Vintage real time stealth strategy (Commandos (PC))

Member Name: mchitty

Product:	Commandos (PC)
Date:	24/10/08 (72 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Classic stealth strategy gameplay, awesome characters

Disadvantages: Difficult at points. Patience required right from the start!

Commandos is just one of those old games that... well, never gets old. Yes, there have been sequels (I'll be trying them out soon!), but that doesn't change the fact that the original game is as fun now as it was when it first came out several years ago.

Commandos takes place in World War II, and the player controls a small group of special forces troops to complete missions. Each character has a unique set of gear and skills. For example, the Sapper is great at blowing things up and cutting through fences, whilst the Diver has a lethal harpoon, scuba gear and of course a portable inflatable dinghy to make a quick escape.

Progression in Commandos is pretty much linear, and the player must complete one mission after another until the game is complete. However, within each mission, although there might be one 'best' way to complete it, the player is pretty much free to choose and execute a strategy to complete the necessary objectives and make a quick escape.

The graphics are 2D isometric, and at the time were pretty good. I still like them - think of the Baldur's Gate games - there's definitely still appeal in nicely drawn 2D art.

This game can be very tricky - brute force rarely works, and one or two shots and your Commandos are dead. Stealth is pretty much the only way to go, hiding bodies, sneaking up behind soldiers, and wearing disguises. Pretty much all the things we've now got used to in 'Stealth' type games - but Commandos was one of the first, and one of the best!

Ok, I did spend HOURS on some levels, so maybe at points it's a bit too difficult - there's nothing more satisfying than completing a particularly difficult mission ...and nothing more daunting than then being faced by a huge new map full of soldiers, with a seemingly impossible objective tucked away all the way over the other side! But that's the beauty of the game - the only way you can succeed really is by using strategy. Each mission is like a giant puzzle to unravel. Driveable vehicles add a bit of variety, too.

Overall, Commandos is still an ace game, even playing it now, nearly 8 or so years after it was first released (!). Give it a go if you didn't get a chance to at the time and you should have a load of fun.

Summary: WWII stealth fun... tricky but satisfying