Game #952: Urban Chaos - Riot Response

  A game glorifying police brutality... Oh boy, thank god this game came out so many years ago.

 Well, one game that very often makes the rounds on PS2 hidden gems is Urban Chaos: Riot Response, a game that had a premise that sounded a bit boring... but the game is much better than what you'd think. 'A first-person shooter in which you play as a cop trying to take down a gang of pyromaniacs' sounds pretty dull, but thanks to tight gameplay the game is more than memorable.

 The game is made up of 11 main missions, as well as a few unlockable ones. While you play as a cop, this is a first-person shooter through and through, 'arrests' are made by tasing enemies into unconsciousness, no need to handcuff them or anything, but even your allies tell you that 'arresting' them is an excuse to get the press off your back, because, in a now-ironic twist of fate, the more brutal you are.... the better. Bashing an enemy to death will make the words 'BRUTAL' show up on screen, and landing headshots, which many times may make the head of your enemies explode, is rewarded too. Basically... the police set-up is a very thin coat of paint, you are actually more akin to Robocop. And I'm not gonna lie... landing shots on enemies feels very satisfying, the core shooting elements feel fantastic, there's a sense of weight to enemies getting shot down... and I loved it.

 One of the best things about the game is the reward system. Each mission has five optional goals: Find five masks, Arrest X amount of enemies, Don't use a continue and land X headshots as the medal-rewarding missions, and the fifth one being arresting a special enemy, which unlocks the optional missions. Every X amount of medals you gain will reward you with bonuses. More health, a better riot shield, stronger weapons, more ammo clips, etc. On the other hand, clearing Optional missions will unlock better weaponry for you to start missions with. In the end, you'll be doing your best to clear these optional goals, as the rewards are worthwhile.

 This game sticks to the classic FPS formula, that means no regenerating health. There are no health packs, so to speak, however, in every mission at some point you'll come across a medic that will facilitate you up to three full healings. You'll also be aided by other cops and firemen, and most of the time you have to protect them. It doesn't feel like a escort mission because they'll only join you for so long, so it's not too bad.

 This game's main gimmick, and one I think works well, is the riot shield. As a member of the elusive T-ZERO unit, basically Robocop but made of flesh, you get a Riot shield that you can use to protect yourself from bullets and molotovs. Using this shield becomes an integral part of gameplay, and I thought it was done well, as it adds something unique to the game. And enemies are fast enough as not to make it like you can just shield yourself from any and every incoming damage.

 Cutscenes were filmed with real people.... ugh.

 Overall, Urban Chaos was pretty fun. Not the most interesting story or premise out there, but the gameplay is real tight, and the guys behind it would eventually go on to make the fantastic Batman: Arkham series.

 8.0