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{{Short description|2005 video game}}
{{redirect|SWAT IV|the electoral district|Constituency PK-83 (Swat-IV)}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2009}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = SWAT 4
| image = SWAT 4 Coverart.png
| developer = [[Irrational Games]]
| publisher = [[Sierra Entertainment]]
| producer = Sara Verrilli
| designer = {{Unbulleted list|Bill Gardner|Paul Hellquist|Ian Vogel}}
| writer = Sara Verrilli
| composer = [[Eric Brosius]]
| series = ''[[Police Quest]]''
| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows]]
| released = {{Video game release|NA|April 5, 2005|EU|April 8, 2005}}'''''The Stetchkov Syndicate'''''<br />{{Video game release|NA|February 28, 2006|EU|March 10, 2006}}
| genre = [[Tactical shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| engine = [[Unreal Engine 2]]
}}

'''''SWAT 4''''' is a 2005 [[tactical shooter|tactical]] [[first-person shooter]] video game developed by [[Irrational Games]] and published by [[Sierra Entertainment]] ([[Vivendi Universal Games]]) exclusively for [[Microsoft Windows]]. It is the ninth installment in the ''[[Police Quest]]'' series and the fourth installment in the ''SWAT'' subseries. In ''SWAT 4'', the player commands a [[police]] [[SWAT]] team in the city of Fairview, New York. Unlike its predecessor, ''[[SWAT 3: Close Quarters Battle]]'', ''SWAT 4'' does not have an overarching plot. Instead, gameplay takes place over a series of mostly unconnected deployments of the player's SWAT team, as they are sent to apprehend criminals, terrorists, gangs, and cults in and around Fairview.

''SWAT 4'' was built on Irrational Games' Vengeance Engine powered by [[Unreal Engine 2]] technology. Like the rest of the ''SWAT'' series, ''SWAT 4'' places heavy emphasis on following proper police procedure, minimizing casualties, and ensuring the safe apprehension of enemies as opposed to simply killing them.

The game was well received by critics and players. An [[expansion pack]], ''SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate'', was released in 2006.

==Gameplay==
In ''SWAT 4'', players control a [[police tactical unit]] as they are deployed to handle situations such as [[arrest warrant]]s, [[Hostage|hostage-takings]], [[bomb threat]]s, and [[shootout]]s. ''SWAT 4'' is a tactical shooter, where characters can be killed easily and in few hits. Therefore, tactics and planning are emphasized over mere brute force. Enemies, called "[[suspect]]s", range from individuals and small groups to trained and organized terrorists.

A significant aspect of ''SWAT 4''<nowiki/>'s gameplay is the [[rules of engagement]] (RoE), which dictates the player's acceptable actions and [[Use of force continuum|use of force]]. ''SWAT 4'' emphasizes the idea that "SWAT is a life-saving organization", and thus prohibits both the use of [[Deadly force|lethal force]] unless done justifiably and in [[self-defense]], and the [[Police brutality|reckless or excessive use of force]]. Violating the RoE results in penalties for unauthorized use of force, which may influence the outcome of the mission; examples of such violations include killing or incapacitating a hostage or officer, killing an unarmed or fleeing suspect, not marking [[evidence]] (such as dropped weapons or objective items), and not [[Handcuffs|handcuffing]] hostages and suspects.

Per its RoE-focused gameplay, the game highlights using [[Non-lethal weapon|less-lethal weaponry]] such as [[taser]]s, [[Pepper-spray projectile|pepper-ball guns]], [[baton round]]s, and [[riot gun]]s to [[arrest]] suspects. Lethal weaponry such as [[handgun]]s, [[rifle]]s, [[submachine gun]]s, and [[shotgun]]s are available, but are only intended to be used against suspects that necessitate the use of lethal force (such as those who attempt to harm officers or hostages and do not surrender). Weaponry aside, equipment such as [[stun grenade]]s, [[Blast ball|stinger grenades]], [[fiberscope]]s, [[Doorstop|door wedges]], [[multi-tool]]s, and [[Door breaching|breaching devices]] are key tools intended for frequent use. Players can also equip their officers with [[bulletproof vest]]s and [[combat helmet]]s that offer varying degrees of protection.

Like in previous ''SWAT'' entries, the SWAT team is divided into two "elements", [[red]] and [[blue]], with the entire entry team being referred to as [[Gold (color)|gold]], while the team leader (the player) is designated [[white]]. The player is able to command each element and individual team member to perform actions including "stacking up" at an entryway, using equipment, holding position, or even moving on their own to perform actions elsewhere. Team members will often, but not always, only listen to the player before acting; for instance, officers will only arrest a surrendering suspect if ordered to, but they will independently shoot armed and resisting suspects.

===Multiplayer===
[[Image:SWAT COOP.jpg|thumb|right|A SWAT team clearing a [[Rapid transit|subway]] maintenance tunnel during a [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] [[Cooperative video game|co-op]] match in ''SWAT 4'']]
''SWAT 4'' features several multiplayer game modes, all of which are team-based, pitting SWAT against Suspects. The multiplayer modes are:

* '''Barricaded Suspects''': A [[team deathmatch]] mode, where teams gain points by arresting or killing members of the opposing team. The team that reaches the score limit or has the most points by the end of the match wins.
* '''VIP Escort''': A random SWAT player is designated the [[Very important person|VIP]]. SWAT must escort the VIP to an extraction point, while the Suspects must arrest the VIP, hold them for two minutes, then execute them. If the Suspects kill the VIP too early, they automatically lose.
* '''Rapid Deployment''': Three to five [[time bomb]]s are placed throughout the map. SWAT must locate and defuse the bombs, while the Suspects must protect the bombs and prevent their defusal so they can detonate.
* '''Smash & Grab''': The Suspects must collect a [[briefcase]] and bring it to an extraction point, while SWAT must stop them. The match is timed: if a Suspect is arrested, 30 seconds are deducted, and if the Suspects cannot extract the briefcase in time, they lose. Added in ''The Stetchkov Syndicate''.
* '''Co-op''': The singleplayer campaign but with the AI-controlled SWAT team members replaced by up to four other players. In ''The Stetchkov Syndicate'', Co-op is upgraded to allow up to 10 players, with a new feature to divide players into red and blue elements with respective leaders, and the new ability to run Co-op servers for custom missions.

== ''The Stetchkov Syndicate'' ==
''SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate'' is an [[expansion pack]] for ''SWAT 4'' released on February 28, 2006, in North America and on March 10, 2006, in Europe. It follows the Fairview Police Department's operations to defeat the Stetchkov [[crime family]].

Various improvements to the game are added in ''The Stetchkov Syndicate'', such as the addition of [[Voice over IP|VoIP]] to multiplayer games, seven new singleplayer missions, two new multiplayer modes, seven new weapons (including the ability to punch non-compliant individuals), 10 player co-op with up to two teams of five, stat tracking, and ladders and rankings for multiplayer were added. New game mechanics were also added, including the ability to hold commands until the leader gives the signal in singleplayer, the ability to divide players into red and blue elements in multiplayer, and the chance for surrendering suspects to pick up their weapons if they are not arrested in time.

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 85/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/swat-4/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=SWAT 4 for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=February 22, 2018}}</ref>
| CGM = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=SWAT 4 |magazine=[[Computer Games Magazine]] |publisher=[[theGlobe.com]] |issue=176 |date=July 2005 |page=50}}</ref>
| CGW = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Liberatore |first=Raphael |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_252.pdf |title=SWAT 4 |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |issue=252 |date=June 2005 |pages=92–93 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060616203151/http://cgw.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3140092&did=4 |archive-date=June 16, 2006 |url-status=live |access-date=December 26, 2018}}</ref>
| Edge = 7/10<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Edge staff |title=SWAT 4 |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |issue=150 |date=June 2005 |page=85}}</ref>
| EuroG = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Gillen |first=Kieron |date=April 11, 2005 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_swat4_pc |title=SWAT 4 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Gamer Network |accessdate=December 26, 2018 |archive-date=October 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024194204/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_swat4_pc |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GI = 8.25/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=SWAT 4 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=[[GameStop]] |issue=145 |date=May 2005 |page=122}}</ref>
| GamePro = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |author=DJ Dinobot |date=April 8, 2005 |url=http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/44318.shtml |title=SWAT 4 Review for PC on GamePro.com |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG Entertainment]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060116033137/http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/44318.shtml |archive-date=January 16, 2006 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 26, 2018}}</ref>
| GSpot = 8.5/10<ref name="GSpot">{{cite web |last=Colayco |first=Bob |date=March 31, 2005 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/swat-4-review/1900-6121423/ |title=SWAT 4 Review |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=February 22, 2018 |archive-date=November 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115225614/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/swat-4-review/1900-6121423/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GSpy = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Accardo |first=Sal |date=March 28, 2005 |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/swat-4/599416p1.html |title=GameSpt: SWAT 4 |website=[[GameSpy]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment |accessdate=December 26, 2018 |archive-date=January 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125231757/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/swat-4/599416p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GameZone = 8.8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Knutson |first=Michael |date=April 25, 2005 |url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/swat_4_pc_review/ |title=SWAT 4 - PC - Review |website=GameZone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002023409/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r23948.htm |archive-date=October 2, 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=December 26, 2018}}</ref>
| IGN = 9/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |last=Adams |first=Dan |date=March 30, 2005 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/03/31/swat-4 |title=SWAT 4 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=February 22, 2018 |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205121744/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/03/31/swat-4 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| PALGN = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Keller |first=Matt |date=February 19, 2006 |url=http://palgn.com.au/pc-gaming/3927/swat4-review/ |title=SWAT4 Review |website=PALGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722094649/http://palgn.com.au/pc-gaming/3927/swat4-review/ |archive-date=July 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 26, 2018}}</ref>
| PCF = 88%<ref>{{cite magazine |title=SWAT 4 |magazine=[[PC Format]] |publisher=Future plc |issue=175 |date=June 2005 |page=99}}</ref>
| PCGUS = 79%<ref>{{cite magazine |title=SWAT 4 |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future US]] |volume=12 |issue=6 |date=June 2005 |page=66}}</ref>
| PCZone = 86%<ref>{{cite web |author=PC Zone staff |date=April 15, 2005 |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=116920 |title=PC Review: SWAT 4 |website=[[PC Zone]] |publisher=Future plc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323102605/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=116920 |archive-date=March 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 26, 2018}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]''
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilcox |first=Mike |date=May 7, 2005 |url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/swat-the-rot-20050507-gdl9sr.html |title=Swat the rot |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |publisher=[[Fairfax Media]] |accessdate=December 26, 2018 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405054848/https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/swat-the-rot-20050507-gdl9sr.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

''SWAT 4'' received "generally favorable reviews" according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MC"/> On a computer game sales chart compiled by [[The NPD Group|NPD Techworld]], it claimed tenth place for the week ending April 17.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.npdtechworld.com/techServlet?nextpage=pr_body_it.html&content_id=2138 |title=Top-Selling Software: Week of April 10 - April 16, 2005 |website=[[The NPD Group|NPD Techworld]] |publisher=The NPD Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060521112951/http://www.npdtechworld.com/techServlet?nextpage=pr_body_it.html&content_id=2138 |archive-date=May 21, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It finished 11th for the month of April overall, at an average retail price of $48.<ref>{{cite web |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |date=June 2, 2005 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/chartspot-april-2005/1100-6126762/ |title=ChartSpot: April 2005 |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050603023431/http://www.gamespot.com:80/news/2005/06/01/news_6126762.html |archive-date=June 3, 2005 |url-status=live |access-date=December 26, 2018}}</ref>

[[GameSpot]]'s Bob Colayco stated that "as a realistic police simulator, ''SWAT 4'' definitely hits the mark. Though the frame rate gets chunky at times, and there are a couple of irritating bugs and quirks, the AI delivers on most counts in a game that is designed with great replayability."<ref name="GSpot"/> The website later criticized a feature of the first patch for ''SWAT 4'', where updated environments featured advertisements for real-world television series,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Michael |title=In-game advertising continues to grow |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2008/03/in-game-advertising-continues-to-grow/ |accessdate=30 July 2019 |work=Ars Technica |date=6 March 2008 |language=en-us |archive-date=25 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525172908/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2008/03/in-game-advertising-continues-to-grow/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and after the game was closed data regarding how the player treated the product placement was sent to the developers.<ref>{{cite web |last=McKenna |first=Aaron |date=August 9, 2005 |url=https://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1010206/swat-4-in-game-adverts-do-more-than-just-advertise |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823093016/http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1010206/swat-4-in-game-adverts-do-more-than-just-advertise |url-status=unfit |archive-date=August 23, 2009 |title=Swat 4 in-game adverts do more than just advertise |website=[[The Inquirer]] |publisher=[[Incisive Media]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=3&page=1 |title=GameSpot's Best of 2005 - Dubious Honors (Most Despicable Product Placement) |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718202105/http://www.gamespot.com/pages/features/bestof2005/index.php?day=3&page=1 |archive-date=July 18, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

''[[IGN]]'''s Dan Adams said that "Irrational's new addition to the venerable ''SWAT'' franchise does a brilliant job of picking up on all of the things that make ''SWAT'' work so exciting from the outside perspective". Adams was also critical of the friendly AI, stating that "sometimes the team will bust into a room on command and take down everybody with enough efficiency to be impressive while other times they'll run straight past an enemy looking to cover a certain area of the room only to get shot in the back of the head".<ref name="IGN"/>

''SWAT 4'' was a runner-up for ''[[Computer Games Magazine]]''{{'}}s list of the top 10 computer games of 2005.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=CGM staff |title=The Best (and Worst) of 2005: The 15th Annual Computer Games Awards |magazine=Computer Games Magazine |publisher=theGlobe.com |issue=184 |date=March 2006 |pages=42–47}}</ref>

=== The Stetchkov Syndicate ===
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 80/100<ref name="MCEX">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/swat-4-the-stetchkov-syndicate/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=February 22, 2018}}</ref>
| CGM = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate |magazine=Computer Games Magazine |publisher=theGlobe.com |issue=186 |date=May 2006 |page=46}}</ref>
| CGW = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Liberatore |first=Raphael |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_261.pdf |title=SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate |magazine=Computer Gaming World |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=261 |date=April 2006 |page=84 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060417210859/http://cgw.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3148632&did=4 |archive-date=April 17, 2006 |url-status=live |access-date=December 26, 2018}}</ref>
| EuroG = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Rossignol |first=Jim |date=March 10, 2006 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_swat4stetchkov_pc |title=SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |accessdate=December 26, 2018}}</ref>
| GSpot = 8.2/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Colayco |first=Bob |date=March 2, 2006 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/swat-4-the-stetchkov-syndicate-review/1900-6145318/ |title=SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate Review |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=December 26, 2018}}</ref>
| IGN = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite web |last=McNamara |first=Tom |date=March 7, 2006 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/03/07/swat-4-the-stetchkov-syndicate |title=SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=December 26, 2018}}</ref>
| PALGN = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Keller |first=Matt |date=February 26, 2006 |url=http://www.palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3928 |title=SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate Review |website=PALGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060912015740/http://www.palgn.com.au/article.php?id=3928 |archive-date=September 12, 2006 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 26, 2018}}</ref>
| PCF = 80%<ref>{{cite magazine |title=SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate |magazine=PC Format |publisher=Future plc |issue=185 |date=March 2006 |page=96}}</ref>
| PCGUS = 70%<ref>{{cite magazine |title=SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate |magazine=PC Gamer |publisher=Future US |volume=13 |issue=4 |date=April 2006 |page=51}}</ref>
| PCZone = 77%<ref>{{cite web |author=PC Zone staff |date=March 17, 2006 |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=135740 |title=PC Review: SWAT 4 - The Stetchkov Syndicate |website=PC Zone |publisher=Future plc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527104057/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=135740 |archive-date=May 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 26, 2018}}</ref>
}}

''The Stetchkov Syndicate'' received "favorable" reviews, though they were slightly lower ratings than the original ''SWAT 4'', according to Metacritic.<ref name="MCEX"/>

{{Clear}}

== See also ==

* [[Ready or Not (video game)|''Ready or Not'']], a 2023 tactical shooter considered to be a [[spiritual successor]] to ''SWAT 4''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{moby game|id=/windows/swat-4}}
*{{moby game|id=/windows/swat-4-the-stetchkov-syndicate|name=''SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate''}}

{{Police Quest series}}
{{Irrational Games}}

[[Category:2005 video games]]
[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
[[Category:Fiction about filicide]]
[[Category:Irrational Games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer online games]]
[[Category:Police Quest and SWAT]]
[[Category:Sierra Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Tactical shooters]]
[[Category:Unreal Engine 2 games]]
[[Category:Video games about police officers]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Eric Brosius]]
[[Category:Video games set in 2008]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Windows-only games]]
[[Category:Video games using Havok]]
[[Category:Video games set in 2009]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]