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This live-action laserdisc video game is the sequel to the relatively popular
arcade game Crime Patrol, with very similar gameplay, objectives and scenery. As all
titles released by the company, Drug Wars is often criticized for its rather laughable
acting, lack of storyline creativity, and heavy reliance on cartoon clichés. The
seventh live-action shooting game released by American Laser Games hardly varies at
all in gameplay from similar titles, such as Mad Dog McCree and The Last Bounty Hunter.
Almost all possible choices are made by aiming the pistol the main character has at
his disposal; this includes shooting enemies, reloading, selecting locations, options
and pathways. When the player does not react in time and gets shot by a criminal, or
happens to hit an innocent civilian, he or she loses a life, and is scolded, often
sarcastically, by the partner assigned to the particular geographical location. The
number of bullets in the gun's chamber is limited, but the weapon can be reloaded at
any time. The player steps into the shoes of an anonymous Drug Enforcement
Administration member whose goal is to track down and detain or eliminate a dangerous
drug baron residing in South America, thus destroying his illegal cartel. Along the
way, the agent will have to render any opposition harmless by any means necessary, as
is the case in most other American Laser Games releases. As in Crime Patrol, the
player battles criminals and other villains in several widely varying environments.
In the original game, however, the main character advances from the "Rookie" level to
the "Delta Force" level, while in Drug Wars, he does not get promoted at any point,
simply moving on from one location to another with few complex aims. Beginning in
Sierra County, New Mexico, the agent continues to fight crime in Chicago, the United
States-Mexico border and, finally, the baron's residence in South America. In each
of these locations, the player can choose from three different assignments; when all
three are complete, he moves on to the next location. The game is finished successfully
by reaching and neutralizing the drug lord. The game was re-released by Digital
Leisure around 2003 with updated video and sound, in addition to several bonus options. |