The Shield is one of
those TV shows that ride the cutting edge of entertainment. Combined
with interesting characters and story lines and jaw dropping action,
The Shield is one of those shows I watch and record on my digital TV
recorder. So some time ago when I heard that they where making a
game, I was both excited and worried. How the heck where they going
to capture something like this show? This almost living breathing
adventure that sucks you in and does not let go? Just when you think
you can breathe easy something else happens that just makes you gasp
in surprise and awe. Now imagine the disappointment when the game
was delayed, and then canceled. Now jump ahead years later and the
game smashes onto store shelves in a not very imaginative box
display, and not much in the line of press at all.
In fact, since the
spine of the game box does not have the title on it for you to see,
unless you pick it up and look at the front, one would never know
what the heck the game was. But here it is, The Shield PC game. The
premise is pretty much like the TV show, Serve Justice by any means
necessary. You are detective Vic Mackey. Players experience the
recreation of the controversial television hit The Shield. Due to
language alone this game is not for the kids. Players command the
elite Strike Team police unit through 15 levels and 33 playable
areas raiding crack dens and criminal hideouts while taking down the
notorious Byz-Lat and One-Niner gangbangers. Through the game as Vic
the player has to be careful to keep the heat meter low so as not to
raise suspicion on them selves.
Operating outside the rules, sometimes Vic has to intimidate
suspects with a little force, be that smacking them with the butt of
a gun, or bashing them into the wall a bit. As for any evidence, be
that money or other contraband, players can stash it away for
themselves for a retirement fund, or turn some in for evidence to
lower the ol heat meter.
The game has it all
and parents be warned, Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence,
Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language. Just like the show,
it’s all in here. Now being a fan of the show I really wanted to cut
the game some slack… but the gamer in me just has to say this one is
not for the hard core gamers out there. The casual gamers though
will walk away with a good experience. Heck even the hard core gamer
may enjoy themselves for a few levels before the luster wears off of
the game concept.
Enemy and friend AI is not exactly spectacular, characters tend to
stand and make motions as if they are having some kind of mental
break down. The player controlled character tends to look just as
bad with its animations. There are certain tasks that can take place
such as searching for contraband or cash in a suspects living space,
but sometimes this sequence can be triggered in mid open space, with
Vic pulling contraband out of thin air. Wow I knew he was good but
that’s really something! In this time of next generation gaming, The
Shield tends to fall a little short.
Regrettably even
though The Shield claims to be and action type game based on a
gritty TV show, and yes it does have its share of Blood, violence,
partial nudity, sexual themes and strong language. The strongest
language should be from the gamer that purchases this thinking that
it will offer more depth than a casual game.
I’m a fan of the show so I’m morbidly playing the game through, but
you have been warned, don’t expect too much. Other than a good
distraction, and sometimes that’s all that’s needed.
Have fun, play games
Edwin Millheim
