Dead to Rights: Retribution

 PlayStation 3
User Score
6.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 34
  3. Negative: 8 out of 34
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  1. James
    Apr 27, 2010
    7
    A game that had massive potential and engrosing story lacks what would be called standard for games now a days. The single player is not enough to hide the lack of bonus extras (specifically costumes etc), and a lack of potential game modes for example: - a Challenge mode for the the dog Shadow (similar to Batman's AA except using Shadow to get the fastest time possible or no kills.) A game that had massive potential and engrosing story lacks what would be called standard for games now a days. The single player is not enough to hide the lack of bonus extras (specifically costumes etc), and a lack of potential game modes for example: - a Challenge mode for the the dog Shadow (similar to Batman's AA except using Shadow to get the fastest time possible or no kills.) - A co-op where one controls Shadow and one controls Jack going through the story - A surival game where they have to survival round of enemies either PIt fighting style or with guns. As I said there is potential in this game but it was not captialised on its release. This game is by no means bad, the experience is good, unique and fun, but after you've completed the story and finished off the last trophies/achievements there is nothing left for you to do. DLC has been annouced for around June but is it too little too late?… Expand
  2. dancinhomer
    Nov 16, 2011
    7
    I thought this was a pretty fun game. No, it doesn't reinvent the video game or the 3rd person shooter, but if you like 3rd person shooters, you'll have a good time. I like the occasional challenge where you play the dog - breaks things up nicely. Again, nothing groundbreaking, but not everything has to be as long as it's a fun experience, and this one is.
  3. Jellybean15
    Jan 17, 2015
    6
    The Dead to Rights franchise is in trouble. As a series that started out with a strong opening title on the GameCube, Dead to Rights has been on a steady decline with each subsequent installment. In desperate need of something new, Dead to Rights: Retribution is released as the reboot that will revitalize the Dead to Rights license. However, without doing anything creative or memorable,The Dead to Rights franchise is in trouble. As a series that started out with a strong opening title on the GameCube, Dead to Rights has been on a steady decline with each subsequent installment. In desperate need of something new, Dead to Rights: Retribution is released as the reboot that will revitalize the Dead to Rights license. However, without doing anything creative or memorable, Retribution fails to achieve its goal, and instead may just be a testimony to how far the Dead to Rights license has fallen.

    Retribution isn’t a bad game by any means. However, it isn’t exactly great either, and that problem mainly stems from the lack of any originality. The gunplay may be satisfying and is easily the best thing this game has going for it, but it doesn’t do anything to stand out from the standard third-person shooter. The cover mechanic works well but can also be inconsistent, and the bullet time ability), while fun is ripped straight from the Max Payne series, and even that franchise did more with its mechanic ten years earlier. The gunplay may be solid, but it doesn’t actually do anything to stand out in a market oversaturated with shooters.

    The melee combat is somewhat of a mixed bag. The standard light and heavy attacks can be chained together to create combos, and tapping the block button can be used to counter enemy attacks if timed correctly. This system is fine when fighting a lone enemy, but more often than not, you’re going to be swarmed by hostiles. When this happens, all strategy in the melee combat is replaced by erratic button mashing, and is only made worse by the suicidal AI brawlers that charge you in the middle of a firefight. Because melee combat completely exposes you, more often than not, you’ll just simply shoot the enemies down to get them out of the way.

    I will admit though, bosses and mini bosses are well-designed and creative, save for the final one. Some boss fights are simple, while others actually require tactics and strategy to defeat them. The only disappointing enemy is the final boss. Despite an epic battle setting, this boss centers around the shifty countering mechanic, making the final boss a frustrating mess instead of the epic showdown it should’ve been.

    The one thing Retribution has going for it is your companion Shadow. Despite being a dog, Shadow is deadly in combat, and you can issue commands to him using a simple button prompts. By doing so, Shadow can be commanded to take down specific enemies, open up their defense, retrieve weapons, or help you out when enemies gang up on you. For the most part, Shadow’s AI is competent, and he managed to save my life on a few occasions.

    There are even a few segments where you take control of Shadow, and infiltrate into areas through stealth gameplay, but like the rest of the game, the stealth mechanics seem to be copy and pasted from other games, and never changes as the game moves on. Despite the game trying to pass of the dog gameplay as unique, there’s no real difference from playing as a human, and it makes Shadow feel more like a gimmick, rather than something unique.

    The graphics in Retribution are not up to par. Not only has this game not aged well, but it didn’t even hold up compared to games released the concurrent and previous years. Overall, the game looks bad by any standard.

    The story, dialogue, and characters are full of cliches, and there’s nothing unique about the story, and despite the twists and “heartbreaking” moments, nothing really stands out. Your character, Jack Slate, is the stereotypical movie badass that you've seen countless times before.

    It’s in the games last few chapters when the game finally get better. In chapters 8 – 10, Retribution fires on all cylinders, with more drama and twists added to the story, better objectives, two unique and fun boss fights, better designed levels, and better objectives. It’s in these last few chapters where Retribution really comes into its own, and is easily the best part of the game.

    Overall, Retribution is not a bad game, but it fails to stand out as a great game. Retribution doesn’t have an original bone in its body, and instead relies on mechanics taken from other games, but fails to add anything to make them better or different. In some cases, they’re done better in the original titles they stem from. The saddest thing about Retribution is that it was supposed to be the reboot that would breathe new air into a dying franchise. Instead, Retribution might just be the final nail in its coffin.    … Expand
  4. Mr_Movies
    Aug 26, 2014
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Holy dog balls! this game!
    It is both awesome and admittedly kind of silly. The story is about a cop named Jack slate and his wolf monster (I mean dog) shadow trying to investigate the murder of Jacks dad and what connection it has to the rapid increase of crime in the city. The game play is Pretty good though it is kind of repetitive shadow can be unleashed onto attacking enemy's and has his own stealth sections. speaking of that the enemy's have some variety. There are heavy guys melee guys sniper rifle guys. Oh yeah and in the last level you commandeer a 10 foot tall war machine (Why are you not buying this game already!). Over all the game is okay if you need to vent some frustration then it is worth your money    … Expand
  5. sjulti
    Dec 1, 2016
    7
    This games story is bad but bad in a good way, the gameplay is fun and playing as shadow is very fun. The executions are kinda redicolous but fun to watch.
  6. Alex_Pilgrim008
    Jul 1, 2023
    7
    This reboot is not as good as the first "Dead to Rights". The combat can be clunky at times, but it's enjoyable. Jack Slate uses plenty of guns, disarms and melee attacks. A few issues keep the game from being as fun as it could've been. First off, many attack combos are too complex to memorize. Secondly, you can sometimes run out of ammo during a firefight. And third, too many bad guysThis reboot is not as good as the first "Dead to Rights". The combat can be clunky at times, but it's enjoyable. Jack Slate uses plenty of guns, disarms and melee attacks. A few issues keep the game from being as fun as it could've been. First off, many attack combos are too complex to memorize. Secondly, you can sometimes run out of ammo during a firefight. And third, too many bad guys are bullet sponges. They'll rush you after being shot a few times. Still, this is a guilty pleasure. It's fast-paced and filled with expansive levels and plenty of action. I would rate it with a 7.3 out of 10.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2010
73
#73 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 44
  3. Negative: 10 out of 44
  1. Playstation Official Magazine Australia
    60
    The cinematics, while cobbled together from a ‘90s cop movie handbook, are more polished than most. If you were starving, you could lick this dish clean and be satisfied. But it wouldn’t taste like anything you hadn’t eaten before. [June 2010 p74]
  2. Edge Magazine
    60
    It's simple, enjoyable, and in wisely steering clear of trying anything grand or complex, is an enjoyable if self-contained success. [May 2010, p.97]
  3. VideoGamer
    60
    In the last nine months we've had Batman: Arkham Asylum, Bayonetta and God of War 3 – all blockbuster titles that have raised the bar for action gaming. In the shadow of these juggernauts, this is a decidedly tame offering.
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