User Reviews (1 - 11 of 48)

Show these reviews first:

Highest Rated
Lowest Rated Newest
Oldest Most Helpful
Least Helpful

Bros in arms by a idiot

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 22
Date: October 06, 2004
Author: Amazon User

frist of all this game is coming out on Ostober 16 . this game the most realstic war game i have ever seen real people and real strets this game is going to be asoume if you like medal of honor you will love this game

Interesting

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 19
Date: February 22, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This game was extremely interesting. It was mainly a strategy game. There were many cool things about this game. I recommend this game to all people who like call of duty and Battlefield 1942 that also like Rome total war. You command your troops into battle. The graphics are so realistic. The characters are realistic and you get to know them a lot. They change throughout the game. The cool part is that mainly your squad kills germans, not you. Everyone should have this game. This is the best game in the world.

p.s. There really isn't that much blood.

Dude

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 21
Date: February 23, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This game is totally rad. The Grephics are extremely realistic and the weapons are so real. The coolest thing is that the video game designers actually researched France for the scenes. They are actually real because the designers used eye witness accounts. The gaming is pretty cool and the storyline is sweet. The characters respond to your actions, which is pretty tight. It shouldn't be rated M though, it isn't that violent. I guess it is just the subject of battle. I recommend this game for all who aspire to become leaders and command people, because it is mainly strategy.

The FPS meets the strategy genre in one game -- finally!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: March 03, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I like the first person shooter genre but I must say that I truly love strategy games even more. Rome: Total War, Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War, and Shogun: Total War are the RTS games I love the most even more so than what I have on my XBOX or GameCube. However, when Full Spectrum Warrior was released I was just overjoyed. Finally there was a game that forced you to use your brain instead of relying on your shooting skills. Although FSW was brilliant in its own right it did not seem to be enough since I did not have the ability to fire at the enemy myself.

Much similar and at the same time refreshingly dissimilar to FSW is this amazing game that I've recently bought Brothers in Arms. Although the subject of the WWII American paratrooper is becoming somewhat overexposed and maybe tiresome in movies and recent programs (Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers), and in videogames (which I do not have to mention), trying to experience his hard reality of war is not boring in the least especially when you have to lead them on the battlefield and to save your own skin.

In the game much like FSW you must command teams to move here and there strategically of course to beat the enemy. The common technique is to first use one team to fire on the enemy (you know who) in order to keep them suppressed and unable to fight back effectively. You'll be amazed how inaccurate yet incessant small-arms fire will keep enemy heads down. That's what it does. The other team or even you yourself, since you are autonomous, can outflank the enemy. That is the name of the game! You command a good number of men and you are able to participate in the battle; Full Spectrum Warrior has the strategy but not the first person perspective to take part in the battle; Medal of Honor and Call of Duty have the intense FPS action but you don't have the ability to utilize certain allies to help you win.

Thank goodness though that your AI comrades in this game are really on their toes! They think on their own when they need to. That is they can find cover and fire when necessary. I wish Ghost Recon 2 was just as good. This aspect lends much realism to the game.

As far as graphics and audio are concerned each is exceptional. The weapons-fire is just amazing and arguably sounds better than MoH or CoD if you can believe that.

The storyline is taken from actual events so expect no hokey special missions like stealing a special Nazi jet fighter or stealing secret plans from some general's mansion in the heart of Germany in this game. You'll be participating in realistic missions like securing villages, capturing machinegun nests, and wiping out mortar sections with a team of men at your disposal.

This is the best game I've played in a long time -- really!

Authentic and Real-Best WWII Game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: March 03, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This game was released officially on March 1, 2005 after months of delay and anticipation. What makes this game so unique is that you actually command a real squad of soldiers who actually parachuted into France before the D-Day invasion. The terrain is realistic; the guns sound and shoot authentically. When you run out of rounds in your M1, you can here the loader spring with a nice "ting" noise. The games basic premise is that you suppress the enemy and flank them for a clean shot. Unlike Full Spectrum Warrior, this game allows you to conduct this strategy in an open-ended environment.

Some downsides are going to be the graphics, at points in the game, your squad will float over the ground, and as in all video games, the designers have not figured out how not to make guns go through walls. Another downside is in the way you move and direct your squad. In an intense firefight you can direct your troops to find cover behind a wall, but instead, they go in front of the wall. If they survive, they are smart enough to seek cover on their own. Another bummer is that in cut scenes you are stuck in one position and are unable to interact with the surrounding environment, luckily you can skip the crap and get back into action.

Otherwise, this game absolutely rocks. It is fun and is directed and produced in such a way that keeps you involved and excited about reaching hill 30. I wish they had made Full Spectrum Warrior, another flank and fire game, as fun as this.

Don't just read the hype, PLAY THIS GAME NOW!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: March 04, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Brothers in Arms is as much a tribute to WWII vets as it is to gamers of the genre. I've experienced all WWII games, and while you cannot mistake the atmosphere, nothing compares to the realism portrayed by this game. The game has combined the strategy and squad based action of Full Spectrum Warrior with the story, style and feel of Band of Brothers. It's a beautiful mix.

The realism is unsurpassed. Imagine a first person shooter without a crosshair and add the fact that if you want to really hit what you're aiming at, then you have look down your weapon to engage your target. The sounds, the looks, the dialogue are all incredible. The dialogue may be unrefined (meaning bad language), but it is a squad-based "military" tactical simulator. The game maintains it's realism throughout.

Without giving too much away, the game places you deep in the shoes of a squad leader for the 101st. It just so happens that those shoes are standing "in the door" getting ready to jump into France on D-Day. Everything you experience from that point on is exactly that... an experience, especially as join your Brothers in Arms.

After reading previous reviews and playing the game, I must say only one review seems off here. Even the reviewer mentions his experience in the military, thus questioning the Non-Commissioned Officer's role and responsibilities on the combat field. Without sounding too bold, once you find yourself in a situation that would determine your life and the life of your men, then anything is possible. The unbelievable becomes believable. Personally, 16 years in the military and two combat tours help realize that.

This game plays well on experiences like that, reportedly drawing a lot of the games realism from individual war journals. The game strives hard to achieve a sense of brothership and it succeeds. Final word is that if you like this style of game, BUY IT. If you have any doubts, BUY IT and let your own experience speak for itself.

Best World War 2 Shooter

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: March 04, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This is a great game in single player and multiplayer mode. It's extremely realistic and excellent graphics and sound. It sounds amazing on my surround sound. The controls are easy to learn, basicly like halo except for left trigger being used to give orders. There are a few problems with the game, however, such as occasionally a machine gun sound will "get stuck" and continue to play over and over and you have to restart at the last checkpoint to get it to stop. Also your teams AI isn't perfect, but it is alot better than any other game i've ever played.

The multiplayer was, to my suprise, even more enjoyable than the single player game. It requires the player to use strategy and caution instead of simply "running and gunning." It allows for x-box live, split screen and system link. I've only had one problem with the multiplayer and it only happened twice. I would be playing an x-box live game and suddely a black screen would pop up saying "the disc is scratched or dirty" but i knew it wasn't since i had just gotten it that day. it hasn't happened in the days since i got the disc, hopefully it was a one time thing.

Over all this is a great game and hopefully will be the first of many WW2 games that will actually be realistic and enjoyable.

Brothers in my arms

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 15
Date: March 04, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Brothers in my arms are falling asleep waiting for the bad and boring dialog to end before I can get the mission started. I like this game a lot..however I am only being objective in my review, I don't praise something without bringing some attention to a products flaws or misgivings.

This is a decent FPS, the attention to detail would be even better if you could go prone and not just crouch.

The game is based off a historical account of an airborne unit during the D-Day invasion. This game is based on the 8 days that the unit had engagements moving through france. If you play the game however it will take less than 8 days to finish the whole single player campaign. (short single player game)

The Gore factor wasn't that much..not much real nastiness and the dialog of the in game characters that are on your squad is amusing somewhat, but has a rather subtle anti-war message about it, and doesn't seem to reflect the true attitudes of the Greatest Generation had to offer.

The game also borrows heavily from Band of Brothers which is ok. Game play is lots of fun, and its the first FPS to have truly interesting terrain. I still don't understand the situational awareness feature. It allows you to get a top down persepective. I found its kinda neat, but pointless unless I am doing something wrong.

I often feel that I am doing everything solo in the game, because the squad level component falls short. I started to feel that I must be the only one killing the enemy..Sgt Baker ARMY OF ONE.

The commands and suppression are very nice features, but if you lose a guy he pops back in the next day adventure. Wounding is realistic, but not in this game.. until the next day and your presto healed. Sorry If you get nicked with a bullet you will be limping around if not for a month or a year.

I am only commenting on this because the game is so well done as far as accuracy in graphics and history elements but falls short on realism in this department. I guess something had to give to make it playable and enjoyable.

And on one last note, why don't the Germans ever surrender??..nobody always fights to the death? also it would be nice to be able to capture documents for bonus points. The medal system seems to be out of nowhere. I have 6 bronze stars??
been shot dozens of times and not one purple heart?

If you want a slapstick FPS with nice graphics and I haven't even seen multi-player area yet I hope this game beats doom3 in that arena, what a time waster that was.

If you are a WW2 fanatic you might be dissapointed after a few real time days trying to reach Hill 30. Don't worry you will get most of your men back to their disfunctional homes back in the USA, (ALL THE NPCS SEEM TO BE SOMEWHAT MALADJUSTED..THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A GENERATION OF WW2, NOT CURRENT!!) since when you play this game you are the one doing all the killing and accomplishing the missions.

I think the game designers don't understand the military, or military principles. (YOU ARE THE NCO IN THE GAME) The NCO never goes out into the muddy field to lay satchel charges..heck when I was active duty an NCO wouldn't even empty a trash bin if someone of lesser rank was standing around. The NCO is the the one that leads and inspires/intimidates his men to follow orders. (this example coming from one of the situations you will face in the game).

Hope this review was informative.

Simply put, the best War First Person Shooter, ever!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 38 / 43
Date: March 05, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Brothers in Arms is amazing & fun.....

Graphics: 8/10 -Good graphics but some bland textures.
Sound: 10/10 -Everything sounds very good & molds together perfectly.
Gameplay: 10/10 -Excellent! It's a first person shooter combined with strategy. You can control up to two squads of soldiers and stuart & sherman tanks in combat. You can order the two squads to take up positions to flank enemies & provide cover for movement.
Story: 8/10 -Story is good & is similar to the Band of Brothers mini-series. Though a few parts of the dialogue are cheesy or boring.
Presentation: 10/10 -Menus are easy to navigate & the cut-scenes go together well with the gameplay....everything is good.
Over-all: 10/10 -I gave this game a 10/10 because the gameplay is extremely awesome. It's probably the most historically accurate first person shooter ever made thus far!

I haven't played multi-player yet, so I can't say anything about it but the single player game is good enough to play over & over again, so the replay value is also good!

We HONOR all Veterans with this game........

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 20 / 24
Date: March 05, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Soldiers ~
My thoughts ~
"Brothers in Arms" is THE 1st FPS to be inspired by real (historical) events by which the members of the 101st (Screaming Eagles) have participated.
I have read about the authenticity and research in which this game was developed from, so I was wondering just acturate it really was.
Once I opened the packaging, I was anxiously awaiting to play this game.
I was NOT disappointed!

I am a veteran of the Gulf War and this game "Brought tears" to my eyes.
ONLY a few will understand what I just said, and those few are the Veterans (from any war/conflict/mission) in which they participated in.
I was taken in by knowing that a generation who fought before me, gave their life for freedom (plain and simple) and did not complain (in the media) of not being able to come home within 3 months of being in the "Danger Zone".
I can not speak for all Veterans, because all Veterans have a different experience in experiencing combat.
But, remember, the 1940's was a different time, a different way of thought.
Yes, I served and I would do it again.
Now on to the Game Review....

I have the X-Box version with a 5.1 Bose Surround Sound.

Controls:
Score 10 out 10 ¬
Controls are easy to understand and adjust to.
The controls are assigned as Standard play
(for you seasoned Console players) you know what I am refering to.
Default Squad player, Conditioned Player, and Current.
There is also a "Lefty" mode for you left handers.

Main Character ~
Score 10 out of 10 ¬
You play as Sgt. Matt Baker ~
and You command a TEAM and must guide them to safety and to complete the task/missions at hand.
Your an NCO, the "backbone" of the Army, and YOU must use common sense, contain a brave heart, and above all - "LEAD".
This gamer does not agree with the statement made in which a NCO explains that a NCO does not do the following:

"The NCO never goes out into the muddy field to lay satchel charges..heck when I was active duty an NCO wouldn't even empty a trash bin if someone of lesser rank was standing around. The NCO is the the one that leads and inspires/intimidates his men to follow orders".

NCOs are THE Backbone and YES, they do pick up trash!
NCOs EARN that respect, and when they are RESPECTED, the
NCOs men will follow them into hell!
Why? Because they earn that by being respectful
(even by intimidation) of his men, but in the same respect, understand his men.
NCOs MUST set the example and do things that his men would also do and in addition would not let his men do anything that HE is not prepared to do himself.
You will come across this many times while playing this game.
YOU must lead and MUST guide your men or they are killed.
If they are killed, you have an opportunity to "reclaim/heal" them, as a statement says in game....
"War is sometimes not Fair, But in video games it is"...
then YOU have an option to "Heal and continue" or if you wish..don't. YOU have a choice.

Sound ~
Score 10 out of 10 ¬
Sound quality is excellent!
Sound are real and authentic and NOT Hollywood, meaning overly loud or hyper-extended.
Ambient sound is high quality and very clear.
Weapons sounds are taken from real weapon counterparts.
Natural sounds and quiet tones are heard and are wonderous.
Language ¬
Be forewarned, there is "Colourful language in this game and IF your not offended by such, then it just adds to the realism of the game play.
The Germans "speak" German and if you understand German, it will come in handy as it will also help in trying to figure out what the next move the Germans will make.
When you get wounded, you hear your character grunt and feel pain.
Music in the game is just right and fits with the scheme.
The music reminded me of Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers.
Yes, there is some similarities to Band of Brothers, but remember, this game is based off historical fact, just as was Band of Brothers.

Graphics ~
Score 10 out of 10 ¬
X-Box graphics are outstanding and very unique to this type of game.
Uniforms are exact and even have the muddiness on the lower half of the uniform, which blends onto the character.
Even the face cammo, the the Paratroopers have at the begining of the game, will fade away after a time.
I also noticed that the uniforms become more gritty and dirty as you contuinue through the game. Increadable!
Each character has a personality all his own, and the eyes "blink".
Explosions are awesome and realistic.
Your POV (Point of View) has you getting mud (splattered) on your face and when your wounded, you see blood splatter on the screen.
and when you get killed, your tossed backwards and see the sky and you hear your fellow TEAM mates cry out your name, stating that your been hit and are down.
Bullet hits are noted and seen. Dirt is kicked up.
Splinters of wood are tossed up around you and you "feel" like your actually in combat!
Simply amazing and outstanding.
Granted NOT EVERYONE will be happy with the graphics, as everyone, every player has a different "taste" of what they need and should be.
You have to notice these "small" indicators when playing, because you will not see them the 1st time around.

Historical acuracy ~
Score 10 out of 10 ¬
COD is left behind by this game.
Brothers in Arms is as authentic in every sense of the word and it shows!
A Military adviser was used in the making of this game.
Research was painstakenly made and the locations are REAL.
Some of the locations, buildings, towns, and roads in the game still exist in to this day!
There is side by side pictures taken from the WWII vs present day photos and then comapred to the game, THEY ARE EXACT!
This game also has the approval of The VFW, The D-Day Museum, and The Fort Knox Museum, amoungst others, all which have contributed to the making of this game and so placed their "AUTHENTICITY" of approval to this game..

Extras ~
Score 10 out of 10 ¬
As you progress through the game, you recieve medals for your actions and with each medal earned, the game gives you "unlocks".
Things such as the history of 101st Airborne (Screaming Eagles), a WWII 101st timeline of events, Productions stills, Character synopsis, plus much much more.

Multiplayer Mode ¬
Score 10 out of 10 ¬
This was not diapointing in the least.
During Multiplayer Mode you also command either a single "TEAM" or a duel "TEAM" (Assault/Fire) in order to complete a mission.
The Germans in Multiplayer speak "English", which makes it easier when you play in the role of the Germans.
However, the Germans speak "German & English" intermixed...and repeat the german words in english and vice versa.
The dfault Maps are VERY Different and exciting to play!
I personaly enjoy the "foggy town" map!

Educational Value ¬
Personal Opinion ¬
My son (who is 10 yrs old) and I are playing this game together.
While playing,
During game play, I noted to him that this was the most realistic war game depecting actual events that I have seen and so took this opportunity to "learn" from it.
I explained the realities of war and the end result.
I also explain that once you die in combat, your dead and can not drop a quarter nor press re-set, and have a chance to live again.
Its a FINAL sacrifice and that actual "Heros" did give there lives for what they believed in and should be honored and remembered. This game does JUST THAT!
I liked thet fact that the game is taken after real events and the value of doing research in creating it and knowing that the battles/mission depected actually occured.
Which (he) can reference back to actual documentation and records.
Since I am a history and WWII buff, this was a BIG plus for me and added the pleasure of teaching/learning with my son on/in a educational level.
This game started a actual conversation about history and so "peaked" his intrest and wanted to learn more! (a plus in my book).
Of course EACH person will have a difference of opinion when it concerns what is "worthy" teaching.

Glitches ¬
There are VERY few and minor ones that I have noticed.
It is true, that I noticed that a machine gun (sound) was "stuck" on continous fire, but this happened once and I never experienced it again.
In addition, during my whole time of playing this game, I noticed ONLY 1 "single" German firing at his own men, very strange and I only saw it once.

Imporovements needed?
(IMO) I would say that it needs VERY little to improve in this game.
I do agree that maybe a purple heart medal (should) have been awarded and have some Germans "surrender" would make it more realistic.
But these are "minor" items that don't really phase me in the least.
As you all gamers know, Games such as these types, when 1st released, will always be critizied, but will be improved on in the future versions/releases.
Same with this game, I am sure that (BiA 2) will come out with a newer, more enhanced version.

In closing ¬

This game is a MUST HAVE for all the reasons mentioned.
Its give you an opportunity to Honour and to Remember those who have actually lived it.
In my case, when I see those "old guys", this gamer/soldier will always (silently) give a salute in respect.

¬ End of SitRep ¬

Review Page: 1 2 3 4 5 Next 

Actions