Silicon Fusion >> Reviews >> The Warriors

	All Platforms
	Xbox
	GameCube
	PlayStation 2
	PC
	Game Boy Advance

Site Sections:

	Updates
	News
	Games
	Publishers
	Developers
	Reviews
	Previews
	Release Dates
	Editorials
	Glossary
	Contact Us

Review:

28th October 2005:
The Warriors
A 1979 movie about gangs doesn't really sound like the ideal fodder for a game. Read our review to find out why that's not true.
Posted by Chris Barnett - PlayStation 2,Xbox - UK and Europe

There are few movie-to-game adaptations that actually get the film noticed, but Rockstar's The Warriors is certainly and exception. We had not seen the film until the game was announced earlier in the year - we have now seen it at least twice. That is not because it is good, it's because it's a cult film. There is something about the atmosphere of 1979 and the false view of the crooked gang hierarchy that captivates you into watching the film and actually enjoying it. We are therefore glad to say that the game is better than the film and, perhaps, destined to be even more of a cult.

The game begins with the story of the film's initial setup: the best gang in America is arranging a big plan to overthrow the country using all the other gang's as allies. But at the arrangement the leader of the gang is assassinated by a guy with a dodgy accent and haircut. But the whole thing is pinned on The Warriors, a small time Coney Island gang.

Instead of beginning the game at this point though, you are flashed back to a few months earlier, to the day when the gang's graffiti artist was being recruited. This is a great setup as it allows the tutorial to be integrated within the story as the gang takes you through the basics. And what do those basics involve in 1979 gang warfare? Quite a lot actually, more than you would imagine. You get the chance to fight, mug and steal; with more style than we thought possible in this type of game.

The fighting is very well done and simple with it. There is a strong blow and light blow and a grapple, and everything else stems from these. Combos can be linked easily and the different Warriors (which are controlled at different points) have different moves based on their attitudes and talents. The graffiti member can squirt paint into the face of opponents for example. This adds a lot of variety to the combat and the added strategy of being able to issue orders using an L2 selection menu (by holding L2 and selecting a command) is very well integrated as team members quickly and intelligently respond to your instructions.

The stealing is also handled well as the different forms involve different control gimmicks. To steal a car stereo for example you must smash the car window and then 'rotate' each of the four screws until they are loose so you can 'borrow' the radio for a tidy amount of money. This is done using the left analogue stick. Picking locks is done by stopping the tumblers in the lock as they are rotated, and mugging people is done by torturing them with an innovative 'pain' bar. This involves moving the left analogue stick until a minor rumble is felt and then holding the 'pain' position carefully, fighting against the struggle of the person being mugged. This mugging can be performed on anyone, from rival gang leaders to homeless people. There is something oddly satisfying about punching a tramp in the face as he warms himself next to a flaming bin and then mugging him for $2. It's all utterly corrupt, but it's also very good fun - just like in Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto games.

Another clever innovation that plays a big part in the game is 'tagging', where you spray a distinct 'W' on a rival's turf. This is done by purchasing paint from a friendly street vendor and then 'tracing' a 'W' carefully with the left stick. This requires a steady hand if you want to use the minimum amount of paint and really adds an extra level of involvement to the whole game.

The relationship between rival gangs is carefully drawn out and the development of your own gang can be upgraded by training through ten skill levels at the main headquarters. The variety of missions is quite diverse too, from winning graffiti competitions to planting stolen goods on others (sometimes even framing cops!); it never seems to lose even a hint of interest. This is probably due to the flair of the game; the controls and game engine are so smooth that the whole thing flows neatly. Even sub-missions feel relevant and well integrated.

There is a rumble mode that offers controlled arena combat with any number of opponents and unlocked gangs, and this could be a game within its self. The combat allows anything to be picked up and thrown, which are particularly well implemented using slow motion close-ups of bricks and bottles being shoved into faces. This rumble mode also allows the game to be picked up at anytime by anyone and enjoyed, even more so if you have two players. You can fight it out with all the grace of a drunken Russian with a supposed friend or even team up together to beat rival gangs. Pretty much anything you could want from a fight is here (you even get a crowd watching and adding inspirational speech such as 'Shove it in the sucka's face!') and all of it is done as well as it could.

The only real down points to the game are in its diversity. Some of the latter tasks involve fleshing out earlier ones, such as evading gangs using 'track and field' like controls. But these can be considered as a variation from standard brawls enough to not spoil things. The graphics could also be a little more detailed as the facial and body animations are a little 'chunky' at times, but no more so than most other games. It maybe that we have just been spoilt recently with the graphics of Far Cry Instincts and Pro Evolution Soccer 5, but then we are a picky bunch. With all fairness, the game feels like the 1979 movie and the setting feels perfect. Enough said.

If all movie adaptations could be this good we would actually look forwards to them in future. But we are certain that there will not be a movie adaptation that is this good for a long time.

Chris Barnett

Latest Images:

Review Scores:

Graphics:
Sound:
Gameplay:
Length:
Overall:
Click here for our Review Score Guidelines .

Review Summary:

Roaming Beat-em-up games have never been as well done as this in three dimensions. A real example of how a good developer can make the best of even the most cult idea, and still make one of the best games of the year.

Related Games:

The Warriors
for PlayStation 2

Screenshots

Review