Previous Next

We all know by now that Bruce Willis has been in quite a few dodgy films and Hudson Hawk is probably one of the dodgiest. [You haven't seen Blind Date, then? - Ed] Fortunately, unlike most licences these days, Hudson Hawk the game is great.

It's a shoot-'n-puzzle-'em-up platformer with a dainty, but hardy, shade-wearing sprite as the main character - it's probably supposed to be the Bruciness himself but as it doesn't wisecrack constantly or grin like a constipated gorilla it's difficult to tell. Whoever he is, the dude's job is to destroy an alchemy machine using a mirrored crystal that's hidden somewhere in Leonardo da Vinci's home.

There's loads of dogs in the game so steer clear if you're a canine-a-phobic (like my little cousin Derek - he was bitten by a poodle when he two and has never been able to watch EastEnders since). (And if he doesn't get his Bow-Wow-Chow for elevenses he's impossible - Derek's mum.)

I wouldn't say it's the best game in its genre - Rick Dangerous just pips it at the post - but it's well worth taking a look at. Smart backgrounds and a groove-along soundtrack embellish its appeal. In fact, if I was feeling flush this month I'd probably buy it for my own private collection. [The effects of those ghosts that visited Roger last month obviously haven't completely worn off - Ed]

If you sneaked in through the fire doors of your local cinema to see the film then wished you'd been caught and thrown out, don't let that put you off the game.

It's all-action fun that needs a bit of brain power to solve.