80
This story-based, action-adventure title is probably the most gratifying Xbox-only game this summer, even though it does have some flaws.
80
The run-and-gun portions of Dead to Rights come together so perfectly that you become enraptured by your ability to take down hordes of bad guys in classic Jon Woo style. It's these intense, visceral, wicked gunfights that make you forget reality and draw you completely into Slate's fantasy world of fast and furious gun-slinging action. Sadly, the beat 'em up sections of the game mar what otherwise would have been a perfect title.
60
Despite throwing in a canine companion, button-tapping mini-games and retweaking difficulty levels and so on between NTSC and PAL, Dead to Rights is fundamentally underwhelming to look at, repetitive to play and riddled with more flaws than bullet holes, and this'll stick like rigour mortis after your fiftieth fistfight.
8
Dead to Rights is a terrific guilty pleasure. If it was a film, it would be a straight-to-video movie. While the game's main inspiration is Max Payne, it features more than just stylish shooting. The protagonist Jack Slate manages to do it all. He can brawl, disarm bombs, extinguish fires, and more. Even Jack's loyal dog Shadow gets in on the action. DTR is goofy to the extreme, but it's a lot of fun. I would rate it with an 8.3 out of 10.
4
The gameplay is alright, but not all that enjoyable. I found myself pushing forward to see what would happen in the story, but by the time I got to the prison sequence, I started to realize this game's many flaws. First of all, there are way too many pointless minigames. They're not fun and some of them take a little longer than is necessary. Second, the hand-to-hand combat you are required to do in the prison is atrociously bad. Now, I get this isn't a modern game, but being able to counter would have made it passable. As it stands, you have to spend more time exploiting the invisible barriers that enemies stop being hostile past, tossing them into that are and then wailing on them as they walk back calmly to their patrol area. It's a mishmash of bad minigames, poor combat and frustrating fights. Like Sickle, who has too much health, does too much damage and you have to exploit him by grabbing him and punching when he breaks free, as he's vulnerable... or Tattoo, who has two invulnerable (yes you heard me, invulnerable) companions who will interrupt your fight with him. Your adrenaline recharges too slow, your hits don't do enough damage and are usually blocked or dodged and your enemies outclass you. The entire purpose of the game is to frustrate you. Screw this game, I'd rather play Retribution. I remember it being annoying, too, but at least it was fun. I'd rather toss this back in the $1 overstock room that I found it in. No wonder no one wanted it.
8
Not a very good game but there are two really good things about it that might interest you. 1... Very challenging. Once you play enough you get a good grasp on the learning curve. Good luck getting out of prison lol. 2... It's story is very pleasing in that action movie die hard sort of a way.
Dead to Rights
Xbox
Released On:
Aug 19, 2002
Metascore
Mixed or Average
73
User score
Mixed or Average
6.4
My Score
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Metascore
Mixed or Average
73
59% Positive
23 Reviews
23 Reviews
36% Mixed
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
5% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
100
The body count is rivaled only by novel game-play features and production values that make blood spurts akin to snowflakes-no two are the same.
85
The challenge comes from learning how to avoid the enemies, not figuring out what to do...it provides a quick paced progressive story with a very nice game. [Sept 2002, p.89]
User score
Mixed or Average
6.4
50% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
31% Mixed
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
19% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
Feb 13, 2022
8
Dead to Rights is a terrific guilty pleasure. If it was a film, it would be a straight-to-video movie. While the game's main inspiration is Max Payne, it features more than just stylish shooting. The protagonist Jack Slate manages to do it all. He can brawl, disarm bombs, extinguish fires, and more. Even Jack's loyal dog Shadow gets in on the action. DTR is goofy to the extreme, but it's a lot of fun. I would rate it with an 8.3 out of 10.
Mar 18, 2017
8
Not a very good game but there are two really good things about it that might interest you. 1... Very challenging. Once you play enough you get a good grasp on the learning curve. Good luck getting out of prison lol. 2... It's story is very pleasing in that action movie die hard sort of a way.
80
This game is jam packed with a range of fighting moves, weapons and a particularly vicious but faithful attack dog that our Max could only wish for.
79
The lock-on targeting system can be a royal pain as well, since it almost always targets the enemy that is closest to you. This leads to an abundance of problems that occur during the game's most difficult scenarios.
70
It's worthwhile to trudge through the occasional dull punch-fight and inane spat of dialogue to get to the next wicked little gunfight.
58
Even though the graphics are weak, the gunplay is nice and the various mini-games help break up most levels.
40
Uneven graphics, hollow gameplay contrivances, and a wholesale lack of compelling drama mar the enormous effort which was clearly put into the game. [Fall 2002, p.104]
Aug 15, 2017
4
The gameplay is alright, but not all that enjoyable. I found myself pushing forward to see what would happen in the story, but by the time I got to the prison sequence, I started to realize this game's many flaws. First of all, there are way too many pointless minigames. They're not fun and some of them take a little longer than is necessary. Second, the hand-to-hand combat you are required to do in the prison is atrociously bad. Now, I get this isn't a modern game, but being able to counter would have made it passable. As it stands, you have to spend more time exploiting the invisible barriers that enemies stop being hostile past, tossing them into that are and then wailing on them as they walk back calmly to their patrol area. It's a mishmash of bad minigames, poor combat and frustrating fights. Like Sickle, who has too much health, does too much damage and you have to exploit him by grabbing him and punching when he breaks free, as he's vulnerable... or Tattoo, who has two invulnerable (yes you heard me, invulnerable) companions who will interrupt your fight with him. Your adrenaline recharges too slow, your hits don't do enough damage and are usually blocked or dodged and your enemies outclass you. The entire purpose of the game is to frustrate you. Screw this game, I'd rather play Retribution. I remember it being annoying, too, but at least it was fun. I'd rather toss this back in the $1 overstock room that I found it in. No wonder no one wanted it.
SummaryA cop framed for murder and facing execution, makes a daring escape and seeks revenge on those who killed his father and set him up. What he discovers sends him on a downward spiral into a labyrinth of corruption, betrayal and crime. Meet Jack Slate. [Namco]
Rated Mfor Mature
