Format: PC | Genre: Simulation | Publisher: 505 Games | Developer: Bohemia Interactive | Release Date: 19/06/09 | RRP: £29.99

By Greg Giddens

Let’s face it: reality often sucks. Playing games is a great way to escape from the troubles of the real world and experience something entirely different. Fighting a realistic war will certainly be a different experience for many, but it’s unforgiving nature may be overwhelming for some.

//A unique experience
ArmA II is part of the niche genre of simulation games, and like the previous ArmA and Operation Flashpoint before it, allows you to experience life as a soldier during times of intense conflict. This time around, you’re in the fictitious country of Chernarus near Russia, where civil war has been raging for some time. The Chernarus government has asked NATO for assistance in quelling the pro-Communist rebels, and as a result the USMC is sent in with you as a serving marine. This is where the Red Harvest campaign begins.

A far more cinematic experience than its predecessor, ArmA II continually drives home the horrific reality of war. It’s a refreshing, if almost too real, account of what really happens in these battle zones. The close ties to reality create an effortlessly immersive atmosphere, and the magnificent sound effects really shine. The engines of the vehicles and the sounds of the ballistics are spot on, and it’s hard to explain the mixed feeling of fear and excitement as you hear the crack of a supersonic round whiz past your head.

Early in the game, I found myself under fire, adrenaline pumping. The moment an enemy soldier moved into sight, I fumbled around with the mouse and keyboard to ensure I didn’t miss my shot – because if I’d have missed, I’d be dead. Quickly, though, I was brought back to reality. Sadly, the majority of the voices sound awful, with terribly amateurish inflections ruining the atmosphere. It’s a real shame, because the script is well written, with excellent military terminology. ArmA II is a dynamic game, and the AI adapts well to that, but when your squad starts shouting coordinates of enemy troops, it sounds like a jumble of mixed sound bites thrown together.

These voice problems may plague the single player experience but, much like the previous titles from Bohemia Interactive, ArmA II has been developed with the community in mind. So multiplayer and user created content are primary sections of the game. From the menu you can choose to play through the aforementioned campaign, play an odd mission from the scenario menu, or play either online or over LAN. There’s also a Boot Camp tutorial mode and a sandbox mode called Armory, allowing you to play with whichever vehicles and weapons you like. Add to all that the massively powerful editor, and you’re free to create any experience you want from this military simulator.

This is where ArmA II begins to show its greatest strengths. Bohemia knows its target audience well, and the team has catered to such expectations. It’s certainly the title fans of the original, and of Operation Flashpoint, have been waiting for. This is a hardcore military simulator, and makes no concessions for players not used to this form of unforgiving experience.

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