Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Capcom
  • Release Date: Aug 23, 2005
Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance Image
Metascore
48 out of 100

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 33 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: In an area brimming with cartels battling for power and influence, no one comes close to Zanetti’s group, the strongest force in Las Sombras. When Zanetti learns of a rival clan's drug deal, he dispatches five of his top mercenaries from his inner circle to intervene. When they arrive on thehe scene, they find their targets have already been executed and to their surprise, they are ambushed by members of their own cartel. They were set up to appearas traitors who were out to nab the drugs and money for themselves. They had been double crossed, but by who? Was this some scheme by the cartel to exploit them as scapegoats? Did one of the five betray the others? Outnumbered and pursued by both their previous cartel and law enforcement officials, the five are forced to split up and disappear into the shadows of Las Sombras. Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance puts gamers in the role of one of the five fugitives as they seek revenge against their foes. Betrayal comes at a high price and to survive in Las Sombras, you need power. With enemies everywhere, the only hope is to find the other four and build enough power to strike back. Using a low-key downtown bar as a hideout base, players will wanderthe town in search of information and add allies to their growing opposition. Taking different jobs around town will add much needed funds to fuel the growth of the posse. By proving themselves in street battles, effectively utilizing negotiation skills and using clever disguises, they will be able to build their influence on the mean streets. Soon no one will stand in the way of cold hard vengeance! [Capcom]… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 33
  3. Negative: 15 out of 33
  1. 1UP
    70
    A game that is certainly violent, absolutely profane, but also acceptably playable and filled with enough replay value and customization to warrant a purchase as opposed to a rental. But in terms of sheer polish and finesse, "Def Jam Fight for New York" is still the standard bearer against which these sorts of games should be judged.
  2. Total Video Games
    70
    Beatdown: Fists of Vengeance is a really strange game; a mixture of ideas that comes across as extremely hit and miss. The amalgamation of traditional beat-em-up gameplay and one-on-one works really well; but on the other hand the disguise system seems flawed, who wants to buy a beat-em-up when the aim is to avoid confrontations?
  3. BonusStage
    68
    Sadly, the open world and one-on-one fighting engine lack the proper execution, and the copious loading times just get in the way.
  4. IGN
    46
    If you absolutely love pointless violence and cheesy, forced atmosphere, then by all means pick this title up. Otherwise, stay extremely far away. In fact, stick to "Streets of Rage 2," that game is way better.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. MarcusT.
    10
    An awesome beat 'em up with tons of customization, variety, and fun!
  2. BrunoF.
    9
    When you approach a game of this kind you cannot, by any means, apply the same criteria that you apply to any other game. Beatdown promises great amount of visual violence, rudeness, slang, and tough battles. And it provides so. It is true that the graphics aren't as polished as, let us say Urban Reign, but the characters are much more realistic - vulgar, uninteresting, much like any street thug is! Also, being published under Capcom, it provides a feeling which Final Fight players will understand, mostly due to the places where it is played (cliché names such as Harbor, Slum, Police District, Downtown). Also it is quite realistic in the sense that you can either peck a fight until one of the fighters is knocked out, or you can just go wild and choose to take his life - a level of violence which is seldom found on a game of this sort. A rude game for people who enjoy a little violence every now and then. Not galons of blood. Just the same amount of blood you'd get for beating someone up on your backyard. Sometimes I could almost sense the awfully stinking smell that emanated from the back alleys. Great!… Expand
  3. Dtom
    9
    I don't know why all the critics don't like it... but i thought it was a all right game. It does need a lot more work but i enjoyed playing it a lot.… Expand
  4. DavetheSlave
    8
    id say more like an 8 and two-thirds....this game was definately fun, (im a fan of pointless violence,though a pacifist *shrugs*) i kinda dig the idea that different routes can be taken in the story depending on choices made/character picked from start.whens the last time you saw a rated M capcom game that didnt involve zombies... *thinks* anyway, the game did have its drawbacks... long loading screens, bad stage sound tracks, and poor voice overs... though im not all together sure whether the game was originally released in english... or japanese, then poorly voiced over for american release (im assuming the latter). if you liked this game (or if you hated it) i think yall would love 'the warriors' by rockstar... its the same idea with less loading, no fashion changing,and more action! as well as better soundtrack, graphics, controls, and atmosphere. makes me wonder if rockstar has influenced capcom on this one~~>beat down: fists of vengeance.… Expand

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