Brothers in Arms Hell's Highway Preview

E3 2008 Preview

The Brothers in Arms franchise has proven to be a solid tactical shooter World War II title. Hell’s Highway looks to add some new elements to the game while driving the story forward. The game takes place after Operation Market Garden and is a objective-base experience.

Ubisoft had the title on display at E3 in the Los Angeles Convention Center.

While the game keeps core gameplay elements, some new elements have been added to make the game more immersive. Adding to the tactical elements is the new dig-in feature that allows players to take cover and the new action camera, which dynamically focuses in on great kill shots.

Other features, culled from the Ubisoft press release, include:

•  Brothers in Arms Hell’s Highway – next generation: The classic authentic, squad-based combat series explodes on next-generation hardware, offering unprecedented graphics and features.

•  New story, new setting. Join Matt Baker, Joe Hartsock and the rest of the 101st Airborne Division in Operation Market Garden as they fight to open the infamous Hell’s Highway in a daring bid for a quick end to the war.

•  Live the life of an enlisted man: Get orders from HQ, go on patrol, spot the enemy and set up a devastating ambush. For the first time, finding the enemy before they find you is part of the challenge.

•  Unprecedented character design: Lifelike characters look, talk, move and think with incredible realism. Game characters interact with the player and each other like true brothers in arms, trading ammunition, helping wounded allies and civilians, working together to man team-operated weapons, and more.

•  Rich cinematic experience: As the squad leader, you interact with and get to know your brothers. Each character has his own distinct personality, unique story and background, and grows throughout the game.

•  Powerful new units under your command: Players can use or command combined arms teams – machine gun crews create intense fire, bazooka crews destroy buildings and tanks, and mortar crews pound the enemy from a distance.

•  Play your own way: Players can choose to use their squad to execute a tactically elegant flanking maneuver or charge in with guns blazing. 

•  Destructible cover: Keep your men moving and choose your cover wisely – modeled using real physical properties and behaviors, weapons will damage, dent, scorch and destroy the world around you.

•  Completely new multiplayer experience: Fight major multiplayer battles with dozens of players on each side, combining all the intensity and accessibility of Deathmatch with the squad-based gameplay that helped make Brothers In Arms® famous.

A new character has also been introduced, a Brit named Dawson, who adds a very superstitious element to the group dynamic. The environments are prone to destruction as well, depending on the material. Players can shoot through and destroy wooden barriers to flush the enemy.

The sound was turned up for a demo of a cut scene, which uses in-game assets to drive the story. Graphically the game is solid with dynamic lighting and shadows, as well as solid fire effects.

Brothers in Arms is an action game that revolves around personalities and the story followed. The plot is strong and the characters have dynamic personalities that breathe life into the game and personalize it. Using evolving action, this is a title that is worth keeping an eye on as it heads toward release.  

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