"All flash but no real substance"

I've never seen the movie "The Warriors". People seem to love it in almost a cult status sort of way. I actually became interested in the movie because of this game just being made. Well, I have now played through the game and I must admit I no longer wish to see the movie. Perhaps it's just because it isn't my sort of thing but this game also left a bad taste in my mouth.

Basic story of The Warriors is that your gang, The Warriors, is in some big ole gang turf fight or something. I don't know but the game never seemed to shut up and the plot wasn't interesting so about halfway through the game I just skipped all cut scenes. The story is the least of the problems for The Warriors.

Graphic wise the game is fairly solid. Character models look great, faces are a bit flat, think GTA pre-San Andreas. The levels are full of items, things can be destroyed ECT. It's all top notch in the graphics department.

Sound wise the game is a mixed bag. Music seems like it could be taken right from the movie (again, I haven't seen it but it fit the game that well that I will assume it's the original soundtrack from the movie). Voice acting is good, probably done by the actors from the movie. Sound effects are also decent. Smash some glass and it sounds right, punch a car and it sounds right. It all sounds good. So where is the problem? Well, it's during the mini games. It's the worst sounds ever. The music in the Nights game almost made my ears bleed, yes it was that bad. Really high pitched and I get that they were paying homage to the old school beatm'em games but they never sounded this bad.

The control is fairly tight for doing all of the different functions. Fighting and pulling off combos can be done without thinking. My problem was that it seemed kind of touchy for running jumps and moving when running felt a tad bit floaty. Otherwise it was fine.

The Warriors takes a now dead genre, beat'em up, and brings it back to life for a new generation of gamers. You have a main starting point for the game, a home base actually. They don't get there until you finish the first 3 levels. Inside your home base you can look at your stats, replay levels, go to the next level, play mini games, and all kinds of other stuff. The game offers 18 levels plus 5 bonus levels.

The levels are fairly large areas and they are all objective based. There is a well done map on screen at all times and a red or yellow marker will showcase where you need to go. The levels while large are also rather linear so this all felt kind of pointless. The levels are full of destructible stuff. Cars, windows, doors, boards. You can break into some stores and steal items. Break into cars and steal stereos. It's all there and it adds some extra depth to the game but the fighting is perhaps the biggest problem.

While at first the moves are cool and a lot of fun to pull off, you soon come to realize the game doesn't really have anything else to offer on the main gameplay platter. Sure you can do tagging, which works like the little buzz guide thing at fairs. You move the analog stick along a yellow path. You may need to buy some spray paint but that's easy enough.

You can collect money in the game and buy healing stuff, paint and a number of other things. Weapons can be picked up but they are kind of dull. Dull is the perfect word though that explains the fighting. Easy attack, hard attack, throws. Toss in some rage meter which doubles your super attacks and you get the basic idea. You gain points for each hit landed.

The objectives are fairly varied. Catch this guy, tag X amount of spots (all of which are clearly marked on the map), cause X amount of destruction. You get the idea.

The extra content while nice isn't a whole lot. The game is only one player which kind of sucks but the mini games seem to be playable with two people. Perhaps if it wasn't so boring the games replay value would be up there, like the old school beat'em ups. Sadly, this isn't nearly as fun because it tries to do too much and it just isn't needed.

I rented this game after almost buying it for $8 new and I'm glad I rented it (which was free). It does make a fine rental but paste that the game doesn't offer a whole lot. There are much funner games out there that offer more content and more multiplayer action.

Story - 5/10
Graphics - 8/10
Sound - 7/10
Control - 8/10
Game Play - 5/10
Replay Value - 3/10

Final Score - 5/10

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 07/31/06