Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad (PC)

“'Comrades! How could we let this happen!? A top-noch game with a heavy focus on stratigical, team based shooting! We were lost in a world of over exaggerated, Hollywood games made on massive budgets. These games are our enemies! But this game...”

“'Comrades! How could we let this happen!? A top-noch game with a heavy focus on stratigical, team based shooting! We were lost in a world of over exaggerated, Hollywood games made on massive budgets. These games are our enemies! But this game breaks the mould! FOR MOTHER RUSSIA!!!'

Story- How to sum up Red Orchestar 2 in 3 words? Dark, realistic, shooter. I don't know about you guys, but shooters have never really apealed to me. I never found any fun in jumping on the 'God bless America' brain-dead band wagon. But Red Orchestra is set during the seige of Stalingrad in August 1942... So good old America doesn't play any part in the game and therefore can't rub their misplaced arrogance in our European faces. Regardless, there is no story mode in Red Orchestra 2, which is very unfortunate considering the Eastern front is a ripe setting for rich and deep story telling and characters. As it stands however Red Orcestra 2 offers the player a selection of objective based missions in large maps that range from torn down cities dotted with bomb craters, to farms and bridges on the border just outside of Stalingrad, and although the singleplayer is there it feels more like multiplayer with bots; which as we've learned from games like Bethesda's 'Brink' that idea never works.

Gameplay- If there is one tip I can give to people speculating Red Orchestra 2 is that you will want a solid Internet connection before hand. There is only one way to play Red Orchestra 2: and that's on multiplayer. The game features a large host of HUGE maps that really immerse the player into the expericence. Rule 1: do not run into the open! Even if you're crossing the street move from bomb crater to bomb crater. Rule 2: do not run-and-gun! Anything that reveals your or your allies position is literally an invite for bullets to pay you a very rude visit! Rule 3: Teamwork.... There is no other way to succeed. Lone wolves will be put down and Rambos will be torn apart. The first person cover system works well here too. If you hunker down inside buildings with your team mates you can gun down the enemy as they charge your position. Weaponry is an important part of your strategy. Machineguns are very immobile, but if you're skilled enough and efficent in deploying and aiming you can let the bullets fly and your enemies will have to duck and weave as they lose themselves in the hail of bullets. It feels truely evil. Rifles- Sharpshooters will have a field-day with these hand cannons! 1 shot- 1 Kill- 1 satisfied gamer. Submachine guns- Definately the mark of a true gun-nut. Officers and assault troops will love these up-close and personal home-wreckers. On a personal note... I love them!

Graphics- Much like the shooter genre, graphics do not reallly hold my attention. Despite this Red Orchestra holds me in. Every pixel, every detail, every nuck, cranny and corner is glorified in dark gothic colours that immerses the player into the universe. I actually play this game in a Russian World War 2 trench coat, so immersion obviously counts a lot more than most people think! It almost acts as motivation for the player to want to contine playing. Granted there are some murky textures and weird glitches, but to be honest you won't be staring too long when the tanks arrive!

9/10 (Just avoid the singleplayer.) ”