Army of 2

Take on terrorists with a mate

Army of 2

• PS2 & PSP
• Released: 14/03/08

Last week saw the release of Army of Two, EA's latest FPS where co-op mode isn't just a little after thought thrown in at the last minute, it's the aspect of the whole game. You play as either Salem or Rios, former US rangers that have joined the private military sector (SSC), taking on missions across the globe, killing terrorists for large wads of cash and doing the dirty work which otherwise would tarnish the army's name. With this in mind, Army of Two's storyline has more conspirancy theories than all of the Bourne films put together, closely following real events of the last decade like the war in Iraq and 9/11.

With the computer AI controlling your partner (or PAI) you'll head straight into combat after a brief training mission. The strategy here is not to go nut-nut and head straight in, guns a-blazing in normal FPS style, forgetting your AI buddy; do that and you'll be quickly turned into mince meat.

Using the games AGGRO system you'll be able to draw the fire of your enemy - the more shots and grenades you use the more attention or greater aggro you will have. This in turn allows your partner to become invisible to the enemy, allowing him to run round and twat them in the back of the head with a shotgun. Or you can use the command wheel to tell your partner to draw fire and cover you.

Other little touches include the ability to shield yourself, using the likes of car doors and riot shields, while you partner shoots the enemy from behind the shield. Use combined strength to open doors, drive vehicles and our favourite: parachuting into combat while your partner picks off the enemy with a sniper rifle. Of course, if you have online capability or your mates round this can all be done by human players, not just the PAI.

Another tasty option is the gun and gear upgrade, which you can spend your cash on between missions. Some weapons can have dual firing modes, when unlocked with the power of a machine gun and the close quarters killing power of the shotgun. Also available are stinger missiles and rocket launchers. These upgrades or larger firepower weapons in turn increase the aggro generated when your character uses them. Pimping your gun is also a quirky option that sees your nifty boom stick transformed into a fully gold-plated weapon worthy of Mr 50 Cent.

Where Army of Two really comes into its own is the online multiplayer, with its variety of options and the opportunity to play with friends. Additionally, with the main game being a little short this also extends the game's life span.

Overall, the game's slick character design, co-op modes, graphics and quality voiceover work creates a completely believable world in which you can take on terrorists for just a few of your British poundingtons.

4.5 / 5 - JC