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PS2 | Action | State of Emergency

Boxart for State of Emergency
State of Emergency 33 screen shots
  • GRAPHICS: 4.5
  • SOUND: 4.5
  • CONTROL: 4.0
  • FUN FACTOR 4.0
  • AVG USER SCORE 3.0
  • AVG CRITIC SCORE 3.6

Hands-On: State of Emergency

Hands-On by MAJORMIKE | 01/30/2002 | 15:03:05 PM PST

Destruction! Acts of mayhem! Team building! Riot management! These are a few of the elements that compose Rockstar?s upcoming PS2 title, State of Emergency.

"You Say You Want a Revolution?"
Some lessons are learned naturally, but others can?and should?be taught only by video games, such as the virtues of riot management and proper use of guerilla tactics to combat an oppressive government. That?s the premise of State of Emergency, a game that?s best described as Streets of Rage chucked into a blender with Smash TV. In this action title, you?ll play as one of two "oppressed" citizens who are mad as hell and just can?t take it anymore. You?ll also be able to unlock other characters?nine in all?as you progress deeper into the game.

The Siege
State?s various urban areas will be packed with interaction. You?ll throw objects, trash cars, and let loose with a variety of weapons, including firearms and explosives. But all combat won?t be weapon-based: You?ll also punch, kick, and execute a charge attack that spins you 360 degrees in order to clear away any enemies who gang up on you. You?ll accumulate points by committing acts of mass destruction, but the game won?t be all mayhem. It will also feature mission-based objectives, such as safely escorting fellow citizens to their destinations and rescuing them from harm. And, while you?re at it, you?ll be able to rid the streets of crime by pitting rival gangs against each other. Disturbing? Sure?but that?s why State will carry a Mature rating.

You Can Fight City Hall
In early playable form, State?s controls were simple, to the point, and responsive. And although the characters lacked fine details, you?ll nevertheless be amazed by the sheer number of people on screen at a single time as hordes of fellow citizens will scatter in every direction. All the mayhem was done to a hard rock beat, but you?ll hardly notice it over the sounds of the arresting audio track. Despite State?s "off beat" theme, its depth of play and multifaceted action could make it the unlikeliest hit of 2002. Here?s one game that will easily live up to the phrase "it?s a riot."


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