The expansion to Red Orchestra known as Rising Storm is now out. This game adds the American Marines and Japanese Regulars in a famous fight through the islands. This one has a decidedly crazier style than the earlier games.
Rising Storm and the Banzai Charge
In Rising Storm both flamethrowers and Banzai charges are a bit part of each fight. Close quarters combat has a much stronger focus in this game than in previous ones. Is it realistic for Japanese officers to hack through a platoon or a flamethrower-wielding marine to catch an officer rounding the corner and burn him down? Such things were not the usual during that time although there are unusual tales. As such the game has a lighter feel to it.
The Little Touches on Rising Storm
However one area where the game is not lighter is in the little touches. Both the American and Japanese soldiers have some heavy voice acting when they are dying. Several quotes refer to their families lending a sad and poignant touch to the game. This is good because otherwise the craziness of charges would have us forgetting just how serious these battles were for both sides.
Rising Storm and Level Design
This new addition has a new way of looking at level design. Large open areas combine with swamps and brush create levels where an ambush can come from any side. The level design definitely has a different feel from Red Orchestra 2 as it should. On many levels you will have to take advantage of terrain features on the sides to outflank the enemy. This is absolutely essential at many times. At the same time it can make it difficult for you to make it to an objective if the enemy decides to switch focus. You always have to weigh the strategic value of each area.
Rising Storm and Innovation
While Red Orchestra was a game that innovated in many ways it did not receive full credit for this game it sticks to the formula. It feels exactly like RO2. In many ways it is RO2 with new options for your soldiers. While not a bad thing this does keep it from being our ideal FPS game. That being said it does do things like asymmetrical level design where the terrain for both sides is NOT equal and morale. Morale can be a big factor as your character will freak out when being shelled or injured which makes artillery that much more devastating in this game.
A Good Value for Red Orchestra 2 Players
Red Orchestra 2 players can check out the shared multiplayer options for the game. All Red Orchestra 2 multiplayer content is in Rising Storm as well. This is obviously a big positive for the game, as you might imagine.
Final Verdict 4/5: While Red Orchestra 2 perhaps deserved a 4.5 out of 5 Rising Storm follows in the footsteps of the previous game. While certainly a great game in its own right it strays from perfection by following the formula so closely. That being said it delivers the same level of visceral, exciting combat that RO2 did while putting a new focus on open areas mixed with close quarters combat. If you have not played the current series we highly suggest you take a look at it on Steam. If you have played it then you know how good the previous game was and this is more of the same.
