Stranglehold

I loved this game (and studio) back in the day. Super happy to see this back again; I wasn't sure given the licensing around Chow Yun Fat's image. Does this mean PSI-OPS will be coming soon too? :D

A "Max Payne" clone with some issues when it comes to interact with objects such as stairs, beams and the carts. There isn't that many weapons and the game is pretty short but it's fun! A lot of new games focus on graphics and a deep story - which are all important - but first of all the game must be fun and this game succeeds in that!

‘Stranglehold’ finally resurfaces! Presented by John Woo and developed by Midway as the sequel to the Hong Kong film, ‘Hard Boiled’, ‘Stranglehold’ had Chow Yun-Fat reprise his role as Inspector Tequila. Chow’s involvement was critical, for this game just wouldn’t be the same without him lending his likeness and voicing the character. ‘Stranglehold’ came after the first two ‘Max Payne’ games, of which the action took inspiration from Woo’s films. But, this game isn’t a copycat, and does have its uniqueness. The power to slow down time is rebranded as Tequila Time, in which time slows down as you attack enemies while diving or interacting with environment hotspots. There’s also Tequila Bombs, which grant a health boost or cinematic special attacks. At times, Tequila can find himself in standoffs against multiple enemies for some timed slow-motion gun action. Cutscenes in ‘Stranglehold’ are merely thin plot threads to bring you to the next rounds of shootouts. The more stylishly you kill, the more points you’ll earn for Tequila Bombs. I actually found the action in this game to be too frantic and too frequent. There’s hardly time to absorb what’s going on before the next shower of bullets rains upon me. The developers might have forgot that Woo’s films actually have quiet moments and drama to humanize the characters. Yet, the biggest problem with ‘Stranglehold’ is the camera: it is too close to Tequila to get a good view of the surroundings, and moves in and out too quickly at times. Never in my many years of gaming have I got dizzy from playing a TPS, until this game. It’s overly stimulating, and I found it best to play it in small bursts. ‘Stranglehold’ is a decent game. It looks great, but could have used some polish on gameplay and pacing. Chow’s presence is the draw, and what made me continue playing. It would have been even nicer if there was a Cantonese voiceover version, but it’s already a dream to be able to play a John Woo game starring Chow.

This would've easily been a movie with its bombastic action and set pieces.

The gameplay is like a mix of max Payne with the flair of John woo action films. It's chaotic, acrobatic, and really fun to play. The graphics are average for a 2008 game, and the sound is serviceable and does it's job. The story is... well.... forgettable and nothing to write home about. It took me 4 hours to beat this game in normal difficulty so it's quite short, but since the gameplay is very straightforward, and balls to the wall action I think it's better for the game to be this length so that it doesn't outstay it's welcome. I brought it for $2.49, buy I definitely got my money's worth and recommend this to people that love max Payne, John woo films, or bullet time.