• Publisher: VU Games
  • Release Date: Jun 20, 2003
  • Also On: PC
Metascore
62 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 19
  2. Negative: 2 out of 19
  1. A good first-person shooter. The storyline maybe a bit familiar, but the new settings and the way Rollins expresses himself all add up to a very enjoyable time.
  2. The only problem with this is that the collected ideas that are gathered here - with the exception of the space combat - have all been lifted from other gaming influences. The curvature of Mace's face visor, the enemies with power shields, the control of remote guns... [PSM2]
  3. 74
    The lack of secrets and multiplayer modes also means an utter lack of replay value, but I felt nothing but satisfaction at the rousing conclusion.
  4. The space combat portions are incredibly short, which is a godsend since the vehicle controls are abysmal. [Aug 2003, p.92]
  5. Despite being a rough composite of a half dozen other first-person shooters without much personality of its own, Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter is still pretty good.
  6. Inconsistent AI, average weapons, and a few graphical glitches are the only real negatives to an otherwise solid gaming experience. [Aug 2003, p.28]
  7. Contains many of the trappings found in bad science-fiction media -- poor dialogue, poorer voice acting, cool-looking firearms, and a story that seems cobbled together simply for an excuse to blow things up and spill some blood.
  8. There is little here to sparkle the imagination and the best we can say is that it’s a fair time-filler. If only the developers had the nerve to try out some fresh ideas, or even implemented old ones in exciting ways then we’d be looking at a much healthier product.
  9. I only hope that if there is a Mace Griffin 2 that they tap into the unlimited potential of the game and consider adding a multiplayer element.
  10. For 50 bucks, you could either buy Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter, or spend some time in the used games bin and track down a more entertaining FPS and a more entertaining space flight sim (and probably have 10 bucks to spare.)
  11. 63
    Fun at times (especially in the first few hours before the minor annoyances begin stacking up) and does a nice job of mixing up run and gun and sniper action, but the AI is buggy and sometimes the game absolutely drags.
  12. The characters and monotonous visuals are dull, uninteresting and cliché (especially lead character Mace Griffin). And the absence of any multiplayer options severely hampers Bounty Hunter’s replayability in the long run.
  13. It is as rough around the edges as its main character and most players will probably be put off after an initial bout of controller frustration. Those who stay with it will find an enjoyable and somewhat satisfying single-player experience, but nothing incredibly memorable.
  14. Not only unoriginal but flawed in its execution. It can be fun in spurts but it fails to sustain any momentum.
  15. 50
    The game feels cramped and limited. Linear levels where there’s little room to explore on your own attribute to unchallenging gameplay.
  16. The flow is maddeningly repetitive. It's also way, way too linear. You cannot fly around and explore at your own free will. Instead, you just land on a big base, kill stuff, shoot ships, then move on to the next level.
  17. Linear, and excessively so. Levels are placed before you with a "get from point A to point B" mentality, with next to no options in how you get there.
  18. For all it brings to the table - space combat, Halo's shield, varied levels - not one single aspect is truly worthy of praise.
  19. It seems like the designers spent so much time working on fancy effects that they didn't have enough time to bother with things like level design... It's a pretty major disappointment. [Aug 2003, p.101]
User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Awaiting 2 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 1 out of 2
  1. ChadM.
    4
    This is easily the most overhyped game I have ever played. A below average FPS made even worse by poor controls, ridiculously bad AI, grenades that bounce like superballs and mission objectives made too difficult by the above. Rumor said this was going to be "GTA in Space." It ain't even Doom in Space. It is just bad. Full Review »
  2. LevitonK.
    9
    An all round solid game. With decent to good graphics, an awesome (however cliche) storyline, and a terrific music score, Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter is a great game. The gameplay is linear, but then again, if you are a bounty hunter, and have a target, you don't want to daddle around so much. This game brings about challenges and ideas that most FPS games don't supply. Full Review »