Army-of-2
Latest
Next round of EA server culling includes Army of Two, Battlefield 2: Modern Combat
As boys turn to men, we know it's hard to say goodbye to yesterday, but time marches on and Electronic Arts has server power bills it's no longer keen on paying. EA has decided to shut down online functionality for several titles, including Army of Two, Battlefield 2: Modern Combat and Need for Speed: Most Wanted, as of August 11. EA's explanation is that games being shut down represent "fewer than 1% of all peak online players across all EA titles," and that its server teams would rather "focus on keeping a positive experience for the other 99% of customers playing our more popular games." Find the list of titles being disconnected from the internet after the break.
Army of Two chastised for 'homo-erotic content'
The Timothy Plan, one of our top 10 favorite conservative Christian, Florida-based investment firms, has just applied frowny-face stickers to "30 most offensive video games." (Offensive like killing hookers, not offensive like Haze or Imagine Fashion Horsez.) Our favorite entry on the list? Army of Two, scolded for "somewhat homo-erotic undertones between the two main characters." Though we fully support the Timothy Plan bringing to light AoT's non-existent allusions that two men could have feelings for each other, we can't help but wonder ... isn't that our job? Not to mention [crotch-hoisting joke here].
Army of Two crotch-hoisting its way to the big screen
What we would've given to be a fly on the wall in this pitch: EA: "Hey, so ... we have this game, right? Army of Two. The one with the fist-bumping meatheads with the death masks? We think it would make a great motion picture!" Hollywood: "... Are you totally high?" Despite having nothing going for it, EA somehow managed to convince Universal to bring the oh-so-forgettable, crotch-hoisting, buddy-cop antics of Army of Two's [generic character A] and [generic character B] to the silver screen. Writer slash director slash producer slash sucker Scott Z. Burns will bring the future Oscar contender to the screen using all the tricks he learned co-writing The Bourne Ultimatum, The Informant, and co-producing An Inconvenient Truth. Burns gushes, "I'm thrilled that EA and Universal see the potential to make a smart thriller that has real implications in the world we live in today." Wow, we were totally thinking the same thing!
Free Army of Two DLC now available in Europe
European Army of Two owners who were turned bitter last week to learn that they weren't getting the free Veterans Pack DLC right away will be happy to know that the content is now downloadable in all European XBLM territories. The 100% free Veterans Pack features new co-op missions, new co-op fun and even an alternate ending to the game. So, go ahead and give it a download fellow European fanboys, it's free and it's sponsored by the kind folks over at Pontiac. Vroom!
Free Army of Two DLC delayed in Europe
If you live in North America and own a copy of Army of Two, then congratulations! Today you have the option to download the free Army of Two Veterans Pack from the XBLM. If you live in Europe and own Army of Two, then we apologize. You DO NOT get any free downloads today. So, um ... sorry? The reason for Europe seeing a delay in getting their free Army of Two DLC isn't clear, but EA has confirmed that delay shouldn't be too long and that Veterans Pack DLC will eventually roll out to European gamers. And now that we look at it, maybe the DLC's Pontiac sponsorship has something to do with its current limited availability. That said, on the PSN, the Veterans Pack's release is actually the opposite and is only being made available to European countries whereas North Americans are seeing the delay. And so the cloud of confusion settles in ...
Army of Two map pack delayed for Americans
Okay, stay with us for this one. Remember that Veteran Map Pack for Army of Two that's due out tomorrow? It's been delayed. At least, it has in America. In a strange twist of fate Europeans will see it arrive on the PSN Store tomorrow as planned while their cousins across the pond will have to wait a while before getting their hands on it. There's no word on when it will be available in America, but hopefully it should be up next week. Maybe. For more info on what the map pack contains, check out our post from earlier today.
Army of Two map pack hitting the PSN Store worldwide this week
Army of Two fans who have played the game to death have something to look forward to this week. A map pack will be made available on the US and EU PlayStation Stores this Thursday. The pack will contain two new co-op maps as well as an "enhanced" versus map. The best thing about it? It's completely free. As much as we appreciate that, we're still waiting for the patch which will finally allow us to play with our buddies across the pond. The Veteran Map Pack will allow players to venture into a subway station in Kiev as well as returning to SSC headquarters in Miami. Not only that, but it will include "destructible objects that were not available in the retail version." We've never turned down more stuff to blow up, that's for sure. [Via Press Release]
Army of Two co-opts three free maps
If you miss Army of Two's bumping of the fists or its hoisting of the crotches, Electronic Arts (probably sensing your impending depression) is offering up the free Veteran Map Pack this Thursday. It's ... well, it's a pack of maps including "two brand new co-op campaign maps" taking you to a subway station in Kiev and SSC headquarters in MIami, along with an "enhanced multiplayer map" so you can relive your salad days two-on-two on the China Canal Lock map. Oh, and if you're bristling at the thought of dropping your hard earned money on more maps, don't worry: Pontiac's picking up the tab. What do you say?
Free Army of Two Veterans DLC releases this week
After testing the paid DLC waters only to find it contaminated with harmful amoebas, EA will be releasing a new pack of Army of Two DLC to the XBLM this Thursday, May 29th. But this time it'll release for free! The Army of Two "Veterans Pack" will bring with it two new co-op campaign scenarios and an update to the China Canal Lock multiplayer map. The two co-op scenarios will include gang eradication in a Kiev subway station while the other scenario features a bunch of boss and ex-boss killing in Miami. Again, this DLC will be free, so if you are "lucky" enough to own the game, we advise giving it a download come Thursday.
Lost Odyssey and Army of Two DLC arrives
What're 200 points worth to you? Wait, don't answer yet, because a new DLC pack for Lost Odyssey released today may just change your whole perception of the value of a point. The "Triple Bonus Pack" adds "'Memory Lamp,' which allows you to watch the past event scenes all over again, 'Shattered Bond,' an antique that will bring back the memory of a forgotten dream, and a special ring, 'Killer Machine,'" all for 200 points ($2.50). Now, we don't know what any of those words meant, but they sounded awesome. Also, just as a reminder, the "SSC Challenge" pack for Army of Two also arrived today for 600 points on XBL or $7.50 on PSN. If you sample any of today's DLC, make sure you let us know if they're worth the digi-dollars in the comments.
New competitive Army of Two maps due out next week
You know you've wanted them, so we're going to tell you about the new Army of Two maps. You and your colleague have mastered the game, you say? Well, time to team up again and conquer the SSC challenge mode -- that's Security and Strategy Corporation for the acronymically-challenged. This new mode offers four brand-new co-op maps to play on that involve two teams rushing to complete a rigorous obstacle course in order to join the SSC. Alan Tascain, VP and General Manager of EA Montreal noted that "We want to support our fans with new content that delivers on the two-man gameplay but with a unique twist." Hopefully it delivers on the unique twist promise. This new pack will be available in the US on April 24th for $7.99 and sometime in May for Europe at GPB 3.80. Sorry again, Europe, for the arbitrary delay on your end.
Army of Two gets SSC Challenge pack April 24
We were a little lukewarm on Army of Two as a complete package, but the best part of the game was easily playing through with a friend. (And at-will fist pounding.) Now, EA's building on that strength with the "SSC Challenge Pack," four co-op maps that pit a pair of two-man teams against each other as they try to earn the most cash and join the SSC, AoT's private military group. We should mention, in the interest of full disclosure, that the maps (to our knowledge) include no new fists pounds or air guitar solos. Sorry. The SSC Challenge Pack, which will hit Xbox Live Marketplace and PSN on April 24, will run you $7.50 or 600 MS points, if you prefer imaginary currency.
Zero Punctuation is an army of one in Army of Two
The normally solitary Yahtzee (he is a PC snob after all) takes on Army of Two this week, a game designed to be played co-op -- so we already know this is going to end badly. After becoming frustrated with his computer partner's AI, he decides to invite a friend over and proceeds to become frustrated with his human companion's abilities as well. Like any listener of the Joystiq Podcast already knows, Army of Two has a lot of issues, the least of which is forgetting that for a co-op action shooter it sort of missed the boat on creating an enjoyable co-op experience. This week's NSFW review of Army of Two can be found after the break. Watch it with a friend, or if you're a PC gamer your favorite plant.* *Oh, calm down ... this is coming from the blogger who can spend days playing Civilization IV and Sins of a Solar Empire.
EA explains Army of Two's regional lockout
Though reviews haven't been consistently kind, most critics seem to label Army of Two's cooperative, fist-pounding gameplay as the best reason to start shooting. The promise of leaving a bloody terrorist trail with a buddy-in-arms does come with one caveat though: The members of your army can't have an ocean between them. Army of Two's online modes are restricted according to region, with the US, European and Asian versions unable to exchange so much as a salutation, let alone a barrage of bullets. Consequently, we spoke to EA Montreal's Reid Schneider, senior producer on Army of Two, in the hopes of learning more about the decision to introduce a territorial lockout across Xbox Live and PSN. While the explanation is unlikely to dissolve your disappointment (not to mention that of Claus, your Swedish best friend), it does spring from EA's belief to do what was best for its game. We don't believe it was the best decision for modern, borderless gamers, but Schneider assured us that the developer is "actively looking into" retooling the game in the future. "We are looking to find a way where we can do it," said Schneider," and not expose users to super slow connections..."
Metareview: Army of Two
It's been a while since we did an actual Metareview, hasn't it? If memory serves, our last time was with Mortal Kombat II way back when the site was still blossoming. Well, we've all been fairly swamped and couldn't dish out a proper review for a few games that still deserve attention, so we're bringing the Metareview back for games we want to review, but couldn't get around to playing enough to be confident in our opinions. Today we're covering Army of Two. So how did the game stack up? Take the jump and find out. %Gallery-12566%
Army of Two experiencing server issues [Update]
Update: Some readers are letting us know that Army of Two servers are rolling back online now, but some are still experiencing connection drops and laggy gameplay experiences. Email is flying in and message boards are lit like the eternal flame about Army of Two. Gamers are livid because EA servers are having multiple issues including the standard lag found in most online games all the way to not functioning at all. In some cases gamers are reporting that the only multiplayer modes currently working are local games, so no online co-op for you. Message board posters are seem to be having different experiences with the newly released EA third-person shooter, but most agree the overall online experience is not functioning properly. PlayStation users aren't out of the wood either as messages confirm these issues are across the board, not surprising since EA uses their own server farm and does not subscribe to Xbox Live's peer-to-peer method of hosting. At the time of this story three of our own soldiers of the X3F Army have expressed experiences with all available online multiplayer modes within the game. EA has yet to comment on the issues.
Metareview -- Army of Two (Xbox 360, PS3)
Despite a suspicious silence accompanying its (delayed) arrival, EA's smack-talkin' shooter seems to have mostly delivered on its promise of consistently cooperative violence. Unsurprisingly, most reviewers seem to agree that a one-macho-man army is at a disadvantage in Army of Two, with the lone experience highlighting some of the game's flaws and unremarkable design. It might be worth a look if you and your BFF have already blasted everything in Halo 3, Crackdown and Gears of War. IGN (79/100): "As a single player experience, Army of Two is a fine game -– one that manages to provide a fun, engaging time despite its length, AI issues and elements that don't seem fully implemented. However, it's really co-op play and multiplayer where the game stands out, and these two modes will most likely keep you playing for a long time." Game Informer (75/100): "Like dysfunctional characters in a buddy flick, Army of Two has some annoying problems, but if you just want a fun cooperative experience, it gets the job done and delivers sizeable thrills you won't find anywhere else." Eurogamer (70/100): "Any level of the current co-op king, Halo 3, has more spectacle and incident packed into it than the entirety of Army of Two; more that you'll want to relive in company over and over again. Bearing the strong Vs. mode in mind, it would be wrong not to warmly recommend this as a smart twist on a stupid shooter, but perhaps it should have taken itself a little more seriously after all."
Five Army of Two videos to get your blood pumping
So Army of Two is already out in stores. Haven't picked it up yet? Perhaps these five videos can persuade you otherwise, and get you into the mood for blowing stuff up. Just remember though, make sure you play with a buddy. Why? As if "Army of Two" wasn't enough of a hint. In the videos, you'll get to see the skull-masked duo tear it up merc-stlye on a train, on the highway, in the jungle, or just about anywhere these vagrants are getting paid to go to. The co-op gameplay is a welcomed spin on the usual shooter experience, and we can't say we don't love all the funny remarks shared between these two characters. Check out the rest of the clips right after the break.
Army of Two Achievement List, Video Preview
Continuing the Army of Two news on X3F, we have the full list of Achievements for the game. The list consists of a total thirty-seven Achievements with six of those being secret Achievements. The balance (between online/offline, co-op/1p, hardcore/easy, etc) is rather well done compared to some other shooters, and movie and pop culture references abound. With Achievement name inspiration ranging from Predator (see above), to Army of Darkness, to Scarface, we expect these ones to be particularly popular. Not only do we have the Achievement list, but Brian from Geekpulpz sent us the link to their impressions of the game from a hands on preview they were given. If you've been following the game or even if you were just wondering about the details, the video is well worth watching.[Thanks, Brian]
Xbox World condemns Army of Two as an 'Army of Sh*t'
EA's newest IP -- Army of Two -- apparently isn't all it's cracked up to be. So says GamesRadar sister-magazine Xbox World, who were set to review a near-final build of the game, until EA Montreal decided the game wasn't quite ready for release. The resulting preview is downright nasty in its condemnation of the cooperative FPS, which it fancifully re-titles "Army of Sh*t." The criticism lies mostly with the game's storyline and main characters, the latter of which Xbox World decries as the least likable in video game history. The plot of the game is apparently incredibly xenophobic, with generic terrorist enemies who refer to the main characters as "f*cking infidels." The gameplay, meanwhile, is described as bland and repetitive, with numerous cut-scenes and clumsy controls. Is there any hope for Army of Two? Not according to Xbox World, who describe the game's delay as nothing more than "a stay of execution." Considering their qualms lie largely with the game's intrinsic plot, writing, and characters, they could very well be right. We'll have to see come first-quarter 2008 whether the game is truly as sh*tty as they make it out to be. [Via X3F]
