Shield, The

Games Radar (in-house)

The Shield has some unique things going for it, but the spotty enemy (and friend) intelligence and monotony keep it from achieving anything close to greatness.

GameDaily

The Shield's graphics look average and it brings nothing new to the action adventure genre, but the foul language and story should entertain people like a trashy novel. While not especially well conceived, people will always crave the next, ridiculous scene.

VGPub

I really wanted to like The Shield. Unless you’re a Shield enthusiast like me, you’ll be safe passing on this one.

Cheat Code Central

For a storyline that is both pointless and lame, considering it takes place almost three years ago according to the show's storyline, The Shield leaves a lot to wish for. Better gameplay, more responsive controls, no bugs or glitches or, even better, for games like this never to be made.

Game Revolution

I was happy that The Shield made great use of its police officer premise, but the game really wore me down. It probably doesn’t deserve a critical thrashing, but the gameplay and story can’t compete on today’s shelves.

G4 TV

Much of the game may be poorly designed, cruelly difficult and obnoxiously unfair, but none of these flaws are necessarily show-stopping.

Game Informer

Worst of all, the game is glitchy; I phased through a few walls and got gunned down after getting stuck behind some invisible cover.

Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK

Fans of the show might want to give it a quick rental. [Aug 2007, p.93]

GameSpot

Neither quality fan service nor a good action game on its own merits, The Shield fails miserably to live up to its license's pedigree.

Gaming Target

Sparse level designs and first-generation-like PS2 graphics are combined with unintelligent and unoriginal gameplay for the most corrupt television-to-game package in a long time.

PSX Extreme

In the end, The Shield really can't even cater to its target audience due to committing one cardinal sin: it couldn't recreate the stylish, immersive atmosphere of the show.

PSM Magazine

Sadly enough, the allure of running wild as detective Vic Mackey can't survive the beating the rigidly scripted and stupidly simple gameplay gives the player. [Apr 2007, p.88]

1UP

The Shield is too little, too late; what would've been a merely mediocre license tie-in is now, due to its very late birth, simply a bad game.

PSM3 Magazine UK

Even the most rabid of fans will be disappointed. [Sept 2007, p.80]

Worth Playing

It's deeply flawed, with awful game design and mechanics marring the entire experience.

GameZone

Sadly, The Shield: The Game plays like a bad episode of the show and there is hardly anything here that will entertain fans of the show or gamers who are looking for a gritty action game.

GameSpy

This is one game that should have never been let out of a holding cell.

Digital Entertainment News

The Shield, in the end, is a game that will only appeal to the true hardcore fans. If you love the TV series rent it, otherwise take a pass.

Eurogamer

You've lost a lot of respect and you've ruined the enjoyment of hundreds of your admirers. Look me in the eye and tell me you're not ashamed.

Playstation Official Magazine UK

Did the developers even watch the show before they made the game? [Aug 2007, p.112]

IGN

The Shield is one of the most boring, generic games we've ever played, even with a strong character like Vic Mackey. There's really nothing about the gameplay, visuals, sound, or story that can justify a purchase.

Jolt Online Gaming UK

An unmitigated disaster. Terribly designed both technically and in terms of gameplay, it’s a miserable, useless, joyless experience entirely bereft of fun.