 |
|
||||
|
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
How Metascores Are Calculated
76
Age of Booty
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
Acclaimed action director John Woo presents Stranglehold, a stunning 3rd-person action adventure videogame and "spiritual sequel" to Woo's action masterpiece "Hard Boiled." Stranglehold redefines the action gaming experience with its acrobatic gunplay, thrilling cinematography, frenetic combat and incredible Massive Destructibility (Massive D). Chow Yun-Fat reprises his signature role as Inspector Tequila, pitting gamers as a take no-prisoners cop waging a personal war with Hong Kong crime lords. Tequila's loyalties to the force are tested when his ex-wife is kidnapped by the Russian mob in Chicago. Tequila struggles to balance his duty to uphold the law with doing what it takes to save his family. [Midway]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 90
Kombo
As long as you go into this game expecting an intense John Woo thrill, you will not be disappointed.
 90
Play Magazine
Stranglehold is fun. It's fun in a "God hand" way. [Oct 2007, p.81]
89
Planet Xbox 360
After finishing up the single-player campaign for the second time I came away very happy and found that I wish there was more to play. Finding yourself smiling more than once while finding a new way to kill an enemy or blow up that dinosaur skeleton is a normal occurrence for this game. The gameplay is simply superb and it looks really good while doing it.
87
Games Master UK
High-engergy action with some brilliant moments and touches. Shame it's so short. [Nov 2007, p.62]
87
GamingExcellence
Stranglehold accomplishes what it sets out to do: be a cinematic, flashy action experience that mirrors one of Woo's films. It does this with excellent, accessible controls, playful, simple features that dodge gimmicks, fun environments that crumble during combat and polished presentation to make the package work.
86
Digital Entertainment News
The game is short, but it almost seems like a good thing, as too much more of it would have been too much. Again, the game is great fun (even given some frustrating camera issues that make it difficult to pinpoint an enemy causing Tequila damage), but it’s best in small doses.
86
Worth Playing
The action-centric gameplay is as intense, over the top and engaging as any Woo work should be, and combined with the visuals of the Unreal 3 engine, the title is essentially what a next-gen Max Payne needed to be.
86
Ferrago
Put aside such quibbles however and you're left with a fantastic action game that brings you as close to being the lead in a fully formed John Woo film as you're ever going to get, for his fans that alone will be enough, for the rest of you still left undecided go and watch 'Hard Boiled' with an Xbox controller in your hand and imagine how great it would be if it was interactive.
86
AtomicGamer
While Stranglehold doesn't revolutionize action games, or even any one part of action games, it's a solid game with an authentic cinematic style, great use of Chow Yun-Fat, excellent action, and destructible environments.
85
GamerNode
The ultimate guy and gun-enthusiast game. If you like shooting things, blowing things up, revenge, or cool action scenes, this is the perfect game for you.
85
Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
Despite the game's undoubted scope for replayability, it is decidedly low on play time. But in the cold light of day, we're not too bothered with all that - because Stranglehold offers something so raw and so hyper-energetic that the next game you play after it will feel positively tired and lethargic in comparison. Woo hoo.
85
Pelit (Finland)
Plays like a John Woo movie. Although ”tequila time” is nothing new, it is still a great effect. Gameplay is solid and everything runs smoothly. Action tends to get a bit repetitive towards the end, however. [Oct 2007]
84
Cheat Code Central
Stranglehold will capture the hearts of anyone looking for an action game, period. It might even capture the hearts of anyone looking for a game. While there are problems with the game, you will quickly forget what those are as you continuously mow down your enemies with various execution techniques.
83
ActionTrip
In a nutshell, it's safe to say that with Stranglehold, you will be getting exactly what you paid for: over-the-top arcade action with a Hong Kong twist and trademark Woo choreography.
83
GameShark
The action-centric gameplay is as intense, over the top, and engaging as any John Woo work should be, and combined with the visuals of the Unreal 3 engine the game is essentially a next-gen Max Payne.
82
XboxAddict
Overall, Stranglehold is a fun shooter to play, and an exciting indicator of the things to come if the borders between Hollywood and gaming continue to blur.
81
IGN
This is the true sequel to "Hard Boiled," which means Stranglehold is more about style than substance. So, not surprisingly, the story is melodramatic and forgettable and the adrenaline-pumping action is the star of the show.
80
GamePro
Stranglehold might stumble occasionally under its own ambitious weight, and might not quite deliver on all its promises and potential, but it's still a unique and absorbing 8-hour tour through a legendary action director's potent unfilmable dreams.
80
GameDaily
The gunplay works great and the presentation definitely carries Woo's signature style. It's the quintessential action game experience, even with its weak multiplayer option.
80
Official Xbox Magazine UK
Short and sweet, a throwback to the old days when you can pick up a game, play it and engage in some brainless, mindless fun. As a videogame, it has its flaws but as an example of big, dumb fun, you won't find any game that does it better. [Oct 2007, p.74]
80
GameSpy
The game is short, explosive and downright slick and it's everything we hoped it was going to be.
80
VideoGamer
The biggest complement that I can pay to Stranglehold is that when I'd finished it, I wanted to jump straight back in and play through again.
80
ZTGameDomain
In a seemingly overcrowded genre it is nice to finally play something that feels great and delivers simple satisfaction from the outset.
80
GameZone
Sure, the action can get repetitive in places and many of the moves seen here have been done before many times, but the cinematic feel is pure Woo and that’s definitely worth a look.
80
EuroGamer
Simply put, it's exceptionally good at what it sets out to achieve, which is to distil the best bits of John Woo's cinematic vision and turn it into a crazed video game approximation that anyone can play - in that sense, you can't really fault it.
80
GameTap
Everything that made Woo’s films remotely interesting make absolute sense in a videogame universe. If you’re still clinging to the notion that the silliness of Woo films couldn’t possibly be appreciated, not even in videogame form, loosen up. It’s not that bad. Actually, it’s pretty good.
80
Armchair Empire
But as far as action games go, Stranglehold is about as flashy as they come, with enough slick gunplay to keep fans of the genre glued to their seats and having fun, even if they skip multiplayer altogether.
80
PALGN
Stranglehold successfully merges the third person action game with John Woo's cinematic flair, with great, if short-lived results.
80
GotNext
Stranglehold is a solid single player experience that deserves at least a second run in one of the higher difficulties, even if it does repeat itself a little too frequently.
80
Thunderbolt
Even though it isn't a direct adaptation of a film, Stranglehold is probably the best example of a movie-based game to date.
80
AceGamez
John Woo Presents Stranglehold may not exactly be what players were expecting, but it comes packed with a truly next generation look and presentation that makes it difficult to not enjoy, even if it is only for brief periods.
79
VGPub
While I had a lot of fun with Stranglehold, this is one of those games you can easily get your money’s worth in a rental.
79
Jolt Online Gaming UK
What this game is about is mayhem, destruction and style, all of which it has in bag loads. It doesn’t have the most original gameplay, nor is it the most sophisticated game of this type, but it is essentially an officially licensed John Woo game, doing what a lot of wannabe John Woo games have been doing for a few years now.
79
Gamer 2.0
Overall, Stranglehold offers bang for your buck akin to purchasing one large firework instead of a handful of smaller ones. Except that the large firework turns out to be only slightly larger than a mediocre one.
77
GameTrailers
Stranglehold is trying to hijack a two-hour action movie and stretch it out into a seven-hour game. The concepts are great, the controls work, and there are plenty of cool things to do, over and over again as a bad ass cop. But keeping that sort of intensity is a challenge all its own, and throwing endless waves of enemies at the player isn’t the way to do it.
77
Electronic Gaming Monthly
But Stranglehold is choked by some mediocre level design, unreliable controls, and a point of view so tight on the creepy virtual Chow Yun-Fat that it feels almost claustrophobic. [Nov 2007, p.104]
77
Team Xbox
Like a blockbuster action movie, there are definitely moments when Stranglehold drags (the second level was tedious), but there’s no doubt that your heart will be pumping by the time you make your way through the later levels.
77
Talk Xbox
If you're short on cash and waiting for the big blockbuster games this Holiday Season, you may want to skip over this game. Stranglehold probably best serves as a rental unless you're really into action games.
77
GamingTrend
Stranglehold is a fun time for action gamers but the major problem is it's over way too quickly and there aren't many compelling reasons to come back to it. I liked it but I wish there were more to it.
76
Game Over Online
Taken as a whole, Stranglehold is a well-made, but short and shallow gaming experience that ends up being best suited for a rental and not worth its asking price for anyone expecting a game with a lot of depth to it.
75
Gaming Age
Brainless shooters are one thing, but with an interesting storyline and the world of John Woo controllable in the palm of your hands, action fans should flock around this one as it offers much “bang” for the buck.
75
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Barely worthy of Woo, but well worth players' time.
75
netjak
Going over this title as a whole, Stranglehold surely delivers in what it promises to bring; non-stop popcorn action. While some may see its length as inexcusable, I must give it credit for being a fun romp for the short time you’ll play it. I strongly suggest going the route I did by renting it and returning it when you beat it a few days later.
75
MS Xbox World
It’s hard not to like Stranglehold, as anyone who has played and liked the Max Payne games will certainly thoroughly enjoy the action experience extravaganza that is Stranglehold.
75
1UP
While the story and writing are reasonably solid, they're not nearly riveting enough to outweigh the too-simple, occasionally glitchy nature of the fundamental game.
75
The New York Times
With its hackneyed story, stylish action and Hong Kong setting, Stranglehold is most reminiscent of the 2003 martial arts game "Rise to Honor," which is exactly the kind of game this new entry turns out to be: pleasant and forgettable.
73
Game Informer
Stranglehold is not a disaster. If you desire nothing more than to kill criminals on a massive scale, turn nightclubs into a war zone, and look cool doing it – this is your game.
73
Game Almighty
The game does get a little repetitive, though the increase in difficulty in later levels will keep you on your toes. Multiplayer is pretty much a joke that was better left untold. It's hollow, void of much point and has all the signs of something that was added at the last minute so the box could say “Multiplayer”.
70
GameSpot
It's a short ride, but an amusing one while it lasts.
70
Yahoo! Games
It's not the most sophisticated of offerings. There's not much here other than the destruction -- the levels are repetitive, and most encounters play out similarly. Little differentiates the game's weapons, and the plot is threadbare.
70
Edge Magazine
The chemistry of control, animation, AI and environmental damage systems is absolutely spot on, both in finding Hard Boiled’s groove and providing coherent, rhythmic and unpredictable action. [Nov 2007, p.91]
70
Gamestyle
If you like destruction, shooting people and a game with a brain the size of a pea then there is no doubt that Stranglehold is the game for you. It’s not smart or clever, but despite the flaws it still managed to entertain us right to it’s conclusion.
70
DarkStation
In the end, Stranglehold is a good solid action game that struggles from being too repetitive and lacking a lot of what you need to have a long lasting action experience.
70
X360 Magazine UK
Apart from its brevity, it's damn good fun. [Issue#25, p.98]
70
Hardcore Gamer Magazine
There are those who would call a game such as this "shallow", and with good reason: most games like this are. However, most games that subscribe to this concept don't allow you the freedom of movement or tactics that Stranglehold does. [Nov 2007, p.56]
70
Deeko
In my opinion, this game is best as a rental. This may be the most stressful game I have ever had the chance to play.
70
Official Xbox Magazine
So yeah, Stranglehold does a great job of aspiring to the qualities of Woo's movies, but unfortunately, it just doesn't aspire to be a truly great game. [Nov 2007, p.86]
50
games(TM)
Mindless fun and little else. [Nov 2007, p.106]
42
Game Revolution
Unfortunately, the gameplay breaks down fairly often, with enemies acting like idiots, getting stuck on objects, or becoming bulletproof from particular angles.
Mark W. gave it a3: Nick M. gave it an8: Don R. gave it a9: Gary W. gave it a7: Shawn O. gave it a7: Michael B. gave it a7: Alan A. gave it a9: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
