50 Cent: Blood on the Sand review by Sailor Rupert (Xbox 360).

The game that proves that nothing is more important than having fun. Except for helicopters. This is 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand! You are forgiven if you think that 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand is a piece of crap. It’s a license game, staring a hip hop star running amok in an unnamed Middle Eastern country – how good could it be? Well, there is no gripping story, the gameplay is a bit repetitive, and there is not much variation in the environments – but the game has something that counteracts all of that: it’s really fun to play. You are forgiven if you think that this is a straight up Gears of War clone. It sure looks just like a Gears of War clone, doesn’t it? A third-person action game in run down environments with lots of hiding behind cover – this is Gears of War, isn’t it? No, it isn’t. The feeling in the game is completely different.

With 50 Cent’s groovy music playing over the action and the focus on combos, timed missions and high scores this game feels more like playing a colorful, joyful game like Forza Horizon 4 or some arcade classic. This game just wants to make me feel good and I love it for it. It is a bit strange at first hunting for combo kills, when the action is repeatedly interrupted by changing ammo and the enemies hiding behind cover, but you get use to it, and it sure gives the game an original flavor. You are also forgiven if you think the story in this game is stupid and laughable, but it isn’t. The story works perfectly well for what the game is trying to do, and there is nothing wrong with the writing or the acting.

50 Cent has been promised a diamond covered skull as payment for a gig, but when the precious skull gets stolen the star of the show will not rest until he has gotten his treasure back. That’s all you need to know. You are not a hero and you are not a bad guy; you just want to get some diamonds for what you’re worth, and that is all the motivation you need when the action feels so good. You are forgiven if you think this game is totally over the top, but it isn’t. Well, it is, but at the same time it isn’t. Both in terms of gameplay and story, the game is rather toned down in comparison to most action games, and I like it. Yeah, sure, there are cool one-liners, the enemies die in silly ways and there are buildings falling down in front of you, but the game sells the idea that this kind of stuff is what 50 Cent usually does in his free time very well. It is rather strange that 50 Cent holds a big concert in a city that later turns out to be a war zone – where did those fifty thousand people in the stadium come from when there are never any civilians on the streets? – but other than that the game quite convincingly sells the idea of 50 Cent as a big action hero. He is in your face, but elegant and toned down at the same time; I wouldn’t mind playing more action games with this guy as the main character. An essential part of the game is of course the music and while 50 Cent’s music is not among my favorites his music works perfect well for killing bad guys to. You unlock one song for every chapter of every level, which means you always have some new grooves to look forward to. It’s a bit irritating that you unlock the most famous songs – In Da Club, P.I.M.P and Wanksta – at the very end, but on the other hand it gives you something worthwhile to fight for. I guess most people will come to this game with low expectations, but 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand is a game that surprises you. The controls are smooth and on the point, the guns feel great, and there is not much in terms of glitches or design flaws to stop your path of destruction. Six hours may sound a little short, but it’s the perfect length for a simple high score hunting action game like this. It doesn’t outstay it’s welcome, but delivers the ending song and the encore just when it’s supposed to. And you could always play it again, hunting for an even higher score. And of course, we have the helicopters. This game is full of lovely helicopters. The characters in the story arrive and leave in helicopters, you get to ride in a helicopter on a special mission and shoot at everything and anything under you, and all the bosses in the game are wild helicopters you must shoot down. So if you love helicopters in your action game, just go for it! The only truly bad thing about this game is that there is no two player co-op split-screen. There are co-op for two players online and the game is clearly created for two players to enjoy. Other games from this period – like Gears of War, Army of Two and Kane & Lynch – had two player co-op split-screen, so it’s a real let down that this game doesn’t. Killing baddies with a friend as 50 Cent and one of his buddies would have turned this game into pure gold. Now it have to be content with the label “good”. Well, that’s not a shame for a license game for sure. The Good: Lots of fun action Great pacing Doesn’t outstay it’s welcome Funky music Entertaining story with good writing and acting The Bad: No two player co-op split-screen The gameplay is a bit repetitive Not much variation in the environments When all is said and done I give 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand seven out of ten. The lack of two player co-op split-screen hurts this game in a major way, but if you can just accept that you have to go this alone, it’s six lovely hours filled with groovy music, satisfying action and an amazing amount of helicopters. Thank you for watching and we’ll see you in our next review.