Nothing like the first but it does capture the war in a new light one that cost soldiers and marines there innocence.
Vietcong 2 was a complete turn around from the lush jungles of the Central Highlands this time you play as Capt. Daniel Boone a soldier assigned to MACV in Hue and like most soldier's in the war one that thinks that the US can't win a Guerilla war with tanks and bombs.
I'll get right into the chase of this review.
Game play:
This time your enemies are smarter than ever, every corner you turn is an ambush every alley you run is your grave your teammates that accompany you are either complete idiots or suicidal maniacs. The command system isn't "there" the guys who made Vietcong 2 I guess tried to copy the command system of Brothers in Arms but failed in every single way possible, if you order your team to hide behind a car for instance they instead hide in front of the car, albeit there good shots but being a good shot is one thing being a fully alert soldier is another, firefights are well done there quick and deadly and intense, you have to use your brains for this game as running and making a direct assault will send you 6 feet under. The NVA and VC however suddenly become snipers, they make shots that are not possible, they shoot faster and are much or aggressive (Literally). Like VC1, VC2 has a lot of bugs and glitches, the problem of the collision detection wasn't fixed as you can still poke your head out through a door, or the VC will shoot through the walls. If you were a fan of the quick fight feature of the game then I'm sorry to say that it was taken out (god knows why they took out a important part of the SP). There is also a VC campaign which unfortunately I have not yet tried.
Sound:
The soundtrack is ok, they used the original soundtrack of VC but with a rock twist to it (it's not that good to tell you the truth), the menu music however is another story I liked the menu music. The weapon sounds they don't feel right, there either too soft or sound like a distorted television. The voice acting isn't glamorous either, Hawkins and Rosenfield they sound way too old, Some of the Vietnamese English is so bad that you can't make out what there saying, you'll hear the same line several thousand times.
Graphics:
3 years and you would think that Pterodon would create a better and powerful engine, think again the Graphics are just outdated, there still using graphics from 2001, it’s ok but I've seen better allot better. The gun models however are amazing albeit there a little big.
Special Effects:
The game has some effects, like the destruction caused by a shell, the explosions are pretty nice to watch and seeing a tank blow a building up with Charlie inside is ever so sweet. The Cinematic of this game is some of the best I've seen, it's basically a news report and it's safe to say that the graphics and sound are better in the Cinematic.
Cool Features:
VC2 has some nifty little features, this time you can travel around the base and actually have conversations with the soldiers around, you'll hear in the first 3 missions about the Marines getting the hell beat out of them, you'll even see our old friend Steve who's sitting at a bar (drunk) and talking about Nui Pek, you'll hear some Marine vs. Army chatter/jokes and see Boone duke it out with a Marine.
the interaction is this game is one of the few highlights of this game.
Bugs and Problems:
VC2 is full of bugs its basically the same bugs as in VC2, the Problems are endless I had to return my copy today to exchange for another because the CD Key wasn't valid, I had reinstall three times because of the 99% bug.
But VC2 is also only a handful of games that capture the essence of Vietnam, Hue wasn't a pretty battle it was basically the Ortona or Caen of Vietnam, this game makes you afraid to step into another room (knowing that Charlie is inside with a shotgun pointed to your head) it gives you a sense of vulnerability (This isn't a run and gun game as mentioned, sometimes you'll be alone and have to take out a shack or make your way through a building) this game shows what it was like in Hue (given that nothing beats real life experience) and a game that casts a new shadow, a shadow that cost many sailors, soldiers, marines and airmen their innocence and for some there lives.
Overall this game is ok, If you were a hardcore fan of VC1 (like I was) then you may or may not like it, if your looking to play a game that captures Vietnam then I suggest that you give VC1 a whirl or what until Pterodon comes out with VC3 or a bigger company (like Ubisoft and EA take Vietnam for a spin) if your new to the game then I wouldn't suggest it this game for you.