Game

Preview no. 2

In the upcoming October release The Warriors, Rockstar Games is aiming to raise gamers' expectations of licensed games by reinventing a classic video game genre - the brawler. The brawler, once an arcade staple, has been largely left behind on the current generation of consoles. Rockstar Toronto is working to revitalize the genre by both reinventing the overall sense of gritty realism of hand-to-hand combat and refining vital strategic elements central to the art of fighting.

The team at Rockstar Toronto has expanded upon the setting of the classic 1979 film by creating an in-game universe rich in accurate detail. Set in New York City at the end of the 1970s, this location provides an ideal environment for a next generation brawler.

Rockstar Toronto's mission is twofold: inspire existing Warriors fans and create a game with lasting appeal for hardcore gamers. To do this, they have created a gameplay experience that is instantly satisfying and easy to learn. Two-button combos and a simple interface have been employed so the casual gamer can immediately get drawn into the action while experienced gamers will be able to trigger unique combos, tandem moves and pull off contextual attacks. The fighting system is refined and complex, but still accessible enough so that anyone will feel comfortable with the fighting mechanic. The Warriors has been designed to eliminate the complications of "button mashers" and specifically avoids stringing together controller moves that yield limited or no variation to the core gameplay. It isn't simply punch, block, and kick. The Warriors is a highly adaptive combat system set in the openness of a living city that will appeal to hardcore gamers, fans of this cult classic film and anyone looking for the next, great fighting game.

THE FIGHTER

On the street, The Warriors stick together at all times. For each mission, the player will be accompanied by one to eight fellow Warriors. As the War Chief, the main player will lead other members as they progress through the game. Each member of the Warriors has their own unique moves that inflict a varying degree of damage to their opponents.

Throughout the course of the game, the player will be able to play as every one of the Warriors from the film, and try out their individual, distinct fighting styles. S wan, for instance, fights in a fluid, kung-fu style and tends to use more high kicks than grappling moves. Ajax relies strictly on the brute force of uncut street brawling. Each style is quickly learned to gauge the various levels of effectiveness in different situations.

Each member of the Warriors has their own health and stamina level. Some Warriors are stronger than others and some employ a more sophisticated fighting style, but none are invincible. At all times, the player must stay conscious of their overall health and stamina in order to stay standing. Stamina allows them to run fast and sprint away from the cops and also determines if a player can break free of a hold. After taking a certain amount of hits, the player will become disoriented and become vulnerable to an attack or grab. If the player has no stamina left, they will be unable to grab an enemy and unable to pull off a combo move.

A progressive damage system viscerally shows the level of damage a player absorbs from punches, kicks, and related injuries. After a beating, characters will appear bruised and bloody.

Black eyes, split lips and eye contusions, not to mention cuts, scrapes and lacerations, are more than common. The more brutal the fight, the more visible the resulting damage. Also, each character has a reticule which will change color to indicate their current health level.

The fighting mechanic of The Warriors is incredibly responsive and tailored to replicate the chaotic nature of a street fight. The advanced AI allows opponents to block and counter-attack, quickly adapting to each player's moves. Striking with violent blows, throwing enemies around and knocking them into each other, breaking storefront windows or smashing tables and chairs across someone's back is all par for the course. Each combat situation involves split-second, strategic decision-making which ultimately determines the best course of action in order to clear the way to victory.

THE FIGHTS

Brawlers of the past were relegated to small, enclosed arenas. The Warriors takes place on the open city streets of New York City, 1979. Throughout the game, the player will encounter all sorts of colorful characters - including local pedestrians and rival gang members - as they make their way through the different neighborhoods of the city. Combat is not limited to one-on-one fighting. Massive brawls against swarms of opponents from multiple directions happen frequently. As a fight grows wilder and more chaotic, the player must react quickly in order to stay alive. Just as in real life, every fight will look, sound, and feel very different from the previous one. Each gang fights using a distinctive style. For example, The Turnbull ACs will fight more aggressively and attack the player directly. They also tend to use more defensive moves in a fight and are able to pull off more powerful grab moves. If a character is down, they will converge like hyenas and kick them. But, as soon as the character gets back up on their feet, they back off immediately. The Orphans are cowards and keep their distance from the player in a fight. Each gang reacts with a different level of aggressiveness during a fight and tend to use different types of moves. Some will use blocks more frequently and defend themselves, while others will grab the nearest weapon and smash their opponent. Some gangs will call for back up, while others will stand and fight even if they are outnumbered.

Let's take a look at some of the specifics in order to get a better sense of how to stay alive, be a better War Chief and get everyone back home in one piece...

GETTING STRONGER

Each member of the Warriors has their own unique fighting moves. Though they each share some signature moves, individual style in a fight creates unique advantages and disadvantages when taking down an opponent.

Here are a few examples of the types of attacks that every member of the Warriors can perform:

REVERSALS

When attacked, the player can execute a reversal tossing an enemy over their shoulder, executing a rapid dodge and kick.

RUNNING ATTACKS

A running attack (run and punch, run and throw) is a deadly tactic either at the beginning or the end of a fight. Make sure to have enough room to clear a running attack in order to surprise an enemy, then hand them a serious beating.

SNAP ATTACKS

These allow the player to strike an enemy that isn't currently being targeted. A swinging punch will knock out an enemy to the left, right or behind, giving the player some time and space to plan the next course of attack.

TANDEM ATTACKS

A tandem attack is when two Warriors work together to pull off a powerful move on a single opponent (i.e. one character grabs an enemy and holds them while another character smashes a bat over his head). NOTE: Enemies can also perform tandem attacks.

CONTEXTUAL ATTACKS

A contextual attack uses the environment against an opponent. Once grappled, an enemy can be smashed against a wall, car door or steel crate. NOTE: Enemies can also perform contextual attacks.

BREAK HOLD

Grab an enemy and lock them in a hold. They will instinctively try and break free. The player and the enemy will battle each other as the character struggles to break the hold. If a stronger fighter grabs someone smaller, the hold will take longer to break.

BLOCK

Use a well timed block to defend against an oncoming attack. Study your enemy carefully and trigger a block to cover the face with your forearms. While holding a weapon, the player can also use it to block an attack and shield themselves with it. Nothing takes the edge off a homerun swing from one of the Baseball Furies like blocking it with a bat of your own.

Though the Warriors each share many of the same moves, they also can each pull off incredibly damaging and unique power moves and combos. During a fight, grab an opponent and execute a combo or power move to wipe them out permanently.

COMBOS

Grabbing a character and a simple 2 button combination will trigger unique and varied combos for each character. A combo is a lethal way of inflicting serious damage and an ideal way to end a fight. Each Warrior can pull off these moves, each with their own unique style and approach.

Use a combo while either standing or after mounting an enemy lying on the ground. Vermin likes to deliver a knee to the groin, while Cleon uses kung fu to devastate the opposition. Cinematic camera-work lets the player feel the bone-crunching impact of these moves.

POWER MOVES

During combat, power moves inflict more serious damage than a heavy attack. Each Warrior has their own signature Power move. For example, Ajax throws a series of devastating left and right crosses that will floor any opponent, while Cleon delivers a deadly kick to the back of the neck. Power moves usually end most fights and clear the way for the Warriors to march forward.

RAGE MODE

The Warriors are still tough and after landing a lot of blows and taking a few too many hits the player will be able to enter Rage Mode.

Rage Mode is a tribute to the classic coin-op brawler. Link combos together in quick succession and the player's Rage Meter will gradually fill up. Once it's full, the player can enter Rage Mode and an orange haze will tinge the screen. In Rage Mode, the player is virtually indestructible. Punches, kicks and combos are more devastating, and the player will be able to access at least two distinct and deadly Rage Mode moves. Within the time allotted, the player can perform as many multiple Rage Mode combos as possible. Rage Mode combos typically result in an instant kill.

Rage Mode will help even the odds in a huge gang fight. Combo moves can be linked, allowing for rapid takedowns and greater efficiency during combat. For the less seasoned player, Rage Mode will be attainable through "button-mashing", but experienced gamers will be rewarded more quickly by taking the time to learn how to execute multiple and varied attacks.

Each Warrior has two unique Rage mode moves. Rembrandt employs a leg sweep followed by an elbow to the back of the neck, while Cleon finishes his enemies with a vicious jumping chest stomp. Like power moves and combos, each Warriors has a signature Rage Mode move that typically puts an end to any brawl.