Rise to Honor - PS2

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Rise to Honor (PS2)
Viewed: 3D Third-person, floating camera Genre:
Adventure
Beat 'Em Up
Media: DVD Arcade origin:No
Developer: SCEA Soft. Co.: SCEA
Publishers: SCEE (GB)
Released: 9 Apr 2004 (GB)
Ratings: PEGI 16+
Accessories: Memory Card
Features: Vibration Function Compatible, Analogue Control Compatible: analogue sticks only

Summary

Martial Arts have long been a popular concept within the world of gaming - understandable really, as we all love the opportunity to kick ass, kung fu-style like our heroes in the movies. Well this latest beat-em-up from Sony is geared more towards plunging you into a kung fu movie itself, featuring all the familiar elements such as elaborate fight sequences, high-speed chase scenes, inventive use of props, and boss encounters. Oh, and it stars none other than Jet Li in the leading role.

As you would expect, you take on the role of Jet Li's character, Kit Yun, the trusted bodyguard of Boss Chiang, the leader of one of Hong Kong's most notorious crime gangs. Following his assassination, Yun is soon ordered to seek out Chiang's daughter in the United States and return her safely to Hong Kong - a task that soon unravels into a dangerous journey, in which Yun becomes entangled in a web of alliances and hidden agendas. And, funnily enough, ends up getting into loads of fights.

The game itself features two different modes of combat, both designed to reflect the tradition of the Hong Kong action movie genre. Obviously you've got the hand-to-hand, which utilises the right analogue stick to allow Yun to dish out attacks in all directions and thus take on multiple enemies at once. Right and left shoulder buttons also enable blocks, throws and counters, making for some truly authentic on-screen action. And then there are guns, at which point the action goes ballistic, and Yun gets armed and acrobatic amidst hails of bullets.

Rise to Honour is one of the closest examples we've seen of games emulating movies. The combat throughout features motion capture from Jet Li and direction by Hollywood fight choreographer Cory Yuen and, as a result, is extremely intricate and looks really impressive. Martial Arts fans out there who fancy stepping into the shoes of the legendary Jet Li will certainly want to give this a try.

Artwork

Rise to Honor - PS2 Artwork