Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 46 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 46
  2. Negative: 1 out of 46
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  1. 100
    With all that is found through out Scarface: The World is Yours, there is a huge amount of things to do and more action than you can shake a stick at.
  2. For those who dare to tug on the tiger’s tail, prepare for an experience that will satiate your lust for money, power and women while simultaneously entertaining you almost every step of the way.
  3. PSM3 Magazine UK
    89
    All a Scarface game should be - full of action, swearing, sleaze, '80s music, decadence... it's a pure joy.[Dec 2006, p.80]
  4. Pelit (Finland)
    88
    Looks and feels like "Scarface" the movie. Even though a more solid storyline would have been nice, the game plays great and offers enough things to do. [Oct 2006, p.54]
  5. 87
    It does a whole lot to fix many of the problems with other games in the genre, and it does an absolutely fantastic job of bring the world of Scarface to gamers.
  6. Radical Entertainment did a wonderful job not only keeping Scarface close to the source material, but also creating a sequel to a movie that was never going to see a sequel.
  7. The open-ended gameplay is solid from start to finish, the production values are top notch for a current generation title, and the game just oozes charisma. You don’t even have to be a fan of the Scarface film to enjoy Scarface the video game.
  8. It’s every bit as profane, violent, and over-the-top as the movie, and delivers not only the gunplay you’re expecting, but as much depth as almost any other game in the genre. Like the film that inspired it, it’s sometimes a bit clunky, but makes up for it in bravado and style.
  9. With a charismatic and unforgettable lead character and a lengthy and diverse number of missions, the game will hook you into its great story.
  10. Although it is formulaic at times and some of the set missions such as protecting a boat with a helicopter gunship while it catches sharks for a restaurant are a bit cheesy, the challenge of making more money, spending it and gaining greater power are as addictive as the white substance that makes its way up Tony's nose.
  11. A worthy sequel. You get what is advertised - more of Tony Montana. If you want open ended crime gaming, get another game. This is Tony Montana you're dealing with here.
  12. The game shines in its attention to details: The licensed music from bands like Blondie and AC/DC sets the right tone, and the game's difficulty and pacing will appeal to both hardcore and casual players.
  13. A Scarface fan’s dream come true.
  14. I am truly amazed at the range of scores Scarface: The World is Yours has been getting. I’m guessing the low scores are coming from people who are either rushing through the game or have no prior knowledge of Tony Montana and the movie that inspired the game.
  15. 81
    Scarface delivers on nearly every front, from its varied and excellent soundtrack overseen by Jay-Z, to its strong characterization, stylized violence, outrageous swearing, and engaging progress.
  16. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    80
    While "GTA" and its imitators keep tongues firmly in cheek, Scarface plays it totally straight throughout - the chuckles come from Tony's increased madness and warped sense of morality, not funny radio stations and fast food joints with joke names. The result is a city full of people that feels genuinely realistic. [Nov 2006, p.76]
  17. 80
    A long-lasting experience that's simply a lot of fun. Part guilty pleasure, part blazingly successful experiment in game design, Scarface: The World is Yours is definitely worth a shot.
  18. There are flaws with the Heat meter and Balls system (yes, Balls system), and the graphic engine could've used some more polishing, but the game has hours of entertaining chaos to spare, and it nails down the movie's atmosphere and Tony's attitude perfectly.
  19. So while it doesn't break new ground, Scarface: The World Is Yours is one of the best sandbox crime games for the current generation consoles. It's a slick, well-executed and gritty title that'll keep you busy for over 20 hours.
  20. It's a game with real ambition, a title that isn't afraid to overreach itself in the pursuit of perfection. Fittingly, it's game with real balls. Tony Montana would be proud.
  21. As in the film, every other word is a four-letter one, and although the graphics can be a little choppy, the game is at least engrossing, with levels short enough to demand that they be replayed.
  22. There are some questionable gameplay choices and it can be confusing at times, but the sharp script, solid voice acting, and uncanny atmosphere show an appreciation for the source material like few movie games do.
  23. Although rough around the edges and unspectacular in a traditional GTA sense, the strategy and excessive violence behind reclaiming Tony's empire provides a compulsive and entertaining drive that shouldn't be missed.
  24. 80
    It may not be perfect, but the combination of movie authenticity, solid action, and exploratory gameplay adds up to one hell of a good time.
  25. Scarface the game is not a classic befitting of the film, but it’s an edgy, uncompromising, sometimes humorous and overall positive offering, which makes the blatant cadging from a superior game series just a bit more forgivable.
  26. The cult gangster movie gets the video game treatment, and we're thrilled at it's more than a shameless cash-in. Solid gameplay and engaging story does the business here.
  27. AceGamez
    80
    Plenty of depth, great sound and visuals, copious amounts of unnecessary swearing, oodles of violence and an awesome central character in Tony Montana - it's not quite GTA IV but if you can't wait until next October then you should definitely say hello to this little friend!
  28. A game that surpasses EA's "The Godfather." Knowledge of Scarface is not necessary, but you will respect Tony Montana or else.
  29. Boomtown
    80
    Given the cliché of terrible movie tie ins, I was most impressed with Scarface on that basis alone, but it does become easier to recommend the game when you consider that Scarface: The World Is Yours would be worth a play through even without Tony Montana.
  30. They do a good job placing you in the Scarface atmosphere, and Tony Montana is as big a badass as ever. With all that music, with all that attitude, and with all that charisma and panache, it can't help but hook every avid fan of the movie.
  31. About as good as movie-to-game adaptations get.
  32. They nailed Tony Montana’s voice and attitude and packed a banana boat’s worth of blood and violence into hours and hours of open, GTA-style gameplay.
  33. Play UK
    71
    This has the most swearing we've ever encountered in a videogame so if that appeals then pick up a copy. [Issue#146, p.91]
  34. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    70
    This is a big game, a good 40 to 50 hours long, and those hours are almost all good. But like the over-the-top voice actor gamely imitating Al Pacino, Scarface falls just a little short. [Nov. 2006, p.116]
  35. For those of you diehard fans who can quote Scarface the same way other people quote Monty Python, Scarface: The World Is Yours is exactly the game you've been waiting for for the last quarter century.
  36. 70
    Scarface: The World is Yours may not do anything new but it does it somewhat well.
  37. Like the film, Scarface is brutal and often ridiculously over-the-top. It uses the GTA template effectively but may feel too familiar for Vice City veterans.
  38. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    65
    "GTA" cribbed from Scarface and Scarface returns the favor, except Scarface has better controls on-foot, in-car, and in-boat. [Nov. 2006, p.122]
  39. Once you get over the whole rewriting-the-end-of-the-movie thing, Scarface: The World Is Yours is a competent but usually uninteresting action game.
  40. 60
    Worth a tour if you really loved the movie, but maybe less so if you've already played the hell out of Vice City. We can't really blame Scarface for the familiarity of the setting, but the fact remains that we've been here before.
  41. The drug dealing aspect is really the game's only defining feature, and with the rest of the game being merely competent in all areas, the Scarface licence is left to do all the hard work.
  42. The only thing I didn't like was the chainsaw melee engine. On one mission, you're forced to use the chainsaw in a revenge situation and the control is just difficult to get used to. The range is very short as it should be, but you can't move quickly while sawing so if you accidentally start sawing too far away you really get messed up.
  43. Play Magazine
    50
    Say hello to our little friend, great disappointment. [Oct. 2006, p.60]
  44. PSM Magazine
    50
    The game just fails in so many areas. [Nov. 2006, p.82]
  45. It's a game trapped in the past. Not the 80's as such, but in a time long before GTA showed the world what spatial freedom was all about. Freedom is a word that Radical has toyed with, not exploited. Ergo, in the case of Scarface, the world is never truly yours.
  46. games(TM)
    40
    Brian De Palma’s film was an indictment of violence and capitalist greed; here they are your primary goal – the developer is relishing in the brutality and profanity and severely missing the point in the process. [Dec 2006, p.123]

Awards & Rankings

47
19
#19 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2006
10
#10 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2006
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 166 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 12 out of 166
  1. Jun 6, 2012
    10
    this game look just like gta fused with godfather 2 i like this game enough wish only voice character would be al pachino but as said somethis game look just like gta fused with godfather 2 i like this game enough wish only voice character would be al pachino but as said some impersonator did his voice did real good job Full Review »
  2. Sep 26, 2015
    10
    Scarface (1983) was a great movie with one of the best roles of Al Pacino as Tony Montana. Playing GTA Vice City (2002) reminded me a lot ofScarface (1983) was a great movie with one of the best roles of Al Pacino as Tony Montana. Playing GTA Vice City (2002) reminded me a lot of times of this movie but it didn't have Tony Montana. Enter "Scarface", the game... and what a game it is! Scarface: The World Is Yours looks better than GTA Vice City (and GTA San Andreas) and the gameplay is at least as good as those two games. Is it better? Well, lets say it's different and all three games are great!

    The voice of Tony Montana is not done by Al Pacino, but some voice actor who did a good job at recreating his distinctive voice. The music in this game is very nice, i recognized a lot of songs from the movie. The driving and shooting are good for a PS2 game.

    The game really feels like a sequel to the movie. In the movie Tony Montana lost everything, his empire, the money, his best friend, his girl and his sister. But in Scarface: The World Is Yours Tony is back, ready to take what belongs to him and build up his drugs empire once again.

    You get to play in the city of Miami and also on the Cuban Islands. This brings a nice variation in the gameplay. A nice touch is the Blind Rage: shooting and taunting enemies will build up the Rage meter and once it's filled, Tony becomes temporarily invincible.

    Unfortunately there is no multiplayer free roaming in this game, like the excellent multiplayer mode in GTA San Andreas. It would have been nice to do some rampage in the city with a friend, maybe one player as Tony and the other player as his best friend Manny (before he was shot down)? But it's not really a must for this game, as it is the single player story mode and free roam are sufficient to keep you busy for a long time.

    Scarface: The World Is Yours is one of the best games on PS2 and a very good movie to game adaptation. I rate this game a well deserved 10 out of 10.
    Full Review »
  3. SayGoodnitetothebadguy
    Oct 10, 2006
    9
    I see the critic's have finally caught up to speed on how great this game is. When I first checked the page for reviews I think they hadI see the critic's have finally caught up to speed on how great this game is. When I first checked the page for reviews I think they had it scored in the low 60's still with just a piddling of reviews, mostly bad. These early-birds must have played a pre-release date version of the game without all the kinks ironed out because I tell you this: Scarface is a blast.
    Sick of playing some cookie-cutter thug in the GTA games, with no identity or distinguishing personality to speak of? Well, fret no more. Here's your chance to actually become Tony Montana and work towards a goal of rebuilding your own empire rather than constantly running missions for some mob boss, politician, crooked cop or any other number of people looking to take money out of your hard-earned mission winnings. In Scarface, every red dollar you make goes into your pocket and goes towards your cause of trying to revive the glory days of your ginormous drug empire. This is one of the most satisfying parts of the game because each time you risk your ass in one of these missions, you're not just doing it to merely earn the 'respect' of your peers as in GTA: SA, you're doing it to put money in your pocket, yayo up your nose and a fine honey in each fist.
    The game's soundtrack is very faithful to the movie, offering tons of real tracks from back in 70's and 80's but also contains many more songs from dates ranging from the 50's straight through to this day and age of the new millenium.
    Shooting in this game also puts GTA to shame, taking only the best elements of that game's targeting system and perfecting it by adding in the much more agreeable free aim form of the Godfather game. Not to mention being able to target various parts of your enemies bodies for extra points. Kidney shots are definitely key.
    All in all, this game is a definite winner. From the moment you slide the disc into your console and watch the opening movie with scenes straight from the movie classic, you will immediately be immersed in Tony Montana's world. There's nothing like running around a free-for-all Miami as Al Pacino's most notorious character, knocking down anyone that dares stand in your way and macking on the females that saturate the beach paradise environment. No more will you be a slave to running missions for the benefit of your superiors. In Scarface, the only person that matters is you and your quest to regain everything that's coming to you: the world, Chico, and everything in it.
    Full Review »