CD-ROM Fossil

Initial Release Date: Jan 17, 2006

Developer: Ritual Entertainment, Avalanche Software

Publisher: Eidos Interactive

Platforms: Windows, Xbox, PlayStation 2

Overview: 
The back of the box has little to no information about the game. It mentions the soundtrack that features 2Pac, Xzibit, Public Enemy, Tech N9ne, DMX and more. There are over 50 weapons to choose from, multiplayer characters can be customized, and online matches have a player max of 16. 

System Requirements:
Windows 2000/XP
Pentium IV 1.4Ghz (or AthlonXP equivalent)
256 MB RAM
Directx 9 compatible 64MB Direct3D Card with Pixel Shader 1.1 support (GeForce 3/Radeon 8500+)
Directx 9 compatible Sound Card
DVD-ROM Drive
2.5 GB free disk space
Keyboard and Mouse
LAN and Broadband Internet play supported

Plot:
The player switches between three characters as the plot progresses. When the game starts the player is in control of Freeze. Freeze’s wife tells him that he has to stop being a criminal, as it’s a bad influence on their son. Freeze agrees but has to do one more job for his friend Shaun. The job is a set up and Freeze ends up in jail.

The player then controls Officer Williams, who is tasked with finding Shaun. Officer Mendoza tells Williams where he can possibly find Shaun. After a couple missions Williams catches up to Shaun in a subway. As Williams is arresting Shaun, he is killed by Mendoza. So Mendoza is a double agent? Yeah…but why did she send Williams out to go kill a bunch of people and possibly kill Shaun? Who knows…

Mendoza tells Shaun to flee to Mexico. The player now controls Shaun. Shaun massacres some drug lords and then becomes a kingpin. 

The player now controls Freeze for the last few missions. Freeze escapes prison and hunts down Mendoza and Shaun. Once Freeze is successful the game ends with Freeze about to have one last stand versus the police.

Gameplay:
25 to Life is a third person shooter. There is no cover system. The player can crouch, jump and lean. Each level is linear with no deviations in path. When playing as criminal characters the player can use pedestrians as meat shields. The officer can subdue criminals with a taser which doesn’t have an effect on mission outcome. 

Weapons can not be chosen or customized. There are no attributes or stats. Walk forward and kill everything that moves.

Critic reviews:
Gamespot: 5.6/10

Gamezone: 8/10

IGN: 3.3/10

USA Today: 4/10