Is Dead to Rights Retribution Worth a Gamers' Hard Earned Money?

Kubinator

May 11, 2010

Dead to Rights Retribution is very much an action game at its core. A direct comparison is 50 Cent Blood in the Sand. However, 50 Cent Blood in the Sand had co-op and gave gamers the chance to upgrade their weapons. Dead to Right doesn't have the depth of Blood in the Sand; although the potential is there. For example, Retribution could have had co-op play: one gamer could use Jack (the cop) and the other could use Shadow (the dog); similar to Sonic and Tails in Sonic 2. But the big question is if the game is worth the $60 price tag?

DeadSide1 (10K) The game looks and sounds okay. The story is severely lacking, and has a "B" movie feel, similar to good-cop-takes-on-the-whole-city. I like "B" movies with similar plots so with a story like this, Dead to Rights Retribution is set to succeed, right? Not exactly, there are a few concepts in the game holding it back from greatness and a gamers' $60.

The controls can be frustrating. I had a difficult time moving while in combat with Jack. I'd try to spring toward an enemy for a takedown kick and I'd miss even though I was right next to him, coupled with the unhelpful camera, melee combat was awkward about 50% of the time, as I constantly tried to reorient myself. Ducking behind cover/hopping over cover and sprint are the same button, which made things difficult in heated gun battles.

Synopsis of the game: traverse the city/warehouse/island levels with Jack killing waves of enemies, watch a few cut screens, have a few boss fights and rinse and repeat for eight hours. To keep things interesting, the game mixes in stealth and escort elements. There are a few levels where gamers play as Shadow, who relies on sneaking, finding items, killing enemies or protecting Jack. Although it's a nice touch, the Shadow bits grow stale, and players will wish for a co-op mode to force someone else to play as Shadow.

DeadSide2 (15K) So what makes this game fun? For starters the game is better than Rogue Warrior. Athough the action is mindless and repetitive the game itself is fairly easy and forgiving when players die. Enemies are easy to take down and when gamers' fists don't connect, bullets do. The melee combos are easy to execute and the finishing moves and disarmaments are a never-ending blast, nothing like taking the enemies weapon and shooting them in the face. I personally loved choke slamming one enemy while using the shotgun to splatter the brains of another; that's good for an infinite rush. Alternatively, enemies make excellent human shields or throat torn chew toys for Shadow.

For all those interested in trophies, they are some of the easiest to obtain. For the most part, eager gamers can get 90% of the trophies on one play through. Gamers will quickly find out Dead to Rights is an easy platinum. However, despite its flaws, the game was a fun ride, especially at the end where the game threw in a few new over-the-top combat elements.

In the end, Dead to Rights Retribution is a nice attempt at a rebrand of the series. I wouldn't buy it at $60; wait until it drops to $20. Instead, fellow gamers should go spend the money on Batman: Arkham Asylum or 50 Cent Blood in the Sand. Overall, Dead to Rights Retribution isn't a must have, and it's not perfect, but the game could have been a lot worse. Dead to Rights Retribution receives a 6.5 out of 10.