ARMY OF TWO Redefines Co-op Play
I anticipated a solid showing for EA's upcoming co-op shooter ARMY OF TWO, but I was unprepared for the psychotic intensity of the game, and its brilliant focus on cooperative play. A half hour demo filled with glorious violence has helped unveil a series of interesting gameplay tidbits about this now definitive top-tier title.
Not your typical soldiers.
Aggro First-Person Shooter
Surprisingly, EA has reached out to the massively multiplayer genre for one of its core game mechanics. Anytime you shoot or otherwise attract the attention of an enemy, your character accrues "aggro." The more aggro you build up, the less likely your partner is to attract attention.
Build up enough aggro and you'll glow red and move slower, but be able to deal out enormous quantities of bloodshed. Meanwhile, your partner will "fade" out and enter stealth mode, allowing him to easily flank opponents.
Back-to-Back
When the pressure is just too much, and death is foreseen in the incoming hail of bullets and frenzied suicide bombers, you can sync up with your partner back-to-back and unleash some death of your own. Though the maneuver roots you to the ground, it also enables slow-motion, allowing you to pick out enemies and put them down with ease.
Left pulls, right supports.
Pick Me Up
Much like Gears of War, your partner can be revived if they succumb on the field of battle. Unlike Gears though, the ARMY OF TWO developers caught wind of a modern real-life combat technique for soaking up excess blood by inserting tampons in the offending wound. They've even crafted a minigame for this unorthodox procedure, so revivals are (appropriately) a bit more involved than a simple pat on the back.
Parachute Tandem
One stunning sequence showcases our hard-bitten duo parachuting in on an enemy camp, and like everything else in the game, communication and cooperative strategy is required even during this scenario. One player controls the angle of descent, while the other cracks off shots at missile-launching enemies. Coordinating your sniping opportunities while avoiding being blown to bits a thousand feet in the air is unique indeed.
Punish the Loner
ARMY OF TWO is built for two players in mind, requiring absolute cooperation. Rushing out on your own with little thought and less strategy will end swiftly and violently. Every encounter and every challenge requires a combined effort. You can play ARMY OF TWO single-player, but you'll need to pay close attention to your A.I. teammate, and make judicious use of your available commands.
Co-Op Maneuvers
Scattered throughout each level are obstacles or opportunities that call for active coordination. For example, blowing up an enormous fuel canister can't be done alone. Instead, aim, count down, and fire together as a team. You'll incinerate the canister and any enemies nearby. Similarly, you may not be able to reach a ledge on your own, but get a lift from your teammate and you can climb otherwise inaccessible locations.
ARMY OF TWO from EA is pure unadulterated action, but action that requires you think cooperatively and coordinate your tactics with a partner at every turn. This game redefines co-op play, because it absolutely insists on cooperation. Look forward to more coverage of this title as it nears release.
Article by Ryan Treit
