Oddball pairings have always managed to deliver interesting and entertaining ideas. The joint projects have been successful in all walks of life including politics and entertainment. Actually… aren’t those two concepts related in some shape or form? This time around, the unusual pairing includes fashion mogul Marc Ecko and mega video game publisher Atari. The result is Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure (developed by Ecko Unltd Games and The Collective) for the PC, PlayStation 2, and Xbox.

In Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure, you play the character of Coltrane “Trane” Crowley, a young graffiti artist whose goal is to start an underground revolution against the oppressive government of the city of New Radius. Trane’s weapon of choice against this governmental injustice is tagging, which is better known as street graffiti. As your character tries to get his name all over the city, he’ll be confronted not only by city authorities, but also by rival gangs.

The sound work in the game is phenomenal. Getting Up features one of the strongest cast of characters voiced by the likes of Rosario Dawson (Sin City, Rent and Clerks 2), Giovanni Ribisi (Saving Private Ryan, Boiler Room and Lost in Translation) and Adam West (’60s Batman), among others. The game’s score features heavy hitters from various styles of music which includes tracks by Jane’s Addiction, Isaac Hayes and Del Tha Funkee Homosapien.

Visually, the game looks sharp and depicts the underground of New Radius as a bleak, worn down city. For a current-gen title, Getting Up looks pretty good and has a distinct old-school film look. The game’s character articulation is detailed and looks quite realistic. The only complaint I would have in this department stems from the fact that the game’s city can look bland and boring with its brownish and gray colors. Some of your foes look similar and after a while, you feel as though you’re fighting a bunch of generic looking opponents.

As for gameplay, Getting up is an action title at heart that blends elements from some of the best fighting games on the market with the acrobatics of such titles as “Prince of Persia” and “Ninja Gaiden.” The intricate tagging system is what actually sets this game apart from others. Sure, the game’s control scheme might be a little overwhelming at first, but with patience, you’ll be maneuvering and tagging your way like a pro through the city of New Radius.

The game definitely gets better as you play. Sure, some of the game’s early scenarios might be tiresome, but one’s tolerance will be rewarded as you progress, thanks to the game’s eloquent story and detail. Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure is one of those games that improves considerably as you proceed.

In an industry dominated by sequels, a game like Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure shouldn’t be overlooked. This is a surefire sign that the gaming industry still has some form of originality under its sleeve. The game might not be perfect, but it’s an attempt to break new ground and introduce new elements in the tired action genre.

Overall, the game is entertaining. If you’re not sure, at least rent the game and if you like it, do yourself a favor and pick it up for the PC, PS2 or Xbox. Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure receives a 7.5 (out of 10) rating.

Andre Barriault writes for Gaming Cult, an independent Web site dedicated to the world of gaming, entertainment, and technology

[tags]atari,marc ecko,marc ecko’s getting up contents under pressure[/tags]