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Frontlines: Fuel of War

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8.0 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 55 critic reviews
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Based on 51 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: THQ

Developer: Kaos Studios

Genre(s): First-Person Shooter

Players: 32

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: February 25, 2008

Summary

Not too far in the future, the global natural resources are on the brink of depletion. As our economies and our way of life tumble into chaos, the superpowers clash to gain control. Set in a fictional future based upon the headlines of today, F.O.W. brings players into the world's next great war. As society succumbs to a worldwide energy crisis, a new global depression takes hold. Amidst this desperate backdrop, two superpower alliances emerge. Join the battle on the frontlines of tomorrow as the Western Coalition (U.S./E.U.) or the Red Star Alliance (Russia/China). Tomorrow's weapons, today: As depicted in F.O.W., the U.S./E.U. and Russia/China have combined their military research and budgets, and the result is over 60 next-gen vehicles and weapons inspired by military designs for the near future. This includes remote controlled drones, gun cams, and next-generation counter-measures systems, all of which are player-controllable. Use high-tech combat systems to collect and relay recon, targeting, and threat information between team mates. Target acquisition and sharing between vehicle occupants is just one example of F.O.W.'s focus on an advanced team play experience. The customization system allows players to grow their soldier to fit their play style by choosing a weapons loadout, as well as a technical specialization (role). As the game progresses each role will upgrade, providing advanced equipment and abilities. The system is a mix of RPG-like depth but with the accessibility of a fast-paced FPS. Frontline combat system: The main game mechanic featured in F.O.W. in both in single player and multiplayer, is the ability to join the forces on the front line. This front expands across large portions of a mission and will require a strategy to achieve the contextual objectives in order to move this front forward. Not only does this system keep the battle centric and players in the midst of the action, it gives a unique sense of advancement as your Division is rewarded with territory for their victories. Choose your path to victory: Within the front, players can take advantage of a sandbox of destructible elements and various weapons of war to create their own unique paths and strategies. Instead of failing and re-playing the same sequence of events, players can 'chip-away' with varied approaches, allowing diverse missions with high replay value. [THQ]

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What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Official Xbox Magazine

The tasks themselves are familiar — secure blueprints and ammo dumps, defend towns from takeover, detonate collateral — but your freedom of movement creates an exciting illusion of tactical authority, even if you can’t order around your disposable steroid-brigade buddies.

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Gameplanet

Overall this is a cracker of a game that certainly deserves a look by first person shooter fans. However, it does need to be viewed as primarily a multiplayer game -- the solo campaign is good but short, and is really just a precursor to the main event, when you head online.

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XboxAddict

What makes this game a lot of fun are all of the little things and new innovative things.

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Games Master UK

It may not be sophisticated but it does offer carnage on a satisfyingly huge scale. [Mar 2008, p.83]

Gamers' Temple

Fans of team-based online shooters will definitely want to spend some time on the frontlines.

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Cheat Code Central

There are tons of military shooters out there, but where many offer a me-too experience, Frontlines differentiates itself by providing a fun-first approach. Let the other guys worry about dramatic storylines and realistic military maneuvers while we get our Rambo on in Frontlines: Fuel of War.

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Gaming Nexus

Kaos brings the Battlefield experience to the console and delivers a solid single player experience to boot. It's not a perfect game but it's something that FPS fans should check out.

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

Balance and a few physics issues aside, guns are really satisfying to shoot, and the vehicles – including tanks, helicopters and planes – are great to take a joyride in.

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Game Chronicles

So, if you are a gamer who loves FPS games, tactics and class-driven gameplay, or are just looking for the next bigger and better Battlefield, or if you’ve been looking for the ultimate Xbox Live online experience, then you’ll definitely want to enlist in Frontlines and help save America from the Red Star Alliance.

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Worth Playing

Gamers who are tired of being one-man armies and want to play in a more team-based environment will find that Frontlines: Fuel of War is exactly what they've been seeking.

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Team Xbox

But even with such strong, complex multiplayer support, we can’t give Frontlines: Fuel of War a complete nod without a single player experience somehow equaling modern, fifty man mayhem via Live.

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Total Video Games

An engaging entry in the overcrowded shooter genre, Frontlines: Fuel of War does enough sufficiently differently to warrant interest from anybody looking for something a little complimentary to CoD and Halo. Little more than linking the traditional checkpoint structure, the frontline dynamic nonetheless instills a sense of originality throughout the game and certainly something we'd like to see further developed in a sequel - and it only gets better in multiplayer.

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VideoGamer

I'd expected its open nature to feel like a series of watered down multiplayer matches, but once you get into the heat of action it's a thrilling experience.

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PTGamers

Frontlines is an interesting proposal for multiplayer fans, a valid alternative for Battlefield. Action is solid and diverse, with interesting tactics. However, despite high production values, it doesn't add much to its genre.

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GamePro

But while the game's storyline is focused on a far-reaching conflict, Frontlines ultimately succeeds because of all the attention that the developers paid to the small stuff.

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GameSpy

While the single-player game is worth playing through, you should play Frontlines: Fuel of War because it brings to bear the best of what made the Battlefield series so popular. Big maps, plenty of weaponry, and many different ways to approach combat make this a solid choice for multiplayer enthusiasts.

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PALGN

Despite its flaws, Frontlines: Fuel of War has solid gameplay and an exciting multiplayer mode that stands out from the pack. While it may not be the most original game ever made, that doesn't change the fact that it's a whole lot of fun to play.

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GameZone

While not compellingly original, Frontlines: Fuel of War is still a delightfully engaging shooter that is best enjoyed online where the action really thrives.

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Deeko

On the whole, Frontlines is the game to get if you're into multiplayer online skirmishes that are completely squad based.

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GameDaily

The squad-based combat is effective and loads of fun, as you slowly turn the tides of war in your favor. If you're looking for fresh war action, gas up on these Frontlines.

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G4 TV

Those hoping for a strong single-player campaign should consider Frontlines a rental at best, as the entire experience is over within six hours. Yet if your Xbox Live itch hasn't been scratched by either Call of Duty 4 or Halo 3, consider moving Frontlines to the top of your soldier's shopping list.

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Totally360

The multiplayer is fun when you can connect, the Achievements are fun to get and you should definitely enjoy the single player story. You will only wish it was longer and had a little more to it.

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Gameplayer

The king of the team-based multiplayer hill!

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Armchair Empire

Frontlines: Fuel of War was designed with multiplayer junkies in mind. The single player won't hold your attention for very long, but the online play is certainly the main attraction.

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DarkStation

Frontlines: Fuel of War is not the best FPS on the Xbox 360, its just not in that league. However if your beginning to want a new experience, this is a game that would make a great choice to turn to.

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MS Xbox World

As I’ve already mentioned, at best Frontlines will provide a game for clanners to play for months to come and at worst it’s a nice stopgap game while waiting for the next Battlefield game, Bad Company.

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Game Over Online

If you enjoy (and have time for) hour-long tug-of-war matches with a huge array of vehicles and weapons, then it’s hard to go wrong with Frontlines: Fuel of War.

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NZGamer

Could be one of the most under-rated games of the year.

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AtomicGamer

Frontlines probably won't win any big awards and might even be forgotten by summer, but until then you can get in a lot of great matches with dozens of people together at once.

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GameTrailers

Those hoping for an in-depth solo campaign should look elsewhere to satisfy their story-driven shooting, as what's included is short and largely forgettable. Yet, if you value large-scale battles, tactical combat, and team-oriented play, Fuel of War won't leave you running on empty.

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My Gamer

In the end, this title will definitely entertain and stands are one of the better FPS on the system.

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Extreme Gamer

THQ’s Frontlines: Fuel of War effectively gets the job done providing a fun large open space for gamers to unleash virtual war on each other.

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IGN

If you can forget about the fact that you’ve been playing this style game for years with the Battlefield franchise then Frontlines will hook you for some time with its gargantuan battles, but for most Fuel of War will likely be too generic to truly sink their teeth into.

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GameSpot

This Battlefield-style shooter isn't very original, but it's still pretty fun.

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GameShark

Overall, Frontlines has been one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had this year – particularly online. It’s too bad about the control, graphical draw in and short length of the single player game but the multiplayer portion saves it from the bargain bin of doom.

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Game Informer

Frontlines does enough to entertain on the multiplayer end to make up for the woeful single-player experience. It’s a shame Kaos didn’t scrap the single-player altogether to focus completely on honing the online experience.

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Gamer 2.0

For now, though, Frontlines is just another average shooter with a political slant.

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Xbox360Achievements

A poor offline game tagged onto a very good online game.

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GamingTrend

There are a lot of good ideas contained in Frontlines: Fuel of War, but their execution just seems to make the game feel average.

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Xbox World 360 Magazine UK

Finally a lag-free online shooter! A shame it comes at the expense of the Campaign.

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Eurogamer

Despite the single-player mode's inability to engage on a narrative level and the fact that you're supremely powerful for most of that side of it, Frontlines is a pleasant addition to the legion of shooters crowding the 360's line-up, largely thanks to its multiplayer.

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Edge Magazine

The levels can sometimes feel artificial and depopulated, the game neither recreating sprawling, unrelenting conflict, nor managing to suggest a greater world through the controlled cinema of more linear shooters. [Mar 2008, p.94]

games(TM)

The single-player element is distinctly average, so play Frontlines: Fuel Of War for its online mode, as that’s what it will be remembered for. [Mar 2008, p.118]

Official Xbox Magazine UK

Frontlines feels like an unfinished testing ground for excellent ideas that would have shone in a superb FPS game. Unfortunately, as there's not enough game modes, not enough maps and a weak single-player campaign, this is not a superb FPS game. [Mar 2008, p.88]

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GameTap

The game moves along at a decent clip, but there are no real high points--no really hard, gritty, challenging sections that burn into your memory cells.

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Gamer.nl

Frontlines: Fuel of War is a decent shooter in single player and an enjoyable game when it comes to multiplayer. On the other hand we can't take away the impression that both single and multiplayer didn't get enough attention, which makes it clear that this game didn't reach it's full potential.

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AceGamez

The sheer frustration of actually finding a match and then trying to communicate with all your buddies to win by using effective teamwork almost renders the multiplayer unplayable at this point.

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GamingExcellence

Even with all its problems, Frontlines is a game that can be still be fun to play if you give it a bit of time.

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Gaming Age

I can't say that the single player game warrants a $60 purchase, but if you can find the right black magic to make multiplayer work well, then you've got a solid game on your hands.

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GamerNode

If Frontlines came out a year earlier, it would have easily been one of the more recommendable FPS titles on the 360. As it is, the flurry of awesome FPS offerings in the latter half of 2007 completely overshadow anything it has going for it.

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Electronic Gaming Monthly

If you luck into a smooth, bug-free game, it can be a blast. But right now, that just doesn't happen very often. [May 2008, p.86]

Thunderbolt

The idea of a world with a severe oil shortage is a terrifying notion that hits close to home, but the game surrounding that idea is much less engaging.

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X360 Magazine UK

Terribly average as a single-player campaign when compared with the high standards set recently by other, better games. [Apr 2008, p.82]

1UP

So the single-player campaign is plenty entertaining. Unfortunately, it's also almost ridiculously short: If you're playing very carefully, you can spend a dozen hours in single-player, but you can almost definitely breeze through in six or so hours, maybe even less.

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Game Revolution

The coolest part of Frontlines, the RC copters and mini-tanks, are legitimately neat and worth a look if a friend buys the game. But the extremely loose shooting, weak communication apparatus, and lone, quidditch-dumb, multiplayer game mode are points that recommend waiting.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 51 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

matt l gave it a3:
I was really excited about this game as i was a huge fan of battlefield 2 before cod4 came out but it was disappointing at best. graphics 3/5 the character models are lacking variety & cartoonish in comparison to other shooters on new gen consoles. even the overhauled model designs on the 360 version of battlefield 2 were much better. the maps are boring & generic & pop up issues come into play both on & offline on a regular basis. the gun effects & graphics are poor. sound 3/5 not much to say here. nothing that hasnt been done before as far as background sound & music & the gun sounds dont really sound too exhilarating either gameplay 3/5 the single player campaign is short & easy to complete & the vehicles & drones dont come into it as often as they could. each mission is more or less identical. multiplayer suffers from lag & vehicle controls are not easy to handle. this is no halo. all in all i was disappointed with this game & traded it in this morning for army of two. hopefully i can give this one a better review. fingers crossed that battlefield bad company lives up to its predecessor & doesnt fall short like frontlines: fuel of war.

FPS Master gave it a6:
I've yet to see any review mention what actually breaks this game. LAAAAAAG. It lags so horribly no matter your connection, no matter if the server is dedicated and no matter how many green bars the server has. Sometimes there's a good 10 seconds of lag between the time you do something and the time it actually happens. Unacceptable. No matter though, it's boring anyway. There's no sense of accomplishment for some reason here. You get kills and take over objectives but it doesn't feel satisfying. Maybe it's because you know as soon as you capture a point and get some kills it will just be recaptured by the enemy and go back and fourth for an hour and you'll keep dying from a camper because when you die you have NO IDEA from where...ever. Laggy and boring. A broken POS.

Ryan S gave it an8:
the demos don't do the final product justice. The gameplay has been tightened up and polished off in the final version. The single player is decent enough but this game really shines in the multiplayer realm. Frontlines basically puts a new twist on the Battlefield style of gameplay by having players battle over one or two tactical points at a time. This draws players into the action rather than having them go off on their own to look for it. Much to my surprise, this game is a solid effort.

Paul E gave it a6:
Sloppy map design. Players seen hovering in mid-air after crawling across a rocky outcropping. very laggy online play. fire your rockets and two seconds later you see the shell emerge as the target moves safely away. Frustrating when you know it's not you failing to execute but the terrible connections provided. I would love to play it if it wasn't so sloppy. Online matches should always be forced to keep the teams balanced. Like BF2 did.

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Frontlines: Fuel of War

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