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Commandos 2 Review
Chris Leyton
00/12/0000
Those Commandos are back!!!
Many people will instantly be put off Commandos 2, purely because of the steep learning curve. Dropping you in at the deep end with two so-called tutorials, the game starts off at an intense pace, and will probably tax even the hardened gamers out there. However persevere (it does get frustrating) and you'll find the best strategy game yet.
Commandos 2 is set against the familiar WW2 backdrop, essentially a strategy title that mixes elements of stealth, puzzles and tactics. You command a group of allied troops through 10 missions, inspired by events that took place during WW2 (movies). Each mission provides a wide variety of challenges, each requiring a different set of skills to complete. Some missions will revolve around tight espionage, whilst others will result in full on guerilla war-fare, thankfully there is less emphasis placed on specific solutions this time around, however it still pays to take your time at the start, scout the map for enemy locations, targets and plan your strategy.
The cast under your control is comprised of a colourful bunch that will stick in your mind way after you finish the game (an extremely long time), each one with different skills and different attributes. Ranging from the Green Beret to Lupin the thief, each one will leave his/her own distinctive mark, they really are a memorable bunch that you'll do your best to ensure their well-being, one level had me traipsing back to the start after I'd completed the objectives just to revive a fallen comrade.
In the original each character had a very specific set of skills, for example only the Green Beret and The Spy could move bodies. For the sequel each character has a wider set of skills and is much more versatile, most of the characters can move bodies now. This removes the puzzle element that was so dominant in the first title, and enhances the strategic feel. The only puzzle elements that remain, rely on the fact that you can't choose which commandos to bring into the mission and you can't choose their starting equipment, you'll just have to scavenge it.
As with its predecessor, the key is in using the full extent of skills offered from your commandos, patience and practice, practice, practice... You'll find the missions that much easier if you stay concealed and slowly pick the enemy off, each commando has a specific way of doing this, for example the Green Beret is very adapt with his knife at close range, the thief can sneak up behind the enemy and pull their own gun on them, whilst Natasha the Seductress can use her charms on the poor souls (they don't stand a chance). Most characters can knock the enemy unconscious, however they'll eventually wake up so it's a good idea to tie them up, and steal their clothes whilst your at it a disguise is always handy.
The main attraction to Commandos 2 for me is the sheer scope of options that are available to you, how about putting a few sleeping pills in that bottle of wine, those Nazi's never could resist a good bottle of wine.
Trying to breach a heavily patrolled area? Either let Natasha get to work, try chucking a packet of smokes in their direction, or have the thieves pet rat go and annoy them. There are so many options available to the player that you get this superb feeling of being totally in control, after you've put in the time that is.
Thankfully Commandos 2 is much more forgiving then its predecessor, enemy troops will take a while to recognize you as a threat now, giving you ample opportunity to duck down. Rather then dying instantly your troops will linger on for a substantial time, giving you the chance to revive them with a medi-pack.
Commandos 2 learning curve is refreshing, to start off you'll curse at the insane difficulty but persevere and you'll eventually work things out. The missions are daunting, however that's the way they should be. Thanks to those 'tutorials' you'll know exactly what to expect from the main game, and believe me it doesn't get any easier, but the appeal of having one more go to try and work it out always exceeds the frustration of failing.
Due to the sheer amount of options available to you, it seems every key on your keyboard has an action associated with it, escalating that daunting feeling, it's just a case of time and practice, put that in and eventually you'll have them all instinctively mapped to your memory.
Moving your troops however is simple, click and they'll intelligently find the best way there, double click and they'll run, however beware the noise is greatly enhanced when you do this.
Commandos 2 now uses a quasi 3D engine, which allows you to rotate through 90º and zoom in/out with the camera, this is a vital addition allowing you to fully scope the locale before making a move. The visuals in commandos 2 are superb, each of your characters move with some of the best animation I have ever seen. Whilst the static backdrops are beautiful, rich with detail and wide in variety. Peeking into rooms recreates the whole thing in 3D, which you can smoothly rotate and scale, giving you the chance to check out who's in the room and plan your strategy. Simply put this is the best looking strategy game made.
The sound in Commandos 2 is nearly as impressive as the visuals, asides from the limited vocabulary of your troops that soon becomes tiring, their is a very ambient soundtrack that helps to set the tone when you're lying in wait, unsure of what the future will bring. At times with the music going and the action unfolding you'll believe you're taking place in an epic WW2 flick, the sense of immersion really is fantastic.
The multi-player mode in Commandos 2 is another joy, each player takes a commando and is in control of him/her solely for the mission. If there are more commandos then players you'll have to take on charge then more then one. This option lends even more replay value to a game that's going to take a while to complete in the first place, and then there's the opportunity to collect all of the bonus items from each map.
