True Crime: New York Review (no fat)

Game Description

In True Crime: New York you play the part of a criminal turned cop. Once a thug on the other side of the law, you now find yourself helping the innocent...if you choose. The real life depiction of New York pays off with multiple crimes to both commit and solve, and throughout the daily drama it is your choice to add or detract from your changing reputation.

True Crime: New York Gameplay

The free roaming play, that kept Streets of LA popular, returns with numerous improvements. The sequel acts as sort of an unofficial expansion, with many of the pains of Streets of LA being fixed and allowing for smoother game play.

Taking the role of gang banger-turned-cop Marcus Reed, you are treated to a healthy dose of options on start. The main storyline centers around the disappearance of Reed’s mentor, Terry. Using street wisdom and a badge results in a dramatic struggle to find the truth, with bits and pieces being uncovered with each solved mission.

As if the free roaming nature wasn’t enough the large busy streets of New York are full of life, and stay true with the daily traffic jams. With all of this commotion there comes a mixture of crime that ranges from normal to completely outlandish. Some of the funnier crimes are committed by a Vegan group, and results in some entertaining play.

Getting around the city is easy, with cabs (just like the real life NY) being frequent and cheap. Other modes of transportation lend a hand as well, with the more pleasing one being commandeering a pedestrian’s ride. But the easy transportation makes good use of the huge city, with enough random happenings to keep the average player amused.

Being a good cop and following procedures, of course, is all optional…with the built in reputation. Depending on how you play, you will get the reputation for a good cop or a bad one. A good cop results in promotions and higher pay, vehicles, access to more things etc. Overall it is just one way to play the game, a bad cop however makes it a lot more challenging to play and obvious choice for novice gamers.

True Crime: New York Improvements

The once novice RPG element of the True Crime series has now been downgraded and is readily accessible to all levels of players. Using a simple money system, gamers can purchase whatever they need.

Missions that are given from your boss now have life behind them, as players will find it a lot more interactive than before. The jobs make more sense, and the common errands your boss sends you on become some of the most involving parts of the game. Since True Crime thrives towards realism, it is necessary to blend into the scene before actually going undercover for certain missions-a lot of detail went into this area.

Interrogating is pretty straightforward, with a hotspot meter that shows up and needs to be balanced to get a confession. You’ll run into this mini-game when you complete certain missions. The idea is pretty cool as are the moves, nothing beats pistol whipping a baddy and then trying to reason with him a few seconds later.

Information gathering also receives a facelift. If you happen to blow a lead that is given to you then you can turn to one of the games informants including your dad (Isaiah). After completing a side mission for the informants, they will release information so you can continue where you left off after failing-a good idea, with some missions able to be done for cash only.

If fighting gave you a problem before, then in New York it will be as cool as ice. Targeting can be chosen on the fly from a much improved auto-aim or a free roaming targeting system. The fighting mechanics are also more widespread, by gathering enough money you can purchase some lessons and literally become Jackie Chan.

The controller layout is simple enough, to where the most basic commands are easy to learn. Frisking a suspect, throwing the many interactive objects, even driving a car shows thought in the button layout.

True Crime: New York Glitches

Not a part of the game but a big enough issue to deserve mention, is the many glitches in the game that may render it unplayable for some. The problem may have to do with the version of the Xbox gamers are using, this can cause the glitches to be playable to completely unplayable on some Xbox’s. (As in the game won’t even boot up)Depending on hardware this may or may not be a big issue.

True Crime: New York Graphics

The graphics are not cutting edge but pay close attention to detail, once again taking a key with the realism, you will see plenty of litter on the streets. The world in True Crime also sports one of the livelier AI’s in today’s game world, although some of the fellow pedestrian’s comments are over the top.

A lot of the computer models are recycled, but it is almost to an acceptable point since the city is so big. The city also receives a blessing with the perfect map that was made for it, there is no confusion about where you need to be or what certain blips mean. Obvious colors map out who you should currently go after, with the help of clear directions to show you where you should go.

Cut-scenes flow well with the sound and stays true to the Xbox and its superior graphics standard.

True Crime: New York Sound

A mixture of Hip Hop and Hard Rock makes this a great soundtrack to drive the busy streets in. Professional voice acting gets a hand from high rollers such as Christopher Walken, Laurence Fishburne, and Mickey Rourke.

There are some great and memorable lines in the game, and if it wasn’t for the superb voice acting, then it would really seem average.

True Crime: New York Summing up

This game is hard to rate simply because of the glitches, the ones listed not even being half. If the game runs smoothly without many problems, then it is a great game to pick up and run a few hours off with. The storyline is a lot meatier this time around, and many of the problems with the first game have been addressed.

However, if the game does not move well for you, then look forward to choppy frame rate and deaths that should never have taken place. The in-game saving system does not help the cause, and in the end will lead you back to your local game store.

True Crime: New York cost

The game retails for $17.90, ay the time or writing.