Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway

INFORMATION
Genre: shooter; Tactical;
Number of Players: 1
The presence of a network game: there is / 32
Web site: open
Release Dates
Russia: 05/11/2008
Europe: 10/10/2008
Japan: 10/10/2008
USA: 10/07/2008
DEVELOPER
Gearbox Software
PUBLISHER
Russia: Buka Entertainment
Europe: Ubisoft
Japan: Ubisoft
USA: Ubisoft

Magazine review «PC GAMES» 8.0

brief story Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway

In early 2006, were announced the continuation of the three most famous FPS in the scenery of the Second World War: Call of Duty , Medal of Honor and Brothers in Arms . The developers have promised not saying a word to release their creations by November. Gamers rubbing their hands in anticipation of stiff competition. Alas, the hot battle for the wallets of consumers did not happen. Just in time there was only platformers Call of Duty 3 (published by Actvision for some reason did not want to port this part of the series on PC). Release Medal of Honor: Airborne was delayed for ten months. Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway at all too late for nearly two years.

They can only dream of peace

Since the opening of a second front in Normandy, it took three months. While the sergeant of the American 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles" Matt Baker told recruits about their battles for the French town of Carentan, the commander Bernard Law Montgomery was preparing a plan of operation Market Garden (a Russian history books known as "The Garden"). As conceived by British Field Marshal, dropped into the enemy's rear 35 000 infantrymen had to take several large bridges in the south and east of the Netherlands to open the two armored divisions to go straight to the industrial cities of Germany.


This scene could easily claim the title of "most unconvincing kiss in the history of computer games"
During several missions the U.S. Marines and just do what they destroy the German 88-millimeter guns
The operation failed. Despite a series of local victories, the Allies did not manage to free the strategically important city of Arnhem. The situation changed dramatically on the fifth day of battle: evening of September 22 kampfgruppa Jungwirth burnt convoy of British trucks seized control over the road from Eindhoven to Nijmegen and thus cut off the best parts from the rear. Establish communication through the so-called "Hell road" and worn properly evacuate the unit managed only 27th. Montgomery promised Christmas celebrations in Berlin were canceled.

Great avtougon
Amusing incident occurred at the end of September this year in the English town of Northampton. Police patrolling the street noticed the truck parked with fake numbers. Inside the truck were 16 000 stolen discs Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway for PlayStation 3, the total cost of 600 thousand pounds. The find was placed in the guarded parking lot. A couple of hours the kidnappers drove the truck directly from under the noses of police. Investigators did not even take fingerprints. A few days later found the stolen car in the nearby town of Bradford, just drive in it was gone.


Of course, desecrate the grave is not good, but what can you do if the tombstone - the best cover at the moment?
As you can see, the habit of daub on their form with words came from American soldiers before the war in Vietnam
Strategy for victory

In the first two parts of the Brothers in Arms commanding skills valued no less ability to shoot straight at the enemy. In principle, you could go through the game without expending a single bullet. Required to repeat a number of uncomplicated action: first, to order a cover band to suppress the activity of the enemy heavy fire, and then send the silent assault force to attack from the flank of Fritz.

It would seem that with the increase of the levels and the number of units available for gamers to provide greater tactical freedom. And here and there. The appearance in Hell's Highway guys with grenade launchers and heavy machine guns on anything not affected. As before, success brings the principle of "push the enemy to the ground, and then hitting it with an unprotected side." As before, the enemy's rear or flank is the one and only way, other workarounds tightly closed rows of trees, high walls, piles of debris or any appliances.


In this mission, enemy tanks go in a circle. Best to take refuge behind a stone wall not come up with grenade
Leave one cartridge makes no sense. Simply unload the clip to end and insert a new card
Virtual shooting range

Developers considerably simplified combat system. The war has become a daring fun. Even at an affordable after the passing game the highest level of the main character reminds edakogo Terminator. Screw in the body of the bullet causing intermittent failure of the processor, causing the screen is painted in red. The more words lead to richer red spots before his eyes. Enough to sit out in the secluded village of a couple of seconds, everything returns to normal. Cybernetic commando again ready to perform the task.


So be it, trample on flower beds neatly with the growing flowers will not. Head over to the right
In addition, the paratroopers have learned to cling to the shelter, neither give nor take commandos from Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas . Fire very easily. Raised his head and leaned around the corner, including the "zoom", waited crosshair shrink to the minimum, then pulled the trigger. Bach, boom, boom - all ready. Why make some maneuvers, when the enemy can quickly place bets again from long range semi-automatic rifles M1 Garand or machine gun BAR? Not a game, a shooting gallery. Only instead of cans with bear cubs utyatkami - swarming Fritz.
About a third of the game have to go it alone. In those moments, Hell's Highway is no different from a typical corridor shooter. Cleaned the room, reload, go further. And so on until no pereb'ete all ensconced in the building of the Germans. The most important mistake - the three missions, which need to manage the English tank. Only manage to mow down infantry and machine gun fire from well-armored "Tigers" shot in the forehead.

Brothers in compiling

Gearbox Software creation is literally woven from a variety of loans. Ideas were taken from both popular movies and games from competitors. A brief retelling of the previous series is the manner of "Lost," a ferry across the narrow creek furnished in the best traditions of the stage landing of "Saving Private Ryan." The above arcade pokatushki a tank taken from Call of Duty 2 , killing almost a company of German infantry sniper rifle - from the Medal of Honor Allied Assault , colorful slow motion apt hits - from Max Payne . Speaking of repeats. At first you seemed spellbound, looking at the screen. "Wow, all of the machine cut off the bastard hip. Wow! "However, towards the middle of the game pay attention to some inconsistencies. "It seems to be throwing a grenade at his feet gently, but for some reason enemy shards tore half of the skull." And in time to notice that the developers advertised the physical model is not so realistic. Yes, you can crumble to pieces the wooden fence, but the windows of some buildings inserted bulletproof glass, and the roads blocked by anti-armor trucks. However, this sin of almost all modern FPS.

Unrealistic beauty

Why no complaints, so it's a graph. At the moment, Hell's Highway - one of the most beautiful games on the engine, Unreal Engine 3.0. Most of the events unfolding in the vicinity of Eindhoven, but the gamers there is no sense of monotony. Sunny beds with tomatoes in villages give way to the city streets with cozy two-story houses in the center and the huge factory buildings on the outskirts. Daytime missions successfully alternated with night.

Almost every frame is filled with many details. Even the smallest objects are traced up to the last detail. Why are only the frescoes on the walls of the church or lying in ordinary homes patterned carpets!


One-way ticket

Developers Hell's Highway does not have the gameplay of fundamental changes, just some places have shifted emphasis. It seems to be left in their place: here you and your buddy command, and suppress the enemy fire, and strays from the flanks. But somehow, with each new mission is increasingly catching myself thinking that this is not an original design, special effects and packed with beautiful twin brother, Call of Duty and Medal of Honor . Interactive performance in which every scene is clearly stated. Bright, interesting, sometimes even exciting ... but you do not have freedom of choice. You seem to glide across the engine pre-laid tracks to the end station. No, it's not bad. The game deserves the highest praise. Beginners will surely be delighted by it, but it is not the fact that she will like loyal fans of the series.