America's Army:

Rise of a Soldier

An Xbox Game Review

by Stately Elm

Ten-Hut Mother Fucker!!!

     America’s Army developed by our own government hit shelves sometime roughly before Christmas ’05. This very realistic first person shooter takes you through the life of your own personal recruit. Your start off your journey as a lowly private first class (PVT) and you make your way eventually to the highly esteemed first sergeant general (SGT).

     I was wary of this game at first; I originally played AA (as it was nicknamed) when it was released online for FREE!! It was used mainly as a recruiting tool for the U.S. Army. The game was highly addictive for its MMOFPS, and was miles ahead of most FPS at the time. Unless you had the ability and the knowledge to get your XBOX online with the original Halo, there wasn’t a comparable FPS. So when I first heard that they had released America’s Army for the XBOX, I wasn’t sure it would translate well.

      After some debate I finally wiped the sand out of my vagina and bought it, and was pleasantly surprised to find it priced at $29.99. The backing from the U.S. Government must have brought the prices down, or I just got lucky, either way I was very pleased to save some cash on the game. The game is broken down into basically online and not online. Offline you can work your PVT and gaining training in all the basic weapons. Also you can then later qualify for more advanced training (sharp shooting division, Special Forces, etc.). With everything you do you gain an allotted experience and ability points. With the experience you rise in rank, and with the ability points you can improve your soldier’s ability in battle. With a half a dozen categories like Honor (which increases your combat effectiveness), Marksmanship, Leadership, Conditioning (which increases your wound recovery rate), and a few others you can turn your simple PVT into one badass killing machine.

     The offline story mode is very interesting and deeper than the original download available, but the true meat of the game is based in the online play. As before in the story mode you begin as a toilet scrubbing PVT and have to work your way up the ranks. When entering a game you can choose from a variety of positions on one of two teams. The positions allow you to use different abilities. For example, with the M203 slot you can become the grenadier, or as the sniper obviously you become the sniper. But as you play more and gain more experience you are allowed access to some of the more elite positions:

• Grenadier: 10,000 XP
• Automatic Riflemen: 20,000 XP
• Sniper: 30,000 XP
• Fire Team Leader: 50,000 XP
• Squad Leader: 75,000 XP

     Also, as you rise in rank (like in the offline story mode) you gain ability points. While in the Live! menu for AA you can access your Personnel Jacket and here you can apply points to the same categories to beef up your online abilities. It is my favorite aspect of the game, being able to gain an edge on opponents for the amount time spent practicing. It has a very real aspect to it.

     It is also one of my biggest criticisms of the game, when you hit that coveted first sergeant general rank, that’s it. No more ability points what so ever, you have better done a good job playing through the first time, because there is no repeats, no mulligan, and do not pass go or collect 200 dollars.

     The visuals that accompany this game are adequate for a FPS, but by no means are they mind blowing. The engine is glitchy, especially with the lag online, and you can find yourself dying a variety of interesting ways when you don’t expect it, and sticking with the one and done theme AA doesn’t allow respawn. You die early and you’re SOL (shit out of luck), and you won’t be playing until the next time around. The realism of the game is definitely a double edged sword, in some ways it adds a different element that no other FPS has, but it may have the tendency to ward off all but the more serious players.

The Verdict: America’s Army is in my top three FPS for the XBOX Live! experience. It allows you to experience a realness that not many FPS will ever achieve. I was very impressed with the way the game was developed and put together. Besides some glitchy game play, this game far surpassed my expectations.

+  Engrossing realistic play

-  …that may turn off any but the serious gamers.

+  Decent music

- Glitchy graphics that can lead to a metaphorical kick in the nuts from time to time.

+  Great depth offline.

+  & great depth online.

-  …but some issues with an “ability cap”.

A-

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