RIOT: Civil Unrest tries its best to make protest and riots work in a real-time strategy game, however, due to a messy UI, buggy controls, and other problems, this game turned out to be a nightmarish experience.

Each level somewhat plays the same with a few minor tweaks. You are usually presented with a timer at the top of the screen instructing you to complete a given goal within a certain time limit, such as to hold a position or disperse a group. Before the level starts, there is background information that gives insight on how the riot began, but it really doesn't add much to the game.

The graphics proved to be one of the biggest downfalls of the game. I understand the lo-fi pixel graphics they were going for, but the least they could've done was up the resolution. It's so hard to distinguish the rioters from the police force. It all looks the same. One big giant cluster. The maps you play on don't even allow you to spread your troops out, whether you're playing as rioters or police. I can promise you will end up squinting your eyes playing this game more often than you should.

The gameplay mechanics are downright terrible and very hard to grasp and learn. Some of the functions don't even work properly. For instance, before the mission begins you are able to equip your team with certain gear to help you with your objective, such as paper bombs, Molotovs, and etc. There are no stats or info really telling you which of these items are going to be effective during your current mission. Even in-game though, at times I couldn't make my team even use these weapons. It would just be unresponsive. On the police unit's side, if you were to order your group to arrest a mob of rioters, they would disappear for like five minutes until they would come back, which was disappointing. Also, going back to how jumbled and cluttered the crowds are, friendly fire is guaranteed. I can promise you that. The way this game plays, it feels like it belongs on an iOS or Android. It's hard to believe a game like this is on consoles.

The concept of the game itself is a good one, and I won't let that go unnoticed. To take control of a riot or try and regain territory as the police sounds like an exciting idea. Whatever happened from there, I don't know.