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Preview  Dead to Rights
- By Ryan Eid [Senior Editor]


Recently Namco revealed they have three more GameCube titles in the works. And while they all may be ports, that's not to say they will not be great games. The most highly recognizable game Namco has recently announced is Dead to Rights, an action-movie inspired thriller. But where DTR really seems to come through with ingenuity is its approach to the matter. The game almost IS a movie.

On the storyline side of things, the script is written by an actual hollywood screenwriter, and it shows. The game stars everyday cop John Slate, who has been framed for murder, and is forced to escape from prison. A noir-esque film unravels around Slate, who finds himself in a cold, heartless world. He must travel and look for the true murder of his father, and along the way, encounter friends and enemies. Of course, Slate must decide who his friends really are.

From a gameplay stance, DTR is much different from your typical Metal Gear/Syphon Filter/Winback espionage romp. The Namco in-house team is focusing on making the game seem more realistic, with a heavy emphasis on hand-to-hand and weapon combat. Namco wants to let the player be able to strafe and shoot with relative ease in three dimensions, and even target specific body parts on enemy targets (somewhat akin to Eternal Darkness). And in classic action-movie fashion, you, as John Slate will be able to perform high flying stunts and combat moves that would make John Woo jealous.

To further emphasize the noir film feel, the player can actually control the action sequences that occur. That's right folks; You can have Jack Slate jump in the air, slow down his movements, choose his targets, and decide how you want the baddies to die. Your shooting is in realtime, but the action is slowed down, and the camera pans out for a more cinematic view. It's almost as if you get to direct the game's fight scenes.

Along with the shooting scenes, Dead to Rights also features puzzles (albeit realistic). No, you don't have to move statues over and place medallions in certain holes. The puzzles are "real life", like picking a key lock, or "injuring" people who may be against you, but who you can't kill.

Weapons are a large part of DTR. Players will get non-lethal weapons, like pool cues, and also fight with your typical fare of guns. However, the game also focuses heavily on hand-to-hand combat. Along with this, there is a "disarm" feature. If you use it on an enemy, a sequence begins, where you try and steal your enemy's weapon. Along with weapons, you have a large array of shields. Not the typical "Link Hyrulian shield", but rather interactive objects in the rooms. The game is very interactive in the sense you can pick up nearly anything, and use it to your advantage (even enemies, ala MGS).

The game is very graphic in nature... bodily dismemberment, lots of blood, and strong themes. But with that said, it appears that this game will have a lot more then that going for it. Namco appears to have a true winner on their hands with Dead to Rights, and if executed properly, could give new meaning to the phrase "interactive movie". The game is currently slated to hit the Xbox in early 2002, and there is a three month exclusive window in there, so don't expect Dead to Rights before sometime mid next year.

- 9.21.2001