It is definitely a game for the rap fanatic, although one should not get misled by the name, because characters are not limited to east coast MCs. As a matter of fact, it features fighters from the north, south, east and west.
Before even getting to fighting, graphics, functionality, characters and such, it is only appropriate to mention that the soundtrack on the game is one of the best hip-hop compilations you will hear in a while. Simply put, it`s "phat"!
Back to the game. The settings for the fights are awesome. They are very realistic in the sense that one would expect to find street fights taking place in all the venues.
It is also evident that the developers took time to ensure the characters resembled the stars they are meant to be. Even if you woke up in the middle of the night you would, as a rap fan, be able to recognise the characters in the game.
Besides making everything look pretty, the game has great functionality. You are able to clearly differentiate between different types of fighters - be they wrestlers, kick-boxers or just plain street fighters.
And the special fatality moves are murderous to say the least.
The 3D-effects also add to the euphoric state the game puts you in, from the time you start battling to get some street credibility in the New York underground fighting world.
Another bonus is the fact that it is not all about beating the hell out of your opponent (although that does help sometimes, especially if you have had a bad day and you need to vent).
The single-player campaign unfolds through a story format as you create, train and develop a fighter. You start off as an average Joe and as you win fights, you earn money and are able to go for training, buy some "fly" street clothes and jewellery and even get a tattoo.
It is good that the developers kept the street feel in the game, because basically that is what hip-hop and street fighting is all about - THE STREETS!
Kicking rapper butt
The array of characters makes buying the game worth it, although you quickly find out that the amount of points a player costs does not determine their ability to kick butt on the streets.
The game is blessed with a great range of fighters to choose from, including Carmen Electra and Snoop Dogg. Like most fighting games, the girls are the most agile and you might find yourself witnessing Li`l Kim beating the steam out of Busta Rhymes - something I would pay to see in real life.
In as far as 3D fighting games are concerned, Fight for New York is right up there with the best of them, especially for the hip-hop fans.
On a scale of one to 10, I would modestly give it an 11, simply based on the fact that the people who developed it must have an understanding of street fighting and hip-hop.
Final verdict: This game is a must-have for all those first-person hand-to-hand combat fans, and if you have been a good boy or girl all year, ask Santa to drop a copy in your stocking this Christmas, or alternatively, pick one up at your local game shop.
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