Vin Diesel game is vast and furious

Due in February 2009, Wheelman is the second videogame to feature Hollywood superstar Vin Diesel... And HCC was recently given the chance to have a hands-on session with the game's preview code. Admittedly, the main man himself didn't brave a wet London day (he's probably far too busy leaping from burning buildings and stuff), but a couple of foxy helpers were more than happy to stand in...

The action within the Xbox 360 and PS3 title is very much a hybrid of GTA IV and Burnout Paradise. And, as Vin Diesel's own production company has been involved in every part of the cinematic process, the footage shown to Home Cinema Choice proves that Wheelman contains a Vin Diesel high-octane performance easily on a par with his roles in The Fast and the Furious and xXx. Indeed, the game offers further proof that the gap between movies and gaming is ever-diminishing.

Like the games it draws inspiration from, Wheelman is mainly a mission-based driving extravaganza. However, it does offer a couple of unique aspects, with one standing out in particular. As Vin Diesel (well, his in-game character, Milo Burik, anyway) you can leap from vehicle to vehicle while in motion. If your car is about to explode, you can throw yourself at a local motorbike, for example, and carry on chasing your prey. 'Air jacking', as it's called, is an excellent new element to the action-driving genre - and you'll never tire of it! (Or 'tyre' of it, snort!)

As previously stated, Wheelman will be out in February 2009 on Xbox 360 and PS3, and you'll be able to read a review on this very site when it arrives – not just of its gaming prowess, but also what it's like to play on a giant projection screen, and how it flies the flag as a movie/videogame crossover title.

For now though, just sit back with another tantalising pic of Vin Diesel's little helpers...