Calling All Cars! (2007) Video Game Review
Back in 2007, when the PlayStation 3 was establishing its library and the PlayStation Network (PSN) was in its infancy, digital downloadable titles were beginning to transform home console gaming. Among the early standouts was Calling All Cars!, a fast-paced, high-octane vehicular brawl designed to offer quick, competitive party fun on Sony's hardware.
Developer Background and Context
Calling All Cars! was developed by Incognito Entertainment and directed by industry legend David Jaffe, renowned for creating celebrated franchises such as Twisted Metal and God of War. Published by Sony Computer Entertainment in May 2007, the project aimed to capture the pick-up-and-play simplicity of arcade classics like Micro Machines while infusing it with Jaffe's signature energetic, combat-heavy vehicular gameplay.
Story and Narrative
Narrative takes a backseat to action in Calling All Cars!, but the game sets its tone with colorful, comic-book-style cutscenes. Players assume the roles of eccentric bounty hunters competing against one another to recapture escaped convicts. The goal in each round is simple: locate the criminal, throw them into your vehicle, and deliver them to a local police station, prison bus, or maximum-security facility before your rivals beat you to it.
Gameplay Mechanics
The game blends top-down isometric racing, vehicular combat, and capture-the-flag elements into a chaotic arena experience:
- Core Objective: Nab the fugitive and drive them to the drop-off zone to earn points. High-tier zones offer more points but are harder to reach.
- Arsenal & Power-Ups: Vehicles are equipped with ramming boosts and can pick up various power-ups like missiles, magnets, and giant hammers to strip the convict away from opponents.
- Multiplayer Focus: Designed heavily around 4-player local split-screen and online multiplayer matches.
Graphics and Visual Style
Visually, Calling All Cars! holds up surprisingly well thanks to its vibrant, cel-shaded art style. Rather than chasing photo-realism, the developers opted for a bright, animated aesthetic that feels like playing through a retro comic book. The arenas are packed with interactive hazards, jumps, and destructible elements, all running at a fluid 60 frames per second.
Playable Platforms
As of today, Calling All Cars! is officially available on:
- PlayStation 3 (PS3): Downloadable directly via the PlayStation Store.
Note: The game's official online multiplayer servers were decommissioned in 2009, meaning multiplayer is now restricted to local offline co-op/versus play or via custom community setups.
Final Recommendation
While the closure of its online servers diminishes part of the original experience, Calling All Cars! remains a hilarious, action-packed option for couch co-op gaming nights. Its simple controls, stylish presentation, and frantic gameplay make it a hidden gem for retro PS3 collectors and fans of David Jaffe's arcade design philosophy.
Final Verdict: 7.5/10 — A fast, fun, and charming piece of early PSN history that still delivers laughs during local multiplayer sessions.
