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Awesome Sequel!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 29 / 31
Date: October 17, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I was a huge fan of the first Brother's in Arms (Road to Hill 30) and this sequel (Earned in Blood) lives up to the original and surpasses it!

First, let me get the negatives out of the way...

1. There are some sound issues when firing the weapons. Occasionally in the heat of battle, there will be a delay in sound when firing your weapons. This only occured a few times when I played through the game. (probably like 4 or 5 times....it's no biggy)

2. There is also some slow down (with the frame rate I think), usually when there's a lot of enemies and guns firing all at once. This is probably the most annoying problem in the game but it's not bad enough to affect my score. This problem occured about 6 or 7 times when playing through the game and it only lasts a few seconds....so it's no biggy either.

3. The squad mates aren't as funny in this sequel. No conversations to laugh at :(

Now, the positives...

1. The level design is better and the levels feel bigger

2. The Battles! (The battles this time around are more action packed and feel like actual battles)

3. Better A.I. (The enemies will try to flank you when ever they get the chance and this makes for better, more realistic battles)

4. More of a challenge (the difficulty level has definitely moved up a notch, probably as a result of better enemy A.I. and the inclusion of more enemy tanks and armored vehicles in this game. The germans also use a new artillery gun, the 88mm.)

5. More weapons (there's a little new sub machine gun, "The Greaser" and some other new german gun which the fallshrimjager carry. One version of that gun has a scope and the other version doesn't.

6. More vehicles (the germans can now attack you with half-tracks and even more tanks this time around. One level I went through had 4 enemy tanks! There are even horses in another level. You also get to control a new tank yourself, nick named the "Wolverine."

7. New Skirmish mode adds to the replay value. The skirmish mode objectives are pretty tough and were definitely a challenge for me...even on the easy difficulty setting.
In the skirmish mode, you can also play as the germans which is a cool bonus.

Earned In Blood meets my expectations and surpasses the first game, Road To Hill 30. The 2 glitchy technical problems I mentioned before are forgiveable and don't occur too often, so other than that the game is just about perfect!

If you liked the first Brother's in Arms, then this game is a definite must have.

Every bit as satasfying as the original, and then some....

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 18 / 21
Date: October 15, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Earlier this year, Brothers in Arms Road to Hill 30 amazed gamers with its incredible detail and historic acuracy. Earned in Blood doesnt carry such a wow factor as it is more of a continuation rather than a whole new game. This time around, Ubisoft and Gearbox put you in the boots of Cpl. Joe "Red" Hartsock. Your path meshes quite intricatley with the path you took as Baker in the first game. There are many cross over levels that bring back some lovable characters such as Desola, Allen, and Garnett. However, the levels are completely new, filling in the spaces between Hill 30's levels. Earned in Blood offers an assortment of new weapons, the FG-42 being the coolest one in my opinion. There are even new vehicles which are fun to see. Textures in the game have been improved significantly over the first game, but other than that minor change, Earned in Blood looks the same as Hill 30. There is no doubt in my mind that if you enjoyed the first game, this second chapter is very worth your money and time. To new comers of the series, just be cautioned, this game is very brutal at times and the harsh language never lets up. All in all, this is the most realistic WWII experience money can buy. Thanks for reading.

i have never been so pleasantly obliterated

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 10
Date: December 22, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I started playing WWII FPS's back in the original Medal Of Honor days on PS1. I swear i've played most every one since, and though the various titles aren't bad, they were basically just running & gunning with a historical theme that didn't matter much to the game itself. Now this game comes along and completely alters how WWII shooters are made. How?

1) It's no longer you plowing through the entire German army singlehandedly, with only the amount of bullets standing in your way between total annihilation or death. Your squad is with you, and they are VERY important

2) Forget shooting at everything that moves, now you have to use some proper (and minimal) tactics. Have your fire team commence shooting on a position so that the enemy target is suppressed. Then you sneak around the side to flank them while they're busy trying not to get shot by your fire team. Sound easy? Ha! Which leads me to my 3rd point:

3) Holy crap, this game is DIFFICULT! This isn't Medal Of Honor anymore, where the enemies might as well have been cardboard cutouts. These fascists have brains, and a sense of teamwork, and a ruthless ability to exploit any weakness your team tactics display. Seriously, i'm a vet at these games, and i get pummeled regularly. It will take you multiple times to beat any given chapter.

4) Really great story and realistic ambience. It's fascinating that the MoH series really set the bar for these sorts of games, but the series that have eclipsed it (Call Of Duty, Brothers In Arms) have actually improved on what was already a really lush graphical environment replete with orchestral music & deadly serious sound effects. But this game recreates every detail with loving care, and really immerses you in the world.

I was wary that this was going to be just another WWII FPS, but after spending time with it (a LOT of time) this is simply the finest, most challenging, and as a result most rewarding WWII shooter i've ever had the enjoyment to play. Very few games are worth their cover price these days, this is at the front of the list. Be prepared to surrender your life to this one, it is THAT good.

An awesome sequel to one of the best WWII shooters ever put on the market!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: November 25, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Brothers In Arms was something new to the video game world, and especially for the WWII shooter genre. It was one of the first games, and the only WWII game, where you could control your men, and plan attack methods. Did it work? Hell yes it worked, and what we we're now served with is the sequel to that best selling game, which is even better than the first. Why? here's a list,

1. Better gameplay (so many heated firefights, and scenes straight out of "Saving Private Ryan")

2. Tougher difficulty, but just right. (No more easily passing through levels, you'll actually have to fight this time around, your enemies KNOW what you're trying to do.)

3. More amazing effects.... (Buildings explode, people explode, and lighting and textures on destroyed areas are excellent.)

4. No more cheesy voice acting (Wow.... This story is actually really good!)

Plus we have new weapons, a new german weapon (.88) and fantastic new levels, that are even longer than the levels in the original.

So, now that we covered all the good aspects, what's wrong with this game? Well, since there is so much going on, sometimes it lags for a few seconds, but that's about it. Usually you'll notice this when firing an automatic weapon. That's all I can think of at the moment.

Other things to point out, like the first, this game is very violent, with tons of real life war aspects to it. The cursing is there, the explosions, the noise, the grusomeness, and everything in between, this isn't a game for the kids. However, if you enjoy WWII shooters, and you're getting tired of the gun-ho hero feeling of Medal Of Honor, get this game. I guarantee you'll enjoy it 10x more than any other WWII shooter you've played. Thanks for reading.

Unsurpassed Realism!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: November 20, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Earned in Blood is the extremely realistic sequel to Road to Hill 30. If you enjoyed that game, you will appreciate the uncanny realism and excellent game play of the latest Brothers in Arms series.

Players look for different thing in their favorite games so the matter is really subjective. Having said that, here's why Earned in Blood kicks a's:
Sighting and weapons function are true to actual WWII weapons. The Thompson rides up as it fires, the BAR is powerful and accurate and the M1 is as efficient as the real thing.

Very good enemy AI. German soldiers speak German, they are aware when you flank them or throw grenades at them and they will seek cover when fired on.

Ability to assume either German or American roles adds versatility to game play.

Great graphics. The landscape is realistic including bombed out buildings, woods, bunkers etc.

The game allows for a campaign or skirmishes. The skirmishes can be played as defenders or objective based and you chose your side.

Overall this is one of the best WWII games I've ever played. If you are a History fanatic, as I am, you will appreciate the game's realism and sense of "being there". Enjoy.

Absurdly hard, but fun when you are still alive!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: January 09, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Hardest game I have ever played. Period.

Pro's
1. Real-life war strategy comes into play. You must supress and flank every enemy. Requires tactics.
2. Very good graphics and sound
3. For such a complex game, the controls are easy to learn and very basic
4. Skirmish mode lengthens already long story mode
5. Historically accurate guns, vehicles, enemies
6. I love hearing the Germans swear in German that we are flanking them. It's so satisfying knowing you are about to outsmart those Nazi's!
7. A skirmish mission where you have a sniper rifle and lots of Nazis to kill!

Cons
1. I die constantly on the easist difficulty. Maybe I just stink, but it seems unnecessarily hard
2. Those damn machine-guns!!! I can't find a way to kill them.
3. Long loading times which is even more annoying since I die all the time
4. "smash controller" moments when the level starts, you walk up a kill and die instantly
5. Very hard to kill multiple enemies in different places
6. Occasional freezes/laggy frame rate (very occassional, but you automatically die when it happens and you are out in the open)
7. Squad mates occassionally pull stupid manouvres like going on the wrong side of a wall and getting gunned down.

Get this game if you are patient, like military strategy, historic fiction. Do NOT get this game if you get easily frustrated, like going rambo/terminator Halo 2 style shooting, get sad easily. It actually is very depressing when your squad mates die, especially since you "get to know them" during the cut scenes.

This game is almost lived, not merely played!!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: January 10, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Be prepared for an incredibly addictive experience! This is the most realistic, gritty, and compelling FPS that I've ever played. It combines plenty of action with challenging strategy in a historically accurate storyline that immerses you in the game so much that you almost feel like your living through it. The action and graphics are very good, but what makes this game so great is the A.I. These bots are smart!! This is no run and gun FPS, it requires you to think strategically and apply viable tactics in order to succeed. Any weakness in your strategy or tactics will be exploited by the enemy A.I. They adapt their tactics to to yours, and behave in a uncannily realistic way. Your own guys are also very smart and well trained. No need to micro manage them or worry much about them making stupid blunders that defy common sense. This is truly a great game, and is definitely a must have.

AMAZING SEQUEL

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 8
Date: November 02, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Man when my friend got BIA: Earned in Blood, I totally expected the same from the first game. (which was great) But when I sent my guys on a full scale charge around the back, the germans actually attacked me where I was attacking! The AI will actually attempt to flank YOU if you leave that area ungaurded. A new graphics engine makes buildings blow up around you if they are hit by and 88 or something like that. Also, everyone remembers the cool knockdown sequence when Baker was hit by a grenade or something, now depending on the blast, you actually have to go and get your gun that flew out of your hand. The new skrimish mode is pretty cool as well. But they can get really tough playing as the germans. I bought my own copy aproxmately half an hour after playing it. BIA: Earned in Blood is the best WW2 game you will see all year.

Easily one of the best Xbox games to date

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: February 16, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood is easily one of the best Xbox shooters around. With all the buzz about next-generation consoles, this is one of the games that has kind of been forgotten. But if you decide to pass this one up, you'll be missing out on one heck of a game.

Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood puts you in the boots of Joe "Red" Hartsock. In order to truly appreciate the deep storyline, I recommend playing BIA Road to Hill 30 first, as it will make the story a little bit easier to understand. The storyline follows the real-life stories of Hartsock's mates of the US Airborne in the days after the D-Day Invasion. The storyline sort of overlaps that of Matt Baker's Road to Hill 30 experiences, but you will be seeing things from Hartsock's perspective and his experiences from the same time frame. The story is told from a flashback perspective as Hartsock re-tells his experiences to a superior officer. The cut-scenes that move the story along are amazing and truly are impactful on your mood as you play the game.

Gameplay: The gameplay is a revolutionary take on World War II paratrooper combat. The squads you command consist of a fire team and an assault team. You will also get to command tanks in a few missions. The squad command system is easy to use and is a very effective way to tactically move your fire and assault teams around the battlefield. The basic concept behind BIA is to use fire and maneuver tactics. Using your fire team, you can command them to put suppressing fire on the enemy. Once the enemy is suppressed, you can take your assault team around and flank the enemy and go for the kill. It sounds like an easy concept, right? WRONG. This game can be very difficult at times, especially on the harder difficulties. When there are multiple groups of enemies all over the screen, it can be nearly impossible to effectively suppress them and flank them. That is when the eagle's eye view comes in handy. The eagle's eye is a way to pause the action and get an aerial view of the battlefield, showing you and your squad's positions and the enemies positions. The eagle's eye comes in handy to help you make tactical decisions on how you are going to attack the enemy. If you choose to run and gun your way through the missions rather than using tactics, you will be blown to pieces. A couple of shots will kill you, making it necessary to use cover and to make tactical decisions.

Graphics: The graphics in the game are very realistic and have a life-like look to them. All the landscapes and buildings in the game are full of texture and color. Your squadmates and the enemies are very detailed and look very true to life. All the weapons look awesome, modeled very closely to their real-life counterparts. The graphics aren't perfect, though. Throughout the game, you will come across different buildings, landscapes, characters, etc. that look very unpolished and seem like they were never truly finished. These moments are scarce though, and overall, the graphics are very nice.

Sound: I could go on and on about this for days. There is only one word to describe the sound: STUNNING. The weapons, the voices, the vehicles, everything is utterly amazing. From the roar of a Thompson to the pounding of an MG42, the sound is great, even with a standard audio set-up. Hooking it up to surround sound just makes things even better. Surround sound really pulls you into the action and makes things more intense.

Value: With the addition of skirmish mode, this game is certainly worth $50 bucks. The single player is definitely replayable and the frantic action of Brothers in Arms never gets old.

Tilt: When I first got this game the day it came out, I played it for 5 hours straight (the longest I've ever gone). The storyline is just addicting. It keeps you coming back for more. This is one of those games that won't come out your Xbox until its over.

Conclusion: Brothers in Arms Earned in Blood provides one of the most unique and exciting experiences that few other games can offer. Even with the next generation consoles rolling in, this is one Xbox experience you do not want to miss.

Best WW2 shooter (if not best shooter at that)

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: April 21, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I can easily beat the game on authentic, so it's not that difficult; it gets easier when you learn things from playing paintball and airsoft. There is the blurring of the rear sight which is authentic, limbs get blown off, but the gun never jams or overheats (you never see a weapon jam in a videogame though). Yes, there is a reaction when people get shot, and there is even the "gurgle of death" from the wind escaping the guy's lungs. This is no MoH or CoD game here; this is the GOOD stuff :)

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