In
SWAT 4, players control a
police tactical unit as they are deployed to handle situations such as
arrest warrants,
hostage-takings,
bomb threats, and
shootouts.
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 "
suspects", range from individuals and small groups to trained and organized terrorists. A significant aspect of
SWAT 4's gameplay is the
rules of engagement (RoE), which dictates the player's acceptable actions and
use of force.
SWAT 4 emphasizes the idea that "SWAT is a life-saving organization", and thus prohibits both the use of
lethal force unless done justifiably and in
self-defense, and the
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
handcuffing hostages and suspects. Per its RoE-focused gameplay, the game highlights using
less-lethal weaponry such as
tasers,
pepper-ball guns,
baton rounds, and
riot guns to
arrest suspects. Lethal weaponry such as
handguns,
rifles,
submachine guns, and
shotguns 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 grenades,
stinger grenades,
fiberscopes,
door wedges,
multi-tools, and
breaching devices are key tools intended for frequent use. Players can also equip their officers with
bulletproof vests and
combat helmets 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, 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 maintenance tunnel during a
multiplayer 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
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 bombs 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 ==