8Bit/Digi

Back on the Streets

If you’re familiar with my reviews, you’re well aware of my passion for classic shooters. Growing up, games like Doom II and Quake filled my gaming hours. Due to limited funds and limited access to information, I missed out on experiencing some of the cult classics. One such title that eluded me was Kingpin: Life of Crime until the launch of Reloaded. 

Kingpin: Life of Crime was a game that was ahead of its time but its success was hindered by controversy. Kingpin: Reloaded should have been its attempt at a second chance. Instead, it falls short in so many ways. The result is a remaster that fails to respect the original while also deterring new fans from taking an interest. 

Life on the Streets

Discussing Kingpin: Life of Crime is incomplete without addressing the controversy surrounding its launch. It hit the market at the worst time possible, a few months after the Columbine massacre. Making it a target of moral outrage and a widespread boycott campaign. Major retailers declined to carry it, and its content became a subject of debate in the US Senate. Fortunately, most video game stores continued to sell it, enabling the game to cultivate a dedicated cult following.

So what was it about Kingpin that made it so controversial? The answer is simple, it was one of the earliest crime-themed video games and it came out in the 90’s. This might not be a big deal today, violent video games were a hot topic during this time. Especially when you played as a criminal. 

Players assume the role of a gangster who has received a beating from a group of thugs under the Kingpin’s command. Leaving him injured, penniless, and stranded in Skidrow. In this dire situation, he embarks on a quest for vengeance. Players will engage in battles against rival gangs and traverse across the city as they strive to ascend to the top and overthrow the Kingpin.

Rising to the Top

While many of its gameplay elements may look run of the mill when compared to titles that came later, it’s important to note that it was groundbreaking at the time. This was a golden era in which developers were experimenting with gameplay elements while finding ways to create a more interactive experience. 

The gameplay involves players navigating the various turfs of the city and engaging in battles with the gangs that dominate them. Players can utilize any weapons they manage to acquire while the action is a unique take on the first-person genre. The game’s arsenal spans from a crowbar and lead pipe to handguns and shotguns, providing the option to upgrade certain weapons. Striking an NPC not only inflicts visible damage but also actively hampers their abilities. Should you take out an enemy, be sure to check them for ammo or cash. 

Not everything about the world of Kingpin is about shooting everyone’s insight. NPC interaction plays a major role as you can talk to them for information. At the same time, they will react based on your interactions or if you have a weapon out. Doing favors for them will result in rewards with new information, weapons, or a companion by your side. Finally, one can’t overlook that soundtrack by Cyprus Hill. It sets the mood and gets you excited to embark on a life of crime. 

Blood in the Streets

Kingpin: Life of Crime was a groundbreaking title that truly pushed boundaries in its time. However, Kingpin: Reloaded disappointingly falls short of upholding its legacy in nearly every conceivable aspect. It feels like the remaster relied too heavily on the reputation of the original, neglecting crucial aspects of its overall quality.

Right from the beginning, you will notice how it lacks visual appeal. Reloaded fails to distinguish itself from the original game. Despite being a classic built on the Quake II engine, the remaster seems to lack the necessary effort to enhance the visual designs. The option to switch between visual designs reveals minimal differences. I conducted a comparison by playing my original Steam copy of the game, further highlighting the underwhelming improvements in the remaster.

The same could also be said about the overall gameplay as it lacks any polish. Normally a remaster should have polished some of the gameplay and the control functions. Instead, all of that is absent in favor of no improvement and janky controls. Do expect to be fighting at a slow speed while the enemy could get numerous hits into you.

In the course of my comparison, I couldn’t help but notice a significant contrast in loading times between the original and the remaster. Strikingly, Kingpin: Reloaded, is supposed to be a remaster of a classic game, but shares a loading time on par with some modern titles. to certain contemporary titles. There should not be a reason for this game to have a loading time on par with Cyberpunk 2077 or Red Dead Redemption 2. They could justify the extended loading times, this game can’t. Even with the latest patches, this problem has only seen marginal improvements.

My Turf

Kingpin: Reloaded is less of a remaster and more of an insult to the legacy of a game that was ahead of its time. It fails in so many ways at updating the classic while also making the experience unenjoyable. Overall, curious gamers should just pick up the original on Steam or GOG.

Disclaimer: Stride PR provided the game used for this review. 

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Kingpin: Reloaded (PC)

4

Meh

4.0/10

Pros

• You can play the game with a controller.
• It brought back the original soundtrack.

Cons

• No quality-of-life improvments made.
• Visual detials have undergone little to unoticable improvments.
• No polish made to the gameplay and controls are janky.
• Unnecessary long load time.