Hidden and Dangerous 2 (PC) > Reviews > Hidden & Dangerous 2

Author's product rating:   

Playability & Enjoyment	A good game - playable and enjoyable
Graphics	Excellent
Sound	Good - relevant music & effects
Difficulty & Complexity	A difficult game - needs a lot of patience

Advantages:	Sophisticated squad management system .  Streamlined interface .  Historical authenticity . Razor - sharp 3D visuals .
Disadvantages:	Only one savegame slot .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Hidden & Dangerous 2 (HD2) puts you in command of a squad of elite SAS troops during WWII. Released back in 1999, the original Hidden & Dangerous showed lots of promise, but was ultimately let down by a convoluted interface and a mass of show-stopping bugs. For HD2, the development team has given the game engine an extreme makeover.

HD2's 20 or so single-player missions transport you to a variety of far-flung locales, including Asia, Europe and the Arctic. As in the first game, HD2 gives you a fascinating historical insight into the tactics, equipment and weaponry of the era. This emphasis on realism permeates every facet of gameplay and mission goals almost always hang on a knife edge, with little or no margin for error. While this uncompromising approach can be a bit frustrating at times, it makes the successful completion of a mission all the more satisfying.

You begin each mission by selecting a squad of men (up to a maximum of four) and kitting them out with equipment. If you don't want to get your hands dirty, you can have the computer autoselect men and equipment for you. Each soldier has his own inherent strengths (endurance, shooting, stealth) and weaknesses; ultimately, it's up to you to create the best mix of skills for any given mission. In HD2, these skills can be increased through experience and this simplistic role-playing element adds a new dimension to the game.

Without a doubt, the best facet of HD2 is the dynamic squad management system. This system is split into a number of different groups, which include movement, attack, action and formation. Once a particular group has been selected, you can use a numbered menu to issue a staggering variety of commands to individual units or the squad as a whole. When you're in close proximity to the enemy, you can even revert to hand signals to silently communicate orders to your men. While the squad management system is extremely sophisticated, it's surprisingly simple to use.

HD2 also features a great tactical mode, which automatically pauses the game while you set waypoints and queue orders for individual squad members. It's hard to express the sense of satisfaction you get from sitting back and watching your squad successfully execute a complex sequence of commands.

If squad-based warfare isn't your cup of tea, there's a new Lone Wolf option that allows you to go it alone. The single-player campaign also includes a new Carnage mode where you are required to kill every enemy soldier you encounter.

From a visual perspective, HD2 looks great: textures and character models are all highly detailed and razor sharp. The development team has also gone to great lengths to accurately model objects, uniforms and weaponry, resulting in a game that oozes historical authenticity.

HD2 features a beefed-up multiplayer component, which includes Deathmatch, Occupation (very similar to Capture the Flag) and Objectives (where Allied and Axis teams complete specified objectives to win).

With Hidden & Dangerous 2, the development team has addressed the flaws of the original game, while capitalising on its strengths. The end result is a challenging and thoroughly involving tactical combat offering.  

Pictures for the review

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