Brothers in Arms is edging its way closer to greatness!!
This is the most realistic WWII game yet, having played the originals.
If you have played the originals or just crave a more realistic WWII experience than COD or MOH games... Then BIA:HH is definately for you!
This game had me in awe at how immersive and realistic it all is. The street to street battles, and squad mechanics are excellent. There have been some negative points made about your squad being stupid at times. I have experienced only 1 time where my squad moved to the wrong side of a piece of cover and thats it. Sure sometimes just to be safe, you might want to plot there course to a piece of cover just to make sure they take the safe route, but apart from this, i was leading these men to tactical victory time and time again, no problems...
Its the tactics that really set this game apart from all the others, and its here that the game shines! The strategy element is fantastic, and the sense of achievement is wonderful as you command your men to lay down suppressing fire whilst you move your other squad into a better position.
Also new to the series is the ability to ambush german soldiers, if they be in the patrol stance. This is a great addition, and certainly alot of fun. Once again, those moments are slightly contrived, happening upon german patrols is at the same point in every level. It would be nice to see this mechanic incorporated as more of a tactical choice rather than a 'set-up'. Nonetheless Ambushes remain intensely satisfying!
The kill cam is a great addition, and slow-mo head shots are rewarding. All the in game features like kill cam, and suppression icons can be turned off for those looking for complete realism.
Great fun!
Where the game was a bit of a let down...
The developers Gearbox, have never been brave enough to realise the true potential of their franchise. The games levels while offering varying degrees of freedom, could be more open. Its like Gearbox didnt want to alienate core gamers by making the level design too open. Rather they opted to keep a relatively linear design in order to keep the action concerntrated. In my opinion this attitude toward the design of Brothers in Arms has always kept the franchise from true greatness...
Not that I want to linger on this too much, as BIA still offers a varied and in many ways unique WWII experience. However the relatively linear design of the games levels will ultimately im sure effect the replay value.
My other gripe, sorry i had two, is that there is no Melee in this game! WHY! The two previous titles had it, and there seems no reason for it to be taken out?
I found myself close to german soldiers with no ammo, but worse no melee attack..!!!
Not only this but appears not only you but every soldier in the game neither has this ability?? In previous games you could send your guys to assault an enemy position, and when they were close enough they would fight using the butt of there rifles. Get close to an enemy in this game, and he cant melee you either?!! Craziness.
So i would hope Gearbox for the next installment put back the melee attack, and also to not be too afraid of opening up the level design of this great game.
BIA is a great franchise, that certainly needs to capitalise on its potential. Nonetheless, this game is a worthy sequel!