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;

87%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

graphics, stability

87% User Score Based on 858 reviews

Critic Score 60%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

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About

In Judge Dredd: Dredd Vs. Death, become the feared Judge Dredd and maintain law and order in Mega-City One, where 400 million citizens teeter on the brink of chaos. Investigate a vampire plague potentially caused by malevolent Dark Judges, using lethal or non-lethal force. Play in two-player co-op mode or intense multiplayer matches with up to 32 players and customizable enemy bots.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 858 reviews

story56 positive mentions

graphics23 negative mentions

Captures the humor and atmosphere of the Judge Dredd comics well.
Fun gameplay mechanics, including the ability to arrest criminals and use the Lawgiver's various ammo types.
Nostalgic experience for fans of early 2000s shooters.

Technical issues, including a broken jump mechanic and poor AI behavior.
Short campaign length, averaging around 4-5 hours.
Graphics and overall design feel dated and lack polish.

story
199 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
65%
7%
The story of the game is generally described as simple and straightforward, often serving as a vehicle for gameplay rather than a compelling narrative. While it captures the essence of the Judge Dredd comics with humor and familiar characters, many reviewers note that it lacks depth and can feel repetitive, with a campaign that typically lasts around 3 to 6 hours. Overall, it is seen as enjoyable for fans of the franchise, but not particularly engaging for those seeking a rich storyline.
- “If you want an old-school shooter with great humor and a wacky storyline, this can't be beat.”
- “The story is very capturing and the graphics are perfect for the age this game has.”
- “The storyline is good, leading the player to action around pretty much every corner.”
- “The story is there to get you from place to place to dispense justice.”
- “So, the story doesn't really matter all that much and it's not terribly compelling.”
- “The campaign story is short, boring, silly, and forgettable.”
graphics
122 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
66%
19%
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its early 2000s release, with many users noting that they have not aged well compared to contemporary titles. Despite this, some players appreciate the vintage aesthetic and stylized artistry, which evoke nostalgia and contribute to the game's charm. Overall, while the visuals may lack polish and detail, they are often seen as serviceable enough to support the gameplay experience.
- “Graphics are fine and the art design of the background city is beautiful, but the art design is underused on the levels themselves.”
- “If you're still reading, you might want to know that this game truly captures Judge Dredd, Mega City One (complete with fatties, scrawlers, isocubes, surfing, and more). Given the time of release and the technology employed, the game does an excellent job of recreating the city environment faithfully to Bolland's artwork from the comics.”
- “The graphics may not be the nicest, but the gameplay is pure awesome.”
- “The graphics are probably the sorest point of the game.”
- “The graphics are rubbish.”
- “The graphics are ancient (2003) but if you want a game that's more than just how the graphics look then do yourself a favor, buy this game, even better buy this game while it's still on sale for less than £1.”
gameplay
121 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
60%
6%
The gameplay of the game is generally described as straightforward and reminiscent of early 2000s shooters, featuring solid shooting mechanics and a unique arrest system that adds some depth. However, many reviewers note that the mechanics feel dated, with issues like awkward jumping and limited variety in gameplay, leading to a mixed reception overall. While fans of the Judge Dredd IP and nostalgic FPS gameplay may find enjoyment, the game is often criticized for its lack of innovation and repetitive elements.
- “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.”
- “It has pretty smooth gameplay with fun ragdoll physics characteristic of its time, some nice dystopian cyberpunk environments, and a decent range of weapons.”
- “The gameplay is excellent even though the controls are slightly sluggish (better played on a controller) and there are plenty of single-player levels along with multiplayer bot maps.”
- “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 only gun it seems they put a lot of thought into the mechanics of was the starting pistol, and the gunplay is incredibly bare.”
- “The gameplay really doesn't stand up on its own.”
humor
86 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by its dark, satirical tone that aligns closely with the Judge Dredd comic universe. Players appreciate the witty one-liners, absurd scenarios, and the comedic delivery of voice lines, which contribute to a fun and immersive experience. While the graphics may be dated, the humor remains sharp and entertaining, making it a nostalgic and enjoyable 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 with 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
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
26%
10%
The music in the game has received largely positive feedback, with many reviewers praising the soundtrack for its ability to enhance the dark, action-oriented atmosphere and evoke nostalgia reminiscent of early 2000s shooters. While some found the music to be catchy and fitting for the gameplay, others noted it as merely decent or not particularly memorable. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's charm and experience.
- “Thomas Bible did an incredible job composing the soundtrack here; everything really sets you into a dark, grim atmosphere while also being an absolute banger. This part of the game is amazing.”
- “The soundtrack is excellent and really helps the action flow.”
- “The music is upbeat and catchy to match the gameplay.”
- “The soundtrack is okay but it's not super memorable by any means.”
- “The music in the game wasn't particularly memorable to me, but the dystopian setting and various advertisements for dubious fictional future products added to the atmosphere of the game.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
30%
13%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and varied design, effectively capturing a dystopian sci-fi setting with strong elements of humor and engaging lore. The soundtrack enhances the experience, contributing to a dark and grim ambiance, although some players note that the overall execution shows signs of budget constraints. While opinions on the game's longevity and memorability vary, many agree that the atmosphere remains a standout feature that enriches the gameplay experience.
- “Thomas Bible did an incredible job composing the soundtrack here; everything really sets you into a dark, grim atmosphere while also being an absolute banger. This part of the game is amazing.”
- “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 dread tone, and the atmosphere keeps it in that dystopic sci-fi future.”
- “The music in the game wasn't particularly memorable to me, but the dystopian setting and various advertisements for dubious fictional future products added to the atmosphere of the game.”
- “Made after 25 years of Mega-City One lore, this game manages to skim over it and include a couple of one-shot gags, along with Dredd clichés in place of atmosphere.”
- “The game is okay, the atmosphere is well realized, but it certainly hasn't aged too well.”
stability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
91%
The game's stability is frequently criticized for being buggy, with players encountering glitches, lagging, and clipping issues. Despite these problems, many users find the overall experience enjoyable and entertaining, often describing it as "so bad it's good." While the game runs well on Windows 11, the level design and AI also contribute to a less-than-ideal stability experience.
- “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.”
monetization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the satirical use of in-game advertisements that enhance the dystopian atmosphere, while others criticize the overt presence of brands like Red Bull as intrusive and detracting from the experience. Despite concerns about potential cash-grab tendencies, many agree that the game offers enjoyable content that feels more genuine than expected, though the execution has notable flaws. Overall, the balance between engaging gameplay and heavy advertising remains a contentious point among players.
- “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 advertisement.”
- “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.”
- “Some really sluggish controls and a multiplayer/co-op aspect that doesn't even work, with some really blatant and nasty advertising from an energy drink company; Judge Dredd vs. Death doesn't work on any level.”
replayability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the inclusion of alternative game modes and arcade options that enhance replay value, others criticize the short main campaign and the now-defunct online multiplayer, leading to a perception of limited replayability. Despite its budget price, the game offers some fun for those who enjoy old-school gameplay, but many feel it lacks depth and variety for sustained engagement.
- “Very fun and replayable.”
- “Definitely trying to add replayability outside of the story mode, so big points for that.”
- “A great multiplayer and tons of characters also lend towards the good replay value.”
- “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. Unfortunately, the internet multiplayer relied on the GameSpy network and is no longer functional, but 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. Only 1% of any replay value, and it's more for the brain-dead players who like to shoot anything without purpose.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its nostalgic and innocent feel, reminiscent of early 3D gaming, and features a fun, supernatural plot filled with humor and heartwarming references. While it may not be the ideal representation of the Dredd franchise, it is regarded as a heartfelt and underrated experience that evokes a sense of warmth and enjoyment, despite some gameplay issues. Overall, it offers a wholesome narrative that resonates with players, even if the story mode itself isn't particularly touching.
- “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.”
- “Underrated games with a wholesome story!”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while it runs smoothly on lower-end systems without technical issues, some players report unpolished performance and a lack of graphical quality. Despite its potential, the game appears to suffer from optimization problems, particularly on more modern setups, leading to a less than stellar experience.
- “Runs smoothly, no technical issues.”
- “Graphics aren't pretty but performance is tight.”
- “Performance: my office laptop that runs on Windows 8 can manage the game, so I'm pretty sure people having problems with it are using something the game hates.”
- “Performance, my office laptop that runs on Windows 8 can manage the thing, so I'm pretty sure people having problems with it are using something the game hates.”
- “The game shows signs of brilliance and potential to be a great comic book video game franchise like the Batman Arkham series, but Rebellion ran out of money, and what we are left with is a 3-hour campaign that is pretty unpolished and unoptimized, even on more modern systems.”
- “Graphics aren't pretty, but performance is tight.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Players note that grinding can be time-consuming, especially on harder difficulty levels, which may extend gameplay but can also make the shooting experience feel tedious.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
- “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
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
Character development in the game is criticized for being weak and linear, with no innovative storytelling or engaging character arcs. The overall design and voice acting are deemed subpar, contributing to a lack of depth and replay value.
- “The storyline is very linear, and the character development feels shallow and uninspired.”
- “Character designs look absolutely awful, which detracts from any potential growth or depth.”
- “The voice acting is second-rate, making it hard to connect with the characters on any meaningful level.”