Dead to Rights

"Pure Action at it's best"

Have you ever wondered what a game would be like if it contained the elements of Metal Gear Solid 2, however instead of sneaking around and AVOIDING guards, you have to shoot them down in a hail of gunfire? Sounds like something we have been waiting for!

Story 9/10
As many people have said in other reviews, this game is a rip of Max Payne. What the story is here anyway, is you control a Ex-Cop named Jack Slate who is looking for who killed his father, however he is framed for murder and now the cops and thugs are hunting you down on the streets. Can you survive? Use any means of survival.

Graphics 9/10
The graphics aren't the most detailed and perfect polygons in the world but the game play makes up for it. I felt this game could use more touching up, since all three systems could pack more graphics into this game.

Game play 10/10
As I said above, the game play is a Shoot em' up version of MGS2, and uses some Bullet Time from Max Payne. Like MGS2, you can sneak along walls, and use the walls for jump shots as well. It also features 'human shield' like MGS2, except the thugs have no problem ripping bullets though them to get to you. The bullet time feature in this game is very similar to the one in Max Payne. You can perform bullet time by doing a dive and holding a button down. While in slow-mo, bullets seem to miss you, however you can fire bullets at a normal rate, which kills enemies very quickly. Hand-To-Hand combat is also used quite often in this game; at some points, you must use dodging, punching, kicking and throwing skills to overwhelm your opponent. This can get quite difficult. Another unique feature is the many different types of Mini-Games that are featured. Some require you to press buttons at the right time, perform certain moves or dodges, and others were you must keep pressing a button to stay in a 'Hot-Zone' to build up power. Overall, the game play is non-stop action and will have you glued to your television set.

Controls 8/10
The controls are all right. They aren't perfect though. Sometimes things can get a bit non responsive quick enough, and Jack seems just to run a bit too low...Another nit-pick is you may only use Analog for control, the D-Pad is just used for Weapon Alternation.

Camera 6/10
The Camera could of used a makeover for sure. At times during the game, you could be in a fistfight, or a gunfight. Whatever the case may be, sometimes the camera positions in front of Jack, and it's difficult to kill the enemies while getting shot at. In close quarters, the camera is horrible. At one point, you enter a type of mining field with pits. Sometimes the camera doesn't reveal these pits and you fall right to your death, and you must start again. That got annoying.

Replay Value 9/10
The replay value is quite good in this game as well. There is nothing to actually unlock at the end, however there is tons of button cheats to enter at the main screen. It would be a good idea to cheat though AFTER you beat the game. -_-'.

Rent or Buy?
If you have seen the commercial as I have, this game seriously looks awesome with all the action it packs, and believe me, it lives up to it. If you want a more violent version of MGS2, with a twist of bullet-time of Max Payne, then you should buy this. If you think it's probably a poor attempt at a clone, rent it. I for one though it did a good job combining the elements together.

Overall 10/10
Dead to Rights is a truly amazing game and the story is never dull or lacking, yet the game play is never lacking or gets boring. It requires you to stay on your toes and think instead of all killing. This game is truly a gem and you should try it.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 12/18/02, Updated 12/18/02