Dead to Rights

"K9 vs Uzi?"

INTRO: Original. Original probably describes this game the best you possibly can in one word. Yes some people are calling this game a Max Payne rip off but their wrong. This game has several original mechanics thrown into the fray. Including mini-games, unarmed combat, disarms, and man's best friend. On top of all of that, a story that actually makes sense and keeps your interest. Sounds great then, right? Why does it have a rating of 7 then? It doesn't quite execute all this in the best fashion. But still this one of the better action games this year, even better than that Max Payne game.

GRAPHICS: This game was originally for the X-box. So it has lost some of its presentation in the process. The game looks very grainy and pixilated. But with that downside we get an excellent framerate. The game has many scenarios that get very hectic, but the game handles them superbly. The FMVs are outstanding. They look nearly as good as MGS2, which says a lot considering that is the best this system has to offer. The FMVs really set the tone of the game well, adding a noir film touch.
Score 7

SOUND: Another area done very well only adds to the presentation of this game. All of the voice acting is done well. Even all the pointless enemies sound good. I didn't recognize any actor in particular doing the voice acting but it was a very good crew. The music is also very appropriate for the mode. The sound effects, including shadow himself sound well for the most part. My one complaint in this department is the stripper music played in the, well, err stripper mini-game? It incredibly ANNOYING BEYOND BELIEF, and you won't be able to get it out of your head either.
Score 9

CONTROLS: With the coming of the Next Generation console systems I thought we were past button smashing. Evidently the creators of Dead to Rights didn't get this memo. A couple of the mini games do involve button smashing, which my big ape like hands have never been any good at. Besides this issue the game responds fairly well. The combat system is simple and easy to master, which you really don't need to because you have guns after all.
Score 8

STORY: Yet another strong point for this game. With the high presentation value it's easy to see why Dead to Rights got over hyped a little bit. Anyways, the basic story is your Dad was killed, big powerful people were involved you go after them and get framed and put in jail. And that is just in the opening FMV sequence. Despite being overdramatic, the plot pans out well connecting all of the dots. Very well scripted.
Score 9

REPLAY: With so much effort going into the rest of the game this area is a considerable letdown. The only sort of extra mode is a mini game mode, where you can play all of the mini games in the game. They range from bomb diffusing to pole dancing. These are not that fun to begin with so why would want to play them again? The game is also on the short side, 4 to 6 hours will knock it out in your first try. With no real unlockables there is simply not much to do.
Score 5

GAMEPLAY: First off I have one little conceptual complaint. Where the hell does shadow come from? And why don't the bad guys just light shadow up? I don't know about you but if a big German Shepard charged me, I would use my Uzi. But anyways Dead to Rights has many great gameplay ideas. Of course as you have probably figured out by now there is an attack dog. Shadow has a meter once fully charged will bumrush and kill the selected enemy; he will also bring you back their weapon. Sounds cool, but there is only death animation, good concept more thought. The big that separates this game from Max Payne is unarmed combat and mini games. The unarmed combat is very basic and has little depth. But there are certain situations where that is all you have. The mini games are a nice change of pace from the action. Some involve button smashing others involve a lot of timing. The coolest part of the game is the disarms. Jack Slate has several fatal disarms that are just badass. On top of that after you have crunched up their little body you get their weapon!
Score 8

BOTTOM LINE: In the end Dead to Rights is very well concepted and presented game. However, little replay value, grainy graphics, and unfinished ideas bring this one down. At the end of the game you get the feeling that all these great gameplay ideas were just put together to get a hyped up bestseller, they succeed there but fall short of quality. Definitely rent before you buy.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 04/18/05