State of Emergency

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 34
  3. Negative: 4 out of 34
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  1. Adrenaline Vault
    70
    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.
  2. GamerWeb Sony
    70
    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!
  3. GameSpy
    70
    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.
  5. PSX Nation
    70
    Despite its limited depth, State Of Emergency is a lengthy beat-em up that truly shines in short bursts.
  6. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    63
    After the blood-soaked honeymoon is over, you'll see the game in the harsh morning light and wonder if it was worth it.
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  7. PSM Magazine
    60
    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]
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  8. All Game Guide
    60
    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.
  9. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    60
    The word "frustrating" doesn't even begin to describe it. [Apr 2002, p.108]
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  10. Maxim Online
    60
    Such virtual destruction may once have seemed innocent, but these days the whole thing hits a little close to home.
  11. netjak
    55
    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.
    All this publication's reviews
  12. GameShark
    51
    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.
  13. Entertainment Weekly
    50
    Four levels are too few to stay interesting for all 175-plus missions, which are too bloody repetitive. [22 Mar 2002, p.114]
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  14. Armchair Empire
    50
    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.

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002
93
#93 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 37
  3. Negative: 9 out of 37
  1. DaMan
    Feb 7, 2002
    10
    This game kicks ass.
  2. VLG
    Aug 22, 2023
    6
    When i first played this game, i never saw anything like it before. The pure chaos, the decent graphics, all the options, and the sheerWhen i first played this game, i never saw anything like it before. The pure chaos, the decent graphics, all the options, and the sheer political incorrectness of the core concept. Nowadays, it has been completely forgotten, and i cant say it hurts me tbh. Its a product of its time.… Full Review »
  3. Alex_Pilgrim008
    May 13, 2023
    7
    This is a guilty pleasure. It's a mindless, carnage-filled party game. You could call it Rockstar's version of "Smash TV". The levels play outThis is a guilty pleasure. It's a mindless, carnage-filled party game. You could call it Rockstar's version of "Smash TV". The levels play out like bigger versions of GTA's Rampage missions. It's a highly chaotic beat 'em up/shoot 'em up that can quickly wear out its welcome. The best way to play "State" is in small intervals due to its repetitive nature. It's great when you're in the need to just blow crap up. I would rate it with a 7.2 out of 10.… Full Review »
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