Pursuit Force review

Strap on the boots of a daredevil cop and carjack criminals at dangerous speeds

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Fast

  • +

    balls-to-the-wall action

  • +

    Plenty of variety in cars

  • +

    goals

  • +

    Leaping between cars is just awesome

Cons

  • -

    Iffy controls

  • -

    Some boss battles ridiculously unfair

  • -

    Convicts' nailgun is worst weapon ever

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So here's the setup: your state is overrun by five criminal gangs who like to terrorize the citizenry and steal anything that isn't nailed down. As a drastic, last-ditch measure, you've been empowered to take them out. They're too badass to just pull over, though, so you'll need to jump onto their cars at high speed, fight for the wheel and get ready to do it again if you're going to eliminate the menace.

At its core, Pursuit Force is a racing game, albeit one where you switch vehicles constantly by jumping between them and shooting their criminal occupants. Each of the 30 missions takes place on a linear track, where you'll have to accomplish one or more goals - destroying or capturing a certain number of gang cars, for example, or ferrying a snitch to safety - while fighting against the clock.

You'll usually start each level tearing ass in a souped-up police cruiser, trading potshots with whatever gang members you're chasing. Edge close enough, and a little icon pops up letting you know it's safe to jump. Leap out of your car and you'll land on theirs, which prompts them to start shooting you in the face. Dodge their fire by hanging off the car (try not to fall off, though) and blast them one by one, and the rideis yours. It's fast, dramatic and fun, especially when you fill up your "Justice Bar" by taking down crooks without hitting civilians. This gives your bullets more punch, and enables you to shoot while leaping in slow motion (or just heal yourself up, if you're boring).

More info

GenreAction
DescriptionA high-speed, high-intensity pioneer in the field of in-motion carjacking.
Platform"PSP"
US censor rating"Teen"
UK censor rating"12+"
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
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Mikel Reparaz
After graduating from college in 2000 with a BA in journalism, I worked for five years as a copy editor, page designer and videogame-review columnist at a couple of mid-sized newspapers you've never heard of. My column eventually got me a freelancing gig with GMR magazine, which folded a few months later. I was hired on full-time by GamesRadar in late 2005, and have since been paid actual money to write silly articles about lovable blobs.