In the world of video games, there aren't all too many licensed action titles based on films these days. Few of the iconic action movies that blow audiences away ever make it to consoles or PC. One of the best modern examples of this is John Wick. This movie franchise, which currently spans three films, seems built for video game action. However, outside of a Payday 2 cameo and a starring role in the interesting but disjointed strategy game John Wick Hex, gamers haven't had a proper John Wick action game -- until now.
Suit for Hire is a topdown shooter that is John Wick in everything but name. Developed and published by Criminals Incorporated, Suit for Hire delivers an arcade action experience that mirrors the choreographed fight scenes of the films that helped relaunch Keanu Reeves into a modern action star once again long after the original Matrix films.
Suit for Hire doesn't concern itself with a lofty story setup or narrative device -- or much of a story at all. This arcade shooter leans heavily into its mechanics and trades a lore-heavy story for pure action and shooting mayhem. Players are a muscle car enthusiast assassin sporting a shaggy head of jet black hair and clad in a similarly-colored suit. The assassin has one problem to deal with: an abundance of murderous enemies. That's all the setup players will get, and it is really all that is needed. Suit for Hire is about action, and it wastes no time getting to it.
The name of the game here is the aforementioned arcade action. Players will have to navigate exotic levels fit for John Wick himself, using a combination of firearms and melee mechanics to score points for kills while keeping a combo active through efficient and speedy kills of each level's multitude of nameless thugs and murderers. Suit for Hire features a fluid combat system where players can switch between melee and ranged combat quickly and easily for gunfights that look and feel just like the expertly-choreographed combat sequences that make up the lion's share of the John Wick franchise.
Players can blast one enemy with a headshot from with a silenced pistol, then next kick another to create distance for another headshot. The player character assassin also has a deadly repertoire of martial arts available and can pistol-whip and beat enemies in close range, as well as judo throw them to the ground for an execution move straight out of a John Wick film. If the film's inspiration somehow isn't clear in the shooting and look of Suit for Hire, it instantly becomes recognizable in the way combat plays out.
The player assassin mirrors the impressive skills of the Baba Yaga himself, combining melee and firearm attacks fluidly and dynamically to produce a truly unique combat feel. Suit for Hire requires players to move with efficiency and awareness, finding the best route through the waves of combatants. Players need to not only utilize correct positioning to get the drop on foes, but also stay cognizant of the remaining ammunition in the various weapons -- another nod to John Wick's attention to detail in combat scenes.
Ultimately, Suit for Hire delivers the John Wick experience in video game form that fans have been looking for since the unfortunate film antagonists decided to kill the wrong man's dog way back in 2014. This film franchise shows no signs of stopping, with spinoffs and sequels planned to continue the world of the talented assassin well into the future, so it's fitting that gamers will finally be able to enjoy a title that delivers on this style and action. Though it may not provide the secret underworld lore of the films, Suit for Hire more than makes up for this with pulse-pounding action. The game is currently in early access on Steam.