One of the best WW2 games I've played
WW2 is a bit overdone by now. So many games playing the same few moments over and over again. By now I think that D-Day has been repeated 50 million times. But Brothers In Arms does something different. It actually has a decent story and a brilliant gameplay. Similarly, the setting and graphics put it aside onto a pile of brilliant games.
First is the setting. This time the action is shifted from D-Day to what some consider to be one of the worst waste of life of the late war, Operation Market Garden. This change to Holland has different buildings and details, but also brings a sense of sadness to the story. Anyone who looks at the history knows that the mission will be a failure. At many points in the game I was sat there and I knew that everything thing they had fought for will go down the drain.
Second up is the story. Unlike generico COD 2 story lines, BiA:HH actually got me emotional at some points. Your following a single squad through 10 days, and the game reveals the little personality quirks of each member of the squad. You start to smile when one of them survives an encounter, feel upset when one of them gets clipped leaving cover. However, none of this soften the blow when they actually die in the main game. It’s never just a 4 second “oh cripes he’s dead”. Its a full on crying over a fallen comrade. There is one particular death, and the circumstances that lead up to it, that had me actually choking back a tear. But the story isn’t just about death or about lots of Yanks shouting Hoorah! Its about how war actually f**** people up. The weight of all the people who died under the main character, Sgt. Baker, actually starts messing with his mind. And it isn’t some overacted parody, If the plot line from this was made into a two part drama, I would rank it alongside Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers as a brilliant portrayal of war.
The gameplay is another defining feature of BiA. If you run off COD style, you will die quickly. You need to think about cover, about the squads you command about whether its worth reloading the clip or saving it,just in case. The cover system, although not as good as the one in Gears, is serviceable but is a brilliant addition. The command system is also pretty slick, allowing you to create awesome set pieces in a matter of seconds. And also in most cases, the battles won’t repeat. There are so many ways of getting through an area and all of them will end with you either swearing at the keyboard or pumping your fists in the air. The game is so much fun. But at the same time, the realism keeps it grounded. The guys at Gearbox know their history, and it really shows. Try to use your squads like a 20th century fire team and they will die within seconds. You need to know how to use each unit best or you will fail. Some sections have you by yourself, and these are ok. Apart from the last one, in a burning hospital, they add nothing to the game or story, though they can be a change of pace from the complex squad command. Finally for gameplay, there are the tank sections which are too easy, but a blast to play as you mince your way through most of the German army it seems.
The graphics for BiA:HH were surprising. In all the screenshots, the graphics looked to be rather generic. But way you play you suddenly realise that the graphics are not only to a high standard, but are also used to set the mood. As the missions go on, the lighting gets darker and darker as Matt’s mental state worsens. Additionally, the sheer level of detail on the models is outstanding. Every rivet on a BAR is visible and troopers have little details on their persons, like a pack of cards or a cigarettes,
There are however some problems. The game really doesn’t like anyone using SLi and so will glitch up the graphics. On top of this, it also seems to be quite stressful when the settings are boasted right up, so just be careful. Gameplay-wise, the game could do better without the tank sections. Also the multiplayer is terrible. Finally for the list of bugbears is some of the voices. WTF is up with Dawson, the British guy? His accent is terrible AND he repeats the same line around three times. Which also links into another problem. British troops don’t need subtitling. They speak English just like the Americans. It really annoys me when developers feel they have to add subtitles to anyone who speaks English with an accent.
As you can probably guess from the review, I really enjoyed Brothers In Arms. It felt an almost perfect game, that was actually emotional by the end. Gearbox did this game as a memorial to those who died in World War 2 and this objective is achieved.
I give Brothers In Arms: Hell’s Highway on PC 92%
