spent appr. 6 hours with the game's story mode and also did some of the new "skirmish" missions.
the story mode doesn't continue the story of the first Brothers in Arms game, but lets you again experience the early days of the invasion - from the eyes of another US airborne soldier this time. so, maybe as a result of this, the maps seem to look pretty similar to the first game's missions (at least the first missions do). but this isn't really bad. like in the predecessor the level design is pretty much linear with the usual amount of barriers in form of 50 cm high obstacles or walls which you just can't cross or jump over. this still pisses me because it limits the tactical approach of the game.
the most noticeable difference to "Road to Hill 30" is an obvious leap in the enemy AI this time around. the german troops seem more aggressive and even a bit smarter than last time. they realize very early if you try to flank them (in fact sometimes so early that it seems suspiciously scripted) and then often start a counterattack towards your position. also, if they get suppressed and decimated they sometimes retreat - not in panic but in formation while firing back. this situations bring in a more realistic approach to the gameplay and add a lot to the great atmosphere of the game.
the new "skirmish" mode puts you in selected mission-like challenges and lets you play solo or co-op (!) via splitscreen, system link or Xbox live. this time you can even play offline on the german side and kick some US airborne asses
i haven't played online yet but the coop-skirmish mode looks very promising and should bring some freshness to Xbox live co-op gaming.
graphics overall are ok but still don't do the Xbox justice - there are still the typical PS2 low-res-textures. but just like the first game the 5.1 surround coding and sound quality is phenomenal. the war really seems to take place in your gaming room! especially the weapon and firing sounds seem very authentic to me. voice acting is also good.
all in all i think that everyone who remotely liked the first game will love "Earned in Blood" - even though there maybe still some shortcomings. i'd give it an 8/10.
the story mode doesn't continue the story of the first Brothers in Arms game, but lets you again experience the early days of the invasion - from the eyes of another US airborne soldier this time. so, maybe as a result of this, the maps seem to look pretty similar to the first game's missions (at least the first missions do). but this isn't really bad. like in the predecessor the level design is pretty much linear with the usual amount of barriers in form of 50 cm high obstacles or walls which you just can't cross or jump over. this still pisses me because it limits the tactical approach of the game.
the most noticeable difference to "Road to Hill 30" is an obvious leap in the enemy AI this time around. the german troops seem more aggressive and even a bit smarter than last time. they realize very early if you try to flank them (in fact sometimes so early that it seems suspiciously scripted) and then often start a counterattack towards your position. also, if they get suppressed and decimated they sometimes retreat - not in panic but in formation while firing back. this situations bring in a more realistic approach to the gameplay and add a lot to the great atmosphere of the game.
the new "skirmish" mode puts you in selected mission-like challenges and lets you play solo or co-op (!) via splitscreen, system link or Xbox live. this time you can even play offline on the german side and kick some US airborne asses
i haven't played online yet but the coop-skirmish mode looks very promising and should bring some freshness to Xbox live co-op gaming. graphics overall are ok but still don't do the Xbox justice - there are still the typical PS2 low-res-textures. but just like the first game the 5.1 surround coding and sound quality is phenomenal. the war really seems to take place in your gaming room! especially the weapon and firing sounds seem very authentic to me. voice acting is also good.
all in all i think that everyone who remotely liked the first game will love "Earned in Blood" - even though there maybe still some shortcomings. i'd give it an 8/10.