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PS2 | Action | NARC

Boxart for NARC
NARC 12 screen shots
  • GRAPHICS: 3.5
  • SOUND: 4.0
  • CONTROL: 3.5
  • FUN FACTOR 4.0
  • AVG USER SCORE 3.8
  • AVG CRITIC SCORE 2.3

Review: NARC

Review by Doctor Zombie | 04/04/2005 | 17:27:47 PM PST

There's more to NARC than just another GTA-wannabe. Will you be able to fight temptation in getting the job done?

Older video game fans will remember Midway's mid-1980s arcade game, NARC. Controversy brewed around the game's strong drug themes, and its 21st century progeny bears the same stigma. However, if you look past the hoopla, there's an enjoyable action/adventure game for adults here, and at a bargain price to boot.

Grand Theft NARC
You take on the roles of two NARC agents versus the forces of a crime lord who's pushing a super-drug called Liquid Soul. Gameplay is very similar to GTA, featuring third-person perspective action, free roaming in a vast urban environment, and taking on mini-missions to advance the storyline. The GTA analogy also is warranted as NARC is a Mature-rated game featuring extremely violent scenes that involve plenty of gunplay, liberal use of profanity, and adult themes.

The graphics are solid, especially the cinematic cut scenes, but its appeal is lowered by recurring pop-up--especially when dealing with corners and tight spaces. The controls are quite responsive, offering a wide assortment of combat moves, but the weak camera hinders them. A Hollywood ensemble cast delivers strong voice performances, and its 70s retro hits soundtrack move the story along nicely.

An Action "Fix"
GTA fans needing a "fix" during the years-long wait for the next installment won't be disappointed with NARC, especially with its $19.95 price tag that delivers solid bang for your buck. NARC's controversial focus on extensive drug use is also a hook for this game, but not in an exploitive sense.

You choose whether to play "good cop" and follow all the rules, or "bad cop" and break the law by taking drugs to achieve your goals. However, either choice has direct ramifications on your ability to finish the game. Just as in real life, the temptation to take the drugs in the game is realistic, but so are the drastic consequences, thereby raising NARC above just-another-violent-action-shoot-em-up status.


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