Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Post-apocalyptic fighting game with violence and gore.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Anarchy Reigns
What's It About?
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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.
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360
- Subjects : Language & Reading : following directions
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : applying information , decision-making , Collaboration : teamwork , Self-Direction : work to achieve goals
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Not available online
- Publisher : Sega of America
- Release date : January 15, 2013
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Robots
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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