SiN Episodes: Emergence

 PC
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 437 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 307 out of 437
  2. Mixed: 99 out of 437
  3. Negative: 31 out of 437
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  1. AnonymousMC
    Jun 12, 2006
    6
    I don't care about SIN 1 or multiplayer for SIN 1. If U do, then it might be worth it??? I got this game just because of of the Steam Engine. I LOVE THE STEAM ENGINE!!! The game play was not bad. The story was good. It would have been great if they had made the game twice as long or charged half the price. $20 is too much. Maybe episidoe 2 will be half off to "Emergence" buyers. ThisI don't care about SIN 1 or multiplayer for SIN 1. If U do, then it might be worth it??? I got this game just because of of the Steam Engine. I LOVE THE STEAM ENGINE!!! The game play was not bad. The story was good. It would have been great if they had made the game twice as long or charged half the price. $20 is too much. Maybe episidoe 2 will be half off to "Emergence" buyers. This is the type of game U get in a software bundled package as an extended play demo for the real game that is 3 or 4 times longer. I guess that is why they call them "EPISODES" :-). I am not mad that I got it, but I wish I had waited to get 4 or 5 episodes at one time bundled together for around $30 or $40. At least I would have something to do for more than 5 or 6 hours on default settings and a few more on hard the second time I played it. You need to start this game on it's hardest level the first time so U will get U're $'s worth of play!!! I had to go back and play it again on it's hardest setting just to see if it took any longer? The A.I. is pretty kool.

    P.S. I am sure I will be first in line to get the next episode :-)    … Expand
  2. ChrisStrode
    May 20, 2006
    5
    On-line registration via Steam is a major pain in the ass. Expect at least a four hour wait while the game registers and updates (dial up) before being able to play. I dont think I will ever again buy another game that uses this truly inane system. Sin is visually nice and performs adequately on my machine (p4 3.0 nvidia 7800 gs). There is one memorable moment, Alexis Sinclair in aOn-line registration via Steam is a major pain in the ass. Expect at least a four hour wait while the game registers and updates (dial up) before being able to play. I dont think I will ever again buy another game that uses this truly inane system. Sin is visually nice and performs adequately on my machine (p4 3.0 nvidia 7800 gs). There is one memorable moment, Alexis Sinclair in a next to nothing bikini.… Expand
  3. Luigi
    May 30, 2006
    6
    Few biggest mistakes: - The world is justso dull and dead. - Enemies are just spawning forever. Thisos allowable for a game whe you can take 9999 hits and still living. But here is just an excuse for develper's lazyness. - Small arsenal of weapons.
  4. DanielP.
    Jun 2, 2006
    6
    In some respects an average shooter, offering nothing new to the genre but doing what it does quite competently. It is something of a disappointment, and let down by the episodic approach that seems to make all the bad guys identical (perhaps due to lack of time in developing more interesting and varied enemies.) I would prefer to have seen this released as a full game rather than In some respects an average shooter, offering nothing new to the genre but doing what it does quite competently. It is something of a disappointment, and let down by the episodic approach that seems to make all the bad guys identical (perhaps due to lack of time in developing more interesting and varied enemies.) I would prefer to have seen this released as a full game rather than episodic content in the hope that the overall quality of the product and level design would have been improved. As it is, its acceptable but not something I can in all honesty recommend.… Expand
  5. SeanM.
    Jul 7, 2006
    7
    Starts off with boring action, but thandkfully escalades. Boring voice acting and characters. Does not utilize the Source engine to its full potential with some poor models and such, even on highest setings.
  6. KAYP.
    Jan 23, 2007
    5
    Rubbish weapons, worst machine gun in history. Slow on high-end system. As for taking down rocket gunship with a rifle - sure......Better than first game, needs vast improvement. Cut scenes a bore when playing through more than once.
  7. Quartoggiaro
    Jul 1, 2007
    6
    Sin is back, anyway this is not its best appearence. The game has some problems like the original (it's very slow on my P4), the story is not great (Radek and the new girl are useless chars) and it can be completed in five hours.... Bad bad bad! It must be saved from the oblivion of the bad games because it includes the original Sin which is a bit hard to find and still fun.
  8. Dmitry
    May 16, 2006
    6
    Weak game
  9. KoryS.
    May 28, 2006
    5
    Overall, not a great game. The story line's as thin as the first game and the overall game play time is thinner than could be expected for $20. They promised an extremely interactive environment, but more or less gave us a linear way to use that environment, not really allowing us to think about what we need to do next. Simply put, if you like mindless shooters-get this game. If you Overall, not a great game. The story line's as thin as the first game and the overall game play time is thinner than could be expected for $20. They promised an extremely interactive environment, but more or less gave us a linear way to use that environment, not really allowing us to think about what we need to do next. Simply put, if you like mindless shooters-get this game. If you like mindless shooters that look fantastic-don't get this game.… Expand
  10. MattR.
    May 31, 2006
    5
    Have any of you people ever played a good shooter or are you just being nice to the creators? Anyone that put below a 6, I can echo the same thoughts, this game came subpair. Repetition, "non-learning" AI, and more monotonus gameplay. Sure it looks pretty, expecially Elexis, but that doesn't make a game. There really should be no green scores here sadly, I had some good hopes for Have any of you people ever played a good shooter or are you just being nice to the creators? Anyone that put below a 6, I can echo the same thoughts, this game came subpair. Repetition, "non-learning" AI, and more monotonus gameplay. Sure it looks pretty, expecially Elexis, but that doesn't make a game. There really should be no green scores here sadly, I had some good hopes for this game too. Save the money, too much for what should be a mod.… Expand
  11. SteveH.
    Jun 2, 2006
    6
    Re-spawns, predicatable scripted sequences, unexciting weapons, dreary mutants, scenery issues and just totally lacking any exciting moments. I won't be getting the next episode!
  12. Nezacant
    Jul 6, 2006
    5
    This game had nothing at all that would make me want to buy a second episode. 20 dollars would have been better spent in the bargan bin at my local game store. I'm not sure how many episodes they are planning on releasing, but if its 3 or more, you'll end up spending more than what you would for a standard PC game which is probably better than this.
  13. MateoTTR
    Oct 2, 2007
    5
    Poor scenario and gameplay, very repetitive, bad game.
  14. JackP.
    May 15, 2006
    5
    Substandard at best. Reminds me of Devastation this game, the gameplay is well, horribly horribly linear, being stuck in tunnels and small passageways throughout the whole game. The game is unforgivingly hard too, now, even though you may pick the easiest setting, that means jack, since it's going to make it harder and harder the better you do, now is it just me, or if someone picks Substandard at best. Reminds me of Devastation this game, the gameplay is well, horribly horribly linear, being stuck in tunnels and small passageways throughout the whole game. The game is unforgivingly hard too, now, even though you may pick the easiest setting, that means jack, since it's going to make it harder and harder the better you do, now is it just me, or if someone picks easy, would they not want it to keep being easy? Guns? What guns, you have that insanely accurate pistol at the beggining, then about 30 minutes in you can have your second gun, a shotgun, then you have one more, a rifle, thats it, and there isn't even any upgrades ala Quake 4 to make it more interesting. The enemies are relentless too, finally after hours of play I come to an open area, thinking that I might get some more freedom, but no, it's a boss. After a gruelling battle with barely any hp you would think I would get to heal, but no, enemies come out some door, barely giving me any time to jump away to safety and luckily find a tiny bit of health. Overall? Not even worth the $20, even if it does come with the first SiN.… Expand
  15. Armin
    May 15, 2006
    5
    It looks and feels like a Half Life 2 mod. All the graphics, physics etc. are just like in Half Life 2, not in a negative way, but I would expect a lot more than just a few hours of gameplay for $19.95, and it simply feels like a mod, not a complete production. The AI is ok, the only innovative thing in this game, definetly gives the player a challenge.
  16. Twid
    May 16, 2006
    5
    Emergence wasn't terrible, but it didn't feel fully baked. I only got about four hours of gameplay, which seems very lame for $20. You get to use three weapons, each with two shooting modes. Of this only three of the modes are actually useful (both pistol modes and the shotgun primary.) The pistols normal shot is strangely powerful, better than the machine gun because headshots Emergence wasn't terrible, but it didn't feel fully baked. I only got about four hours of gameplay, which seems very lame for $20. You get to use three weapons, each with two shooting modes. Of this only three of the modes are actually useful (both pistol modes and the shotgun primary.) The pistols normal shot is strangely powerful, better than the machine gun because headshots are almost always single shot kills. There is basically zero character development and no chemistry with you cute cohort. The dream sequences in the beginning, including a strange scene with the evil leader in a microbikini, happen in the first ten minutes and you never see anything like that again. Overall, this was pretty lame for $20, it felt more like a tech demo like Lost Coast.… Expand
  17. NoRefunds
    May 26, 2006
    6
    Remember back in the day when you could get a chapter of a game as a demo or shareware release? Then you paid if you wanted the rest of the game? Well this distribution model has done away with the "try before you buy" idea. Frankly, if every chapter is $20, this model is gouging the consumer. I'm not buying the next chapters. Instead, I will wait for a compilation release that gives Remember back in the day when you could get a chapter of a game as a demo or shareware release? Then you paid if you wanted the rest of the game? Well this distribution model has done away with the "try before you buy" idea. Frankly, if every chapter is $20, this model is gouging the consumer. I'm not buying the next chapters. Instead, I will wait for a compilation release that gives you the complete game at a reduced price. I like the idea of episodes, I dislike the execution.… Expand
  18. KristianE.
    May 26, 2006
    6
    I suppose this would have been a great game 10 years ago, but I feel it's a little naive in 2006. The graphics might be acceptable, but the difficulty and length of the game is too short and way too easy. Ofcause there are a few good features, like dead men floates on water, but the AI is equvilent to a 10 year old. The story and gameplay ......well. All in all I find it a bit thin.
  19. Chili
    May 27, 2006
    5
    Good game, but... 1) too short for the price 2) not very challenging On the positive side, 1) story line is good 2) graphics are great.
  20. PS
    May 31, 2006
    6
    This is far too short, even if it is going to be episodic in format. I would rather wait several more months and get a complete game. 0 replayability with this one...and by the time the next episode comes out, I won't even remember what the hell is going on. Pretty graphics, and OK weps. The best part about this game was the boobie physics, and how they applied to the female antagonist.
  21. JohnB.
    Jun 2, 2006
    6
    Far to short and very much of the same. Total lack of new ideas, unless running around in the dark is your thing. A lot of room for improvement in the next chapter, lets hope Valve redeem themselves.
  22. TorbjörnG.
    Jun 5, 2006
    6
    The game itself is pretty "good", especially for an FPS game. It reminds us of what a real FPS accually is all about. By "good", I mean that it packs alot, and alot of action. Not as much as an epic adventure as the first game though. Sadly enough, the game looses focus on the fact that it is "Sin". The voice acting is horrid. The new voices are totaly worthless, and why is it that John The game itself is pretty "good", especially for an FPS game. It reminds us of what a real FPS accually is all about. By "good", I mean that it packs alot, and alot of action. Not as much as an epic adventure as the first game though. Sadly enough, the game looses focus on the fact that it is "Sin". The voice acting is horrid. The new voices are totaly worthless, and why is it that John Blade no longer can speak? The major part of the first game was the dialogs. The discussions between Blade and JC keept the game alive, and the player got to know the characters in a brilliant way, not very common for FPS games. (Atleast not with much success.) If you play the first game, you will undoubtedly notice that both Blade and JC chatts while on the missions, they stick in a joke once in a while, and it gives warmth and feeling to the game. This is all but a distant memory in Sin: Emergence. To the "Sin-team", I would want to say, like an friend of mine would have said. "You have to take it in a bag of beans. In a bag of beans." Music and sound on the other side, is top class, brought to us by the audio god Zak Bellica. In the end, the game did pretty well as for being an somewhat exiting, really fun and action filled FPS game.… Expand
  23. VitRa
    Jul 28, 2006
    6
    Not Bad Game .. all it can be... Good Graphics from HF2(wich i love) and pritty good sound. Thats all. No Weapon No choise No Specifikated battles you just shoot, go foward, shoot again, oh look 3 enemys alternate fire use, granade use, lets go forward. Good Moment Was the battle with the mutant and the chopper the same time. But in fact we have a 5 hour gameplay and a sum of wasted Not Bad Game .. all it can be... Good Graphics from HF2(wich i love) and pritty good sound. Thats all. No Weapon No choise No Specifikated battles you just shoot, go foward, shoot again, oh look 3 enemys alternate fire use, granade use, lets go forward. Good Moment Was the battle with the mutant and the chopper the same time. But in fact we have a 5 hour gameplay and a sum of wasted money(i cant use anithing else) I dont think ill buy the continue. It's not worth it. Sorry for my english, im from Russia) Whaiting for Ep2 ... Hoping Sin will do better...… Expand
  24. CaptainP.
    Aug 27, 2006
    6
    Places you in overly difficult situations with under powered weapons. Setting the difficulty above casual gamer makes sections of the game so hard it may make some give up. If fighting a never ending stream of minigun weilding armor clad assailants with only a pistol and a sub machine gun with limited ammo is you idea of a fun game this is for you.
  25. DerekV.
    Feb 16, 2007
    6
    I've just finished re-playing this game immediately after the whole Half-Life series, and the differences are stark. There's no sheen of a product that's been agonized over for years, no genuine "wow" moments. I mean, in a game that's a maximum of six hours long, don't you think they could have done something more spectacular with a ship that was BLOWING UP? But, I've just finished re-playing this game immediately after the whole Half-Life series, and the differences are stark. There's no sheen of a product that's been agonized over for years, no genuine "wow" moments. I mean, in a game that's a maximum of six hours long, don't you think they could have done something more spectacular with a ship that was BLOWING UP? But, aside from the mediocre visual qualities, my major problem was with the sheer number of details that made it impossible to suspend your disbelief, even in an action-movie type way. The clipping in the VERY FIRST cut scene, the way Blade could pull off head-shot after head-shot even after running around for several hours (necessary, but still...), the spawning of enemies in visible locations, the spawning of enemies in improbable places (Ok, a heavy gu*ard just stepped out from behind that pillar ON THE EDGE OF A BUILDING. I'll even toss a grenade in there just to be sure. Now, over I go, and... another heavy guard. remarkable.), and the overall iffy ai. Ritual warn you off the highest difficulty setting, but it's not because of the challenge you'll experience - it's certainly hard enough (hidden in a corner of the office complex with eight heavy guards coming towards you, more waiting to spawn, and having to use Jessica as an invincible bullet-sponge to survive, you'll wonder how you're ever going to get out alive), but the difficulty, again, just isn't credible. You're in an office complex, with numerous paper walls, and you're expected to survive wave after wave of minigun-wielding maniacs? Not even the most brainless action movie would be so bold. Difficulty based on number of enemies should have gone out with Space Invaders. Implementing more advanced AI may have taken more time, but boy would it have been worth it so that the "walk" button would have been more than just an inconvenience to those of use used to HL2's sprint. It might not be the Colonel J R Blade way, but until some rocket launchers are implemented, it never will be his way. All this being said, I felt the length was fine (though the development time to the second is not - if I hadn't got a new rig, I would have completely forgotten it existed), and the graphics, whilst basic for what the engine can do, did have a style that was certainly different from HL2's that I appreciated. Perhaps more variety and HDR next time, eh? Also, I really dug the game's sense of humour - shame it all had to come from the environment, not the characters. The story and pacing was adequate for such an actioner, but to be fair, the character development was such that I couldn't give a toss about what happens to Jessica in the sequel. Look at Alyx and Dog in the HL2s for a prime example of how to engender warm between characters - even if one of them is a big, mute robot, and the other one expresses concern by by putting her hands together, leaning forward slightly and putting on massive forehead wrinkles (I know you've got limited facial muscles, valve, but this is still "TV" - tone it down! - sorry, I've digressed.). A strong start, but a lot of mods carry more inventiveness than this. The next episode makes it or breaks it for me.… Expand
  26. Berco
    Feb 6, 2007
    6
    Nice looking but average. Starts out cool, but gets repetitive nearing the end.
  27. [Anonymous]
    May 21, 2006
    6
    Horrible AI. Stale Level design. Not much to write home about.
  28. JasonC.
    May 19, 2007
    5
    Ultamitely, this game is pretty boring. The graphics are pretty friendly to the eyes, but other than that the game is simply cliche FPS. Challenges arise, but they're only challenges due to the fact a bunch of enemies come at you... and hit you no matter what. You're given three guns, and none of these guns serves a greater purpose accept the starter pistol... which is only nice Ultamitely, this game is pretty boring. The graphics are pretty friendly to the eyes, but other than that the game is simply cliche FPS. Challenges arise, but they're only challenges due to the fact a bunch of enemies come at you... and hit you no matter what. You're given three guns, and none of these guns serves a greater purpose accept the starter pistol... which is only nice due to the one-hit bullets. Everything else in your arsenal either doesn't shoot straight, tries to kill you just as much as the enemy, or is extremely weak for its purpose (the shotgun, and maybe this was simply my fault, should kill things that it shoots in the head at point blank right?). The storyline is so weak its not funny. Apparently you work for a government, or anti-government (its certainly an anti-mutagenic-freakzoidic-holy crap its got claws-cliche-not again-attempt at super soldiers agency) that cares so little about you that after you've been drugged... they make YOU go on the head hunt for the antidote against militants, mutants, and militant mutants. Of course, the gratuitous T & A (no nudity) is nice, but what agency in anywhere requires its agents to wear exposed thongs? Anyways, as a guy, I can't complain about exposed underwear and villanesses with extraordinary racks, but I can complain about said T & A being used to make up for the absolute lack of any substance this game could have offered. All-in-all, for a futuristic agency, they border on pornographic instead of professional, they're guns shoot rediculously inaccurate and painfully weak, and for the love of God and all that is holy... send an agent that ISN'T drugged to do the dirty work. This game... sucks. I gave it a five for the T & A.… Expand
  29. BradyS.
    May 25, 2008
    6
    A first person shooter with a selection of... three guns to choose from?? I'm sorry, but even with my favorite gaming engine (the one from Half-Life 2... Source, is it called?) backing it, this short game is still just... boring.
  30. suneater
    Dec 13, 2012
    6
    Had great potential but the devs disappeared after being bought out. This is still worth picking up because it's dirt cheap now and has some creative gameplay elements like the adaptive difficulty that changes depending on how bad you are at video games. As a game magazine once said, "it puts the hooters back in shooters"!
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Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Best PC Game of 2006
8
#8 Most Discussed PC Game of 2006
83
#83 Most Shared PC Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 42
  3. Negative: 0 out of 42
  1. Yahoo!
    80
    While it has its flaws, it's paced well, full of action, and managed to keep us smiling all the way to the end. With a tweak here and a polish there, Ritual could really be onto something good. Bring on part two.
    Read full review
  2. GameSpot
    73
    This is a pretty-looking, short, budget-priced, by-the-numbers futuristic shooter that's most notable for its episodic nature and its old heritage.
    Read full review
  3. Eurogamer
    70
    It's a bland taste to a cultured palette. But it's fun, too, and self-aware.
    Read full review
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