 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
John Woo Presents: Stranglehold
- Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows
- Price: $59.99
Common Sense Media says
Woo's stylized violence comes to interactive life.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the game glorifies violence in a graphic and, some would say, irresponsible manner; and the game's central message is that one badass cop can take down entire crime families with firepower. Not a real-world lesson, but one you can find on the silver screen. The game lets you jump in various directions and shoot bad guys in slow motion.
What's it about?
JOHN WOO PRESENTS: STRANGLEHOLD could call itself Hard Boiled 2 because it functions as a spiritual sequel to the original groundbreaking film by John Woo, the Hong Kong action director. The game features the likeness, voice, and attitude of that film's hero, international action star Chow Yun Fat. Since it's based on director Woo's cinematic oeuvre, fans know what to expect. Guns, more guns, doves for symbolism, and slow-motion ballet-type carnage that attempts to make mass-killing seem picturesque. Needless to say the game is rated M-Mature by the ESRB.
Is it any good?
Given that there's not much to the cinematics, dialogue, exposition, or presentation of Stranglehold, Mr. Woo might want to reconsider lending the game his name. But the action is satisfying, even though what you're playing is essentially a one- or two-trick pony.
Stranglehold features a major gimmick in search of a game. And that gimmick is: "Tequila Time" (no, Jose Cuervo isn't involved -- the character's name is Tequila), a way to slow everything down and let you place bullets exactly where you need them to go. You gain this miraculous trick by doing other cool stunts ripped from preposterous action movies. The level design, pacing, and use of Tequila Time make for a fun and intense gaming experience.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how this game compares to a John Woo movie. Are the characters the same? Is the plot? Are the mood and tone? What makes interactive games and movies different? In real life, is vengeance ever acceptable?
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AGE
awesome game
lots of ways to take out enemies and cool slowmotion effects
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AGE
A game for mature teens
Parents this game is very violent but it has a good story even though its a little cliched. Fathers daughter and wife are kidnapped and he goes to save them. But the enemies in this game are villains and youre not going around killing civilians. There is some drugs and alcohol in this game but it is not used simply seen. Overall i would recomend this game for teens ages 15 and up
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AGE
It's way so funny. You can shoot people any where in the body, including nuts with a sniper related aim. Sometimes I shoot people in the right eye with a sniper related aim and sometimes he growls when I shoot him in the right eye. Most of times with a sniper related aim, I shoot people in the nut because it's very funny.
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AGE
Awesome...
Stranglehold is an extremely fun game. Destructible environments and Slow-Mo effects make every level a unique experience. The down sides are, enemies kind of run at you kamikaze style hoping to take you down by sheer numbers and in some of the cut scenes the characters look "Shiney". There's blood of course, nothing overly gratuitous. Language...not over the top. Drugs/Alchohol, drugs are mentioned but all you do is destroy "Labs" and stuff, and Tequila drinks and smokes in a few of the cutscenes.
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| Platforms: | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Developer: | Midway |
| Release date: | September 6, 2007 |
| Price: | $59.99 |
| ESRB rating: | M for Blood, Drug Reference, Intense violence, Strong Language |
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