The Crow: City of Angels (video game)

The Crow: City of Angels

North American PlayStation cover art
Developer(s) Gray Matter Inc.
Publisher(s) Acclaim Entertainment
Platform(s) PlayStation, Saturn, Windows
Release date(s) PlayStation
  • NA February 28, 1997
  • EU April 1997
  • JP April 25, 1997
Saturn
  • NA March 12, 1997
  • EU April 1997
  • JP April 25, 1997
Windows
  • NA February 1997
  • EU April 1997
Genre(s) Beat 'em up
Mode(s) Single-player
Distribution CD-ROM

The Crow: City of Angels is a 1997 game for Sega Saturn, Sony PlayStation and PC. It is loosely based on the movie of the same name. The player assumes the role of the hero of the film, Ashe Corven. It is the only video game in The Crow franchise.

Plot

The game follows the same plot of the movie on which it is based: mechanic Ashe Corven and his son Danny are brutally murdered by a gang of lowlife thugs, led by Judah Earl. Resurrected by a crow and acquiring supernatural powers with the help of artist and new friend Sarah, Ashe now seeks vengeance on his murderers.

Gameplay

The gameplay style is similar to a traditional six-directional side-scrolling beat 'em up, viewed from an isometric perspective. All objects and characters are 3D polygonal models, imposed over 2D pre-rendered backgrounds. The game is virtually identical across the three platforms it was released for, the main difference between them being that the PC version has sharper 2D-rendered backgrounds, due to its higher screen resolution.[1]

Ashe's primary method of fighting enemies is hand-to-hand combat, consisting of basic punches and kicks. He also has the ability to pull off more acrobatic moves using various button combinations. Along the way various weapons can be found, including knives, bottles, handguns and shotguns. During the course of the game, Ashe encounters various bosses (the main villains from the film).

Reception

The Crow: City of Angels was almost universally panned upon its release. The game's average user score at GameRankings is only 23.50%.[2]

According to GamePro, "asinine gameplay and horrible graphics" made the game "a turkey".[3] Sega Saturn Magazine gave the game the score of 67%, but commented: "Best avoided."[4] PC Gamer US gave it 32%, calling it "the worst movie license fighting game since Expect No Mercy."[5] A Game Revolution reviewer went on to say: "The Crow: City of Angels is one of the worst titles I've ever seen. Avoid all contact with this game."[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ferris, Duke (2008-12-03). ""The Crow: City of Angels" review at GameRevolution". Game Revolution. Retrieved 2004-09-06.
  2. ↑ "The Crow: City of Angels". Game Rankings. 1997-02-28. Retrieved 2011-01-13.
  3. ↑ GamePro 95 (June 1997), page 76
  4. ↑ Official Sega Saturn Magazine 21
  5. ↑ PC Gamer Online

External links