EMERGENCY 4 Deluxe Review Summary

While mods and engaging core gameplay offer value, frequent bugs, crashes, and poor AI, along with outdated graphics, hold it back on modern systems.

Mods greatly enhance gameplay: Players consistently praise the modding support, noting that mods are easy to install, highly recommended, and significantly enhance the base game. The active community and ability to create mods make the game more enjoyable and extend its replay value.

Core gameplay is engaging: The core gameplay is described as fun, engaging, and cool, with a good mix of stress and relaxation. The base game offers extensive missions that are enjoyable even without mods.

Easy mod access and free play: Mods are easily accessible via a Mod Hub, and free play mode allows for extensive modifications, giving players flexibility to customize their experience.

Balanced stress and relaxation: The game offers a perfect mix of stress and relaxation, providing a balanced and engaging experience that keeps players coming back.

Nostalgic childhood game: The game holds nostalgic value for many players who played it in childhood, contributing to its lasting appeal.

Frequent bugs and crashes: The game suffers from numerous bugs and crashes, including audio glitches, save/load failures, and mod installation errors. These issues often require multiple restarts or workarounds, significantly hindering gameplay.

Technical issues on modern systems: The game has significant technical issues on modern hardware, including resolution problems, lack of widescreen support, and the need to edit config files. Many players report the game not filling the screen or stretching images.

Poor AI and pathfinding: Pathfinding AI is erratic and often fails, causing units to get stuck or not reach objectives in time. This leads to frustrating micromanagement and mission failures.

Outdated and poor graphics: The graphics are widely considered outdated and unimpressive, with some calling them an 'accident.' The aging engine fails to meet modern standards, detracting from the overall experience.

Aged poorly with declining series: The game is old and shows its age, with sequels reportedly getting worse or lacking detail. Some players feel the series declined after this title, with newer entries focusing on mobile platforms.

Crisis management simulation: Players describe the game as a crisis management simulation where you command police, firefighters, paramedics, and engineers against crimes, accidents, and natural disasters. It is a European-based RTS emergency simulation.

Uniformed services theme: The game focuses on uniformed services such as fire, police, and ambulance, with players controlling teams to respond to various incidents. This theme is central to the experience.

Strategy elements present: The game incorporates strategy elements, requiring players to make tactical decisions under pressure. It is described as an RTS with emergency management and BOS theme.

No campaign, just missions: The game has no overarching story but includes campaign missions and challenge missions. There are approximately 20 missions in total.

Many realistic vehicles available: The game offers many vehicles, including realistically modeled German EMS vehicles like the Volkswagen Passat police car and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ambulance. This variety is a key positive point.

Runs well on many systems: Multiple users report that the game runs well on low-end PCs, Windows 11 with compatibility mode, Fedora, and newer computers, with no issues on Windows 10. This suggests broad compatibility across various systems.

Resolution fix via config edit: Several users report that modifying the resolution in the configuration file (em4.cfg) can fix screen size issues, stretching problems, and startup crashes. This is a common workaround for display problems.

Screen size and resolution issues: Users report screen size issues and bad resolution, likely related to the game not supporting modern widescreen displays without manual configuration.

Works on Fedora, crashes on Ubuntu: One user reports that the game works on Fedora but crashes on Ubuntu, indicating potential Linux distribution-specific compatibility issues.

Requirements depend on mods: One user notes that PC requirements are decent but depend on mods, suggesting that mods can significantly impact performance.

Highly recommended overall: A large number of reviewers give strong recommendations, calling it a 10/10, the best in the series, and a must-buy. They advise anyone considering the game to purchase it.

Great for strategy fans: The game is praised for its realistic simulation of emergency services, appealing to fans of strategy, management, and tactical games. It is recommended for those interested in first responders, rescue operations, and disaster response.

Best in the series: Several reviews claim Emergency 4 is the best in the series, better than newer versions, and the only one worth buying. Some suggest playing older Fire Department games instead, but others recommend EM4 over EM5 for mod support.

Not for everyone: Some reviewers do not recommend the game due to being unfit for modern times, unresolved issues at the current price, or being only for nostalgia. It is advised against for casuals or those not into fire departments, and one advises against supporting the publisher.

Good value for money: Multiple reviews state the game is worth its price, especially for low-end PC users. Some urge players to stop overthinking and just buy it.

Session length: 2.0h.

The game suffers from a steep learning curve, poor controls, and tedious micromanagement, but becomes highly engaging once players install mods, play cooperatively, or progress through the campaign.

Friction: steep learning curve; horrid controls; tedious micromanaging; lack of AI autonomy; outdated graphics.

Unlock drivers: mods; multiplayer; campaign progression.

Modding Enthusiast: Installs and creates mods, explores custom maps, vehicles, and scenarios; often revisits the game for new community content. Motivation: Endless customization and community-driven content that extends replayability. Stance: buy.

Realism & Simulation Fan: Methodical and strategic; pays close attention to detail, manages multiple units, and appreciates authentic emergency response mechanics. Motivation: Authentic simulation of emergency services and the strategic challenge of complex missions. Stance: buy.

Nostalgic Veteran: Revisits the game for nostalgia, often uses mods to refresh the experience, and advocates for a faithful remake with modern features. Motivation: Nostalgia for a classic game and desire to see it preserved and updated. Stance: buy.

Steam Deck: The game has occasional crashes and mixed feedback on AI/graphics quality, but no reports of launcher issues, small text, or anti-cheat errors. The crashes are not frequent enough to classify as 'Broken', but they require tinkering (e.g., Proton version adjustments) to mitigate.