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America's Army: Rise of a Soldier
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 19 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 22 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Secret Level
Genre(s): First-Person Shooter, Action
Players: 16
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: November 15, 2005
Summary
Built in partnership with the U.S. Army, America's Army: Rise of a Soldier offers the most true-to-life Army experience, allowing you to create a soldier and take him through the thrills and adventure of an army career. Intense single-player missions and high-adrenaline multiplayer action build the skills of your soldier and advance him through his career. Real Special Forces operatives have consulted with game designers to ensure the highest level of realism in any military console game in existence. Authentic weapons, equipment, and combat situations come straight from the U.S. Army subject matter experts. America's Army has no linear campaign design; players can choose their own career paths. You can focus on certain army roles (marksman or grenadier for example), or experience different roles in your goal to achieve Special Forces qualification. Quick reflexes, strategic planning and the use of teamwork are mandatory to succeed in army missions, which plunge you into ultra-realistic combat scenarios. America's Army offers a top-notch multiplayer experience with up to 16 players online as well as split-screen cooperative play mode. Career mode will also be brought to online play, allowing players to create and build online characters. [Ubisoft]
Cheat Codes & Hints: GameSpot Hints & Cheats
Also On The Web: GameSpot Impressions Official Website
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...
Yahoo! Games
We can think of few shooters that capture so well the dynamics of modern combat. And we can think of even fewer that have managed to stand out with such a unique and compelling approach.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
One unique aspect is that, much like in the real world, there are no extra lives. Once you're killed, you're dead. The rest of your team will have to make due without you.
Read Full Review >Cheat Code Central
As a recruitement tool first and foremost there was a lot of work put into the simulated gameplay that makes this a game not to be ignored. If you're looking for a realistic military experience this is the closest you're going to get to boot camp without leaving mommy's nest.
Read Full Review >Computer Games Magazine
Unlike its PC counterpart America's Army also serves up some excellent single-player missions. [Feb 2006, p.88]
Gamers' Temple
Rise of a Soldier will not appeal to everyone, but if you enjoy realistic shooters and would like a look into the life of an American soldier it is definitely worth your time.
Read Full Review >Gamer's Hell
A thoroughly impressive package in terms of visual and audio, and is extremely reminiscent of the better Ubisoft shooters.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
If you don't notice or mind a light smattering of propaganda, you'll find that Rise of a Soldier is more than a competent shooter, offering a unique feel and spin on first-person shooters.
Read Full Review >eToychest
Its impact is muted rather significantly by the age of the engine, but it still succeeds in being rather unlike anything else released this year.
Read Full Review >Worth Playing
Despite the dated graphics and AI, the presentation is otherwise quite good, and to top it all off, the game is pretty enjoyable.
Read Full Review >Team Xbox
The ability to create a soldier, tweaking various elements in both a physical and mental capacity, and then raising him through the ranks is great, but the actual gameplay is hurt by a lack of fluidity.
Read Full Review >Game Chronicles
America’s Army: Rise of a Soldier may lack the polish and panache of Ubisoft’s other military shooters, but it does hit the marks where it counts – convincing gameplay.
Read Full Review >GameZone
With weak enemy AI and a few so-so missions, the real treat here is how well the game handles true military tactics and the things our fighting men and women have to go through to make it in today’s Army.
Read Full Review >Official Xbox Magazine
A game of great ideas that aren't executed a well as they should be. [Feb 2006, p.76]
Official Xbox Magazine UK
But at the end of the day it's intuitive and makes for a highly playable game. We just wish they'd realized that when they killed the crosshair.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
Not only behind the times, but it's buggy and not very much fun to play. [Feb 2006, p.102]
DarkStation
What would be more perfect to reach out to the youth with a video game? Except that it features dated visuals and ordinary gameplay features.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
So it's too bad that the missions themselves suffer major malfunctions. Despite their frantic firefights, they're completely canned, with enemies--and even your allies--going through the same motions every time.
Read Full Review >IGN
While the CEM, the health system and the squad movement and tactics are great attempts to recreate the true Army experience, and the promise of Xbox Live play may tempt you to come back for more, the graphical glitches and horrible enemy AI downright breaks the game, and frequent encounters with bugs like the non-exploding grenade launcher will leave you scratching your head.
Read Full Review >GameCritics
This is the kind of thing that should be handed out by uniformed men in mall parking lots, not sold in stores.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 7.7 (out of 10) based on 22 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Tony C. gave it a1:
This game has THE most bugs ever conceded on a Xbox game! The people you fight in single player constantly follow the same routine every time you play! ALSO be prepared for at least 3 hours of prior training of which you can't skip before you get into any combat. I have given it a one because of the amount of fun I had at allowing the bugs to wind me up further. This game is not even worth the money the case is enclosed in. Final note: if you have baught this game, keep your reciept as you wont want to keep the game for long.
Elijah gave it a7:
America's Army for x-box is not a bad game. It is close to being something great. But the flaws in this game simply destroy any chances for this game to have a lasting impact. Let's start with the positives. For one thing the upgrade system for your soldier is great there are a wide variety of options to spend points on and it will take awhile to get your soldier's stats to the top. The combat itself isn't bad and feels pretty realistic except for the idiotic lock on feature and red dot that appears over the enemies head. The aiming system is pretty cool and the weapons feel realistic. There are some decent missions packed into the campaign and it's worth playing through before heading online. America's Army is a great concept that has great potential for next-gen systems. But as i said before AA has some big problems. For starters the graphics are outdated big time. The game is bland and messy Enemy a.i. is pretty pitiful. There are numerous glitches such as the m203 not working. But still America's Army is worth checking out. It's one of the most realistic FPS's out there.
Stevie K gave it a5:
Too many bugs to enjoy. Inconsistent controls, animations and really surprisingly bad AI on both enemies and squadmates. Unable to save except at rare checkpoints and unable to load to checkpoint means you'll be doing the same things OVER and OVER and OVER again. Too bad because the gameplay and concept are quite enjoyable.
BruinsFan247 gave it a9:
Oh come on people, now granted the single player is pretty much not worth playing given what else is available in the genre. But this title offers one of the best online multiplayer experiences one the Xbox. I dont think the media that reviewed this title gave it enough time. I own a Xbox360 and this title is the only reason im still holding on to the old console, so once this becomes backwards compatible my old Xbox is gone. If your not online then dont bother with this title, if you are online this at the least a MUST TRY!
Nate C. gave it a0:
This is the most dissapointing piece of crud I have ever wasted $50 on. The people's mouths don't move when they speak. they generally slide instead of walk, and if enlisted men and women were this stupid, we would be apart of the Third Reich!
Dawn R. gave it a9:
I'm like the only girl in the world who plays video games, and this game is the shiznit. i like it better than brother in arms because when you die, you DIE, and same with all your partners. they don't just come back... it makes it really hard, but it makes it worth your time.
The Army gave it a10:
Aside from it being an outstanding game, it's an absolutely outstanding game. Join.
