Plot. New York City, home to hundreds of gangs. The story begins with The Warriors heading all the way to the Bronx for an all-gangs meeting started by Cyrus, leader of the most powerful gang in New York, the Gramercy Riffs. Cyrus proposes a general truce to all gangs, to form an army strong enough to overpower the police, but Luther, the gun toting Rogues leader is about to change all that for the worst. The story then flashes back to Rembrandt's initiation into the gang. The Warriors go on several turfs fighting to become the best gang in New York. When Cyrus is shot, The Warriors are framed by Luther, and must fight their way back to Coney Island while avoiding gangs such as: The Baseball Furies, The Boppers, The Hi-Hats, The Lizzies, The Punks, The Turnbull AC's, and The Riffs themselves, who are all out for The Warriors.
Concept. The purpose of the game is to guide the nine characters from the movie, along with other members that were not in the movie, throughout several different mission before and also during the movie. You fight many gangs such as: The Hurricanes, The Savage Huns, The Boppers, The Lizzies, The Baseball Furies, and so on. You can make some money by mugging, stealing jewelry, and car stereos as well. Players recover by using Flash.
Music. Most of the movie soundtrack is also in the game, but there are also licensed songs. The background music during some fights with other gangs, is also similar to that of the movie.
Design. The graphics look very similar to those of the Grand Theft Auto and Manhunt games. With 3D action and graphics, this game has it's own unique style. This game brought a new life into the brawler genre. In Multiplayer mode, the game had two separate screens, which most people did not like.
History. The video game is mainly based on the 1979 film of the same name. However, the movie was an adaptation of the novel also titled "The Warriors" by Sol Yurick, published in 1965, fourteen years before the release of the movie by Paramount Pictures. Both the movie and the game are a completely different adaptation of the novel. The novel had a more darker tone than the movie, and the gang was either black or Hispanic.
Voice Acting. Michael Beck, James Remar, Dorsey Wright, David Harris, and Deborah Van Valkenburgh reprised their roles from the movie by lending their voices. Though aged, they will always be the original characters to me. James Remar is mostly remembered for his role as the hot headed Warrior, Ajax. Ajax was one of my favorites, his weakness was his lust for women, and it proved to be his downfall from grace. Some of the original actors did not return, and others such as Marcelino Sanchez (Rembrandt), Dennis Gregory (Masai), and Radio DJ (Lynne Thigpen), sadly passed away. Marcelino died of AIDS, Dennis Gregory died of pneumonia, and Lynne Thigpen died of cerebral hemorrhage.
Rantings. What I did not like about this game is how multiplayer looks. Two separate screens? I mean come on! At least in the PSP version they made some modifications to that. Some character voices I did not like, for example is Sully, the Orphans leader. In the movie, Sully did not sound so whiny, and that was a letdown. The final showdown against Luther was also tough, and it was nerve-wrecking. Avoiding cops was a bother like in GTA as well.
Good Aspects. The game has high replay value, and the depth of the story is very well made and written. I like the game, because of the story, replay value, gameplay, and also because I'm a huge fan of the movie when I first saw it back in 2005 when I was 18. Also, when I moved back to New York, I saw it at my cousin's when he had it on DVD. I also was happy to see that some of the original actors returned for their respective roles in the game and movie.
Overall. The Warriors is a must have on the PS2, Xbox, and also on the PSP version. I give this game a 9 out of 10