User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 437 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 31 out of 437
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  1. NathanaelR.
    May 14, 2006
    8
    Decent shooter which suffers from difficulty scaling problems. Otherwise it's a fine example of no nonsense FPS goodness that is well executed and slickly produced. There's little original here, but it's done so well that you don't care that it's a mindless action game because you're having fun. However, if you use quicksaves every time you die, the game Decent shooter which suffers from difficulty scaling problems. Otherwise it's a fine example of no nonsense FPS goodness that is well executed and slickly produced. There's little original here, but it's done so well that you don't care that it's a mindless action game because you're having fun. However, if you use quicksaves every time you die, the game difficulty ends up scaling out of control - something that is usually only found out the hard way. Best advice is to simply make use of the autosaves - they allow the difficulty to be scaled down if you keep dying on a certain area. The MI3 or Armageddon movie of computer games - mindless, unoriginal, not too bright, but slick, well executed, and highly entertaining. Expand
  2. JonK.
    May 17, 2006
    8
    Very decent and strong game for the price. Cant wait for #2.
  3. Chris
    May 18, 2006
    8
    I enjoyed this game. It was rock hard in sections and a little annoying in places but it was good looking and interesting enough for a few hours blast. Not a patch on HL2 but then what is?
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. DavidF.
    Jun 10, 2006
    8
    A little bit of SIN, a lot of HL2, and a nice game overall. Much better than the original SIN, which dissapointed me greatly.
  7. ScottR.
    Jun 25, 2006
    8
    Awesome addition to the other Source games out there.
  8. PhilO.
    Jun 4, 2006
    8
    I was pleasantly surprised by the first episode of SiN Episodes. First off the HL2 engine was well used, albeit much less use of the physics engines for puzzles than HL2. Not a bad thing, just a fact. The story was captivating...great dialogue but missing the smart-ass Blade comments from the original and more like the Gordon Freeman silent type. Ai seemed weak in the beginning but better I was pleasantly surprised by the first episode of SiN Episodes. First off the HL2 engine was well used, albeit much less use of the physics engines for puzzles than HL2. Not a bad thing, just a fact. The story was captivating...great dialogue but missing the smart-ass Blade comments from the original and more like the Gordon Freeman silent type. Ai seemed weak in the beginning but better later on. You may want to select a harder play level out of the gates if you want a more challenging experience. Expand
  9. DaveF.
    Jun 9, 2006
    8
    Sin Episodes manages to capture much of the fun of the original episodes, fast action packed game with a sense of humour. It
  10. MichaelI.
    Jun 22, 2007
    8
    I didn't hear about SiN until emergance. I bought the pre-order and played SiN 1 (it must have been great 6 years ago.) Anyway, I enjoyed SiN Emergence. I was fun. A little short, but then again this is episode content, so I guess this is what is to be expected. Too bad it looks like we'll never get the rest of it.
  11. MattD.
    May 17, 2006
    8
    I gave the game an 8/10. There are a few reasons: First I liked the game because it was a wonderful relief from the endless WW2 FPS games out there. The story, so-far, seems to be well crafted and the game has me intrigued as to what will come next. There is also the inclusion of the reactive-difficulty system, which helped make this one of the most challenging FPSs I've played in a I gave the game an 8/10. There are a few reasons: First I liked the game because it was a wonderful relief from the endless WW2 FPS games out there. The story, so-far, seems to be well crafted and the game has me intrigued as to what will come next. There is also the inclusion of the reactive-difficulty system, which helped make this one of the most challenging FPSs I've played in a while. I really enjoyed playing this game and I am intrigued as to what the next episode will hold. Small Spoiler: The stuff after the end of the game and before the credits, hilarious. Thank you Ritual Entertainment, I will be looking forward to the next installment. Expand
  12. [Anonymous]
    May 23, 2006
    8
    Excellent quality, game looks very nice. I especially like the squelching sounds when people hit poles from 30 feet up in the air :) Definately looking at purchasing this game.
  13. ClintE.
    May 27, 2006
    8
    Gameplay is fun. Can be frustrating at times. Your weapons can feel underpowered. Level design is very nice.
  14. 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.
  15. ChaseM.
    Jul 27, 2006
    8
    This game is fun at first, but it would have been less repetitive-feeling if there were more weapons and different enemys in which to pick up guns from. My only real gripes for the actual storyline game is that you only get 3 guns, the pistol, shotgun, and Assault Rifle. But what I really like about this game is the ARENA mode where those 3 weapons are more than enough, it's This game is fun at first, but it would have been less repetitive-feeling if there were more weapons and different enemys in which to pick up guns from. My only real gripes for the actual storyline game is that you only get 3 guns, the pistol, shotgun, and Assault Rifle. But what I really like about this game is the ARENA mode where those 3 weapons are more than enough, it's definantly an improvement on the original SiN I think, it's worth buying for all 3 games but I think it'd be better off selling this game only for a lower price. Definantly worth buying though, just to show off your highscores and try to get a higher one in arena mode. Expand
  16. JamesHiggins
    Jun 26, 2007
    8
    It is excellent game... I hope to grab some games for the steam... However, I had some issue about the weapons.... I prefer more heavy weaponry... for example: chain guns and rocket launcher that has the Heatseeking guidance head and laser guided missiles.... These current weapons that was offered in this game are useless if used to attack the big monsters like one in last level and also It is excellent game... I hope to grab some games for the steam... However, I had some issue about the weapons.... I prefer more heavy weaponry... for example: chain guns and rocket launcher that has the Heatseeking guidance head and laser guided missiles.... These current weapons that was offered in this game are useless if used to attack the big monsters like one in last level and also are useless in attacking the aircraft... I kept running out of ammos if I attack against the aircraft.... The aircraft kept flying around avoiding the ammos that I intend to hit the aircraft. Expand the weapon choices.... add on the heavy weapons and aslo add on the energy based weapons that is used in the Sin!!! Expand
  17. Jun 22, 2016
    8
    2/13/2012 I am truly aggrieved that Ritual Entertainment went under not long after the release of this title, as it made a very strong start to what I feel would have been a fun series of games. I don't even remember how I came to be in possession of Emergence, but I sense I bought it because it included the first Sin game, a singleplayer FPS based on the Half-Life engine that I did not2/13/2012 I am truly aggrieved that Ritual Entertainment went under not long after the release of this title, as it made a very strong start to what I feel would have been a fun series of games. I don't even remember how I came to be in possession of Emergence, but I sense I bought it because it included the first Sin game, a singleplayer FPS based on the Half-Life engine that I did not have the opportunity to play when it first released. While Sin was a good game in it's own right, I feel like Emergence more fully realized the vision of the game's setting- A gung-ho paramilitary police force battling the agents of a genetic research firm gone mad. Besides, how many games have a black protagonist that isn't a racial caricature? Expand
  18. Jan 19, 2023
    8
    the game is a little difficult but it is worth remembering that you are playing HALF LIFE 2

    I love Valve engine physics
  19. 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.
  20. NicolasBlastocool
    Oct 16, 2006
    7
    Dont buy that ! The game is correct near perfect , but it is the same as Half- life 2 , only very short to complete 2 hour max ( and i am an old uncle ) 20$ ,6 hours of donwload ( steam ) i am not Happy ! . This is like Arlequin book , once you read one , you have read them all ,
  21. 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.
  22. FolkenD.
    Dec 6, 2006
    7
    Much too short. I paid good money, which is hard to come by for me, so I expected something a little longer.
  23. DavidK.
    May 17, 2006
    7
    Hey, Well, to tell you the truth, the game felt too much like half life 2. I mean the physics, the monsters, the action. It basically is an addon to half life 2. I really disliked the extreme lack of interaction between the player, enviorment, and AI. One thing , howeevr that Ritual has perfected is the music scores, as well as the generic coding, i am upset though that they did not Hey, Well, to tell you the truth, the game felt too much like half life 2. I mean the physics, the monsters, the action. It basically is an addon to half life 2. I really disliked the extreme lack of interaction between the player, enviorment, and AI. One thing , howeevr that Ritual has perfected is the music scores, as well as the generic coding, i am upset though that they did not change the main menu and the look of the game, thus making no different then what modders are doing today. Another bad thing that ritual has put in place is the encryption. this include all the main music scores, desisive files, models, and maps. Overall this game deserves a SOLID 7. I belive that this game is average and hey, if you liked half life 2, and doom 3, or the original SiN, you will defenitly like this game. And on top of that you will get a got experiance from the AI. So hey, if you got cash then buy it, if not well dun bother saving up. Take it each. Expand
  24. JonB.
    May 29, 2006
    7
    Nice set pieces good use of light, reasonable gameplay , bit too straight line.
  25. MartinK.
    Jul 6, 2006
    7
    Not very original, but certainly enjoyable. I was excited about a continuation of an old favourite of mine, although I felt like it lacked the character of the first one -especiallty with Blade who pretty much said nothing the whole time, unlike the first Sin (classic bad-ass). Now; I won't complain about the length, after all, it was only the first episode, but indeed, it did seem Not very original, but certainly enjoyable. I was excited about a continuation of an old favourite of mine, although I felt like it lacked the character of the first one -especiallty with Blade who pretty much said nothing the whole time, unlike the first Sin (classic bad-ass). Now; I won't complain about the length, after all, it was only the first episode, but indeed, it did seem repetitive with weapons and enemies. I would like to see more variety in terms of weapons, enemies and the environment, maybe some more smart-ass dialogue as in the first Sin, and perhaps a more developed storyline. There seems to be a good deal of controversy in people's opinions of this game, with some extremely disgruntled ones, but I still have good hopes for the future episodes of this game. Great fun, don't give up hope. I'm looking forward to future installments. Bring it on. Expand
  26. One-up
    May 13, 2006
    7
    After reading other user reviews I hope more avid gamers might find this review useful. I couldn
  27. AlexS.
    May 29, 2006
    7
    I
  28. PaulMcquiggan
    Jun 6, 2006
    7
    Putting the game rating: 7 (to be generous) because it is an enjoyable game; but I can only see it as a series of challenges for the gamer; rather than something new, and inventive - besides the fact of it the entire game being segmented into chunks of instalments like annual fees of MMO subscriptions. There
  29. JesseE.
    Jun 9, 2006
    7
    The game is ok, its nice to have such powerful wepons. Its a little boreing though. Its also very short, 2 hours of game play, then its over, for $20.
  30. DavidE.
    Aug 20, 2006
    7
    Not a bad way to spend a few hours. The AI is pretty good, though not up to FEAR standards. If you're tired of fighting the usual mutants, you might want to pass, but the game is fun. It will remind you of HL2 sometimes and definitely of FEAR as well, but it is a good diversion while waiting for new FPS games to come out. I got it for $14.95 and think it was worth it.
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 42 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 42
  2. Negative: 0 out of 42
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. It's a bland taste to a cultured palette. But it's fun, too, and self-aware.