John Woo Presents: Stranglehold Collector's Edition

John Woo made one perfect action movie, and then he made a video game sequel to it. John Woo Presents: Stranglehold Collector's Edition on PlayStation 3 is a genuine collector's piece that bundles the game with a fully remastered HD version of Hard Boiled on the same Blu-ray disc. Let that sink in: Chow Yun-fat's most iconic film, remastered in high definition, packaged alongside its interactive sequel in a tin case with a holographic cover.

The bonus disc delivers a murderer's row of behind-the-scenes content. "Poetry In Slow Motion" documents how Midway translated Woo's legendary gunplay choreography into gameplay. Extended cinematic sequences show cut content that didn't make the final game.

"The Vision of Stranglehold" traces the journey from concept art to finished product, and "The Sound of Stranglehold" pulls back the curtain on the audio design. Stranglehold was a game built entirely around the concept of cool, letting players slide down banisters while dual-wielding pistols in slow motion through destructible environments. It was Max Payne by way of Hong Kong cinema, and it absolutely committed to that identity.

The tin case packaging gives this one a heft and presence that standard PS3 cases can't compete with. For action cinema fans who also collect games, or game collectors who appreciate film history, this Collector's Edition sits at a rare intersection. Hard Boiled in HD alone justifies the hunt.