Stranglehold - Greatest Demo Ever!! - Blu-ray Forum

JakeNRoland · 09-07-2007, 05:13 AM

One word: SOLD!! That was the single greatest demo for a game I've ever played (granted, my demo experience is limited). I was only so so about the game and/or bundle when I saw the trailers, but now I have to have it.

A real bonus for me is that I've somehow NOT seen Hard Boiled yet.

But yeah, that demo was AWESOME.

nordic217 · 09-07-2007, 05:37 AM

YES! I am very happy with the demo, I originally played it for the Xbox 360 when it came out about a month ago. Downloading the PS3 version of the demo right now. I have had Stranglehold Pre-Ordered for the PS3 for a couple of weeks now. The only reason for the PS3 version was because of Hard Boiled on the same Blu-ray Disc! Very Appealing!

Proteus · 09-07-2007, 05:38 AM

I have it downloading upstairs now.

With all this talk I'm kind of thinking I should run up and see if I can try it now.

Icemage · 09-07-2007, 06:09 AM

I actually don't like the demo much. The facial expressions are wooden, the lighting is terrible, and you slide around on anything and everything, making aiming a challenge, to say the least. Enemies are also quite stupid.

Very Max Payne-ish. Complete with bullet-time... pardon me... "Tequila time".

The fully destructible environments are cool, but the look of the game is too raw. I'm pretty glad I cancelled my pre-order.

kotton247 · 09-07-2007, 06:16 AM

hey calm down on max payne. I loved both of those games. They told such great stories. They remind me of Sin City. As for Strangle hold. Downloading it now, so we shall see.

shatta · 09-07-2007, 12:19 PM

when did this demo went up...i was on PNS last night around 10pm and i didnt see nothing....

...well i'll jus wait til i go home then

cathexist · 09-07-2007, 12:28 PM

It showed up right before I went to bed last night...so I just started downloading almost everything that was new on the store and head to bed...I can't play the demo until I get home from work.

Icemage · 09-07-2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kotton247

hey calm down on max payne. I loved both of those games. They told such great stories. They remind me of Sin City. As for Strangle hold. Downloading it now, so we shall see.

I liked Max Payne, and I liked Max Payne 2 even better.

I don't like what Stranglyhold is doing with the gameplay. It's somewhat cool but unpolished. There are some really awesome features (standoff mode), but there's just ludicrously large amounts of stuff you can slipslide around on.

I'll give the demo another spin and see if it changes my mind (this happened with Heavenly Sword), but I'm not hopeful.

richieb1971 · 09-07-2007, 01:28 PM

I watched this on my friends XB360 a couple of weeks ago. Looked great to me, I just couldn't see any innovations past the first level. Its like just bang bang bang, slide slide slide through the whole game.

Shin-Ra · 09-07-2007, 03:43 PM

Max Payne's better at spacing enemies out, throwing them at you in interesting ways rather than just having hot spots with swarms of them. The demo's just a portion of one level so the rest of the game may mix things up better. Story doesn't do much for me, Max does that better too. Worth a rental perhaps.

damandan05 · 09-07-2007, 03:47 PM

i've played the demo, and just went to go play max payne instead. Just not fun your just constrantly shooting in a onlsaught. Cool for some, but not for this guy.

Blu-ray San · 09-07-2007, 03:50 PM

What we have here is a rant for Max Payne 3 on PS3!!!

I must also agree, Max Payne 1 & 2 has to be 2 on my fav games of all time!!!

Gotta wait till I get home to try Stranglehold out

u_nick · 09-07-2007, 03:57 PM

Yep, while no announcements for Max Payne 3 have hit yet, Strangehold should hold me over until we get one. Well, from what I've played of the 360 demo anyhow. I'll download the PS3 demo tonight and compare. (BRD movie and better controller will more than likely win the PS3 version for me.).

JakeNRoland · 09-07-2007, 04:14 PM

Well... it seems few, if any, agree with me. LOL.

I never got around to the Max Payne games, so I didn't get that feeling of old material rehashed.

I just thought it was very fun gameplay. Graphically it's not too impressive, save for the gameplay dynamics.

And as far as demos are concerned, it was of good length. The Heavenly Sword demo makers could have taken a cue or two from this demo.

The zoom aim (there's a in game term for it that I'm forgetting) was pretty fun also.

But yeah. Sorry. Not 'greatest demo ever' after all. Best demo I've played though.

Proteus · 09-07-2007, 04:16 PM

Well...

I played the demo late last night and here are my first impressions if anyone even cares.

The title brings some cool stuff to the table that we really haven't seen yet in a shooter but I suspect we will see more of. These things include the most destructible and versatile environment I have ever seen in a game period. You name, you can break it or blow it up... even the signs over head can be shot in all kinds of different ways sometimes even being used as weapons. The 'breakage' seems to be pretty random as well, these aren't just scripted environmental break ups... the stuff is breaking up totally differently based on physics each time. That's some pretty cool action there.

The 'tequila time' thing does get a little old after awhile... I felt like I just wanted to run and gun normal once in awhile also which is pretty hard to do because of the awkward movement in the game when not in tequila time.

The textures were done well, the myriad of faces was nice to see also with a lot of detail the only issue being that the detail sometimes felt 'frozen' on. The mouths moved almost exactly with speech though, which was refreshing since most games seem to have a Terrence and Phillip talking head thing going where the lips don't match the words.

Though the animations were complete, something just didn't feel 'right' about them. It felt like movement was happening but without the natural resistances of weight, for example, or anything else.

The sliding everywhere thing was a little much... I found myself avoiding table and other things unless I saw an opportunity to really stack stars chaining my 'tequila time' (highest I got was around 23 or so as I recall). I had no trouble whatsoever aiming in tequila time... seemed really easy actually (and with the auto-aim adjustment option I'm pretty sure it can be REALLY easy but may get boring).

Would I purchase this title? No. The story, though interesting, was 100% linear for my character. I went where I 'had' to go (down a line through an alley) and that was it. There was nothing really for me to investigate or 'change the plan of attack'. You basically walk in an alley and goons jump out from doors all around you... doors you can't go in yourself. Though the video of the game at the end showed all the various cool things you get to do (even some heli time) it still indicated a straight line through the campaign. I prefer some ambiguity and choices.

takezo · 09-07-2007, 04:17 PM

Stranglehold = Max Payne

It's a cool game on the surface, but wears out quick. Also graphics looks a little too flat. Not much shadows or shading effects. But I guess you can't expect much from Midway.

Cyorg · 09-07-2007, 04:22 PM

I agree with Proteus...
I can see myself getting bored pretty fast with this game. It's a shame too, because I was really looking forward to it.

bryaaaant · 09-07-2007, 04:24 PM

I played it on my X360 like last week or something and I guess it's pretty cool. Especially like the precision shot thing.

Nothing I would buy though. I'd rather get Heavenly Sword, Madden 08 or WarHawk (which I already picked up and is quite awesome). But that's just me.

JTK · 09-07-2007, 04:25 PM

Already seeing ho-hum reviews for this thing.

The demo didn't knock me out and I'm a huge Max Payne fan. They need to just bring us an over the top, super polished next gen Max Payne 3 and finish it.

This will be a rental for me at some point; I can't see paying $50-$60 for a short single player game and an afterthought multiplayer component.

Matt X · 09-07-2007, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kotton247

hey calm down on max payne. I loved both of those games. They told such great stories. They remind me of Sin City. As for Strangle hold. Downloading it now, so we shall see.

...exactly - I could definitely use a Max Payne 3 on the PS3, but hey maybe stranglehold will be a suitable replacement

09-07-2007, 05:13 AM	#1
JakeNRoland Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Bay Area, CA	Stranglehold - Greatest Demo Ever!! One word: SOLD!! That was the single greatest demo for a game I've ever played (granted, my demo experience is limited). I was only so so about the game and/or bundle when I saw the trailers, but now I have to have it. A real bonus for me is that I've somehow NOT seen Hard Boiled yet. But yeah, that demo was AWESOME.

09-07-2007, 04:22 PM	#17
Cyorg Special Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:San Antonio, TX. PSN ID: Cyorg Blu-ray collection:62 Blu-ray reviews:1	I agree with Proteus... I can see myself getting bored pretty fast with this game. It's a shame too, because I was really looking forward to it. Last edited by Cyorg; 09-07-2007 at 04:29 PM.

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09-07-2007, 05:37 AM	#2
nordic217 Member Member since:May 2007 Location:Colorado Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	YES! I am very happy with the demo, I originally played it for the Xbox 360 when it came out about a month ago. Downloading the PS3 version of the demo right now. I have had Stranglehold Pre-Ordered for the PS3 for a couple of weeks now. The only reason for the PS3 version was because of Hard Boiled on the same Blu-ray Disc! Very Appealing!

09-07-2007, 05:38 AM	#3
Proteus Power Member Member since:Apr 2007 Location:SoCal PSN:CaptBurn	I have it downloading upstairs now. With all this talk I'm kind of thinking I should run up and see if I can try it now.

09-07-2007, 06:09 AM	#4
Icemage Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007	I actually don't like the demo much. The facial expressions are wooden, the lighting is terrible, and you slide around on anything and everything, making aiming a challenge, to say the least. Enemies are also quite stupid. Very Max Payne-ish. Complete with bullet-time... pardon me... "Tequila time". The fully destructible environments are cool, but the look of the game is too raw. I'm pretty glad I cancelled my pre-order.

09-07-2007, 06:16 AM	#5
kotton247 Special Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:NC Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:25	hey calm down on max payne. I loved both of those games. They told such great stories. They remind me of Sin City. As for Strangle hold. Downloading it now, so we shall see.

09-07-2007, 12:19 PM	#6
shatta Expert Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:New York	when did this demo went up...i was on PNS last night around 10pm and i didnt see nothing.... ...well i'll jus wait til i go home then

09-07-2007, 12:28 PM	#7
cathexist Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Aurora, CO 4K collection:302 Blu-ray collection:1253 DVD collection:73 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:8	It showed up right before I went to bed last night...so I just started downloading almost everything that was new on the store and head to bed...I can't play the demo until I get home from work.

09-07-2007, 01:28 PM	#9
richieb1971 Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:89 Blu-ray collection:706 Trading Score:16	I watched this on my friends XB360 a couple of weeks ago. Looked great to me, I just couldn't see any innovations past the first level. Its like just bang bang bang, slide slide slide through the whole game.

09-07-2007, 03:43 PM	#10
Shin-Ra Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Feb 2007 Blu-ray collection:5 Trading Score:1	Max Payne's better at spacing enemies out, throwing them at you in interesting ways rather than just having hot spots with swarms of them. The demo's just a portion of one level so the rest of the game may mix things up better. Story doesn't do much for me, Max does that better too. Worth a rental perhaps.

09-07-2007, 03:47 PM	#11
damandan05 Active Member Member since:Apr 2007	i've played the demo, and just went to go play max payne instead. Just not fun your just constrantly shooting in a onlsaught. Cool for some, but not for this guy.

09-07-2007, 03:50 PM	#12
Blu-ray San Senior Member Member since:Nov 2006 Location:New York Trading Score:12	What we have here is a rant for Max Payne 3 on PS3!!! I must also agree, Max Payne 1 & 2 has to be 2 on my fav games of all time!!! Gotta wait till I get home to try Stranglehold out

09-07-2007, 03:57 PM	#13
u_nick Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jan 2007 Location:CT, US Trading Score:27	Yep, while no announcements for Max Payne 3 have hit yet, Strangehold should hold me over until we get one. Well, from what I've played of the 360 demo anyhow. I'll download the PS3 demo tonight and compare. (BRD movie and better controller will more than likely win the PS3 version for me.).

09-07-2007, 04:14 PM	#14
JakeNRoland Expert Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Bay Area, CA	Well... it seems few, if any, agree with me. LOL. I never got around to the Max Payne games, so I didn't get that feeling of old material rehashed. I just thought it was very fun gameplay. Graphically it's not too impressive, save for the gameplay dynamics. And as far as demos are concerned, it was of good length. The Heavenly Sword demo makers could have taken a cue or two from this demo. The zoom aim (there's a in game term for it that I'm forgetting) was pretty fun also. But yeah. Sorry. Not 'greatest demo ever' after all. Best demo I've played though.

09-07-2007, 04:16 PM	#15
Proteus Power Member Member since:Apr 2007 Location:SoCal PSN:CaptBurn	Well... I played the demo late last night and here are my first impressions if anyone even cares. The title brings some cool stuff to the table that we really haven't seen yet in a shooter but I suspect we will see more of. These things include the most destructible and versatile environment I have ever seen in a game period. You name, you can break it or blow it up... even the signs over head can be shot in all kinds of different ways sometimes even being used as weapons. The 'breakage' seems to be pretty random as well, these aren't just scripted environmental break ups... the stuff is breaking up totally differently based on physics each time. That's some pretty cool action there. The 'tequila time' thing does get a little old after awhile... I felt like I just wanted to run and gun normal once in awhile also which is pretty hard to do because of the awkward movement in the game when not in tequila time. The textures were done well, the myriad of faces was nice to see also with a lot of detail the only issue being that the detail sometimes felt 'frozen' on. The mouths moved almost exactly with speech though, which was refreshing since most games seem to have a Terrence and Phillip talking head thing going where the lips don't match the words. Though the animations were complete, something just didn't feel 'right' about them. It felt like movement was happening but without the natural resistances of weight, for example, or anything else. The sliding everywhere thing was a little much... I found myself avoiding table and other things unless I saw an opportunity to really stack stars chaining my 'tequila time' (highest I got was around 23 or so as I recall). I had no trouble whatsoever aiming in tequila time... seemed really easy actually (and with the auto-aim adjustment option I'm pretty sure it can be REALLY easy but may get boring). Would I purchase this title? No. The story, though interesting, was 100% linear for my character. I went where I 'had' to go (down a line through an alley) and that was it. There was nothing really for me to investigate or 'change the plan of attack'. You basically walk in an alley and goons jump out from doors all around you... doors you can't go in yourself. Though the video of the game at the end showed all the various cool things you get to do (even some heli time) it still indicated a straight line through the campaign. I prefer some ambiguity and choices.

09-07-2007, 04:17 PM	#16
takezo Active Member Member since:Aug 2006	Stranglehold = Max Payne It's a cool game on the surface, but wears out quick. Also graphics looks a little too flat. Not much shadows or shading effects. But I guess you can't expect much from Midway.

09-07-2007, 04:24 PM	#18
bryaaaant Active Member Member since:Aug 2007	I played it on my X360 like last week or something and I guess it's pretty cool. Especially like the precision shot thing. Nothing I would buy though. I'd rather get Heavenly Sword, Madden 08 or WarHawk (which I already picked up and is quite awesome). But that's just me.

09-07-2007, 04:25 PM	#19
JTK Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jan 2006 Location:www.blurayoasis.com	Already seeing ho-hum reviews for this thing. The demo didn't knock me out and I'm a huge Max Payne fan. They need to just bring us an over the top, super polished next gen Max Payne 3 and finish it. This will be a rental for me at some point; I can't see paying $50-$60 for a short single player game and an afterthought multiplayer component.

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