Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure - Strategy Guide (Page 01)

Below are the cheat codes, hints and help for Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure - Strategy Guide (Page 01).

FAQ/Walkthru for Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure.
		by Doug Elder, aka AchtungNight

Foreword: Welcome to my latest FAQ. This is for Marc Ecko's Getting Up:
Contents Under Pressure. In this game, you are a young graffiti artist seeking
to leave your mark on the 1984-esque city of New Radius. I really liked this
game a lot, though it took a while for me to save up the money to afford it and
then complete it. As with all my FAQs, this one was written while playing the
game- which is truly the best way to write a walkthru IMO. I hope this FAQ
helps you play the game and you enjoy the read. If you play the game, please
remember not to copy it in real life. Vandalizing, destroying, or defacing
public, commercial, or private property in the manner depicted in the game is
illegal in most jurisdictions and always has the potential to make people
upset, so it may not be a good idea. Unless of course you draw a interesting or
inspiring picture of some kind. Then it's art, not vandalism. That's my opinion.

Before we start, a few disclaimers. First, this FAQ was written for the PS2
version of the game. All herein may or may not apply to other versions. The
game is rated M for Mature- no impressionable children or close-minded A-Dolts
here please. :) Second, this FAQ contains SPOILERS. You are warned. Third, this
FAQ is my property and may only be posted on CheatCC and any other site that
requests my permission first via email (it will be granted, don't worry, you
have but to ask). All feedback, questions, and so on should be emailed to
DougElder21@yahoo.com. Fourth, I do not use game cheats other than Gameshark
devices when I play. Therefore I know nothing about cheats for the game. Please
don't ask me. You can send all other questions and contributions of additional
content (which are vastly appreciated) to me at DougElder21@yahoo.com.

Fifth, I am not going to review the game herein other than to say that I really
liked it and enjoy playing it. Good points include the awesome graphics,
terrific soundtrack, wonderful voice acting, classic gameplay, and well-written
story. There are a few bad points, but if you play with an open mind they won't
matter that much. Read the reviews for the game to find out about some of them.
Sixth, this FAQ is mainly for the game story, not for the bonuses- though I did
try to cover as much of those as I could within the main walkthru. If you want
to know about the game's extra features, check them out for yourself. You may
also want to check out the Limited Edition for a lot of behind-the-scenes on
the game- I missed that unfortunately, so I don't know what's on there. Good
stuff, I've heard. :)

Finally, let me give a shout-out to all the people who have brought joy and
inspiration to my life, especially Lisa and Ben. You two helped me find this
game and cheered me on while I completed it and then wrote this document. For
that I will be forever grateful. Thanks to the folks at Atari, the Collective,
Foundation9, and Ecko United for making a cool game and to all the
fans for keeping this industry alive. Thanks also to all real-life graffiti
artists, who have made their hobby such an interesting thing.

One last quick note- being a middle class white kid from the suburbs of Texas,
I really don't know much about grafitti or hip-hop culture other than what the
media has told me and the fruits of my lifelong healthy interest in them.
Therefore if I get stuff wrong in here or offend people, I apologize in
advance. Feel free to correct me constructively via email. I am trying my best
to remain neutral and satirical- I really appreciate all the positive aspects
of these cultures, and that is the main reason I wrote this FAQ. Hopefully
y'all will forgive the stuff I get wrong or portray poorly and not hate me. If
you don't, well, I must warn you- like Trane, I practice jeet kune do. :)

That said, let us begin.

******
Contents:
1. Dedication and Version History.
2. Game Story and Cast.
3. Explanation of Basic Controls.
4. Items Listing.
5. The Missions- Walkthru.
6. Final Thoughts.
******

1. Dedication and Version History.

I dedicate this game to any person out there who has turned graffiti into an
interesting thing by using it to broadcast a message. This includes every
real-life graffiti artist who appeared in the game and any painter, cartoonist,
sculptor, inker, tracer, colorist, animator, or artist out there period.
Special mention to my favorite graffiti artists who did not appear in the game-
El Barto, Jenny (call her for a good time at 867-5309), Evelyn from The Shape
of Things, and Michelangelo. Let me also give a shout-out to all the people who
have painted murals in my fair hometown, the great city of Austin, TX. Keep up
the good work, y'all. Note- it does not include anybody who makes graffiti just
to do vandalism or makes graffiti that is not appreciated by the average
observer. That sort of graffiti is just plain uncool. I do not encourage or
condone any form of it. Just my opinion, okay?

6/17/06 Version 1.0- Complete game walkthru, with just about all the bonuses
and secrets included. Enjoy, y'all!

2. Game Story and Cast.

In the game, you are a young street kid looking to become a legendary graffiti
artist. To do this, you will have to learn from the best talents in the world.
Thankfully many of them have come to train you in your home city, the great
metropolis known as New Radius. This vast urban ghetto has long been a center
of the graffiti industry. It also contains a high level of crime and poverty,
but that comes with the territory, so you best get used to it. Unfortunately
for you, the city is being run by a new mayor who is looking to seriously clean
things up in the style of George Orwell's 1984. If you have not read that
classic novel, do so. It will make your life more interesting, I guarentee.
Basically, the city now has security cameras all over the place and Gestapo
troopers prowling around looking to savagely beat down anybody who tries to
rebel. That includes you of course. :) Your eventual purpose in the game is to
launch a campaign of not-so-quiet desperation against the Mayor and his
associates. It will not be an easy task, but hey, nothing worth it ever is,
right? Best of luck, man. You will need it. A healthy level of skill in
stealth, combat, acrobatics, and painting will also be helpful. So will street
cred.

Cast: Here are the characters in the game.

The Good Guys-

Coltrane "Trane" Crowley: This is you, dude. You are a resourceful street kid
who happens to have a natural athletic ability, skilled martial arts know-how,
and a sixth sense for danger and drama. Your goal in life is to follow in your
father's footsteps by becoming a graffiti legend. Your old man suffered a
mysterious death before you hit puberty, so you also want to uncover the truth
and avenge him. In the beginning, you have to flee your home to follow your
dreams. The streets will be unforgiving, as is their nature. You start out as a
toy, but your skills quickly develop, and by the end of the game, you are a
legend. Your techniques and tools become mature and varied, and your art is as
classical as anything in history. You gather friends and start your own gang,
the Still Free Crew (great name!). You also make a lot of enemies, but hey,
them's the breaks. :) Trane is voiced by Talib Krewli, a well-known black
comedian who is also the CEO of Blacksmith Music. Kudos to Talib for his great
acting and to Marc Ecko and all the game's writers for some of the most awesome
character development I have ever seen in a video game (mind you, this is
coming from a fan of Final Fantasy and MGS).

Tina: This gal is the game's hot chick, a doll who comes to greatly respect and
admire Trane over the course of the game. So Trane hopes anyway. At the start
of the game, she's with a loser jerk, but by the end her taste improves- again,
so Trane hopes. :) She is voiced by Rosario Dawson, an amazing actress who has
starred in such films as Josie & the Pussycats, Rent, The Rundown, and Sin City.

Decoy: A veteran graffiti artist who mentors Trane once our hero comes to his
attention. Decoy has been on the streets a long time and knows their secrets.
He also knows some of the truth about Trane's father. Veteran TV actor Sean
Squire lends his voice to this role.

RL Graffiti Legends: Over 50 real-life graffiti masters make cameos in the game
to help Trane out. They include Cope2, who teaches you about tagging the subway
system; Futura, who introduces you to your black book (portfolio for the
uninitiated); Sheperd "Obey" Fairey, who teaches you about wheatpasting and
graffiti in advertising (you may be familiar with his Andre the Giant sticker);
SEEN, who teaches you to make large pieces; SMITH, who teaches you about high
places and sneaking; and TKid, who shows you how to do murals. There are also
many others who appear via their art and influence alone. I'll list them in the
walkthru. All artists voice themselves.

Kry1: After being saved from a beatdown early on in the game, this kid becomes
Trane's unofficial sidekick. He cheers our hero on throughout the game and
backs him up on occasion. Giovanni Ribsi, a character actor known for his work
in TV and film, provides the voice.

White Mike: This big albino isn't much of a writer, but he does become a friend
to Trane and provide some much-needed physical support. He is easy to bug and
hard to miss. Great black comedian Charlie Murphy provides the voice.

Karen Light: The numero uno reporter of New Radius and the game's other hot
chick besides Tina. For all your news needs, Look to the Light! :) She provides
an unbiased exposure of Trane's quest to the city and will be a good friend to
you. Brittany Murphy, an actress known for her work in Sin City, King of the
Hill, and and numerous teen dramas, voices Karen.

Stake: This dude leads the Wrong Way Assassins, a street gang that is known for
tagging the highways and skyscrapers of the city. He will be a friend to Trane
by the time you meet. His gang dresses in black and are known for their ninja
tactics. Hip-hop MC RZA is the voice.

Grandma Celia: Another veteran of stage and screen, Eileen Galindo, voices
Trane's grandmother, who has raised him since his father died. Like Tina, she
spends most of the game worrying about our hero.

The Bad Guys-

Vandals of New Radius: This is the biggest gang in town, also known as the
VaNR. They are known for wearing orange and blue, revering the local basketball
team the Stunners (especially #33, Van D'Allister), and putting tags all over
the place. They are very protective of their territory and will serve as
Trane's first opponents as he tries to make his mark on the city. They come in
various skins, but two types predominate. The first is Punks, who are basic
fighters, and the second is Brutes, who are big bruiser types. Trane will have
to take on many of both in early levels.

Gabe: This boy leads the Vandals of New Radius. He is a veteran tagger who
develops a semi-friendly rivalry with Trane. They're foes, then friends. What
happens after that? Well, play the game, okay? :) Gabe is also Tina's
boyfriend- uh oh. He is voiced by hip-hop star Michael Berrin.

Dip: This preppie dude is Gabe's numero uno enforcer and a serious subway
bomber. He also knows how to use a belt in some very painful ways. Voiced by
Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, another bigtime hip-hop star.

Spleen: Gabe's numero dos enforcer, a tough Dominican who uses a machete and
mutts to hurt people. Jeff Garcia voices this clown.

Mayor Miguel Sung: The mayor of New Radius and your main opponent. This guy is
very corrupt and anti-graffiti. He dedicates himself to reviving and rebuilding
New Radius, but truly he just wants power. He is responsible for all the
Gestapo troopers on the streets, the security cameras watching your every move,
and the death of Trane's father. Truly a nasty man. Great character actor
George Hamilton is voicing this mook.

Shanna Ray: The Mayor's personal troubleshooter. One heck of a lethal lady.
Voiced by Manao DeMuth.

Sung Agents: These black-suited thugs carry pistols and will shoot at Trane
with them. Be cautious- they are accurate and highly trained. They also know
martial arts and employ them against you.

The CCK: These guys are Sung's police goombahs and will be Trane's most
frequent nemeses. They come in two colors- orange and the stronger silver. They
wield both nighsticks and high-powered rifles. CCK will also shoot at you from
spotlight towers and helicopters- these can't be taken out. Beware of them in
any form, and fight back with your skills in stealth, graffiti, and martial
arts.

Chief Will Hunt: The head of the CCK. Voiced by Adam West, a great character
actor best known for playing Batman in the 1960s.

The Vandal Squad: A special unit of the CCK specifically targeting graffiti
artists. They wield stun batons and are known for disguising themselves as
homeless people.

Aunt Beth: A notorious drag queen member of Vandal Squad who is known for her
creative tactics. She is voiced by Andy Dick, a great comedian and actor.

Workmen, Janitors, and Security Guards: These guys are trying to build, clean
up, and generally maintain what you're trying to "deface," so naturally they're
your enemies. They will come after you using the tools of their trades as
improvised weapons. Watch out!

Dogs: Vicious guardian beasts trained to attack the unsuspecting. Kick them
down, Trane!

Butchers: These guys staff the meat-packing plant that is the hideout for the
VaNR gang. They will be among Trane's foes when he infiltrates that area.

Dom: The foreman of the butchers.

Civilians: These include businesspeople, bums, and other average citizens of
New Radius who will not interfere directly in your quest but serve mainly as
background. Be aware that they may call the CCK if they see you committing
crimes. Otherwise they serve mostly as comic relief characters.

The Ugly Guys:
I think I've already covered plenty of those. :)

3. Explanation of Basic Controls.

This game gets honorable mention for mixing together a variety of styles.
Combat, platform, sneaking, navigation, and a suprisingly unique graffiti
system. All are both challenging and easy to learn fast. The game does most of
the teaching for you, so I will only cover a few basic tips for each aspect
here.

Combat- The game uses a martial arts system that includes punches, kicks,
throws, blocks, and spin dodge maneuvers. You are strongly encouraged to become
familiar with them all. Most of them come from Jeet Kune Do, an excellent
freeform school of martial arts founded by Bruce Lee and practiced by many
great fighters. Special tactics you want to make frequent use of include
combos, sneak attacks, and improvised weapons- which can be thrown or swung.
You also have a skills meter with which you can add more power to your blows.
I'll cover this in greater detail as we get into the walkthru.

Platform- The game encourages you to place your marks in hard-to-reach places,
so you'll be doing a lot of jumping, shimmying, climbing and general
acrobatics. Be on the lookout for places where you can employ these skills in
the urban environment. You will use them to get bonuses and to progress.

Sneaking- You don't want to be seen vandalizing the city, right? Therefore you
will need to use some stealth. Make use of shadows to put your marks up and
take down the enemy. Hold L1 for Sneak Mode. Almost any enemy in the game can
be sneaked around if you're good enough- I tend to prefer combat, but that's
just me. There's no radar, but you can still do nice stuff with sneaking. Read
the walkthru or play the game to find out what.

Navigation- Trane can look around the city in first-person view and spot places
to put his art. Look for orange Xs (main objective graffiti spots), blue Xs
(bonus spots), and white Xs (freeform challenge spots). Trane can also spot
security camera viewcones, enemies, and climbable objects. Hit L2 to enter this
mode. Use it often to find the places you need to hit.

Graffiti- This is easy to do, yet very challenging. Hold R1 to enter graffiti
mode. You can then use a variety of tools- spray paint, etchers, rollers, wheat
paste, posters, and all sorts of other cool stuff. The game creates the shapes
for you, you just have to fill them in with the buttons and left analog stick.
Be sure to watch where you're painting- you want to fill in enough color so you
see a good picture but you also want to avoid drips- those annoying spots that
appear when you put too much paint on a certain area. You get bonuses for size
(Go Big), putting graffiti over rival taggers' graffiti (Go Over), applying it
quickly (Time), applying it without messing up (No Drips), and applying it in
high places (Heaven Spot). Being stealthy when you do it is also a good idea,
as you are very vulnerable when putting your mark up and if enemies see you
they will come after you. Also be aware that you can use your tools in combat
as well as graffiti-making. A paint roller makes a decent club, spray paint
blinds enemies, and there are other great tactics too. I'll cover some of them
in the walkthru. Practice Graffiti a lot and become familiar with all the
methods- every one has different yet similar controls.

The Game Score- This is also known as Rep, and will be built up as you complete
objectives and collect bonuses. You will get a rank on a list that includes
Toy, Tagger, Writer, Bomber, Artist, Legend, and eventually All-City King. I'm
not going to list all the ranks here, as it was too time-consuming, but they do
make the game more worth it. :)

4. Items Listing.

Graffiti Gear- This will be given to you as you progress through the game. It
includes spray paint, posters, rollers, glue, and etching devices. Note that
your ammo for each is limitless. This is good, because you use it all so much.
:)

Soda- This is your Life-Restorer. Health in a can. One can, one bar back on
your meter. Pick up a Six-Pack to fully recharge your life.

Bonus Markers- These include red Ecko symbols and silver ipods. Collect them
for bonus rep and to unlock extra tunes on the soundtrack. There's also fanny
packs (which add bars to Skills or Health meters) and Gold Montana Spray Cans
(which add extra paint pressure). Another bonus you can get is the digital
camera icon- activate these to get extra pages in your Black Book.

Weapons: These include boards, pipes, trash can lids, basketballs, and all
sorts of other improvised tools for taking down your foes. Be on the lookout
for them and use them well. Some weapons may be found by smashing objects in
the environment. Be aware that nearly all weapons will break eventually, so
wisely place your swings.

5. The Missions- Walkthru.

Okay, let's turn the game on. You are Trane, an aspiring young graffiti artist
sickened by the tyranny of his local city government and looking to live out
his dreams. Right now you are a lone wolf, with nary a friend in the world and
not much of a life expectancy. But you will show your doubters. You will become
a graffiti legend, like your father before you. You will also learn the truth
about your father's death and pay back his killers. Not only that, you will
bring down the evil despot who controls New Radius. Good enough for you? :)

The game's opening demos and menu will bring on the basic feel. Be aware that
an auto-save and checkpoint system with unlimited continues is in effect, so
you don't need to worry about saving. You can also skip cutscenes- sometimes
you should but mostly you shouldn't if you want to get the complete story. The
opening menus are unique in that they resemble a subway station. Go ahead and
select New Game or Load Game, then pick your file, and enter the car to open
your main listing of options.

Now the first multi-option menu pops up. Visit the Options menu first and be
sure to turn on subtitles for a full gaming experience and make whatever other
adjustments you prefer to the controls, audio, gameplay, etc. Be aware you can
put in some codes as cheats here- again, I am not covering those, but you can
easily find them on the Net if you know where to look. They may even be on the
same site where you found this walkthru. Next, check out the stats listing and
the unlocks. The latter are some extra features that open when you get a high
enough score. They include concept art, new graffiti batches and combat moves,
and some excellent bonus beatdown levels that you can do two player co-op on
(one arena to start, play as Trane or Gabe, more will be added later). Play
these out at your leisure as they open up. You can also view some in-game
movies and behind the scenes stuff here. I won't say much about them- explore
for yourself, okay? :)

Also available is the Black Book, Trane's portfolio. Here you can look at his
many graffiti pieces- including murals (spraycan concept art), roll-ups (paint
roller graffiti), throw-ups (more spray art, big bombers mostly), wheat-pastes
(ads attached with glue), and wildstyles (original etchings and bonus spray
art). You can also see freeform stuff- stickers, marker tags, aerosol tags,
stencils, and posters. As you progress through the game you can also add
legendary graffiti souvenirs and info on artists to the bonus "Legends"
section. You can view the game credits here too.

Okay, enough playing around. Let's start the revolution.

*Missions*
Act I: "Before They Were Silver, We Were Gold"
This is an obvious reference to the present and past of New Radius. In the
past, the city was a haven for graf artists but now it is a tight security
community and dangerous place for them. Silver is the present, Gold the past
and (one hopes) the future. In this act we are introduced to the game's basic
story and main characters. We get to see some of the history of graffiti art
and start contributing to that history ourselves. We also get trained hard and
fast on all the various forms of gameplay. It's a great series of intro levels.

Chapter 1: "Welcome to New Radius"
Intro to the city, taking place in the ghetto. See Trane dream and get ready to
fulfill his visions.

Location #1: "Grandma Celia's"
Each level covers a different neighborhood of the city. I will go through the
level start to finish covering as much as I can. If I miss something (and I
very well may) please let me know via email. Your content will be added and you
will be credited, I guarentee it. I will close each level with a listing of all
bonuses so you may tally what you got. You are encouraged to replay the level
if you miss something. (+ indicates I got all bonuses, -# is number I missed.)
Be aware that you can select graffiti from your Black Book at the start of each
mission and access options from the Pause Menu. You can also check your stats
from the Pause Menu to see how you're stacking up on collecting bonuses (note-
only Legends and Secrets will not reset when you replay a level).

The first level opens with a cutscene of Trane leaving his boyhood home to
pursue his fantasy of becoming a graffiti artist. His grandma, Celia, is not
pleased. She's worried he'll end up dead and infamous like his father. But she
lets him go anyway since he's determined. You also get a bird's eye view of
people protesting the Mayor's new campaign of peace, love, and Gestapo tactics.
Listen to the comments and watch the scene. Then start the action.

Most of your controls don't function just yet, but they will be activated as
you progress. Be aware that the civilians around you at the beginning are not
dangerous. I will cover enemies as you come to them. To begin, head along the
balcony and keep your eyes peeled. You have three meters on top of the screen.
Red is Health and you want to keep it high. Blue is Skills and will slowly
regenerate when not in use. It adds power to your punches and kicks and is
consumed by attacking. Orange is Rep and fills up as you gather the level's
points. When it gets close to full, you are close to completion. Keep watch on
these. Note in your inventory you have an etching marker and some stencils,
neither of which are really useable yet. Get used to moving and jumping about.
You will soon spot your first enemy- a VaNR Punk tagging the wall. You also get
your first objective- Find a Way Out of the Apartment Complex. Easy enough. :)

You can stencil your name on the walls just about anywhere if you want (enter
Graffiti Mode and put it down) but only doing it in key spots will earn you
rep. I will point out those spots, don't worry. For now, follow the VaNR punk
up and along the pipe, getting some shimmying and climbing tutorials in the
process. When you get over the pile of debris, you have your first violent
encounter- there's no avoiding this, sorry. Trane now has good cause to hate
the VaNRs, so let's tag our first piece. Simply approach the indicated wall and
go through the tagging tutorial. All you have to do here is enter Graffiti Mode
and press a button to put your name down over the VaNR Punk's tag. Easy breezy,
no time limit, no drip potential. It only gets worse from here on. :(

Freeform Challenge complete. Let's follow that Punk now. Note the soda can
beside the door he went through. Grab that to recharge your health. You will
meet two VaNR Punks in the courtyard- the dude you followed, and a friend of
his. Follow the on-screen instructions to get over the railings and down to
meet the first Punk. The second one flees for now. You get a combat tutorial on
blocking, punching, and kicking. Be aware that the Punk can both hit you with
his fists and throw rocks at you, so you will want to be on your guard. The Bum
who's also in this area is harmless, but you will want to stay clear of his
burning trash barrel. Pay attention to the on-screen tips on using combos and
power moves to break blocks, bust out of grapples, and keep enemies on their
toes. Take the Punk out once you have the chance (his life meter appears above
his head and will become vulnerable once you complete the tutorials). Be
careful of grapples and enemy combos- hit the foe hard repeatedly to break
these. Also keep dodging, and stay near the Soda so you can grab it if
necessary. At the end of the fight, the CCK starts buzzing the area in a
chopper looking to enact a curfew. Trane will of course be violating that. :)

Let's look around this area. First jump up to the level above where the Punk
was tagging and grab the Ipod Secret. See that pipe the other Punk ran up?
Climb it, ignoring the spotlights and PA broadcasts. They're not a danger this
first time you face them. You get some more tips on using ledges to ascend, and
when you reach the top, a crouching tutorial. Hold L1 to crouch and move down
the alley. You just beat the level. If you got most of the level's Rep, you
should now have your first Unlock move, the Roll Kick Insult. Check your
Unlocks List for how to use this move- we'll get a tutorial on Insults soon.

Primary Graffiti- 0
Bonus Graffiti- 0
Freeform Challenges- 1 +
Legend Photos- 0
Secrets- 1 +

Location #2: "Trane's Hood"
Trane continues to chase after the VaNR Punk who assaulted him, heading out of
his apartment building and into his home turf. The enemy starts to come out in
force now, and we get more skills too. Be on your toes, grasshopper!

You get a tutorial on descent now, and on doing freeform while hanging on
ledges. Yes, it is possible! :) Head down to the ground and listen to the
conversations. You will climb on pipes and, as you near the bottom, ivy. When
you reach the big pipe near the ground, jump down and grab the Ipod, then climb
back up the pipe and jump over the fence in your way. You are now in the common
garden. A harmless Bum and our quarry are waiting. The latter continues to
flee. Be aware you can climb up the pole behind you to get back over the fence
(no need to do this, just FYI). Head up the wall after the Punk, staying clear
of the burning trash barrels. If you get caught on fire, use the roll button to
put out the flames and grab the soda if necessary. You get more tips on moving
in the environment and surmounting obstacles. Keep following the on-screen
instructions and go the way the Punk went. You soon get a scene where you see
several VaNR punks (not your quarry, don't worry) being busted by the CCK. Stay
clear of these guys- they will try to arrest you! For now, it's easy to avoid
them. Sneak over to that van of theirs.

This vehicle is the level's Freeform Challenge. Tag it with 8 Stencils to earn
Rep. You can do this easily without getting spotted. Be aware that Stencils
placed on top of each other don't count- all 8 must be in different spots. Move
the left analog stick up and down to alter your placement. You can get all 8
marks on the same side- I recommend this. You also get tips on changing your
marks' sizes and colors (not necessary but fun!) and using inventory. Stay out
of sight and work quickly, my good man. The CCK Guard here (only one on your
side of the fence, the others are not an issue) won't move unless provoked, so
as long as you stay away from him and keep quiet, you're cool. If the CCK Guard
does come after you, beat him down the same way you handled the Punk earlier.
Just watch out for his nightstick (which you can't get after beating him :P)
and arrest grapples (again, rapid hits get you free). You may not be able to
kill him at this stage, so keep your distance and be quiet (crouch to move).
When you're done stenciling, grab the Bolt Cutters beside the van.

The Bolt Cutters are a useful tool for breaking open any chained gates in
Trane's path. You get a tutorial on using them. Note- each pair can only be
used within its respective level. Cut through the chain on the gate and follow
the fleeing Punk. The CCK Guard will not follow you through the gate, so if
you're having trouble with him, get away quick. When you jump down into the
courtyard, another Punk comes after you. Time to learn some new moves. Follow
the tutorials on grappling and pummeling held enemies. Next you learn how to
throw enemies into walls (VERY useful) and use insult moves to stun foes (punch
and kick both available, do punch to end the lesson). A second Punk joins the
fight after the tutorial. Take these clowns out using all your skills mastered
so far. I recommend moving around a lot, employing throws, and concentrating on
each foe one at a time. When they're both down, grab the soda and approach the
sewer grate. Follow the tutorial to open it and head inside. Level completed.

Primary Graffiti- 0
Bonus Graffiti- 0
Freeform Challenges- 1 +
Legend Photos- 0
Secrets- 2 (-1)

Location #3: "The Pool Yard"
Ok, time to enter the area of your hood where the most artists hang out. The
pool is long drained, and the area's gone to seed, but there's a lot of
graffiti to look at. Just about every legend in the city has something on
display here. You can copy some of it and add your own. Learn from the old
masters. :)

Unfortunately, this area is also where you meet the game's first boss, White
Mike. Yeah, he becomes your friend later, but right now he is a danger to
Trane. He's tagging the yard, Trane doesn't like his style, they trade insults,
and then it is on! Thankfully, Mike's actually pretty easy to beat. Break out
of his unavoidable opening grapple (tutorial) and then pummel him like you have
previous foes. Pay attention to the evasion tutorial- you will want to quickly
master this skill. You also learn about lock-on and using weapons. The latter
are excellent for pounding foes. One club and two six-packs are here to help
you. You can get three more clubs by breaking the benches. Avoid Mike's
grapples and charges, keep whaling on him till he falls. Now you get his Spray
Paint and learn to use Intuition (aka Tag Vision). Look at new areas in this
mode whenever possible and be alert for orange, blue, and white Xs. Those are
where you want to tag. Orange Xs must be completed to finish the mission, while
blue and white are extra. Get them all for serious Rep.

Approach the graffiti Mike drew and enter Graffiti Mode. Time for a spraying
tutorial. Hit your mark, avoid drips, and work quickly but well. This is a
matter of personal skill, so I'm going to give tips more than tell you how to
do it. For now you only have the narrow spray option. Most areas take two to
three coats to get the marker right- watch the fades and if you see the paint
start to smear quickly move on before you get a drip. Also stay inside the
lines as much as possible, work in zigzag patterns, and watch your can
pressure. Stop spraying and shake the can when the meter runs low. A good
tactic to use is shaking the can while moving to unsprayed areas of the
pattern. The marks you make are quite funny, so pay attention to them. Trane
also often gives tips when you mess up. You don't have to hit every spot- just
keep tagging undripped areas until the game automatically signals completion.
Remember- you get bonuses for size, going over rivals' pieces, tagging in
dangerous spots, tagging quickly, and avoiding drips. After making your first
tag, approach the next indicated tag across the way. You now learn how to
switch pieces and sizes in spray mode. Remember- white pieces work on the wall,
red ones don't. Size your piece appropriately (there is a bonus for big tags!),
then spray it down, son. This one is more challenging, as you have a time limit
to get the speed bonus. Watch the fades and work quickly, man. :)

Now for the next tag. This one is a Freeform Challenge- put 10 Aerosol tags on
the center wall. No time limit, easy as before. Just remember to cover a wide
area. When you're done, head through the hole in the fence and enter the main
Pool Yard. Trane will scan the area for likely spots- use Tag Vision to see
these. Take out the VaNR Punk who comes after you almost immediately, then
start exploring. First, let's head to Trane's right. Get the white X on the big
white marker first. This is a Freeform Challenge in which you must put 6
Aerosol tags on the wall. Again, no time limit, so just watch your placement
and you'll be fine. A Bonus Graffiti (BG) mark is to the left of this
Challenge- take care of that next using all the skills you have mastered.
There's another BG to the left of this one, get it too. When you're close to a
wall, you can see the pattern Trane wants to lay down. Pay attention!

Take out the second VaNR Punk tagging the wall to the left. Remember to vary
your punches and kicks- the AI does pick up on you! Tag the two spots on this
wall- one is Bonus and one is Primary Graffiti (PG). Also pick up the Ipod. Now
cross the pool yard to the other end. Another VaNR Punk will be after you en
route, so KO his ass. Kick him when he's down! Grab the Ipod next to the
central fountain. See that yellow marker to the right of the fence you came in
through? There's another white X on it- Freeform Challenge! Put 6 Aerosol Tags
on the wall as you've done before. Now move over to the orange X and tag this
wall. Grab the Soda Can if you need it. After you finish tagging, you get a
cutscene in which Trane eyes the smaller "Legends Pool" area and decides to put
some paint down in there.

Hop the fence and enter the Pool. Trane automatically targets the ugliest
marker on the wall. Put your tag over it. Time for another cutscene. Ok,
trouble. It seems that tag you just went over belongs to Gabe, the leader of
the VaNR. Gabe has heard about you messing on his turf and is coming to meet
you. He now ambushes you with serious backup- his enforcers Dip and Spleen and
some VaNR Brutes. Trane is overwhelmed, pummeled, humiliated, and his gear is
taken. Not good! Even worse, veteran Graffiti master Decoy and Gabe's cute gal
pal Tina witness the whole thing. Does this count as a first impression? :(
Afterwards, the VaNRs leave. Decoy approaches the injured Trane, treats his
wounds, and gives him some new tools (spray and a stencil). He also advises
Trane to give up his quest, but Trane's pride is injured now. He can't do that.
On to the next mission.

Unlocks: Beatdown Arena 2.

Primary Graffiti- 4 +
Bonus Graffiti- 4 +
Freeform Challenges- 3 +
Legend Photos- 0
Secrets- 2 +

Location #4: "Storefront Row"
Decoy told Trane to stay away from the abandoned art school in his
neighborhood- it's a VaNR hangout. Trane is too pissed to be smart, so that's
where he's going. On the way, we'll tag some pieces in the local mini-mall. The
level opens with a quick scene where Trane sees Karen Light on video (giving a
report on the recent crackdown in Trane's hood), encounters Tina (who's still
pissy and doubtful of his ability), and then meets his first RL Graf Legend-
Futura. This guy will tag your Black Book and give you tips on hunting down
Legend Pieces for Bonus Rep. Nice. Ok, time to survey the area.

Art school's behind the fence, 3 Roll-Up Doors to tag before we can head in.
Unfortunately we got a Security Camera, a Security Guard, and a VaNR Punk
watching them. Walk around the area first and try not to attract attention. Use
your Tag Vision to spot the places you need to hit and the Security Camera's
vision cone. Be careful of cars on the street- they don't move that fast and
stop frequently, but if one hits you, it does hurt! Let's deal with that Punk
first- time for your sneak attack tutorial. Crouch and creep up behind him
while he's spraying and then hit the jump and punch buttons together to knock
him out with your paint can. Nice. If he spots you, beat him down quickly and
be aware that pedestrians nearby may scream for the cops- this summons two
Security Guards wielding flashlights. If they show up, run or give them a
whupping. Once the area's clear, go over the VaNR tag, taking care to avoid
pedestrian attention. Also pick up the Ipod nearby and the Six-Pack if
necessary.

Next up- the piece guarded by a Camera. Stay out of the vision cone- if you're
seen the screen switches to the camera view and you'll want to stop tagging and
move quickly before it locks in on you and summons two more Security Guards
(this takes about 5 seconds). They're easy to beat compared to the CCK, but
still bothersome. Tag your piece and move on. Note that you can climb the
Girders here- let's do that next. Some bonuses are up here. First there's a
Freeform Challenge: put 10 Aerosol marks on the elevated train tracks. No time
limit, easy as pie. Head back down and move on down the street. You'll find
another Security Guard on patrol.

You'll also see Crown Icons appear in Tag View on several pieces of graffiti in
the area- those are the marks of the Legends Futura told you about. Look for
the digital camera icon to photograph these pieces and add them to your Black
Book (follow the tutorial). The history of their artists is very interesting-
it's amazing how well this game was researched and how many Graf Artists have
somehow hit the big time today. :) Legends available here include CES (above
the store awning), Ghost (on the underside of the subway tracks), SP One (top
of the school, look back by the first Roll-Up Door), and West (near SP One,
other side of the street). Stand in the camera icon near each and click away to
add them to your Black Book. You should have 5 when you're done, counting
Futura. Respect!

Ok, more sneaking tips now. Use cover in the environment and get around that
Guard or kick his ass. I prefer the latter- hard to sneak without radar. But
MGS fans should have a blast. Moving targets are vulnerable to sneak attacks-
you just have to be extra cautious. Now let's check the area. The white
delivery trucks host your second and third Freeform Challenge- put 8 Aerosol
Tags on each truck. Hit them wherever there's space, then keep searching. Head
over to the elevated train tracks by the fence and climb up there. You can find
2 Bonus Graffiti marks that you should tag on the tracks facing the school. Hit
them, then come back to the Roll-Up Door and tag it. Trane will now spot a VaNR
Punk on the b-ball court inside the art school grounds- he's your next target.
Follow the tutorial to open the sliding gate and enter the school parking lot.
Checkpoint!

Don't head for the b-ball court just yet. First go after the duo of Punks
tagging the front of the school. You want to knock these guys out quickly.
Follow the sneaking tutorial, beat them, then grab the Ipod. Now tag the 5 BG
spots in this area. Remember to choose your marks wisely- always lay down the
biggest least complicated piece you can. Variety is good, but can control is
more important. After all tags are in place, move on to the b-ball court. You
get a tutorial on throwing weapons here. Grab the basketball and knock out that
punk! Once he's down, snap a photo of Graf Legend Cycle (b-ball court wall).
After that, Go Over the 3 VaNR pieces on the walls here. Two are Bonus, one is
Primary. Trane's next goal- get inside the school somehow.

Climb the pipe on the b-ball court- your destination is the open window. On the
way tag the last BG spot (Go Over the VaNR tag) and get a Heaven Spot bonus.
Now shimmy around the ledges and climb up the second pipe to the window. That's
it for this level.

Unlocks: Concept Art Gallery 1, Power Knuckle Buster (extra Punch power move,
check the Unlock List to see how to use it), and Beat Down character White Mike.

Primary Graffiti- 4 +
Bonus Graffiti- 10 +
Freeform Challenges- 3 +
Legend Photos- 6 +
Secrets- 2 +

Location #5: "Abandoned Art School"
The abandoned art school would make a great new home for Trane. Unfortunately,
the VaNRs don't see it that way. :( Let's chase 'em out of here! The Bums are
no problem- just stay clear of their burning trash barrels as before. If you
can lure an enemy near one and knock him into it, that will do some heavy
damage. Let him run around burning as long as possible to keep up the pain.

In the first room, you'll find a Gold Montana Spray Can (GMSC) near the Bums.
Pick this up for added can pressure. Next hit the BG mark on the wall. Lay down
a big piece- you're automatically given more time and Rep for doing so. Just
remember to select the tag before you start spraying. Snap a photo of Legend
MARE139 at the top of the steps. Put 4 Aerosol Tags on the orange doors next to
the Legend for a Freeform Challenge. Now head through the doors, crouch to get
through the hole in the wall, and enter the next room.

Two VaNR Punks are here, one wielding a club. Take 'em out by any means
necessary- I recommend going after the guy with the weapon first. Sneak attacks
are highly recommended. There are also clubs and Soda in the room if you need
it. Tag the spot one of the Punks was going over (PG). After you do, another
Punk breaks through the wall wielding a pipe. Grab a club and take care of him.
Hit the BG Spot on the wall behind you. After that, pick up a club and hop
through the hole the Punk made.

Ok, now you're in the bathroom. 3 Punks ambush you almost immediately. Hit them
into the sinks and stalls for extra damage! Get the Soda, then tag the PG Spot
on the wall. This summons another Punk- take care of him! A buddy of his rushes
in with a club- pummel him repeatedly to disarm him, then scoop it up and turn
the tables! Remember to block and dodge as often as you can. After the Punks
are down, leave the bathroom.

Legend Duro can be photographed on the wall here. You spot the VaNR Brute who
took your bag a couple levels back running away from you. Before heading after
him, check under the stairs for Graf Legend Chino, a Freeform Challenge (put 9
Aerosol Tags on the wall across from Chino), Soda, and a club. Grab the latter-
you'll need it. There's also 2 BG Spots you should hit here. Note- the game
mostly selects your pieces for you, but you can change them up before you start
spraying if you want something bigger, easier, etc. Remember- red marks will
not fit on the target wall! When you're ready, enter the classroom.

Boss time! VaNR Brutes are bigger and tougher than Punks. They can take and
deal out more damage. Occasionally they will use grapples, but mostly they
inflict punishing combos. Be ready to dodge each. I recommend striking back
with grapples and insults- Brutes move slower than Punks, so they're vulnerable
to these. The room here also holds many objects that can become weapons and do
extra damage if your foe is knocked into them (shelves, sinks, and so on). Be
sure to grab the Ipod. The big paint cans make great bludgeons and the Six-Pack
helps if you get hurt. Just use all your combat skills, stay on your toes, and
pummel the Brute. When he's down, Trane interrogates him and learns that the
VaNRs are planning a major subway bombing campaign. Sounds like we better get
down there and do something about it. In preperation for his journey, Trane
gets cleaned up, grabs a lot of supplies, and dons a new uniform. "Still Free"-
nice ring to that. :) He also shaves his head and takes on a new more kick-ass
persona. Taxi Driver homage! :) Level finished.

Unlocks: Graffiti Batch 1. New Tag Patterns Available in Black Book.

Primary Graffiti- 2 +
Bonus Graffiti- 4 +
Freeform Challenges- 2 +
Legend Photos- 3 +
Secrets- 2 (-1)