Well folks, Brute Force is finally here. Does it live up to it's billing? Is it the squad-based Halo that everybody dreamed of? In a word, no. Brute Force is not without it's weak points, but whatever it lacks in those, it surely makes up for it's outstanding gameplay. It's a lot more action packed as the battles can get very intense which warrants more playing time to perfect your skill. This game can be a squad-based shooter given the time and option, but I believe that most people will just run and gun this game without using tactics. But using the tools that Digital Anvil has given you can benefit you and your entire team.

Graphics

These graphics are pretty eye-popping in the beginning. The particle effects are second to none and everything is bump-mapped, even Brutus' scales. The main four characters are superbly done. Curves are where they need to be on the female models and the male characters look slick and muscular. The environments are pretty good, but they do get very repetitive and some of them are sparsely detailed like Ferix, homeworld of Brutus. The good thing about the levels is that most of them are pretty big so that you can run around just about anywhere. The enemies on the other hand are a different story. It seems there wasn't much work or imagination put in them. You have your basic soldiers and mutants to shoot. That's about it. They are barely detailed and it just feels boring shooting the same enemies over and over again.

Gameplay

This is truly where the game shines. Strategy is the key to most battles and you can command all your squad mates and tell them what to do and put them in tactical positions to help you get an advantage. You have the basic commands of hold, fire at will and move over there, which is all you really need. The control scheme is exactly the same as Halo with a few exceptions like using B to switch between your inventory and L to use them. When battles get frantic using the black button to automatically use health is very handy and white is to use each charater's special ability. The AI for your squad mates are usually spot on as Flint will snipe any incoming enemies and Tex will blast anything that comes his way. They even know when to use their medkits. The enemy AI does your basic dodging grenades and looking for cover, but sometimes they just stand there ignoring you waiting for you to blast them.

Where the game really adds another dimension is if you have three other friends to play with you. Calling for cover, and telling them about a mis-thrown grenade is a great experience. You can choose to go slow or just blast the heck out of everything in your way. 4-player co-op for this game is it's strongest point.

Sound

The sounds are pretty basic. You have your one-liners from your squad along with death screams from them and your enemies. The weapons sound like what they should and everything sounds like the same when all weapons are fired during an intense firefight.

Overall

This game really could have been something else if the story was more involving and the gameplay a little more engaging at times, but don't get me wrong the gameplay is top-notch only it feels like they're something missing. This is a good game and probably worth the money if you have friends that want to play that 4 player co-op.

"As my friend would say the first time he saw Brutus, "Hahaha, I'm playing as a giant lizard"."

--Alvin

Graphics - main characters and environments are pretty good albeit a little repetitive. Enemies could use more work.	9.3
Sound - nothing bad, but nothing spectacular either.	7.5
Gameplay - all games should play like this and with friends, 4 times the fun.	9.6
Satisfaction - it tends to get a little repetitive after a while, but newer levels create more challenges.	8.2
Overall	8.4