Snuff: the dark side of the pornography industry. Rockstar takes this morbid subject and turns it into a fun, original game.
The Story
You are James Earl Cash. The game starts with your execution by lethal injection. No, this isn?ft the world shortest game, as you awake in a darkened room, alive and well. A voice comes over the speaker. This shadowy figure is the Director. This seems like a mixed blessing, he spared your from death, but what he puts you up against is pure hell. He places you in deserted malls and other abandoned locations filled with gang members who are out for your blood. He simply tells you kill or be killed, as hundred of hidden cameras record your every move for his sick pleasure.
Game Play
Playing this game is like playing hide and seek with guns and meat cleavers. Hide in the shadows, lure and enemy near, then execute him. The stealth kills in this game are some of the most gruesome I?fve seen since the release of Mortal Kombat. If you thought GTA was extreme, you?fll crap your pants and die at this title.
When behind and locked on to an enemy, a white meter appears over his head. The longer you stay, the color of the meter will change from whit to yellow then to red. Each color represents a different cinematic for whatever weapon you may be holding. Take the wire for example. In white, you simply strangle the foe until he is dead. Yellow makes you choke him, spin him around then finish him off with your hands. Red is just plain over the top, as you decapitate the gang member with the razor sharp wire. So the longer you wait, the more extreme the kill, but higher chances of being caught.
But when guns come into play, stealth is out the window. Gunplay is much like that in Metal Gear Solid: If you run in guns a?f blazing your going to die quick. Instead, hide behind and object and do a pop-out shot.
Graphics
Think GTA that?fs very detailed. The city really looks like a rundown shit hole. Destroyed cars in the street, dismembered bodies, and blood stained hallways really add to the mood. The only problem I have I that the character models seem a little blocky, but other wise are highly detailed and fluid.
I wonder who was in charge of the gore development, because blood is EVERYWHERE. Not to mention the stealth kills! They way the blood squirts from and axe wound in the gut, how chunks of skull and brain stick to the walls and Cash?fs clothing after being smashed with a baseball bat. This game isn?ft rated E for a reason.
Sound is very important to a game that has stealth sequences. On the bottom left of your screen is your radar, but unlike most other games, there is no map. You relay on sound and sight completely to find you enemies or for the enemies to find you. If any sound is made, say bumping into a trash can, a red wave will appear on the radar showing how far it was heard. When an enemy is visible or is hear, he appears as a triangle on you radar. But if you are unable to hear or see him, the triangle disappears, so it?fs best to keep enemies in view.
Voice-overs are done quite well. Cash sounds like the gruff convict as he should, the Director creeps me out and the gang member?fs conversations are always amusing to listen to.
Sound Effects are nice as well. Rain, footsteps, gun shots and the sound of a human skull cracking under a crowbar is done just right.
Replay Value
Most games after a while become boring and repetitive, this game is no different. But with an abundant amount of stealth kills, difficultly levels and unlockable content, this one should keep you busy until the next gore infested game
If you enjoy original action games and don?ft mind gore, this is one game that shouldn?ft be left out of your library.