What is Urban Chaos?
Well, imagine you took a high-action cop film, a plot held together by duct tape, and a PS2-era shooter, and threw them in a blender, that's “Urban Chaos: Riot Response”. This game is a fever dream, and the only reason I know of its existence is because I randomly came across it at the game store and thought “Wow that looks dumb, I need it.” Pure, unfiltered, early-2000s action goofiness, but with a sprinkle of grit and explosiveness.It absolutely kicks ass.
Welcome to the Worst First Day Ever
We’re introduced to Nick Mason, the player character and member of T-Zero, an elite riot control unit in the unnamed city. T-Zero has been specifically created for and tasked with taking down a gang known as the “Burners”, mask-wearing pyromaniacs that are hellbent on destroying the city and un-aliving anyone and anything that gets in their way. Their typical m.o includes setting literally everything on fire, murdering first responders, and having the most chaotic gang meetings imaginable. It’s up to you to clean up the city using any means necessary. We’ll get into what that means in a second.The plot? It’s there. It does its job. You’re a super-cop, the city is in flames, for some reason police oversight doesn’t exist and the only way forward is through a never-ending wave of criminals who really want you dead.
Trust me, I’ve heard the voicelines “DIE MASON” and “WE'RE GONNA KILL YOUR WHOLE FUCKIN FAMILY MASON” probably a hundred times. Each.
One of the biggest selling points for me is that there are news reports and briefings in between each mission. And we’re not talking about any mediocre cgi or animated newscaster, no, it’s a real person! Who changes outfits and everything! There’s a feeling of production value and authenticity to it that most games with news sequences are missing. The over-the-top, fear-mongering reports perfectly capture the sensationalized, dramatic style of early-2000s news coverage that I vividly remember from my youth. They do a great job of grounding the story.
Gameplay: Arcade Chaos in a Tactical Suit
At first glance, “Urban Chaos” looks like your standard early-2000s FPS, but there’s actually some solid depth under the surface. The riot shield isn’t just for show - it’s an essential mechanic of the gameplay, letting you block bullets and bash enemies in the face when things get a little too personal.Then there’s the command system. With a quick order, you can call in medics to treat hostages, firefighters to extinguish raging infernos, or fellow officers to provide backup. It’s not overly complex by any means, but it adds a layer of strategy to the chaos. Other games like "NASCAR 2007" make use of this feature, but it’s something that’s a bit rare in the PS2-era of gaming.
The weapons feel fantastic - the shotgun is meaty, the pistol is oddly futuristic, and throwing a meat cleaver at terminal velocity towards a Burner’s head never gets old. Then, just when you think the gunplay couldn't get more interesting, it puts you into a helicopter and hands you a minigun. Because, apparently, riot control sometimes involves unloading thousands of rounds into local the apartment block. Civilian casualties be damned, this is exactly the kind of over-the-top chaos that makes this game so ridiculously entertaining.
Presentation: The PS2 Grit Filter™
Graphically, “Urban Chaos” has that *classic* PS2 brown-and-gray aesthetic, but it heavily works in the game’s favor. The city is, after all, a war zone and the grimy browns and greens add to the atmosphere. Despite the character models being a little janky, and Nick Mason not having one AT ALL, the animations that do exist are surprisingly solid! The game also moves at a brisk pace - allowing for quick, fun enjoyment.The voice acting? It exists. The Burners yell things like "Did your mommy make you that shield?" and "Clean up in aisle 9!" with such cartoonish aggression that it never fails to make me laugh. It's unclear where the game actually takes place, as it's only ever referred to as “your city”, but if the accents are anything to go by then this has to be the Bronx. It’s like Rocksteady and Eidos Interactive went around New York finding the thickest accents they could, to incorporate as NPC’s. It just adds a whole other layer of enjoyment to the experience that is unmatched by other first person shooters.
There’s not much I can say about the music, it’s okay. The soundtrack is mostly just a mix of tense beats and heavy guitar riffs, because of course it is. It’s 2006. That was kind of the law for FPS games.
Verdict: A Niche Experience That Encapsulates The PS2’s Madness
“Urban Chaos: Riot Response” might not be the most polished or visually stunning shooter out there, but who cares when it’s this absurdly fun? It strikes that perfect balance between mindless, over-the-top action and just enough tactical depth to keep things engaging. If you love the energy of old-school police light gun arcade games and don’t mind a little early-2000s goofiness, then this is an absolute hidden gem that deserves a spot in your collection.Final Score: 8.8/10 – Violating Civil Liberties Has Never Been This Fun
