Some games companies are so lazy with their storylines these days. Take Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood, for example. You’re a private in the US army, right, who’s in something called the “Second World War”. Whilst trying to survive the onslaught of the Nazi empire, you’ll face guards, machine guns, tanks, dogs, mines and anything else at their disposal en route to Berlin in order to storm the bunker of some chap called Hitler, who’s the big bad boss, apparently. Come on Gameloft, how many times have we heard all this before? Sorry, what’s that? It’s based on real historical events and the Second World War actually happened? Oh, well; that’s a different matter, then.
So, the storyline might sound familiar, which is quite forgivable all things considered, but in terms of capturing the experience and atmosphere of the war, it does a fair job in it’s own little “I’m not conforming” kind of way. And while it tries to replicate that of its more advanced Xbox and PS2 cousins, from which the mobile game is loosely inspired, it’s never going to make you jump, or your heart beat any faster than normal. If you love creeping around corners, full of suspense, to be faced by a man with a gun pointed at you whilst you rely on your reflexes and precision aim, then this isn’t for you. If, however, you like simple games that involve strolling along, blowing away the bad guys en masse and progressing to the next level, then this is great fun.
It’s been designed with an overhead view, making the levels very easy to navigate, and you’ll never get lost as you’re constantly prompted by a big red arrow pointing you in the right direction. Along the way you’ll pick up new weapons like flame throwers and missile launchers and on certain levels you’re required to drive a tank and blow up everything that moves. By using extra buttons you’re able to move the giant gun, and with the aid of automated aiming, can shoot the targets without working up a sweat. This isn’t as brainless as it sounds as you still have to aim in roughly the right direction before it helps you, and it compensates rather well for the problems using controls on handheld devices. The only flaw is when you’re trying to shoot diagonally, which may cost you a few lives before working it out and how on Earth you’re going to get around the enemy. All in all, though, Brothers in Arms offers up some great gameplay, even if the soldier you control looks more like Super Mario than Tom Hanks, with his little legs going like mad. It’s quite a funny sight and unlikely to scare your average SS guard.
The levels are all fairly short which is perfect for the flow of the game, and your progress is automatically saved for returning to the battle later on. This makes it great for playing anywhere, without needing to spend hours on individual levels trying to find keys and get passwords and the like. It’s a lovingly crafted, simple game to get into and will keep you going right up until it‘s completed, which is sadly inevitable given there are only seven missions, but you’ll have had your money’s worth by then.
Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood
A great game that won’t last forever but will certainly give you a few hours of fun
