Stranglehold

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
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  1. Play Magazine
    90
    Stranglehold is fun. It's fun in a "God hand" way. [Oct 2007, p.81]
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  2. Cheat Code Central
    84
    It delivers on its tagline of being a true John Woo experience and then some. While the game may have suffered several delays, I can honestly say that all of the push-backs have been well worth the wait, and it easily strangles all competitors.
  3. GameZone
    82
    Like a true action-packed cinematic spectacle, Stranglehold delivers a number of spectacular moments that will not fail to dazzle hardcore fans of the genre.
  5. IGN
    81
    There are a lot of mindless shooters on the market, but none of them immerse you in John Woo's world. And that's where Stranglehold stands out. This is the true sequel to Hard Boiled, which means Stranglehold is more about style than substance.
  6. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    80
    Stranglehold has a cool-as-anything hero, a strong story, a great pick-up-and-play vibe and - later on - a genuinely taxing tactical side. It is, in short,one of the most exciting games of any genre on PS3. [Oct 2007, p.84]
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  7. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    80
    An exhilarating shooter brushed with John Woo's genius, Stranglehold plays like Max Payne in a bag of snakes. [Oct 2007, p.8]
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  8. GameDaily
    80
    It's a quintessential PS3 action game, even with its weak multiplayer option.
  9. GameSpy
    80
    The game is short, explosive and downright slick and it's everything we hoped it was going to be.
  10. AceGamez
    80
    The promises of fully destructible environments and John Woo signature shootouts just seemed too good to be true. But Midway stepped up to the plate and proved all the skepticism dead wrong, producing one of the most viscerally appealing videogames to be released in years.
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  11. PSM3 Magazine UK
    78
    The gunplay is astonishingly entertaining, but Stranglehold sorely lacks any variety. [Nov 2007, p.70]
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  12. PSX Extreme
    77
    It presents a nice visual package, but an even better adrenaline-rushing gameplay experience that really has you engrossed all throughout the game. The controls take some time to get used to, and the graphics aren't super hot, but they do the job well enough.
  13. Game Over Online
    76
    Taken as a whole, Stranglehold is a well-made, but short and shallow gaming experience that ends up being best suited for a rental and not worth its asking price for anyone expecting a game with a lot of depth to it.
  14. Gaming Age
    75
    Brainless shooters are one thing, but with an interesting storyline and the world of John Woo controllable in the palm of your hands, action fans should flock around this one as it offers much “bang” for the buck.
  15. 1UP
    75
    While the story and writing are reasonably solid, they're not nearly riveting enough to outweigh the too-simple, occasionally glitchy nature of the fundamental game.
  16. Worth Playing
    75
    Stranglehold is the poster child for the creation of a new category of very short, lower-priced games that hold together over their abbreviated length.
  17. PTGamers
    75
    Stranglehold is a good action game that could have been much better. The story should be more compelling, way beyond a basic excuse to shoot everything that moves.
  18. Gamers' Temple
    74
    If you’re interested in checking out a game that plays differently from most of the action shooters out there, then Stranglehold is worth a look. However, don’t be surprised if you find yourself getting a bit tired of the whole thing before you reach the end despite the game’s short length.
  19. Hardcore Gamer
    70
    There are those who would call a game such as this "shallow", and with good reason: most games like this are. However, most games that subscribe to this concept don't allow you the freedom of movement or tactics that Stranglehold does. [Nov 2007, p.56]
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  20. GameSpot
    70
    For as long as it lasts, Stranglehold delivers a satisfying, if somewhat derivative action game experience.
  21. DarkStation
    70
    Just like I said in my review of the Xbox 360 version of Stranglehold, I truly believe this is a game that is worth checking out, it doesn't take itself to seriously and makes for a good experience.
  22. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    70
    Still, the single-player is entertaining enough, with a lot off the fun of John Woo's original movie. [Jan 2008, p.83]
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  23. Play UK
    65
    Balletic it ain't. There are plenty of shoot-outs, though, but these see you jumping about like a loon while you wish they would just end. If anything should ever have 'Rental' stamped on it, then this is it. [Issue#159, p.72]
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Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Best PS3 Game of 2007
39
#39 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2007
47
#47 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2007

User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 62 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 62
  3. Negative: 4 out of 62
  1. legendarysnake1
    Sep 27, 2019
    5
    So... i didnt watched the movie but playing though the first level kinda give this game a bad impression. The framerate is low, its ugly, forSo... i didnt watched the movie but playing though the first level kinda give this game a bad impression. The framerate is low, its ugly, for me the framerate is more a problem than the graphics. The main problem is: all you do is shoot, shoot and shoot! Ok, its cool to see the scenary geting destroyed and flying all over the place, but god! Its so repetitive. And tequila has no charisma.
    Its cliche, but i wish it has more than this.
    Also the FOV is so bad, its too close, and thats a problem cause it can gives you headache and motionsickness. Also theres no options to enable subtitles OR even make the camera turn faster(it turns too slow).
    After playing the amazing WET game, geting to that its like a huge deception.
    If you like a repetive and mindless 3 person shooter, thats for you.
    Its playable but its like a dynasty warrior game, just kill, kill and kill.    … Full Review »
  2. Rgk0
    Aug 30, 2016
    7
    Gli occhialini da sole del protagonista di questo gioco sono incollati alla sua faccia con il Super Attack, anche se lui si tuffa inGli occhialini da sole del protagonista di questo gioco sono incollati alla sua faccia con il Super Attack, anche se lui si tuffa in slowmotion dalle scale mentre spara con un mitra loro rimangono lì per dargli sempre un'aria da "Sbirro Incazzato che non ha nulla da Perdere".
    Il protagonista tale "Inspettore Yuen" in arte "Tequila" dovrà farsi strada tra tutti quei clichè che caratterizzano i film d'azione Americani come le esplosioni, le frasi fighe,i Mafiosi, le morti random per dare due emozioni spicce, le esplosioni, poliziotti morti, elicotteri che esplodono e il Capitano di polizia sfigato che minaccia di esonerarti dalla polizia ma tu non lo caghi perchè sei un duro e quindi dici YOLO e vai da solo contro tutta la Mafia Cinese, Russa, Italiana, Giapponese, Colombiana, Serbo-Croata, San Marinese ecc... per (udite, udite) SALVARE LE PROPRIE FIGLIE RAPITE ! ommiodio non ho mai sentito una trama simile.
    Il Gameplay è tutto sommato ben fatto, lanciarsi su tavoli, scale e lampadari è sempre figo, i comandi sono belli lisci e le abilità speciali sono ben studiate, la grafica pure non è per niente male per un gioco del 2007 e l'enorme distruttibilità degli ambienti rende il tutto più dinamico e "realistico" per quello che si può dire di un gioco in cui un uomo stermina da solo un'esercito di Mafiosi da ogni paese del mondo.    … Full Review »
  3. amateurcritic2
    May 30, 2016
    10
    so much fun its so over the top but thats the point of the game it doesntg have an mazing story bu who cares its really not the point of theso much fun its so over the top but thats the point of the game it doesntg have an mazing story bu who cares its really not the point of the game. Just shoot people do backflips and all that its basically a chinese toned down saints row.… Full Review »
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