Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Stranglehold delivers an unapologetically explosive combat system that puts you in the shoes of Inspector “Tequila” Chow, a veteran cop who thrives outside the rulebook. At its core, the game combines tight third-person shooting with visceral hand-to-hand combat, letting you smoothly switch between dual-wielded pistols, shotguns, machine guns, grenades and rocket launchers. The pacing never lets up as hundreds of enemies flood every environment, encouraging you to master both firepower and acrobatic movement.

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The signature feature, Tequila Time, slows the world around you and turns chaotic gunfights into cinematic bullet-dodging ballets. Activating it manually or triggering it via environmental stunts—sliding under carts, vaulting over tables, bouncing off stair rails—feels exhilarating every time. Layered on top of that is the Tequila Bomb system, a set of super moves you unlock by gathering hidden origami cranes or earning Style Points. These special attacks, from a healing health boost to a dramatic spin-kick that showers the battlefield in white doves, add strategic depth and spectacle.

Style Points are awarded for creative kills during Tequila Time or clever use of the environment—think ricocheting shots or launching foes off balconies. Chain enough stylish takedowns and you’ll trigger Style Combos, filling your Tequila Bomb Gauge faster and unlocking bonus art from the main menu. This scoring system incentivizes you to replay encounters with flair rather than brute force. To break up the gunfights, the game stages classic John Woo–inspired Mexican standoffs, where you lean left or right to dodge incoming fire and engage enemies one-on-one.

Beyond the single-player thrill ride, Stranglehold offers an online multiplayer mode for up to six players. With both Free-For-All and Team Deathmatch options, you can test your bullet-ballet skills against human opponents and track your stats in a dedicated lobby. While the community never reached blockbuster proportions, those who jump in will find a polished, fast-paced shooter that extends the value of Tequila’s adrenaline-fueled world.

Graphics

Visually, Stranglehold is a testament to Midway’s ambition to capture John Woo’s iconic style in interactive form. Levels brim with destructible objects—wooden tables splinter under gunfire, ceramic vases shatter into fragments, and chandeliers crash down in spectacular fashion. This interactivity isn’t just flair; it invites you to turn ordinary offices, nightclubs and industrial warehouses into your own personal obstacle course.

Character models are impressively detailed for their time, with Tequila’s signature tank top and tuxedo combo looking every bit as cool as it sounds. Enemy animations feel weighty, and ragdoll physics ensure that each kill carries a sense of impact. Lipsync and facial expressions during cutscenes strike a good balance between stylized and grounded, keeping you invested in the story even as bullets fly.

Lighting and particle effects add further polish. Gunfire casts sharp bursts of illumination, while muzzle flashes and smoke linger realistically in the air. During Tequila Time, a subtle color filter washes over the battlefield, turning ordinary skirmishes into slow-motion set pieces. The game’s art direction leans heavily on noir aesthetics—neon signs glow, rain baths the streets in reflections and every level is framed like a dramatic action film.

Story

The plot of Stranglehold thrusts you into the middle of a brutal gang war in Hong Kong. A new triad called the Golden Kane, ruthless and ambitious, threatens the long-standing Dragon Claw clan led by the venerable James Wong. When James’s daughter, Billie Wong, and her young daughter Teko are kidnapped by the Zakarov Syndicate, veteran cop Inspector Tequila takes it upon himself to rescue them—despite orders to stand down.

Tequila’s personal connection to Billie adds emotional weight to the proceedings. Their past relationship and the birth of Teko complicate what might otherwise be a straightforward revenge tale. As Tequila storms through warehouses, docks and night markets, the narrative unfolds through cinematic cutscenes and in-engine dialogue, balancing moments of quiet reflection with sudden bursts of gunplay.

While the story occasionally leans on genre tropes—corrupt superiors, gang betrayals and heroic last stands—it never feels rote. John Woo’s influence is evident not only in the action but in the melodrama, with teary farewells and honor-bound confrontations that mirror his films. The result is a storyline that perfectly complements the gameplay’s high-octane energy, keeping you motivated to see Tequila’s mission through to the end.

Overall Experience

Stranglehold stands out as an action gem that channels the best of Hong Kong cinema into an engaging interactive experience. Its high-adrenaline gunfights, inventive slow-motion stunts and snappy weapon variety make each level feel like a set piece from a blockbuster film. The tight controls ensure that both gunplay and hand-to-hand combat feel responsive, while the environment always offers new ways to outsmart your foes.

Though the story is familiar in its premises, the emotional stakes—rooted in Tequila’s personal quest to protect Billie and Teko—lend the game a surprising heart. Multiplayer mode, while modest, provides a welcome arena to practice your acrobatics against real opponents. Unlockables, such as concept art and bonus weapons, reward repeat playthroughs and add longevity beyond the main campaign.

For fans of John Woo’s films, classic shooters or anyone craving relentless, cinematic action, Stranglehold remains a must-play. Its blend of style, thrills and strategic gunplay ensures that each firefight is more than just a sequence of kills—it’s an orchestrated dance of bullets, balance and bravado. Strap in, activate Tequila Time, and enjoy one of the most entertaining action-shooters of its era.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10