Headhunter

SEGA is probably one of the best and most influential software designer companies. However, its genesis lies in arcade-style video-games, and because of that, it's a company that never made a successful transition into modern day video-games; yet nobody can say they didn't try. When Sega was supporting the Dreamcast (which is probably the most underrated console ever), it tried to develop and publish modern games like "Headhunter" (developed by Amuze), but failed in the end to convince the blind Sony fans.

Much has been said about "Headhunter" being a copy of the famous "Metal Gear Solid"; though the comparison is inevitable, due to the Hollywood-like plot and stealth mechanics of both games, "Headhunter" is a sufficiently different game to be held on his own merits. Actually, if there is a game that resembles "Headhunter" is "Syphon Filter", and not "Metal Gear Solid". Why? Because "Metal Gear" has always been a more cerebral game, where every step requires careful consideration. Now, "Headhunter" is more of a shooter with stealth elements, than an actual stealth game, which, when you think about it makes perfect sense, considering Sega's roots; it's like an arcade take on "Metal Gear".

Controls are simple and clean, allowing the player to easily choose between silently killing each of his enemies one by one without alerting them, or to simply blast his way through a level. Everything works pretty well, except for the stealth kill that is pulled off by pressing the shoot button… which means shooting a stray bullet instead of choking your adversary. Apart from that, the game handles action pretty well, with a straightforward level design keeping things direct. To avoid monotony, there are a few action-adventure elements, like "Resident Evil" style puzzles, and even a bike riding mini-game, that allows the player to travel to different missions.

"Headhunter's" plot, while not exactly breaking the mold, leaves little to desire. In the near future, American society is overwhelmed with crime and corruption (which is kind of like the present); a business man named Christopher Stern designs a solution: create a network of headhunters that track down and kill wanted criminals, offering bounties for their organs. You play as Jack Wade, Stern's protégé, who is the number one headhunter that for some unknown reason becomes amnesiac after the death of his protector. He then embarks, with the help of Stern's sexy daughter, on a journey to unveil a plot to take over the world (how original), which unfortunately, means you'll predict most of the twists, way before they happen. There are two reasons that make the somewhat silly script stick. First, voice acting: the actors that play the parts are right on, even if Jack Wade sounds too much like a Clint Eastwood rip-off, which adds a much needed degree of credibility to the fairly obtuse narrative. And two, the tone: instead of going for the ol' classic Hollywood realism that plagues so many video-games, "Headhunter" doesn't take itself too seriously, adding intelligent humor whenever possible. Moreover, the script is filled with satire and irony, ending up creating this aura of criticism to certain aspects of USA's politics and its surrounding media circus. It's not by any means a shallow plot, and the fact that it is reminiscent of Paul Verhoeven's classic movies, like "Robocop" and "Starship Troopers" only helps.

The surrounding package is not very exciting: there's little if any interesting work on the art department (everything looks realistic and "normal"), and sound design is okay; on the upside, there are some james bondesque orchestrations that are really catchy. It's not a remarkable game in any way, but it manages to achieve what can be expected of a sega classic: well executed straightforward entertainment.

This game was made by Sega. Being made by Sega I didn't expect much, but I also didn't expect this junk either. For starters the camera angles work against you in this game. The motorcycle is your means of getting around. The motorcycle is the worst part in the game. Whenever you run in to something you just stick there and you don't move. You never fall off the bike or wreck for that matter. The main character hardly talks even though he's got a voice that suits him. The graphics are horrible. You ride through trees on your bike. The camera makes fighting the enemy impossible. This game wouldn't even be worth renting.

This was one of the last games on the Dreamcast in Europe and it turned out to be an exclusive. The graphics are great apart from a few glitches here and there. The motorbike riding is fantastic, it feels like you are playing a biker simulation. The story is really good, almost 'film' like and the top sounds just add to this feeling.

There are a few down-sides: the camera sometimes has no clue what it's doing, the shooting is sometimes hard because it auto-aims towards a barrel or something at an important moment and the biking can be a bit annoying when you almost reach 500 points and you crash into a tree knocking you down to 450... Then again, maybe thats just me being bitter -hehe-.

PICK THIS GAME UP FOR THE DREAMCAST... you won't regret it.

Headhunter for the Dreamcast is a very good game, altho it does have some failings. On the whole the game and graphics engines work well the graphics are good and have a nice character to them which is lacking in so many games now. The character design is good and the bosses are unique and imaginative. The game flows thru the story well and leads the player thru enjoyable chapters with a good sense of level design. The gameplay takes a little getting used to especially seeing how the Dreamcast joypad isn't the best of designs. Gameplay wise it's only failings could be blamed on the limits of the pad, which could've been corrected on a different system... altho from what I've heard they haven't. Like for example having a freelook on another analogue stick or a crosshair for manual aim, but oh well. However like all games there are some failings that are present and unfortuently offputing, these being the motorbike sections. These should've been a real joy to play but they just turned out terrible. This is mainly due to dire controls of the bike and as such makes proceeding thru the game feel more of a chore, however once you've done that nasty bit of driving you get a nice on foot level. ^_^; To be blunt the bike feels more like you're controlling a jet propelled shopping trolly. But despite these the game still manages to be a good overall game.

What can I say, I personally have such a strong love for Headhunter that its memory will stay in my heart forever.

The story was extremely well written, well planned and executed. I absolutely love dystopian films and video games (I wouldn't want to live it though) and Headhunter takes us on a journey in this environment.

You play as Jack Wade, a former bounty hunter who has woken up from a coma in a hospital room with amnesia. He gets a visit from his old boss Chief Hawke explaining to him that Jack has now been fired from his position at the ACN. He also gets a visit from the daughter of the CEO of the ACN, Angela Stern telling Jack that her father has been murdered, and that she wants to hire him to help find her fathers killer. Playing both as Jack and Angela, we get to zoom around fictional LA on Jacks motor cycle, completing missions set in biker hangouts, shopping malls, biotech labs and more. With the help of Chief Wade, Jack gets his Headhunter license again. He does so by having access to the L. E. I. L. A office, an integrative law enforcement virtual reality testing facility that will help Jack upgrade his license and proceed with his agenda. It also helps Jack with access to weapon upgrades, storage, gives us our mission objectives as well as information on criminals, weapons, case reports etc. Before each mission, you have to upgrade said license by taking the virtual reality tests. There are four tests in total that you have to pass before each of the four missions, and there are 16 in total. But before you can access the L. E. I. L. A offices, you have to reach a certain amount of skill points by riding your bike around town perfectly at high speeds without crashing.

The gorgeous graphics for Headhunter were unreal for 2001, as well as today imo. The game is visually appealing and the city of fictional Los Angeles were designed so beautifully that I absolutely love the world that Amuze Games created. The character design was done as well as it could have at the time, and I could only imagine what they could create today with our technological advancements. I would love a remastered edition.

The voice actors did an amazing job, all of the actors voices suited their characters. I cannot choose who my favorite was, they were all perfect. I loved how they included FMV's of real life actors to play news reporters Bill Waverley and Kate Gloss in which they give us the current news as the game proceeds.

And last but not least, that incredible soundtrack. Composed by Richard Jacques and performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Abbey Road Studios, the unforgettable music really gets you hyped up and excited to play.

Headhunter is such a wonderful game, but just a little too short in gameplay, I would say it is playable for 10 hours max. I would have loved at least an extra 5-10 hours of gameplay. Other than that, it is truly a masterpiece for me. I want to thank the developers at AMUZE for making such an exciting and outstanding game for me to play! Well done.