Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Getaway: Black Monday delivers a robust blend of driving, shooting, and stealth mechanics that keep the action flowing across its dual protagonists. Each mission typically unfolds in two acts: first you’ll navigate London’s streets behind the wheel, then you’ll disembark and engage in on-foot combat or sneaking. The driving segments feel weighty and deliberate, with vehicles that respond to collisions and damage in a realistic manner. You’ll find yourself weaving through traffic, evading police roadblocks, and occasionally piloting hijacked buses to evade multiple pursuers.

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Sgt Mitchell’s missions emphasize tactical engagement—clearing rooms, securing suspects, and coordinating with backup. His police-grade weapon set and ability to call for support lend a methodical pace to these scenarios. Conversely, when you switch to Eddie O’Conner, the emphasis shifts to desperation. Eddie’s limited arsenal, improvised boxing moves, and frantic need to avoid or neutralize both the law and rival gangs create a pulse-pounding contrast. This duality keeps the gameplay fresh, as you must adapt your approach depending on whose shoes you’re in.

Stealth and close-quarters combat benefit from a surprisingly deep moveset. You can sneak behind enemies, perform silencers, cuff hostages, and even use melee strikes with your weapon’s butt to incapacitate foes quietly. Sam’s sections introduce verticality and tight spaces: crawling through vents, slipping under barriers, and pilfering laptops without raising alarm. These varied mechanics combine to form a layered experience where brute force isn’t always the best option.

Free-roaming through a faithful digital London adds an open-world flavor between story beats. You can explore neighborhoods, commandeer virtually any parked vehicle, and even run on foot when pursuit intensifies. While the main storyline drives you forward, the chance to detour down back alleys or test your driving skills on the Thames Embankment provides welcome variety and replayability.

Graphics

Visually, The Getaway: Black Monday shines in its recreation of early-2000s London. Streets, landmarks, and residential blocks carry a lived-in authenticity—the graffiti-sprayed estate blocks, the distinct double-decker buses, and the labyrinthine council estates are all rendered with impressive detail. Day-night transitions and dynamic weather further enhance immersion, from foggy dawn raids to rain-slicked streets reflecting neon signs.

Character models are crafted with a gritty realism that suits the game’s tone. Facial animations during cutscenes capture tension and emotion effectively, though some pedestrian models can feel slightly stiff during crowds. Still, the interplay of light and shadow on Mitchell’s riot gear or Eddie’s bruised face after a brawl lends cinematic weight to key moments.

Environmental variety keeps the visuals engaging: one moment you’re storming through a drab housing project, the next you’re weaving through glass-fronted office towers. Interiors—from seedy safehouses to bustling police stations—are packed with atmospheric props, ambient dialogue, and period-accurate details such as 2003-model PCs and payphones.

The driving damage model stands out: fenders crumple, windows shatter, and engines sputter realistically. Even small dents and scuffs accumulate over a chase, reminding you that every collision has consequences. Combined with smooth frame rates and clear UI indicators, the graphics support both spectacle and practical gameplay feedback.

Story

The narrative follows two intertwined perspectives, creating a crime saga that unfolds like a gritty London crime drama. Sgt Mitchell’s first shift back in the MET’s Organised Crime Squad begins with a dawn raid that spirals out of control. His colleagues grow suspicious, the criminal underworld moves swiftly, and the most powerful man in London lurks behind the scenes. Playing Mitchell’s side introduces you to the bureaucratic tensions and moral gray areas of police work.

Switching to Eddie O’Conner’s viewpoint flips the script: you experience the aftermath of a bank heist gone wrong. With his crew wiped out and the police hunting him, Eddie’s desperation fuels every decision. Sam, the teenage thief, acts as both sidekick and occasional lens for new perspectives—her expertise in sneaking and small-time capers sheds light on events that appear opaque in Mitchell’s chapters.

The dual-perspective structure is the game’s narrative anchor. Events that seem baffling or contradictory from one side of the law are clarified when replayed with the other protagonist. This storytelling device rewards attentive players, revealing layered betrayals, hidden alliances, and the true identity of the puppet master orchestrating chaos in London.

Voice acting and dialogue deliver an authentic, sometimes raw, atmosphere. Mitchell’s measured commands contrast well with Eddie’s frenzied shouts, and Sam’s youthful banter lightens darker moments. While a few lines can veer into cliché, the overall script remains grounded and engaging throughout the roughly 10–12 hour campaign.

Overall Experience

The Getaway: Black Monday stands out by marrying a cinematic crime narrative with varied gameplay mechanics and an authentic open-London setting. Whether you’re dodging traffic during a high-speed pursuit or methodically clearing rooms with Mitchell, the game maintains a steady tension. Switching to Eddie and Sam provides fresh challenges that prevent the experience from growing repetitive.

Some players might find the pacing uneven—long driving segments can feel like extended cruises between action, and the occasional checkpoint placement during foot chases can frustrate. However, these moments are balanced by high-stakes shootouts, clever stealth puzzles, and the satisfaction of piecing together the full picture through dual viewpoints.

In terms of immersion, few games capture the pulse of London’s underworld so effectively. The soundtrack, ambient chatter, and authentic radio chatter from police dispatches reinforce the sense of being part of a sprawling, unpredictable metropolis. Side missions and hidden collectibles encourage exploration, while the main storyline delivers enough twists to keep you hooked until the credits roll.

For fans of crime dramas and open-world action titles, The Getaway: Black Monday offers a memorable journey through London’s darkest corners. Its blend of varied gameplay, a moody graphical presentation, and a tightly woven narrative makes it a strong recommendation for anyone seeking a mature, story-driven shooter with driving elements and real-world immersion.

Retro Replay Score

6.7/10