Platform: PS2, XB, PC

Genre: Action/Adventure

Publisher: Konami Digital Entertainment - America

Developer: Konami of Europe/Hothouse Creations

ETA: Fall 2005

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Crime Life: Gang Wars

Hot on the heels of all the controversy about Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas comes another crime-oriented third person adventure. Crime Life: Gang Wars seems more focused on street combat however and is considerably violent. As a traditional beat-em up action adventure, you take the role of a tough young thug on the streets of Grand Central City. Let's hope that the game is certainly a lot more innovative than the name they picked for the city.

Tre, the young gangster, is the leader of a gang dubbed the 'Outlawz'. If you'll excuse my sarcasm, that is another ingenious and original name! Tre is responsible for protecting his crew and furthering his name on the streets. Reputation, in this game, is worth a lot more than the money in your pocket. Tre's goal is to make the Outlawz the most powerful gang in Gang Central and the only way to reach the top is to fight there.

Fighting, as mentioned previously, is the main focus of Crime Life: Gang Wars. Tre can enter eight fighting championships that will develop his fighting skills for the street and push his name. The storyline also features consequences for every action you make, depending 

on whether it is morally good or morally bad. This could be a way for Konami to make the game have an interesting and twisting plot with alternative paths. Whether this occurs is yet to be seen however.

Audio-wise the game appears to be sound. It will feature the voices, likenesses and music from well known rap group D12. UK Hip Hop artist Doom Man will also lend music and voices to the game. As icing on the cake, actor Jason Flemyng will also provide voice work for the game. The effort to secure quality voice acting is a possible indication that the game is headed in a good direction.

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Crime Life: Gang Wars may very well end up in a category with all the other poor Grand Theft Auto clones. However if they can put together some great gameplay to make up for the poor story, it might be different. Nobody will know the truth though until Crime Life's Fall 2005 release.

-Stefan Shetty

(August 16, 2005)