Being released on the PlayStation2 some time after the film of the same name, and more than six months after the title’s Xbox counterpart, late in 2003, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon certainly has some groundwork to lay in order to convince the fans before it even gets started. Luckily, it seems as though Ubi Soft have realised this, and a rather flashy-looking adventure lies in wait.

            From the offset, the game informs you that it is a remake of the film in as pure a fashion as any videogame could present itself. Allowing for actual human-interaction, as well adapting environments and enemy placement to create involving gameplay, the title follows the film’s plot as intricately as possible, akin to the likes of Mission: Impossible and the great 007 GoldenEye on the Nintendo64. The title does seem to have a little confusion within itself - mainly due to the dire default camera settings - about whether this is finally the true 3D genre-follow-up to the likes of Golden Axe and Streets Of Rage, or whether it’s just another platforming-action-adventure.

            The game is set throughout a series of challenging levels, each split into several chapters, which contain either several arenas of basic play, i.e. multiple-enemy combat, item collecting and a small amount of exploration, or a boss fight. The combat itself is very pleasing. After adjusting the camera, which you will have to do at the beginning of every arena, the combat is impact-reliant, once you hit an enemy, there is a very slight pause for you to follow-up with a second button press, similar to the feature in The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker, of course, this makes combination attacks a breeze. Your characters attacks come in two forms – unarmed and armed. You have light and hard attacks for each, and using as a variety of all of these four possible attacks will allow you character to gain additional experience.

            The experience points your character gains increase either your attacking or defensive manoeuvres, as well unlocking new finishing moves for your character. As you battle through the increasingly difficult levels, this experience-feature adds an extra bit of variety to what is often noted as “repetitive” gameplay these days and, with this added feature, once again reinforces the feel of the next-generation step for the side-scrolling beat-‘em-ups of the 16-bit era.

            For the best part, the enemy AI is above average – some enemies may fend you of with long poles and spears while their allies run for assistance, while others will chase you across the rooftops. The variety of enemy AI is also pleasing, with some being unable to jump to the rooftops, others being able to pick up a second weapon dropped by a fallen comrade.

            The graphics boasted by the title are very impressive for the PlayStation2. Although it appears that pretty much all the effects have been toned down somewhat, all the characters are pleasingly bulky polygon-models and the environments, although lacking variety in the way of textures, are expansive and following the themes seen within the film perfectly. The animation is also pleasing, but doesn’t seem quite up to scratch with the majority of the visuals, the only reason I could possibly suggest for this would be that, given the complexity and wide variety of martial arts on display, the development team may not have had the time, financial or development resources to fully implement the motion capture techniques needed for wholly convincing animation… or else I could be making it all up… and they were just a bit lazy…

            The title does a fair amount to restore any dwindling faith in the PlayStation2’s graphical capability, especially given the nature of its release. Although it doesn’t sparkle, it more than competently up’s the system average with one fair stroke. As fair as the accessibility goes, that camera will always cause issues to those who are not particularly nimble-thumbed of nature, but after a quick bit of stick-flicking and insane button bashing, even the stampedes of enemy at level-openers will be under your control, and the perfect environment for a series of perfectly balanced, skilfully executed array of lightning-fast attacks. Those in the need of a new challenge, feeling the bitter-sting of putting their faith in Fighting Force or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are definitely looking in the right place – and will find an enjoyable and challenging experience, with plenty of replay value… like the good old days…