Predator: Concrete Jungle
Encyclopedia
Predator: Concrete Jungle is an action-adventure
video game released in 2005 for the PlayStation 2
and Xbox
consoles. In the game the player controls a disgraced Predator
who must regain his honor by killing the humans who have stolen his technology. The game is named after a Dark Horse Comics
series of the same title.
who stalks and kills mob boss Bruno Borgia and members of his gang who are at war with the Irish Mob
. Bruno's wife Isabella shoots the Predator in the eye, causing his blood to splatter on her and her baby son Hunter Borgia. The Predator makes a hasty escape, leaving behind some of his equipment. As he attempts to reach his ship he is incapacitated by an explosion, and sets off the ship's self-destruct sequence but fails to kill himself. Shamed by defeat and having exposed his race to the humans, the Predator is exiled by his clan to a planet inhabited by deadly alien creatures.
One hundred years later, the Predator, now called Scarface, is offered a chance for redemption: Bruno's descendants have been using Predator technology derived from Scarface's abandoned equipment in New Way City, now known as Neonopolis, against other mobs and Predators. The warring mob factions all pay tribute to Lucretia Borgia, daughter of Hunter and granddaughter of Bruno. Scarface battles the various factions in order to recover the Predator technology. As the player progresses through the game the story and setting occasionally switch between the years 2030 and 1930, revisiting Scarface's hunting of Bruno.
Eventually it is revealed that MOTHER, the computer controlling Neonopolis, is actually Isabella who, along with her son, have aged slowly and been kept alive by Scarface's blood. Hunter has been kidnapping and experimenting on Predators and himself, using their genetic data to become a hybrid of human and Predator. Scarface destroys Isabella's tank, killing her while an aggravated Hunter kills Lucretia. Lucretia's ronin
guards sacrifice themselves to avenge her and assist Scarface in a final battle against Hunter, with Scarface eventually emerging the victor and taking Hunter's head as a trophy. Scarface is then recovered by his clan on a ship. Later, Lucretia is turned into a cyborg
by the recently-merged Weyland and Yutani corporations, and becomes the new MOTHER computer controlling Neonopolis.
, Predator
, and Alien vs. Predator
franchises. Hunter mentions to Lucretia that he knew Charles Bishop Weyland "before he disappeared"; Weyland appeared in the film Alien vs. Predator
(2004) leading an expedition to the Antarctic, where he was killed by a Predator. The Yutani Corporation is also mentioned, referencing the Weyland-Yutani Corporation of the Alien films. MOTHER, the name of the computer controlling New Way City in 2030, is also the name of the Nostromo' s computer intelligence in Alien
(1979). Several other references to the film franchises are made throughout the game, including the appearance of Aliens.
calling it "a good idea gone bad", citing the game's poor controls and awkward gameplay as factors. Similarly, Gamespot
criticized the game's storyline and graphics. Not all reviews were negative, however; MS Xbox praised the gameplay and sound elements in particular and referred to the game as "a neat addition to the family of Predator-inspired games to appear" while acknowledging that it would ultimately only really appeal to fans of the films.
Action-adventure game
An action-adventure game is a video game that combines elements of the adventure game genre with various action game elements. It is perhaps the broadest and most diverse genre in gaming, and can include many games which might better be categorized under narrow genres...
video game released in 2005 for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
and Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
consoles. In the game the player controls a disgraced Predator
Predator (alien)
The Predator is a fictional extraterrestrial species featured in the Predator science-fiction franchise, characterised by its trophy hunting of other dangerous species for sport, including humans and its fictional counterparts, Aliens....
who must regain his honor by killing the humans who have stolen his technology. The game is named after a Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
series of the same title.
Story
The game opens in 1930 in New Way City. The player controls a PredatorPredator (alien)
The Predator is a fictional extraterrestrial species featured in the Predator science-fiction franchise, characterised by its trophy hunting of other dangerous species for sport, including humans and its fictional counterparts, Aliens....
who stalks and kills mob boss Bruno Borgia and members of his gang who are at war with the Irish Mob
Irish Mob
The Irish Mob is one of the oldest organized crime groups in the United States, in existence since the early 19th century. Originating in Irish American street gangs of the 19th century — depicted in Herbert Asbury's 1928 book The Gangs of New York — the Irish Mob has appeared in most...
. Bruno's wife Isabella shoots the Predator in the eye, causing his blood to splatter on her and her baby son Hunter Borgia. The Predator makes a hasty escape, leaving behind some of his equipment. As he attempts to reach his ship he is incapacitated by an explosion, and sets off the ship's self-destruct sequence but fails to kill himself. Shamed by defeat and having exposed his race to the humans, the Predator is exiled by his clan to a planet inhabited by deadly alien creatures.
One hundred years later, the Predator, now called Scarface, is offered a chance for redemption: Bruno's descendants have been using Predator technology derived from Scarface's abandoned equipment in New Way City, now known as Neonopolis, against other mobs and Predators. The warring mob factions all pay tribute to Lucretia Borgia, daughter of Hunter and granddaughter of Bruno. Scarface battles the various factions in order to recover the Predator technology. As the player progresses through the game the story and setting occasionally switch between the years 2030 and 1930, revisiting Scarface's hunting of Bruno.
Eventually it is revealed that MOTHER, the computer controlling Neonopolis, is actually Isabella who, along with her son, have aged slowly and been kept alive by Scarface's blood. Hunter has been kidnapping and experimenting on Predators and himself, using their genetic data to become a hybrid of human and Predator. Scarface destroys Isabella's tank, killing her while an aggravated Hunter kills Lucretia. Lucretia's ronin
Ronin
A or rounin was a Bushi with no lord or master during the feudal period of Japan. A samurai became masterless from the death or fall of his master, or after the loss of his master's favor or privilege....
guards sacrifice themselves to avenge her and assist Scarface in a final battle against Hunter, with Scarface eventually emerging the victor and taking Hunter's head as a trophy. Scarface is then recovered by his clan on a ship. Later, Lucretia is turned into a cyborg
Cyborg
A cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial parts. The term was coined in 1960 when Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline used it in an article about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. D. S...
by the recently-merged Weyland and Yutani corporations, and becomes the new MOTHER computer controlling Neonopolis.
Gameplay
The game also has a number of bonus missions in which the player can earn rewards including costumes, weapons, and increased health and energy. A variety of weapons are used in the game, falling into the categories of melee and ranged weapons. A number of the weapons reflect those used in the Predator and Alien vs. Predator films, though others are new. The player can also use mines and bombs. Weapon upgrades are found in some of the stages. The player can also use items, such as medical kits which restore health. In first-person mode the player can use vocal mimicry to distract or lure an enemy, while in third-person mode the player can emit a loud roar.Production
Predator: Concrete Jungle makes several links between the films of the AlienAlien (franchise)
The Alien film series is a science fiction horror film franchise, focusing on Lieutenant Ellen Ripley and her battle with an extraterrestrial lifeform, commonly referred to as "the Alien"...
, Predator
Predator (franchise)
The Predator film series is a science fiction horror film franchise. Produced by 20th Century Fox, the series started in 1987 with the film Predator, which led to two sequels and novel, comic book and video game spin-offs....
, and Alien vs. Predator
Alien vs. Predator
Aliens vs. Predator, also known as Alien vs. Predator and Aliens versus Predator , is a science fiction-horror fiction series spanning several media. The series is a crossover between two film franchises about extraterrestrial beings: the Aliens and the Predators...
franchises. Hunter mentions to Lucretia that he knew Charles Bishop Weyland "before he disappeared"; Weyland appeared in the film Alien vs. Predator
Alien vs. Predator (film)
Alien vs. Predator is a 2004 American science fiction film directed by Paul W. S. Anderson for 20th Century Fox and starring Sanaa Lathan and Lance Henriksen. The film adapts the Alien vs. Predator crossover imprint bringing together the eponymous creatures of the Alien and Predator series, a...
(2004) leading an expedition to the Antarctic, where he was killed by a Predator. The Yutani Corporation is also mentioned, referencing the Weyland-Yutani Corporation of the Alien films. MOTHER, the name of the computer controlling New Way City in 2030, is also the name of the Nostromo
Alien (film)
Alien is a 1979 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm and Yaphet Kotto. The film's title refers to its primary antagonist: a highly aggressive extraterrestrial creature which...
(1979). Several other references to the film franchises are made throughout the game, including the appearance of Aliens.
Reception
Predator: Concrete Jungle was poorly received by critics, with IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
calling it "a good idea gone bad", citing the game's poor controls and awkward gameplay as factors. Similarly, Gamespot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
criticized the game's storyline and graphics. Not all reviews were negative, however; MS Xbox praised the gameplay and sound elements in particular and referred to the game as "a neat addition to the family of Predator-inspired games to appear" while acknowledging that it would ultimately only really appeal to fans of the films.
External links
- Predator: Concrete Jungle at EurocomEurocomEurocom is a British video game developer founded specifically to develop games for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Since then Eurocom has expanded to several other platforms including handheld game systems and most major video game consoles.The company was once famous for its arcade to console...
- Predator: Concrete Jungle at Game RankingsGame RankingsGameRankings is a website that collects review scores from both offline and online sources to give an average rating. It indexes over 315,000 articles relating to more than 14,500 games.GameRankings is owned by CBS Interactive...