Okay game
25 to Life is an okay game. I bought it for the PS2, so I can't comment about the Xbox version. It has been compared to SOCOM, which I guess is valid. Both are online shooters, squad (team/gang) based and "realistic". It can't really compare, because it's like SOCOM-LITE (VERY Lite!!!). If SOCOM frustrates you because you always get PWND (owned), you might like this game better. The single player is lacking, but online is kind of fun. I usually play online FPS games such as SOCOM(1,2&3), Battlefield 2: Modern Combat, Delta Force: Black Hawk Down, KILLZONE, Call of Duty: Finest Hour, Splinter Cell and Rainbow Six-3 (GUTTER-BOY on all of those, Vic_Mackey of the Strike Team Clan on 25 to Life, look me up). If you like those games online, you MIGHT like this.
CONS: The graphics aren't very good. It looks like a PS2 game from 2001/2002, the characters run like they have butt plugs in and the weapon aiming is a little "loose". DO NOT buy this for younger kids! There is a lot of swearing and racist lyrics in the music and in the game. Also, there is a significant amount of blood and dismemberment when you blow someone apart with a shotgun or grenade. There is no prone and the "squat" feature looks like you're filling your Pampers. The maps are kind of small, too. And with only 16 players online, it's not up to current standards of 24 to 32 online.
PRO: The idea of Cops Vs. Bangers in an urban enviroment is a good one. The ability to blow someone's head off or to catch them on fire with a flashbang grenade is cool (blood and gore can be toggled off/on). Also, you can customize your character pretty decently; color of skin & hair, clothes, weapons, custom graffiti "tag", etc... Are you listening to this, other video game developers? The only problem is that this can make it hard to I.D. friend from foe (tip: cops have blue names over their head, crooks have red or you can't see their names at all). The weapons are fun and you can spray paint your "tag" anywhere you want, even on someone's dead body! Plus, when someone dies, their equipment stays, so you can run over and use their guns if you want.
Summary: (3-3/4 out of 5). If SOCOM is too hard for you, or if you're just sick of military shooters, give this a chance. Again, this is only being recommended because of the online play. The single player is a 2 out 5, while the online is a 3 3/4 out of 5. If you can live with its limitations and you play online, you should have some fun. Here's hoping they take this game and ideas, update them to current standards, and then release a better version of 25 to Life next time around. This game could have been so much more.Read full review
