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SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate

EMAIL PRINT pc

6.5 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 19 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 12 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Vivendi Universal Games

Developer: Irrational Games

Genre(s): Tactical Shooter

Players: 24

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: February 28, 2006

Summary

Crime is on the rise. More guns and drugs are appearing on the streets and the city is in crisis. SWAT is called in to take on a series of disturbances that eventually lead them to the root of the problem, an eastern European crime family that has taken up residence in the city. A final showdown will place legendary SWAT tactics against the most dangerous and ruthless criminals yet, the Stetchkov Syndicate. New features for SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate include: 7 new single and multiplayer player levels; Voice over IP - Built in voice communication between teammates; 10 Player Coop - Up to 2 teams of 5; New multiplayer mode - Smash & Grab; New weapons and equipment for both SWAT members and suspects; Stat tracking and ladders and rankings for multiplayer; Held commands - Orders can be held in single player until the leader gives the GO command; Unique Leader in Coop - Option to have only one person issue commands and lead the team. [Vivendi Universal]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: SWAT 4

Cheat Codes & Hints: GameSpot Hints & Cheats

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Computer Gaming World

Debrief: SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate enhances the best tactical shooter experience ever. Do I hear a 10-4 from the responding officers?

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AceGamez

Although it's short, the high replayability factor and some brilliant additions to both equipment and gameplay, make this is one of the best solider-sim expansion packs ever released. Period.

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Cheat Code Central

If you're looking for a smart game that doesn't require the patience of Job or the genius of Einstein, but a little more intelligence than a monkey with his hand on his joystick, then SWAT 4 and The Stetchkov Syndicate expansion pack are definitely for you.

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Worth Playing

One of the most solid expansions I have ever played.

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IGN

With challenging content, expanded multiplayer, enhanced single-player, and more weapons, there's plenty of game to be had.

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Pelit (Finland)

Good add-on for an excellent game. With fists, finally! [May 2006]

GameSpot

The Stetchkov Syndicate's additional weapons, aggressive suspects, and new multiplayer mode breathe new life into an already great tactical shooter.

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ActionTrip

Single-player missions are dynamic and exciting, and the multiplayer is excellent, especially when you're playing the co-op.

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Game Over Online

It expands on the original game with quality missions and offers significant upgrades to co-operative multiplayer.

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Eurogamer

Even for those people who hated the previous generations of the strategic break and enter, I suspect you'll come away loving this.

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Total Video Games

It may seem like a small thing but bringing an over-arcing storyline really knits the action together quite nicely, although it would have been even better if there were more than just the seven missions.

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Games Radar (in-house)

The Stetchkov Syndicate takes that sense of style up a notch as you flit through a church rammed with recovering junkies in one level, then sweep into a rock club with a massive devil statue the next. Excellent.

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PC Format

An intelligent update that gives you just enough to make it worthwhile. [Mar 2006, p.96]

Game Chronicles

The multiplayer portion of the game is where Swat 4 shines and it is no different with the expansion pack.

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PC Zone UK

The whole routine of coming to a doorway, deploying your Optiwand, storming the room, arresting the suspects, cuffing them, picking up the weapons, reporting it all to dispatch - it all just becomes a bit of a chore after the hundredth room or so.

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Yahoo! Games

So if you're looking to give SWAT 4 a bit more longevity, your $20 will go a long way with Stetchkov Syndicate, but sadly not as far as it could have gone.

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PALGN

The new missions are tough, and should give the more experienced fans something to challenge themselves with, while the expanded accessories and arsenal are quite cool. It’s a bummer that the new melee attack is so limp – we’d really have expected a bit more force behind our police brutality.

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PC Gamer

There were time when I felt more like I was playing an amateur mod than a professional expansion pack. [Apr 2006, p.51]

Computer Games Magazine

With the Stetchkov Syndicate, the bar continues to plummet in terms of how much we can expect in our expansion packs. [May 2006, p.46]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.5 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Chris S. gave it a2:
Awesome game for tactical co-op gameplay but multiplayer gameplay is riddled with bugs and technical glitches. Player viewpoints don't match the ingame models so in the game players apear to be completely behind cover where from the other person's perspective they are completely looking over or around an object. Multiplayer is riddled with cheaters and no anti cheats on the horizon. Sounds in game are a joke. While in multiplayer matches someone can be 20 feet away from you and you will never hear the gun fire. This game has so much potential I would gladdly pay 2 times the price if only the game were complete. Single player and co-op play are excellent (because the bots dont cheat or exploit the deficient game engine) and the basis for a multitude of online gaming clans. Multiplayer sadly leaves the community thinking that at least half the players are cheaters either because they hack or because they know how to work in the SWAT 4 game engine environment in their advantage.

Matt N. gave it a10:
Excellent addition to a brilliant game. Doesn't add anything new or mess up any of the original goodness and the few extra new weapons don't really change the gameplay in any meaningful way. Though I'll probably have to play through again with sniper rifle just for the challenge. On the down side is it's very short and really could use a decent selection of weapons. If you loved the first game you'll love this too. Can't wait for next part.

Rich L. gave it an8:
Excellent expansion to one of the most innovative FPS games out there. My biggest complaint is that it left me wanting more! Fortunately the new levels are challenging to play over again at higher difficulty levels. Oh the new weapons are really nice too.

Jay K. gave it a10:
This was quite possibly the best expansion ever made. I loved the original and this expansion really adds to the realistic SWAT experience. You have to check out the grenade launcher, it totally changes the way multiplayer is player. And the new game type "Smash and Grab" is cool!

Lauri S. gave it a7:
Too little equipment (and lot of it useless) and only 7 levels with opponents more suitable for rainbow six than SWAT makes this expansion a somewhat dull experience.

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SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate

Game Info

Summary

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What The Critics Said

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