The sequel to infamous arcade side-scrolling game seems to be coming along nicely. The title ties in with the modern action shooter paradigm and allows you to explore a living city ( like GTA ) in attempt to infiltrate and take down a drug cartel.

It looks like the game will maintain the level of violence of the original. This time around you can also play the bad cop - plant evidence, involve yourself in a drug habit, beat information out of “suspects”, etc. The game offers a robust hand to hand fighting engine which includes grapple moves, punches and kicks. If a suspect wrestles themselves away, expect a dynamic foot chase down city streets. Shooting civilians forces your captain to bust your rank, but that’s only a temporary punishment. Besides, if you want to go nutzo on the city GTA-style, simply don’t save the game afterwards.

Violence in video games can be fun.

Don’t Do Drugs.

Midway is securing quite a bit of celebrity talent including Michael Madsen, Ron Perlman and music from a variety of artists. I enjoy when a publishing house applies themselves to add that extra umph to a game.

NARC will ship for both the PS2 and Xbox in February 2005.