Minority Report: Everybody Runs

Minority Report: Everybody Runs

Company type	Video game
Industry	Video games
Founded	2002 (2002)
Founder	Treyarch (console versions), Torus Games (GBA version)
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Minority Report: Everybody Runs
Owner	Activision (distributor)

Minority Report: Everybody Runs, released in 2002, is a third-person shooter and beat 'em up video game inspired by the movie Minority Report. The title was developed by Treyarch for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox platforms, while Torus Games handled the Game Boy Advance version. It was distributed by Activision. A version intended for Microsoft Windows was ultimately cancelled.

The storyline loosely follows the film’s premise, centering on John Anderton as he investigates a conspiracy tied to his predicted future killing of Roy Verhagen, a character created for the game who replaces Leo Crow from the movie. Several original cast members were substituted, with voice roles for Anderton and Danny Witwer performed by Clancy Brown and Quinton Flynn, respectively, instead of Tom Cruise and Colin Farrell.

Reception from critics ranged from mixed to unfavorable, with common criticisms targeting repetitive gameplay and uninspired graphics. However, aspects such as the physics engine, destructible environments, and sound design received commendation.

Gameplay

Minority Report: Everybody Runs combines elements of a third-person shooter and beat 'em up across 40 stages, incorporating limited platforming. A standout feature is its use of a ragdoll physics system that enhances environmental interactions with exaggerated reactions—enemies thrown into walls or objects respond in a semi-realistic manner and often break through destructible scenery. Players wield futuristic weaponry drawn from the film alongside new armaments developed by Treyarch. Certain segments introduce jetpack mechanics, enabling flight.

In-game currency can be gathered and spent at the Black Market to acquire weapons, melee combo upgrades, ammunition enhancements, as well as temporary power-ups including increased melee damage, armor boosts, and health regeneration.

Consistent with the movie’s themes, protagonist Anderton refrains from lethal force; all weapons are designed to incapacitate or render foes unconscious rather than kill.

Plot

The narrative opens with PreCrime Captain John Anderton chasing Andre Serena—predicted to commit murder—in a meat packing plant. After capturing Andre, Anderton returns to PreCrime headquarters in Washington, DC, where FBI agents Danny Witwer, Ben Mosely, and Ken Nara are introduced. Witwer supervises PreCrime operations. A Precog vision reveals that Nikki Jameson of SOL Enterprises will kill Anderton. Nikki escapes arrest, and a subsequent vision shows Anderton killing Roy Verhagen—an unknown figure to him. As Anderton attempts to flee PreCrime HQ, he confronts and defeats Mosely.

Seeking assistance, Anderton contacts Rufus, an ex-criminal who now runs a nightclub. Barry informs him about a citywide bounty on his head and hints at possible errors in the Precogs’ predictions. While investigating Iris Hinemen—the originator of the program—Anderton is pursued by PreCrime officers and eventually faces Witwer aboard a hovership.

It is disclosed that Verhagen leads SOL Enterprises and employs Nikki to assassinate Anderton. Iris reveals the concept of a "minority report," where discrepancies among Precogs about future crimes are concealed to preserve PreCrime’s integrity. She urges Anderton to locate the dissenting Precog to prove his innocence. After defending Iris from PreCrime forces at botanical gardens, Anderton undergoes an eye alteration procedure performed by a black market doctor to evade optical scanners amid widespread protests against PreCrime.

Following a gunfight where he defeats agent Nara, Anderton reunites with Barry at PreCrime HQ who reveals Verhagen’s identity as a robotics tycoon and illicit arms dealer. Anderton rescues Agatha, one of the Precogs, and they escape together.

With Agatha’s visions interpreted by Rufus, Anderton uncovers information about Shinya Okawa—a former SOL employee. After commandeering a subway car and overcoming Mosely once more, Anderton meets Okawa at his fortune cookie factory.

Anderton infiltrates Verhagen’s hideout via an entrance through a waste treatment facility. Nikki attempts to halt him but is defeated. During the confrontation with Verhagen, Witwer arrives with officers; however, Anderton rejects bribery offers and fires shots intentionally missing his targets. Verhagen is taken into custody while Anderton is reinstated into PreCrime satisfied with how events conclude.

Development

The announcement of Minority Report: Everybody Runs took place in April 2002, ahead of the movie's theatrical debut. Development of the console editions was handled by Treyarch, who utilized the game engine previously created for their 2002 Spider-Man adaptation. The game did not use the actors' actual likenesses; instead, the character John Anderton was voiced by Clancy Brown and represented with a generic model. Its release on November 19 was timed to align with the film's availability on home media, featuring a commercial accessible through the game's extras menu.

The Game Boy Advance iteration, developed by Torus Games, presented an isometric shooter game experience.

Reception

Across various platforms, Minority Report: Everybody Runs garnered mixed critical feedback according to Metacritic scores.

Matthew Gallant from GameSpot expressed dissatisfaction with the mandatory combat mechanics, limited enemy diversity, repetitive fighting sequences, and minimal sound design. Conversely, Hilary Goldstein of IGN criticized the level layouts as restrictive and dull but commended certain visual effects that echoed the film's style.

Scott Alan Marriott of AllGame rated the Game Boy Advance version 2.5 out of 5 stars, applauding Torus Games for their creative approach and environment design that steered clear of common pitfalls seen in licensed handheld titles. However, IGN’s Craig Harris pointed out flaws in the "clunky" lock-on system, which led to frustrating accidental harm to bystanders during gameplay.