Dead to Rights

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Namco
  • Release Date: Nov 18, 2002
  • Also On: PC
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 42
  3. Negative: 2 out of 42
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  1. [Anonymous]
    Jan 8, 2003
    10
    Great fighting moves and good action.
  2. PygmyPirate
    Jan 3, 2003
    8
    This game is very repetitive, the visuals are a little choppy, and the story line: Oh, my God is this a Jean Claud Van Dam Short film or what? But the balistic gun shooting darting around isn't all that bad. The feature kind of suck because you don't use them to much. Hidding behind walls: sucks because enemies run right up to you and go trigger happy. The dodge or matrix This game is very repetitive, the visuals are a little choppy, and the story line: Oh, my God is this a Jean Claud Van Dam Short film or what? But the balistic gun shooting darting around isn't all that bad. The feature kind of suck because you don't use them to much. Hidding behind walls: sucks because enemies run right up to you and go trigger happy. The dodge or matrix feature (triangle button) usually has me floating into a wall or at an angle were I can't shoot the retartds. Shadow (the dog) comes in handy when you need an insta-kill on an enemy and he will return to you with his victims weapon. The Martial arts or hand to hand is gay! A group of lonley prisoners wanting to kick your @ss and you can't even kick them while they are on the ground. The R1 targeting system is much like the GTA target system, which is nice. The human sheild and disarm techinque is actually the best part o the game... Damn, know I think I should have bought Hitman 2 instead.… Expand
  3. n/an/a
    Mar 17, 2003
    9
    excellent cross between max payne and syphon filter 1. story was like a good book...sucks at first then half way through you cant put it down. a few small repetative parts, yes, but they were hard to notice with the blend of minigames, clever bosses, situation conflict, ect. i was a slight bit dissapointed with the hand to hand combat, they didnt have enough moves it is, just punch, kick,excellent cross between max payne and syphon filter 1. story was like a good book...sucks at first then half way through you cant put it down. a few small repetative parts, yes, but they were hard to notice with the blend of minigames, clever bosses, situation conflict, ect. i was a slight bit dissapointed with the hand to hand combat, they didnt have enough moves it is, just punch, kick, grab, dodge, disarm. still overall this is my favorite ps2 game. … Expand
  4. LennyB.
    Mar 5, 2003
    9
    The grafix and sounds effects are great, the story plot is excellent, and gameplay is one of the best yet of all PS2 games. I say it is one of the many must-buy PS2 games of the year!
  5. AssKisser
    Jan 4, 2003
    10
    It rocks totally!!!!!
  6. BrianH.
    Dec 22, 2002
    9
    This game is amazing, the only problem is the camera, but the human shields along with your K-9 partner and a large amount of disarm moves makes this game amazing. The mini-games are tedious sometimes but add to the story. The action-noir thriller story adds to the atmosphere of the game and just 5 minutes of this game is better than playing any other shooter. This game does Max Payne one This game is amazing, the only problem is the camera, but the human shields along with your K-9 partner and a large amount of disarm moves makes this game amazing. The mini-games are tedious sometimes but add to the story. The action-noir thriller story adds to the atmosphere of the game and just 5 minutes of this game is better than playing any other shooter. This game does Max Payne one better. … Expand
  7. CraigE.
    Dec 24, 2002
    9
    Max Payne meets Bounty Hunter, etc. Awesome game play with some very cool and innovative actions. Shadow the dog is a neat concept but disarming and using the enemy as human shield's, now that's swwweeeeeeeet. Loved this game.
  8. aspentitan
    Nov 16, 2018
    6
    I think back in the day I would have given this a 7 rating maybe 7.5, but here we are in late 2018 and this game doesn't hold up that great. Gameplay is very simplistic, gunpoint targeting is automatic, you are a bullet sponge, cover is sticky and pointless and the game is riddled with tons of mini games. The good point is this game is still enjoyable as outdated as it is the game doesI think back in the day I would have given this a 7 rating maybe 7.5, but here we are in late 2018 and this game doesn't hold up that great. Gameplay is very simplistic, gunpoint targeting is automatic, you are a bullet sponge, cover is sticky and pointless and the game is riddled with tons of mini games. The good point is this game is still enjoyable as outdated as it is the game does keep a steady flow of action and there are many gameplay gimmicks if you are not hardcore you may embrace their fun factor. The game reminds me of a rudimentary "Stranglehold" and that's not a bad thing. I appreciated there were no major software bugs but overall I'd have to say this is a title for its time it plays out arcade like due to its older nature and as someone stated already the current view is B movie or goofy, but still enjoyable none the less. If you are looking for a fairly easy shooter that eases you along with some minor mini games this is worth a try, it's a decent budget title now and is one of those titles that is quick and easy to finish without cramping any brain cells.… Expand
  9. alex007
    Nov 10, 2012
    7
    Namco's "Dead to Rights" is one of the great goofy games. A spoof of "Max Payne" and an homage to Hong Kong action flicks, it's a brisk thrill ride that never ceases to entertain. The game is mostly a third-person shooter, but cop Jack Slate (the hero of DTR) is a man of many talents, so the action isn't just restricted to gunfights. In this 12 hour adventure, Jack disarms bombs,Namco's "Dead to Rights" is one of the great goofy games. A spoof of "Max Payne" and an homage to Hong Kong action flicks, it's a brisk thrill ride that never ceases to entertain. The game is mostly a third-person shooter, but cop Jack Slate (the hero of DTR) is a man of many talents, so the action isn't just restricted to gunfights. In this 12 hour adventure, Jack disarms bombs, extinguishes fires, brawls bad guys and executes enemies at point blank range. Even his dog, Shadow, gets in on the action. The story is pure pulp (Jack is framed for his father's murder, discovers conspiracy to steal gold), but the gameplay is solid despite some repetitive (and gimmicky) spots. DTR isn't a very innovative action game. It's not a very good looking one either, but fans of the genre should be pleased with it. If you like your gunslinging mixed with a variety of heroic tasks, then "Dead to Rights" is for you. 7.5 out of 10.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Best PS2 Game of 2002
95
#95 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002
69
#69 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Play Magazine
    50
    Dead to Rights is no "Max Payne." It tries to be when it's not being a mediocre melange of mini-games or a reheated crime story, but for the most part it's just generic. [Jan 2003, p.79]
  2. Cheat Code Central
    80
    Completely playable and enjoyable - and exactly what I was hoping the Xbox version would have been.
  3. IGN
    81
    Short, explosive, and a roller coaster ride chalk full of violence, Namco's stab at cop vengeance is a great time while it lasts.
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