Software:Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance

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Short description: 2005 video game
Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance
Developer(s)Cavia
Publisher(s)Capcom
Director(s)Yasuhiro Seto
Nobuhiko Ikeuchi
Producer(s)Hironobu Takeshita
Makoto Oshitani
EngineRenderWare
Platform(s)PlayStation 2, Xbox
Release
Genre(s)Action role-playing, beat 'em up
Mode(s)Single-player

Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance, known in Japan as Beat Down (ビートダウン, Bīto Daun), is a beat 'em up action role-playing game for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. It was developed by Cavia and published by Capcom, and released in 2005. In it, the player takes the role of any of 5 gangsters, having been betrayed by their boss and scattered across the city. The player earns respect on the street by fighting enemies to take down a shadowy organization and gain control of Los Sombras. The player also has complete control of team-building and can free-roam for most of the game.

Gameplay

There are numerous moves that the player can use to beat their enemies including hand-to-hand combat, melee weapon combat and in the later stages of the game firearms such as pistols and shotguns. Powerful combination moves (referred to in-game as "combos") can be learned from a variety of NPCs in exchange for cash or upon reaching a certain skill level. During the course of the game, players can buy clothes or undergo plastic surgery to disguise themselves and evade the rival gangsters and police who pursue them. There is also a rating system based on three attributes: Cash Flow (including items), Leadership (gang size and respect) and Charisma (negotiating skill). These can all be altered by player's choices and have an effect on the ending received.

Aside from the fighting aspect of the game, there is also Negotiation system that can be accessed with most NPCs during a fight or casual conversation. For recruitable NPCs, there are five main negotiation options that are available to the player, and have varying outcomes depending on the specific circumstances they are used in. If in a fight, the enemy must be worn down sufficiently before negotiation can be successful. This is aided by using weapons, taunts and when the foe is low on health.

  • Recruit: This proposition can be used both in normal interaction and during a fight. If successful, the targeted NPC will be added to the player's crew and can be brought on missions and used to unlock minigames depending on their skills. Outside of a fight, it may prompt a NPC to attack the player, thus instigating a fight.
  • Rob: Outside of a fight, this consists of the player asking or swindling the NPC, though like recruiting it can be rejected by the NPC and instigate a fight. It is important to note that while NPCs cannot negotiate with the player, there are times the player can be robbed, such as when purchasing fake medicine on the black market dealers around Los Sombras.
  • Interrogate: This option consists of the player asking for information, and it can be used to find out about sales at local stores, job opportunities, and gameplay tips along with story-specific information, depending on the NPC targeted.
  • BeatDown: This can only be seen and used when in a one-on-one fight with a non-boss NPC, and consists of the player viciously beating the NPC to death in a special cut-scene. This removes the NPC for the remainder of the game and allows the player to take any items on the NPC's body. By doing this, the player risks attracting police attention and the police alertness level will quickly rise until the player leaves that neighborhood.
  • Cancel: This option simply ends the negotiation, including with NPCs who are hostile to the player, and can be used as a means of avoiding confrontation.

There are three game modes:

  • Story Mode - The main story mode of the game, divided into chapters. It is the only game mode which allows one to save their progress, and can be replayed multiple times in order to unlock new characters, moves and items. Certain endings and plot arcs can only be attained after multiple playthroughs with different characters.
  • Vs Mode Normal - This mode can only be played by loading a saved game file and using the characters on has unlocked. It allows the player to fight another player or the CPU with a team of up to three fighters each. The roster available depends on who the player has recruited in their particular save-file.
  • Vs Mode Custom - Similar to the other Versus mode, except that custom player characters can be added to the game with the same weapons, items and skills unlocked in story mode.

Plot

The player assumes the role of one of the five underworld enforcers: Raven, Jason G, Aaron, Gina or Lola. When they witnessed the dead bodies of the drug dealers in the warehouse as taking part of the drug dealing for money, they were betrayed by Las Sombras' powerful Mafia family led by Zanetti. The player splits up with the other enforcers and now must get their revenge against the Zanetti's gang members as well as being aware of the corrupted police department. Their only place to rely for help is in the bar called "The Hole". Inside, the leaders cooperate with Tracy, who is their informant. Working together to get their revenge is the only way to end this urban reality madness by recruiting, robbing, interrogating and even lay the "Beat Down" on gang members throughout Las Sombras. What's more important, the enforcers will also defend themselves through wearing various disguises to reduce the danger from being detected from either the Zanetti's gangs or the corrupted police officers.

Development

Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance was developed by the Japanese company Cavia. According to executive producer Tatsuya Minami, the game was created specifically to succeed in the US market. Initially conceived as a PS2 exclusive, Cavia quickly considered expanding development to other platforms and ended up choosing the Xbox due its strong sales in that same region.[5] Minami claimed that while producing Beat Down the team took into consideration games within the crime genre that were popular in the US. When asked if any films were a direct inspiration, he answered: "I can't think of any specific movie right now that influenced us but rest assured a staff of entirely Japanese people doing a game that takes place in a gritty American urban environment need to do plenty of research".[5]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
PS2Xbox
Edge4/10[6]4/10[6]
EGM4.33/10[7]4.33/10[7]
Eurogamer2/10[8]N/A
Famitsu30/40[9]30/40[10]
Game Informer5/10[11]5/10[11]
GameProStarStarHalf star[12]StarStarHalf star[12]
GameRevolutionD−[13]D−[13]
GameSpot5.2/10[14]5.2/10[14]
GameSpyStarStar[15]N/A
GameZone4.1/10[16]5/10[17]
IGN4.6/10[18]4.6/10[18]
OPM (US)StarStar[19]N/A
OXM (US)N/A6.5/10[20]
Detroit Free PressStarStar[21]N/A
The TimesStarStarStar[22]StarStarStar[22]
Aggregate score
Metacritic48/100[23]51/100[24]

The Xbox version received "mixed" reviews, while the PlayStation 2 version received "mixed or average reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[23][24] In Japan, however, Famitsu gave the game a score of 30 out of 40.[9][10]

References

  1. ↑ Bramwell, Tom (September 30, 2005). "What's New? (Super Catch-Up Alpha Plus 3)". https://www.eurogamer.net/a-whatsnew-300905. 
  2. ↑ Keller, Matt (September 26, 2005). "Updated Australian Release List - 26/09/05". http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3129&sid=eb7471f40fd239d4799d6dc23dafbc01. 
  3. ↑ Adams, David (August 23, 2005). "Beat Down Clobbers Retail" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/24/beat-down-clobbers-retail. 
  4. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (October 21, 2005). "Gaming Life in Japan" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/10/22/gaming-life-in-japan-72. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Onyett, Charles (May 20, 2005). "E3 2005: Tatsuya Minami Interview". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/20/e3-2005-tatsuya-minami-interview. Retrieved April 17, 2022. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Edge staff (October 2005). "Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance". Edge (Future plc) (154): 90. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 EGM staff (October 2005). "Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (196). 
  8. ↑ Coxall, Martin (October 13, 2005). "Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance (PS2)". Gamer Network. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_beatdownfov_ps2. Retrieved May 8, 2016. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "ビートダウン [PS2"] (in Japanese). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=8449. Retrieved December 18, 2018. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "ビートダウン [Xbox"] (in Japanese). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=8456. Retrieved December 18, 2018. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Zoss, Jeremy (September 2005). "Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance". Game Informer (GameStop) (149): 100. http://gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200509/R05.0927.1511.52328.htm. Retrieved May 8, 2016. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Funky Zealot (August 22, 2005). "Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance". GamePro (IDG Entertainment). Archived from the original on December 10, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20051210113145/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/47849.shtml. Retrieved May 9, 2016. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Hurh, JP (September 7, 2005). "Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on October 31, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141031075536/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/beat-down-fists-of-vengeance. Retrieved December 18, 2018. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Colayco, Bob (August 25, 2005). "Beatdown: Fists of Vengeance Review". CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/beatdown-fists-of-vengeance-review/1900-6131986/. Retrieved May 8, 2016. 
  15. ↑ Fischer, Russ (August 30, 2005). "GameSpy: Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance (PS2)". IGN Entertainment. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/beat-down-fists-of-vengeance/646749p1.html. Retrieved May 8, 2016. 
  16. ↑ Knutson, Michael (September 5, 2005). "Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance - PS2 - Review". Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080210081013/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r25805.htm. Retrieved May 9, 2016. 
  17. ↑ Valentino, Nick (September 6, 2005). "Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance - XB - Review". Archived from the original on February 29, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080229073919/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r25805.htm. Retrieved May 9, 2016. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Onyett, Charles (August 23, 2005). "Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/24/beat-down-fists-of-vengeance. Retrieved May 8, 2016. 
  19. ↑ "Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis): 107. October 2005. 
  20. ↑ "Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance". Official Xbox Magazine (Future US): 108. October 2005. 
  21. ↑ "RECENT RELEASES". Detroit Free Press. October 2, 2005. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Kendall, Nigel (October 1, 2005). "Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance". The Times. https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/article/beat-down-fists-of-vengeance-btczz8k5m2v. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance for PlayStation 2 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/beat-down-fists-of-vengeance/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved May 8, 2016. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Beat Down for Xbox Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/beat-down-fists-of-vengeance/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox. Retrieved May 8, 2016. 
  • Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance on IMDb
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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