Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1073 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Midway Games Ltd
• Released on: 2007-11-30
• Platform: PLAYSTATION 3

Amazon.co.uk Preview
Companies are always going on about the synergy between movies and video games, but all this really ever seems to mean is lots of dreadful movie tie-ins where all the money has been spent on celebrity voiceovers. Stranglehold is different though, in that it's essentially a sequel to 1992's classic movie Hard Boiled, made purely for video games. This time Inspector "Tequila" Yuen is unleashing his unorthodox policing methods on Russian crime bosses in both Hong Kong and Chicago. It stars the likeness of original lead Chow Yun Fat and has been developed with hands-on help from director John Woo - who it turns out does seem to know a thing or two about video games.

Of course video games have been ripping off John Woo for years, particularly his trademark slow motion shots of two-handed pistol action. As a result this initially seems dangerously similar to Max Payne et al., but the graphical power of the next generation consoles and PC ensures that this is a far more dynamic and interactive affair. Not only can you make use of a bullet time effect (call "Tequila time" here) to slow down time around you but almost all of the scenery can be used too, from sliding down banisters guns firing to scooting across the room on top of a waiter's trolley. The damage done as you go is truly impressive, with tiles shattering off the walls, chandeliers impaling bad guys as they fall and electric wires and water mains unhinging themselves everywhere. Making a mess has never been so much fun.
HARRISON DENT

Customer Reviews

Childish Fun
This game has all sorts of problems. The graphics aren't special and Tequilas animations are laughable. The dumb thing is - and i know it sounds crazy - these make the game.

It's not even a difficult game. You leap, run, dive and bullet-time your way through Stranglehold and tread on a healthpack with everystep. But again, thats the charm. The game is so one dimensioned save for four special moves, including one where Tequila will more or less gun down everyone in the room without even having aim.

No innovation, barely mentionable story, one dimensional gameplay. Whats to like about this game you ask? Simple fun. You go from level to level just gunning down badguys in a few different ways, but i love it.

On a slighly more serious note the destructible environments did impress me.

Don't buy this game expecting the next big thing in Third Person Shooter innovation or graphics. Do expect a few good laughs and just a fun game to play. Stranglehold wasn't even on my radar of games to buy, but i'm glad i did.

Hard Boiled The Game
You take control of Inspector Yuen who battles the mob when his daughter and his ex is kidnapped by them.

The game looks good and Chow Yun Fat looks like Chow Yun Fat. It was also a nice touch that they got the actors from Hard Boiled to lend there voices to this follow-up from the film. Controls handle well in this game and I didn't find any problems with them.

You have skills in this game called "Tequila Bombs" which can be used for healing, precise shots, fast shots, and killing everyone in view make this game too easy especially on boss fights, four precise shots to the head and the boss is dead.

Although this game starts off well it soon becomes repetive and you feel like your doing the samething over and over again just on different map. I would like to comment on the online play but I could never get a match going because theres no one there to play with.

John Woo and Chow Yun Fat fans should borrow/rent this title because its quite short, it took me only seven hours to complete on hard mode.

Mad, Bad and Dangerous!
Bought this on back of the excellent demo and overall I really enjoy this game. It has its faults, crazy AI and a fair bit of repetition for starters but if you don't take it too seriously you'll have a real blast and plenty of laughs. Some of the move / shoot combos you can pull off are mad. Anyway, give the demo a go first and see for yourself.