Mark Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure Xbox Review

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March 13th, 2006 Jason Rybka Leave a comment Go to comments

There are many forms of art in the world to appreciate. If you have ever been to New York City, or any big city, I am sure you have seen graffiti. I can appreciate the time that goes into the more complicated ones as seen on subway trains and buildings. While to some it’s still defacing property and a form of vandalism, I will agree it is an art form.

This is not to say I am really into the artists or have a strong interests since I can’t even draw a straight line, never mind giving me a spray can and telling me to create art. Marc Ecko helped write this game’s story and was hands on in all aspects of the game. It’s not just about going around and tagging walls and rival gangs. It really has several different genres mixed in to make it interesting. The real question is this a title that will appeal to everyone? Read the full review of Marc Ecko’s getting up Contents under Pressure and find out.

Gameplay

There are two version of the game. The special edition comes with a 30 minute documentary about the history of graffiti artists and their lives. The regular version has a short intro that is enough to get you up to date and informed to play the game. You take on the role of Trane who wants to be the next underground legend. He has skills with a spray can, no doubt about that. He also has some skills needed to take on someone and kick butt. Perhaps his best talents are his acrobatic moves that are required to reach each new area. Players will be given a certain goal and then you must find a way to each area while avoiding gang members and the police. At times some of the targets are very high up and other times they are surrounded by buildings. Trane will have to hang from ledges, slide down pipes and poles to reach certain areas.

While Trane has dreams of being another great underground legend, the city has decided to clean up and has made things harder for Trane to reach certain areas. Here is where the story takes a little time to find believable. The Mayor has plans and of course its not to help the city but instead help his own interests. Soon the story switches to a fight between the hero and the government and tackles issues of censorship and other headlines right out of today’s headlines. While entertaining and well cast, the story is a bit of a stretch. Trane gets the 411 on where the cops are and even rivals he needs to take on by several people including a young ace news reporter trying to get to the bottom of the Mayors real motives.

At times the story will jump as around â€” one minute you need to find a certain gang leader and take them on and earn rep and then the next minute you will have to avoid the cops and stop the plans of the Mayor. Trane must use his art along with stealth and brawn to accomplish his dreams. The city looks futuristic and while a bit far fetched is believable thanks to the talented cast and great voice acting. More on that in the audio section but it is important since without the great acting and interesting characters the story would just seem too out there.

Each area has several goals Trane needs to earn rep by tagging objects and leaving his mark over other artists work. Then there is a battle in almost every level. The fighting system is decent but has a few minor problems, nothing that will ruin the game but it may frustrate players trying to get every goal and item in the game. Trane is armed at first with limited supplies and will need to earn or find more to get higher rep points for his work. Later in the game he can use a spray can and a lighter for the tougher battles and starts looking like a street Rambo but it fits the story line. The best missions are the ones that require Trane to climb up to tag a billboard or building. Here players will see a few moves that will certainly remind them of the Tomb Raider series or Prince of Persia . You get the feel of being at a dangerous height and when battling on a small plank or ledge it is a challenge.

I have to give credit to the makers for allowing players to feel like they are in each situation and the realistic aspects of a futuristic story. Without this realistic feeling, Getting Up would have failed. For those who want to earn and find every item, there are legendary artists to find and new Itunes for your Ipod along with several new art packs that when used will up your street rep faster. Finding many of these items are not easy and it will take hours to find everything. Trane has the ability to sense things â€” a little hard to explain but he will see certain places glowing that are clues. Of course this ability has its limitations and you will need to replenish the meter and Trane’s health to keep using this ability.

Overall the gameplay is interesting and throws a lot at the player but in a way that is not overwhelming. As with any video game, you have to keep in mind that this is not real and you need to have that mind set the game is enjoyable and offers plenty of challenges and some cool stages or mission. I won’t go deeper into the story as it would ruin it for those wanting to play it fully. It captures the urban feeling and does it well. At times there are a few issues with the graphics that may cause Trane to fail or need to restart a mission but overall for having a huge area to explore they did a good job.

Control / Playability

As I stated earlier, I am not an artist and thankfully this is not required to do well to complete the game. As you earn new gear, the bonuses will increase and while the book talks about rewards for no drips and style this is a bit misleading. The controls are pretty easy to learn but will take about 30 minutes to know when to switch certain items or use Trane’s ability to see clues. As far as creating the actual graffiti, most of it is as simple as walking up hitting the right trigger and then hitting the X button.

Later once you earn new gear, there are more complicated controls but the screen gives constant tips and they are easy to understand. The brawling is a bit off balanced and really a mix of wearing out or meeting a goal then beating or stunning them and moving on. The controls are well laid out and respond great, but it will take some time to remember each button and learn the combos when in brawling mode.

Graphics / Presentation

For the most part the graphics look great. Since you play in the third person view, it’s easier to navigate on ledges or pipes. Occasionally there are a few graphic issues where an object looks close enough to reach or a few clipping issues especially when fighting someone. Its not constant and once you learn where it happens you can adjust to it pretty easily. Each new character you meet looks great, they also added some cool vehicles while in the city levels. The only major flaw is that all the police you will battle look the same and can get a little boring. The effects of being high up or leaping look great and really offers plenty to the overall title.

Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure Xbox Screenshot

Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure Xbox Screenshots

Audio

The music is of course Hip-Hop and no custom soundtrack option is available but the music fits the theme. The sound track is huge and there are hidden tracks to find to play in your Ipod. The cast includes the voice talents of Charlie Murphy, Adam West, Andy Dick, Brittany Murphy, Shawn â€œP Diddyâ€ Combs, George Hamilton and Talib Kweil as Trane. While everyone does a great job, it’s the work of Talib that makes you really want to complete the game. The other sound effects are well done and the soundtrack is latge enough that you won’t get tired of hearing it since few songs ever repeat unless you pick them to play from the Ipod feature. Here is where the talents paid off to help bring the story line to life.

Replay Value

Getting Up is a large adventure with several types of game play elements added into one title. The relay value really depends on the type of gamer that is playing it. If you are the type of gamer who wants to earn everything and find all the locked or hidden items, then it’s loaded with replay value. Most gamers will probably be happy in beating the game which takes a relatively long time and then later go back and replay it. Chances are you will find new things when you play it again. The theme is also a factor and may not appeal to every gamer. Overall, it’s got plenty of replay value and is a solid story.

Overall Score

Overall Score: 8.2/10 [not an average]

Additional Comments

Mark Ecko showed that he wanted to try and bring his life and world to gamers and did a decent job. While the game is not going to appeal to everyone, it is one worth taking a look at. You may need to be open minded to enjoy it and the story is a little far fetched but interesting. Overall, not a bad game and interesting but at times tries a bit too hard.

XBox Solution