No, it doesn’t involve Steven Seagal or Wesley Snipes, but it does include the same duo from the game’s predecessor. The completely awesome ass-kicking pair is back for more ass-kicking in Army of Two: The 40th Day. This time Elliot Salem and Tyson Rios are loitering around Shanghai, China. Luckily for EA, there is a lot less hype clinging to their new title. <\/p>\n
When EA released Army of Two back in 2008, we were anticipating a ground-breaking co-op campaign experience. Were we satisfied? Yes, but not because of the co-operative multiplayer and intelligent AI. <\/p>\n
Our satisfaction was derived from the insane action, ear-busting gunfights and the cynical humour. Unfortunately, like a ranting, tacky action movie doesn’t fare well at the box-office; Army of Two didn’t fare well as a game, but was still good fun.<\/p>\n
Both fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your preference, Army of Two: The 40th Day doesn’t change the recipe from the first game. So the iron-willed Rios partners up with the cocky and tenacious Salem to form the “Trans World Operations” organisation, otherwise known as T.W.O. <\/p>\n This proclaimed “Army” is essentially just Salem and Rios working as mercenaries and doing violent stuff with guns for wealthy benefactors. However, after a seemingly easy day on the job with another fellow mercenary, all hell breaks loose. Bombs and other explosive projectiles are dropped on the city, bringing down both fancy skyscrapers and slum buildings alike. <\/p>\n Armed gunmen walk the streets, killing both innocent citizens and prominent politicians. Salem and Rios are pretty confused as to what is going on, as is their intelligence gathering, saucy-voiced manager, Alice Murray. <\/p>\n In fact, players are left largely in the dark for much of the game. However, through the collection of various radio logs found throughout Shanghai, and a few cut-scenes, we learn that the attacks were planned by a number of independent mercenary cells.<\/p>\n Salem and Rios are not planning on hanging around to join the party. Their new objective is to escape the quickly deteriorating Shanghai. This mission takes the unstoppable duo through downtown streets, down the sides of skyscrapers, through shopping malls and even a zoo. Their only obstruction is the never-ending swarm of enemy mercenaries.<\/p>\n The Good Mercenary<\/strong><\/p>\n Army of Two: The 40th Day does a good job of looking the part. It doesn’t break any visual boundaries, but it performs well enough. <\/p>\n Downtown Shanghai looks, like downtown Shanghai, or at least how I imagine downtown Shanghai to look. The game boasts great use of lighting, and, like its predecessor, it is vibrant and colourful. I wish the same could be said about the game’s use of fire and explosions though. You would think they would make a special effort to get these right in a game that is full of them, but they often look like something out of The Sims.<\/p>\n Character models and animations are good, with both Salem and Rios being particularly impressive. Grenades, satchels and sniper rifles bobble and flounder about on Salem and Rios’ backs.<\/p>\n In terms of combat, Army of Two: The 40th Day is focused on co-op play. The game is designed to be played with another human partner, although the AI partner is convincingly good. <\/p>\n The “Aggro” system makes its return, whereby the two mercenaries share a bar which indicates the enemy’s attention toward either of them. For instance; the more rounds fired and grenades thrown by you, the more the enemy is concerned with you in particular, therefore making your partner virtually invisible for the time being, allowing him to flank and do some damage.<\/p>\n If accumulating “Aggro” is your thing, then the cover system, not unlike Gears of War, is essential.<\/p>\n There are also some co-op moves in the game which require both yourself and your partner to accomplish. The pair can perform co-op sniping to take out two targets at once, provide back-to-back cover, and partake in a mock surrender before drawing your handguns and performing a slow-motion takedown of the enemy.<\/p>\n Enemies often harass Salem and Rios in large numbers, yet they are individually quite weak. There are also heavy units which will attack you at intervals. These guys often carry special weapons and can only be taken down from behind.<\/p>\n Thankfully there is always a weapon nearby with which to take out the given enemy. The 40th Day sports a very complex weapons customization mode, whereby weapons can have various parts added and replaced, as well as painted. One can add various different guns barrels and stocks to the body of, say, an AK-47. One could also choose to either paint said AK-47 in urban camouflage or “pimped-out” gold, along with various other schemes. You want to add a front-mounted shotgun? Go ahead! This system is very detailed and a lot of fun. More weapons and parts, bought with cash found on dead enemies, are unlocked as the game progresses.<\/p>\n The 40th Day introduces moral choices. A group of enemy soldiers have taken civilians hostage; do you risk saving to increase your morality score, or let them die? Other choices enter the mix through different cut-scenes. Often these choices have obvious effects on your morality score, but once a choice is made, comic-like images will show you the result of your choices, some with very peculiar consequences. This feature of the game ultimately feels like a pointless tack on. <\/p>\n Online multiplayer modes come in three flavours: Co-op Deathmatch, Control and Warzone. Control involves two factions fighting to hold various control points, while Warzone offers a player and his partner various different objectives to chase after. <\/p>\n Warzone is particularly addictive as a multiplayer mode, and has players scrambling to destroy a target or protect a VIP. Multiplayer, however, is not The 40th Day’s strong point, and it quickly becomes tedious, as your mercenary feels clunky and large in the cramped multiplayer environments.<\/p>\n Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n Army of Two: The 40th Day is a good game, and has more than enough first person action to satisfy any addict. It is fast paced, full of action and enjoyable, only being slowed down by the weak storyline and even weaker morality issues. <\/p>\n Just as an awesome action movie is quickly enjoyed and then forgotten, so to Army of Two: The 40th Day is honourably appreciated before being left on a shelf indefinitely.<\/p>\n\n\t\t
Survival of the fittest!<\/strong><\/p>\n