Brothers in Arms - Hell's Highway (Classics) - Xbox 360

Status:

• Complete in Box
• Play Tested

Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway (Classics) for the Xbox 360, developed by Gearbox Software and released in 2008, is a tactical first-person shooter set during World War II. It is the third installment in the Brothers in Arms series, following Road to Hill 30 and Earned in Blood. In Hell's Highway, players once again take on the role of Sergeant Matt Baker, a member of the 101st Airborne Division, and are thrust into the chaotic environment of the Normandy invasion and Operation Market Garden. The game combines tactical squad-based gameplay with intense action sequences and a gripping narrative. Here's a detailed review of Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway (Classics) for the Xbox 360.

Gameplay

Core Mechanics

Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway stands out by blending tactical gameplay with first-person shooter elements. It distinguishes itself from other World War II shooters with its focus on squad control and strategic decision-making, rather than just running and gunning.

• Squad-Based Tactics: The game is built around the concept of squad leadership. As Sergeant Matt Baker, players command two different squads: the rifle squad and the support squad. The rifle squad is tasked with engaging enemies, while the support squad is responsible for laying down suppressive fire to keep the enemy pinned down. You can direct your squad members to take cover, fire at specific targets, or advance to a new position, making the gameplay feel strategic and calculated.
• Cover System: The cover system in Hell's Highway is one of its most notable features. Players can take cover behind walls, sandbags, vehicles, and other objects to protect themselves from enemy fire. While taking cover, you can lean around corners and fire, giving you a tactical advantage. The system is intuitive and encourages players to think carefully about positioning, as staying in cover for too long can make you vulnerable to grenades or enemy flanking.
• Gunplay: The game offers a wide array of WWII-era weapons, including rifles, machine guns, shotguns, and pistols. The shooting mechanics are satisfying, with responsive aiming and a good sense of weight and recoil. However, the feel of the guns can be a bit heavy and less fluid than some of the faster-paced shooters of the time. That said, the emphasis is on accuracy and positioning, rather than pure run-and-gun action.
• Grenades and Tactical Elements: In addition to standard firearms, grenades play a crucial role in Hell's Highway. Players can throw grenades to flush enemies out of cover, disrupt their positions, or clear out entrenched groups. The tactical nature of the game requires careful planning with grenades, as each throw can change the course of a firefight.

Campaign Mode

The campaign in Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway offers a compelling story set in the European theater of World War II. The narrative focuses on the 101st Airborne Division's efforts to capture key objectives in the Netherlands during Operation Market Garden, as well as the personal struggles of Sergeant Baker and his men.

• Story and Characters: The story is heavily focused on the emotional and psychological toll of war. It explores themes of camaraderie, loss, and the horrors of combat, as Sergeant Baker grapples with the death of his friends and the weight of command. The games narrative is presented through