Urban Reign was not meant to be about intricate plotlines like an RPG...or freely roaming cities like Grand Theft Auto...or crazy side-games...or transparent distractions. It's emphasis is on the *FIGHTING*. And, there's a lot of fighting to be had in Urban Reign...after all, this is a tribute to the old beat-em-up days of Final Fight and Streets of Rage.
The best part is that you can get as involved as you want. You can button mash like a zombie if you wish, and I suppose that will get you a certain degree of success. However, if you are interested in going further, you will find a surprising depth typically lacking from the beat-em-up genre. There are special reversals, juggle combos, and (dare I say it?) STRATEGIES you must adopt to ensure victory. If anything, I believe the gameplay in Urban Reign takes this dormant genre in a promising new direction.
The single player experience will keep you busy for a while; unlocking many of the goodies requires you to familiarize yourself with the story mode. A warning: check your ego at the door. Story mode will own you. Period. The 1-on-4 whoopings will be frustrating, so if you fear challenges, steer clear.
However, the multiplayer experience is where the game shines. The action is fast paced and fairly intelligent...if you learn the nuances of the game, it probably won't get boring anytime soon. Especially with the library of characters, moves, and modes. Think Super Smash Brothers, but decidedly less cute...
Or if you don't feel like beating up on your friends, Challenge Mode allows you and a buddy to take on a series of computer controlled teams. It's not quite the co-op story mode we all wish for...but, it's a start...
Bottom line: Urban Reign is a FIGHTING game, first and foremost. All other aspects of the game play minor roles. No massive cities to explore...no intricate tasks to perform...nothing. Nothing but the fighting, that is. And, as fighting games go, it's a pretty dang fun one.
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Unfortunately, beat-em-up's are kind of a thing of the past. A few years ago they made a one last surge though and Urban Reign, reigned supreme.Back in the day, this genre ruled the arcades and consoles with hits like Double Dragon, Final Fight, and Streets of Rage. But slowly over time, the brawler got left behind and there was a sense that what could be done had already been done and that there was no more left to do. That's a real shame because it's a great genre and though it past, nothing came to take it's place.
A few years back, there was a small resurgence with Final Fight, Beat Down and Urban Reign all making an apperance around the same time. Final Fight and Beat Down attempted to mesh some GTA "mature" themes into their games and forgot the gameplay and they failed because of it. Urban Reign flew under the radar as the other 2 were publicized and promo'd alot more. But Urban Reign had something the others didn't, the developers of 2 of the greatest fighting franchises.
Urban Reign keeps the beat-em-up theme intact but takes a fighting game approach to the genre. Instead of walking through the city and trashing every thug in sight, missions are set up through a quick story recap that puts you on one stage to dispatch of anywhere between 1 and 5 street punks at a time. The stages vary in size from a back parking lot to a city block with ample running room. The story in pretty straight forward and revolves around various gangs vying for power and control of turf. Your a hired gun, assigned to fend off and expose the new threats. Which makes little difference to you as your just going in to crack skulls all the same. But the 100 missions are interesting enough to pay attention and the voice acting and cut scenes are actually pretty good.
The graphics are suprisingly good for a PS2 game. Even today, they hold up very well. I have to believe that they only benefit from the smaller focused stages and characters. That's another good thing, as your not just beating up the same 5 guys wearing different jackets like in older games. Every one of the 60+ characters has a unique look, fighting style and move set. Most of them are unlockable and playable in alternate modes, including Marshall Law and Paul Phoenix from Tekken. The soundtrack includes some rocking tunes that'll put you in the mood for some pummeling and the cracks and smacks of combat accomodate perfectly.
But it still all comes down to gameplay and that's where Urban Reign shines. Though theres only 1 button for strikes and 1 for grapples, the fighting is actually pretty deep. In the first few stages, it doesn't seem too fun or interesting, but as you go on, you upgrade your character with fight points and aquire new moves along the way. Eventually, you'll be able to pull off some impressive and really cool looking combo strings. It's like a mix of a traditional fighting game, a beat-em-up and a wrestling game. There's slams, throws, grapples and even double teams with an AI or human partner. There are also weapons strewn throughout stages and a super combo meter that can be built up to unleash a few different combos. The other 2 face buttons are used for run and evade. I really like the evade button as it requires more skill than a block button and makes the fighting flow and look more natural.
This is also a pretty challenging game. There's 5 levels of difficulty and the challenges only increase as you move up, so spend your points wisely on the attributes that'll help you the most. Some of the bosses and hardcore fighters will test your patience but there's always a method that'll differ to use on each. Always be observant to what works best and where they take the most damage and go with that.
As for downsides, the camera can be a little funny at times. When the action really gets going or your running around the stages, the camera has a hard time keeping up and your opponent will be off screen. You can move the camera with the shoulder buttons but it moves a little slow and your not always sure which way to move it. You can also find yourself being juggled against walls or in corners by opponents but luckily, you can use your power combo meter to break or evade their juggles. They can be a little frustrating sometimes but not enough to ruin the game.
Overall, this is a very satisfying game that flls a genre that's all but lost. Graphics and sound are very good here but gameplay is king. There's also plenty of unlockable modes and characters for solo, and multi-player (up to 4), that add depth and replayability. I know I'm guilty of passing on Urban Reign as I just didn't know what to expect and I only recently picked it up for cheap. But I'm sorry I did as it's alot of fun and fills a catagory that I didn't have already in my library. Definitely recommended for Tekken and beat-em-up fans.
Best Deals for Urban Reign - PlayStation 2
Urban Reign is one of those game that will appeal to a certain audience and was made for specific type of gamers. Its a beat em up game similar to final fight, death by degrees etc. Created by the same team that brought you the Tekken series it has that Tekken feel to it like that electric sprite you get whenever you hit someone.It has has all the makings of a beat em up urban areas, gangs to beat upc, weapons like bats, pipes, etc. The story is not something you'll really focus about, basically your a brawler for hire named Brad Hawk who goes around beating up various gangs and their members to rid the streets of urban chaos, well for the second half at least for the first half your just beating up people left and right just for the hell of it.
Ok so the story is out of the way, now the gameplay its fighting from stage to stage just beating up people by whatever means but on occasion you'll be tasked to damage a enemies leg or their arms. Now there's 99 missions and this why I gave the game 4 stars the levels can get repetitive because you'll be revisiting the same areas but with different enemies. And this is the same with boss characters you'll fight the same ones again; first by themselves and then with more enemies by their sides, its lazy but hey I guess they had to stretch the 99 mission some how.
Now this game is notorious for its sudden peak in difficulty, this is why I said its meant for specific gamers. If you like beat em up games, not fighting game that's just one on one;in this game you'll have guys coming at you from all sides juggling you to the point that it feels cheap and this can be maddening on the later levels. But one thing I like is that there is Multiplayer which helps you forget about how difficult the later missions can get. You can play with a buddy or just duke it out with more players in a deathmatch type modes; the multiplayers is the best part about this game.
Urban Reign is a game for those who want the old school beat em up experience with challenging opponents who are just as tough as you. The multiplayer is a great add on that relieves the game that other wise would of been to hard for casual gamers.
Honest reviews on Urban Reign - PlayStation 2
Urban Reign is a great game if you willing to accept two things upfront. One its one hard game. And two,the story is pretty much nonexistent. With that said,lets start the review.When you first start Urban Reign (hereafter UR)your greeted to a few nice cut scenes that start to flesh the story out. Sadly after that the story is told via text before you start your missions (of witch there is 100 of). The fighting in UR uses only 2 buttons for attacks,but you can make a lot of combos and grapples with them,I'm amazed at what Namco did with the fighting engine here.
Graphics wise UR is fairly good its about on par with Metal Gear Solid 2. It runs nice and smooth at (to the best of my knowledge) 60FPS with no slowdown at all.
One thing that should be mentioned is this game is HARD. I shamelessly turned the difficulty down to Very Easy after the first 5 missions and it was still hard. Two of the bosses here will absolutely open countless cans of whup*** on you. (Napalm 99 and Golem) But disarm them and use there weapons against them to make the battles about 10x more easy,going hand-to-hand is not an option.
Like I've said above the story is pretty bland in UR but it's alright if you accept it for what it is. UR main competition in 2005 was Beat Down:Fists of Vengeance (Beat'em ups are a dying breed. The only one out on current consoles is Yakuza 3.) And that game was utter crap. It was trying to be a beat'em up/GTA hybrid that didn't work out to good. UR is way better than BD in every department (except graphics witch are about on par,remember they were released within a month of each other.) I definitely recommend you pick up this game I found it in a bargain bin at Canadian Tire (think sears for our US friends) and am happy I got it,You will be to!
I should also add I gave it 4 stars due to the insane difficulty and unpleasing story (its like not being satisfied after having s*x)
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Urban Reign - PlayStation 2
A smart and repetitive fighting game that will have you wondering why you haven't played this game yet. A unique set of controls will have you in a trance while you stomp, pile-drive, snap-arms, and run up walls flipping backwards to kick someone in the face.
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