The Warriors: Co-op Hands-on

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So, we tried the mission again. This time, we went into options and tethered the camera option. With a tethered camera, the camera splits from two-player split-screen when you and your friend are about 15 or so feet away from one another. But it joins into one screen when you're within about 15 feet; if you've played War of the Monsters, the technique is looks similar. We also went in as a team. We robbed each shop together, systematically splitting the stores in two, and then when the cops came in to attack, we teamed up on them, and then bolted. The cops are tough, and sometimes it's best to run and hide than to fight. We talked, teamed-up, and the mission was a success.

Multiple Layers
Unlike so many traditional beat-'em-ups, this mission comprised more than just brawling. Brawling is just one aspect of the game...sure, it's the main focus, but it's also one of many various gameplay elements. We were required to rob five car stereos, which were scattered all over the map, so we explored. We had to rob 50 items, from jewels, cash, Molotov cocktails, whatever, from store fronts. That required exploration, collection, and teamwork. And we had to fight off cops and JSBs. In at least one instance, I was cuffed by the cops. When cuffed, you're down on the ground, and can't do a thing about it. However, your friend can uncuff you. Or if you've beaten up a cop, you can uncuff yourself, which is super sweet.

The mission, however, didn't end there. Once we collected all this stuff, we had to plant it, which meant we needed to find the cop car and stash stereos and other crap in their trunk. Then, we had to find the JSBs's place, divert their attention so we could sneak in, and then plant the evidence in their warehouse. This proved to be yet another cool little mini-game. As we snuck around a sleeping gang member on the floor, we explored the joint and planted items by locating hot spots that lit up when we found them.

Cooperate to lay down huge attacks.

The mission was complex and fun, surprising me with variation after variation. Beating people up was just the core upon which other mini-games and other aspects of gameplay were layered. At several points I did say out loud, "That's just like Manhunt, and that's just like GTA," but Rockstar isn't stealing from other folks, its borrowing from itself. The result, which is the important part, is that The Warriors felt like its own game.

Take an earlier mission, Payback, to compare. In it, we had to tag the crap out of the Destroyers' territory. There weren't two of us, like in the Bensonhurst Brooklyn mission, there were four or five. In this one, we had to find Destroyer tags and paint over them, while avoiding or fighting the Destroyers. Since you play as Rembrandt, you paint the "Ws", which requires a little mini-game. The camera swings in close and you maneuver the analog to "paint" a W over the other gang's mark. You must trace strange curlicues, Ws, circles, and other designs to complete the task, while keeping enemies at bay.

You can use the leader command system to have them "Cover Your Back" while doing it. In this mission, you probably want to keep the screen split, and you'll also want to play it together. Then again, you could split up and tag different locations separately, covering more ground faster. But you risk getting overpowered by other gang members, who are constantly covering their turf.

Time to Rumble
The last new aspect of the game we saw yesterday had little to do with the co-op mode, but does involve two players. Rumble Mode is a two-player versus mode that enables you and a friend to pit any of the 30-plus gangs against one another in five-on-five fights.

Take your friend on in Rumble Mode.

There are 19 unlockable arenas, and each one is totally different. And I don't just mean different polygons and textures. The arena I fought in had a band playing on a stage in a back alley lot. I jumped on the "stage" and banged into the guitar player, who promptly got pissed and then commanded his band, actually the gang the AC Turnbulls, to join in the fight. All of a sudden the brawl was a 15-person collision course with mayhem. Other arenas offer different objectives, like stealing 50 items in a certain amount of time, or painting your tag before the other guys, or whatever.

There is yet another mode of play, a secret mode that we were asked not to reveal, and it's even cooler than Rumble mode. Let's just say it's old school, and we'll let you figure out the rest.

Each time I see the Warriors, I see new layers of depth and creative gameplay packed neatly underneath its deceptively simple surface. From the short glances I've had thus far, The Warriors has proved to be anything but repetitive or shallow, which are my biggest worries going into reviewing it. Beat-'em-ups and brawlers have never been able to break out of the genre or beat the rap on depth, but Rockstar's The Warriors looks to change all that in a totally new way. Keep tuned to IGN for more footage, impressions, and media in the next few days.

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