About Anarchy Reigns
Anarchy Reigns (known in Japan as Max Anarchy) is an online beat 'em up being developed by Platinum Games and published by Sega. The game is a multiplayer brawler set in the MadWorld universe . The game is being produced by Atsushi Inaba and directed by Masaki Yamanaka. The game was released on July 5, 2012 in Japan, but the planned releases in North America, Europe, and Australia (originally set to July 5,2012) were delayed.SEGA has announced that Anarchy Reigns will be released, Janurary 8, 2013 (NA), Janurary 11, 2013 (EU).
Set in the post-apocalyptic future, the game includes over-the-top close combat fighting set in a massively open dystopian world. Players can choose from several unique and imaginative human and cyborg characters to control and challenge others.
Playable Characters:
Thee game includes 18 playable characters. The roster includes some returning characters from MadWorld as well as new, original characters.
Returning from Mad World
Jack Cayman
The Blacker Baron
Mathilda
Big Bull
Rin Rin
Newly Introduced
Leonhardt "Leo" Victorion
Sasha Ivanoff
Nikolai Demitri Bulygin
Durga
Garuda
Zero
Edgar Oinkie
Fei Rin
Ai Rin
Douglas Williamsburg
Maximillian Caxton
Bonus
Bayonetta
Gargoyle
Gameplay Modes:
Campaign
The story of the game follows Jack Cayman (the protagonist from MadWorld) or Leonhardt "Leo" Victorian as they embark on a quest to find Maximillian Caxton, each for their own different reasons. Jack's story is called Black Side, while Leo's story is called White Side respectively. Without giving any spoilers, both campaigns eventually intertwine before coming to their inevitable conclusion, in the game's finale dubbed Red Side.
Missions are set up similar to MadWorld. You are limited to a hub-like environment, where enemies continuously respawn to be defeated in a multitude of ways due to the many weapons and items scattered around the environment, as well as the player's own combat prowess. Upon amassing a target amount of points, Free Missions and Story Missions unlock. Free Missions are very similar to the DeathWatch mini-games in MadWorld, allowing players to garner points quickly by more chaotic means as their skills are put to the test. These missions can be replayed as many times as the player wishes in that given mission. Story Missions on the other hand, cannot be replayed, until the level has been unlocked in Stage Select play on the main menu.
During Missions, Active Time Events can occur at anytime to change up gameplay. These events can either make gameplay more difficult by changing the map layout, spawning more powerful foes, or random missile strike being dropped onto the map while making it more easier for players by a random supply drop of items and weapons or health regeneration station spawning to restore lost health. These ATEs carry over into Multiplayer modes as well, helping to define what sets Anarchy Reigns from other brawlers and multiplayer games.
Sadly, the campaign only nets you about 5-10 hours of gameplay from the initial playthrough but achievement hunters will be plowing through the campaign at least four times to rake up majority of the achievements and/or trophies.
I haven't had a chance to test out EVERY match-type but that is for two glaring issues right now. 1) Not many people in North America have picked up onto this title, so it's hard enough to fill rooms to max capacity without the use of AI bots. 2) There are so many gameplay modes to try out, so it's going to take some time to test out everything.
For everything that goes on in this game that is either blowing up or how many characters are on the screen at any given time, the game has a superb netcode. Capcom and Namco can take notes from Platinum Games and Sega on this. There's little to no lag, and when lag is present (namely in matches against players outside of North America) it's not bad enough to ruin the overall gameplay experience.
Speaking of player skill, you can definitely tell who has been grinding away at this title since the import release during the Summer 2012 and the newcomers to this title. Veterans who were impatient and imported this title early (thanks to the disk lacking a region-lock) are well-versed in tactics and online strategies. I highly suggest newcomers spend plenty of time honing their skills in offline modes before hanging with the big boys online for competitive play.
That being said, I plan on updating this review with more feedback on the online modes, so stay tuned.
I HIGHLY recommend all players start with this mode first. The all of the skills you acquire here will stay with you during your entire journey throughout Anarchy Reigns, either on offline play and on online multiplayer modes. I am highly grateful that Platinum Games thought enough about their players to include an asset like this to assist newcomers to learning this game.
Online Multiplayer
The game features a diverse range of multiplayer modes, including Tag Team, Battle Royale, Death Match, Capture the Flag, and Survival.I haven't had a chance to test out EVERY match-type but that is for two glaring issues right now. 1) Not many people in North America have picked up onto this title, so it's hard enough to fill rooms to max capacity without the use of AI bots. 2) There are so many gameplay modes to try out, so it's going to take some time to test out everything.
For everything that goes on in this game that is either blowing up or how many characters are on the screen at any given time, the game has a superb netcode. Capcom and Namco can take notes from Platinum Games and Sega on this. There's little to no lag, and when lag is present (namely in matches against players outside of North America) it's not bad enough to ruin the overall gameplay experience.
Speaking of player skill, you can definitely tell who has been grinding away at this title since the import release during the Summer 2012 and the newcomers to this title. Veterans who were impatient and imported this title early (thanks to the disk lacking a region-lock) are well-versed in tactics and online strategies. I highly suggest newcomers spend plenty of time honing their skills in offline modes before hanging with the big boys online for competitive play.
That being said, I plan on updating this review with more feedback on the online modes, so stay tuned.
Tutorial
Tutorial is a series of exercises, easily familiarizing newcomers to the controls and techniques found in Anarchy Reigns.I HIGHLY recommend all players start with this mode first. The all of the skills you acquire here will stay with you during your entire journey throughout Anarchy Reigns, either on offline play and on online multiplayer modes. I am highly grateful that Platinum Games thought enough about their players to include an asset like this to assist newcomers to learning this game.
Training
Most fighting game veterans will find themselves at home in this mode. Players can practice individual character combos or even simulate multiplayer matches with AI bots. This mode is definitely an asset to assist players to taking their skills to the next level.
Pre-Order Exclusive DLC:
Pre-ordering the game nets players both the Bayonetta Character Unlock and 2 Exclusive Modes: Dog Fight and Mad Survival.
Bayonetta offers her talents as an Umbran Witch in Anarchy Reigns' Multiplayer Modes. She definitely lives up to her reputation as she's a fuckin' celebrity in this town too.
Dog Fight attaches all players to a flying helicopter as they all attempt to knock each other out of the sky.
Mad Survival teams 3 players together to take on enemy hordes composed of other playable characters in Anarchy Reigns.
Fortunately, Platinum Games and Sega have announced that this DLC will be available to all players at a later date.
The Verdict?
I have been pumped for this title's release since first hearing about it two years ago and have been following every bit of news, YouTube videos, and tidbits I could find on the game. I even managed to secure a copy of the demo from the Japanese Xbox Live Marketplace just for I could get an advanced hands-on preview of the game prior to everyone else.
That being said, I have a few issues with this title. I don't see why Sega waited so long to release this title. From what I have played on the import demo, it's literally the same game with little to nothing unchanged. There's still some lip syncing issues on character models in Campaign Mode that were forgivable in the import demo that managed to still have English voice acting already included, but with that extra few months before the international release, you would think they would have addressed that issue. Sadly, no dice. It's not awful to the point that it ruins the overall experience, just really annoying and lazy on their behalf from my perspective.
My biggest gripe is that the story is over a little too fast. It goes straight to the point without any swerves or sidetracks but I would have preferred a huge twist somewhere in the plot. I will admit the several references to MadWorld were enjoyable though and I am grateful that Platinum Games cares that there are still fans of that title still around. Although after finishing the game for the first time, I must say I'm rather confused on the ending, but I'm assuming that my questions will be answered after my next playthrough from Leo's perspective.
My biggest gripe is that the story is over a little too fast. It goes straight to the point without any swerves or sidetracks but I would have preferred a huge twist somewhere in the plot. I will admit the several references to MadWorld were enjoyable though and I am grateful that Platinum Games cares that there are still fans of that title still around. Although after finishing the game for the first time, I must say I'm rather confused on the ending, but I'm assuming that my questions will be answered after my next playthrough from Leo's perspective.
I experienced a few gameplay glitches in single player though. After encountering one of the random Active Timed Events, all of my attack options were disabled. Fortunately, exiting back out to the main menu and reloading my save back to my point on that mission remedied that issue. Another notable flaw were some hit-detection issues during some of the larger-than-life boss encounters and during particular special attacks.
On the positive side, for the price of $29.99 I can live with these minor gripes with this title. The good here definitely outweighs the bad. From more of the chaotic, over-the-top action that players have come to love from Platinum Games' titles to arsenal of means to enjoy this title - both online and offline, I definitely recommend this title to anyone who is looking for something a bit different in their gaming libraries.
Anarchy Reigns isn't like anything else in the market right now and it's truly a spectacle to behold as Platinum Games has managed to reinvent yet another gaming genre. I give this a 8.75 out of 10.
Anarchy Reigns isn't like anything else in the market right now and it's truly a spectacle to behold as Platinum Games has managed to reinvent yet another gaming genre. I give this a 8.75 out of 10.
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