Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 45 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 45
  2. Negative: 0 out of 45
  1. One of the biggest surprises of 2004 became a whole lot better with the latest patch that included innovative and fun new multiplayer modes. We want more! [Jan. 05]
  2. 91
    The detail of the environments, the splendour of the graphics, the wonder of the physics engine, all these things combine with the dangerously entertaining gameplay to make SHOWW2 the best game of its kind, and one of the most refreshingly enjoyable games I have had the pleasure to review.
  3. Plenty of gloriously explosive action is complimented by depth and variety.
  4. Offers the arcade intensity of a first person shooter combined with the cunning challenges of a top-notch strategy game and it does so with aplomb.
  5. The complexity of the game is very natural, which is a side-effect of the producers desire to make the game as real as possible. But despite this, the complexity of the game doesn’t seem forced or overwhelming for a minute.
  6. If there is a hint of helplessness it's in those marvellous moments when Soldiers' fabulous physics, rich environments and imaginative AI produce such totally unpredictable results, you can only look on in amused dismay. [PC Gamer UK]
  7. Even the impossibly hard missions are horribly addictive. [Aug 2004, p.83]
  8. The multiplayer component is designed perfectly.
  9. 85
    There are still some stupid mistakes here -- like the lack of a quick save hotkey or the absence of a restart option when you fail a mission -- but all in all, this is an excellent and challenging title that's not content to reproduce what everyone else has already done.
  10. While some RTS fans may not be happy that it does not follow the same Build & Overwhelm pattern of many other RTS titles, the depth and strategy it offers is a welcome change.
  11. The graphics are gorgeous and the game engine has some excellent physics. With the excellent sound effects and music, the game drew me right into the atmosphere, and these days, all gamers should be demanding no less.
  12. Where Soldiers best succeeds, though, is in the visuals. This is one immensely detailed game. The various environments you’ll find in the game feature incredibly detailed structures and high-resolution textures, which will surely push your videocard.
  13. Tough, punishing and as unreliable as the timer on a second hand VCR, there’s an experience hidden beneath the lush foliage and 100 different types of weapons that’s hopefully the first of many to revolutionise the RTS.
  14. 85
    Definitely aimed at a different vein of gamers, but it gives the veteran gamer something different besides the typical twitch-fest.
  15. At times Soldiers plays more like a 3rd person action RPG, but that’s not a bad thing. I originally felt that Soldiers does both RTS and action RPG at the same time, only neither one very well. That would be unfair as the nuances of this game reflect the uncompromising nature of Codemasters’ philosophy on gaming and the creative ingenuity of 1C.
  16. The only drawbacks to Soldiers are its murderous difficulty and speed. [Sept 2004, p.72]
  17. I was fascinated by the aforementioned RPG elements though and would like to have seen a more dynamic struggle, somewhere in-between the grandeur of "Total War" and the intimacy of "X-Com," where you could take your band of survivors to different areas of conflict with whatever equipment you can lay your hands on.
  18. A very good RTS, you get to play missions with only a few troops and struggle against overwhelming odds and normally under equipped. This adds something to the title and makes this a title you can really sink your teeth into and spend hours trying to get your troops through each mission alive.
  19. Brilliant graphics, incredibly detailed environments, smart controls, and 30 sinister standalone missions. [Oct 2004, p.120]
  20. The biggest problem in need of improvement would have to be in the soundtrack. Don’t get me wrong, the music is well composed and fitting for the game, but too often in the mission you get this repeat atmospheric type music that is about a five-second long (if that) affair that then repeats itself in total constancy.
  21. Offers a refreshing and immersive experience, although personally we’d like to have seen a little more focus on the action side of things.
  22. With the direct control system, insane level of detail and physics modeling, exciting and interesting missions, modding support, and incredibly fun gameplay, the game is hardly stale and makes it easy to recommend to players who are sick of playing "Command & Conquer" clones.
  23. Soldiers brings something new to both well-worn genres, and only its unforgiving difficulty keeps it from being a complete standout.
  24. It’s a satisfying strategic adventure if you have the persistence to overcome its quirks and nuances, but it’ll frustrate you senseless if you don’t want it bad enough.
  25. Not many games have walked the line between real-time strategy, stealth, and action this well, and fewer have done it with such variety and classy presentation.
  26. A little rough around the edges, but if you like a challenge, you'll love it. [Nov 2004, p.76]
  27. The game's level of challenge often borders on being punishing, but fans of tactical strategy games will find that the effort is worth it.
  28. A solid RTS game, one that fans of the genre will probably enjoy. However, anyone who’s growing bored of playing the same WWII sim game in different forms wouldn’t find too much to write home about.
  29. A good, though somewhat flawed game. With the upcoming patch, I can only hope they fix the AI, pathing, framerate and difficulty issues.
  30. If you’re looking for a real challenge in a great looking strategy game, then Soldiers is for you. However, the game can be so difficult that it will be just too much for the patience of most gamers.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. 10
    This game and the Men of War series is in my opinion the best RTS WWII games. The thing that lets this game stand out is it's difficulty. I couldn't even make through the first levels in the easy difficulty at first. Afterwards I started to understand the tactics and finished the game. I must say, It was worth it. Full Review »
  2. Soldiers: Heroes of World II is a mixture between RPG, RTS and FPS. How is that possible? Well, it has inventory management, some progression (You might occasionally keep troops and items after having completed a mission), there's the ordering your units about from a bird's-eye view and then there's directly controlling one of your units by using the keyboard to move and the mouse to fire.The latter isn't absolutely necessary to do but it can make firefights a lot easier and it's a lot of fun. Especially when you manage to get a hold of a vehicle. The game is divided up in several campaigns and some bonus missions that you can either play through with one (1) player or co-operatively with four. (4). More in the case of the deathmatch game-modes which I have not played. It is highly recommended that you get as many friends to play with you as you can as this simply takes a lot of micro-management of your hands and makes the game so much more enjoyable despite its rough edges. That being said; friendly AI is horrible. It'll shoot back, it'll run away from grenades and it'll reload but that's where its autonomy ends. You'll be babysitting your units a lot. Given the already very high difficulty of the game (Don't turn on the fog of war or play on hard difficulty unless you've got a few hours of game-play under your belt!) you'll end up cursing the horrible interface, standard button scheme and the friendly AI quite often. Despite all its flaws and my dislike of RTS games, Soldiers has got me mesmerised. There's just so much to do. You're free to go about objectives whichever way you see fit, you can pretty much blow up or run over anything you come across and vehicles are simply impressive. You can blow off tracks, wheels, turrets and sometimes the physics system causes vehicles to fly sky-high a or be knocked on their side (hilarity ensues). Looting items is a lot of fun and due to time-pressure or simply a lack of useful supplies, you'll find yourself improvising a lot. This makes sure that you're kept on your toes throughout most of the missions. Soldiers isn't for every one but those who have the patience to dig through the sturdy exterior will find a game the likes of which they've probably never seen before. Recommended to everyone who liked Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel, Silent Storm and Jagged Alliance. Full Review »
  3. 10
    This is an excellent game that is very... very difficult and should be played with others in cooperative mode for higher rate of success. You will need to bring the best out in you and do thorough planning, learn how to use which guns, where and when. DON'T try to rush head on or you will be dominated and crushed, the AI in this game can and will counter attack you as well...
    Odds are you will never finish a single map in this game but good luck and don't give up, its one of the best games ever..... one last thing.... it isn't over until its over, you'll remember these words when you have played a few maps. GL
    Full Review »