Better late for Slate

GAME OF THE WEEK: Dead to Rights; Retribution 18, Namco, Xbox 360, PS3 ****

Dead to Rights Retributionis a bit of an odd title. Rather than a follow up to the 2002 game, it's a "reimagining". No matter how you phrase it, it sounds suspiciously like "remake", something that can strike cynicism and wariness into the heart of many a gamer. But as far as rehashing of forgotten games goes, Dead to Rightsisn't half bad. 

Retributionis the first time the game has made it on to the next generation of games consoles, which gives it a new lease of life, and even adds some new elements to the game.

The storyline is reasonably similar, but it has moved on a little. As vice cop Jack Slate, players bring their own brand of justice to Grant City, with faithful companion and sidekick Shadow as back-up. Grant City is a crime-ridden cess pool that is teeming with morally bankrupt lowlifes, and Slate has recently been betrayed, a good combination that sees Slate and Shadow boot their way through the city.

There’s a lot of blood, violence and general mayhem from the very beginning. As soon as Jack sets foot off the boat – obviously injured – he’s set upon by triad fighters. As Shadow, you have to defend him, mainly by ripping people’s throats – and other body parts – out. Blood effects aren’t terribly realistic, but there’s enough of the red stuff being splashed about to distract you from the lack of realism.

Takedowns are more savage, there are more ways to disarm your enemies than ever before and they’re more vicious than previously.

You can use Shadow as the first wave; he’ll happily pick off as many bad guys as possible before you storm in as Jack to take out the rest.

Ducking behind cover to try to take a breather and heal won’t always save you, with enemies able to destroy your refuge.

Graphics are where you really start to see the difference with this particular outing for Dead to Rights; the environments are quite impressive. The character graphics aren't as slick or as polished as Heavy Rain, for example, but they are certainly head and shoulders above previous efforts.

Although not quite as fresh as some of the titles that are available on both PS3 and Xbox 360, Dead to Rights Retribution nonetheless holds its own.