When I first heard about this game, I immediately thought "Escape from New York" but in its essence, Escape from Paradise City is more like Grand Theft Auto meets Diablo.

The story revolves a nefarious threat by the organisation known as Aeternitas (The Immortals) who have infiltrated 8 of the most powerful governments from across the globe.

Set in 2009, the NSA have sent in their best operatives to infiltrate this heinous organisation and Paradise City is your destination as is the criminal master behind this threat, the entity known as P.

Escape from Paradise City is similar to RPG games such as Diablo but also contains elements of real-time strategy and first person shooter views to create an engaging and entertaining PC game that are becoming extremely difficult to find these days.

The gamer will also control three different characters throughout the title which will assist in your goal of procuring certain parts of Paradise City in order to remove this threat.

The developers have added some interesting characters to the mix that gamers control such as the sexy NSA agent Mia Xiang or Street Fighter Jack Slater, the true American Hero and last but not least, Business Tycoon, Boris Chekov. There's also some fun character development as your progress through the game.

Gameplay Feature List

• Rise to power in a city where you must be both a talented businessman and a strong fighter.
• Skill based RPG/RTS in contemporary big city setting
• Expand your empire by taking over the city
• Drain neighborhoods for resources
• Challenge your friends in different multiplayer modes
• Living and breathing 3D city

Technical Feature List

• Higher Dynamic Range lightning and auto exposure
• Dynamic lights and shadows including actual influence on gameplay
• Detailed normal mapped characters
• 3D & Surround Sound with advanced filtering.
• Multiplayer support for LAN and internet, dedicated servers
• Portable design by system encapsulation and the use of APIs like OpenGL 2.0 and FMOD Ex.
• Save / Load system for resuming games at arbitrary positions.
• Realistic bullet/visibility tracing in combat.
• Living, breathing city - people and vehicles in the streets
• Advanced, scriptable behavior system.
• Weather system handling rain, snow etc.
• Complex character skill system with more than 50 unique skills

What really makes Paradise city so compelling is the interesting RPG system that contains over 50 different skills available to your character. Although it's quite complicated in some parts, it is a system that even the most novice of gamers will be able to master and create their own avatars.

Another interesting additional to the game is that your characters must also procure henchman along the way and you have the ability to train these characters for some additional tweaking. Ironically your henchman are quite apt when it comes to battles and assistance.  

Add in another genre and the RTS aspect of the title has the gamer conquering certain territories in the city and the more areas that you control, the more resources you will have at your deposal. Best of all, these areas contain a variety of different establishments that you can even visit such as bars and trainers which will allow for additional gaming functions.

To kill or not to kill, that is the question or order from the NSA. In order to take a territory over, your characters must basically destroy the current gang boss' troops and once you have challenged him... well, let's just say even the toughest of men are cowards.

As per the classic RPG formula, your characters can also find, sell and buy inventory items that gives the title a sense of excitement as you encounter new equipment and characters. Whether your using melee weapons or heavy duty firepower, there's definitely a favorite for all gamers.

Graphically, the game is a visual treat on the PC that features detailed graphics, brilliant character animations and some great special effects. The title also offers two different camera angles that include a third person view and also a RTS view, depending on which aspect of the game you are involved. Needless to say, the game comes into its own in the third person view. Think GTA!

In conclusion, Escape from Paradise City is an entertaining game that will appease most RPG gamers, except the die-hard D&D fans. However if you're into an almost science fiction game set in the real-world than this is the game for you. Give it a shot, you might be pleasantly surprised!