If you haven't already seen our review of Capcom's Beatdown: Fists of Vengeance for the PlayStation 2, you can check it out here . I mention this because there's not a whole heck of a lot different between the two games. But for those of you too lazy to check out that review, read on:

In Capcom's roaming beat 'em up you pick one of five playable characters to play out the story mode in the game, which is set in a modern environment that is similar to a large inner-city ghetto. Players will traverse this dark and gritty world punching, kicking, grappling, interrogating and robbing their way to the top. On their way up in this world of organized crime, drugs and corrupt cops, players may gain a few allies, earn some money, make some solid connections , gain experience points and more.

Although the game starts off at a medium pace, you will soon realize this isn't like other Capcom fighting games. The game is quite open ended, allowing you to do what you want when you want it. Sprawling open ended fighting game worlds seem to be all the rage this month if you've check out Midway's Mortal Kombat Shaolin Monks or Urban Reign. The sprawling maps in the game allow for some good exploration, which will lead you trouble (interrogating, robbing, or simply beating the heck out of someone) or business (shopping, finding leads to resources such as money or information) and the like.

There world is also populated with hundreds of people to meet, recruit, or fight. Some of the world's inhabitants are mere one lining morons, while others offer vital information or a tough challenge.. Playing through the game, you will gain some allies (who help you fight off your opponents), some valuable experience points (which help your character toughen up) weapons, and cash money. All these things are important in your quest to get your revenge.

While Beatdown does try its best to combine role-playing, adventure and sheer violent combat,, the game is ultimately still a beat 'em up where countless enemies force you to fight. Hand to hand combat and armed combat are the bread and butter of the action in the game, along with a few moves that allow you to fend off attacks.

As you fight and win, you'll gain experience points which allow you to build stats on your character. This in turn allows you to fight better, throw more effective blows, interact better with the people throughout the game, have more energy during a fight and more. The three main character stats consist of: attack, stamina and technique. There are other statistics that can also impact gameplay but these are the most important.

The game also features a reputation system called a criminal level. How you choose to play your character has an effect on this "criminal level" system(for instance if you get into a fight and win when you loot the body your wanted level will rise. when it reaches 100 the police can arrest you on sight). There is also another system similar to the wanted level only instead of police being after you the mob will be after you when 100 % is reached. Thus the idea of shelling out that hard earned money you collect for some new attire is paramount because that will bring these levels down. Sooner or later you will run into problems with the mob, or the police so this feature really comes in handy.

Beyond the story mode in the game are two multi-player modes: VS mode Normal, where you can select up to three characters for your team (you can choose player vs cpu, player vs player and cpu vs cpu) and VS mode custom, where you select up to three characters for your team and load a three character party that you have recruited from the single player game. The same three options (player vs cpu, player vs player, or cpu vs cpu) still apply to this mode as they do in regular Vs. Mode. Multi-player modes are nice to play in between the story for a little break, however it would have been nice to see online play with real characters.

Much like the PS2 version of the game, the graphics in the Xbox version are adequate. Surprisingly there isn't a noticeable difference visually between the two console version. The only real difference between the two platforms are the control schemes, which is a very minor thing.

Beatdown: Fists of Vengeance is rated M for mature. This game contains blood , strong language and animated violence. The ESRB ratings clearly state this is for mature audiences 17 years of age or older. The game is easily toned down by turning blood and bruising off. We can not emphasize enough that the game is not meant for children under the recommended age group.