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ANARCHY REIGNS
review | PLAYSTATION 3
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Publisher: SEGA.
Developer: PlatinumGames. Released: January 2013 (Europe). Genre: Action. Other versions: X360. Posted 1st August 2025. By Shane Battams © 2025 |
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Made up of former Clover Studio staff, PlatinumGames would establish themselves throughout the seventh generation as a developer of outlandish, stylish and often adolescent experiences with tongue firmly in cheek through Bayonetta and Vanquish. Anarchy Reigns continues that trend; a spiritual follow-up to MadWorld featuring a handful of characters from the Wii exclusive. The absurdity and over-the-top violence return in this brawler, and while it isn’t Platinum’s best effort from this period, it packs enough charm and fun, despite the prevalence of some less successful elements.
In a post-apocalyptic future, the city of Altambra plays host to a collision of personalities as a murderer escapes prison. On one side, Leo is a member of a Bureau of cyber-enhanced agents looking to find his former mentor who is on the run. On the other, Jack Cayman of MadWorld fame is hunting down Max on behalf of both the victim and the fugitive’s daughter. Both must worm their way through a ruined society, meeting boatloads of colourfully questionable personalities along the way. Despite being split into two campaigns (one for each side) the story is pretty basic, and doesn’t really offer much incentive to explore both scenarios. Despite some decent voicework, including an expletive filled standout from Steve Blum as Jack, the setting and narrative thread don’t quite feel compelling enough to keep you invested.
Anarchy Reigns isn't short on over-the-top action. It isn't perfect, but there's plenty of fun to be found here
Anarchy Reigns is a brawler, not unlike its predecessor. No matter who you play as, each character comes with two types of strikes, blocking and dodging as well as a unique Killer Weapon which, once charged, can be used for extra damage, such as Jack’s trademark chainsaw. A Rampage state can also be triggered once charged, allowing you to perform anime-esque super beatdowns which look insane. Locking on works rather well with the narrower perspective, strikes hit their target with impact and the frenetic action comes across really well, with outrageous grabs standing out in particular. You can also often utilise the environment, such as by grabbing spears and lodging them into enemies. It’s not the deepest brawler out there, and lower difficulties can lead to button mashing, but tougher bosses and Hard mode encourage the memorisation of attack patterns, dodging and well-timed moves. It’s pretty good fun, even on lower difficulties.
Platinum clearly focused on multiplayer, because the solo component doesn’t feel well thought out. Divided into two sides, White and Black, each side focuses on the two main protagonists as their paths sometimes crossover, though they mostly complete their own objectives. The problem is that, in perhaps attempting to ape something like Resident Evil 2’s second scenarios idea, there’s not enough difference to ensure repeat plays remain fresh. Aside from some unique bosses and differing side missions, you’ll find yourself taking on similar fights and enemies with both sides, and differences are scant. There is fun to be had, particularly in ludicrous free missions which see you hijacking a helicopter and blasting goons below, scoring with giant crystal balls and facing enormous bosses such as the Kraken. Otherwise, however, it comes across as a bit of an afterthought.
Platinum clearly focused on multiplayer, because the solo component doesn’t feel well thought out. Divided into two sides, White and Black, each side focuses on the two main protagonists as their paths sometimes crossover, though they mostly complete their own objectives. The problem is that, in perhaps attempting to ape something like Resident Evil 2’s second scenarios idea, there’s not enough difference to ensure repeat plays remain fresh. Aside from some unique bosses and differing side missions, you’ll find yourself taking on similar fights and enemies with both sides, and differences are scant. There is fun to be had, particularly in ludicrous free missions which see you hijacking a helicopter and blasting goons below, scoring with giant crystal balls and facing enormous bosses such as the Kraken. Otherwise, however, it comes across as a bit of an afterthought.
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Multiplayer, which is playable with both human and CPU players, enjoys a lot more variety, though sadly it lacks split-screen options. Battle Royale is notable for allowing up to 16 players to brawl against each other, and even seeing it in action during simulator games is quite a sight. There are quite a few other modes, including 1v1 Steel Cage fights, cooperative survival modes and a few variants on deathmatch including a nifty Deathball spin that plays like a game of American Football. It offers good fun with bots or other players, though you’d be hard pushed to find human opponents more than a decade on. Elsewhere, there are lots of unlockables from the campaign, including dozens of playable characters consisting of the many bosses you face, extra artwork, and special abilities for use in these modes.
Anarchy Reigns backs up its intense action with visual flair which, while not the best of the generation, certainly shows Platinum came a long way with PS3 development after the rough launch Bayonetta suffered. The game runs consistently, animations look fluid and convey the brutal action well and the characters are outlandish and colourful, which creates a bit of a stylistic clash next to the gritty, dark environments that feel more like something from Gears of War. The sound is more of a standout. The voicework is pretty decent, and while the writing is silly, it mostly avoids cringe-inducing moments, and the music is excellent. Blending hip-hop, rock and other elements into a cohesive mix, it pumps up the action nicely and is incredibly catchy, complemented by brutal and vicious sound effects.
Anarchy Reigns backs up its intense action with visual flair which, while not the best of the generation, certainly shows Platinum came a long way with PS3 development after the rough launch Bayonetta suffered. The game runs consistently, animations look fluid and convey the brutal action well and the characters are outlandish and colourful, which creates a bit of a stylistic clash next to the gritty, dark environments that feel more like something from Gears of War. The sound is more of a standout. The voicework is pretty decent, and while the writing is silly, it mostly avoids cringe-inducing moments, and the music is excellent. Blending hip-hop, rock and other elements into a cohesive mix, it pumps up the action nicely and is incredibly catchy, complemented by brutal and vicious sound effects.
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While it’s not Platinum’s best effort, Anarchy Reigns is still an over-the-top spectacle that anyone familiar with the studio’s work should enjoy. The brawling isn’t the deepest, the campaign isn’t the best and the story won’t win any awards for subtlety. But when you’re tackling goons with Jack’s double chainsaw, watching him verbally spar with a pimp with self-confidence issues, or battling with a giant sea monster, many of these flaws feel less significant in the broader scheme of things. It isn’t a must-play in the mould of Bayonetta or Vanquish, but if you feel the need for the gaming equivalent of smashing together giant toys with reckless abandon, this will do the job.
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VERDICT"Anarchy Reigns suffers a few flaws and won’t win any awards for subtlety, but like smashing together giant toys with reckless abandon, it still makes quite an impression." OVERALL: 7/10 |
OTHER PLATINUMGAMES OUTINGS REVIEWED
Bayonetta (2010, Xbox 360)
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The Wonderful 101 (2013, Wii U)
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