Not to be confused with the 1979 arcade fighting game (Warrior), The Warriors is a beat’em up game made by Rockstar Toronto and published by Rockstar Games. The game was released on October 17, 2005 for the PlayStation 2 and the original Xbox and later the PlayStation portable as well as the PlayStation 3 on May 28,2013 via PlayStation Network. This game was also released on the PlayStation 4 on July 5,2016 via PlayStation. The game was based on the 1979 film with the same name and it was based on 1965 Novel of the same name. The game takes place in 1970’s New York City . The story follows a street gang called the Warriors, who were framed for a murder that they didn’t commit and have to fight their way to back to Coney Island where the gang resides.
Gameplay
The Warriors is an Action-Adventure game that focuses on brawling. Like most Rockstar games it has mature elements such as violence, drug and alcohol use, Adult Language, Partial Nudity and strong sexual themes. The main characters are Cleon: The leader, Swan: The Luitentant, Vermin and Cowboy : The Loyal Ones, Ajax and Snow: The Heavy Muscle, Fox: The Scout, Cochise: The Harlem Native and Rembrandt and Ash : the Graffiti Artist/ Recruit. Unlike the Grand theft auto games this game focuses on hand to hand combat. The Warriors’ hangout serves as a hub where the player can strengthen the playable character, Replay missions, listen to radio for the aftermath of the previous missions talk to the other gang members and play rumble mode which is the pinball machine also when the player beats the game there is an arcade game called Armies of the night which based off of Double Dragon. Outside the hangout, the player can explore The Warriors’ territory and some tasks like repelling the invading gangs or Feeding the homeless people. After preforming these tasks the player will be rewarded with Brass Knuckles and steel toe boots and subdue enemies with handcuffs. One the left side the screen there is the rage bar which fills up the player keeps on attacking once filled the player can unleash the characters rage which allows the player to be invincible for short period of time. On the bottom of the character’s feet is the characters health bar if goes low the player can buy Flash from the flash dealer which cost $20 to replenished the players’ health. along with the health bar there is gray bar which represents the amount of time you can hold a person. There are 18 missions in this game missions 1-13 is 3 months earlier and missions 14-18 are the events that happened in the movie. Also 5 flashbacks missions where it tells how each character started and joined the warriors.
Plot
The game starts off just like the movie following a gang named the Coney Island Warriors. 90 days earlier The Warriors led by Cleon was recruiting his newest member of the gang a graffiti artist by the name of Rembrandt. After his recruitment Rembrandt and the Warriors set out to build their reputation by defeating their rivals The Destroyers who reside on the eastern side of Coney Island, competing in graffiti contest in SoHo, helping the Saracens set up their rivals The Jones Street Boys and some corrupt police officers in Bensonhurst and finally going all city by tagging the new subway cars in Pelham Trainyard. On July 13,1979, The Riffs leader Cyrus issues a meeting with all of the Gangs of New York City at Van Courtland Park and The Warriors got invited. Cleon tells Swan to gather the chosen delegates for the meeting in the Bronx. On the night of meeting, Cyrus Proposes that the gangs to take every part of the city and everyone like the idea and started cheering. Amongst the crowd The Rouges’ leader Luther pulled out his gun and shot Cyrus. once Cyrus was killed At that moment Chaos erupted, in the confusion Luther frames Cleon and the Warriors. Hearing this The Riffs beat Cleon to death and puts a hit on the warriors on the radio. After escaping Van Courtland Park Swan took over as War chief and headed to the next train station which was in Turnbull A.C turf. The Warriors got on the Train After running from the Turn bulls that had the intent with killing or capturing the maroon clad gang. While on enroute to Brooklyn the train stopped at Tremont due to the tracks on fire leaving the warriors to go on foot. Only to re encounter The Orphans who were going let the Warriors leave until the leader’s ex girlfriend Mercy insulted her ex and his gang. Swan throws a Molotov Cocktail at a car and ran to the next train with Mercy in tow. The Warriors and Mercy arrived at the 96th street on Broadway However the police lockdown the station. Once they were detected by a patrolling police officer the warriors split up Swan, Ajax, Snow and Cowboy went upstairs while Cochise, Vermin and Rembrandt went to Union Square. While trying to catch up with the others, Fox and Mercy encountered another a cop Patrolling the station Mercy escaped but Fox struggled with the cop and was thrown into an oncoming train. While upstairs Swan, Ajax, Snow, and Cowboy encounter the Baseball Furies who chase them in to riverside park and then engage them. After the fight Ajax notices a woman sitting alone tries to have sex with her turns out she was an undercover cop and he was arrested. Meanwhile Vermin, Cochise and Rembrandt were waiting for the others but met the Lizzies and were taken to their hangout only to realize it was trap and found out that all the gang in the city were looking for them after they supposedly killed Cyrus . Swan meets up with Mercy traveled together to Union Square to meet up with the others but were stalked by the Punks. Once Swan and Mercy met up with the other Warriors they ambushed the Punks in the train station’s bathroom. The Riffs got a tip off from a gang member who witness the person that shot Cyrus. The Warriors finally reached Coney Island but The Rouges were waiting for them and chased the Warriors to the beach. The Rouges’ leader Luther openly admits that he killed Cyrus. Swan engages Luther one on one but Luther pulls out his gun Swan throw his knife at Luther disarming him. The Riffs arrive and told the Warriors that they were innocent and allowed to walk back to their hangout while they deal with the Rouges. The game ends with Swan, his new girlfriend Mercy and the rest of the warriors walking back to their hangout as their run through the city was over.
Reception
The Warriors game received positive reviews after it’s released. Ign giving it an 8 out of 10 for deep combat and control and Metacritic gives this game a 85 out of 100 for it’s unique seedy underbelly style along with it’s music. I myself love this game and I beaten this game myself numerous times
Gamer's World 