24: The Game

Like the series, the game takes place over 24 hours and has the same start and end clocks for each hour, marking the start and end of each part of the game. The hours are broken down into 58 separate missions, of which there are three broad types, each described in further detail below. Some missions are objective-based, while others have a time-restricted element. Each mission is graded out of 100 points, based on the quality of performance, number of objectives completed, shooting accuracy and so on. A grade of 90 points or higher rewards the player by unlocking some form of bonus feature, including three movies (interviews with cast about the game, TV promos), 98 images (wallpaper-like images of main characters) and 23 characters (3D models that the player can view).

Most of the game's missions take place in third-person shooting format, combined with the use of a cover system. When a character is behind a low object like a crate, or at the edge of a corner or doorframe, they can press a button to use the object or edge as cover. Another button will allow the character to peer around and enter a targeting mode, while releasing the button will quickly return them to cover. There is also a stealth mode which has the character stoop, walk silently (unless running), duck behind any low obstacles they can hide behind and be less detectable by sound. A character can sneak up behind an enemy using stealth mode and perform a silent "stealth takedown" by breaking his neck.

24: The Game takes place between the events of the second and third seasons. In a similar way to the TV series, it can be split up into three sections or chapters. Section one revolves around an attack on Vice President Jim Prescott, while section two covers an attack on the Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU). Section three covers a major terrorist attack and attempt to gain access to nuclear weapons.

A large number of characters from seasons two and three feature in 24: The Game, with each using the original actor's likeness and voice acting. Main characters returning include Jack Bauer, Kimberly "Kim" Bauer, Tony Almeida, Michelle Dessler, Chase Edmunds, David Palmer, Max, Kate Warner, Chloe O'Brian, and Ryan Chappelle, with Peter Madsen being voiced by Christian Kane.

24: The Game was announced on March 30, 2005, by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe through a licensing deal with Twentieth Century Fox to bring 24 to the PlayStation 2, and Sony Computer Entertainment's Cambridge Studio was confirmed to be the developer of the game. The announcement described how the game would sit between seasons two and three of the TV series, answering many questions left unanswered by the TV show storyline. Also included was the news that the game would feature the voices and likenesses of many of the cast of the TV show. The music score had been prepared by Sean Callery, while a script had been created by Duppy Demetrius in collaboration with the 24 production team.

Sean Callery, who composed the music for the television show, was announced to collaborating with Nimrod Productions to transfer the music of the show into the gameplay. The press release was accompanied by a press-only video featuring Kiefer Sutherland describing some of the story and gameplay elements.

The game received "mixed or average" reviews, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic. The game was nominated for a BAFTA Games Award in the Best Screenplay category at 3rd British Academy Games Awards (2006), losing out to Psychonauts.

Eduardo Vasconcellos of GameSpy praised the game's storyline and high-quality voice work, but criticized the "jagged" visuals that caused character renderings to look "off". He also complained of the lack of responsiveness in the controls, the "disjointed and awkward" camera angles, and the slowness with which some enemies react to the player.