Anarchy Reigns

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 35
  3. Negative: 1 out of 35
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. DarkZero
    Feb 8, 2013
    90
    If the prospect of playing an online fighting game that strikes a satisfying balance between old-school brawlers and modern action games appeals to you, I honestly can’t imagine that Anarchy Reigns will disappoint.
  2. Metro GameCentral
    Jan 11, 2013
    90
    An inspired reinvention of multiplayer brawling, that carves out a whole new action genre for itself and those brave enough to learn its ins and outs.
  3. Hardcore Gamer
    Jan 9, 2013
    90
    It may not be Platinum Games' most technically sophisticated piece of work, but it's damn good all the same. For $30, it's a total steal, and a great way to kick off 2013.
  5. Eurogamer
    Jan 8, 2013
    90
    Anarchy Reigns is exactly the kind of game that 'gamers' say they want: original, high-octane action with bags of depth, plenty of modes and multiplayer. It's all game, all of the time.
  6. Game Over Online
    Jan 24, 2013
    80
    If you don't take Anarchy Reigns seriously, it's worth a look, and it's got a nice discounted price tag to boot. It's a big, colorful, ridiculous brawler about a bunch of cybernetically-enhanced idiots who don't realize how ridiculous they are, and while the single-player campaign's about five times as frustrating as it needs to be, the multiplayer's decent once you get a handle on it.
  7. Eurogamer Sweden
    Jan 23, 2013
    80
    It's hard to know where to place Anarchy Reigns. Character action? Multiplayer fighting game? In all essence it's a bit of both and it's utterly brilliant in its sheer insanity. With a short campaign that manages to out-weird Konami and a chaotic, beginner-friendly yet deep multiplayer, Anarchy Reigns delivers on most of its promises.
  8. PlaySense
    Jan 21, 2013
    80
    Weak graphics and underpopulated servers aside, Anarchy Reigns is a great game. The strong story and extensive multiplayer are the main draws.
  9. Telegraph
    Jan 20, 2013
    80
    An inventive, compelling online brawler, the likes of which you won't have experienced before. It is technical and spectacular enough that it accommodates both skilled players and those who just want to mash some buttons and watch the sparks fly.
  10. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Jan 14, 2013
    80
    Leave the inner critic at the door and dive into Anarchy Reigns without cynicism. Anyone hoping to do some soul-searching will be sour by the end, but if you've got a need for anarchy SEGA and Platinum have this dish piping hot. Anarchy Reigns is violent, vulgar, and a confusingly hilarious, all within a tight budget.
  11. Multiplayer.it
    Jan 14, 2013
    80
    Anarchy Reigns delivers an intense fighting experience, packed with a double single player campaign and plenty of multiplayer modes, all for a budget price.
  12. Vandal
    Jan 11, 2013
    80
    This is one of those games that, in a few years, might become a classic no one understood. If you want to make the most of it, jump into the multiplayer modes as soon as you can.
  13. 3DJuegos
    Jan 9, 2013
    76
    A Frenetic and varied online beat´em up, plenty of options and game modes... but a bit insubstantial for the solo players.
  14. Game Informer
    Jan 8, 2013
    75
    The campaign is rough at times but overall entertaining, though I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a high-caliber action experience.

Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Best PS3 Game of 2013
66
#66 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2013
70
#70 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2013

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 120 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 87 out of 120
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 120
  3. Negative: 9 out of 120
  1. Anarchy_Reaper7
    Jan 10, 2013
    10
    A good game to release the start of the new year, there was no good beat em up game that release to the PS3 nor xbox 360. I'm happy thatA good game to release the start of the new year, there was no good beat em up game that release to the PS3 nor xbox 360. I'm happy that Platinum release another of their masterpiece into the PS3. Insane, chao multiplayer is what make this game awesome! The Campaign is okay, it let you choose to be the White side or the black side with each different enemies and story . You can also train you character of your choice by training mode (Highly recommend to play the Campaign first) to improve your skill with the character to be prepare for multiplayer. In case your a beginner in this game which everyone is, there the tutorial in the main menu where you can get to know how the game is play & once your get used to the control, you be having a one hell alot of fun. There also alot of modes in multiplayer, that keep you entertaining. Other than all i say in this game is, highly recommend to purchase this game if you want something different and fun. It only 29$ and have a lot of content than other 60$ game, no joke. Go out and get now for just 29$!… Full Review »
  2. Leram504
    Jan 12, 2013
    10
    Logged in about five hours of game play so far and at first I was a little disappointed because I thought the game was going to follow a moreLogged in about five hours of game play so far and at first I was a little disappointed because I thought the game was going to follow a more traditional beat'em up style, like Final Fight or Streets of Rage etc. I decided to stick with it and understand how the game is played and I'm super happy I did! You fight in these large arenas where you rack up points killing the enemy and when you score gets high enough you unlock side and main missions. The multiplayer seems to be where a lot of the meat of the game is as well. For $29.99 new, you really can't lose on this game if you love beat'em ups! Awesome, awesome game.… Full Review »
  3. partyintheback
    Jan 11, 2013
    10
    Anarchy Reigns was originally set to launch in North America early-mid 2012, but it was then delayed until 2013, even though the game wasAnarchy Reigns was originally set to launch in North America early-mid 2012, but it was then delayed until 2013, even though the game was finished. While the game was really close to cancellation for North America, a date was finally set, but it was a long wait to endure. However, the wait is over and Anarchy Reigns is here, but was it worth it? Two words: Hell yes!

    Anarchy Reigns is a 3D brawler at its core that combines brawling and fighting like God Hand or Fist of the North Star, hence my comparison to those games. But the difference is that Anarchy Reigns has the unique and quirky flavor of Platinum and Sega games. While everything that makes a Platinum game their own is on display, it also feels like one of those gems you'd play on the Sega Dreamcast back in the day.

    The single player campaign has two interwoven plots, offering two different characters to play as (Jack Cayman, Leonhardt "Leo" Victorion), which allows you to play in two different ways with two different takes. This gives you replayability for the single player content. Speaking of the single player, you're given hub world environments to roam around, beat up bad guys, collect things, and just have fun in-between the story and side missions, so it's not just a straight up linear mission-to-mission game, but it's also not a large open world, just hub environments that give you a little more sense of freedom.

    The other part of the package is the multiplayer, which is truly unique and unlike anything else out there. It's fast and hectic, but it all performs admirably online and hasn't been plagued with issues or anything from my experience. While there are some incredibly skilled players out there, I'm not one of them yet, but it's even fun to play when you're losing. It's just so different, which leads me to believe this'll maintain a community for a good while. There are a bunch of different modes to enjoy in the multiplayer package, which includes the established modes like DM and TDM. You can choose from 16 different characters in multiplayer, all of which have their own fighting styles, signature kill moves, etc.

    Also, since I haven't mentioned it yet, I must say that the combat in this game is awesome. You could compare this game to Madworld, but it's really a lot deeper and more satisfying in terms of the combat. It's almost impossible to say how it feels, as it feels entirely different depending on who you're playing as, but if you're playing as Jack Cayman, the game's combat is meaty and focused on more of a brawler style, but you can play as one of the more quick and agile characters in multiplayer, which includes Bayonetta if you pre-ordered the game elsewhere. Hopefully SEGA will release Bayonetta as DLC sometime in the near future for everyone else.

    As far as the graphics go, Anarchy Reigns isn't the most beautiful game or anything, but it gets the job done. Also, lip syncing doesn't sync up perfectly since the mouths animate with the Japanese VO and they just put English VO in without reanimating the mouths on the characters. The animation work, though, is spectacularly well done, and I don't want to imagine the work they put into all 16 characters.

    Anarchy Reigns is a new IP that's fresh and interesting, as it offers something new to gamers who are sick and tired of the status quo. This is a ridiculously fun game that offers a meaty single player with two campaigns, an online multiplayer that isn't an FPS, and just a load of fun for anyone wanting some originality. It certainly has its comparisons to God Hand (Anarchy Reigns developers worked on this), Fist of the North Star (which hasn't had a good game), and Madworld (Same developer, one of the same main characters), but this does it so well and brings it to the online arena, allowing you to share the fun with other gamers worldwide. Bravo, Platinum Games, bravo!    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »