TBGixxer
03-09-2007, 01:43 PM
Over the past few weeks I've been anxiously waiting for the release of Def Jam: Icon. When it came crunch time though I ended up picking up GRAW 2. Do I regret it? Hell no! This game stays very true to it's predecessor yet delivers on so many different levels. While it has many new features (you can now include a medic as a part of your squad, new vehicles, cross-com 2's new "see what your squadmates and UAV are seeing" view) it still has some areas that it could have improved. For example... we still can't control each sqaudmate individually, they collectively "go to" or regroup. And why is the menu music the same as the first GRAW? Some fresh music would've been nice.
Graphics
There have been some improvements in the graphics. The explosions especially. In the first few chapters of the game you'll get plenty of birds-eye-view time to enjoy the graphics. While there's no major graphical overhaul on the new GRAW it's all the little things that count. The spinning blades of a landing helicopter send papers and dust flying around. Explosions send random parts flying through the air. I also enjoyed the fact that the terrain is not as flat in this game. There are several hills, bridges, and buildings to keep you guessing where the enemies are.
Sound
Very similar to the first GRAW. Explosions and other in-game sound effects have gotten an upgrade. The sounds really make your weapons (and particularly the explosions) feel more powerful. I have no surround sound so i'm not sure about this area.
Replay value
The first few levels that I have played were very fun and challenging. The save system (automatically saves when an objective is completed) keeps you from having to go too far back if killed. I can definitely see myself replaying this game on the harder difficulty level. The only other game that i've felt worth playing through twice was Gears of War. I haven't tapped into the multiplayer world of GRAW 2 yet but if it's anything like the first one then this games replay value will be great.
GRAW 2 makes you feel more dependpent on your sqaudmates, which I think adds an important part to the game. On the first GRAW it was just "follow me, shoot when I shoot" but not here. I definitely recommend this game to any shooter fans. How does Tom Clancy stay so consistent?
Edit: A couple other great things about this game are the ability to control your uav, mule, etc and the new AI. When in full vision mode (what your UAV, Mule, Squadmates see encompasses your whole screen) you can drive the UAV, Mule, and other vehicles using the thumb sticks. This is an improvement of the first GRAW where you simply give the "go there" command. Another excellent improvement is the enemy AI. They jump from cover to cover and flank. Makes the fighting much more fun.
Graphics
There have been some improvements in the graphics. The explosions especially. In the first few chapters of the game you'll get plenty of birds-eye-view time to enjoy the graphics. While there's no major graphical overhaul on the new GRAW it's all the little things that count. The spinning blades of a landing helicopter send papers and dust flying around. Explosions send random parts flying through the air. I also enjoyed the fact that the terrain is not as flat in this game. There are several hills, bridges, and buildings to keep you guessing where the enemies are.
Sound
Very similar to the first GRAW. Explosions and other in-game sound effects have gotten an upgrade. The sounds really make your weapons (and particularly the explosions) feel more powerful. I have no surround sound so i'm not sure about this area.
Replay value
The first few levels that I have played were very fun and challenging. The save system (automatically saves when an objective is completed) keeps you from having to go too far back if killed. I can definitely see myself replaying this game on the harder difficulty level. The only other game that i've felt worth playing through twice was Gears of War. I haven't tapped into the multiplayer world of GRAW 2 yet but if it's anything like the first one then this games replay value will be great.
GRAW 2 makes you feel more dependpent on your sqaudmates, which I think adds an important part to the game. On the first GRAW it was just "follow me, shoot when I shoot" but not here. I definitely recommend this game to any shooter fans. How does Tom Clancy stay so consistent?
Edit: A couple other great things about this game are the ability to control your uav, mule, etc and the new AI. When in full vision mode (what your UAV, Mule, Squadmates see encompasses your whole screen) you can drive the UAV, Mule, and other vehicles using the thumb sticks. This is an improvement of the first GRAW where you simply give the "go there" command. Another excellent improvement is the enemy AI. They jump from cover to cover and flank. Makes the fighting much more fun.