Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Capcom
  • Release Date: Aug 23, 2005
Metascore
48

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 33
  3. Negative: 15 out of 33
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  1. IGN
    46
    If you absolutely love pointless violence and cheesy, forced atmosphere, then by all means pick this title up. Otherwise, stay extremely far away. In fact, stick to "Streets of Rage 2," that game is way better.
  2. Play Magazine
    45
    It just doesn't gel, with misshapen models, repetitive, bland music and a watered-down story that struggles to maintain a "thug-like" quality through forced profanity. [Sept 2005, p.56]
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  3. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    43
    Bland gameplay, however, stifles what inspiration there is. The fighting action is fundamentally underwhelming, and a poor camera and constant loading further handcuff things.
  5. PSX Extreme
    43
    Looks like a great idea on paper, but it fails to be even mildly entertaining past the first hour of play. There’s no excuse for the game’s camera, and the long load times and slow pacing are just icing on the cake.
  6. GameZone
    41
    I find it very funny that the name of this game is entitled Beat Down, because this is exactly what the game is, it is a beat down to even attempt to play this game. Needless to say avoid this game like the plague.
  7. TotalGames.net
    41
    The only redeeming factor to Beat Down is almost everything is underlined with extra options such as negotiating, robbing, recruiting and so on. Normally, this flexibility would be welcomed but in Beat Down's case, having these extra options is akin to a Steven Seagal DVD being packaged with two discs of extras. Who cares?
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  8. Edge Magazine
    40
    Yes, Beat Down revives the warped charisma of Capcom’s beat’em up heyday, but that’s the only area where it actually triumphs. [Oct 2005, p.90]
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  9. PALGN
    40
    Beat Down makes us feel bad - we wanted it to be good, Cavia put in the ideas that could have made the game good, but failed to deliver on the execution - the despicable quality of voice acting just seals the deal.
  10. Thunderbolt
    40
    The story is interesting, but many of the scenes seem forced. Controlling the different characters could have been cool, but their movesets are pathetically underdeveloped.
  11. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    40
    Old brawler mechanics, GTA elements don't mix in particularly well. [Oct 2005, p.107]
  12. GameSpy
    40
    And for the beat-'em-up fans who want something new, just playing Beat Down feels enough like getting kicked down the stairs that you won't return to the genre any time soon.
  13. RewiredMind
    30
    Beat Down fails to inspire, excite and-most importantly of all - it fails to entertain.
  14. games(TM)
    30
    True, Beat Down isn’t entirely without potential, but the execution is woeful. For your own sake, avoid it at all costs. [Nov 2005, p.104]
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  15. Eurogamer
    20
    Perhaps it's because death is only a temporary setback that arbitrary cold-blooded massacres of innocents are met with a gaming blind eye.
  16. Game Revolution
    16
    I cursed plenty while playing, and it came straight from my own beat down heart. Get your revenge on bad games and leave this stinker in the shadows of the bargain bin.

Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2005

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 24
  3. Negative: 2 out of 24
  1. Megacritic99
    May 24, 2023
    7
    This game feels pretty reminiscent of shenmue when it comes to the exploration formula overall a very solid beat em up game by Yours TrulyThis game feels pretty reminiscent of shenmue when it comes to the exploration formula overall a very solid beat em up game by Yours Truly Capcom there are other better beat them up games like viewtiful Joe yet again it is very much hard to find these days… Full Review »
  2. Kojiro94
    Dec 10, 2020
    10
    One of my favorite games on PS2! It had such a great atmosphere, a great soundtrack, a unique then open world and free roam play style, thatOne of my favorite games on PS2! It had such a great atmosphere, a great soundtrack, a unique then open world and free roam play style, that today everything coped to this style! It was so ahead of its time, with many new ideas and many characters and scenarios to keep you busy! it had many different endings! the fights were intense! you could also play vs mode as a beat em up game!

    Very underrated game! But Famitsu who were more experienced, gave this game a 30/40 score! User score today is 8/10! I wish we could have a remake of this game! Its ideas are still solid!    … Full Review »
  3. BrunoF.
    Apr 14, 2007
    9
    When you approach a game of this kind you cannot, by any means, apply the same criteria that you apply to any other game. Beatdown promises When you approach a game of this kind you cannot, by any means, apply the same criteria that you apply to any other game. Beatdown promises great amount of visual violence, rudeness, slang, and tough battles. And it provides so. It is true that the graphics aren't as polished as, let us say Urban Reign, but the characters are much more realistic - vulgar, uninteresting, much like any street thug is! Also, being published under Capcom, it provides a feeling which Final Fight players will understand, mostly due to the places where it is played (cliché names such as Harbor, Slum, Police District, Downtown). Also it is quite realistic in the sense that you can either peck a fight until one of the fighters is knocked out, or you can just go wild and choose to take his life - a level of violence which is seldom found on a game of this sort. A rude game for people who enjoy a little violence every now and then. Not galons of blood. Just the same amount of blood you'd get for beating someone up on your backyard. Sometimes I could almost sense the awfully stinking smell that emanated from the back alleys. Great!… Full Review »
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