SkimIt
Publisher: Sega of America
Genre: Video GamesAction/Adventure
Release Date: 01/15/2013
Platform(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Online Enabled: No
ESRB Rating: M
ESRB Explanation: For Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language
Price: 29.99
Common Sense Says: Post-apocalyptic fighting game with violence and gore.
Common Sense Rates It:
Parents need to know
Parents need to know Anarchy Reigns isn't for kids or young tweens as it's extremely violent, bloody, and gory. There are also some sexually suggestive comments in the dialogue, one instance of bare buttocks shown, and strong profanity, too. Online gamers can talk freely with no filters or monitors.
- Families can talk about violence. This fighting game pits gamers against mutants and cyborgs in a post-apocalyptic world -- is that relevant when weighing the impact of this media's violence? That is, is slicing and dicing fictitious enemies in a fantasy universe any different than killing humans in a game based on contemporary times?
- Families can also talk about the impact of sexual themes.
What's the story?
ANARCHY REIGNS is a Japanese-made third-person brawler, developed by Platinum Games and published by Sega. The game takes place in a violent, post-apocalyptic world that pits strong warriors against one another in deadly fights to the finish. Consisting of two interwoven plots, the single-player campaign lets you play as Jack or Leo -- each with their own unique side to the story and fighting style -- as they take on dozens of mutants and cyborgs in an open world. The story isn't anything to write home about, but many gamers are likely buying this PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 disc for its varied multiplayer modes. Anarchy Reigns supports up to 16 players online in modes ranging from Tag Team, Death Match, and Capture the Flag to Survival Co-op, Battle Royale, and even Deathball (based on American Football).
Is it any good?
Half the cost of most other new console games, Anarchy Reigns does offer fast, frenetic, and violent action as players take on tough opponents in a future world. Using fists, kicks, swords, and chainsaws to take down opponents can be fun -- if you don't mind blood and gore -- as you'll need to adapt your moves to win against the varied and sometimes bizarre enemies. It's also fun to fight in such unpredictable environments, with planes crashing down, bombs exploding, and other fierce battles going on around you. The multiplayer modes keep the action fresh -- but one beef is you can't access certain skills and items unless you first unlock them in the solo campaign. Also, visually, the graphics are decent but the frame rate can slow down to a crawl when there's a lot of action going on at the same time. Finally, be aware the game requires 3.3GB of storage (for the PlayStation 3 version). Overall, Anarchy Reigns is a good but not great over-the-top brawler -- at an attractive price.
How to play
Playbility: Anarchy Reigns is somewhat easy to control, but the fighting action is quite chaotic. It might take some time to master the moves in the single-player game, plus unlockable elements are then accessible in the multiplayer modes.
The Good Stuff
Messages: Anarchy Reigns is an over-the-top action game with a strong emphasis on weapon-based fighting. As a result, it doesn't offer any positive messages to players.
Role Models: The two playable characters -- Jack and Leo -- star in the two-part single-player campaign. They seem like honorable warriors in a post-apocalyptic world, vowing to defeat numerous enemies -- but they use a wide assortment of weapons and violent attacks to claim victory.
Ease of play: Anarchy Reigns is somewhat easy to control, but the fighting action is quite chaotic. It might take some time to master the moves in the single-player game, plus unlockable elements are then accessible in the multiplayer modes.
What to watch out for
Violence Anarchy Reigns is an action-heavy game that pits players against a number of mutants and cyborgs in a post-apocalyptic world. As Jack or Leo, gamers will punch, kick, and fight against these enemies until they've been defeated. Most of the combat includes weapons like swords, bombs, and even chainsaws to rip bodies apart. Large amounts of blood and gore can be seen -- both in the combat sequences as well as cut-scene movies. Finishing moves might include slicing characters in half, impaling, and beheading.
Sex: Some of the dialogue includes references to sex ("sex freak") while other times it's alluded to ("if I can't get it up..." and "reaching a climax"), etc. One female cyborg has an outfit that reveals exposed buttocks.
Language: While not frequent, the game does contain strong profanity, including the words "f--k," "s--t," and a--hole."
Consumerism: Not an issue
Drinking, drugs & smoking: Not an issue
