Time Crisis: Crisis Zone

Game Chronicles

I am a little bummed the game came with just a Guncon pistol, as the arcade unit had a nice little MP5 approximation.

Next Level Gaming

Still lacks a bit of replay value unless you simply want to go on a shooting spree once in a while, but that's always fun too.

TotalPlayStation

There's no denying that when everything in sight starts flying, Crisis Zone is a damn good time. Not especially complex nor terribly lengthy, it's still just the right amount of arcade fun with console unlockable goodies, and if ever there's been a compelling reason to own a light gun game, this is about as good as any you'll hear.

Stuff

Sure, it's still basically a more sophisticated version of "Duck Hunt," but nothing helps us unwind quite like putting bullets through the heads of parachuting ninjas.

GameBiz

And, of course, you can't go past the amazingly destructible environments - they'll blow you away.

eToychest

While fun, Crisis Zone is definitely the weakest game in the series. Its fast, over-the-top presentation comes at the loss of the series’ precision gameplay.

Gaming Age

However you look at it, light gun games are still active, and if you want it to stay that way, make sure to grab this strong sequel to the already popular series.

Game Over Online

It switches out the series's usual pistols for fully automatic firepower, but its biggest mistake is in replacing previous games' lunatic action setpieces with simple destruction for destruction's sake.

1UP

There's no question that Crisis fans will want a copy of Crisis Zone for their collections, if only to give their dusty GunCons a little workout. But it's ultimately a mild diversion from the more substantial offerings of its predecessors.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Crisis Zone has the most unique plot to date. [Dec 2004, p.170]

GameSpy

It definitely is the best console gun game I've played, which stands for something. It brings the genre closer to where it should be: in line with the potential of technology.

GamePro

While it's always great to see an arcade title faithfully ported to a home console, Crisis Zone is nearly too arcadey for its own good as both story mode scenarios can be completed in well under an hour on the normal difficulty setting.

Eurogamer

Sometimes, though, familiarity and simplicity are exactly what's called for, and for those of you that just can't get enough of these dumb-arsed shooters, Crisis Zone has a certain cultish appeal that's just on the right side of admirable.

PGNx Media

A pretty fun game for the few hours that you’ll go through it. It just doesn’t do anything particularly different enough to warrant purchase.

DailyGame

While we're on the topic of spraying fire, Namco's made this even easier by letting you double up on your lead blasting abilities. In Crisis Zone, you can hook up a second Guncon (light gun) and go John Woo on the bad guys.

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

Zone is a hard game, easily the toughest Crisis yet. You'll be frustrated, but you'll still be entertained. [Nov 2004, p.138]

GMR Magazine

Short, linear, and in its best moments, incredibly difficult. But for those who long to feel their hands cramp up around the cold, hard plastic, that might be enough. [Nov 2004, p.108]

Sydney Morning Herald

Replay value is the weakest link, but the bonus missions attempt to offer some variety. It is best enjoyed in small doses.

PSM Magazine

Fun unlockables should keep you interested for more than just a rental, and the PS2 doesn't break a sweat - no slowdown here. [Nov 2004, p.92]

GameZone

This is purely a reflexive arcade shooter. If you are looking for a light straightforward shooter, this may be your ticket to the target-and-shoot entertainment you crave.

Game Informer

Sure, simplistic blasitng is fun for a while, but there is no variation to the gameplay, and the bonus modes aren't different enough from Story mode to be worth playing. [Nov 2004, p.158]

Worth Playing

If I were to say one thing to sum up this game, I think it would be “short.” I was able to clear through Crisis Zone in a couple of hours, and I was even taking breaks to write things down.

Play Magazine

These games are just fun. Short, but fun. [Nov 2004, p.76]

3DAvenue

An almost direct arcade port that will last a maximum of two or three hours first time through.

Warcry

There hasn’t been a real killer app for the light gun crowd since Duck Hunt, and that’s really unfortunate.

TotalGames.net

Crisis Zone is the proverbial over-egged pudding. The addition of a bulletproof riot shield for ducking purposes is welcome, as is the way you can blast the enemy as the game pulls you on the invisible rails that separate scenes. Unfortunately the excitement in killing is all but neutered.

PALGN

The lack of innovation in Crisis Zone is the real downfall of the title.

Game Power Australia

It's not as good a game as "Time Crisis 3."

PSX Nation

The linearity, repetitiveness, price and absence of a second player to share the experience with, however, dramatically drain Crisis Zone’s long-term appeal.

GameSpot

The pacing is faster, and it's pretty satisfying viscerally. It's a decent buzz, but with a limited number of levels and a decided lack of depth, it wears off pretty quickly.

GameSpot AU

For the first five minutes you'll be bowled over by all the action on offer, scarcely being given time to breathe in. Once you start to remember the patterns of where the enemies come out -- and being a light gun title on, as they say, rails, they never vary a jot -- the fun quickly fades.

GameShark

While a solid lightgun game in the classical sense, Time Crisis: Crisis Zone just does not offer enough innovation to highly recommend it if the player already owns previous games in the franchise.

Cheat Code Central

A great arcade game. Even a blind man would be able to complete it in a couple of hours. For that reason, just rent it.

G4 TV

Any time life drives you to the point of taking out a submachine gun and opening up in a public place, a few minutes with this game is the perfect solution.

IGN

Do something new or cut it the hell out. This isn't going to fly anymore.

Yahoo! Games

The levels don't display anything like the creativity of past Time Crisis games, and although shooting up the place with automatic weapons is fun, it won't keep you coming back for more.

NTSC-uk

It does, however, have a certain charm to its style and quirks, and those lightgun fanatics looking for something extra to test their abilities on would be well served by this offering. Anyone else is advised to look to Time Crisis 2 or Vampire Night, as both are much better showcases for the genre.

GamerFeed

A fun arcade port with very few new additions and a ridiculously high price tag, which means it's better experienced as a weekend rental.