ou might expect Sylvester Stallone to get his ham-assed meat hooks all over this one, but developer Rebellion largely gets this game right, unlike Sly’s movie. It hits the fundamentals of the comic – letting you cut loose as Judge Dredd to decide who gets jammed in an isocube and who gets stuffed in a pine box. Along the way you’ll get some doses of the comic’s black humor and be covered in lots of red goo.
Judge Dredd is charged to go after the four Dark Judges who have returned to Mega-City One, a story inspired by the comic. However, it is the game’s arrest mechanic that draws a more direct parallel with the series. Capture enough perps and you’ll gain rank and unlock models to shoot up in the multiplayer modes. Of course, you can outright kill them or even go after civilians if you choose (which will cause other Judges to come after you). As Dredd himself famously says, "I am the law."
Fans of the comic will be relieved to get their hands on a game that doesn’t reek of Italian Stallion, but those looking for innovative gameplay will have to be satisfied with "average." I found everything pretty much in order for an FPS, and I was glad that you could co-op through the game. More environmental interaction and a less linear structure (although missions are lengthy) would have instantly jumped this game up in my estimation. The only things that stand out visually are some of the flickering lights and shadows. It’s not Doom 3, but it’s something.
Judge Dredd scores a minor victory in its ability to let its roots show through amid the usual indistinguishable mess of guns and guts.