John Wick 4 is now in theaters and by all accounts, it is a stunning success. Not only did the action film receive excellent reviews, but it earned more than $73 million in its opening weekend – a record for the series. With that success, it’s a no-brainer that more John Wicks are on the way. But if you want to dive deeper into the series after watching the latest installment, you should check out the video game that inspired its best moment: Massacre in Hong Kong.
Massacre in Hong Kong | Release announcement | PS4
The final act of John Wick 4 includes an engaging action sequence in which the camera pans over Keanu Reeves, following a top-down gunfight. It’s a bit of an unusual shot for a movie, but gamers might be more familiar with it. The perspective mirrors that of similar indie action games Hotline Miami.
As it turns out, that video game look is no accident. In an interview with SlashFilm, director Chad Stahelski explained how the shot came about. “I’ve seen this video game and I’m going to say hello,” Stahelski told SlashFilm. “I think it was called Massacre in Hong Kong — they did this over-the-top shot and we were doing so much with big flashes and it just clicked.”
If you haven’t heard of Hong Kong Massacre, you’re probably not alone. The indie action game launched quietly in 2019 to a lukewarm response from critics. The shooter is a stylistic riff Hotline Miami which has players shooting their way through the criminal underworld in search of revenge. It all takes place from a familiar top-down camera angle as players spin through the air and fire their weapons in slow motion — all while barrel flashes illuminate his bleak buildings.
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
If you have seen John Wick 4, you will immediately see the link. Although the game inspired the film, Hong Kong Massacre it plays like a Keanu Reeves action movie — it’s basically a John Wick game. The title has been criticized for some repetition and harsh jumps in difficulty, but it’s worth playing if you want to do an entire scene study on one of the film’s best sequences.
Once you’re done with that, there are plenty of other games worth checking out. Hotline Miami is a mandatory game and last year’s Midnight Fight Express it has similar gameplay to action movies. And of course, there is too John Wick Hex: a surprising video game adaptation that turns the series into a turn-based action game. All of that should keep you busy until John Wick 4 hits streaming service.
Massacre in Hong Kong is available on PC, PS4 and Nintendo Switch. It normally retails for $20, but right now you can get it for far cheaper on the Nintendo Switch. An eShop bundle that also includes a sci-fi title Beautiful wasteland it’s currently on sale for $4. The offer is valid until April 12, 2023.
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn