Trip - 18 Aug 2007 06:50
Upcoming Game Preview: Stranglehold
John Woo has been pretty quiet since Mission Impossible 2 came out (we'll ignore Paycheck), but it looks like he's been working on something else, the semi-sequel to one of his best films (Hard Boiled) in a computer game format, Stranglehold. In what looks like a Max Payne rip off, you have to kill everything that moves in the most stylish way possible.
Release Info
Release dates: Aug 27, 2007 (Xbox 360, PC) Sep 17, 2007 (PlayStation 3)
Platform(s): Xbox 360 / PS3 / PC
Developer: Midway Chicago
Publisher: Midway Games
The combat system
This game is all about the shooting, jumping, diving, dodging, but ultimately shooting. I was sceptical about what this game could bring to the Max Payne genre, but after a play test it looks like it's got some new toys. Instead of 'bullet time' it's got 'tequila time' (although I just keep hearing that Terrorvision song now), and off the back of it a few special moves that you will be unlocking as you progress through the game.
From slow-mo precisions shots, to spinning around decimating everything in one quick go while doves flutter around you in acceptance (sounds crazy but that's Just John Woo's style). The other nice little addition to the combat system is the mini-game bullet dodging, after a confrontation, you'll go into a special mode where you'll be stuck in a spot, while you dodge bullets and shoot the bad guys in super slow motion.
The controls
The biggest problem with this game is the fiddly controls, since you're always diving around to avoid bullets and initiate 'tequila time' (*sigh*) it makes getting pin point accuracy a little tricky. With practice (as you progress through the game), you'll get better at the game and it won't seem so random jumping left to right, it's just that it seems like it could have benefited from a bit more time spent on refinement. We'll have to wait to see if the last couple of months of development tidy it up.
The graphics
This is definitely a problem, the characters look clunky and awkward, and you can't help but think that it doesn't look much better that Max Payne. Well it does look better than Max Payne (you're distorted memory will be putting in better graphics trust me), and it is something that you could only do on this generation of consoles. The number of bad guys on screen, to the semi-destructible environments just make the game seem like the environments are alive with so much stuff going on. While not the best graphics it definitely will be making you say 'holy s**t' as a huge piece of scenery is brought down by a well aimed bullet.
Overall
This game is a bit of a dark horse, it's not had much hype going for it, but it looks like it will surprise you. The graphics might not look as well rounded for an Unreal Engine 3 game, but it's still loaded with details. There are demos out there for the PS3 and the Xbox360, I'd highly recommend trying them to give you a good flavour of what's to come, you shouldn't be disappointed.
