Vin Diesel Wheelman: The Fast-paced Action-Racing Game

In the world of racing games, there are many titles that strive to stand out from the pack – literally speaking in some cases. One such title is Wheelman starring Vin Diesel, an action-packed driving experience developed by and published by Ubisoft for various platforms.

Released back in 2008 during a time when open-world racing was starting to gain popularity thanks in part to Grand Theft Auto IV's influence, Wheelman promised to deliver high-octane thrills along with plenty of cinematic sequences. Starring none other than Vin Diesel as the titular character and his partner-in-crime Camille (played by Michelle Yeoh), this game had all the makings of a wild ride.

However, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that Wheelman failed to quite live up to its potential. While the graphics at launch were certainly impressive for an early PS3/360 title, they now appear somewhat dated compared to more recent releases in the genre such as Need For Speed: Shift 2 or even Burnout Paradise.

The gameplay itself follows a fairly standard formula – drive around various city environments (Paris and Rome being your main playgrounds) completing objectives while taking down hordes of bad guys trying to stop you. While there are some nice touches like performing insane stunts on two-wheeled vehicles which can be quite satisfying at first, things quickly become repetitive.

The story attempts to add depth with Vin Diesel's character having a troubled past but ultimately feels shallow and predictable. The voice acting is passable if not particularly memorable either way round – although it has to be said that Michelle Yeoh does her best with what she's given in terms of dialogue delivery.

Overall, Wheelman feels like an ambitious project that never quite managed to hit its mark. While fans of action movies might find some entertainment value here due to Vin Diesel's presence alone (and let's face facts – he was everywhere back then!), otherwise I'd recommend giving this one a pass unless you're looking for something cheaply priced and want to experience what mid-2000s racing games had on offer.

Rating: 3 out of 10

Recommended For:

Fans of action movies

Those seeking an affordable, retro-style driving experience

Vin diesel wheelman