State of Emergency

Hot Games

It's way too short, but the game does go over the top in both the action and the premise, and it is fun.

Media and Games Online Network

The visuals are awesome, the sound is great, and the gameplay is good, though it could have been much better. You're likely to get frustrated a lot (and I mean a LOT), but the game is still great fun.

Electric Playground

It operates reliably, frantically, and smoothly enough to offer a kind of arcade zen experience once you've reached a certain level of proficiency. It's definitely a sick game.

GameSpot

The best part about State of Emergency is the way every facet of the game comes together to form a perfect feeling of panic.

Into Liquid Sky

For the kind of game it is the hype was worth it: the most unique beat-em-up in years. For people expecting a GTA3 (like some were), it will disappoint, but for the people who went in knowing what they were gonna get I'm sure most will be pleasantly surprised.

IGN

A tried and true beat-'em-up, and it doesn't offer the stunning replay value or depth of some other Rockstar titles. It's very different...[yet] the addiction level in this game is extremely high.

XenGamers

Chaotic, violent, and oh so naughty, State Of Emergency is a fun title marred by some truly annoying camera and control problems.

GameZone

This poorly designed camera cannot keep up in many situations.

GamePro

A very fun game whose premise wears thin a bit too fast. However, you’ll have a blast with it before you reach the saturation point.

FHM

Manic, frenzied and violent gaming at it’s gripping best.

TotalGames.net

The sheer amount of people and the speed of the action really pumps home a great sensation of hysteria.

Total Video Games

I find it a real shame that the whole tactical side was dropped, as not only would controlling a mob add more depth it now seems that the use of hundreds of AI characters has been a complete waste of time.

Yahoo! Games

Simple, engaging and spot-on in terms of presenting controversial material in a humorous and tongue-in-cheek manner.

Game Informer

More of a throwback to classic arcade shoot-em-ups like "Berserk" and "Smash TV," than a cinematic epic like "Grand Theft Auto III." [Apr 2002, p.70]

Cincinnati Enquirer

This new "bad boy" of the video game industry is extremely fun to play — for those old enough and mature enough to purchase it — as a campy stress releaser at the end of a bad day.

Play Magazine

More fun than a post-game Laker riot. [Apr 2002, p.57]

Cinescape

It begins to get old quick.

GameSpy

The sheer pandemonium and brutal weapons can be pretty amusing, at least until the gimmick of all the explosions and rioting wears off. Unfortunately, that can wear off fairly quickly.

PSX Nation

Despite its limited depth, State Of Emergency is a lengthy beat-em up that truly shines in short bursts.

GamerWeb Sony

A disappointment. It lacks the charm that "Final Fight," and "Streets of Rage" had before it and it doesn't make up for it with the lack of depth and the lack of a 2 player mode! Shame on you Vis!

Adrenaline Vault

A brilliant renaissance for the once dominant beat-em-up genre...[but] you realize that this is an extremely short title posing as an epic undertaking in its revolution mode.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

After the blood-soaked honeymoon is over, you'll see the game in the harsh morning light and wonder if it was worth it.

Maxim Online

Such virtual destruction may once have seemed innocent, but these days the whole thing hits a little close to home.

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

The word "frustrating" doesn't even begin to describe it. [Apr 2002, p.108]

All Game Guide

If you’re looking for depth, look elsewhere, but those who miss the style of games made popular on the Dreamcast should welcome this with closed fists.

PSM Magazine

When you strip away the high-tech hijinx, what's left will leave most players saying, "That's it?" all too quickly. [May 2002, p.30]

netjak

The gameplay, although amusing at first, is far too shallow to be interesting in the long run and you’ll end up feeling cheated even if you rent the game.

GameShark

The thing I hate most about the way this game looks has to be the overall cartoon-like appearance of the characters. Add that to the blatant lack of style (i.e. fog, ambient lighting effects, etc.), and what you get is a colorful "Fighting Force 2" clone with added gore.

Entertainment Weekly

Four levels are too few to stay interesting for all 175-plus missions, which are too bloody repetitive. [22 Mar 2002, p.114]

Armchair Empire

The overwhelming amount of on-screen activity reduces greatly the overall resolution of the game to a saucy mess at times and the many independent characters running around all seem to have the collective I.Q of a Pringle.

Game Revolution

Though packed with more bloodshed than a European soccer match, there's not enough actual gameplay in this one to qualify it as a good game.

G4 TV

There's not nearly enough depth or substance to the game to recommend it. SoE is a game full of sound and fury, signifying a rental at best.

Gaming Age

Wasted potential.

GamePen

It’s like on your 16th birthday where you’re expecting a set of keys that will unlock a brand new car but instead you get an all-season bus pass. Except multiply that disappointment by about fifty times and you have what it feels like to play State of Emergency.