Army Men: Sarge's War is a great game that continues on in the footsteps of past 'Sarge's' games.
Why: Fans of the Sarge's Heroes series are sure to be pleased with this game. The basic idea remains intact and nothing is done to the formula that severely ruins it's reputation. While many a sequel over the years have ruined their game while attempting to improve it in some fashion, Sarge's War follows the formula right down the line.
Basically you start out as Sarge, the leader of a platoon of soldiers in the green army, defending the green home town from a tan (the bad guys) attack. Unlike previous Sarge's Heroes games, where you simply have to walk around until some enemy runs out from around a corner, or wait while a few enemy soldiers slugishly jog towards your position (allowing you to mow them down with ease), the AI in Sarge's War is considerably improved. Enemy soldiers run after you and take cover, it isn't the best AI but it beats the previous installments, and since the game is true to the series, it really feels improved.
The game features the same run and gun style of play, but the game formula has some additions that ultimately make the game more appealing. For starters, as you get shot and lose health, you lose plastic, literally, from Sarge's plastic body, peices come off and holes are left. I found that this really improved the realisticness of the game because after all, Sarge is just another toy. Albiet one with excellent field skills and endurance that could outlive a **** It is concievable that, although Sarge loses his plastic, he should be able to regain it, right? Luckily this is true. Sarge can not only find classic medkits (now in various sizes) but he can also pick up the globs of molten plastic that he blasted from enemy tan soldiers. Though this is a very interesting concept and certainly adds some realism to the game, I would have liked to see Sarge turn tan as he patched himself together with their plastic, thus showing that (as a story of revenge) Sarge is truly becoming what he hates. It may have added some depth in some way. However, the game story is well thought out and seems almost like Sarge-meets-Max Payne.
Overall the game plays very well and, although there are some levels that will take you a while to get through, it's usually a fun and exciting experience.
Graphics: 8
Why: The graphics are significantly improved from the last Sarge games, the cinematics are superb, and the textures all look great.
Sound: 6
Why: No music? But why? This is what I loved most about the previous Sarge's Heroes games, the music was fantastic. In Sarge's War, there is very little, if ever, any music to be heard. However, the dialog is great and the sound effects are decent.
Value: 8
Why: Great game for any fan of the previous Sarge's Heroes games. Definately worth a buy, if you can find it at a bargain, if only for a few hours of play.
Reviewer's Tilt: 7
Why: Although I was disappointed to... hear that the music was gone, and to see that the tin armor that you could get in the previous games had gone, Army Men: Sarge's War is a game worth playing through, if only once.