Silicon Fusion >> Reviews >> Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30

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Review:

11th April 2005:
Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30
The most realistic and authentic WWII shooter yet, with simple, yet effective squad-based support.
Posted by John Grothier - Xbox,PlayStation 2,PC - UK and Europe

Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 is based upon a true story from World War II. Players get the chance to take command of Sergeant Matt Baker and the 101st Airborne Division, as you make your way across war-torn Normandy in 1944. But this is no ordinary first-person shooter, with Brothers in Arms you also get to take command in simple, yet effective squad based gameplay, which allows for a huge amount of strategy as; once again, you take on those nasty Germans.

Brothers in Arms story is set during the famous airdrop before the invasion at Normandy, Sgt. Matt Baker and his squad of 101st Airborne paratroopers were scattered over the French countryside. As the story unfolds, as Baker, players must choose between the success of his mission and the lives of his men - his brothers in arms. This is as close as it comes to recreating the historic eight-day invasion of Normandy.

The developers, Gearbox, have pulled out all the stops to make this title as authentic as possible for a gaming console. The game starts on the night before the D-Day invasion, as you and your squad are parachuted into France, to the small town of Carentan just behind enemy lines. Brothers in Arms features seventeen chapters, all of which are based on the actual missions which were fought by Bakers platoon in 1944.

Brothers in Arms stands out from all the other WWII first-person shooters, by the inclusion squad support. As you take command of your men, you can easily and effectively flank an enemy position as your squad lays down covering fire - or you command your squad to outflank the enemy while you yourself cover them. As you progress through the mission you get command of more and more men, which are split up into teams which you can command separately. Tanks also come into play, and there's nothing like sending a tank behind the German defences for maximum effect. The amount of strategy you employ is almost endless, and there never seems to be one way to complete you mission, but many.

Unlike other titles which include squad based gameplay, your men in Brothers in Arms are incredibly intelligent and always react to the situation cleverly, using walls, building or anything else in the area to cover from enemy fire. Likewise the enemy AI is also challenging as the German soldiers will try to outflank you and your men, and the difficulty settings limit there intellect slightly. The way you control your men is simple - you can get them to fire, charge, move, or fall back by the press of the L, R, or the white button on the Xbox controller. Despite the easy to use controls, the squad tactics you employ always seem deep and satisfying. The first person shooter element of the game is also striking, as you literally have to look down the barrel of your gun to shoot the enemy.

The game is alive with detail, and it is obvious that a lot of research as gone into making Brothers in Arms as realistic as possible for a gaming console. From the territory you fight on, to the slang and chatter from you squad, it really feels epic, the closest thing yet to a Saving Private Ryan experience. The only downside with all this realism is the painfully linear level design, as you have to make your way from one side of the map to the other - it's up to you how you do it, you can sacrifice your men to do it of you so choose.

As with just about all first-person shooters released now a days, this too has online support, as well as offline multiplayer modes. The Xbox live play pits four players in charge of multiple squads in one of ten online arenas. Each of these maps has an objective to complete, and the online play offers a much more strategic fight than other first-person shooters.

The graphics in the game are at times absolutely stunning, with a huge variety in environments, times of day and also some eye catching weather effects that immerse you into the experience all the more. The mud and dirt that stick to you screen as a mortar or grenade goes off nearby is also striking, and charging the enemy across murky, foggy fields will have you heart beating fiercely in you chest. The sound too is terrifyingly realistic with authentic sounds for all the guns and the explosions are deep and use your subwoofer well. The voice work is also excellent, with attention to detail to all the slang and chatter that soldiers would have said in 1944, albeit heavy on the cursing at times.

Overall Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 balances World War II first-person shooting action with simple, yet brilliantly implemented squad support together - to make the most realistic and yet still enjoyable game of this overcrowded genre.

John Grothier

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Review Summary:

Missions, environments, weapons and tactics all accurate to Normandy in 1944. Lead your team through challenging missions and fight against the fierce AI of the German troops. Based upon the actual missions of the 101st Airborne Division during World War II. Great graphics and sound make this an authentic, yet enjoyable first-person shooter with the added fantastically implemented squad-support. Split-screen and online multiplayer.

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Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30
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