Here you go
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Source: GameRevolver.com
As a skeptic going into this game, I have a rough view of what this game should be. With numerous delays plaguing this game for over a year, you cant help but wonder how this title will turn out. Upon arrival of our evaluation copy, I threw it in the PS3 as fast as I could, carefully placing Call of Duty 4: MW into its slick, Blu-Ray sized game case. As I booted up the game, my excitement grew. From a gamers stand point, this is the kind of game you dream about playing, but never get to see it released. Today is a different day. Today, we review Army of Two.
Presentation:
EA has brought numerous new additions to games over the years, from racing to fighting to first person shooters, but I have to say, this is by far the most unique title we have seen to date. Army of Two not only emphasizes multiplayer camaraderie, but literally forces it upon you. You take on the role of your choice of Tyson Rios and Eliot Salem, to mercenaries working for the Security and Strategy Corporation (SSC). You are given a brief synopsis of how the two met early in the game, but for a more detailed view, just look in the manual, its all there. Long story short, you were in the US Army Rangers together where, as a team, your skills shined through, impressing the likes of your commanding officer, and grabbing the attention of the SSC, which is where we start our venture.
The story behind the game is very intriguing and the characters are brought to life with great voice over and constant chatter, much like Kane & Lynch, only better! From cover to game play, this one is pretty sweet.
Graphics:
The graphics of this title are beautiful to say the least. Animations are fluid and you never miss a beat in game play due to lag, although you may see the occasional slow down. Characters are well defined, from facial hair to the scars of war. Each character possesses their own unique look, style and set of animations that keeps the game fun to play, and even fun to watch.
It is the level design that has us thoroughly impressed, with vast, incredibly detailed terrain, an open world feel, and multiple paths to get to many of your objectives. It is truly eye candy to see, which is something normally missing from most EA games of late (except Burnout Paradise, we love you!)
Sound:
Here is where the game truly shines. From the fierce ring of a shot fired to the roar of rockets and engines flying past. The attention to the level of quality in the audio is stunning, rivaling the likes of Counter Strike of old, and Call of Duty (pick 1-4). The use of surround sound technology pierces through the living room like tiny firecrackers, creating an environment that more than draws you in, but makes you live the experience. Audio queues are spot on and the tiniest details, such as each shell hitting the pavement are all there.
Another nice addition is the sheer volume of bickering between the two mercenaries. Constant cussing, Dude!, Bro, and the occasional air guitar keep for a lively game session.
Game Play:
Controlling the characters in the game is definitely a challenge, but most certainly a thrill. You have the choice of having an AI control your second character, having a friend play on the same system with you (btw, when did this go out the window? I remember when most shooters were split screen) or, connect via PSN (or Xbox LIVE, your choice) for some serious coop action.
Communication is key in this game, as surviving the elements is a two man job. There are times when you will be in a wide open area, with very little coverage other than maybe some mounds of old cars or piles of junk. To get from point A to point B, it is wise to have one of your characters say, rip a door off one of those junk heaps to provde some cover for the oncoming barrage of enemy fire. Everything from scaling buildings, to overcoming obstacles to flanking your opponent is all a team effort.
One of the coolest things about this game is your ability to use the second player for whatever the hell you want. If you need to get around that jeep to plant some explosives, just have your Bro lay some cover fire, drawing the attention of your enemies, and allowing you a clean run to get your job done. You can also reverse this roll of course, sending your team mate to take care of the dirty work while you lay waste to some baddies.
Although not considered power ups, you do have some pretty sweet special moves you can pull off. The game incorporates a new feature called AGGRO, which essentially how much attention you have drawn to yourself. This system works well in that if you need to get your partner to safety, you can lay down some heavy fire and make some noise, taking the heat (read: AGGRO) off you him so he can reach his objective. If you take enough of the heat, you will enter Overkill which is essentially bullet time of old, allowing you to gain more precision as time slows down, letting you pick your enemies off one by one. If you keep the AGGRO evenly distributed amongst the two of you, you can enter Back to Back, placing the two of you..er
.back to back allowing for 360 degree slaughter.
Playing as mercenaries, your goal of course is money. Being a hired hand, your missions are those out of the ordinary, and things that our military do not wish to bother with or have the power to bother with. With each mission and side objective comes some big money, which will allow you to customize your character, buy new beefier weapons, and add tons of gizmos onto your favorite ones. The options available to you are in good quantity and customization will only aid you to discover your favorite playing style.
Replay Value:
Although we cant claim this isnt a one time through cuz it is, we can say that it is definitely fun to do again and again, as the antics of your characters, shear volume of gameplay and awesome commentary allows for some replay credibility.
Overall:
Bottom line, EA has created a game that has captured our manhood, and hearts. This is truly a unique title, that has created a whole new way to play games. With any luck, we will see this one hit trilogy status in the next several years, as I just cant get enough.
Review Score: 8.7