History VideoGame / DeadToRights

The next installment in the series came out in 2005, but despite bearing the name ''Dead To Rights II'' and published by Namco, it was not developed by Namco [=HomeTek=], but instead developed by French game development studio [=WideScreen=] Games (known for developing flawed [=PlayStation=] 2 action games ''Airborne Troops'' (''Airborne Troops: Countdown to D-Day'' in North America) and ''Black Buccaneer'' (''Pirates: Legend of the Black Buccaneer'' in North America)), and it also is actually a {{Prequel}}. Shortly thereafter ''Dead to Rights: Reckoning'', a prequel to the prequel, was released for the PSP.

The next installment in the series came out in 2005, but despite bearing the name ''Dead To Rights II'' and published by Namco, it was not developed by Namco [=HomeTek=], but instead developed by [=WideScreen=] Games (known for developing flawed [=PlayStation=] 2 action games ''Airborne Troops'' (''Airborne Troops: Countdown to D-Day'' in North America) and ''Black Buccaneer'' (''Pirates: Legend of the Black Buccaneer'' in North America), and it also is actually a {{Prequel}}. Shortly thereafter ''Dead to Rights: Reckoning'', a prequel to the prequel, was released for the PSP.

The first game from 2002, developed by Namco [=HomeTek=], follows the story of Jack Slate, a tough-as-nails CowboyCop with a canine companion, who delves deeply into Grant City's criminal underbelly after his father's murder and his subsequent arrest for killing the guy who did it (he was framed). What follows is a mad-cap adventure filled with snark as Jack fights his way through an entirely corrupt system full of strange, quirky bosses. The references to ''VideoGame/TimeCrisis'' (Jack Slate has been even often compared to the original ''Time Crisis'''s protagonist Richard Miller, and its sequel's two protagonists Keith Martin and Robert Baxter) causing the game has been alternatively [[FanNickname known as]] ''Time Crisis: Dead to Rights''.

A series of third-person shooter games, published by [[Creator/BandaiNamcoEntertainment Namco]] and developed by Namco [=HomeTek=] that combined (or tried to) gunplay and hand-to-hand combat.

The first game from 2002 follows the story of Jack Slate, a tough-as-nails CowboyCop with a canine companion, who delves deeply into Grant City's criminal underbelly after his father's murder and his subsequent arrest for killing the guy who did it (he was framed). What follows is a mad-cap adventure filled with snark as Jack fights his way through an entirely corrupt system full of strange, quirky bosses.

The next installment in the series came out in 2005, but despite bearing the name ''Dead To Rights II'', it was actually a {{Prequel}}. Shortly thereafter ''Dead to Rights: Reckoning'', a prequel to the prequel, was released for the PSP.

* AnyoneCanDie: [[spoiler:The first game kills off nearly all of its cast. The only major characters to survive are Jack Slate, Shadow, Kip Waterman, and Preacher.]]

* ArtisticLicenseMartialArts[-/-]InformedAbility: In ''Retribution'', [[OldMaster Frank Slate]] is claimed to be a Police Boxing Champion and has sparring sessions with his son, Jack. However, during said sparring sessions, both are using elbow strikes, knee strikes, and even kicks, all of which are prohibited in boxing. In actual gameplay, Jack is using a [[CombatPragmatist fighting style similar to Krav Maga]] more than anything.

* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: [[spoiler: Hennessey and Pinnacle. Pinnacle deserves special mention for essentially being a cross between [[{{Acrofatic}} the Kingpin]] and an evil version of [[VideoGame/FinalFight Mike Haggar.]]]]
* AwesomeMcCoolname: One of the end-level bosses is named ''Longshoreman X''.

* {{Camp}}: The first game in the series fits the category. While the ''intent'' ([[https://player.fm/series/1181239/156230437 based on the creators themselves]]) was to make a game in the vein of works by Creator/FrankMiller and Creator/JohnWoo with utmost sincerity and seriousness, the game's got a lot more color and theatricality for it: [[SlidingScaleOfSillinessVersusSeriousness the story and dialogue slides wildly in tone]] (at times being completely straightforward, other times containing utterly bonkers setpieces and [[OneLiner quippy one-liners]]), several of the villains are [[EvilIsHammy so full of ham that they’re practically walking delis]], and many instances of the GunFu and HeroicBloodshed action are [[RuleOfCool over-the-top]] and [[ArtisticLicensePhysics physics-defying]] even for the genre. Top it off with an [[HeroesLoveDogs attack dog]] [[CanineCompanion sidekick]] and [[RatedMForManly raw manliness all around]], and you have a game of true camp appeal.

* FanService: The Stripper minigame in the first game.

* GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere: Several bosses in the original game, like [[PlayingWithFire Antorcha]] and [[AwesomeMcCoolname Longshoreman X]].
* GoldFever: [[spoiler: The entire plot of the first game is driven by an underground gold deposit kept hidden from the public, with the BigBadEnsemble trying to mine and extract the gold in secret. Frank found out about the gold, which is why Hennessey had him killed.]]

* GunsAreWorthless: Mostly played straight in ''Retribution''. Bullets cause as much damage to human flesh, if not less, than unarmed strikes. This is made '''very''' apparent when even ''unarmored'' enemies can [[SuicidalOverconfidence run towards Jack]] [[MadeOfIron who could be opening fire on them]]. Even in close range, [[NeverBringAKnifeToAFistFight enemies can swiftly disarm him]], forcing Jack to smack them with the weapon, holster it, and resort to slugging it out. The only time firearms are useful is when enemies are distant enough or behind cover and can be killed with [[BoomHeadshot shots to the head]].

* KillEmAll: [[spoiler: Jack Slate, Kip Waterman, Preacherman, and a handful of minor [=NPCs=] from the prison level are the only confirmed survivors at the end of the first game.]]

* {{Camp}}: The first game in the series fits the category. While the ''intent'' ([[https://player.fm/series/1181239/156230437 based on the creators themselves]]) was to make a game in the vein of works by Creator/FrankMiller and Creator/JohnWoo with utmost sincerity and seriousness, the game's got a lot more color and theatricality for it: [[SlidingScaleOfSillinessVersusSeriousness the story and dialogue slides wildly in tone]] (at times being completely straightforward, other times containing utterly bonkers setpieces and [[OneLiner quippy one-liners]]), several of the villains are [[EvilIsHammy so full of ham that they’re practically walking delis]], and many instances of the GunFu and HeroicBloodshed action are [[RuleOfCool over-the-top]] and [[ArtisticLicensePhysics physics-defying]] [[UpToEleven even for the genre]]. Top it off with an [[HeroesLoveDogs attack dog]] [[CanineCompanion sidekick]] and [[RatedMForManly raw manliness all around]], and you have a game of true camp appeal.

* IntellectualAnimal: Lampshaded in ''Retribution''. Shadow is ''extremely'' smart for a wolf-malamute mix as he is able to outwit armed [[TheGuardsMustBeCrazy henchmen]], correctly identify key cards for security gates, and deactivate electric generators (by [[UrineTrouble urinating]] on them). Since he is controlled by a human player, it is assumed that he has ''[[UpToEleven human intelligence]]''.

* ProtagonistCenteredMorality: ''Retribution'' is pretty glaring with this: Jack is frequently shilled as a "good cop" in spite of [[PoliceBrutality his sheer brutality while on the job]], something that [[ViolenceIsTheOnlyOption the gameplay presents as the only effective option]] (the closest thing to proper procedure is handcuffing enemies whenever he needs a disposable HumanShield). Even more glaring is that Jack is disgusted by the GAC for acting as JudgeJuryAndExecutioner despite all their militant brutality being just as applicable to himself. Even as the narrative pushes him into CharacterDevelopment and seeking to do policework "the old-fashioned way" (i.e. actually taking suspects in ''alive''), [[WhatMeasureIsAMook he still has no qualms mowing down countless mooks without any hesitation nor remorse]].

* ProtagonistCenteredMorality: ''Retribution'' is pretty glaring with this: Jack is frequently shilled as a "good cop" in spite of [[PoliceBrutality his sheer brutality while on the job]], something that [[ViolenceIsTheOnlyOption the gameplay presents as the only effective option (the closest thing to proper procedure is handcuffing enemies whenever he needs a disposable HumanShield). Even more glaring is that Jack is disgusted by the GAC for acting as JudgeJuryAndExecutioner despite all their militant brutality being just as applicable to himself. Even as the narrative pushes him into CharacterDevelopment and seeking to do policework "the old-fashioned way" (i.e. actually taking suspects in ''alive''), [[WhatMeasureIsAMook he still has no qualms mowing down countless mooks without any hesitation nor remorse]].

* MoralDissonance:
** A very frequent occurrence in ''Retribution''. Despite Jack being a cop (and [[CharacterShilling insisted by others be a "good cop"]], no less), the gameplay is [[RabidCop an utter]] [[PoliceBrutality bloodbath]] where the closest thing to proper procedure is handcuffing enemies whenever he needs a [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness disposable]] HumanShield, and yet he's disgusted by the GAC for their JudgeJuryAndExecutioner methods [[{{Hypocrite}} without any hints of]] {{irony}} whatsoever. The game attempts to address this as [[CharacterDevelopment a character beat]], where he better realizes his father's values of arresting suspects in accordance with the law (which are also somewhat dubious as Frank himself was pretty fight-ready, with his sole attempt at diplomacy being prompted by suddenly running into people that are carrying guns), and a mission later in the game where he takes in a suspect "the old-fashioned way" (i.e. ''alive'') is treated as a major moment of character growth. He also attempts to do the same thing with [[spoiler:[[BigBad Redwater]]]], but in spite of all this, he still has no qualms mowing down countless {{Mooks}} [[WhatMeasureIsAMook without any hesitation nor remorse]].
** Also played in the first very briefly. In the escape you kill the Warden by having him switch places with you in the electric chair during the blackout. Trying to non-lethally take out the prison guards however nets you a game over for an unexplained reason. Granted, the Warden is an animal abuser who forced a prisoner to eat a lit cigarette, and not only enjoys having the opportunity to electrocute Jack, but outright admits he ''paid money'' to ensure he got the job of flipping the switch. The prison guards are generally shown to be okay, with some being outright friendly towards the prisoners, and are simply doing their job of stopping an escaping convict.

* StuffedIntoTheFridge: Eve, Hildy, and Ruby. It's less a fridge and more of a meat locker.

* {{Camp}}: The first game in the series fits the category. While the ''intent'' ([[https://player.fm/series/1181239/156230437 based on the creators themselves]]) was to make a game in the vein of works by Creator/FrankMiller and Creator/JohnWoo with utmost sincerity and seriousness, [[SlidingScaleOfShinyVersusGritty the game's got a lot more color and theatricality for it]]: [[SlidingScaleOfSillinessVersusSeriousness the story and dialogue slides wildly in tone]] (at times being completely straightforward, other times containing utterly bonkers setpieces and [[OneLiner quippy one-liners]]), several of the villains are [[EvilIsHammy so full of ham that they’re practically walking delis]], and many instances of the GunFu and HeroicBloodshed action are [[RuleOfCool over-the-top]] and [[ArtisticLicensePhysics physics-defying]] [[UpToEleven even for the genre]]. Top it off with an [[HeroesLoveDogs attack dog]] [[CanineCompanion sidekick]] and [[RatedMForManly raw manliness all around]], and you have a game of true camp appeal.

* {{Camp}}: The first game in the series fits the category. While the ''intent'' ([[https://player.fm/series/1181239/156230437 based on the creators themselves]]) was to make a game in the vein of works by Creator/FrankMiller and Creator/JohnWoo with utmost sincerity and seriousness, the game's got a lot more color and theatricality for it: [[SlidingScaleOfSillinessVersusSeriousness the story and dialogue slides wildly in tone]] (at times being completely straightforward, other times containing utterly bonkers setpieces and [[OneLiner quippy one-liners]]), several of the villains are [[EvilIsHammy so full of ham that they’re practically walking delis]], and many instances of the GunFu and HeroicBloodshed action are [[RuleOfCool over-the-top]] and [[ArtisticLicensePhysics physics-defying]] [[UpToEleven even for the genre]]. Top it off with an [[HeroesLoveDogs attack dog]] [[CanineCompanion sidekick]] and [[RatedMForManly raw manliness all around]], and you have a game of true camp appeal.

* AsLongAsItSoundsForeign: The Twins in the original game appear to just be talking backwards. Also, the name Fahook Ubduhl.

* AsLongAsItSoundsForeign: The Twins in the original game appear to just be talking backwards.

* ThemeNaming: References to rocks and mining are reflected in the names of half the characters in the first game including Jack '''Slate''' (slate rock), Gloria '''Exner''' (The Exner equation in relation to river sediment), and Mayor '''Pinnacle''' (the top of a high rock or mountain).

* StuffedIntoTheFridge: Eve, Gloria, Hildy, Ruby. It's less a fridge and more of a meat locker.

* DummiedOut: A very strange case indeed. The [=PS2=] version has a truncated version of Chapter 3 (the prison level) compared to the Xbox version. In the Xbox version a prisoner (called Timmy) asks you to go beat up Mad Dog and offers you a reward. In the [=PS2=] version you instead are just attacked by Mad Dog for basically no reason, and he drops the card you need; Timmy is relegated to TheCameo in a prison cell. Another mini-boss shortly after, Mac, and the related mission to get a photograph back from him are both cut entirely. To keep the number of cigarette packs even a random enemy encounter is added directly after talking to Wire Boy (who asks you to get 25 packs in the first place) and several more drop from common enemies. In addition, Tattoo's mooks are invincible in the Xbox version and just have more life than normal in the [=PS2=] version, and you immediately get a Game Over for punching out security guards during the escape segment in the Xbox version, while on the [=PS2=] there's no penalty for it.

* EleventhHourSuperpower: Near the end of ''Retribution'' during the assault on the GAC base, Jack gets [[spoiler:to operate [[MoreDakka an enormous]] [[MightyGlacier GAC Tank]] [[PoweredArmor suit]]]]. It's not completely invincible and it's abandoned soon before the true FinalBoss, but to say it makes Jack stronger while it lasts would be an understatement.

* KillEmAll: [[spoiler: Jack Slate, the reporter, and the preacher convict that helped Jack escape from prison are the only confirmed survivors at the end of the first game.]]

* GoodBadBugs: In ''Retribution'', just about any melee fight can be trivialized by quickly dodging to the side twice. The AI doesn't react to it correctly, and will usually start impotently doing a melee combo on nothing while Jack punches them in the spine.

* GroinAttack: Shadow in ''Retribution'' is way too fond of biting people's crotches. There's even an [[BraggingRightsReward achievement]] for killing a man by ripping off their balls called "[[VideoGame/MortalKombat Scrotality]]".

The franchise received an obligatory DarkerAndEdgier ContinuityReboot in the form of ''Dead To Rights: Retribution'' by Volatile Games in 2010, and, aside from a couple of {{Mythology Gag}}s, it features a completely different story from the original.

* HeartbrokenBadass: Jack has feelings for Hildy, the stripper-turned-waitress whom he "admired from afar." Too bad she never had feelings for him and was only looking out for number one and she rather bluntly tells him so toward the end of the game.