"A controversial, but well-done shooter"

Kingpin is a controversial first-person shooter (FPS) created by Xatrix Entertainment. Though equipped with excellent graphics, sound effects, music by Cypress Hill, and good gameplay, it's also laced with profanity and gratuitous violence. Although it may seem unnecessary to some, in fact the developers were trying to capture the essence of an "urban ghetto" environment, where might makes right and there are no rules.

To their credit, the developers have placed numerous warnings and labels all over the game's box and in the game itself, to make sure the consumer is informed about just what they're getting into. Obviously, this game is not intended for children, and the designers wanted to make sure parents understand that. For those of us who are mature enough to handle the content, however, we're in for one heck of an experience.

Assuming, of course, we can also handle the steep system requirements. The game requires no less than 570 MB of HD space to install. Not only that, but 3D acceleration and 64 MB of RAM are necessary as well. Not even the "Low Violence" installation, where the profanity and gore is removed, relaxes these requirements. Better have the appropriate hardware before you take on this world.

Once you're in, though, you're immersed in the environment. Gritty, washed-out streets and back alleys littered with beer bottles and trash are supplemented with dogs howling in the background, thugs and bums talking to you and each other, and rap beats by Cypress Hill. To their credit, the designers have created a FPS where you're not supposed to kill everyone you see. In fact, walking around with your guns pointing at people can get you in big trouble. After all, who's gonna stand idly by if you're pointing some heat at them?

A much better plan is to converse with the people you meet. Kingpin offers you a choice in how you want to talk. You can have some "friendly" banter in the hopes of learning some information, or hiring someone to help you, but if someone's talking smack to you, you can give it right back. Usually that results in a fight, but hey, that's how life is out here.

Another true-to-life part of the game is the fact that the good stuff isn't just lying out in plain sight - you gotta earn it if you want it. That means no machine guns or medipacks in the middle of the street. Try a heavily guarded storeroom, or the Pawn-o-Matic store. Speaking of that store, you're gonna need money if you want any of the owner's goods. Sometimes you can get money by opening a safe in a warehouse, other times you'll have to remove it from someone's body. After all, they won't be needing it anymore.

The weapons you can buy and find range anywhere from a lead pipe in a dumpster to a high-powered Tommy gun to a rocket launcher that leaves a brilliant smoke trail. None of these come easy, though, and the thugs out on the street are tough mothers. Don't expect a single bullet to fell any of these guys.

If your trigger finger starts getting a little too itchy, and you just want to take it out on someone instead of being cautious, you can take your bad self into Kingpin's multiplayer game. Hosted on the Heat.net service, you can find up to 16 other wannabes to mix it up with in vicious deathmatches. If you've ever played multiplayer Quake, this should seem instantly familiar.

Overall, Kingpin is one hell of a ride. The 3d-accelerated graphics are ultra-smooth with great lighting effects and some nasty stuff like blood trails. The sound is sweet with ambient effects and gunshots, and the dialogue is crystal-clear. The controls work well allowing keyboard and mouse control, and you even get a nice little crosshair to help you aim. The A.I. of the baddies isn't too shabby, either. If you're pointing a gun at someone armed with just a crowbar, they aren't gonna stick around. And if you hurt someone but let them get away, he'll go get his armed buddies to back him up, and you better be ready for them.

If you've got the power, pick up Kingpin for a great FPS experience, that's pretty different from the basic kill-everything-in-sight affairs. Hey, you gotta use your brains out here to survive too, ya know.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 11/01/99