Urban Chaos: Riot Response [PS2]

Note to game developers: any game element can be overused. It doesn't matter how cool or innovative, if you rely on it too much, the whole experience can be hurt. Therein lies the rub with Urban Chaos: Riot Response. It's a respectable first-person shooter with a solid story, responsive controls, and some unique features, but it tends to recycle a few key gameplay mechanics enough to make the fresh go rotten.

Set in the near future, the game follows the exploits of "supercop" Nick Mason. Recruited by the brand new, and highly controversial, anti-terrorism squad T-Zero, Mason is called in to help thwart an aggressive gang called the Burners. As the name implies, the Burners are a bunch of homicidal pyromaniacs and they're trying to destroy the city. As Mason, it's up to you to eliminate the threat, by any means possible.

Like many FPSes, you start out with little in the way of hardware, but upgrades come fast and furious once you prove yourself as an efficient killing machine. You can either steal weapons from the Burners, earn a variety of upgrades by completing specific sub-goals, or unlock new goodies by successfully mastering optional bonus missions between the normal levels.

One aspect of Urban Chaos that is particularly enjoyable is the effective use of non-player characters throughout. In many FPS games, it's just you against the world, and NPCs are cannon fodder. Not so here. These guys (and gals) are actually quite useful. As Mason, you'll run across a number of characters ranging from firefighters, to medics, to civilians and each will react in a different manner.

For example, in one area you'll pair with a firefighter to get through a burning building. You have to keep him safe, but he'll hang back until you tell him to focus on the flames or break down a door. It's refreshing to know that you don't have to worry about the NPC pulling an idiot move and simply running head first into hostile fire.

Adding to the depth of the game is the dialogue. The characters don't simply regurgitate basic lines at you. They talk to Mason as a person. They'll make references to past events, such as when you helped out a friend in an earlier mission. And the Burners? Well let's just say that they have a penchant for four letter words and a deep burning hatred of Mason. You only need to hear it once to know it's meant.