Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death

This first-person shooter is true to the Judge Dredd comic books and a must for fans of the character. Maps and objectives require you to cover a lot of ground, which can be confusing, but Mega City One is a beautiful backdrop for hunting Judge Death and his cronies. Perp AI is intriguingly complex;

82%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

stability, monetization

89% User Score Based on 1,494 reviews

Critic Score 60%Based on 2 reviews

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About

Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death is a single player and multiplayer shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Rebellion and was released on March 26, 2009. It received neutral reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Welcome to Mega-City One, a city of over 400 million people - every one of them a potential criminal. It is the third decade of the 22nd Century, unemployment is widespread, boredom is universal and only the Judges can prevent total anarchy. Empowered to dispense instant justice, they are Judge, Jury and Executioner all in one. The most feared and respected of all the Judges is you, Judge Dredd. …

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89%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,494 reviews

story100 positive mentions

stability20 negative mentions

Captures the essence of the Judge Dredd universe with humor and engaging gameplay.
The Lawgiver weapon with multiple firing modes adds variety to combat.
Fun mechanics allow players to arrest civilians for humorous infractions, enhancing the game's charm.

Graphics and controls feel dated, impacting the overall experience.
The game becomes repetitive, especially in the latter levels dominated by zombies and vampires.
Short campaign length (around 4-5 hours) leaves players wanting more content.

story
366 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
67%
6%
The story of "Dredd vs. Death" is generally seen as a fun but simplistic narrative that stays true to the Judge Dredd comics, featuring familiar elements like the Dark Judges and a dystopian setting. While some players appreciate the campy humor and engaging atmosphere, many criticize the plot for being thin and lacking depth, often serving merely as a backdrop for the gameplay. Overall, the campaign is short, typically lasting around 3 to 6 hours, and while it offers some entertaining moments, it may not satisfy those seeking a more intricate storyline.
- “The story is just amazing!”
- “The story mode is short, I clocked in at about 5-6 hours on normal difficulty, but the atmosphere of Mega City One was immersive and well varied enough to make it an enjoyable experience.”
- “Now as a Judge Dredd fan I can say that in my opinion the Dredd universe is faithfully represented, the storyline covers Dredd's general duties for example foiling bank robberies, arresting perps for low level crimes and generally applying the law to the mean streets of Mega-City-1.”
- “So, the story doesn't really matter all that much and it's not terribly compelling.”
- “The storyline, despite being classic Dredd and with the dark judges, fails to truly hold my interest - the plot progression and game level objectives seem too separated and distinct from the main events unfolding and the results of success or failure are only visible as 'survive to the next level' or 'game over'.”
- “The campaign story is short, boring, silly and forgettable.”
graphics
210 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
67%
16%
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, with many reviewers noting that they were subpar even at the time of release in 2003. While some appreciate the vintage charm and stylized artistry, others criticize the visuals as "rubbish" and "abysmal," suggesting that a remake with updated graphics would be beneficial. Despite the graphical shortcomings, many players find the gameplay enjoyable and recommend the game, especially when on sale.
- “Levels are extraordinary, you can walk a lot, graphics of a megacity view is stunning and extra detailed.”
- “Rebellion have done a solid job at re-creating the 2000AD world here, from the art style to the world design.”
- “It's got decent graphics and the recreation of Mega City One is pretty fantastic.”
- “The graphics are probably the sorest point of the game.”
- “The graphics are rubbish.”
- “The graphics are pretty bad (even for the time) and the city feels vacant, empty, and lifeless.”
gameplay
208 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
59%
7%
The gameplay is characterized as a straightforward first-person shooter with a mix of engaging mechanics, such as an arrest system and various weapon modes, which add depth to the experience. While some players appreciate the nostalgic feel reminiscent of early 2000s shooters, others criticize the clunky controls and dated graphics, noting that the gameplay can become repetitive. Overall, it offers a fun, albeit flawed, experience that may appeal to fans of the Judge Dredd universe and those who enjoy classic arcade-style shooters.
- “Gameplay-wise, it's a straightforward shooter with some fun subsystems like the ability to analyze and judge civilians and perps and act accordingly to their crimes.”
- “The gameplay is brutally fun, and, unlike Battlefield: Hardline, the arresting mechanic is actually enjoyable and feels as though it is serving some purpose.”
- “This game is great; it has a variety of levels, fun gameplay, and it feels satisfying to arrest people or blow people's heads off, making you feel like you are the judge taking crime out single-handedly.”
- “This game comes with its fair share of jank and the jumping mechanic is an enigma I'll never fully understand.”
- “To be clear, this game is not perfect: the jump button works about 1/3 of the times you press it, the soundtrack is okay but it's not super memorable by any means, the only gun it seems they put a lot of thought into the mechanics of was the starting pistol, there isn't much reason to stay unless you want to max rank all levels and arcade missions, and the gunplay is incredibly bare.”
- “The game isn't very good; the last half of it is almost exclusively fighting zombies and other boring enemies, and the mechanics don't work that well.”
humor
148 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Dredd vs. Death" is a standout feature, characterized by its classic Dredd wit, over-the-top satire, and dark comedic elements that resonate with fans of the comic series. Players appreciate the game's clever one-liners, absurd scenarios, and the amusing consequences of Dredd's authoritarian antics, which create a consistently entertaining experience despite dated graphics and repetitive gameplay. Overall, the humor is described as both nostalgic and engaging, making it a key reason to enjoy this old-school shooter.
- “The game has some pretty great humor as well, it had me and my cousins chuckling, and the voice actor for Dredd is perfect and he's got some good one-liners.”
- “Dredd vs. Death is filled with the exact humor from the comics that will keep you grinning throughout the campaign.”
- “It's funny that you can abuse your authority to arrest innocent civilians, while listening to their complaints makes it all the more hilarious.”
music
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
26%
7%
The music in the game has received generally positive feedback, with many reviewers praising its upbeat and catchy nature, which enhances the gameplay experience and atmosphere. While some describe the soundtrack as good but not particularly memorable, others highlight its effectiveness in conveying the game's action-horror vibe and its nostalgic 80s rock style. Overall, the music is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing to its charm and enjoyment.
- “The soundtrack is excellent and also really helps the action flow.”
- “The music has an 80's vibe like I am playing Command and Conquer games again and loved every minute of it.”
- “The music is also great, as it really adds to the atmosphere of Mega-City One.”
- “The soundtrack is okay but it's not super memorable by any means.”
- “The music is also annoying but I don't mute it because you hear a lot of quotes from Dredd which is funny as well as hearing enemies nearby.”
- “The art style and soundtrack are unique as it tries to mimic the older comics of Judge Dredd, this works well with the way they interpret the world of Mega City One and its many different types of denizens despite the dated graphics and limited audio.”
atmosphere
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
32%
9%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and well-crafted design, effectively capturing the dystopian sci-fi tone of Mega-City One through strong art direction, engaging music, and humorous dialogue. While some reviewers note that the game shows signs of its budget and has not aged perfectly, the overall ambiance remains a highlight, contributing to an enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.
- “The atmosphere is spot on.”
- “The story mode is short, I clocked in at about 5-6 hours on normal difficulty, but the atmosphere of Mega City One was immersive and well varied enough to make it an enjoyable experience.”
- “It has a lot of nice humor, it sticks to the dredd tone, and the atmosphere keeps it in that dystopic sci-fi future.”
- “The graphics are a little vibrant, but there were times where the atmosphere was creepy and I got jumped a few times.”
- “The game is okay, the atmosphere is well realized, but it certainly hasn't aged too well.”
- “Afterwards you'll simply move to the next level, a different atmosphere sets in, a prison break with some of the inmates that have escaped holding their ground with weapons of all types.”
stability
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
91%
The game is generally described as buggy, with frequent glitches, mission-progress issues, and unintuitive level design. Despite these stability concerns, many players find the experience enjoyable and nostalgic, often labeling it as "so bad it's good." Overall, while stability is a notable issue, it does not significantly detract from the fun and entertainment value of the game.
- “Runs great under Windows 11.”
- “Level design is no bueno, you often come into unintuitive dead-ends and have to look all around you for some way forward, you can run past enemies, there's mission-progress glitches...”
- “I know it's a pretty buggy game, it's one of those you would call a 'so bad it's good' which is mostly true.”
- “The bad thing is the game is a bit buggy, too short (around 5 hours I think), and don't expect an intense boss fight.”
replayability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
The game offers limited replayability, primarily due to its short 4-5 hour campaign and linear storyline. While there are alternative game modes and an arcade mode that provide some additional replay value, the lack of functional online multiplayer and overall simplistic gameplay detracts from its longevity. Players seeking depth may find it lacking, despite some enjoyment in the nostalgic elements.
- “Very fun and replayable.”
- “Definitely trying to add replayability outside of the story mode, so big points for that.”
- “And, once the campaign is over, there's always arcade mode, which adds to the replayability.”
- “Yeah, I know it's only like $8 USD, but to be honest, it's at most a 4-5 hour game with little to no replay value.”
- “Despite the short completion time for the main storyline single-player game, there are alternative game modes which promise a little extra replay value, and a multiplayer aspect, but unfortunately, the internet multiplayer relied on GameSpy network and is no longer functional. If you have LAN connections, you can play with others.”
- “The storyline is very linear, gameplay is an FPS version of Superman 64, character designs look absolutely awful, the voice acting is second-rate, the blood and gore is ridiculous, multiplayer is a joke, thus explaining the absence of any servers on the server list. It has only 1% of any replay value and is more for players who like to shoot anything without purpose.”
monetization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game features in-game advertisements that reflect a satirical take on a dystopian world, which some players found amusing despite the potential for it to feel like a cash grab. While the game includes these ads, it is generally perceived as a well-crafted experience rather than a soulless tie-in, with many reviewers appreciating the attention to detail and overall fun gameplay.
- “If watching your enemies turn into spasming ragdolls while listening to constant ads about useless and/or unethical services is your thing, then this is the game for you.”
- “After the horrors of the atomic wars, Red Bull seems to be one of the only companies that survives; Dredd is clearly not a fan of the in-game advertisements.”
- “Flawed as it is, it isn't some soulless cash grab or a half-assed tie-in, which it could have easily been.”
emotional
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Dredd vs Death" is characterized by its nostalgic and innocent feel, reminiscent of early 3D gaming, and a plot filled with supernatural elements that deliver humor and heartwarming moments. While the story may not be deeply touching, it is described as a heartfelt and underrated experience that evokes a sense of fun and charm, making it a memorable title despite its flaws. Overall, players appreciate its wholesome narrative and the emotional connection it fosters.
- “Universe unlike the Stallone film, and it has a strangely emotional and innocent feel that reflects as a nice time capsule for the year the game came out when 3D gaming was still relatively new. This is indeed a comprehensive 3D Judge Dredd experience.”
- “The plot is a barrel of fun that involves all kinds of supernatural stuff like a death cult and ghost judges, humorous delivery and heartwarming references, as well as your good old virus to kick things off properly.”
- “Dredd vs Death isn't 'the Dredd FPS' of anyone's dreams, yet it turned out to be a genuinely solid game, a heartfelt creation that just sits there for years, watching you from the store page, saved and preserved, like in its own iso-cube.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game is reported to run smoothly without any technical issues, although the graphics may not be visually impressive. Overall, the performance is considered solid and well-optimized.
- “Runs smoothly, no technical issues.”
- “Graphics aren't pretty, but performance is tight.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Players express that grinding can be tedious, especially on harder difficulty levels, which may extend gameplay time but ultimately detracts from the enjoyment of shooting mechanics.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Playing on hard may pad out the time, but I can only imagine it makes the shooting more tedious.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
Character development in the game is criticized for being virtually nonexistent, with a linear storyline and poorly designed characters that lack depth or innovation. Reviewers note that the overall experience feels shallow, with little to engage players beyond basic shooting mechanics.
- “The storyline is very linear, character designs look absolutely awful, and the voice acting is second rate.”
- “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, lacking any meaningful progression or depth.”
- “There is little to no emotional connection with the characters, making it hard to care about their journeys.”

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60%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews

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4h Median play time

4h Average play time

3-5h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death is a shooter game with science fiction theme.

Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death is available on PC, Windows, PlayStation 2, Nintendo Gamecube and others.

On average players spend around 4 hours playing Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death.

Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death was released on March 26, 2009.

Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death was developed by Rebellion.

Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Alien Rage: Unlimited, Shadowgrounds, Red Faction, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine and others.

Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death

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