User Reviews (11 - 21 of 94)

Show these reviews first:

Highest Rated
Lowest Rated Newest
Oldest Most Helpful
Least Helpful

CLANS are for GEEKS

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 12
Date: May 23, 2002
Author: Amazon User

First of all, clans are for geeks and people who spend more time pretending than enjoying real life. Practicing, reporting for duty, and drills? gimme a friggin break. It's a game. Get a life.
Join a real army- enlist.
F eight

Pros and cons

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: July 27, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Pros
-Realistic damage to enemy bodies
-nice selection of weapons and items
-variety of missions (stealth, commando, etc.)
-weapon animations

Cons

-Some what of a classic storyline (bad guy's got a super weapon and you gotta stop em)
-darn near impossible to be stealthy on any mission (enemies can see you though walls if they are alerted, use infared goggles to see them back)
-only 2 quiet weapons (socom pistol w/ suppressor, and knife)
-visibility distance is poor (foggy on all open maps)
. but the only problem is being stealthy... the enemy is able to see you through walls if if your pressence is known.

Underrated game...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 5 / 8
Date: July 01, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Soldier of Fortune 2 (SOF2) is another one of the long awaited first person shooters (FPS) released this year that borrows its technology from the popular Quake engine. The game begins with you controlling a modern-day mercenary who is given more top secret access than most everyday "citizens." As the story unwinds, your character is sent on a wide variety of missions ranging from urban landscapes in East Europe to the jungles of South America. Your character is allowed to equip himself before most missions with his choice of weaponry. There are plenty of fun items in your arsenal such as thermal goggles, nightvision goggles, sniper rifles, smoke grenades, flash grenades, grenade launchers and throwing knives.

While the singleplayer campaign is okay, it's probably not as enjoyable as other FPS games on the market. One thing to note is that stealth plays a large part in your character's movement. Some missions require you to move without being detected while others are plain easier if you can avoid detection until the last possible moment. Some people do not find this enjoyable in FPS games so keep it in mind if you plan on spending a majority of your time with the singleplayer mode.

The multiplayer mode is great fun but as with most first person shooters, it really helps to have broadband or some other fast internet connection. The most enjoyable games are on the servers with the largest amounts of players and these can only be accessed with high speed modems. For those limited in online speed, one great feature is the random map generator that allows you to play a variety of missions including assassination, sabotage, escape, etc. against bots (computer controlled opponents) in singleplayer mode. The multiplayer comes with the same random map generator and can spawn capture the flag matches in a variety of landscape settings and sizes. In both modes, random seeds can be types into the generator that make a variety of land obstacles in the map. One complaint from many gamers is that the random map generator always generates large amounts of fog in maps that some find difficult to play through. I myself enjoyed it and found it more challenging.

ACTION FANS - 5 STARS - SOF2 isn't as user-friendly in its movement as games such as Unreal Tournament or Castle Wolfenstein because it moves at a slower pace. On the same token, those expecting a game as realistic as Operation Flashpoint will be disappointed. It's a nice mixture of the two and besides the random maps available in multiplayer there are also a number of pre-designed urban and rural maps that are fun to play especially in infiltration games that require your team to steal a briefcase from the other team.

STRATEGY FANS - 2 STAR - The singleplayer mode requires a little bit of strategy and you can't jump out with guns blazing like you can in some FPS games but it's primarily an action game.

ADVENTURE/RPG FANS - 2 STARS - I found the story in the game a little boring and there aren't many RPG aspects in SOF2. If you enjoy shoot `em ups, especially ones with modern weapons, you will probably enjoy SOF2.

X FACTOR - GHOUL AND RMG - 3 STARS - SOF2 tried two novel concepts in its game. The first was the Ghoul engine that promised to bring gory shootings to a whole new level. There are plenty of different body parts blown away in SOF2 but I have always felt violence is overrated in games. If you enjoy games strictly for graphic violence, SOF2 will appeal to you. The other novel concept was the random map generator included in singleplayer and multiplayer. One problem I had with the RMG was that the maps really aren't that random. You can change the terrain from snow to jungles and add different seeds to change the structures but in the end, all the maps are pretty much the same.

BUGS - 5 STARS - Very few bugs or crashes. Everything worked fine.

REPLAY VALUE - 3 STARS - It's unfortunate that SOF2 doesn't have a larger fan following because it is a very fun and addictive online game. It's been out long enough to gather support but it doesn't look like it will ever attract as many servers or players as recent games such as Medal of Honor or Castle Wolfenstein. It still has a large enough following at the moment to find a decent server at anytime but it could decline rapidly if more games are released that attract the FPS crowd. Because it's based on the popular Quake engine, new maps shouldn't be much of a problem as many gamers are already familiar with the editor necessary in SOF2 but the question remains if there will be enough willing mappers in the SOF2 fan community to make the game last. There have already been a few MODS released for the game and only time will tell if the fan community can sustain this game.

Well worth the money

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: December 12, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This was a really great and entertaining shooter. It's well worth the money as it gave me many, many hours of challenging gameplay. As I'm sure everybody knows, it's based on the Q3 engine which is becoming a little dated. The graphics and cut scenes are not the greatest anymore -- but they're still quite good. Best of all, the AI is much improved over the original SOF (QII engine). The bots often give you a really decent contest -- especially at the higher levels. Some players complain that the bots shoot too well, see through cover and always throw grenades with perfect accuracy. This is what makes the game. After all, you're the one with unlimited "lives" who can always try again. Other gamers don't like the number of weapons the game allows you to carry. If this is the case, drop all the ones you think are unrealistic. Also, you're allowed to pick the weapons you carry before each mission. Play with just a knife if you think that will make a better game. SOFII has less of an "arcade" feel to it as compared to the original. Except in a few places, the targets don't act as much like pop-ups. This is a very linear game. There are objectives which you meet and then you move on to another level. There are no "secret places" to find or complex puzzles to solve. A couple of half-hearted "stealth missions" are thrown in (bummer), but they don't last long. There are a few bugs (at least on my system). Other than the usual clipping errors (floating bodies and weapons), there are certain places where the bots are able to poke their weapons and shoot through solid metal doors, etc. In another place, I watched in disbelief as my armor and health decreased when a bot shot at me on the other side of a concrete post. Some powerful bullets here. The worst bug was a badly designed level near the end. You seem able to go into a hallway where the designers don't want you. Instead of the usual barrier or locked door, you simply get shot "dead" out of "the blue" everytime you try to enter this hallway. Very annoying. I liked the fact that, as with most Q3 based games, almost everything is adjustable. The default gory graphics are a bit over the top but they can be toned down in stages (along with decals, amount of brass shown, etc.). The plot and dialog are a bit cheesy, but who the hell cares? The same is true in most of these games (how about RTCW?). And finally, there is the multiplayer component which is absolutely great and is icing on the cake. SOFII belongs in any FPS gamer's collection.

SOF2 BIG DISAPPOINTMENT

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 4 / 8
Date: June 19, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I have to admit I didn't play much of the game after I saw the graphics. NOT as good as the first SOF. Don't waste 50 bucks on this one.

Less Violent; Still FUN!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: January 21, 2003
Author: Amazon User

To cut to the chase; this is one very good video game! Specifically a "first-person shooter".

I got this game for Christmas & since that time, I've been playing it like a twitching junkie!

Upto 2 hours per sitting, and I'm not even good at it!

"Now, the bad news:"

IT'S FUN FOR FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

After playing it for a while it occurred to me: This game was not meant to be "G" rated kid-safe edutainment. This game is supposed to be pulse-pounding, night-marish & in-your-face!

In the new version, all the bad guys are so far away that when you shoot them, all you see is a little blood and then they fall down - all at a far-off distance. No dismemberment, no decapitations, nothing too offensive to the senses.

Imagine doing a remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre as an all-star musical variety, produced by RadioDisney. (OK maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration)

The original SOF was a wonderful stress-reliever. Not just killing the bad guys.... The game's appeal was the ridiculously violent slaughter & senseless blood-shed, upclose & personal. Arms, brains, legs (or pieces thereof), bones, blood, intestines... The Works!

Anyone who would call the first Soldier Of Fortune "over-the-top" would be completely justified - but I STILL LOVE IT! (call me a sicko).

"Now, the GOOD NEWS:"

The game itself is extremely good, challenging (though not impossible) and very habit-forming. It offers a variety of different missions. Escape from a POW camp, an assassination mission, an infiltration, a demolition mission, etc. Five different skill-levels and several terrain & weather conditions to choose from.

Like its predecessor, this game has exceptional 3D graphics (notice the raindrops & fog), never a dull-moment.

Double Helix's 3D world in which you move around provides a totally believable 'virtual envirronment'. It's very easy to get lost in the moment - sometimes for hours on end.

Another good quality Double Helix retained from the original Soldier Of Fortune 1 is the ease of use of controls. No huge textbook to study. You just jump right in & start playing. Both games allow you to customize the keyboard controls to nearly anything you want. Very easy!

Bottom Line: Thumbs Up! If I were to give this one a school grade - I'd give it an B+ / Buy it! You'll like it.

great multiplayer game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: May 03, 2004
Author: Amazon User

SoF II is an excelent multiplayer game. Capture the Flag mode is like Counter Strike, but after being killed, one doesn't have to sit and watch others play. This is great for those who just want to shoot, shoot, shoot, and blow some more stuff up. This would be worthy of five stars if the single player mode wasn't so poor. That is just boring. This game is best played as a multiplayer game.

seriously awsome

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: February 08, 2003
Author: Amazon User

THE GOOD: Nearly every aspect of Soldier of Fortune II is well done. The graphics and gameplay are amazing, the audio f/x are crisp, and both the single AND multiplayer modes are satisfying. Unlike Return to Castle Wolfenstein (in which the multiplayer game is strong and the single player campaign average) or Medal of Honor (which has a stellar single player game with a weak multiplayer package), Soldier of Fortune II delivers with both. The single player game is quite long in comparison with other first person shooters, and provides 15 to 20 hours of gameplay filled with exploding heads, blown off limbs, and spurting neck wounds. The multiplayer game is my new second favorite, topped only by Return to Castle Wolfenstein. The modes include Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Elimination, Infiltration, and Capture the Flag.

THE BAD: The stealth levels are kind of annoying and a joke. The original SofF didn't bother with stealth levels, and prided itself on being an intense no-frills shooter. Though don't worry, there are very few moments where stealth is required. The rest of the game is filled with the expected mayhem and intense fire fights.

THE UGLY: The sound of blood gurgling into the throat of victims shot in the neck.

BOTTOM LINE: BUY THIS GAME! You will not be dissapointed! Whether you like a solid single player campaign, or hours of replay value in an addicting multiplayer package, SofF II is the best shooter to be released since Return to Castle Wolfenstein, and I highly recommend it.

Why did they disable the alias function?

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 10 / 34
Date: May 17, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I like SOF2 HOWEVER those of us who use aliases are not going to be buying this game (about 40 clans that I know of).

For some reason the alias function has been turned off, this is quite annoying. For those who DON'T know, aliases allow users to customize their controls. For instance to be able to bind 10 "say" messages to a single key as opposed to have to use 10 seperate keys. Without the alias command I doubt very much this game will catch on and last for more than a month or so.

I'll be playing the demo, But to pay for a game that cannot be customized is nonsense. Everyone in the know won't give this game a second glance. Good flash and bang but as far as staying power? SOF2 will hardly last in the 'PC' game market.

Nice try Raven, but alas if I wanted a Playstation I would have bought one :(

Thumbs Down! Paying for the game is really no big deal but to invest time into playing, growing the community and forming clans without aliases... I say NAY!

Other game makers take notice...

This was SUPRISINLGY good...until...:

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 6
Date: November 17, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I agree with virtually everything va_dave wrote in his review, but nonetheless I came away with an overall sense of having enjoyed myself. For a while. I liked the single-player mode enough to finish it. It reminds me a lot of Deus Ex (in part because of the voice-over actors.) I wish they would have included Deus Ex's weapon carrying limit. On one hand they try to emulate realisim with super-graphic violence, but then they let players carry fourteen rifles. Silly!

It's VERY linear...so much so that I couldn't finish certain missions without having to go back into the house to exit through a specific window (in Colombia.) The AI is not great, neither for your enemies nor your team-mates, and I wish I could move more things...nothing but trolleys blocking your way in the hospital, which seem nailed to the floor. The game looks good, as you'd expect from the Q3 engine.

Unfortunately, I ultimately got stuck in a level called Kamchatka, and could not leave. I killed everybody, took out the safety grid, but was not able to complete the last task. I spent twenty minutes at three different times running around the map...no way out. Stupid. I can't help but wonder what I missed, and believe me, it couldn't have been obvious. Like. I play a lot of these games, virtually every FPS that coems to market (everything from serious Sam to Jedi Outcast to No One Lives Forever.) I can't stand poor level design. Sigh.

The violence is gratuitous, no question about it, but you knew that before you read this review. Multiplayer feels Quake-like. I still prefer (the very tired) Counter-Strike, and I'm surprised they didn't emulate it. Limit players to one main and one back-up weapon which can be bought at the outset of the round, or picked up in the game.

I really enjoy First Person Shooters, but would enjoy something new as well. Let's face it...we're all waiting for Duke Nukem to return, and show us how it's done.

Review Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next 

Actions