Urban Chaos: Riot Response

GameSpy

Some will take Urban Chaos at face value and feel good inside with the game's many nods at the every day heroes of Americatown, USA. Others will take in the game's blatant sensationalism and wonder if it's not-so-subtle satire. Regardless, Urban Chaos: Riot Response is lots of fun, and merits a look from anyone who enjoys shooters.

GameCritics

It's really a testament to the game's quality that even though I found its politics and implications deeply troubling I was still won over by the amazing gameplay.

GameZone

A wonderful, must-play action game.

Next Level Gaming

I'll admit, I really would have liked better AI and a jump button. But at the end of the day, I'm still playing this game to try and get the mini-goals.

PSM2 Magazine UK

Always enjoyable and never dull. It might lack polish in some areas but it makes up for it with loads of character and plenty of kick-ass, laugh-out-loud aggression. [June 2006, p.52]

Gaming Age

Urban Chaos brings together some solid gameplay that integrates the gimmick as well as can be done. Over that lies a layer of old school sensibilities and a feeling that'll have you jamming to Team America's infamous "America, **** Yeah.” Put all of that together, and you’ve got a killer game.

TotalPlayStation

Ignoring the tacked-on 9/11 vibe, Riot Response manages to be a first-person shooter with enough new stuff to make it a worthwhile experience. It may not be a looker, and some of the characters might seem a little cookie cutter, but it's still a blast.

PSM Magazine

The graphics are among the best PS2 can produce, with realistic heat shimmer and good physics effects, but it's the gameplay that will keep you coming back, with intelligent level design and a variety of mission objectives(including awesome shoot-the-guy-holding-the-hostage bits)that keep the game feeling fresh. [Aug 2006, p.83]

PSX Extreme

As someone that's pretty much bored to tears with the FPS genre, I personally found Urban Chaos to be a breath of fresh air.

GamingExcellence

While the story and some of the gameplay elements could use some work, the sheer variety of action is enough to set it apart from a lot of so called “run and shoot” FPS games out there.

Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK

Great shooting, epic-set pieces, regrettable sewer level. This is a satirical, heartfelt love letter to the kind of police force we'd like to join. [May 2006, p.74]

PSW Magazine UK

If you like your game with punch, this is as hard-hitting as they come. Varied missions and non-stop chaos make this a winner. [Issue 81]

Play Magazine

The game never advances the genre, but its use of a protective riot shield, one that progressively takes damage to the point where it's almost impossible to see through, is certainly a nice touch. [July 2006, p.72]

AceGamez

Despite the relative shortness of the single player mode, I can't recommend Urban Chaos: Riot Response enough.

IGN

If you can get past the ordinary textures, bland character designs, and strange presentation of Urban Chaos: Riot Response, you'll find a technically capable game that offers a lovely little surfeit of gameplay touches that make it very worthwhile.

GameSpot

The game's twisted sense of humor and tendency toward overindulgence make it that much more enjoyable. If you're looking for a fun, pick-up-and-play shooter, and don't mind a lot of senseless brutality, Urban Chaos is the game for you.

eToychest

It’s not the best FPS ever made, but it is one of the more action-packed and genuinely interesting titles to come out in recent memory.

Game Informer

It's by no means a blocckbuster that can suck away years of your life, but it offers up memorable thrills that you won't find anywhere else. [Ju;y 2006, p.105]

Cheat Code Central

Urban Chaos is definitely worth a rental. If you’re good, there’s no reason that you can’t complete it in a weekend. There are plenty of side missions that will extend the replay value if you purchase the game and want to wring every second of enjoyment out of it, but you don’t have to take on these side missions if you just want to blast your way through it.

GameBiz

The game can be finished on easy overnight with just 12 missions to play, but there are a lot of reasons to go back and play each of the levels, especially with the medal system.

Detroit Free Press

It is a delight to play and a refreshing change from the usual stack of first-person shooters. The challenges and objectives are reasonable but not so challenging that you'll want to throw the controller.

Computer Games Magazine

It's goofy, satisfying, and unapologetically drenched in hilarious M-rated cussing, blood and ragdollery. [Sept. 2006, p.81]

Yahoo! Games

As-is, playing Urban Chaos feels a lot like listening to a hit pop song. It's fun to hear the first few times, but repetition has its limits.

Total Video Games

There's just enough in Urban Chaos that's different from the standard FPS title to entice players, thanks mainly to the implementation of the riot shield, which is used to great effect throughout the game.

PALGN

OK, so it doesn’t do anything revelational or new but at least it does it reasonably well in providing an intense and enjoyable experience. If the idea of playing a modern day Rambo and engaging in mass terrorist genocide, this game has something for you.

games(TM)

The graphics are surprisingly impressive, movement is smooth and, despite the occasional feeling of repetition, the action is constantly fast-paced and compelling. [June 2006, p.118]

Games Radar (in-house)

It looks underwhelming, but spend a little time with Urban Chaos: Riot Response and it quickly stands out from the crowd.

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

That's the story of Urban Chaos--it's an above-average shooter that hits a plateau early and stays there. [July 2006, p.76]

Eurogamer

Lengthy play of Urban Chaos is a double-edged sword, in fairness. You'll come to admire the arcade structure and the way it taps into gamers' motivations to unlock everything, but the longer you play it, the more you'll spot the cracks in the AI, the level design and some bloody weird bugs.

VideoGamer

The level designs vary from excellent to poor, enemy variety is non-existent (ok, the gang members where masks, but still), the aforementioned rescue missions become tedious, and the end arrives a couple of levels too soon.

Edge Magazine

Ultimately, Urban Chaos doesn't have the reach to deliver what it promises, and ends up retreating into cliché. A few months more, a few dollars more and this could have made a much more defiant stand. [June 2006, p.93]

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Finally, a twitch-and-kill action game that right-wingers can get behind.

1UP

Finally, the multiplayer component isn't bad, though there are two things that are glaringly missing. First, there's no straight-up deathmatch mode. Players will be taking the side of either the cops or the criminals, and the sides aren't particularly well balanced. Second, there's the inexcusable absence of splitscreen play.

GamePro

Urban Chaos tries to be different than other FPS titles, and it manages to get a few things right. But shoddy visuals and generic action bring the game down to the depths of mediocrity. [July 2006, p.78]

Electronic Gaming Monthly

If you need a simple gunplay fix this could maybe see you through a weekend... [July 2006, p.92]