With competitive gaming on the rise, cooperative games such as Army of Two stand in the shadows of its brethren like Halo and Call of Duty. But every now and then you can find a game that is worth your time simply because it, when played with a close friend, becomes an extension of that friendship, two brothers coming together and saving the world- one pagoda at a time.
First thing’s first- This game is absolutely no fun in single player. The game was MEANT to be played with a friend, it was meant to be shared and enjoyed and laughed about together. Most games are built with a single player campaign first, and a cooperative option is often a cold afterthought. Army of Two, though, turned this system on its head by creating the game from the ground up as a cooperative experience.
And their efforts paid off.
Right out of the gate, this game explodes into action- Literally. As Salem and Rios, you are thrown into an ever-evolving chaos in the middle of Shanghai that goes from bad to worse to “How are we still alive?” From shooting your way down the slope of a collapsed building to venturing through a decimated zoo, using the unfortunate bodies of rhinoceroses and elephants for cover, you traverse the city searching for answers. With each unexpected twist in the storyline, you’re driven deeper into the manic destruction, trying to find out who is causing the destruction and why. All along the way, you’ll see just how much effort was put into this game, from the twisting streets of the ghetto to the labyrinthine subway system, every level is beautifully crafted down to the smallest detail.
And that’s saying something, what-with everything in Mandarin, and all.
It’s stunning to watch a building that you thought was just a backdrop actually crash down in front of you, destroying the once pristine highway you were GOING to drive on. This game will have you unknowingly drop your jaw at least once in every level.
Weapon customization is back with a vengeance! With over 100 different modifications for almost 30 weapons, custom weapons become a crucial element in the game. Some of the modifications you need to find in-game, by either saving civilians that are about to be executed, or taking out a small squad of enemy soldiers before you surprise them.
More often than not, firefights are a means to an end; Just the meat in the sandwich of an adventure, but in The 40th day, firefights are an intimate dance conducted by both the player and the enemy A.I.. Many of your battles take place in very impromptu settings. As I mentioned before, the wall of a skyscraper literally falls and crashes into the building you’re in, giving you no option but to head in that direction. As you make your way down, blocks of concrete become your cover, with rebar and drywall dotting the terrain. As you move forward, your enemy moves around you, in an attempt to flank your team. Situations like these are why teamwork is so important, to keep from being totally overwhelmed by your enemy. But it’s a give and take, if you advance too quickly, you often find yourself face to face with a mercenary who is armed to the teeth and excited to be killing you, and if you don’t advance at all-
Well, you won’t get anywhere. It’s sophisticated, ingenious, and perfect for a co-op experience.
Yes, we know. In such a great co-op game as this, sometimes you need to make decisions that will effect how you play. Who should take the high road? Who gets to snipe while the other draws all the aggro? Did we mention, you can play Rock, Paper, Scissors with your co-op buddy, in-game?
No, seriously, you can. Next time you’re trying to justify your reasoning by shooting each other with pistols, just press a button and initiate the ultimate decision-maker. [Best 2 out of 3, of course.]
All in all, this game is a beautiful example of what can be done when you focus on the player’s experience, instead their wallets. Buy this game, grab your best friend, and go to town in what can only be described as a consummation between cooperative gaming and masterful design.
