A video game adaptation of Uwe Boll's controversial film "Citizen Vigilante" is slated for release on PlayStation next week. The film itself has drawn significant attention due to its anti-immigration themes, a starring role from Armie Hammer, and a brief period where Elon Musk hosted the entire movie on X.
"Citizen Vigilante" has been described as a racist polemic that reportedly advocates for violence against immigrants. The film's notoriety was amplified when Musk uploaded it to X, leading to increased scrutiny and an international distribution deal. Actor Armie Hammer, according to Puck, expressed regret over his involvement after viewing the completed film, allegedly calling it "hateful, disgusting."
The game adaptation, developed by German studio Polygon Art and specifically Daniel Wengenroth, promises "brutal, fast-paced action combat," "gritty, violent gameplay with gore and dismemberment," and a "story-driven vigilante experience." These elements appear to distinguish the game from the movie, which reportedly contains only two static violent sequences. The game's trailer features more dynamic action and visual effects, including heads dismembering upon being shot, suggesting a significant expansion on the film's narrative.
Polygon Art's previous credits include "Oil Refinery: The Simulation," which received "Mostly Negative" reviews on Steam. The studio has also developed several lesser-known shooter series such as "Strike Force," "United Assault," and "Beyond Enemy Lines," which have garnered mixed to negative feedback in limited Steam reviews. The trailer for "Citizen Vigilante" showcases graphics that appear competent, possibly utilizing Unreal Engine assets, though the artistic direction and lighting have been noted as less impressive. A peculiar aspect highlighted is the re-recording of Armie Hammer's dialogue, presumably performed by the game's voice actors.
The film's 90-minute runtime is largely described as tedious, with its violent plot points only alluded to through news broadcasts. The game's trailer, in contrast, showcases a level of action and visual fidelity that suggests it will interpret and expand upon the movie's themes and events, potentially depicting the antihero's violent actions that were only described in the film.