Stranglehold - Achievements (Xbox 360)

Well, this is a Chinese story with all the makings of a John Woo film. The game is actually called "John Woo Presents Stranglehold" but unlike my fellow colleagues in the business, I don't tremble at the very sound of this name, like some kind of slow motion king from ancient times and, in fact, I couldn't care less if it were called "Martin Scorsese Presents Stranglehold". I see no real relevance in who is presenting the game, mainly because we all know who's playing this mature release, besides me, of course: blood thirsty kids with no other occupation than school, girls and gory headshots executed in slow motion they will later repeat alone in front of the mirror while still trying to remain somewhat cool.

These kids have no idea who John Woo is and why this inspector is called like the tea his father drinks in the morning (Tequila for those who have missed the point, the game and the nineties). The player is Inspector Tequila (and what a good lemon tea it is) sometime after the events in the movie Hard Boiled. I can't say I'm a huge fan of that title - especially because I haven't seen it. This won't stop me from saying it's not much of a flick if you ask me. Either way, this inspector gets personally involved after someone is trying to send the police a message by killing a cop in cold blood and calling it a kidnapping case.

It makes no difference whether the action takes place in Hong Kong or not, I'll let you know either way. The assailants send a ransom note (although the cop is already dead) and request a single brave and stupid guy to go and talk to them. The whole thing is a trap that even a four year old would recognize but the great inspector, now much older and wiser, jumps head on with an intelligent remark: "I hope it's a trap, I wouldn't want to waste my time for nothing". These may not be the exact words, but you're getting the picture.

He starts killing triads like there's no tomorrow and slowly learns that his former lover (and daughter of a major crime boss) is involved and that there are other interests at stake like the Russian mafia that wants a share of the Asian market. The story doesn't need to provide some really deep insight of Tequila's soul and it probably won't compete in the best script category for the Oscars. Its purpose is clear right from the beginning: to deliver the necessary body counts so that that M rating can be justified on the cover.


1. Meet John Woo - 5 points
Visit the Unlock Shop.

2. Barrage Specialist - 10 points
Use the Barrage special move with every weapon.

3. Fisticuffs - 10 points
In multiplayer, kill an opponent with a melee attack.

4. Freedom! - 10 points
Purchase all of the Multiplayer characters in the Unlock Shop.

5. Hong Kong Marketplace Completed - 10 points
Complete the Hong Kong Marketplace level on any Difficulty setting.

6. One Gun To Rule Them All - 10 points
Finish in 1st place in a Multiplayer ranked match.

7. Paleontologist - 10 points
In the Chicago History Museum level, completely destroy the Brachiosaurus or the T-Rex.

8. Stay Dry - 10 points
In the Slums of Kowloon level, stay along the top pathway in the crumbling sewer area.

9. Tai O Completed - 10 points
Complete the Tai O level on any Difficulty setting.

10. The Killer - 10 points
Fire 10,000 times.

11. Untouchable - 10 points
On any difficulty setting, complete a Standoff by defeating all enemies without taking any damage.

12. Chow Would Be Proud - 15 points
Kill 10 enemies with a 5 star kill rating.

13. Geronimo! - 15 points
Host and complete 10 multiplayer matches on the Totem Pole Gallery map.

14. Jurassic Battle - 15 points
Host and complete 10 multiplayer matches on the Dinosaur Rotunda map.

15. Lounge Lizard - 15 points
Host and complete 10 multiplayer matches on the Mega Lounge map.

16. Mega Jackpot - 15 points
Host and complete 10 multiplayer matches on the Golden Dragon Casino map.

17. Movin' on Up - 15 points
Host and complete 10 multiplayer matches on the Chicago Penthouse map.

18. Sea Food - 15 points
Host and complete 10 multiplayer matches on the Tai O Drug Labs map.

19. Tea Party - 15 points
Host and complete 10 multiplayer matches on the Kowloon Teahouse map.

20. The Mega Restaurant Completed - 15 points
Complete The Mega Restaurant level on any Difficulty setting.

21. Zakarov's Penthouse Completed - 15 points
Complete the Zakarov's Penthouse level on any Difficulty setting.

22. Asplosion - 20 points
In multiplayer, kill an opponent with an explosive in Slums Downpour.

23. Be the Master - 20 points
Kill 100 opponents as John Woo in Multiplayer matches.

24. Boomtown - 20 points
In multiplayer, kill an opponent with an explosion in Slums Courtyard.

25. Bullet Ballet - 20 points
Kill 50 opponents while in Tequila Time in Multiplayer matches.

26. Castaway - 20 points
In multiplayer, kill an opponent on the Heavy Machine Gun platform in Tai O Settlement.

27. Chicago History Museum Completed - 20 points
Complete the Chicago History Museum level on any Difficulty setting.

28. Death from Above - 20 points
In multiplayer, kill an opponent with a falling object in Kowloon Market.

29. Diplomatic Immunity - 20 points
In multiplayer, kill an opponent in the hull of the ship in Naval Exercise.

30. Hardboiled Killer - 20 points
Kill 307 opponents in Multiplayer matches.

31. Having a Blast - 20 points
In multiplayer, kill an opponent with an explosion in Fisherman's Cove.

32. I Don't Know How to Play Those - 20 points
In The Mega Restaurant level, complete the Casino or the Restaurant without using the Guitar Cases.

33. Killing Spree - 20 points
Get 5 kills in a row without dying in a Multiplayer ranked match.

34. Massive D - 20 points
Cause at least $75,000,000 of damage.

35. Slums of Kowloon Completed - 20 points
Complete the Slums of Kowloon level on any Difficulty setting.

36. Winner Takes All - 20 points
Kill 50 opponents using Tequila Bombs in Multiplayer matches.

37. Deadly World - 25 points
Kill 50 enemies by using the environment instead of guns.

38. Death by Swing - 25 points
Kill 50 enemies while hanging from a chandelier.

39. Master of Barrage - 25 points
Kill 100 enemies with the Barrage special move.

40. Master of Precision Aim - 25 points
Kill 50 enemies with the Precision Aim special move.

41. Master of Spin Attack - 25 points
Kill 100 enemies with the Spin Attack Special Move.

42. Old School - 25 points
On any difficulty setting, complete a level without using any of the Tequila Bomb Special Moves.

43. Rolling Death - 25 points
Kill 50 enemies while riding on a roll cart.

44. Wong's Estate Completed - 25 points
Complete the Wong's Estate level on any Difficulty setting.

45. It's All Mine... - 30 points
Purchase every item in the Unlock Shop.

46. Ruthless - 30 points
Perform a 50 star Style Combo.

47. Origami Master - 35 points
Collect 250 Origami Cranes.

48. Bulletproof - 40 points
Win a multiplayer match without using a health pack.

49. Game Completed - Casual - 40 points
Complete the entire game on the Casual Difficulty setting.

50. God of Guns - 40 points
Win a multiplayer match without using a Tequila Bomb.

51. Testikill - 40 points
In multiplayer, kill an opponent with a precision aim crotch shot.

52. Game Completed - Normal - 50 points
Complete the entire game on the Normal Difficulty setting.

53. Game Completed - Hard - 60 points
Complete the entire game on the Hard Difficulty setting.

54. Nobody Has That Much Style... - 60 points
Acquire 5,000 total Style Points.

55. Game Completed - Hard Boiled - 70 points
Complete the entire game on the Hard Boiled Difficulty setting.