This one ain't for the kids. And parents, please look the other way. The much awaited State of Emergency (SOE) has been declared, and the brewing controversy will only grow stronger as this game spreads among the masses.
First, let's get one thing straight: contrary to popular rumor, the plot of SOE was NOT derived from the World Trade Organization riots in Seattle in 1999. In fact, the game was in pre-production before the riots even took place. After a few moments of playing SOE, you will quickly realize that the game is far from a realistic simulation. Rather, the developers (Vis) clearly chose to take a comical, larger than life, cartoon-like approach. And it works quite well for what it is - a throwback, story-based fighting game that traces its lineage to the likes of 16-bit classics like Streets of Rage and Final Fight.
Gameplay
The story goes something like this: the year is 2035 and the American government as we know it has disappeared. The official story tells us that "for years the Democratic process has given us only a weak government," resulting in the abolition of elections and takeovers of big business. These businesses then eventually merge to form The Corporation and become the proverbial "big brother." This, of course, leads to discontent among the masses. Rioting erupts and The Corporation declares a State of Emergency.
There are two modes of gameplay: Chaos and Revolution. In Revolution Mode, we find the "story." In Chaos Mode, well, there's simply chaos - no holds barred, just pick up and shoot.
In Revolution Mode you select a freedom fighter, and you fight The Corporation through different areas of the game. The problem here is that the missions you are given in Revolution Mode are far too monotonous. They generally consist of protecting Person A and escorting him/her from Point A to Point B, or killing Person A, or picking up Item A and dropping it off at this location.
Chaos Mode, on the other hand, is a pure joy. The object here is to amass points by taking out The Corporation forces and gang members, blowing up cars, destroying storefronts, and avoiding killing innocent civilians. Oh yeah, and avoid killing the innocent civilians. Oops. I guess it slips sometimes. But you'll see that it's simply a sickening blast to have your character stand in the middle of a bustling mall with hundreds of civilians running about and open fire with a chain gun. The bodies and bullet shells fly -but it's all in good fun. Really, it is. It's nothing more than pure chaos and you're at the helm with an arsenal ranging from a trash can, to a hand axe, to the standard issue rocket launcher.
Gameplay: B-
Graphics
The graphics are bright and sharp, and while some of the textures could use work - and there could be larger or simply more levels - this is all made up for by the ridiculous display of the PS2's polygon-pushing power. At any given time, SOE is able to display hundreds (publisher Rockstar claims up to 250) of civilians on screen at one time with absolutely no slowdown in the frame-rate. It is quite impressive.
The character models repeat as expected, but there is enough variety to satisfy. And the explosions - of course an important part of a game where the object is to cause mayhem and blow things up - are gorgeous. While the particle effects of the explosions aren't as impressive as the explosions in Gamecube's or even Twisted Metal: Black for PS2, they fit quite nicely in the cartoon-y world that is State of Emergency.
The menus are also nicely designed and reminiscent of the layouts of old-school Genesis games from the early '90s. Not something spectacular, just an appreciated touch.
Graphics: B
Sound
If you aren't convinced of SOE's casual tone, then take a listen to the game's commentator. While not overly clever, he is rather comical. Shouting "Go, go, go!" as the level begins and chiming in with quips such as "blow up cars for bonus score" or "smash the corporation" periodically throughout your quests.
The background music is nothing spectacular, but again, it doesn't need to be. It works - it's generally nothing more than fast-paced generic rock interlaced with threads of techno. And of course the background is often filled also with shrills and screams, shotgun blasts, and the occasional yell "This man is resisting arrest!" from The Corporation officers.
SOE uses simple voiceovers and simple background noises. Simplicity is the key here and it fits well with the rest of the package.
Sound: B-
Replay Value
Chaos Mode will rope you in time and again. It may not lead to widespread addiction like Grand Theft Auto 3, Civilization III, or Snood, but it will certainly entertain you for 10 minutes here and there.
Revolution Mode on the other hand seems like a structure forced upon a free-flowing riot. Do the words structure and riot go well together in your mind? They don't in mine. And they don't in this game, either. I don't see Revolution Mode drawing many back time and again. However, progress in the Revolution Mode unlocks more characters. They always get us on that one.
The real problem here is that SOE is really nothing more than a 50-cent arcade game packaged for the PS2. It's a fun arcade game that you walk away from after 10 minutes, not a fun console game that you shell out $50 for.
Replay Value: C+
As I was torching downtown Chinatown a friend of mine noted, "This game is totally unnecessary." And he's probably right. But you know what? Take the Chaos Mode and forget that a story mode exists and you'll be entertained - albeit if only for a short time - doing what is "unnecessary." And if you think there is too much violence in games already, then you shouldn't be reading this review, and you certainly shouldn't buy this game. But if the cartoon violence doesn't bother you, SOE offers some great old-school beat 'em up fun. Just don't buy it hoping it's a sequel to its cousin GTA3 (both published by Rockstar Games), because it's far from that. And when it comes down it, it's really more of a weekend rental than a buy.
Overall: B-
