Die Hard Trilogy

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a game by Fox Williams, and Fox Interactive
Genre: Action
Platforms: PC (1996), Playstation, PSX
Editor Rating: 7/10, based on 5 reviews, 9 reviews are shown
User Rating: 6.9/10 - 11 votes
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See also: Action Adventure Games, Action Games, Third-Person Shooter Games, Die Hard Games

Most supposedly tension-relieving devices actually rarely do what they claim: sit bursting a sheet of bubble-wrap and you can find yourself getting more and more pent-up. as the need to shred every single one becomes an obsession, and the release in bursting them proves to be inadequate. It's the same with those bizarre odd-shaped rubber squeezy things - you just get really tense, as you squeeze and squeeze, until so many veins arc standing out in your forehead it looks like a three-dimensional model of the Amazon basin.

On the other hand, taking a pretend gun and shooting the crap out of thousands of pretend baddies is a cathartic experience that could only be matched by stacking Noel Edmonds, Jim Davidson and Richard Madeley horizontally on top of each other and stamping the face of each one into the head of the one beneath.

Die Hard

Die Hard Trilogy, much-loved on the PlayStation, offers you three potentially cathartic experiences. Die Hard is a third-person viewed shoot 'em up. Just like in the film, you're trapped in an office block in a grimy vest, with a bunch of foreigners who plan to steal millions of dollars from the security vaults while pretending to be terrorists. Unlike the film, there are approximately six million of them, you have limitless ammunition, and you have to work through one of the 2o-odd levels at a time. Basically, you shoot every terrorist on each level and try to free all the hostages, who then make their way to the exit. Each one that gets out alive brings bonus points; shooting them because you don't like the way they walk loses you points. Once everyone's accounted for. the bomb on each level counts down and you have 30 seconds to remember where the exit is before the bomb goes olT. Given that many of the levels are extremely complicated, and there are often a number of possible exits, this can be frustrating.

To help you. there's a small radar view. Each level also has a number of power-ups: larger guns; stun-, smoke-and high-explosive grenades; protective clothing and various foodstuffs (which provoke a burp that sound like there's a bull sea-lion in the room). There are bonus levels, where you have, for example, to dash about on the roof, escorting hostages to a helicopter. There are also bonuses on normal levels, such as if you manage to take out a terrorist using a human shield without harming the shield, you'll get a bonus life.

The terrorists can be intelligent, splitting up to enter a room by two different doors. But they also don't 'see' you if you hide, or they're facing another direction, so there's room for a bit of tactics. Mostly you'll find yourself hiding behind scenery, and popping out to shoot people in the back of the head. Of the three games, this looks least like the psx version; for some reason, you can't seem to see as far ahead of you as you can in the original - obviously something of a handicap in a game of this sort. This is difficult to explain. It may just be me. But I went back and checked the psx version and it definitely seemed more 'roomy'.

Die Harder

The second game takes the form of a first-person viewed shoot 'em up on rails, a la Virtua Cop. Except unlike in most games of this sort, you can shoot anything and bits fly off it or it explodes - from the cop cruisers in the airport carpark, to the shop frontages around the check-in area, to the bits sticking out of the runway buildings - everything that's there can be shot. That goes for people, too - terrorists are fair game, of course, but cops and passing tourists aren't. But let's face it, if you're stuck behind a counter with a gunman who keeps jumping up to take pot-shots at trigger-happy McClane, and you're stupid enough to alternate with him by jumping up, waving your arms and shouting, you deserve to die. Who'd want your genes anyway? I don't know why that nice Mr McClane even bothers to shout an apologetic, Sorry, pal... I Again, there are power-ups: shoot the right stuff and you'll be unleashing terrible devastation with Cexplosive shotguns', rocket launchers and any number of machineguns. You could certainly argue that there are elements which are too over the top, though. Shoot someone from close-up and they disappear completely in an explosion of blood. It's supposed to be cartoon violence, but the game's so obviously set in the real world that it might be a little unsettling for some. At least in Virtue! Cop they content themselves with having polygons slumping to the floor. If none of this bothers you, though, you'll find it probably ranks highest on the release-of-tensionometer.

Die Hard With A Vengeance

The third game throws logic aside and has you taking to the streets in a series of automobiles for an interesting new take on the driving game. Basically, you're in a race against time, and you'll find yourself screaming round the streets like a Post Office delivery driver, Cde-fusing' bombs by running over them so that they... well, explode. (I don't think you're supposed to think too much about this bit.) As you hurtle about, following the on-screen indicators to each bomb's location, you'll invariably run pedestrians over (there seems to be a high suicide rate in this city) and again, there's a dubiously humorous element of windscreen wipers removing the gore from your car every time a bystander gets launched skywards from the bonnet. And again, there are power-ups: turbo boosts, extra time icons, launcher icons (for spectacular jumping short-cuts, and so on). The car handles well once you're used to the extra buttons presses for 90 degrees and 180 degrees turns, and it's very fast paced - especially the car-chase bits.

In fact the whole package is pretty good: as long as you have a 3D accelerator card. Without one, you have the choice of reasonable-looking graphics moving at the speed of a holiday slide show, or fast-moving graphics that look like a test for colour-blindness (except that it's harder to pick out the figures).

Die Hard is probably the weakest of the three, but is still playable enough. And while each is also repetitive in itself, you can switch between styles of gameplay when you're bored. Even as a standalone Virtua Cop-style shooter, Die Harder would be the best on the pc. And Die Hard With A Vengeance, despite its absurd premise, isn't bad. So if you can live with the gore, and you have a 3D card, get out there and start releasing some tension.

Download Die Hard Trilogy

PC

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Playstation

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
PSX

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP

Game Reviews

With good audio and visual effects, and smoothly scrolling 3D polygonal environments,

Die Hard Trilogy looks like a winner even in its early stages.

As renegade cop John McLean, you'll tackle three completely different games in this disc, each loosely based on one of the three Die Hard films. In the first game, you play from an overhead view, running around Nakatomi plaza shooting terrorists and freeing hostages. In the second game, based on Die Harder, you take on the bad guys at the airport in a segment similar to Virtua Cop. And finally, in the third game, based on Die Hard With a Vengeance, you choose from more than 17 vehicles to drive through Manhattan as you race to defuse bombs.

If you ever wanted to play as John McClane, Bruce Willis' character in the Die Hard movies, here's your chance. In Die Hard Trilogy, you get an action game (a la Resident Evil), an arcade shooter (a la Virtua Cop), and a driving game (a la Twisted Metal).

The first game, Die Hard, takes place in the Nakatomi Building, where you must blast through tons of terrorists in order to save hostages. You can also interact with every piece of equipment, blowing up cars, blasting open sprinklers, and defusing bombs.

The second game, Die Harder, takes place at the Dulles Airport, where you gun down the terrorists, snowmobile around the tarmac, and protect more hostages.

The third game, Die Hard with a Vengeance, takes you on a wild cab ride through New York City, racing against time as you try to find and defuse a number of bombs. Pedestrians get turned into road jelly if they get in your way.

Fans of the movie will love the premise-everyone else may find the game a rehash of past titles.

ProTips:

  • The minute you hear gunfire or are hit from the back, move to the left or right. You won't have enough time to turn around and fight right away.
  • When using this mother-of-ali-guns, be careful not to shoot it in a confined space. You'll take damage as well.
  • The objective is just to run into the bombs with the cab. Now you're an honorary New York City cab driver!
  • when faced with oncoming traffic, stay near the median and off the sidewalks. Hitting pedestrians will cost you.
  • In the New Wing level, wait until a group of terrorists gather around the white crates, then blast the crate. It will cause a chain-reaction explosion.
  • Don't blindly shoot into a crowd. Wait the terrorists out, and they'll separate from the hostages.

Graphics

The game has great explosions and lots of blood. As a matter of fact, it gets pretty gruesome in the driving levels, so be prepared. The blocky polygonal enemies move well.

Sound

There's some great theme music and spectacular sound effects. Shattering glass, dripping water, a snow flurry-all are crystal clear. Too bad we couldn't hear the familiar "Yippie-ki-yay" line.

Control

John has trouble rounding corners, and the cursor moves too slowly in the shooting levels. In the driving levels, you'll have a tough time controlling the cab.

Fun Factor

The game is addicting, no doubt about that. Once you get into it, you want to play more and more. A good mix of games, DHT will keep you (trigger) happy for a while.

Overview

Just about everyone on the face of the planet has seen at least one of the Die Hard movies. Now, with Die Hard Trilogy, Fox interactive lets you star in each of the three flicks. You play as Detective John McClaine, Bruce Willis's character in each of the films. Climb your way to the top of Nakatomi Plaza, releasing hostages along the way in the original Die Hard movie. Then, move on to Washington/Dulles where the airport has overrun by terrorists. Blast McClaine through the airport in attempt to save your wife in Die Hard 2: Die Harder. Finally, jump behind the wheel of a numerous vehicles and fly through the streets attempting to defuse the bombs, planted by our favorite terrorists, before they explode. This makes the third of the trio -- Die Hard with a Vengeance.

Die Hard Trilogy is a compilation of three games loosely based on each of the movies. All three games are completely different but have the same goal in mind -- save the hostages and the people from the terrorists. Die Hard Trilogy packs three excellent games into one $50 package, and game players everywhere are the real winners.

Gameplay

Die Hard Trilogy's three games are different enough to have been packaged and sold separately. Since these games are so varied between one another, I will break down each game separately so you will get a good feeling for each of the games.

Die Hard

The first game is based on the movie that started it all. Die Hard takes our hero, John McClaine, to the Nakatomi tower on Christmas Eve. You have just arrived at the building and find something terribly wrong. Even the parking lot is crawling with those nasty terrorists who seem to be holding innocent people hostage. Being the hero type, you decided to take on the terrorists singlehandedly.

When you enter the building, you are armed with only a police-issue 15-shot automatic pistol. You are given an infinite supply of ammunition for this weapon. Since there are terrorists hanging around, they have scattered weapons and ammunition throughout the building. You can pick up these items and use them against the bad guys. These items include a shotgun, assault riffle, M60 machine gun and an MP5 sub-machine gun. There are also a number of grenades that can be obtained. Scattered throughout are various health power-ups and even shields that make McClaine temporarily untouchable.

The object of Die Hard is simple. Just kill all of the terrorists on each floor and save the hostages. The game starts in the parking garage and spans up 19 more levels, each more difficult than the last. You control McClaine from a third person perspective. The 3D environment is a bit difficult to get accustomed to but after a little practice, it becomes a bit easier. For example, when you turn McClaine, the whole room rotates so you keep facing forward. Even after playing for a while, I still find it difficult to make precise movements.

Just when you think you have finished the level by killing the last terrorist, a bomb activates. You must located the bomb in less than 30 seconds and defuse it. If you don't make it in time, Nakatomi Tower is no more.

Die Hard 2: Die Harder

This is my favorite game of the three. This time around, McClaine goes to the Washington/Dulles airport to pick up his wife and the place is crawling with those damn terrorists again. You just can't catch a break. Anyway, it is up to you, once again, to save the innocent bystanders and get the terrorists out of the airport in a body bag.

Die Harder uses a light gun to blast through the action. You can use your controller, but it is much cooler with the gun. Basically, this is a VirtuaCop type game. Enemies pop up with targets around them. Shoot them but be careful not to nail an innocent hostage. The game takes you from outside the airport to the concourse, to the New Annex, out on the runway and even in a helicopter. Just keep shooting and the game guides you along a set path.

As you work your way through the levels, you can shoot various power-up and weapons. Once again, McClaine enters the level with only his police issue weapon, but has the opportunity to receive power-ups to help through the level. You will find various types of weapons including machine guns, a blast shot gun, grenades and even rockets. There are also heath and shield power-ups located throughout the levels. I was always waiting with an itchy finger at what was going to jump up next.

Die Hard with a Vengeance

This is probably my least favorite of the three. It is still an exciting game, but it is plagued by difficult controls. On a positive note, this game does house the best part of all of the games. I'll get into that a little later.

Die Hard with a Vengeance is a driving game. The terrorists have planted bombs around the city and it is our job to find them and defuse them. You start out behind the wheel of a taxicab. After disarming a few bombs, you find that the taxicab is just too slow. You have cars located at parking lots throughout the city that range from a police cruiser to a sports car that are available for you to drive.

Now, above I mentioned that this game has the best part of all three. Let's just say that your car is very difficult to control. And let's also say that you are driving the streets of New York City. The crowded streets. The crowded streets with lots of pedestrians. Do you see where this is going yet? For those of you that don't, let me make it a little more clear. You can run over pedestrians! Yes, that's right. That's not even the best part. The best part is when you are diving from the first person view and you hit someone, you windshield wipers turn on to remove the, hmmm, leftovers of pedestrian from your view. Come on, it's only a game!

Besides the ability to outlive any driver that frequents busy city streets, this game definitely is more difficult than the rest. A direction arrow shows the direction of the planted bomb and it is your job to steer your vehicle (a difficult job) to the bomb and defuse it. Along the way, you will encounter power-ups in the form of extended time, turbos and extra points. This could have been the best game of the three, if they would have just made the damn vehicles easier to drive.

Graphics

The graphic in all three games are set in a 3D environment. The designers have definitely spent a great deal of time on each of the games. The characters all look believable and the enemies are menacing enough. The backgrounds are very detailed and everything fits together nicely. All of the intro scenes follow the unwritten rule of the Playstation having killer cinematics before a game.

Audio

Throughout the game, we are treated to McClaine's commentary. From his gruff "get the Hell outta here" to his witty sayings as he is blowing away the terrorists, the games always keep you laughing. The music is also a good mix that always seems to fit the situation.

Bottom Line

Each of these games is good enough to package and sell on its own. This was a great idea by the minds a Fox to give gamers an excellent value for their money. At least one of the three games will appeal to everyone and you will have a good time arguing which game is the best of the trio. All three of the games are long, involved and good. I would have expected at least one dud out of the three, but that's not the case. I think you will be happy with this purchase.

Overview

Somewhere during the evolution of the video game, programmers began creating games that focused more on glitz than gameplay -- forgetting that games were supposed to be fun and not just something that utilizes MMX technology or the latest advances in 3-D rendering. It was as if programmers were more concerned about looking good than putting out quality software that was actually fun. However, we all know that an old dog with a shiny new collar is still basically an old dog.

Understanding this, the programmers of Die Hard Trilogy put their collective minds together and created a game that grabs you with explosive intensity, has enormous replay value, is as fun to watch as it is to play and incorporates the best parts of the entire video game genre.

Oh yeah -- it also utilizes MMX technology, uses the latest advances in 3-D technology, and definitely looks as good as it plays.

Die Hard Trilogy is actually three very different games bundled together. You can be trapped in the Nakatomi Plaza, run through Dulles Airport in an attempt to save your wife, or sweat it out behind the wheel looking for bombs in New York City. Each adventure is an entirely different genre of game also, fulfilling whatever desire for arcade action you may have; the first episode, Die Hard, is portrayed as a third person shooter in chase-camera style, Die Harder is done as a rail shooter, and finally, Die Hard with a Vengeance is done car-racing style -- reminiscent of Destruction Derby.

Gameplay

To do justice to this game, it really must be treated as three separate games -- very fitting, since at the opening screen you are able to select which game you want to play. The great thing about this feature is that, depending on your mood, you can play either a great action game, a rail shooter or a racing game.

Die Hard starts you in the parking garage of the Nakatomi Plaza building in Los Angeles. You're trapped inside and the only way out is to make your way up 20 floors in an attempt to foil a multimillion-dollar robbery. Along the way, you must rescue over 150 hostages from the many terrorists lurking around with your name engraved on their bullets. As if knocking off terrorists isn't hard enough, there is a bomb with a 30-second timer that is automatically started when the last bad guy falls to the floor. If you don't reach the bomb in time, it destroys the building and you have to start over. To help locate hostages, terrorists, and the end-of-level bomb, you have a helpful map on screen at all times.

When you start the game, McClane is armed only with his standard issue pistol and an infinite supply of bullets. However there are more powerful weapons like shotguns, rifles, and machine guns dropped by dead terrorists or hidden around the levels. There are also three types of grenades that can either kill, stun, or disorient your enemies.

To play the second game, Die Harder, all you need is your mouse and a quick eye. This game is similar to the popular VirtuaCop series and very, very difficult. You play this game seeing the action from McClane's eyes, retiring terrorists with your berretta. As you work your way through the terminal of Dulles Airport, you can pick up another berretta John Woo style, and various types of machine guns. You also have a rocket launcher and grenades.

What makes this level especially difficult are the number of terrorists using hostages to hide behind as they shoot at you. I found myself mumbling along with John McClane when he ruefully said, "Sorry, pal …" every time I offed an unlucky civilian.

Finally, the third game, Die Hard with a Vengeance, incorporates the best of racing games with crash-bang, demolition derby action. Set in New York, you and your sidekick Zeus must race around searching for bombs, using a compass-like device in the top corner of the screen for directions. Of course, driving in New York City has never been easy. Hindering you in your race to save the city are the dreaded New York City traffic, pedestrians, and street vendors. Fortunately, you're in a New York City cab, so you're well equipped to take on the worst the city has to offer.

If you find cabs dirty and dingy, don't worry; there are different cars parked in various lots around the city that you can "borrow." Pull into a lot and grab a Porsche, Ferrari, police car with controllable siren, a school bus (yes, a school bus), plus a few others. Matter of fact, the school bus was my favorite vehicle since it easily powers over other cars and blocked streets. And it handled amazingly well -- pulling off 180s in crowded streets.

All the while there is a timer on screen that reminds you when a bomb is about to explode, records the number of turbo boosts you have left, and shows the compass that points out the direction of the next bomb waiting to explode.

Defusing bombs is as simple as driving over them. After every bomb is located, there is a mini-cutscene showing its "safe detonation." Strangely enough, the safe detonation of the bomb is still large enough to destroy nearby cars and kill anyone dumb enough to stand near it. To mix up the action a little, you do not just search the city for stationary explosives. You encounter bomb-laden cars that lead to high-speed chases throughout the city. Ramming the car a few times is usually enough to destroy it. My favorite encounter was when I had to chase a hot dog truck (literally -- it had a giant hot dog on the truck) through Central Park, trying to destroy it before the timer expired.

Using the keyboard to control your car, high speed turns and quick 180s are easily accomplished with the touch of a button. These maneuvers are very necessary especially when chasing bomb cars. Other controls include turbo speed, helpful for catching up with enemy bomb cars or just racing through long avenues, a horn to dissuade pedestrians from crossing in front of you, and of course the typically unused brake. To change your view, a simple press of the Z button will change from a first person inside view of your car to an outside, chase camera angle.

Some special pickups that you encounter are extra time awards, turbo speed icons, mini-bombs that, when driven over, launch your car over blocked streets and traffic jams, nitro speed, and one that even summons an ambulance you can follow -- great for clearing busy streets.

For those who are always striving for the highest score, killing hostages and civilians in Die Hard Trilogy takes off points. So aim and drive carefully!

For those who enjoy long, hour-eating games, DHT is a must-buy. From the construction level scene in the first Die Hard movie to the nail-biting snowmobile chase in Die Harder to the race across Central Park in Die Hard with a Vengeance —all your favorite scenes from the movies are here. With a whopping FORTY-FIVE levels split between three games, you'll be hard-pressed to find anything that matches DHT in gaming value.

Graphics

Excellently detailed, DHT is simply a pleasure to look at. Floors in the Nakatomi Plaza are beautifully designed, the Dulles Airport was brilliantly transferred from film to game, and the streets and avenues of New York City are as gritty in the game as in real life. On high detail, surfaces are rounded, metal is burnished and shiny, and there are even distinctly different faces on each terrorist (I assume the programmers had a field day with the office scanner). For those who own a slower machine, the game still looks great on a lower setting. And to make it easier to customize Die Hard Trilogy to your computer's specs, there are horizon, perspective correction, complexity and resolution settings that you can turn on or off. There are also advanced settings that allow you to use your computer's MMX chip or a graphics accelerator if you are privileged enough to have them. To truly see DHT in all its glory, run out to the computer store and get yourself a 3D accelerator. If you don't have enough money, just don't eat for a month or two -- it will be worth it.

The environment in DHT is highly interactive. In Die Hard and Die Harder, glass shatters, walls explode, cars ignite and body parts fly. In Die Hard with a Vengeance, the streets are full of barricades, pedestrians and street vendors. Lose control of your car for just a second and you'll have shattered wood and innocent civilians bouncing over your car or under your tires. Hitting pedestrians will even leave blood on your tire tracks! And if you don't defuse a bomb in time, you are rewarded with a fireball that travels down the street, sending everything in its path skyrocketing through the air. I have never seen a game with such abundant and beautiful explosions. The graphics are simply excellent.

Audio

As well as containing all the action, intensity, and explosions as the movies, Die Hard Trilogy also comes with many of Bruce Willis' trademark comebacks. Finish a level and be rewarded with a "Yippie-Ki-Yay," rescue a hostage and you'll hear "Wanna stay alive? Stay with me," and if you get hit by too many terrorist bullets you'll even hear McClane sorrowfully ask for some aspirin. In Die Hard with a Vengeance you'll hear McClane's unwilling sidekick Zeus complain if you are clumsy enough to run over too many pedestrians, and he'll also give directions on where to go if you get lost.

The background music in Die Hard Trilogy is also first rate. On the CD there are twenty high quality, movie-worthy tracks. From funky to militant, there are enough tracks to keep you groovin' throughout all 45 of Die Hard's missions. Nothing like inspiring music to keep your trigger finger in motion.

As compelling as the background music is, the sound of weapon fire leaves much to be desired. Weapon sounds are weak and simplistic. I wanted to experience the jarring kick of a discovered assault rifle or shotgun; instead I was left feeling like McClane was exterminating terrorists with a toy popgun. This is one of the few shortcomings of Die Hard Trilogy, but it is worth noting.

System Requirements/Installation

Installation: Like most Windows 95 games, DHT installs easily and painlessly. Using the auto-install function, DHT first checks if you have the latest version of DirectX. Passing that, it installs Die Hard Trilogy to your hard drive, eating up 48 MB of hard drive space.

A Pentium 120, Windows 95, 16 MB RAM, and a 2X CD-ROM drive are necessary to play Die Hard Trilogy with a Pentium 166 recommended. However, I reviewed DHT on a Pentium 100 with 16 MB RAM and had satisfactory performance. I would suggest, however, a computer that can utilize MMX technology, or the addition of a 3D graphics card.

Difficulty/Computer AI

Die Hard Trilogy is not an easy game. Terrorists keep coming in swarms and there are bombs aplenty strewn throughout the city. Many times I have thrown up my hands in frustration ready to give up and return to my normal pre-Die Hard life. But of course, I just speak those fateful words that lead to unproductiveness, "Just one more game," and keep on playing. It takes more than just an itchy trigger finger to successfully complete each game. There are only a few health power-ups and limited weapons, while there are a huge number of terrorists who don't appreciate you trying to trash their plans. To successfully complete DHT you need to take careful aim, know when to attack, and know when to turn tail and run. Learning to conserve ammunition is the only way to conserve your life.

As great a game as DHT is, the computer AI could stand some improvement. This is most obvious in Die Hard. Terrorists tend to keep up their relentless attack even when you're in a well-protected position, making mowing them down as simple as holding down the fire button.

Bottom Line

The bottom line on Die Hard Trilogy is simple: if you enjoy arcade-style action, want a game that takes a long, long time to beat, and want three times the gaming value, then run out and purchase DHT today. With intense and addictive gameplay, first-rate graphics and beautiful explosions, you'll find your money well spent. The addition of a great soundtrack and what sounds like the actual voice of Bruce Willis is just the icing on the cake. Playing DHT will make you feel like you're living the Die Hard series all over again. I rate this game as an absolute must-play with a score of 94. This almost perfect score was only marred a few points for high system requirements and a few points for weak-sounding weaponry. Other than that, Yippie-Ki-Yay!

The hit series of Die Hard is coming home to the PlayStation with all the mayhem and action you've come to expect from the movies. Die Hard Trilogy is actually three separate games, each with totally different gameplay styles. The first game is a 3-D action game with a perspective similar to Capcom's Resident Evil. The attention to detail is excellent, with sprinkler systems going off over explosions. The second game is a shooter similar to Virtua Cop, where you must shoot terrorists inside an airport. You have the ability to pan your perspective to help you get the feeling of being there. The third game is set on the streets of New York. Drive an assortment of vehicles about the city, stopping bombs. Think you're tough enough for all three games?

Remind you of Virtua Cop? Well, it should. Only difference is that this version is a lot letter. Nothing quite matches the feeling accomplishment you get when you've laid waste to an entire airport terminal.

One of the greatest aspects of the game is the amount of permanent damage that you can inflict. Whenever you hit or shoot anything in the game, you will leave some kind of a mark, whether it be in the form of bullet holes, shattered glass or burst sprinkler systems. And you know what? You just can't ask for anything better than that.

In Die Hard: With A Vengeance, you must track down bombs that are planted throughout new York City. If it's in a car, then watch out, because these babies are mobile and they'll go off whether the thing is driving over 50 mph or not. More fun than actually finding the bombs, is hitting pedestrians. When playing from cockpit view, watch your wipers clear away gallons of blood from your windshield.

The number-one film worldwide last year was Die Hard: With A Vengeance.The three Die Hard films combined have grossed over a billion dollars. Someone has finally figured out that this most supercharged of trilogies is a license to print money on the gaming platform.That is, if it's done well.

Finally, a game has been developed that's truly as good as the film it's based on. Die Hard Trilogy is one of the finest titles I've seen since I started in this business over a year ago. Fox has gone out and hired Probe to develop a game so amazing that every PlayStation owner on God's Earth will undoubtedly buy it.

The game gets a 10 not so much for any revolutionary developments in gaming, but for its revolutionary ideas about giving consumers more for their money. Trilogy packs three completely separate adventures onto one disc.The first part, Die Hard, is a shooter, like Loaded, that has you running amok in the Nakatomi building, saving hostages and wasting German terrorists. Die Harder, the second game, is a change of format that actually does Virtua Cop better than Virtua Cop itself did. Maneuver through the Dulles Airport, shooting bad guys and making a general mess of the terminals.The third installment, With A Vengeance, plays a lot like Twisted Metal and has you racing though the streets of New York trying to get to bombs before they explode.

Each of the three parts could easily stand on its own, but have instead been packed into this one outstanding game. Let's just hope all the blood and carnage I saw makes it into the final cut.

Graphics - 9

Sound/FX - 9

Gameplay - 9

Rating - 10

Three different types of gameplay represent the three Die Hard feature films. It's essentially three games in one.You're after international terrorists. Die Hard: You play as John McClane in the Nakatomi Plaza.You have to work your way up from the garage to the Penthouse, searching halls, offices, and a ballroom for hidden bombs, grenades, and machine guns. Die Harder. A firstperson perspective shooter that takes place inside Washington/Dulles Airport. Shoot down enemies in the baggage claim area and Duty Free Shop. Die Hard with a Vengeance: a driving game in which you get to race down the streets of Manhattan looking for stashed bombs that you have to find and diffuse.You have access to 15 different vehicles, from aYugo to a Ferrari.You'll be presented with various hazards: changing stop lights, gridlocked traffic, double-parked vans, NYPD squad cars and various pedestrians.

The Die Hard films have turned into a worldwide film franchise, made Bruce Willis an iiber-superstar and made Century City an interesting, if not a hip, place to visit in Los Angeles. While film adaptations aren't our favorite type of games here at VG, we thought we'd give you a peek at what might turn out to be one of 96's hottest games, the Fox Interactive release Die Hard Trilogy.

The version we saw was far from complete and the game won't hit the shelves until March of this year, but we were so impressed by what we witnessed that we had to let you guys in on the skinny. Based on, obviously, Die Hard, Die Hard 2 and Die Hard:With a Vengeance, Die Hard Trilogy somehow manages to pack all three films into one cohesive game on one disc.Talk about value in the Die Hard segment of the game, you control John McClaine as he makes his way through the Nakitomi Plaza building. (Trivia buffs out there take note: Fox Interactive's offices are located in the building featured in the film. No kidding!) The interface in this section of the game can only be described as a cross between Doom and Loaded. You guide John from slightly above and behind him, so you have a panoramic view of his surroundings. As you move through doors, walls don't disappear, they fade. Everything can be destroyed (you should see the explosions!). Plus, you can jump over cars, roll to avoid enemy shots, shoot machine guns,and throw grenades...it's absolutely mind-blowing.

The Die Hard 2 portion of the game is quite similar to Virtua Cop only, well, better. Blood splatters the walls as you dash through Dulles Airport blowing away terrorists. In addition to a bevy of weapons to select from, you have 45 degrees of leeway with which to move your gunsight.This means that if a wily gun-nut is plugging from the edge of the screen, you can actually move your line of sight to find him and then blow the sucker away. Excellent!

Driving is the name of the game in Die Hard.With a Vengeance. You must drive through New York in various cars and locations looking for hidden bombs, the graphics routines on these stages are spectacular. Cars are thrown into the air as you collide with them, the texture-mapping is New York-accurate, and, well, it just looks and plays great.

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