State of Emergency vs State of Emergency 2
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.

State of Emergency drops you into a riotous city where you pick one of five distinct characters—each with their own backstory—to complete a range of wild missions, from rescues to targeted assassinations. The game blends hack‑and‑slash combat with open‑world mayhem, letting you wield everything from shotguns to improvised street props. With split‑screen multiplayer on PC and PlayStation 2, you can team up or compete in destructive mayhem, using an arsenal of weapons and environmental objects to crush gang members, skinheads, and corporate forces. The game’s gritty urban setting and varied mission design keep the action fresh and relentless.
State of Emergency 2 drops players into a dystopian city ten years after the original, where riots and rebellion erupt across the streets. Developed by DC Studios and published by SouthPeak Interactive, the game expands on its predecessor with new modes and an enhanced engine for both PC and PlayStation 2. The title offers both single‑player and multiplayer experiences, letting you cause mayhem solo or with friends in fast‑paced shooter action. Despite mixed reviews, it remains a notable entry for fans of over‑the‑top chaos shooters.
- Huge variety of weapons and improvised tools
- Five distinct playable characters
- Split‑screen multiplayer adds replay value
- Diverse mission types keep gameplay fresh
- Varied game modes keep gameplay fresh
- Destructible environments add strategic depth
- Supports both local and online multiplayer
- Wide selection of weapons and vehicles
- Graphics are dated by modern standards
- AI can be inconsistent during large crowds
- Level design can feel repetitive after many hours
- Outdated graphics compared to contemporaries
- AI can be inconsistent and occasionally unresponsive
- Story and mission design feel repetitive
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to State of Emergency
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Unleash chaotic urban warfare in a sequel that amps up the action and multiplayer mayhem.
Alternatives to State of Emergency 2
View all →The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataState of Emergency 2 offers larger multiplayer (up to 8) and destructible city maps but has poorer graphics and a low critic score, while the original State of Emergency scores higher and feels more polished but limits co‑op to two players.
Key differences
- •Multiplayer capacity: A supports up to 8 players (online & split‑screen) vs. B only 2‑player split‑screen.
- •Critical reception: A has a 35/100 score, B has a 67/100 score.
- •Destructible environments: A features fully destructible cities; B only mentions breaking into stores.
- •Weapon/character variety: B offers five distinct characters and a wide arsenal; A lists many weapons/vehicles but no character differentiation.
- •Price info: B lists a $49.99 MSRP; A provides no price data.
Gameplay & fun factor
Higher critic score (67 vs 35) suggests more enjoyable core gameplay despite similar chaos theme.
Platform availability
Both are PC titles; B also released on PlayStation 2, but no platform list for A.
Pricing & value
B lists a concrete $49.99 price; A lacks pricing info, making value assessment impossible.
Multiplayer / co‑op
A supports up to eight players online and split‑screen; B limited to two‑player split‑screen.
Content & replayability
A offers four distinct game modes and destructible maps, providing more varied scenarios than B's limited modes.
Difficulty & accessibility
Both note AI inconsistency and repetitive level design; no clear advantage.
Graphics & performance
Both described as dated, but B’s graphics are less criticized than A’s ‘outdated compared to contemporaries.’
Choose State of Emergency if…
Players who want a higher‑rated, more polished experience with solid weapons variety and can accept only two‑player co‑op.
Choose State of Emergency 2 if…
Players who prioritize large‑scale multiplayer and destructible environments over polish.
Common questions
Which game offers more players in multiplayer?
State of Emergency 2 supports up to eight players online or split‑screen; the original supports only two split‑screen.
Is there a price difference?
State of Emergency lists a $49.99 MSRP; State of Emergency 2 does not provide pricing information.
Which title received better reviews?
The original State of Emergency has a critic score of 67/100, while State of Emergency 2 scored 35/100.
