Following their crop of Konami conversions, Imagine have turned their attention to licences acquired from another Japanese coin-op company, Taito. After versions of Ark android and Slap Fight, comes Renegade, starring another pixel based avenger in the Charles Bronson mould. The scene is set: travelling across town, late at night to reach your girl. Lucy, you meet gangs of ruthless villains, crazed with blood lust by the full moon. They're out in force, eager to dispose of anyone audacious enough to enter their territory, and you're wandering right through their patch.
The fighting action starts in a tube station, where a gang of muggers attack, some armed with pipes which they hit against their hands threateningly as they circle round your lone form in anticipation. Jumping, kicking, punching and ducking, the aim is to spill blood and dispose of all the muggers. When only three members of the gang stay, their Boss appears - and like all the Bosses, this dude is a lot tougher than his acolytes. Capable of taking a lot of punishment before expiring.
Off Your Bike
Out in the open air next, strolling by the Pier where bikers zoom in for the attack, riding past and knocking you down unless a well- placed kick unsaddled them. Then a veritable choir of Hells Angels attacks en masses, attempting to pummel your frail form with their fists. A few arch-Angels are armed with chains, which they wield with painful accuracy. After disposing of the biker Boss the route to Lucy takes you through the back-streets of Tinsel Town, where gangs of rough, tough women object to the presence of a mere male and show their hatred by attempting to flay your hide, with clubs and whips! Big Bad Bertha is their Boss, a large woman who rushes around, elbowing you painfully until she's subdued with a few well-placed kicks.
Sharp Razor
Nearly in the arms of your beloved... but the last gauntlet has still to be run - the street leading to the meeting place, where a gang of razor-wielding thugs attempts to prevent progress. A single slash is more than painful - it's deadly. Surviving the close shave merchants, you enter one building where Lucy waits, along with a gang of the most vicious thugs yet met. And their leader isn't armed with a fuzz box - he's got a gun, and he's not afraid to use it.
Gratuity
This violent little number, which allows you to hit a man when he'd down - you can kneel on a fallen assailant and smash his brains out. Literally - isn't exactly mind- improving. But the violent touches add to the atmosphere and make Renegade all the more enjoyable to play. The gangs met on the jaunt across town ail have their favourite dirty tricks - for instance one thug grabs you from behind and holds you while another gang member beats you senseless, but hunters can be shaken off and then beaten to a pulp while they are down. You can fight dirty too, though, and can deliver a mean knee to the groin.
Classic System Rating: 3/5 for Gameplay and graphics. Worthwhile game to play and enjoy.
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