Reviews// American Chopper

Butchering Discovery

Posted 10 Jan 2005 18:23 by
Americans chopping
Americans chopping
When we first heard the name ‘American Chopper’ we giggled incessantly for several minutes. But when we first heard news of Activision's acquisition of the Discovery channel license the laughter subsided and was replaced by intrigue. Video game adaptations of informative documentaries are not things we're used to seeing, and the unexplored potential of this approach had us unduly excited about the arrival of the first game based on this licensing agreement. We're always banging on about the importance of an original premise, and this seemed to be just the ticket. A game based on a motorbike customisation TV show narrated by thespian legend Mark Wingett (better known as Jim Carver off of The Bill) was, in our opinions, actually quite a promising idea. This American version doesn't feature the Sunhill stalwart, but his US counterpart is surely as significant a cultural icon in his own realm; and the in-game voice-over immediately gives the game that cheap and cheerful TV show vibe.

However, having now played American Chopper [US Xbox version] for too long, we must concede that perhaps it wasn't such a good idea after all, at least not in the way this has been interpreted. Despite having some original touches to work with, the game comes off feeling incredibly generic. There's been no risk taking here, and all the opportunities for unique gameplay and presentation elements have been squandered in favour of conforming with what's already out there. The watery concoction of GTA 'free roaming' and Burnout 'points for nearly crashing' influences leaves little room for making the most of the TV show idea, and so you can't help but think the developers have missed the point. There's a notable lack of emphasis on bike-building, and the presentation lacks the general sparkle that would be needed to make the TV setting come to life.

American Chopper on the telly is all about the technical jiggery pokery involved in custom building enormous and slightly absurd motorbikes. American Chopper the game, however, manages to skirt around the customisation thing quite comprehensively (despite it forming the underlying 'story'). The custom options are extremely limited considering the nature of the show, and these bear little relevance to the gameplay: you'll occasionally be given a choice between two or three parts as you gradually build up a bike, piece-by-piece, but this almost entirely superficial aspect of the game seems like an obligatory inclusion rather than a central part of its structure. During the assorted missions you do get to ride a wide variety of suitably silly-looking bikes, but most of these can't be modified: and so the brief in-garage moments between missions don't really amount to much. Which means the scope for originality doesn’t amount to much either.
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Comments

Coxy 11 Jan 2005 15:46
1/17
it seems a shame that customisation won't play a major part in the game considering thats what american chopper is mainly about.

I hope it does get realeased in the uk as the programme is just amazing.
config 11 Jan 2005 16:02
2/17
Indeed, it is a good show, and missing out customisation is like missing out mutants from an XMen game.

However, it's nowhere near as enjoyable as Mythbusters. I doubt we'll be seeing a Mythbusters game anytime soon.
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LUPOS 11 Jan 2005 18:51
3/17
and Burnout 'points for nearly crashing'


HELLO!?!?!? crazy taxi points?!!?!

credit where credit is due! I know how much spong usually loves sega so im ashamed someone wrote such a sentence.... *tsk*tsk*tsk*
Mecha Ghandi 11 Jan 2005 19:40
4/17
LUPOS wrote:


HELLO!?!?!? crazy taxi points?!!?!

credit where credit is due! I know how much spong usually loves sega so im ashamed someone wrote such a sentence.... *tsk*tsk*tsk*


*hangs head in shame*

You are totally correct sir. They are indeed more like Crazy Taxi points, not just because that came first, but also because the near miss points don't contribute to a Burnout meter.

As penance, I shall fix the inlay card from my copy of Crazy Taxi onto my forehead using a large, rapid-fire staple gun.
DoctorDee 12 Jan 2005 10:31
5/17
Does this mean there will be/is an American Hot Rod game?

Plus, any Akira/Chopper fans out there?

A Japanese company is meant to be making a working commercial model of Kaneda's Power Bike from the movie... So Sod American Metal, I want a JChop



kid_77 12 Jan 2005 11:33
6/17
I see your JChop, and raise you a mono-wheel.

DoctorDee 12 Jan 2005 11:42
7/17
kid_77 wrote:
I see your JChop, and raise you a mono-wheel.


I'll see your strangely penny-farthing-like English country eccentric gentleman mono wheel, and loop us right back to V8 American Iron.



Turns out that dude is a specialist in the things.
Arse McAdams 12 Jan 2005 11:56
8/17
Tractor Wheel!!!

kid_77 12 Jan 2005 12:03
9/17
I squish your girly effort ;-)

LUPOS 12 Jan 2005 14:24
10/17
BAH! screw you diesel foolishness.... what the thread needs is some good old fashioned baby power!!!




... and lopus takes home these week grand prize for americas funniest home videos... the baby always wins... Bob Saget(spelling?) knows funny!
___________
kid_77 9 Feb 2005 13:22
11/17
Arf. I know this thread was long dead, but I stumbled across this whilst booking Run To The Sun in Newquay again. Last year this dude stole the show in his 2-stroke powered wheelchair. VRRROOOOOOOM look at him go!

config 9 Feb 2005 13:25
12/17
There no such thing as a dead thread* - that's the wonder online discussion with new users revisiting old topics!

*Um, until someone mentions the Nazis...

kid_77 9 Feb 2005 13:58
13/17
config wrote:
There no such thing as a dead thread* - that's the wonder online discussion with new users revisiting old topics!

*Um, until someone mentions the Nazis...



Who are you calling NEW?? ;-)

Well, I suppose in relation to 1999... ...
LUPOS 9 Feb 2005 14:03
14/17
kid_77 wrote:

Who are you calling NEW?? ;-)

Well, I suppose in relation to 1999... ...


Posted by kid_77
Registered 29 Nov 2004


Newer than me!! WOOOOOO!!!!!!! im practically a founding member... i shoudl be getting pay checks!!!

oh wait... is this thread dead?... seeing as config mention nazis........ *Cricket noises*.......


*pees on the thread and runs away*
(i must have very good aim if i can pee on a thread, either that or it comes out like a fire hose)
config 9 Feb 2005 14:55
15/17
kid_77 (Registered 29 Nov 2004) wrote:
Who are you calling NEW?? ;-)

Well, I know you're not new, but you might have been new to the thread, or if you were a new user, or... oh whatever.

LUPOS wrote:
oh wait... is this thread dead?... seeing as config mention nazis........ *Cricket noises*.......

That's the beauty of Godwin's Law; you typically can't bring it up in conversation without invoking it :)
Ditto 10 Feb 2005 09:21
16/17
When are we having Scrapheap Challenge: The Game?
config 10 Feb 2005 10:10
17/17
Adam M wrote:
When are we having Scrapheap Challenge: The Game?


I was thinking more along the lines of these games based on great Discovery programmes;

"Super Structures: The Mechano Years"
Build big s**t and see if it can withstand earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunami or meteorite strikes

"Flaming Barbeques: Build a Better Barby"
Like Burger time, but your overzealous foreman passes you an seemingly endless stream of building materials which you have to put together from a really vague sketch he drew over a pint down the pub

"Extreme Machines: Collision Course"
Like Demolition Derby, but with Hummers, tanks, nuclear (it's pronounced; nucular) subs and aircraft carriers, etc.

"Mythbusters: Lethal Pranks from Household Items"
Like a mini A-team game, where you get to dimantle s**t and then make life treatening toys from the parts. High pressure air, explosives and firearms feature heavily.

"Time Team: Dig up yo yard"
A really boring game where it rains, mostly, and involves a lot of mud. The high point is trying to decide if the broken crockery is an old builder's mug, or an ancient Roman relic.

See! I missed my vocation as a game designer... or the guy comes up with titles for straight-to-TV movies

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