Was Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 As Good As I Remember?

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  • Опубліковано 4 жов 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 107

  • @DarqIce
    @DarqIce Рік тому +26

    This game so needs a remake. I still think the command interface, the responses of your squad and their autonomy in combat was amazing, immersive and realistic.

  • @dastemplar9681
    @dastemplar9681 2 роки тому +41

    Brothers in Arms is clearly WWII games done right. Completely authentic and immersive with actual characters. Instead of jumping all over the globe, you are simply focused on your squad, the battle/operation that you’re in, and all that’s right in front of you. Nothing more.
    No secret missions, no super Nazi weapon, no multi-National campaign that covers the same battles that we have played through again and again and again.
    The game actually puts value on keeping your squad alive since it’s absolutely hard to complete a mission/chapter without them. You actually have to think and move like a team leader of a squad of paratroopers and the story is actually really good with each squad member having his own personality, quirks, and value to the team.
    Props to Gearbox for doing extensive research for the Bros in Arms story. Even as far as to replicate the very landscape that was fought on. It’s a real shame we are left with a cliffhanger at Hell’s Highway, someone needs to bring back Brothers in Arms and give it the rightful finale it deserves.

    • @Skumtomten1
      @Skumtomten1 Рік тому +4

      Never been a fan of fps games in general, especially campaigns because it mostly consists of tedious shooting of never-ending enemies.
      The BiA games were different though, and I actually really enjoyed them. There was a sense of satisfaction when taking down multiple enmies that I had never experienced before in single player, and much has to do with the squad combat as you said making combat feel meaningful.
      I also felt like the "clunky" movement somewhat added to the game, made it feel like i'm carrying multiple heavy weapons wearing heavy uniforms with protection. The weapons also felt really impactful and satisfying, not like cod where the weapons feel like toy guns due to how fast you can move,reload and aim in those game. I beleive they even used real audio recordings for the weapons, hence the fantastic sounds.

    • @zackdeew9757
      @zackdeew9757 Рік тому +2

      need new BiA but set in the Pacific theatre

    • @seanbaeker4310
      @seanbaeker4310 Рік тому +2

      How can you handle snow? -Legitt

    • @Railhog2102
      @Railhog2102 9 місяців тому +2

      Same, It was like playing through Band Of Brothers which was also popular at the time being the 2000s and it did something different gameplay wise

    • @Railhog2102
      @Railhog2102 9 місяців тому +3

      ​@zackdeew9757 Speaking of which did you know that the 101st Airborne and other units in Europe were supposed to deploy to the Pacific theatre once the war in Europe ended, After VE Day the Japanese home island was supposed to be invaded before the atomic bombs were dropped

  • @SouthwestTed
    @SouthwestTed 3 роки тому +64

    Your aim in the game not always being accurate is intentional by the developers. It is designed to simulate real combat where you're under duress, suppressed by the enemy, adrenaline pumping and out of breath. If you've ever sprinted then tried to aim straight, your aim will be off too. That's why the aim in the game isn't consistent. I definitely noticed this playing the game growing up and found it annoying. Great video!

    • @MayorHairBear
      @MayorHairBear  3 роки тому +14

      Glad you enjoyed the video mate! I know the aiming inconsistencies were the devs implementing a feeling of realism to the first-person shooter genre and I love that they were trying something different but, for me it just gets tiresome and frustrating.

    • @russelledwards001
      @russelledwards001 Рік тому +6

      @@MayorHairBear I’m replaying it doesn’t bother me really it’s quite realistic plus you can just send your boys in.

    • @DarqIce
      @DarqIce Рік тому +3

      Yup. It's also designed so you're more motivated to use your squad - to lead as a squad leader is supposed to. Otherwise, I'd just be another COD, MOH, Rambo thingy...
      I LOVED the squad commands. In the last installment there was this mission where you effectively commanded, what was it, 16 people in 4 squads (I forget the exact number, but it was massive for like a single player FPS)? It was amazing to do it so effectively, with like 4 types of commands. Move, suppress, attack, special attack right? The command system in this game was totally underrated. A bit like the BF2 command wheel. Both of these were never surpassed by other games, imo...

    • @tsfullerton
      @tsfullerton Рік тому +3

      @@DarqIce Late in HHwy you get three teams, three guys in each.

    • @DarqIce
      @DarqIce Рік тому +1

      @@tsfullerton Exactly, you're supposed to clear a field of Germans and it was so damn immersive. I only felt this kind of massive emersion (pre-MMOG) in Battlezone (from 1998) where you had a similar first-person command system that was very effective. That game was ahead of its time as well!

  • @ryanmcwilliams8784
    @ryanmcwilliams8784 2 роки тому +15

    God Troy baker really voiced everyone

    • @MayorHairBear
      @MayorHairBear  2 роки тому +6

      He is everywhere 😂

    • @ryanmcwilliams8784
      @ryanmcwilliams8784 2 роки тому +1

      @@MayorHairBear I seriously wish a AAA developer would put the time and effort into a good WW2 shooter like these had so much fun back in the day and my love of history. They have almost endless wars they could do something like this with yet we just get COD over and over again

  • @anikan2000
    @anikan2000 3 роки тому +19

    You go through a series and review it. I really fucking like that, seriously. I feel like I just found a super underrated reviewer

    • @MayorHairBear
      @MayorHairBear  3 роки тому +1

      Thank you so much, I do my best although this probably isn't the best example as I need to review Hells Highway still 😂

  • @TheGoIsWin21
    @TheGoIsWin21 Рік тому +11

    The moment I always remember from this game specifically, was when escorting a friendly tank an enemy AI squad, organically, decided to fire off an anti-tank weapon destroying it. I, unfortunately, was standing too close and was launched, in first person view, through the air, dying in a bloody ditch.
    For the time the game came out, this was an astonishing experience. It wasn't a set-piece, dooming the tank to infinite deaths. Had I been standing further away, it would have been fine. I was a teenager and had never experienced something like that in a video game before.

    • @tsfullerton
      @tsfullerton Рік тому

      Yes, correct it's called friendly fire. Nasty. Organic, astonishing.

    • @williammcginnis7772
      @williammcginnis7772 6 місяців тому +1

      man one time I took cover behind the wrong place and an anti tank gun destroyed the wall throwing me down and stealing most of my health, those fact that you can get thrown by explosions and still live is grand.

    • @matthewjones39
      @matthewjones39 6 місяців тому +2

      @@tsfullertonA tank exploding killing someone next to the tank is not friendly fire. The tank mistaking a friendly as the enemy and shooting is friendly fire.

    • @tsfullerton
      @tsfullerton 6 місяців тому

      Now corrected. @@matthewjones39

  • @MrBrunchies
    @MrBrunchies 4 місяці тому +1

    Just playing through this series for the first time and they did an amazing job with it the combat is definitely strategic fun stuff.

  • @TheBadGamer2-
    @TheBadGamer2- Рік тому +5

    sometimes with certain video games, i prefer realism over gameplay, brothers in arms is definitely one of those games. i loved this series when it came out.

    • @faydulaksono
      @faydulaksono 10 місяців тому

      this or EIB and hell highway , which better?

    • @truepatriot3768
      @truepatriot3768 6 місяців тому

      ​@@faydulaksono hells highway is good game ( not great ) Rth30 & eib are deeply flawed game with nothing like realism, those who call it realistic must never have played real tactical shooters such as arma series

  • @raseli4066
    @raseli4066 3 роки тому +5

    I criticise great games like this, not out of bad intentions. But out of love.
    I have replayed this game afew times and I love so much about it

  • @Rbcop1
    @Rbcop1 3 місяці тому +1

    I think the criticism about the emotional attachment to the brothers are valid if you take this game in isolation but you do get more of these characters in the following games and the series. Also if you bought the game on disc you got a manual that gave a description of each character, which helped with getting to know the characters. I'd love to see a remake where these relationships are fleshed out and more sombre moments between the characters are included in the game. We're still waiting for the last entry to the series. Best WW2 shooter series IMO.

  • @MishaElRusito
    @MishaElRusito 6 місяців тому +1

    I think the best BiA is definitely Hell's highway. It still looks and plays amazing today.

  • @Railhog2102
    @Railhog2102 9 місяців тому +1

    In the early to mid 2000s at the start of the millennium World War II were at the height of their popularity, This was due to the film Saving Private Ryan and it's follow up miniseries Band Of Brothers which this game is based off

  • @Hammer_Of_Olympia
    @Hammer_Of_Olympia 3 роки тому +3

    This channel is still such a gem goddamn i can’t wait to binge watch! Keep up the great videos man

    • @MayorHairBear
      @MayorHairBear  3 роки тому +1

      Thank you for the support mate! I hope you enjoy the videos 🙌

    • @Hammer_Of_Olympia
      @Hammer_Of_Olympia 3 роки тому

      @@MayorHairBear absolutely have been man and also congratulations on your marriage! Anyway, take it easy man. Don’t work yourself to death haha

  • @outerheavenorphan4953
    @outerheavenorphan4953 3 роки тому +5

    Perfectly described. Pacing. I expected Band of Brothers the game where bondaries between war movie and war game were expected revolutionary step forward but it missed that massive airborne infantry gameplay that blown us away in COD1 US campaign. This game was from 90% shrinked to 2- 7 squad members. The opening hill30 had that desired flavor then folowed in the same pace on Dday jump but then it started to feel kind of weak. I waited days +1 +2 +3.. still waiting for that massive link up which never came. When mission d+6 and battle for Carentan started a was dissapointed that instead of full force of couple hundered soldiers it was up to Baker half dozen to take the city. If operation overlord airborne operation consisted of elite navy seals like unit game would have been accurate. So instead of an invasion you experience fictional raids behind enemy lines. So the epic part of full playtrough consists of few scripted moments with total length of 5 minutes. A while ago i had chance to enjoy moded npc multiplier. Overall its great game but it met only 20% of initial expectations.

    • @benwise9327
      @benwise9327 Рік тому

      How was the npc multiplier? I’m pretty sure I had it downloaded a lonnnng time ago, but recently started playing these games again. I used it occasionally, so I never really got the opportunity to see how much it changed the game.

  • @jonlannister345
    @jonlannister345 Місяць тому

    I'd love a remake. They could add in a lot of the features cut between the E3 demo and the final release, as well as the dropped characters, scenes and dialogue. They could make the inaccuracy system feel a lot more natural too, having a sort of rest and sight alignment feature which would retain the general inaccuracy and force you to rely on your squad while giving the chance to lay down accurate fire when in ideal conditions.
    They could give the AI a lot more humanity than they were able to in 2005 too, make them more maneuverable, capable of being disarmed or wounded, even forced to surrender. Things they'd wanted in early development.
    As long as they kept it true to the original and didn't bloat it with big extras they could load it up with details to make it a truly harrowing and gritty experience, down to weapons failing, getting dirtied from the environment, simulated hearing loss, suppression effects for the player, etc.
    Getting back the original voice actors to fill in various gaps in the dialogue would be great too, though iirc a couple of them are no longer with us...
    From what I remember of the dropped scenes though they've already got enough on file to really get players engaged with the characters. A lot of long character-focused stuff was cut from the final release because EA worried that players would lose interest if it didn't rush through to gameplay. I think it might be a little on you though if you didn't get affected by Allen and Garnett being killed. Those guys were the only comic relief in the game and after they're gone it's basically devoid of any levity in the dialogue. :L
    It is one of those thing though that Hill 30 isn't really meant to stand on its own emotionally. Some of the deaths in the first game hit harder after playing through Earned in Blood, and Hell's Highway makes them feel even more impactful despite being a bit of a disappointment of a game.

  • @commentedrelationship
    @commentedrelationship 5 місяців тому

    Personally I think this was the best WW2 game of all time, and I played pretty much all of the COD and Medal of Honor WW2 games.
    The music and storyline very much had a ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and ‘Band of Brothers’ feel to it. A very immersive story and awesome gameplay. And at the time the cover system was innovative.

    • @GarrettYarbrough
      @GarrettYarbrough 3 місяці тому

      Actually I like the medal of honor allied assault series better. But they did well with this game.

  • @thatdirtysouthdude7505
    @thatdirtysouthdude7505 Рік тому +1

    You gotta think about it people were dying quick in in ww2 i think its super real and i think hells highway answered a lot of questions with a great storyline

  • @Madjo-qj2ge
    @Madjo-qj2ge Рік тому +1

    I believe Baker is not replacement Sgt on RTH30, but i believe he is in EIB and then taken by Hartsock

  • @jonlannister345
    @jonlannister345 Місяць тому

    Red and Baker are based one two real guys who went through all these missions in reality. I forget their names. Baker is based on a SSgt called Harrison or Hardigan or something like that. It used to be easier to get information about it online back when the games were popular, but the original websites for the game are long since taken offline.
    Both men were involved at XYZ and one of them was the message runner who met up with the US tanks at Bloody Gulch and told them to hurry up, as shown in the game.

  • @coleman435
    @coleman435 3 роки тому +2

    Those 2 guys who died by leggat are Garnet and Allen I believe

  • @AnthonyDuran
    @AnthonyDuran 6 місяців тому

    I agree to the fact that there are too many games out there focused on WWII. I played the BIA series in ‘05 on my Xbox and absolutely loved it and their gameplay. This game is definitely an exception for WWII.
    With COD, MOH and the Battlefield franchise being so focused on wars and or history of war, I’d love to experience versions based on the Napoleonic Wars, the American Revolution, and American Civil War.
    The BIA series would be dope should they have something along those lines of history as well.

  • @cocobob6025
    @cocobob6025 20 днів тому

    this is great commentary deserves more views

  • @benwise9327
    @benwise9327 Рік тому +2

    I may not agree with everything in your review, but I respect it. The game is a flawed gem, and I can agree that a remake is definitely needed, especially with all the WWII simulations coming out recently like Post Scriptum and Hell Let Loose. If they did a full remake of the series, with a fourth addition, I’d gladly pay whatever Gearbox decided to charge. Your review was fair, and you’ve totally earned that like and subscribe. 👍🏻

  • @olyomics5293
    @olyomics5293 9 місяців тому +1

    Gearbox is working on a new BIA. I’m hoping it continues the story after hells highway and we get to experience battle of the bulge. If they reboot the series then I’m ok with that too.

  • @ZaneYoung-xy1dk
    @ZaneYoung-xy1dk 10 місяців тому +1

    I always play hells highway

  • @FriedZime
    @FriedZime 6 місяців тому

    The audacity of playing the old scool Brothers in Arms with crosshair. It is toggled off by default for a reason 😉Otherwise, great video!

  • @marcoslaureano5562
    @marcoslaureano5562 Рік тому

    This is why I keep all three BIA games, Sniper Elite, COD and MOH WWII games saved on the cloud. Whenever I feel like playing any of them (especially BIA Hell's Highway and COD World At War) I just download and install. I'm just not a Steam fan. I keep my physical copies of these games in my library and never have to touch them. These games are classics. But one game I REALLY wish we'd get a remaster of is Medal Of Honor Pacific Assault, it's also a WWII fps that takes the topic very seriously and doesn't glorify war at all, while still really making you feel like you're in the Pacific during WWII.

  • @LoneWolf051
    @LoneWolf051 2 роки тому +1

    This game and Earned in Blood have been overhauled via Rendroc's Warzone mods that you can download for free, overhauls AI, custom weapon loadouts, weapon damage, weapon sway, explosion radiuses, number of allies/enemy AI ect...amazing total overhaul

    • @MayorHairBear
      @MayorHairBear  2 роки тому

      I have heard amazing things about Rendroc's warzone, I'll have to suss it out sometime!

    • @LoneWolf051
      @LoneWolf051 2 роки тому

      @@MayorHairBear for sure! it makes it feel like a totally new game, it added many hundreds of more hours of fresh life into the games for me, especially the additional AI. like 20 vs 20 on every engagement, choose any weapon you want, as many nades as you want, even smoke grenades, then lower ironsight sway to very little, and have 1 shot kill damage on all the rifles/MGs.... you can even customize your team's kit loadouts, even bazooka teams! Absolute magic! Pretty much a "build your own Brothers in Arms" game. Would love to see a review of it and what you thought of it sometime :)

    • @littleregg3164
      @littleregg3164 5 місяців тому

      Is it hard to install? ​@@LoneWolf051

  • @mandarinduck
    @mandarinduck 3 роки тому +3

    Spoiler warning seemed unnecessary lol. The video doesn't cover the fictional plot in too much detail, and hopefully everyone knows how World War II ended.

    • @MayorHairBear
      @MayorHairBear  3 роки тому +1

      I've found it's better to be safe than sorry. I agree, I don't think there's anything too spoiler-y about this video but trust me, it just saves the headache of some commenters 😂

  • @kupokinzyt
    @kupokinzyt 2 роки тому +1

    This was a great video. You easily earned another sub. Immediately checking out the follow up to this and it's sequel, thanks for the videos and the time put into making them!

    • @MayorHairBear
      @MayorHairBear  2 роки тому

      Thank you mate, glad you enjoyed the video!

    • @tsfullerton
      @tsfullerton 6 місяців тому

      Yes, the follow up to this. 'Earned In Blood', the most challenging of the three. Not the place to start. 'Hell's Highway'? Lot's of fun, loads quicker, entertaining, 59 Objectives, easier. Cheers.

  • @n8ivegogo1
    @n8ivegogo1 Рік тому

    I’m replaying this on my Modded PS2 & so far so good!! I just wish I had a CRT to play on😅

    • @n8ivegogo1
      @n8ivegogo1 Рік тому

      Update: I got a PS2 to HDMI Adapter & OMFG IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE ‼️
      I can actually see what’s going on now 😂

  • @sirlancealot2043
    @sirlancealot2043 29 днів тому

    For its time I thought the game was great. Back then we don’t know any better and the graphics were amazing although now goin back it’s not but times have changed. I recently got a gaming laptop and remembered the game started it up and the nostalgia hit so hard I remember the game being difficult as a kid now difficult cause I can barely play keyboard and mouse lol.
    Back then though people cared about the story and it was good although it would be niche now or whatever but feels good to return to it again

  • @TheJaxon97
    @TheJaxon97 Рік тому +1

    Hey mate, love the effort in this video. Have got seen Band of Brothers yet? If not I've got a box set I'll post to you

    • @MayorHairBear
      @MayorHairBear  Рік тому +1

      I actually bought the boxset not long after making this and I still haven't watched it! Thank you for reminding me though, I'll try and do that soon!

  • @bobzillarbt8062
    @bobzillarbt8062 Рік тому +1

    What was you playing this on? Because I just beat the game the other day and it didn’t look as good as urs does yes I was on PS2 but whatever u are playing on is looks Miles different and better. For example when u find leggett with the body’s of Allen and Garnett u can see the idea of their fatal wounds but on mine they are under a blanket they cover body’s with.

  • @jonlannister345
    @jonlannister345 Місяць тому

    I've generally found the most success if you don't worry about killing the enemy, but concentrate on suppressing. Instead of playing like a regular FPS you position yourself to be a third source of suppressing fire.
    You can get through a whole mission without any confirmed kills, though certainly if you've been throwing lead at the enemy positions you know you must be responsible for a few of the bodies on the ground :L

  • @mousepad49
    @mousepad49 3 роки тому +1

    Getting married and still producing quality content, congrats my man

    • @MayorHairBear
      @MayorHairBear  3 роки тому

      Thank you mate and I do my best so I'm glad you're enjoying it! 🙏

  • @killianhannon8785
    @killianhannon8785 3 роки тому +3

    Yes! I played the crap out of this series when I was younger. I hope we get a sequel.

    • @MayorHairBear
      @MayorHairBear  3 роки тому +3

      I'd love to see a new entry into this series!

  • @gew43
    @gew43 Рік тому

    just started playing it for the first time 2 day ago or today i think it was today and i still love this old as game pals buddys dudes guys (:(:(:(:

    • @tsfullerton
      @tsfullerton Рік тому

      For the very first time?

    • @gew43
      @gew43 Рік тому

      @@tsfullerton yup

  • @barbaricrenaissance
    @barbaricrenaissance 3 роки тому +1

    Actually I would have played more fps if they had different settings, but you can't play everything anyway, and that's why I watch youtube videos. Looking forward to learn more about the series and the real history behind it

    • @MayorHairBear
      @MayorHairBear  3 роки тому +1

      That's it isn't it, no one can play everything and some things just aren't everyone's cup of tea. I hope you enjoy the series non the less though mate and appreciate the support!

  • @edmundscycles1
    @edmundscycles1 3 роки тому +8

    You have to remeber that the M1 garand has sights set for 200yrds . So if you set the sights on a target under that range you will fire over the target . So you need to aim low at short ranges . Never had an issue with aiming .
    The Thompson M1a2 1927 was good but you can let loose a full mag and miss everything in real life .

    • @Swattii
      @Swattii 11 місяців тому

      I don't think it actually matters in game. When you aim down the sights with the M1 Garand, the rear sights magically get bigger.

    • @edmundscycles1
      @edmundscycles1 11 місяців тому

      @@Swattii it does matter . If the target is less than 200 yards and you aim for the head you are going to miss. So you have to compensate for the sights zero.

    • @Swattii
      @Swattii 11 місяців тому +2

      @@edmundscycles1 I'm talking about in the actual video game though. Most of the enemies aren't even that far and if they are, you're usually given a sniper rifle to deal with them.

    • @edmundscycles1
      @edmundscycles1 11 місяців тому

      @@Swattii yeah I played the game for years. Knowing how the sights actually work is important . Most combat in game is between 75 and 150 yards . So the sights (in game) are over zeroed as they were in reality. Once I realised I had to aim low I had no trouble getting close range hits.

  • @brunoyudi9555
    @brunoyudi9555 3 роки тому +1

    loved the video, keep up the good work

    • @MayorHairBear
      @MayorHairBear  3 роки тому +1

      Thank you mate, glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate the support! 🙏

  • @Phoenix411th
    @Phoenix411th 6 місяців тому

    Hells high way isn't in the Playlist

  • @HoodlieRPG
    @HoodlieRPG 3 роки тому +1

    Hey, yo, my dood, you play Ultrakill? Seems like you’d dig it like a shallow grave. Covered in shell casings.

  • @csm5040
    @csm5040 3 роки тому

    Man, that retrospective hurt my feelings 😅

  • @9livesspent339
    @9livesspent339 9 місяців тому

    Bros like me fr

  • @GarrettYarbrough
    @GarrettYarbrough 3 місяці тому

    I have mixed feelings about this game. While they did great with the details of the game, very graphical, box art is great. The gameplay is not that great. He gaming engine needs and overhaul. They should of stuck with something like the quake engine. Runs really well on older PCs. And then again, im 50 years old still single, and i guess the whole gaming stuff has kinda faded. 🙄🤨😔

  • @adammercer6004
    @adammercer6004 8 місяців тому

    RULE ONE NEVER PLAY THIS GAME ON PS2!!! 😅😂😥😰😭

  • @sethkazzim731
    @sethkazzim731 Рік тому

    506th, no?

  • @Miracarlo
    @Miracarlo Рік тому

    just play Hell Let Loose

  • @zombieclone98
    @zombieclone98 2 роки тому

    Goated

  • @jonlannister345
    @jonlannister345 Місяць тому

    5-6 hour game?
    Haha, try Authentic mode and do it in less than 8 :L

  • @gew43
    @gew43 Рік тому

    50 th comment also neat vid buddy pals (:(:(:(:

  • @morzik12345
    @morzik12345 3 роки тому +2

    Rising storm 2 vietnam perfected the realistic gun swaying when aiming. I'm playing as a soldier not a chain smoker

    • @MayorHairBear
      @MayorHairBear  3 роки тому

      100% and great example, Rising Storm 2 Vietnam is a great time!

    • @Swattii
      @Swattii 11 місяців тому +1

      To be fair, a lot of folks back in the WW2 days were probably chain smokers, lol.

  • @undead12335
    @undead12335 3 роки тому +1

    First?

  • @Bendoverstoke
    @Bendoverstoke 11 місяців тому

    I played HH when it came out and enjoyed it, so I've gone back to play Hill 30 for the first time. Whilst I have generally enjoyed the experience, to me it's a very flawed one.
    I understand the thinking behind making the gunplay difficult to incentivise the squad commands, but I think it goes too far, to the point where you regularly hit enemies (or feel like you do, at least) with no consequence. It feels like a very cheap and artificial way of making sure you use the squad, rather than making the tactical play engaging and useful in its own right.
    Suppressed enemies seem to be easier to hit, which I also understand in principle, however suppressed enemies also stay in cover, so counter-intuitively they're harder for you to kill.
    That brings me to the flanking. The game, if I'm playing it correctly, seems to expect you to direct a squad, have them suppress the enemy, allowing the player to flank them and mop up. When there is routes to flank, I often find myself at the mercy of the artificially handicapped gunplay; firing an SMG burst at a cluster of them, to find that none of them were hit.
    That's when there *is* flanking routes. For a game that demands considered maneuvering of both your allies and the player, I find the game's set pieces to be extremely linear. It's impossible to recall just how many times I wandered around a farm house or hedge line looking for a flanking opportunity, only to find that I immediately wandered out of the game's rather restrictive playing area. Even places that looked like they ought to be a flanking option have barbed wire, tank traps, or fences that block you from using it, and you find yourself asking what exactly is the game expecting you to do?
    So the squad command concept is interesting and relatively unique for an FPS, but it's flawed when you do have teammates, and downright unfair when you don't. Since they're not the smartest comrades, it's not uncommon to lose most, if not all, of them, only to be left playing a shooter that demands teamwork and no team to work with. This is especially true during mortar sections.
    The attempt at historical accuracy is one of the game's strong points, and it was fascinating to see in the Extras how real life locations in France have been preserved in the game, and playing in arenas that are supposed to be relatively authentic recreations of actual combat zones makes it feel more engaging to play in them.
    This does have it's downsides, however. In addition to the gunplay that aims to be realistically challenging but ends up feeling artificially so, the arena layouts often feel more like they are the product of someone trying to digitally recreate a photograph, rather than designing a video game environment that has a very specific purpose. To the effect of having a mixed bag of environments: some of which happen to facilitate Hill 30's gameplay really well, and others that feel like something out of the original Medal of Honour.
    Depicting a single operation is also fascinating from a historical perspective, and a nice change of pace from the game's contemporaries who were more about the thrill-a-minute globe trotting action adventure that CoD came to define so heavily. This too has its downside, though. The most obvious of which being that every single level of the game looks identical. Even though I played it yesterday, show me footage from two different levels and I could not tell you where in the game they take place. I understand that this is a necessary evil when you are depicting a historical event that did indeed take place in one area, but it does still mean that the levels, visually, wear thin very quickly.
    All in all, I've enjoyed playing Hill 30 for the first time, especially since games of its nature don't exist any more, and probably won't with the way the gaming industry is moving, but it is an intensely flawed game that has very admirable intentions that it frequently fails to properly realise. It's reasonably old now, but I've played it alongside two (actually older) contemporaries in Medal of Honour: Allied Assault and the first Call of Duty, both of which I feel stand up better today (granted they have quite different aims to BIA).
    Think this video is exactly right about the game's story, too. It all feels very surface level, without actually doing any of the work to make it engaging. There's named characters, and pre-mission monologues, and the game clearly tries to ape Band of Brothers in it's character-driven focus. But all the game really achieves is a flimsy facade of that. If you were dropped into the middle of the game without having played anything prior, you might see a pre-mission conversation between the soldiers and be forgiven for thinking that all the previous set-up and character development gives this a little more context. But short scenes that feel like we're developing the characters is all we ever get. When the game tries to dramatically kill off some of them, you're left wondering who those people even were. When you think about how much total screen time the particular culprit in that scene had, it can't be more than a couple of minutes at most. So the entire thing feels like you're watching an episode from the middle of a TV series where you've not caught the beginning.