Anarchy Reigns

It’s strange how a game can differ extensively in tone depending on what region of the world it was produced in and with what people. Even though some values should be universal, there are large gaps of nuance between what one but not the other would find insensitive. Don’t worry; this Anarchy Reigns review won’t be a discussion of ethics, though the crass appeal of this raunchy romp could certainly be used as an example of bad taste within ever-so thrilling sensationalism. Deep down, we all are victims of this titillating cheekiness.

Still, lets pause a moment at the cinematic presentation of the game’s campaign mode. By showing both sides of the coin, both good and bad, the game offers a full view of a developing story where a mercenary is out for a target with friends in high places. Still, that is hardly the only thing it shows. Most angles try and capture sexualized imagery as closely as possible, accompanied by a cast of paper-thin stereotypes that were only allowed to exist in a past life. There is no opposite message to this poor portrayal, which leaves a distasteful mark on the story, though it does strangely enough hold some evocative blips that at least offer a saving grace. Anarchy Reigns doesn’t hold back any blows, whether it’s in its storyline or its brawler gameplay.

Going past this blemish, it must be noted that Platinum Games makes a tremendous effort to cut pristine scenes between fighting chapters. It might not be tasteful, but it at least holds the attention beyond that imagery with expert designs. Levels themselves are presented in multiple sections dividing the bigger overall locales of decrepit towns, deserts and a shiny cityscape. It doesn’t always go past a monochrome environment, but at least it’s sharp in detail enough to enjoy as a background.

Anarchy Reigns' story in a nutshell. It's so fitting, it's one of 2 only screenshots on the box.

In each of these locales, players can find half a dozen missions that need to be unlocked by pressing the pulp out of the local riffraff to get sufficient points. Most missions offer the same type of fights between mobs or iconic characters, though there is a slight variety that slips in from time. One mission is spent playing soccer, while another is spent racing a few laps. It isn’t nearly enough to get past the monotony of fighting, but action in itself is more than enough to entertain.

This “action” portion consists fundamentally of simple fighting mechanisms. One button is a light attack, the other one is a heavy attack, it’s possible to dodge and so on. To elevate this element, a power gauge is added that players can use to dish out stronger attacks. Defense only has limited staying power and can be broken. It’s nothing out of the ordinary, though it is accessible. However, it is easily exploitable on several levels. For instance, certain animations can be timed for endless damage, while grapples can be chained together with little control for the opponent. The whole system in the campaign against the pattern-heavy artificial intelligence lacks meat. It is still glorious in all its extravagant action, with flurries of blows, sparks flying and blood gushing over the screen. Still, it’s hardly deep at its core.

To further help dig out the fighting system, auxiliary means are added, such as slight bonuses to the lock-on system and the use of items. In particular, the latter offers a few surprises, as players can find weapons such as rocket launchers and use these to wipe out massive enemies. Powerful mutants that shred through health bars like tissues can be felled with just a few of these blows. More surprisingly, the swiftness of changing the game into a competent third person shooter leaves a taste for more. Sadly, there is none, but sniping off a mutant’s face is still one of the more gratifying things to do in this game. The pace starts to step away from mediocrity with this trait alone.

We’re not done. Anarchy Reigns has one more powerful blow to deal with its Rampage system; a gauge that gradually fills up and lets players become unstoppable killing machines for a limited time. Once engaged, a fiery, almost Super Saiyan glow surrounds the character, which becomes invulnerable and receives an endless power gauge. This just invites a shallow pummel fest with a quirky timed event feature when two rampaging fighters connect, but we are more entertained now than when we started.

The campaign doesn’t go on long enough to completely satisfy the appetite for destruction, when all these elements need to be explored to their fullest. Perhaps this is for the best, as a drive to proceed is sometimes lost in the linear progression of beating up thugs and soldering on.

Luckily, there’s multiplayer and this is where the getting gets endlessly good! Oh, what sweet bliss this section of the game is and what redeeming qualities it holds for all. First off, battling humans takes the simple fighting style to a new level that actually enhances these tic-tac-toe elements. Everyone has the same tools to fight with and those aren’t plentiful, so weighing out the proper attack at the right time is the decision between life and death at the tip of a blade. More so, most of the handful of game modes allow players to slightly customize their myriad of playable characters with an additional trait that will determine their prowess in the upcoming bout. Timing also becomes more important to pierce through defenses, as opponents will rarely just rush to kill. The only downside is that in some more hostile game modes, all the bluster of extravagance can fill up a screen with just that tad too much to still stay visible. It’s a minor flaw, but it’s there.

The epitome of multiplayer fun comes from a football arena where players can also punch each other out. It’s the first tribute to the PSOne game Dead Ball Zone in a long while. That game offered similar deadly combat with a sports game. It’s also such a fitting homage when players rush the carrier, while their teammates try to clear a path with the same fighting styles as the other game modes. When properly applied, these matches can be thoroughly gripping, certainly when a sudden death is needed to decide the victor. This mode alone should get its own game, but as an added feature, it certainly shines as well.

Yes, Anarchy Reigns is decent but not stellar in the few hours spent on a campaign. However, when seen as an elaborate warm-up to join the extensive online competition, this singleplayer section with cinematic qualities doesn’t appear half as bad. It effectively nudges players forward to meet their match in one of many exhilarating matches against their peers. Hell, with a rating system, even the campaign is good for a onceover, but the online community is where this game really shows what is has to offer.

Daav Valentaten, NoobFeed. (@Daavpuke)