a chance that it won't innovate its genre any further, leaving the game nothing but simple and with an idea that has very likely already been used, which will make most players choose to stay away from such a title. One of the things that I think are very disappointing include today's many fighting games. They're pure and simple bloodsports, and they have little to no storylines within them. They're always either about tournaments or going after one weapon, through competing against other fighters. Why can't there be more brawler-styled fighting games, which actually tend to be more original, since they have a bigger focus on the storyline than a versus-mode fighting game does. The word "fighter" shouldn't always have a developer think of it as a person who competes for money/fame or even for their deepest desires (the Soul Blade from the Soul Calibur franchise, for instance) when it can also mean someone who is fighting a war, or someone who is battling against foes from level to level. Why can't we have more of something like Shenmue or Jade Empire, for they are great examples of today's fighting game elements being experimented with in other genres (Shenmue is an action-adventure game, whereas Jade Empire is an RPG). Maybe fighting styles should become parts of other genres to innovate the video game industry further. Also, if the arcade-style game and open-world gameplay can clash together, then why can't simulation and open-world gameplay do the same (a GT-styled racing game coupled with open-world gameplay, for example)?

Anyways, you get the point, InsaneDriver06.