Salem and Rios are back for another helping of bromance
Format: PS3 (version played), Xbox 360, PSP Dev: EA Montreal Pub: EA Out: 15/01/10 Players: 1-2, 2-10 online
To be honest, after playing so much Modern Warfare 2 over the last three months, I thought that nothing else would ever slip into my PS3 drive for the next six months. I had never played the first Army of Two, so didn’t have much knowledge leading into this, but I soon became pretty impressed by what Army of Two: The 40th Day had to offer.
Anyone who played the original will know that the game revolves around two mercenaries, Salem and Rios. Finding themselves in Shanghai, Rios and Salem are being paid by an unknown terrorist to plant radar beacons for no apparent reason. During the first half hour of game, missiles rain from the sky, gradually destroying more and more of the city – all to do with the beacons and after rushing out of the destroyed ruins of Shanghai, the mystery begins as the duo find out what exactly just happened.
If you’ve ever played Modern Warfare 2 co-op campaign, you will be in for a huge treat playing this. Army of Two is solely aimed at co-op play, as you and your partner (you choose either Salem or Rios at the beginning) work hand-in-hand, destroying pretty much everything available in search of finding out answers.
Working in tandem, you can give your partner a leg-up over walls, synchronised co-op sniping and use mobile cover with random items, such as ripped off car doors. One thing that is particularly impressive is the mock surrender. One player can lower their weapon and raise their hands. The other can than attack in slow-mo, taking down confused enemies in a neat twist to your standard third-person shooters.
The morality system is something that grabs you during each level too. Towards the end of every level a cutscene ensues. The cutscenes give you the opportunity to murder captured soldiers for extra cash or weapon enhancements, or save their lives and that of compatriots at times during the levels, in aid of getting good karma. This gives the game an extra dimension and also gives plenty of hilarious one-liners, along with the gritty murders you get to commit throughout the game.
Hostage taking is a clever feature as enemies are ranked, from regular soldiers all the way through to elite. If you take someone hostage from a higher rank, you will make other soldiers drop their weapons and surrender. Whilst having the surrender, you are given the option to execute them or to leave them tied, each changing your morality with the decision you choose.
Another introvert technique is that of the ‘aggro’ system. Aggro allows one player to gain the attention of the other enemies whilst the other flanks and attacks them. The player who holds the most aggro glows orange, with the other being shown as blue. The system works well, especially when up against numerous riot-shield officers, making them turn around and become exposed to the flanking player.
Admittedly the enemies become a little monotonous after a while. Their intelligence begins to get a tad bit too predictable and completing levels doesn’t take long. But there are loads of nifty elements to The 40th Day that make it standout from most third-person shooters. It is well worth the buy if you’re a fan of co-op games. The 40th Day probably won’t be up there as a legend of sorts, but it is definitely fun and worthwhile if you decide to get your hands on it.
Joe Wass
Tags: army of two, ea, shooter
