25 to Life
That said, you have to wonder what the developers were thinking when they made 25 to Life. They probably wanted to create a gangsta fairy tale rife with coarse language and mature content. Maybe then they decided to throw in a massive arsenal of weapons and countless gunfights with an infinite army of thugs and police officers. And of course, they needed a hip-hop soundtrack full of superstars like 2Pac, DMX and Public Enemy to top it off.
The end result definitely invites controversy, but it doesn't deserve it - the game is so fantastical that it's hard to take it seriously. For example, how can a man who is trying to get out of the dope game for the sake of his son and girlfriend use innocent people as shields against an onslaught of cops? And why are two officers (including one rookie) the sole offensive against an entire citadel of gangsters? It's almost as if the developers came together and said "Screw realism, just make sure it's fun."
Oddly enough, 25 to Life is most enjoyable when you ignore the premise and the plot and think of it as a stripped-down action title for the game layman. There's a plethora of different weapons, from pipe bombs and sawed-off shotguns to MAC-10s and AK-47s, and there's never a shortage of ammo. Enemies are stupid, but they are plentiful, and popping up from behind a car to blow them away rarely gets old, even if it doesn't take much to outfox them.
Content Continues Below Advertisement Problems arise when you start to think about whether the game is "good," per se. It's best not to reach for an emotional bond with the characters, because it won't happen. And don't try to get into the plot, because it's just another urban drug tale that gets boring long before it begins. As for game play, don't wish for more moves and tactics, because they would only make the game more complicated than it should be.
Controversy aside, if you're the kind of gamer who doesn't really care about fresh ideas, the kind that would much sooner rent some simple shooting action than drop $50 on it, then perhaps 25 to Life is right up your alley. Those with more discerning palettes should avoid it. And if you only know coke as a beverage, then yes, maybe you're a little to young to be playing it at all.