Metacritic Games

Full Spectrum Warrior (Playstation 2)

Full Spectrum Warrior is based on a game commissioned by the U.S. Army to train light Infantry troops in urban combat situations. Soldiers are placed in a tense, hostile, and claustrophobic environment where they must complete a variety of military objectives. Players act as the Squad Leader, providing direction to Alpha and Bravo fire teams. The successful Squad Leader effectively uses cover in the environment and moves his fire teams in a coordinated fashion so they can protect themselves from possible attacks that could come from any direction. Full Spectrum Warrior puts you in the dirt with your men, where danger lurks around every corner. [THQ]

THQ
Third-Person Action, Real-Time Strategy, Simulation
Players: 2
M (Mature)
Developer: Pandemic Studios
Released March 22, 2005

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

74 / 100

Critic Reviews

100 AceGamez
It dares to do something different by taking an otherwise pretty stale genre and cramming it with innovation and creativity.
90 Gamezilla!
With fantastic visuals that don’t seem to have suffered all that much from the transition from the Xbox, Full Spectrum Warrior will be sure to delight tactical strategy fans looking for something different.
90 3DAvenue
Just as playable on PS2 as it was the Xbox.
88 Next Level Gaming
The online portion really helps give the game added replay and depth to an already deep strategy game.
81 GameZone
A must-buy for anyone who loves strategy or squad-based combat games.
80 TotalPlayStation
If you can find it on another platform, do so. If not, this is still a hell of a way to present a basic strategy game, and one that mixes equal parts of presentation with gameplay. If only it didn't have to dip so much into one when the other was lacking.
80 DarkStation
The PS2 version may not be as polished as the Xbox or PC version, but it manages to retain the essence of the game, which is the perfect blend of great action and strategy.
80 IGN
Respect the idea. Respect the delivery. Respect the difference between this and every other action title around. But whatever you do, don't buy into FSW expecting the most polished game on PS2.
80 Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
It's a bit unfortunate, though, that after a few missions the game starts to feel monotonous.
80 Worth Playing
There are a few flaws here and there, such as poor mic support, sluggish controls, and poor camera angles, but once you get past them, the game is quite fun and definitely worth more than its value.
80 Computer and Video Games
Likening Full Spectrum Warrior to a game of chess is more accurate than you might think.
76 IC-Games
Although frustration is certainly high at times it’ll be a foolish person who totally disregards Full Spectrum Warrior's potential and it pains me not to lavish untold awards onto the title but at times the game just appears flawed.
75 GameSpot
Good overall, and it deserves credit for being something other than just another military-themed shooter or strategy game. It's just too bad that it isn't more involving.
75 Game Power Australia
Unfortunately for many people, that initial shock and awe will give way to tedium as the realisation sets in that there aren’t any refreshing new concepts to spice up the gameplay as you progress through the game.
70 Pelit (Finland)
The PS2 conversion of the puzzlish war game tries its best, but the game is just too big to conveniently fit inside a console. [July 05]
70 Cheat Code Central
If you have the option I would strongly suggest getting either the Xbox or the PC version. This game was designed for a more powerful system and while the PS2 certainly tries its best, Full Spectrum Warrior isn't all that it can be.
70 PSM Magazine
It's just not quite all that it could be. [June 2005, p.80]
70 GameShark
True, it can be maddening at times not having direct control. But if you want a game that strikes a more happy medium between direct involvement and squad command, I can highly recommend "Star Wars Republic Commando."
68 PSX Extreme
Fans of swearing in video games will also be pleased, as the friendlies have a tendency to shout "F**k" and "Sh*t" at the drop of a hat. Now that's authenticity!
65 PALGN
It's just a shame the actual game isn't more like the deeper, more realistic 'Army Mode' extra found in the Xbox version and not the limited, linear one we have here.
60 RewiredMind
The soft-focus haze of the original has inevitably suffered due the PS2’s lack of hardware anti-aliasing and indeed, the watery recreation here simply makes the low-res textures and dull palette look muddy and indistinct.
60 GameBiz
A messy port of the year-old Xbox version, bearing disappointing graphics and sound.
60 VideoGamesLife
If you’ve played "Brothers in Arms" you will no doubt find Full Spectrum Warrior a less refined, more plodding title.
42 Gaming Age
Since it’s not really an action game, and since it depends so heavily on graphics and control to even get anything out of it, I’d recommend the PC version over the PS2 or the Xbox.

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