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. AllenB.
    Jun 1, 2006
    9
    This game gets back to the roots of shooters, killing badguys, and lots of them, I've personally played throgh this twice, and though it's lacking somewhat in weapon selection, the three you have are enough to get the job done. Mainly the game is a lot of fun, and it's short as well, for those who like to finish these things on one sitting.
  2. A.Ashley
    Jun 1, 2006
    8
    Very good game, not great like a Half Life 2, but excellent storyline. Would definately recommend to others. It follows along perfectly with the original SiN (no pun intended). Got my money's worth. Definately looking forward to more episodes.
  3. JamesK.
    Jun 1, 2006
    9
    jumping and movement sucks at times but the general gameplay is great and the story seems to keep yea wanting more the whole time cant wait for the next.
  4. RayS.
    Jun 1, 2006
    9
    Great single player game overall. Very unique take on the half-life system, and definately an improvement. Alot of action and smooth controls make this game adicting and enjoyable.
  5. FairD.
    Jun 1, 2006
    10
    This is a good game. Perhaps not a 10, but I gave it a 10 to make up for all the uneducated hormonally-imbalanced pre-adults who thought with their genitals and gave it a 1 rating.
  6. JarredW.
    Jun 1, 2006
    8
    Not bad, but not great either. The end battle (climbing a tower and winning the final fight) was pretty reminiscent of HL2's conclusion. $20 for 5-6 hours of game play, vs. $60 for 20-30 hours with HL2? Yeah, episodic content is great... for making money. Longer episodes, please!
  7. AnonymousMC
    Jun 1, 2006
    8
    Emergence is a bit like eating a jam doughnut.
    Short but delicious.
    Although gettting Sugar all over your face, and jam squirting out on the floor is annoying. It's perfectly long enough(about 6 hrs) for the amount it cost. Plenty to shoot at. Beginnings of a decent storyline - lthough it doesnt really kick in till half way. My only real gries are - you seem to    Emergence is a bit like eating a jam doughnut.
    Short but delicious.
    Although gettting Sugar all over your face, and jam squirting out on the floor is annoying.

    It's perfectly long enough(about 6 hrs) for the amount it cost.
    Plenty to shoot at.
    Beginnings of a decent storyline - lthough it doesnt really kick in till half way.

    My only real gries are
    - you seem to spend an age with just a pistol.
    - SMG and shotgun are a bit weedy and randomn
    - Too long fighting the same grunts.
    - Bit too linear - Im getting real fed up of locked doors
    - bland interiors and level design - especially at the beginning    … Expand
  8. SilverW.
    Jun 1, 2006
    7
    very enjoyable, could be a bit tougher. I got used to the concept of the limited number of weapons. The 'looks & feel' are good. Lookin forward to the next episode.
  9. PaulM.
    Jun 1, 2006
    8
    Good game, 2 very nasty end of level bad guy types, other than that a nice play.
  10. TheHooks
    May 31, 2006
    4
    Reminded me of a game released in 98-99 How can this come out after HL2 and on Steam and be so bland? Worst game on Steam in my opinion. At least Rag Doll was fresh. I want my money back too. I dropped a barrel on a friendly guys head and he yelled ouch and sort of stared at me. HL2 got it right with the small details that draw you in that are not present in Sin.
  11. 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.
  12. 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
  13. SteveD.
    May 31, 2006
    9
    Great game, if you have played the original SiN and enjoyed it then this game is definatly for you. The gameplay was fast and intense, with the difficulty on medium the game is more of a challenge. Great visual effects. The game is powered by the Source engine wich made it eben better! Secrets hidden in levels made me play them over and over again. Only flaw was: No updated multiplayer, Great game, if you have played the original SiN and enjoyed it then this game is definatly for you. The gameplay was fast and intense, with the difficulty on medium the game is more of a challenge. Great visual effects. The game is powered by the Source engine wich made it eben better! Secrets hidden in levels made me play them over and over again. Only flaw was: No updated multiplayer, wich made me pretty angry because I loved the original SiN multiplayer. Hopefully the second episode will include multiplayer and will be a bit longer, SiN Emergance was a bit short. Overall it is a great game and I higly recommend it to all SiN fans and gamers who are new to the SiN universe.… Expand
  14. DBrown
    May 31, 2006
    3
    Sorry but I'm not impressed. 1. Lovely scenery (very nice mountains nudge nudge) but nothing happening in it. I wish my office block was as empty as the ones in this game. The only time you see a "joe public" or worker they cower in the corner. 2. I realise you need to ease people into the game, but dont sudenly ramp up the dificulty 3. Half life 2 let you be a real weasel with Sorry but I'm not impressed. 1. Lovely scenery (very nice mountains nudge nudge) but nothing happening in it. I wish my office block was as empty as the ones in this game. The only time you see a "joe public" or worker they cower in the corner. 2. I realise you need to ease people into the game, but dont sudenly ramp up the dificulty 3. Half life 2 let you be a real weasel with setting traps. But the AI in this game gets stuck behind doors and trying to get past the numerous barrels and boxs. Classic example : stick the chairs and bins infront of the 6 lift doors, wait, lob a grenade or two , done! lather, rise, repeat. 4. Mutagen barrels and bullet time. Waste of time. 5. Boss's - stick a puzzle in or some part of the environment that can be used against them (come over here ugly dude so that the nice crane can fall on you). 6. Not really and open environment just a very set path. To many locked doors. Whats wrong with me picking my own way through a building. Overall I'm not impressed. I've played it through and I've ramped up the difficulty and played it again. I've played it with only one gun (very hard later on) but now I feel like thats it, might as well remove it. Episode based games may seem like a good idea but people are going to pay their money, play a short game and then have to wait however long for another and to be honest the story line ain't making me wet myself for the next one. If Valves half life offering doesn't raise the bar then I think episode based games could have a very short life (in more ways than one).… Expand
  15. ShannonM.
    May 31, 2006
    4
    too short, not enough weapons, no flashlight, controls are not set for easy access even though it is mappable.
  16. JeZZyBaLL
    May 31, 2006
    10
    Sin fans re-joice. This is only the beginning episode and sure to be Multiplayer from the development team that delivers and listens to it's fans. Ritual has consistently stayed in touch with the past and pushes features and creativity in it's new releases. Episode One delivered the fun. Stay tuned for Arena Mode (Single Player) and more (Multiplayer expected) before Episode 2. Sin fans re-joice. This is only the beginning episode and sure to be Multiplayer from the development team that delivers and listens to it's fans. Ritual has consistently stayed in touch with the past and pushes features and creativity in it's new releases. Episode One delivered the fun. Stay tuned for Arena Mode (Single Player) and more (Multiplayer expected) before Episode 2. Missing this would be like not knowing who the hell Tony Soprano is.… Expand
  17. ertertwert
    May 30, 2006
    10
    SiN Episodes: Emergence is a great game. Looking forward to Episode 2.
  18. GaryS.
    May 30, 2006
    8
    The first Steam based episodic game. Could have been better but could have been far worse. Future episodes of this and other games released this way should see a fine tuning of the quality and gameplay.
  19. AnonymousMC
    May 30, 2006
    8
    A very solid game. With the latest updates to the AI, it works much better now. The learning curve AI does need work, but is very unique. I would prefer smarter enemies along with tougher enemies, not just tougher enemies. However, they can still manage to pull a fast one on me when they spawn behind me, or below me.

    The weapon selection was a little short, but I don't think you    A very solid game. With the latest updates to the AI, it works much better now. The learning curve AI does need work, but is very unique. I would prefer smarter enemies along with tougher enemies, not just tougher enemies. However, they can still manage to pull a fast one on me when they spawn behind me, or below me.

    The weapon selection was a little short, but I don't think you really need too many more weapons than that. I can handle the selection for the time being. Besides, nothings more funny then taking down a chopper with a pistol!

    Graphics wise, it wasn't too bad. They sure did a lot of work on Elexis. In some respects, it might have been a better idea to not go overly gung ho on the graphics (which is so common these days).

    This is a start to an interesting storyline. I'm excited to see where they will take it.    … Expand
  20. 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.
  21. HenricA.
    May 30, 2006
    4
    It felt more like a MOD than a commercial game (albeit a short one). Why did it feel like a MOD then? - Graphics weren't impressive at all (not representative of 2006 levels), felt too cartoony. - Leveldesign were very square(ish). - Player control felt like iceskating (hard to aim when the character keeps moving long after you stopped pressing the keys) - The AI was stupid, enemies It felt more like a MOD than a commercial game (albeit a short one). Why did it feel like a MOD then? - Graphics weren't impressive at all (not representative of 2006 levels), felt too cartoony. - Leveldesign were very square(ish). - Player control felt like iceskating (hard to aim when the character keeps moving long after you stopped pressing the keys) - The AI was stupid, enemies almost walking past you and not reacting as one would expect when you start to attack them (which normally is good, but in this case it means that they hardly take cover nor work as a team) - The automagical scaling of toughness boiled down to how many of the toughest enemy you'd face at once. - Five maybe six distinct enemies. And no variation within the enemies (all enemies of a certain model behaved the same, most other games use few enemy models but do behave differently) These are what I consider the major flaws. There were ofcourse many minor ones aswell (such as Jessica getting into the car without opening the door, but animated as she opened the door... looked silly) All in all, unless you liked the original or want the original version (since it's included) this is a game to avoid. Lets put it this way, I won't be buying the next episode.… Expand
  22. BrianD.
    May 30, 2006
    10
    this continues where the previous SIN stopped. only after seven years Jessica and JC are grownup. but still fighting with you against the evil but beautiful Elexis Sinclair. Terrific graphics and puzzles in this top class shooter ! a real must have for al the first person shooters!
  23. JB
    May 29, 2006
    1
    Fairly okay graphics and that's it. Gameplay, level design and the awful weapons are much worse than the original Sin. What made them think this game was up to par with today's titles? I want my money back.
  24. JonB.
    May 29, 2006
    7
    Nice set pieces good use of light, reasonable gameplay , bit too straight line.
  25. AlexS.
    May 29, 2006
    7
    I
  26. Mike
    May 29, 2006
    9
    Fun game! Just to short and needs more freedom through out the levels.
  27. TonyM.
    May 28, 2006
    8
    Beautiful game. The story needs more work. The characters need to be more refined. What happened with the self destruct! I wanted to see something blow up. I can see a lot of work went into this, very nicely done overall.
  28. TylerD.
    May 28, 2006
    9
    I think it was a wonderful game. It was well paced, fun, and doesn't take itself too seriously. The only issue I had with it was not being able to fire out of the car window, a single-shot mode on the rifle would have been good too. I'll definately buy part 2.
  29. MaximeR.
    May 28, 2006
    10
    Great game. glad the source engine was use to make a beautiful game again.
  30. 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
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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.
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  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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