Americas Army is a fun promotional game that almost anyone can get in to.
At first, anyone is going to think that Americas Army is going to be just another cheep and depressing attempt to create a promotional video game. Upon further inspection of the game, you quickly find out that it is much more that just a promotion, it is a lot of fun too.
The gameplay for this game is one that is quite intriguing. This game does not allow you to just install, log on, and fight; you must prepare yourself by going through training. You only have to go through basic training to be able to play online, but it is a wise decision to complete a few other training missions. Completing other training mission enhances the game play by allowing to you have additional weapons in the online play as well as enter different games that require certain skills. This game has a fairly good sound to it. It is a great simulation of the way things sound in the military through different channels of communication. One thing lacking in the sound is the volume. Things like commands and peoples movements are great, but the volume of the guns and bombs are terrible. I have personally shot guns myself and the volumes of these items are not even close to actual life. Sure, you don’t want deafen the people playing the game, but I believe that a louder sound effects for the guns would add to the game.
The graphics of in Americas Army are outstanding. All of the graphics used for the menus and images in the game as well as before starting the game are great. The developers even went as far as incorporate real patch images into the menus, a very nice detail that adds a lot to the promotional aspects of the game. The gameplay graphics are not as good as those on the menus, but nonetheless good. The details on things like the guns, people, clothing, and buildings are great. When a person is shot, there is a mist of blood that appears adding to the realism of the game. Other objects such as shrubs and trees tend to be rough throughout the game. At times, the graphics can be a bit rough and choppy because the game is so processor intensive. I do not recommend anyone without a graphics card installed in the computer playing this game. Over all, this game is really good with the graphics and can be a delight to see.
Americas Army was an unexpected winner in my book. I have played a number of promotional games over the years and have never seen anything like this. Americas Army, with it good graphics, sound, and gameplay, is one you should want to have in your game chest.
The following are a few tips and guides for you to use when you start the game. They should help you get to the action faster.
It is not explained to you in the beginning of the game what keys do what so here are the basics.
• W to move forward
• S to move back
• Space bar to jump
• C to crouch
• A to squat or crawl
• F to take an action
• R to reload
• J to fix a jam
• V to use night vision
• T to use the chat feature
Your mouse gives you your directional responses as well as firing of weapons.
You can carry multiple weapons at the same time but can only use one at a time. Each weapon is set to a different numerical key. To switch between weapons, simply press the number that corresponds to the weapon you desire.
It is much easier to fire your weapons accurately with the bore site than with the yellow dot. Use the right mouse button to switch to bore site.
Shoot slowly for poorly placed shots will result in you having to restart the mission form the beginning.
Don’t shoot your drill sergeants. Doing so will not be any fun for you will have to restart the entire mission form the start. Be sure that when climbing, you use a steady hand, and line everything up so you don’t fall. Also make sure that you are lined up perfectly for if you are off just a tad bit on things like a ladder, you will not be able to get to the top, and you will be stuck on the ladder until you descend it (this can result in your death)
Be quick but don’t be stupid. Speed is important but don’t kill yourself trying to be too fast.
By: Adam Rouillier