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Common Sense Note

This game is truly for adults only -- and even then it's not all that much fun to play. If your teens are asking for game, you might want to open up a discussion about the controversy it's causing, and about violent, gritty games in general. The star rating given this game is based on quality of game play within this genre of video gaming and not endorsement of the violence within the game.

Ask them: NARC has been banned in Australia; what do you think of that decision? Is that an infringement on free speech? Why or why not? The game makers defend the game saying that players have choices when faced with temptation. Do you think that's a fair argument? Games like GTA and NARC upset a lot of people; when would you say that the line has been crossed?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Matthew Pavao

In what seems to be a never-ending race to create the most over-the-top video game, Midway's NARC blows away the competition, setting a new standard for depravity.

Based on an arcade classic from the late-80s of the same name, the new version of NARC is nothing like its predecessor which actually went so far as to have an anti-drug message at the end of the game. Instead, it takes the shooter genre to a sad new low, introducing blatantly corrupt cops as the game's heroes and making drug use an essential part of their success.

In the game's story, two big city narcotics agents travel from the United States to China to stop the spread of a new street drug called Liquid Soul, negotiating their way through street pushers, prostitutes and petty thugs. As the cops shoot their way through metropolitan locations in the United States and China, they struggle constantly to stop the K.R.A.K. organization from spreading its new drug.

Players must decide when it's okay to cross lines of police decorum and the law. Behavioral slips could lead to a loss of "reputation points" and the officers could be pulled off the case, or kicked off the force. Both detectives are asked to take bribes and use drugs on numerous occasions. Players can choose the righteous path, but, shockingly, some of the drugs actually improve performance. When players use marijuana, gameplay slows, allowing them to avoid gun shots. When players use crank, (causing the game speeds up and the controller to vibrate, simulating a rapid heart rate) they become perfect shooters, who can kill with one shot.

If players use too much of one drug or another they become addicted and eventually go through withdrawls. If players are unable to get through these withdrawls (determined by their movements of the game controller) then they blackout, losing all weapons or collected evidence.

NARC has some entertaining moments: The gun battles, even if they are sad knock-offs of gun fights seen in past cop genre games, can still get your blood pumping. The other plus is the soundtrack. Using classic crime movie themes like Curtis Mayfield's "Freddy's Dead" and "Pusherman", along with newer drug-based songs by Cypress Hill and DMX, the music is first rate.

But, ultimately, the game is not only filled with unhealthy messages, but it's pretty boring as well. The graphics are surprisingly average, with parts of the game being too dark to see well, and players will be disappointed that they aren't allowed to explore more of the world here. The storyline is typical and predictable, and the gameplay just seems like a bad Grand Theft Auto knockoff. By the way, the original version of the game is available here, but you have to unlock it.

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