Reviews / previews
Emergency Rescue Firefighters is the latest "value product" from WizardWorks, the company responsible for the surprisingly successful Deer Hunter series. And while Deer Hunter was merely boring, Emergency Rescue Firefighters suffers from bad design, awkward control, and frustrating gameplay.
On the bright side, Emergency Rescue Firefighters isn't terribly ugly, looking somewhat like an unattractive cousin of The Sims. The firemen and rendered furniture look reasonably realistic, but the fire and water stand out like hubcap UFOs in a 50's sci-fi flick. The sound ranges from comical to annoying, with voiceovers sounding like they were recorded in the developing studio bathroom.
Controlling your firemen is a test of patience. You will spend half your time trying to find the exact spot to place the cursor, while the fire rages out of control. The firefighters will also spend much of their time spinning around in place, trying figure out how to get through a particular door.
Roger Corman, the king of low-budget filmmaking, would save money by filming several movies on the same set, often with hilarious results. WizardsWorks has apparently taken this idea and run with it, because traces of some former games linger on in Emergency Rescue Firefighters. Take for example, the in-game help menu, which gives such words of advice as "stay away from crocs, you cant hurt em with your guns" and "pigs always run away from home - restarts the level."
While it seems that WizardWorks put more thought into the packaging of Emergency Rescue Firefighters than the actual game, don't be fooled by the pretty box. Avoid this game at all costs. And if you receive this game from your aunt on your birthday, simply thank her, smile politely, and exchange it for a better game as soon as you can.
-- Brian Wright / GamePro
Got an opinion about Emergency Rescue Firefighters? Or maybe know a good cheat or strategy? Share it with the world!