My H&D2 Review

[Major Bevan]

Hey Guys, I posted this review over at gamespot. It is a very subjective review and I focus mainly on the playing experience rather than technicalities. Anyway, give it a read and let me know what you think.



The jungle is dense with foliage. Rain will not cease as it harmonizes beautifully with the sounds of birds and insects in the background. The air seems thick and hot as my unit of SAS British soldiers carefully creeps through the dense atmosphere in column formation. It has been over 10 minutes since my last gun shot but it is clear something is about to come my way, only I don't know exactly from where. I open my map and realize one of my primary objectives should be up ahead. Closing the map I get my binoculars and through branches and bushes I spot a village some 80 meters away. I plan a synchronized ambush on my tactical overview map and orchestrate a swift approach over to the enemy's holding, but as my sniper fires his first shot all hell breaks loose. The Japanese flock the area uncertain of where exactly my unit lies in cover, and will not hesitate to shoot mercilessly at any signs of movement. After an initial outburst its calm again, and the enemy is now ready to counter. I send my heavy gunner to flank the village on the right, and once he is down on his belly I give the order to open fire. The brutal sound of the bren gun shatters the silence once again, only this time the enemy is truly surrounded from every flank. Japanese bodies litter the ground, the coast is clear. I have successfully eliminated the enemy and can now proceed to capture important documents that will shift the war on to our side, but before I can head for the extraction point I must first deal with what would seem to be hundreds of strategically placed machine gun posts hidden all over the jungle. It won't be easy, but throughout the past week I've dealt with worst.

What I described above is without a doubt a great example of some of the most intense and satisfying gaming moments I have ever had in my life. It?s a description of an hour spent with Hidden & Dangerous 2, and it's what you can expect to go through if you grab this game.
We've had tons of games set in the back drop of WWII in the past couple of years. Most of them have been FPS, and some of them have been really good, but none of them, and hear me well, none of them will provide you with the depth of game play and sheer atmospheric tension that H&D2 packs in its three CD's. I have no idea how this one slipped under my radar. I remember that when it came out, most web sites and message boards were complaining about a buggy release, six patches later though, this game is probably very close to what the developers envisioned initially, and what a game it is. One thing you must take into consideration is that this is not a run n' gun type of game. Just like in the old Rainbow Six games, you will fail miserably if your actions are not planned ahead. A methodical approach is necessary in order to overcome the many obstacles Hitler and his gang have prepared for you all over the world.
The main reason why I love this game so much is that you will constantly be put in situations that seem impossible, but with a little thinking you'll be able to conduct some extremely satisfying maneuvers that will bring whole enemy encampments to their knees, or for use of a better word, to their graves.

From a technical standpoint H&D2 is a tight little package. Nothing about the game is really outstanding, but the sum of its parts comes together creating a very compelling experience. One of the aspects I really enjoy about the game is the freedom you are given when it comes to completing a mission's objectives. Right from the start you have the choice to select up to four soldiers from a pool of forty. In order to be successful, the unit you build should have a specialized soldier in each of the following areas: medic, heavy gunner, sniper, and rifleman. With your men selected you then get to out fit them. There is an ample selection of guns, uniforms, gadgets etc? to choose from. Some items are not necessary, but if selected they can really enhance game play. A great example of this is the wire cutters. During the first mission you are tasked with infiltrating a German occupied base. There are several ways in which you could get in, but I decided to go with a combination of stealthy aggression. What I did was place my sniper and medic (with a sten gun) near the entrance and sent my heavy gunner and rifle man with a pair of wire cutters to the side of the base. Once I had stealthily broken in, I had them creep up to a vantage point and unleash a rain of lead onto the enemy. Simultaneously my sniper and medic opened fire on any approaching Nazi scum. This took care of most of the resistance I expected to meet. The sense of accomplishment was amazing. I guarantee you won't feel this sort of rush with Call of Duty 2, especially on the first mission.
Visually the game is good. It might not go shoulder to shoulder with Half Life 2 or even Brothers in Arms, but there are a lot of details here and there that help raise the immersion factor in ways you wouldn't expect. One good example is the authenticity of the uniforms and how they'll show wounds when shot. It matters not whether you heal yourself or not, get shot and you keep the scars to prove it. Animation is also worthy of a pat on the back, most of the time anyway. Soldiers will move realistically across some of the largest and most lovingly crafted levels I have seen in a WWII shooter. Running, crawling, walking, creeping, shooting, all of these actions look good and just like in Splinter Cell, you control the speed movement with the mouse wheel. I wish more games used this feature since it really adds to the character's movement. As for the death animations, I can't say for sure whether they are canned or rag doll based, but they do look very good. Another aspect worth mentioning is the draw distance. You can see for miles on end, allowing you to accurately plan your approach to a given objective. This alone adds tons of believability to the gaming environment. The artistic direction goes for realism and it succeeds. Some of the later levels feature your typical bomb-shelled European towns, and that look very convincing. But by the time you get there you'll have experienced lavish jungles, snow covered forests, never-ending deserts, ocean-bound military ships, and all manner of interior locales. Once the credits roll you'll feel like you've battled (and defeated) the Nazi War Machine in every imaginable environment. The coolness in these levels doesn't really come from how well they are rendered though, since it's more a combination of little touches that make them feel real. I mentioned the Burma jungle right? Well, once you've cleared the village and walk in, you'll notice how the water drips from the huts' ceilings and then splashes onto the floor. You'll find stuff like this everywhere, like clouds of dust in the desert, or puffs of snow falling from a tree's branch. The levels feel real.
The texture work is kind of a mixed bag. Some textures get really blurry as you close up to them, but at a distance they can look quite decent.
Sound is also well implemented. German soldiers speak in German, Japanese in their tongue, and the English never lose their polite yet imposing tone. There is not too much voice acting, but what is there will add rather than detract from the game. Weapons also sound good, with every one sporting a very distinct and singular oomph. The sten could have sounded better, but overall sound gets the job done. The aural shinning spot is the ambient sound though. Wind, rain, fauna, footsteps, engines; in every level you'll be treated to a very realistic sounding background, and once combined with the visuals, you'll get levels that ooze realism and immersion.

So, is there anything wrong with this three year old game that really didn't do that well at retail, but has a heart of gold? Well, there is; the AI.
I am not saying it?s the worst use of AI ever, it's just that every other aspect of the game is so tight that the AI while not being great, just stands out like a fly in a glass of milk. It's sporadic, but every now and then your guy will stand in front of his enemy who's only a few meters away and just won't pull the trigger. What's worst is the enemy will do they same. At one point a similar situation happened to me in one of the desert levels. It was funny because it looked like a cowboy showdown was about to go on, only it never really transcended anywhere from there. I shot them both, for being stupid. Its frustrating spending five minutes in the tactical overview map planning this complex move into an enemy barrack to have it all go sour because one of your guys just decided not to move. It doesn't happen every time, but when it does it is infuriating. Other times you'll have your unit perfectly positioned to make an ambush. You'll give them the order to open fire and only one of them obeys, the others are shot and you are left with either the option of going on as a one man "team," or reloading from your last save. These situations are not the norm, but they do tend to creep up on you when least expect them to, when you least need them.
In other cases the AI will show sparks of brilliance. The enemy will out flank you and your guys will cover your back with determination. In the first level there is a spot where you come across a stuck Nazi truck. My orders were simple; seek and destroy. The enemy was alerted and ran for cover, so did my guys. As a matter of fact, I was the only idiot crouching smack in the center of the clearing, nonetheless, we got them. I think I fired like one or two shots at most, since it was my brave companions who took care of the threat out of their own battle-ready instincts.

I think it is rather obvious that I really liked H&D2. The game is no where near perfect and has a few flaws that can drive you insane. But, if you are looking for a game that will make you think just as much as it will make you shoot, then this is the one for you. It is different from every other WWII inspired game in the market in that it trades the scripted nature of the big budget titles, for a game play experience that you can customize to your tastes and playing style.

[-ViTaMiHnM203-]

Pretty long, maybe most people wont bother to finish it...

- "I've dealt with worst", you need the word "worse" here...

- I dont like your use of "Hitler and his gang"; because other Axis countrys are fighting in this game aswell, or are you including Hirohito and Mussolini in that?

- "combination of stealthy aggression.", you would need to say a combination of stealth and aggression; stealthy aggression is one thing...

- "any approaching Nazi scum", not all Germans were Nazis...

- "and that look very convincing", drop the "and"...

- "What's worst is", again you need that "worse" word...

- "stuck Nazi truck", Id rather see German here...

Last paragraph was great, and you did a good job of describing the AI and details...

If I was the type of person that read reviews before buying a game, Id probably buy it after reading your review...

[Grimples]

I couldn't be bothered to start it

[Major Bevan]

To Vitamin,


I appreciate your feedback only I think you are a little off in some of your arguments;

-"Worst" can perfectly replace worse in British English (real english)

-Point taken about the "stealthy aggression," although I do consider it to be just that when I am silently dispatching patrols before the big assault

-"Hitler and his gang" refers to all Axis countries, only I put him as the leader. And by the way, the plural for country is "countries"

-Nowhere in my review do I imply that all Germans were Nazis, but I generalize that onto his army, assuming that all who fought for him belonged to Nazi Germany.


Anyway, I appreciate your comments and hopefully somebody out there, who didn?t buy the game when it first came out will be inclined to do so after reading the review. This is definitely one of my favorite games of all time.

Cheers!

[Grimples]

Not a bad reply/reaction from a 13 year old, hey Vit.

[-ViTaMiHnM203-]

Yes; I understand you are generalizing, I dont like it! 8)

You can say "stealthy aggression", just not "a combination of stealthy aggression", unless you add what you are combining it with...

Ehg; thats the "worst" thing Iv heard in along time, British-English is "worse" than American-English then!

Is that the only spelling "mistake" I made, surely there are more?

Anyway, "countrys" can perfectly replace "countries" in Vitish-English (best English)...

Grimp, are you saying hes 13? I thought I was 13? I mean 14 and a half!

[Major Bevan]

Umm, why not add another 15 years to those 13 buddy? I'm 28. Anyway, only a 13 year old would get worked up out of my completely harmless reply.
Now, aren't we supposed to get along here? I mean, we do visit these boards out of our liking for the H&D franchise. No need to lose it my friend.
Oh, and by the way, while I do appreciate your feedback on my review I will state that I used to write gaming reviews professionally, for MAXIM Latin America. I've had "real" editorial feedback from writers who are definitely worth their salt. I know my stuff kid.


Cheers!

[Grimples]

No take offence from me Bevan, i'm just bored shitless. If i wanted to upset or offend anyone they would know, am a Geordie, worst than the Scots. Welcome to the board anyways, have fun.

Yes Vit, i meant you being 13, sorry for my mistook. & i am old enough to Bevans Daddy.

[-ViTaMiHnM203-]

I dont understand, Im not mad at anybody...

Who are you replying to Bevan?

Oh, and Im not one to try and impress...

I do not have much faith in the modern industry gurus...

And Im old enough to be your Daddy Grimp... (Conjectured)

[Major Bevan]

Actually I was replying to Vit, but guys I am not offended at all. I just think that It's easy to "misread" posts when you are not actually hearing the tone in which you speak. Anyway, I just wanted to come into the boards with some positive views on a game we clearly like. That's all. Perhaps we're better off dropping the subject and talking about stuff we enjoy, don't you think?

Cheers!

[-ViTaMiHnM203-]

Words of Platinum - "I just think that It's easy to "misread" posts when you are not actually hearing the tone in which you speak."

Exactly, Iv been saying that for years...

You thought I was upset and calling you 13!?

I do enjoy this! LoL

[Grimples]

F*&k, am all confused now.
Knew i shoulda kept my bloody mouth shut.

P.S & quote "And Im old enough to be your Daddy Grimp... (Conjectured)"
Ya old fart LOL. Thought you were a bit too intelligent to that young.

And by the way, i have never read a review in my life, just do/try it & have done with.
Would some please tell me to shut the f&*kup.

[Major Bevan]

Dude, Vitamin, back off. I did not think you were pissed off because you said I was 13. It is the rest of your post that reads like you're trying to light a fire when there's no need for heat. If you want to start something then fine, I'll give you a head start. On the other hand, if you're old enough to be my dad then act that way. Also, if by "?modern industry?" you meant modern reviews, I'll remind you that I have been gaming since I was 10! And reading reviews since then. That is 18 years of sore thumbs for you buddy. Believe me when I tell you that when I write reviews I am not trying to be "modern," I grew up with the industry and, if you read my review with some attention, you'll notice that there's a certain distaste towards modern games, such as Call of Duty 2. That is another topic for discussion though, one we can intelligently discuss if you lower your guns.

[-ViTaMiHnM203-]

LoL, you are jumping the gun "Mister"... :?

You are floating! And Im about to flush your ass! LmAo, just a joke... 8)

You are "misreading"...

You said "I've had "real" editorial feedback from writers who are definitely worth their salt.", Im asuming these people are in the industry currently and you think they are uber...

And dont worry Grimp, when I didnt understand what you were saying I asked you to clarifie with out setting ablaze...

P.S. : Bevan, you do understand that I was saying I completly agree with what you said about misreading? And that I have infact been sayign that for 2 millennia?

[Major Bevan]

It's It's not that they're "uber," it's more like; that's what they do for a living and have the "know how" from years of experience. Funny how your cradle gets rocked so easily. Now, if you could expand on this point and perhaps give us an example of an old school reviews writer worthy of your almighty praise, then we would all be enlightened by your extensive knowledge in the topic. I AM assuming you have extensive knowledge in this since you speak out so deliberately.