Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood (xbx: 2005): Reviews

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Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood


8.2

based on 41 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 26 votes
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GAMES:

Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30

Cheat Code Central

Official Website

Experience authentic WWII combat as Sergeant Joe Hartsock and lead your squad beyond Carentan to liberate all of Normandy. Taking online tactics to new heights, Brothers In Arms Earned In Blood offers more unique multiplayer missions and improved online support. Earned In Blood features an all-new cooperative Skirmish mode that allows one or two players to take a tour of duty through a series of authentic and harrowing custom combat missions. Arm yourself with additional authentic weapons and command new vehicles like the M10 "Wolverine" Tank Destroyer. More Challenging and Dynamic Combat - the game features close quarter urban environments and a new, next generation artificial intelligence system. [Ubisoft]

PUBLISHER:	Ubisoft
DEVELOPER:	Gearbox Software
GENRE(S):	First-Person Shooter, Action
PLAYERS:	4
ESRB RATING:	M (Mature)
RELEASE DATE:	October 4, 2005

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...

100

GameSpy

While Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood feels a bit too much like its predecessor in many ways, that's like saying "The Godather 2" was a bit too similar to "The Godfather."

XGP Gaming

The enemy AI is quite possibly the best I’ve ever seen in a console game.

Team Xbox

In terms of presentation, technical gameplay, graphics, and audio, it’s nearly impossible to rise above Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood in any area.

Official Xbox Magazine

Another riveting experience in what should be a creatively exhausted landscape. [Dec 2005, p.113]

1UP

Thanks to a potent combination of ingenious tactical A.I., flawless squad controls, and terrifying audio/visuals, these games are a perfect balance of realism and playability, without resorting to heavy-handed scripting and the predictable linearity in level designs found in its contemporaries. In fact, Blood is so good, it actually manages to put its predecessor to shame.

VGPub

The single player campaign features an improved AI difficulty and the new skirmish mode adds plenty more hours of replay.

Next Level Gaming

It is as good as the previous game, and then some with the enhancements that were made. Most notably, in the computer AI that puts up so much more of a fight than even the best FPS games.

Xbox Solution

The voice acting is outstanding and the missions were well thought out.

BonusStage

Excellent sense of immersion, great storytelling.

DarkStation

Having rejuvenated the tired genre, the sequel tightens up the gameplay and spruces up the visuals. Nothing major, but massively fun nonetheless.

Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

But if you fancy a deep, serious game that represents a huge challenge - and aren't adverse to constantly studying a map and positioning your men before seeing any action - then this war hero is in a league of its own. [Xbox World]

Computer and Video Games

Players have access to better weapons (machine guns, grenades) early on in this sequel, and it definitely makes for a much more exciting experience. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]

Yahoo! Games

If you're looking for a harder and longer version of Brothers in Arms, Earned in Blood fits the bill -- although it can be hard to shake the feeling that you've trudged through these fields and villages before.

GameZone

The game does have some linear aspects and is mission-based, but this is a smart game that draws players into the storyline and backs the content angle up with solid graphics, smart AI and great audio tracks.

GamingTrend

Gearbox has a solid franchise here, and if they can boost the graphics and bring the environments into play more, then they could rival "Call of Duty" for best WWII series on the market.

PGNx Media

Though it doesn’t deviate at all from the formula established by the first game, the smarter AI and new multiplayer modes just add to an already excellent shooter.

Worth Playing

An awesome game and earns a great deal of respect and admiration, but doesn’t quite earn what I wish it would.

GameSpot

Earned in Blood offers a rather similar experience to its excellent predecessor, with improved enemy artificial intelligence and additional multiplayer options. The novelty has worn off just a bit, though.

Extreme Gamer

Another authentic WWII experience with only the intensity and integrity that the Brothers in Arms series can provide. Yes, it's more of the same, but the original was so good.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

This is a thinking man's game; jump out and rush like Rambo and not even a pair of well-oiled pecs will save you.

Game Revolution

Even with the improvements to the A.I. and enhanced multiplayer experience, the game feels more like an expansion pack than a stand-alone product.

Ferrago

The fact that you are being asked to pay full premium for what is effectively an expansion pack in all but name, may put some off.

IGN

Earned in Blood improves on its predecessor with a larger variety of game modes and a more dynamic A.I., but doesn't deliver enough to warrant it's release as a sequel. I'd be better if the Skirmish mode with the new A.I. was offered as downloadable content for RtH30 and a sequel was held off until more significant changes could be made.

Xbox Evolved

A very deep and engaging game. The AI in the game is extremely well done, almost to a point where it may be to hard for some.

Game Informer

The two games aren't identical, but at times you wouldn't know the difference. [Nov 2005, p.166]

Times Online

The first-person caper is satisfyingly immersive thanks to some outstanding graphical touches - heavy rain splatters neatly on Jeeps and we can even see Red’s freckles in close-up.

Cheat Code Central

It's fun and well produced but it's a console version of an expansion pack and nothing more.

Boomtown

This is one situation where more of the same does not negate the experience. More of the same is more than we could have asked for. It’s the brown bun alternative.

RewiredMind

If you’re bored of the current slew of "shoot, run, shoot, run" FPS titles, then EiB’s limited tactical bent might be enough to liven things up for you.

WHAM! Gaming

As a huge fan of standard FPS games, I was a little put-off at first by my personal lack of effectiveness in the game, though I can appreciate the added tactical depth provided by the control of two fire teams.

Gamers' Temple

Earned in Blood is for those who enjoyed Road to Hill 30 but wished it was more challenging. You got your wish.

G4 TV

You just have to be willing to look past the technical bugs and the fact that you're paying full price for a game that should have been released as a mission-disc, not a full-fledged sequel.

Gamenikki

I wish more games had the voice acting and overall audio quality displayed in Earned in Blood.

Edge Magazine

Earned In Blood might not seem like a radical departure from the original but the gloriously cascading AI and open maps have effectively transformed it into a very special WWII experience. The fact that there's nothing quite like it in such a crowded genre speaks volumes. [Dec 2005, p.103]

MS Xbox World

If you were disappointed by the multiplayer options of the original game you should be more than satisfied with the bolstered options on offer in Earned in Blood.

PALGN

A worthy follow up to its predecessor, but did we really need another one in such a short space of time?

IC-Games

Earned in Blood could have been the natural progression for the series but certain gameplay issues and other gremlins have spoilt an otherwise authentic and atmospheric experience.

Sydney Morning Herald

There are a couple of perplexing flaws in the design, such as the inability to go prone or jump over low walls and fences, but suspend your disbelief and you'll be gripped.

Gamestyle

It will undoubtedly prove enjoyable for those new to the series, but anyone expecting a fully-fledged sequel might be sorely disappointed.

GamerFeed

What it lacks is something truly different to make it a worthwhile sequel to own. Perhaps Gearbox will take their time with their next chapter for the 360 and give us something truly spectacular.

DailyGame

If you’re one of those people who can tolerate slowdowns, stalls and stutters when you’re doing your best to flank an enemy, then maybe you will love this game. Otherwise, it’s just an exercise in frustration.

The average user rating for this game is 8.2 (out of 10) based on 26 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

S James gave it a10:
Bros in arms is an excellent game. Pretty much all I play is shooting games with the exception of the occasional rpg. of all my collection, this would have to be the most challenging of all. if you play it on normal mode, with crosshairs... yeah, its just another WWII shooter. But, on difficult, or authentic, your looking at the toughest, most authentic squad shooter on the market. The ememies are ferocious, the levels are well thought out, and... by the end of the game, you feel like u actually know your squad for real. the game is tactical... and i MEAN tactical!!! if you dont supresss and flank your enemy your dead. it is SOOOO frustratingly easy to slip up and get ripped to pieces by a rifle toting german soldior!! so if your up fora tough game, with excellent weapons and story, brothers in arms: earned in blood is for you!

Nanokiwi gave it a9:
About the best shooter out there. It is difficult - a bit of a blow to the ego to find unlike almost all FPS games you do not have uberpower compared to that of your enemy. The AI is great, about the only flaw being that your troops do not always find good cover, especially when following you. This game is considered so realistic its used for training at Westpoint.

Anthony T. gave it an8:
Both Brothers in Arms games blew the Call of Duty and Medal of Honor series out of the water with realism. The addition of squad control is probably the best addition of any WWII game out there. Many people complain about WWII games because no game maker has made a perfect WWII FPS. Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood is close, but not close enough. I don't know if game developers are aware, but the ammo in a K98 and a K98 Sniper Rifle are the same ammo. In fact, follow me here, the K98 and a K98 with a scope are actually the same rifle, just one has a scope on it. That is the biggest fallback of any FPS out there, but WWII shooters are the worst about it. I would like to see more MGs other than the MG42, especially since the MG34 was much more prominent, but the biggest is when the Americans use MG42s on everything except their tanks. The game gets pretty repetitive when you have to suppresse an enemy, flank them and kill them, then repeat. The German weapon selection is good, but I'd like to see more semi-automatic rifles. The StG.44 is nice, but come on, not every SS troop had one. Likewise, not every Fallschirmjager had an FG-42. It shouldn't take 4 panzerfausts to bust a measly Panzer IV and likewise, a panzerfaust and a PaK36 would destroy a Stuart, Sherman, and M10. Overall, the game is excellent, but there needs to be smarter AI on both sides and a much larger weapon selection available.

Ryan F. gave it a6:
Yeah, sure this game has some innovation and all, but if you're gonna put that in a game, give the player more freedom. It felt like I was being shoved into going a certain way or path. COD2: Big Red One was such a great game since it made you think it was allowing you freedom: you could look around and see a war around you. Brothers in Arms doesn't have that. The only thing to see is your enemies and your teammates. It's just bland landscape everywhere else. Multiplayer is fun, but my friends and I had to ditch the stupid objectives. We just made a deathmatch thing. Just meet in the center and shoot each other. They need to add more to see and do.

Drew E. gave it an8:
Very nice graphics but your team members need to have more AI with cover like said before by Pete.

Pete gave it a9:
WOW! What a game! The first BIA was great, but this one is better, improving on the original's shortfalls by giving the enemy a far superior A.I. than it's predecessor meaning you really have to outthink your oppenents, and will not always be able to approach a mission in the same way on every attempt. One gripe - the game is still sometimes flawed by a team member's occasional and dubious perception of cover, leaving them wide open. Not good around MG42s! A fantastic bonus to this game is the "Skirmish" games adding many more hours of gameplay. I must make a comment to those indivduals who accuse this and other WW2 games of being "boring", "predictable" and "all the same". This is WAR people! It's a war that actually happened. Real guns. Real locations Real people. Of course it's all the same because it's largely based on fact. If game developers started including lasers, homing-missile launchers and plasma guns it just wouldn't be right! Or perhaps you might enjoy this game if it was the "Master Chief" running roung killing Jerrys instead or Sgt Joe Hartsock.

[Anonymous] gave it a1:
Man the ww2 games are grtting to boring like got to point a to point b arghhh to lame.