agentgray
10-14-2005, 06:41 PM
Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood Review (XBOX)
by Nat "agentgray" Kealen
Synopsis
Gearbox Software (http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/) is back in the D-Day campaign with Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood (http://www.brothersinarmsgame.com). Set during the same time period as the first game, this sync-quel let's you play as another character from Road to Hill 30, Sgt. Joe "Red" Hartsock.
As squad leader, you will control your team with a powerful and easy to use one-button command system. Suppress the enemy with a barrage of gunfire with your fire team, while you and your assault team movie in for the kill. -brothersinarmsgame.comWith new imporvements such as more dynamic combat, a skirmish mode, new weapons, new vehicles, and the biggest surprise, a cooperative multiplayer mode Gearbox attempts to win gamers with Earned in Blood. A lot of comparisons have been made to the first game. What makes this one different, or is it?
Presentation
Simply put, when it comes to historical accuracy and presentation, Gearbox delivers. Once again, they've copied the style from a very popular 1999 movie that was set in the same campaign. On the surface this might appear to be a cheesy ripoff. However, it works in this setting and style of gameplay. Everything from the box to the "booklet" (instruction manual) give attention to historical accuracy. It's all presented to immerse the gamer in the time period. This is a game that a person can play and also learn about history.
Gearbox pulls no punches when it comes to the gritty realism of warfare. Even though the story takes place at the same time period of the previous game it is refreshing to hear it from Sgt. Hartsock. The voice actor portrays a good sense of emotion as he retells the game in flashbacks which the gamer plays as chapters. It truly becomes a battle "earned in blood."
The only complaint one might have with the presentation and historical accuracy with the game would probably be in the dialoge. With Road to Hill 30, the squads constantly let the language fly. While the solders of that time period did curse and swear, there were other words that were used a lot more regularly. It appears that the language was adapted to match current grammar usage. In Earned in Blood, the swearing is still there but not to the extent of what it was in the first game. While this might be a minor gripe, it can be jarring to historical purists.
Players are rewarded with medals which unlock historical anecdotes about the battle and those involved. Some of these are common knowledge to WWII buffs, but with some it appears that Gearbox really put their best foot forward with their research. Some really interesting items are presented to the gamer.
Gameplay
The style of play right down to the controls is the same as the first game. More than likely, this game will not appeal to the high-speed FPS crowd. Earned in Blood is more of a strategy-FPS than a straight shooter. The strategy here is basically the same: suppress the enemy fire and move your team into another position and flank the enemy. Wash, rinse, and repeat. It's all about who gets the better position and takes their time.
The enemy AI is much stronger this time around. In the previous game, once suppressed, they would stay in that spot. Numerous times during the new single-player campaign, the enemy AI would move to a different position to get better cover. A welcome change as it adds more intensity to the flanking strategy.
The layout of the maps also give much more favor to the enemy. In almost every mission the player will have to double-back over an area from a different angle to eliminate more enemy players. This might be a developer trick to extend the small size of the maps, but at times it can be frustrating thinking that an area is cleared only to have to go back and sweep the field. Another small kink in the works is the confusion in the situational mode that is sometimes caused by trees blocking the view.
Most gamers will probably be able to get through this game in 15-20 hours. However, be warned, this game is much more difficult than the first. Nothing innovative is offered the player over the first game other than a few weapons, vehicles, and some intense urban combat. It's almost as if the single-player campaign is a well placed expansion that is harder to play than the first game. For Ninja Gaiden fans, this is Brothers in Arms: Hurricane Pack.
The multiplayer-coop mode adds an interesting twist to the the single-player game. However, the caveat here is that only single missions can be played, not the entire campaign. Coop is played either through Live or split-screen. There are some other skirmish modes as well such a mission where enemies keep coming wave after wave. Once again, Gearbox has upped the difficulty by also providing a hardcore tour of duty for players to play.
As of this writing, one of the drawbacks with playing, at least on Live is that hardly anyone is online. However this might not be at all bad. Because of the large amount of teamwork and communication it might be best to play with friends. More players may show up over time as the game gets more established
Graphics, Music, and Sound
The overall look of the game has not changed. However, this is not a bad thing. Animations are fluid, and the movements of the soldiers are true to life. While there is some clipping, it does not distract from the gameplay. Colors are muted and has the same look from the movie its style is based on. The game is presented in widescreen for those out there with 16:9 progressive scan TVs. A nice touch when it comes to scanning the terrain.
Did John Williams compse the score? Once again, another homage to the movie, but once again, it works. Most of the music is during the cutscenes and envokes a patriotic, emotional attachment to the story. It fits well. However, it's what we've come to expect from D-Day games.
The sound effects in-game are a mixed bag. There is excellent 5.1 positional audio, especially with the squadmates in formation. One can tell almost exactly where action is happening in the game world. However, there are times where the dialogue in the cutscenes is too quiet to hear. Upon turning up the volume, the player is blown from their seat with battle sounds once the misson starts.
Overall
Diehards and lovers of the first game will be all over this release. However, most will, after first play, wonder what the big difference is. On its own merit it is an excellent game, but unfortunately for Gearbox it will be compared to its predecessor. It might have been better released as an expansion at a budget price. Because of this impression, the final score given here might be a little harsh for some. However if one likes either historical accuracy, attention to tactical realism, the need for more gaming in a D-Day campaign, or if one has not tried the first game, then it comes highly recommended.
The Good
Story and atmosphere.
Attention to historical detail.
More of a challenge.
The Bad
Lack of Sound volume normalization.
Not much innovation.
The Ugly
Another D-Day game (sigh).
Expansion feel.
Score:http://www.evilavatar.com/images/icons/e3_5.jpg
3.5 EvilEyes out of 5.
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/bia.jpg
by Nat "agentgray" Kealen
Synopsis
Gearbox Software (http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/) is back in the D-Day campaign with Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood (http://www.brothersinarmsgame.com). Set during the same time period as the first game, this sync-quel let's you play as another character from Road to Hill 30, Sgt. Joe "Red" Hartsock.
As squad leader, you will control your team with a powerful and easy to use one-button command system. Suppress the enemy with a barrage of gunfire with your fire team, while you and your assault team movie in for the kill. -brothersinarmsgame.comWith new imporvements such as more dynamic combat, a skirmish mode, new weapons, new vehicles, and the biggest surprise, a cooperative multiplayer mode Gearbox attempts to win gamers with Earned in Blood. A lot of comparisons have been made to the first game. What makes this one different, or is it?
Presentation
Simply put, when it comes to historical accuracy and presentation, Gearbox delivers. Once again, they've copied the style from a very popular 1999 movie that was set in the same campaign. On the surface this might appear to be a cheesy ripoff. However, it works in this setting and style of gameplay. Everything from the box to the "booklet" (instruction manual) give attention to historical accuracy. It's all presented to immerse the gamer in the time period. This is a game that a person can play and also learn about history.
Gearbox pulls no punches when it comes to the gritty realism of warfare. Even though the story takes place at the same time period of the previous game it is refreshing to hear it from Sgt. Hartsock. The voice actor portrays a good sense of emotion as he retells the game in flashbacks which the gamer plays as chapters. It truly becomes a battle "earned in blood."
The only complaint one might have with the presentation and historical accuracy with the game would probably be in the dialoge. With Road to Hill 30, the squads constantly let the language fly. While the solders of that time period did curse and swear, there were other words that were used a lot more regularly. It appears that the language was adapted to match current grammar usage. In Earned in Blood, the swearing is still there but not to the extent of what it was in the first game. While this might be a minor gripe, it can be jarring to historical purists.
Players are rewarded with medals which unlock historical anecdotes about the battle and those involved. Some of these are common knowledge to WWII buffs, but with some it appears that Gearbox really put their best foot forward with their research. Some really interesting items are presented to the gamer.
Gameplay
The style of play right down to the controls is the same as the first game. More than likely, this game will not appeal to the high-speed FPS crowd. Earned in Blood is more of a strategy-FPS than a straight shooter. The strategy here is basically the same: suppress the enemy fire and move your team into another position and flank the enemy. Wash, rinse, and repeat. It's all about who gets the better position and takes their time.
The enemy AI is much stronger this time around. In the previous game, once suppressed, they would stay in that spot. Numerous times during the new single-player campaign, the enemy AI would move to a different position to get better cover. A welcome change as it adds more intensity to the flanking strategy.
The layout of the maps also give much more favor to the enemy. In almost every mission the player will have to double-back over an area from a different angle to eliminate more enemy players. This might be a developer trick to extend the small size of the maps, but at times it can be frustrating thinking that an area is cleared only to have to go back and sweep the field. Another small kink in the works is the confusion in the situational mode that is sometimes caused by trees blocking the view.
Most gamers will probably be able to get through this game in 15-20 hours. However, be warned, this game is much more difficult than the first. Nothing innovative is offered the player over the first game other than a few weapons, vehicles, and some intense urban combat. It's almost as if the single-player campaign is a well placed expansion that is harder to play than the first game. For Ninja Gaiden fans, this is Brothers in Arms: Hurricane Pack.
The multiplayer-coop mode adds an interesting twist to the the single-player game. However, the caveat here is that only single missions can be played, not the entire campaign. Coop is played either through Live or split-screen. There are some other skirmish modes as well such a mission where enemies keep coming wave after wave. Once again, Gearbox has upped the difficulty by also providing a hardcore tour of duty for players to play.
As of this writing, one of the drawbacks with playing, at least on Live is that hardly anyone is online. However this might not be at all bad. Because of the large amount of teamwork and communication it might be best to play with friends. More players may show up over time as the game gets more established
Graphics, Music, and Sound
The overall look of the game has not changed. However, this is not a bad thing. Animations are fluid, and the movements of the soldiers are true to life. While there is some clipping, it does not distract from the gameplay. Colors are muted and has the same look from the movie its style is based on. The game is presented in widescreen for those out there with 16:9 progressive scan TVs. A nice touch when it comes to scanning the terrain.
Did John Williams compse the score? Once again, another homage to the movie, but once again, it works. Most of the music is during the cutscenes and envokes a patriotic, emotional attachment to the story. It fits well. However, it's what we've come to expect from D-Day games.
The sound effects in-game are a mixed bag. There is excellent 5.1 positional audio, especially with the squadmates in formation. One can tell almost exactly where action is happening in the game world. However, there are times where the dialogue in the cutscenes is too quiet to hear. Upon turning up the volume, the player is blown from their seat with battle sounds once the misson starts.
Overall
Diehards and lovers of the first game will be all over this release. However, most will, after first play, wonder what the big difference is. On its own merit it is an excellent game, but unfortunately for Gearbox it will be compared to its predecessor. It might have been better released as an expansion at a budget price. Because of this impression, the final score given here might be a little harsh for some. However if one likes either historical accuracy, attention to tactical realism, the need for more gaming in a D-Day campaign, or if one has not tried the first game, then it comes highly recommended.
The Good
Story and atmosphere.
Attention to historical detail.
More of a challenge.
The Bad
Lack of Sound volume normalization.
Not much innovation.
The Ugly
Another D-Day game (sigh).
Expansion feel.
Score:http://www.evilavatar.com/images/icons/e3_5.jpg
3.5 EvilEyes out of 5.
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/bia.jpg