| Stranglehold is a video game sequel to John Woo's | | | | The third Tequila Bomb enable you to enter |
| blockbuster hit movie Hard Boiled. The game | | | | barrage mode. This is very similar to Scarface |
| transpires after the events of Hard Boiled and has | | | | which gives you a "balls" mode rampage of |
| everything you would expect from John Woo. | | | | destruction. It works the same way. You have a |
| Stranglehold is a PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC | | | | limited amount of time where your attributes are |
| exclusive (sucks if you bought an abysmal | | | | enhanced, and you are invincible. The fourth and |
| Nintendo Wii). Gamers will be in control of | | | | final Tequila Bomb is a smart bomb. When used, it |
| protagonist inspector Tequila, and Chow Yun Fat | | | | cause you to pulverize all opponents on screen |
| reprises his role as the stylish hero. The plot in | | | | instantaneously via a cinematic scene. The |
| Stranglehold is about a little girl being used as | | | | inspector will spin, (ala Max Payne 2) and only he |
| ransom; consequently, Tequila is sent to rescue | | | | will remain standing. Another gameplay aspect |
| her. The storyline seems impertinent and takes a | | | | that will appease Max Payne fans is the |
| backseat to the slow motion and fast action. The | | | | aforementioned slow motion bullet time. There is |
| gameplay is a swift action packed adventure | | | | a separate meter for this, and it fills up in the |
| from start to finish. Players will be immersed in a | | | | same manner as the Tequila Bomb meter. Slow |
| world that entails bullets flying, cinematic deaths, | | | | motion can be initiated when running, walking, |
| and plenty of weapons. Virtually the entire | | | | diving, and interacting with the environment. Some |
| environment can be utilized to a certain extent. If | | | | of the things you will be able to do are running up |
| you cannot destroy a pillar, you can probably use | | | | and down railings and slide across counters while |
| it as cover or various other ways during a | | | | spraying your rivals with bullets (ala Hard Boiled |
| firefight. In a nutshell, the paramount goal in | | | | movie). There is no doubt that many players will |
| Stranglehold is to eradicate anything and | | | | enjoy the standoffs in Stranglehold, but I found it |
| everything that moves. Players will have a usual | | | | to be rather arduous. The standoffs play |
| arsenal of weapons that include handguns, assault | | | | drastically differently from the actual gameplay. |
| rifles, shotguns, a rocket launcher, and machine | | | | Your objective is to evade and fire |
| guns. In addition, inspector Tequila will be able to | | | | simultaneously, but this part of the game is |
| utilize four abilities known as Tequila Bombs. These | | | | cumbersome. The audio is amazing as you will |
| abilities are mapped to the D-pad for easy | | | | hear gunfire and people soaring through the air. |
| access, and they all fit the game nicely. In | | | | The graphics are somewhat hit or miss. Chow |
| Stranglehold, a visible meter will be at the top of | | | | Yun Fat looks exactly like his real life counterpart, |
| the screen. | | | | and the setting does look like Hong Kong. |
| You have to fill this meter in order to execute a | | | | However, a good chunk of the enemies appear |
| Tequila bomb maneuver. Killing foes is the only | | | | insipid. There is multiplayer in Stranglehold, but it is |
| way to charge up your meter, so do not be | | | | not as engrossing as the single player campaign. |
| afraid to pull the trigger. The first Tequila Bomb is | | | | Stranglehold does have its flaws which are its |
| a rudimentary health increase. The second Tequila | | | | short length, and the plot is a disaster. If anyone |
| Bomb is precision aiming. Precision aiming gives | | | | is intrigued to get their next Max Payne fix, then |
| you a chance to slow down time and accurately | | | | answer is Stranglehold. The comparisons between |
| target your adversaries. Firing at a particular body | | | | Max Payne and Stranglehold are uncanny. From |
| part will cause your opponents to act accordingly. | | | | the slow motion bullet time effects to the |
| For instance, shooting at his head will cause him to | | | | surprisingly short game, Stranglehold is about as |
| die. Likewise, shooting him in the groin will coerce | | | | close to Max Payne as you can get. Even though |
| him to grab his private part and die (my personal | | | | avid gamers will cruise through Stranglehold in one |
| favorite place to shoot). The camera will actually | | | | day, that should not deter anyone from playing |
| zoom in on the bullet in precision aiming mode. | | | | the game. |