The mode of operations is 16-player online battles with full headset support to throw shout-outs or talk doo-doo. Instead of a World War II battlefield, matches take place on city streets, inside mansions, and the like. In all, you have 15 maps to explore and kill on. I don't know about you, but I relish the opportunity to kill people in places that look like my own neighborhood. It makes things so much more cathartic and personal that way.
Individuality is important, even if you're laying face-down in a puddle of your own blood. That's why 25 To Life has an extensive character customization feature. It ranks right up there with the options allowed for creating your own wrestler in those games. Meticulously choose accessories and styles for every inch of your character's body, but remember: Red is for Bloods.
There's also a detailed single-player mode for those who get tired of being PWNED. It's penned by P. Frank Williams, a former writer for "The Source" who has moved on to writing for television. He adds an element of authenticity to the tale of two friends and members of the 22nd Street D-Boys, Freeze and Calderon. Freeze wants to get out of the game; Calderon isn't too down with that, so he sets up his homeboy. As a result, Freeze is sentenced to -- wait for it -- 25 to life.
On the side of the law, Officer Williams is an integral part of the plot, and will also be a playable character. Since he's on the side of the law, he'll be more apt to use non-lethal weapons like tasers. Why kill someone when you can watch them twitch around in the throes of electric shock?
25 To Life brings a new twist on online shooters, and its single-player mode looks to offer a hefty experience as well. It remains to be seen if the combat and gameplay flow will push it to the upper echelon of the genre, but at the very least it will offer the best soundtrack of its ilk -- with tracks from Geto Boys, PE, KRS One, and Xzibit.
