User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 639 Ratings

User score distribution:
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
  1. Apr 20, 2013
    10
    This game is one of the few that I'll always remember playing. While there is obviously the army simulation of arma, this game's main feature is that it allowed the community to take the code and mold it to whatever they could imagine. This is a game with about 50 games inside of it.

    While Arma is a bit clunky, and it is slow paced at times (you can't play this game like battlefield 3
    This game is one of the few that I'll always remember playing. While there is obviously the army simulation of arma, this game's main feature is that it allowed the community to take the code and mold it to whatever they could imagine. This is a game with about 50 games inside of it.

    While Arma is a bit clunky, and it is slow paced at times (you can't play this game like battlefield 3 or cod. You need to think and move smartly), the game is still beautiful to look at even today, in 2013. The graphics aren't the best, but I've found myself completely immersed and having to look twice since it looked so realistic (This is on full settings.).

    Now we have arma 3, with outstanding graphics, but issues with fps and such.
    Expand
  2. Grunt0311
    Dec 23, 2009
    10
    This is by far the best tactical sim out there it has something for every one. First person shooting, RTS and a modding community that brings anything and everything to the table. the graphics are top notch and the attention to detail on the smallest things really makes this game great. As a former marine grunt who served in Iraq this game is the closest you can get to real combat without This is by far the best tactical sim out there it has something for every one. First person shooting, RTS and a modding community that brings anything and everything to the table. the graphics are top notch and the attention to detail on the smallest things really makes this game great. As a former marine grunt who served in Iraq this game is the closest you can get to real combat without serving. Expand
  3. KyleW.
    Nov 8, 2009
    10
    Best "game" I have played in a long time. Game has slight problems when it first came out but knowing how big of a game this is it's understandable also the developers have always updated the game to the point that it runs flawlessly on some lesser computers. Last thoughts are. Game isn't hard, because it's not entirely a game it's a simulation. Simulations are Best "game" I have played in a long time. Game has slight problems when it first came out but knowing how big of a game this is it's understandable also the developers have always updated the game to the point that it runs flawlessly on some lesser computers. Last thoughts are. Game isn't hard, because it's not entirely a game it's a simulation. Simulations are supposed to be hard...they are simulations. Expand
  4. Apr 26, 2011
    10
    If you are looking for a COD clone, stay away. If you are looking for something similar to the travesties named "Dragon Rising" and "Red River," stay away (and kill yourself shortly afterwards, for shame). ArmA 2 is none of these, and will disappoint you immensely. The simplest way to review ArmA 2 for the PC is to look at its long and distinguished heritage.

    Bohemia Interactive Studios
    If you are looking for a COD clone, stay away. If you are looking for something similar to the travesties named "Dragon Rising" and "Red River," stay away (and kill yourself shortly afterwards, for shame). ArmA 2 is none of these, and will disappoint you immensely. The simplest way to review ArmA 2 for the PC is to look at its long and distinguished heritage.

    Bohemia Interactive Studios (BIS), the designer, made a name for themselves in 2001 with the ground-breaking Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis (hereafter referenced as "the original Flashpoint"). The original Flashpoint was a PC gaming triumph; it was a battlefield simulator of an unprecedented scale. No longer were players bounded by invisible walls and boundaries - if you saw it on the horizon, you could head there, if you saw a better position or approach to a target, you could use it. You could command or simply be a cog in the war machine. One enemy (or friendly, for that matter) bullet in the right place would end your brief career. Combined arms operations became a reality. You could fly, in fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft. You could drive tanks, cars, trucks, go-karts, mountain bikes and almost any conceivable type of vehicle. You could use an immense variety of weaponry. The revolutionary AI operated totally sans scripting, and would often prove (in the hands of a cunning mission designer) your undoing again and again. And this was simply the vanilla game.

    The Crown Jewel in the original Flashpoint's crown was its "modability." The game itself was ported with the most powerful mission editor seen at that point in gaming, allowing almost infinite replay value - want to create D-Day? Go for it. Paradrop yourself and your buddies behind enemy lines to whack some HVTs? Easy. Huge tank battle? No worries. This was compounded infinitely (again) with the advent of the Oxygen 3D tools, which allowed the burgeoning community to port their own models into the game.

    The community work was small scale at first - a retexture here, config change there. However, merely a blink of an eye later, with logarithmic speed, a burgeoning source of creative output was realised. The most appreciable thing about the modding of the original Flashpoint was that it was ACCESSIBLE to ANYONE. Tutorials sprung up on basic modeling and texturing, which allowed even new players to put their dreams into the game. New vehicles, new weapons, entire armies, never-before-seen islands and terrains, unique scenarios, both PvP and coop (and all mixtures of the two!) and no less than entire modifications were spawned out of the minds of the community. There was a goddamn Lego Wars mod, and a ROFLcopter, for Christ's sake. Cold War Crisis became THE benchmark of what a game imbued with a passionate community could become. Mods are still being produced for the venerable engine of 2001 even today.

    Apart from modding, another hallmark of the original Flashpoint (hah, there I go again) was the outstanding community support. BIS, an independent developer, maintain a professional stance with their products, and are renowned for supporting their games and listening to community suggestions. They do not suddenly fade away or abandon their works, unlike many a modern studio.

    ArmA 2 was released in 2009. It is the spiritual successor to the original Flashpoint, and I don't refer to the abortions produced by Codemasters, who own the Operation Flashpoint name and nothing more. I don't mean "spiritual successor" in the way that Bioshock was to System Shock, and how the continual intellectual depredations and hardware limitations of the console crowd have degraded that franchise. ArmA 2 is the essence of Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis packaged for modern technology. The limitless potential remains potent; the mission editor more powerful than ever, the community immensely strong, still producing content of a quality that is second-to-none, the campaigns and scenarios fresh and engrossing. When PC Gamer stated that "Only boring people get bored with the ever-evolving ArmA 2", they told a truth more profound than ever.

    ArmA 2 is not a game - it is the latest iteration of a way of life. I bought the original Flashpoint when I was 14, and still played through the original campaign not a year ago. I am now 24, and the latest brainchild of BIS has yet to let me down.

    For God's sake, if you are not in one of the unfortunate categories listed at the beginning of this spiel, and are remotely interested in military operations, do yourself a favour, and download ArmA 2 and its DLC packs today.
    Expand
  5. May 20, 2011
    10
    Ignore the people complaining its too much of a simulation and too complicated. This is not **** Call of Duty or **** Battlefield. This is a SIMULATION, bullet drops, gasoline, you need to play SMART and with TACTICS. Use a mic', join a squad. HAVE FUN! THIS GAME IS AWESOME, HELL YEAH!
  6. Aug 18, 2010
    10
    ArmA 2 -- let me put it this way. If you ever wanted to play a combat game that would be bigger, more involved, more dynamic and customizable than anything you've ever imagined, ArmA 2 is it. Having played the game for over three hundred hours at this point, I can safely say that there isn't a finer battlefield simulator around.

    The true gem to ArmA 2, however, lies not in the game
    ArmA 2 -- let me put it this way. If you ever wanted to play a combat game that would be bigger, more involved, more dynamic and customizable than anything you've ever imagined, ArmA 2 is it. Having played the game for over three hundred hours at this point, I can safely say that there isn't a finer battlefield simulator around.

    The true gem to ArmA 2, however, lies not in the game itself, but in the community of modders and 'teams' of players who group up to do battle on a regular basis -- such as Shack Tactical. Even after the campaign and single missions are well over, you're a few forum posts away from finding a group of people who like the same multiplayer things you do and having hundreds of hours of fun.

    At least, I know that's how it went for me!
    Expand
  7. syscrash
    Dec 31, 2009
    10
    With the new 1.05 update. This game is insane! The graphics are better then Arma1, AI has finally improved! This game is like a BF series game on steriods. Has a huge learning curve and is not for ADHD kids who just want to run around and FPS all day. This game takes patience and time to learn. But once you learn it you will have a total blast. The best part is the modding community which With the new 1.05 update. This game is insane! The graphics are better then Arma1, AI has finally improved! This game is like a BF series game on steriods. Has a huge learning curve and is not for ADHD kids who just want to run around and FPS all day. This game takes patience and time to learn. But once you learn it you will have a total blast. The best part is the modding community which makes the game grow even more. This is not your typical military simulator where you play to your round ends. Arma2 has no rounds, it is just one massive war fought over a beatiful landscape. Take off from aircraft carriers and insert a sniper team up in the mountains or make an assault with armored tanks. You make the choice and the opitions are endless. You can't just run around and play this game BF style. You need to use tactics and think real life. You need to use cover and concealment constantly. You also need to play as a team. Expand
  8. stigp
    Jan 4, 2010
    9
    You have to see it for what it is, the wast majority of people will not enjoy this game. But for those longing for its unforging, nervwrecking, realistic gameplay and teamwork, there is a goldpot at the end of the rainbow in this game.
  9. Feb 7, 2013
    9
    Arma II to me is the pinnacle of PC gaming. Enthralling, nerve-shredding militaristic game play in a huge, open, real-world environment. The modding community is massive and there are some terrific mods to tweak all aspects of the game. Really excels in multiplayer and the editor is very powerful. Has been patched by the developer, so no more excuses! Can't recommend it highly enough
  10. HF2
    Jun 5, 2011
    10
    This is a must for all who love war sims or ex servicemen who miss the old days. Completely believable war sim game, ideal for myself as the action is thought out and executed using tactics rather than running around in a linear corridor like most so called war games which propose to be realistic but never are. This game is great.
  11. NehJ
    Aug 1, 2009
    10
    One of the best games ever existed. Only for true hardcore players and Bohemia fans. This is probably the best game ever, almost as good as Operation Flashpoint. Don't always whine about the bugs, try to live with them. They are easily fixed. I know i know, not for all players, but those who really need an realistic game to play. Fantastic.
  12. NickD.
    Aug 4, 2009
    10
    Ignore the people complaining its too much of a simulation and too complicated. Its a simulation it's suppose to be complicated. Why would you buy a simulation if you wanted an FPS? 90% of the people voting low on this game are ignorant kids.
  13. JonH
    Dec 28, 2009
    10
    This game is unlimited,VBS2 and Arma2 are no different for tactical game players,the code and game play hs no competition! OFP2 tryed and failed,the RUN AND GUN COD not even close,real modern warfare ,real tactics MOS,SOP's the only clan that offers that and more is www.7thcavalry.us the yellow and black Tactical Realism Arma2
  14. Mar 31, 2011
    10
    Simply, the best combat simulator out there. Much improved in latest patches and continually supported by the developers and community. Multi-core support added, improving the game immensely. Watch for the stand alone/add-on Operation Flashpoint and Reinforcements. They add new maps and units and also even more game improvements. An epic game!
  15. BrianLapor
    Jul 1, 2009
    10
    Holy **** was the first expression I got when I bought my copy of ArmA2. I can not explain in words of how fun this game is but I can tell you I have never played anything more realistic. This has gotten me amazed at how good a game Bohemia Interactive made. I will for sure be watching for more patches, updates, and games coming from Bohemia Interactive.
  16. Dec 23, 2012
    9
    At release, Arma II was in horrible condition. Very bad performance, loads of bugs and glitches. Keen point to stress though: Bohemia Interactive never abandone their games and their support is great. Arma 2s current state is very stable. However, this game is for those who enjoy realism and tactical combat. There is no progression system. This is not Battlefield nor Call of Duty. Try toAt release, Arma II was in horrible condition. Very bad performance, loads of bugs and glitches. Keen point to stress though: Bohemia Interactive never abandone their games and their support is great. Arma 2s current state is very stable. However, this game is for those who enjoy realism and tactical combat. There is no progression system. This is not Battlefield nor Call of Duty. Try to use any of the tactics you use in most arcade games and arma will shovel a boot up your ass. The enemy AI is designed to kill you - not to amuse you. Controls are very complex. The environment is HUGE - 220km2. Missions are not scripted til death; on the battlefield you'll often be confused in the heat of the combat because the battlefield is ever changing. With that said, the game isn't streamlined, its not a railshooter. Graphics is great on highest settings but the game requires a great computer. Mission editor is improved a lot. Huge of free user-made mods for this game. If you like games that actually CHALLANGE you, then arma is for you, because this game will for sure teach you a lesson! This is for the tactical gamer. Expand
  17. ZacharyH
    Dec 24, 2009
    10
    Amazing! What other game allows ya to build a military force and buildings. This game is amazing in MP
  18. JoeS
    Aug 4, 2009
    9
    I purchased this AFTER the patches, so I never experienced the bugginess everyone else has complained about. Instead, I have enjoyed it more intensely than any other shooter/simulator yet. With a good group of players, you can experience a shooter/flight sim/ all out war that is just pure tactical fun. Gorgeous gaming, precision tactics, ingame communcations are geniously laid out, flying I purchased this AFTER the patches, so I never experienced the bugginess everyone else has complained about. Instead, I have enjoyed it more intensely than any other shooter/simulator yet. With a good group of players, you can experience a shooter/flight sim/ all out war that is just pure tactical fun. Gorgeous gaming, precision tactics, ingame communcations are geniously laid out, flying and driving are a blast with a joystick, shooting and running are great with a mouse/keyboard (so keep both handy to switch between). Expect to practice with various vehicles for an hour or so in single player mode, then go online and find some fun. Just an awesome experience. I wish I could give it a 10, but occasional connectivity issues need to be ironed out, but so close to perfect now. Expand
  19. JamesN.
    Oct 17, 2009
    10
    Unique atmosphere, realistic, good graphics, wide modding support. It has a really steep learning curve, but once you get over that, it's like a mafia family, you just don't leave it for no reason.
  20. DaceB
    Dec 29, 2009
    8
    ArmA 2 is a great military simulator. The only main problem is that the game runs very sluggish, you must have a great system to run this game correctly.
  21. MrFuzzy
    Jul 25, 2009
    10
    While ArmA 2 Is not the best Fps ever of the best stratagy game ever a combination of the two and an incredibly large and detailed enviroment make it one of the best games I've ever played.
  22. JohnM
    Jul 28, 2009
    10
    Without a doubt, ARMA II is the most accurate modern warfare game I have ever played. And the accuracy draws you in and makes you feel like the solider. You have real ballistics, the world is destroyable (you can run over trees in a tank, break fences with an APC, blow up buildings), you drag your wounded allies out of fire and then you can perform field medicine on them to get your guys Without a doubt, ARMA II is the most accurate modern warfare game I have ever played. And the accuracy draws you in and makes you feel like the solider. You have real ballistics, the world is destroyable (you can run over trees in a tank, break fences with an APC, blow up buildings), you drag your wounded allies out of fire and then you can perform field medicine on them to get your guys back into the battle, you can hop over fences, dive into bushes, look around the battle with out changing where you aim and many other amazing thing I have always want to do in a game but I have never been given the option. On top of the wonderful infantry control system, you also have an enormous arsenal of vehicles to fly and drive. The controls on all these vehicles feel very authentic and they allow you to fly with relative ease or meticulously tweet all the detailed controls (From Farcry II to WWII fight simulator). In the tank you have your driver, gunner, and tank commander. As a tank commander you can issue orders to the ai drivers or your team mates. The AI driver and gunners are a great addition because you can set wave points for the driver to follow, targets for the gunner to shoot at and in the meantime you can continue to survey the battle field. As in games like Red Orchestra, you can pop your head out of the tank or stand safe inside. Expand
  23. ChristianO
    Sep 16, 2009
    10
    Your patience is required. But once you get over the fact that this isnt a arcade shooter you start to appreciate the gameplay that is Arma. Its all about the hunt, the strategy, the placement of your squad holding off a intersection in a small town. This is the real deal people. (Well almost it as real as it gets for now) I have always been an enthusiast of Arma and anyone thats been Your patience is required. But once you get over the fact that this isnt a arcade shooter you start to appreciate the gameplay that is Arma. Its all about the hunt, the strategy, the placement of your squad holding off a intersection in a small town. This is the real deal people. (Well almost it as real as it gets for now) I have always been an enthusiast of Arma and anyone thats been caught saying "roger roger" "tango's insight" or "copy that, shot over" SHOULD BUY THIS FRIKKIN GAME!. -End. Expand
  24. Mar 11, 2012
    10
    1. if it lags your computer is **** 2. if you think its complicated go **** yourself because its a SIMULATOR. 3. its all about realism, DO NOT criticize it if you are coming from COD or BF or OF, about its complexity.
  25. Aug 20, 2012
    8
    Its a flawed masterpiece.With such a big order to take on,Bohemia has done a grand job.Still buggy in places but lets forgive and forget this is such a huge game and it deserves a high rating for sheer guts to take this type of game on.Hard learning curve,demanding specs,but worth every penny if you have a high end gaming rig and the patience.I bought the Anniversary pack even though IIts a flawed masterpiece.With such a big order to take on,Bohemia has done a grand job.Still buggy in places but lets forgive and forget this is such a huge game and it deserves a high rating for sheer guts to take this type of game on.Hard learning curve,demanding specs,but worth every penny if you have a high end gaming rig and the patience.I bought the Anniversary pack even though I already had 1&2.A couple of idiots on the multiplayer can be annoying but find a good server with players who want to play seriously and its just ace.looking forward to Arma 3. Expand
  26. TravisBomboro
    Jul 1, 2009
    10
    ArmA2 has given me a great experience, it's the perfect game for those war simulator players. This game you can just simply throw AI around and you got yourself an intense battle, now thats just the Vanilla part, this game is easy to mod and edit, its amazing. Cant find a game around like it 10/10
  27. FaustoJ
    Jun 27, 2009
    10
    Realism at its best. it's a very dense and tactical game. I was waiting for a game like this for ages. If you like Project Reality, Insurency, Operation Flashpoint, Rainbow Six series, Ghost Recon series... buying this is a no-brainer. The only problem is the FPS. It's very playable at 25-35 FPS, but most people buy huge gaming machines to see their FPS near 100 and will be Realism at its best. it's a very dense and tactical game. I was waiting for a game like this for ages. If you like Project Reality, Insurency, Operation Flashpoint, Rainbow Six series, Ghost Recon series... buying this is a no-brainer. The only problem is the FPS. It's very playable at 25-35 FPS, but most people buy huge gaming machines to see their FPS near 100 and will be annoyed of how this game consumes hardware. Thankfully, it's very escalable. So even in the minium spec the game can be played, just don't try to do some epic 100-tanks battle! 10/10. Expand
  28. PaulK
    Jun 28, 2009
    8
    this game is a great game everything is near perfect but the problem is that you need to have a nasa computer to play this game with no lag/a little lag and the bugs are quite troublesome but bohemia is making patches soo i would give this a 10 if they fixed like everything.
  29. MikeL
    Jun 28, 2009
    9
    Has it's problems, but Arma2 more than makes it up with some great experiences both online and off. Huge running battles, critical strikes, massive bombardment. Great team play. Gave it a 9. Fix the bugs BIS and I'll give you a 10.
  30. JasonE.
    Jun 30, 2009
    9
    The only let down is progressive power on aircraft all you get is ON or Off no happy medium. very little local transport if you end up in the middle of know where miles from your objective. Chinnoks or Sea Stallion would have been nice too.
  31. FelixS.
    Jul 10, 2009
    10
    I love ArmA2. It's as close as you can get to a real war. I'm part of the Shack Tactical gaming group (we have a featured credit at the end!). Try reading our guide to ArmA, google TTP. The best thing about ArmA2 is that you play the way that keeps you alive, not any kind of "game dynamic." The scripting can be unpredictable, but the game maintains its replayability via its I love ArmA2. It's as close as you can get to a real war. I'm part of the Shack Tactical gaming group (we have a featured credit at the end!). Try reading our guide to ArmA, google TTP. The best thing about ArmA2 is that you play the way that keeps you alive, not any kind of "game dynamic." The scripting can be unpredictable, but the game maintains its replayability via its dynamic scripting. I've never played a game that has been so challenging, and yet fair. Expand
  32. DannS
    Jul 27, 2009
    10
    Fantastic game, it's the new game after Operation Flashpoint, i have been waiting for. Its a super game.
  33. KarlL
    Jul 4, 2009
    9
    Its a great game despite horrible voice acting and the millions and millions of bugs. I hope with Arma 3 BI Studios decides to address some of the problems that have been present ever since Operation Flashpoint. I love this game, But the lack of effort to do any kind of polish is very disappointing.
  34. mikah.
    Aug 6, 2009
    9
    Once you get comfortable with this game, you'll find endless gaming hours. It is the only game with such atmosphere and tools to create new scenarios beyond imagination. Find yourself a proper clan and you'll have something that other games just don't offer. You'll need to have right attitude tho, this aint for those that dont know how to think. I'm impressed the Once you get comfortable with this game, you'll find endless gaming hours. It is the only game with such atmosphere and tools to create new scenarios beyond imagination. Find yourself a proper clan and you'll have something that other games just don't offer. You'll need to have right attitude tho, this aint for those that dont know how to think. I'm impressed the deepnes of this title. Awesome, adult stuff. Expand
  35. armag
    Aug 7, 2009
    9
    Well to make this short this IS a good game! if you like any simulation your gonna love this one too BUT the problem is with the bugs and i think they are gonna get fixed by patches and one extremely ridiculos thing i want to add you can controll a bunny or rooster and from cows to chickens! so if you have time you are gonna like this game.
  36. HerbalInfluence
    Sep 1, 2009
    10
    Completely fascinating and uncomparable to others! The openess of the "world" is unique in two ways: It's big and full and the course of action is open like in real life. It's dangerous like in real life. Done hours and days of it now. The bugs have been erased and bugs are not a shame to this kind of game: A world that is so open cannot be foreseen, not even by the developers Completely fascinating and uncomparable to others! The openess of the "world" is unique in two ways: It's big and full and the course of action is open like in real life. It's dangerous like in real life. Done hours and days of it now. The bugs have been erased and bugs are not a shame to this kind of game: A world that is so open cannot be foreseen, not even by the developers themselves. Be aware that OFP2 Dragon Rising is NOT from Bohemia Interactive, the people who did Operation Flashpoint. Yes, I am fan. Not for nothing. Having had lots of hours of exciting combats since Operation Flashpoint from 2001 on! Only point that cannot be no minus, looking close: you need good hardware! You may game it with the minimum but you will get so excited soon to see all of it's great graphics - you would blame be for not saying so. Expand
  37. JonoA
    Oct 18, 2009
    8
    The game is great but the campaign can be a little demanding. If you have a powerful computer then this game won't have as many bugs as the low end for some reason. I bought a new computer, not specifically for this game but it runs it pretty much flawless. This game is kind of like crysis it isn't forgiving in the graphics department.
  38. vass
    Oct 23, 2009
    9
    The game is awesome. A little buggy on release but that's normal with such a huge open world game like this and BIS will keep patching unlike other companies. The editor is so good I'm having too much fun with it.
  39. WalterS.
    Oct 25, 2009
    8
    Some of the most advanced military simulations available to date. The realism is great, but the game does suffer from an unpolished interface and some usability issues.
  40. Fin
    Oct 25, 2009
    9
    Note: All of the following is based on the game patched to the current version, 1.04. More of good is never bad. Arma2 continues the Operation Flashpoint heritage, and does it quite a lot better than its predecessor Arma1. The engine has finally received some long wanted functionality updates, and along the way they've also ramped the graphics up on notch. Whereas the singleplayer Note: All of the following is based on the game patched to the current version, 1.04. More of good is never bad. Arma2 continues the Operation Flashpoint heritage, and does it quite a lot better than its predecessor Arma1. The engine has finally received some long wanted functionality updates, and along the way they've also ramped the graphics up on notch. Whereas the singleplayer campaign of Arma1 was a disappointment to many fans of the original OFP, Arma2 does things a lot better. Especially the first few missions are excellent and give the player a big deja-vu from OFP, which in this case is only a good thing. After the midpoint the campaign turns to a whole other kind of gameplay, utilizing the Warfare gamemode, and doesn't quite live up to the starting missions, but it's still ok and well done. A good started for the bread and butter of these games, which is multiplayer. Multiplayer has always been the strong point of the OFP-series, and Arma2 is no exception. BIS has always only delivered the framework and some missions to get started with, and the rest has been up to the community. Once again this concept works. The in game mission editor allows one the create simple missions in literally in 5 minutes, and with enough skills and time you can come up with practically anything you can imagine. The community has already produced several new multiplayer gamemodes (cops vs. robbers, catch the murderer, etc) , while others have made hundreds of missions for the more "traditional" modes of coop, team vs. team, CTI (capture the island) and deathmatch. Multiplayer worked pretty well even out of the box, and with patches it provides you and even more solid experience. Dedicated servers are naturally included. What makes this game unique among the genre is the relationship with the devs and the community. The devs provided the platform (the game itself) and have kept patching it, released the development tools and most importantly pay attention the what the players say. Many of the devs post in the official forums, and they actively follow a bug-tracker set up by the community and keep squashing the reported bugs. The community rewards them with more content (new units and objects, new islands, new missions, etc) which prolong the life of the game, which in turn means more income to the devs. This is a thing one most not overlook with Arma2, especially in the light of what's going on with the recently released "rival" Dragon Rising. Expand
  41. ChaseL.
    Jun 26, 2009
    10
    This game is ruthless. You die if you make a wrong move. You'll get frustrated from reloading levels endlessly. But I can't get enough of it. There's nothing like the experience you'll get from this game. You might be in a jet firing a missile at a tank or dog fighting at 30,000. Or a sniper taking aim at an enemy commander a kilometer away, or a special forces soldier This game is ruthless. You die if you make a wrong move. You'll get frustrated from reloading levels endlessly. But I can't get enough of it. There's nothing like the experience you'll get from this game. You might be in a jet firing a missile at a tank or dog fighting at 30,000. Or a sniper taking aim at an enemy commander a kilometer away, or a special forces soldier infiltrating and enemy base to sabotage an enemy asset. Or you could just be a basic infantry man in an all out assault. You could be shot in the legs and have to crawl to safety with blurred vision and not knowing if your going in the right direction. What I'm getting at though is that there are endless possibilities for this game. Some won't like the harsh reality of it but hardcore players will find the game of their dreams here. The first Arma was a disaster. It wasn't worth the price until the community made great mods for it and it was patched by BIS. But the first game of this type by BIS was operation flashpoint, which took many hearts and ruined people lives from playing it to much. It was different from any other game at the time. Open environments, extreme realism and harsh consequences. This game is mostly a war simulator but you could make hunting missions and farming games with the limitless editor the game has. The simulation is top notch on foot but vehicles and air vehicles aren't as realistic. Tanks do need more than one person to operate fully but they just aren't realistic as a tank sim or plane sim. I am going to be playing this game for years to come and everyone should at least try the demo. Some will get hooked and others won't be able to stand the harshness but at least try and savor this masterpiece. Expand
  42. Lizard
    Jun 27, 2009
    9
    It's still got a few annoying bugs otherwise this game would deserve a 10, I've been waiting a long time for a game like this to come along, one that treats PC gamers as a unique gaming demographic, a game with depth and sophistication that really makes full use of the PC's capabilities. I was getting rather sick of being fed an unending supply of dumbed down console ports It's still got a few annoying bugs otherwise this game would deserve a 10, I've been waiting a long time for a game like this to come along, one that treats PC gamers as a unique gaming demographic, a game with depth and sophistication that really makes full use of the PC's capabilities. I was getting rather sick of being fed an unending supply of dumbed down console ports and was starting to lose faith in the future of PC gaming, ArmA 2 is the perfect antidote to that . The scope of this game is breathtaking and the attention to detail is second to none, military sims don't come any more real than this. Performance on the whole is pretty good on my less than up to date rig with most graphics settings on normal or high . If you were a fan of Operation Flashpoint you'll love this, it's one for the more serious PC gamer, it's nice to know that we haven't been completely abandoned in this age of cross platform development and mass market appeal. Expand
  43. CameronY.
    Jun 29, 2009
    10
    The Game is Brilliant. Its very realistic which may not take peoples fancy , forexample you can't just run in and shoot like in call of duty for. Instead you need to work your way in with a group of Friends or randoms and work together in taking over the citys. Also this game will not get boring thats so much you can do. One day u might want to taxi people on helicopters to the The Game is Brilliant. Its very realistic which may not take peoples fancy , forexample you can't just run in and shoot like in call of duty for. Instead you need to work your way in with a group of Friends or randoms and work together in taking over the citys. Also this game will not get boring thats so much you can do. One day u might want to taxi people on helicopters to the battle. Anoher you may want to be a sniper or a up front short ranged solider etc . the list goes on for miles seeing as theres planes vehicles. Also there are things added ontop which make the game so awesome, like seeing a Ammo Van get airlifted by a helicopter to the battle. Or one of my experiences was shooting the pilot of an emermy helicopter on the gorund with a ranged rifle and watching the heli dive bomb into some trees. Yes you may get people saying there are bugs etc , thats all mostly in the singleplayer campaign. To get real enjoyment you can only go multiplayer. Lastly there so much to do and learn so many controls , weapons etc , you can never get bored. Its a right laugh. 10 out of 10 for me. Expand
  44. ChrisH.
    Jun 30, 2009
    8
    Fresh out the blocks I was a little disappointed, but the patches seem to be coming out thick and fast from the developers so hopefully I will soon be able to sit down and give the game the time it needs. All the patches have so far recommended that you sacrifice your game saves so I am glad I did not get too far into it.
  45. DuncanF.
    Jul 1, 2009
    10
    This game is everything I hoped it would be. With teamwork and a good online community, nothing will parallel to the authentic experience you can get with upwards of 120 people fighting competitively in 60 vs 60 warfare. www.cfarma2.com. Not to say that there aren't a few rough edges in the game, mostly the single player AI, but BI is working fast to fix these and within a couple This game is everything I hoped it would be. With teamwork and a good online community, nothing will parallel to the authentic experience you can get with upwards of 120 people fighting competitively in 60 vs 60 warfare. www.cfarma2.com. Not to say that there aren't a few rough edges in the game, mostly the single player AI, but BI is working fast to fix these and within a couple weeks of release they had already released 2 patches fixing alot of the AI issues. Expand
  46. MartyC
    Jul 6, 2009
    9
    Good simulator of war. Some bugs, but 1.02 is good playable game with huge potential and great editor tool. GO ON.
  47. GeraldoA
    Jul 6, 2009
    9
    Tell me my friends, a game that does not have bugs? Bugs can be fixed, have some patience. This game is beautiful, has an editor, immersive and the community is great.
  48. AnonymousMC
    Jul 9, 2009
    10
    Very good game for hardcore Military Sim players. It is unfortunate that the publisher wanted the game out before it was finished though. I personally don't find it to be complicated what so ever, but yet I typically play Mil Sims. This is definitely not the game for Battlefield 2 players though.
  49. TheIlluitionist
    Jul 9, 2009
    9
    Real Good follow uo to Operatin Flashpoint and Armed Assault 1. Awesome graphics. But it has issues with laggy mouse and stuttering. Hopefully this will be fixed with patches. Hold off buying this game till taht happens or even better email Bohemia Interactive and tell them of your decision not to buy the game till they patch and fix the bugs.
  50. JoshK
    Jul 9, 2009
    10
    This is a awesome game. If you played and loved the first this is for you. Definitely not for run and gunner's this game takes patience as every time you play you have to go in like its real life.
  51. GhostSheetsXx*
    Aug 6, 2009
    8
    After completing the single player campaign and tinkering with the Armory and Editor modes for a few hours I thought I was finished with Arma 2. I'm not sure why I hadn't considered playing online, but it's something I overlooked each time I fired up the game. Perhaps I thought I woulld be too inexperienced in a world of dedicated, hardcore Arma 2 enthusiasts. And upon After completing the single player campaign and tinkering with the Armory and Editor modes for a few hours I thought I was finished with Arma 2. I'm not sure why I hadn't considered playing online, but it's something I overlooked each time I fired up the game. Perhaps I thought I woulld be too inexperienced in a world of dedicated, hardcore Arma 2 enthusiasts. And upon joining a MP game for the first time, I was.... There were a million things happening around me in the first 64 player server I joined. Engineers repairing APC's. Harriers and F35's taxiing down the run way to make a bombing run on a nearby overun city. I heard chatter over the radio of my team's Humvey convoy approaching the city from a flank position. And while all this was happening , I just stood at base, in the very position I spawned, and spun around and around taking in everything that was happening. This was an entire world I just stepped into. To avoid kick, I decided to move around a bit. I saw a pilot fire up a BlackHawk chopper and my team started to load up. I hoppped in back and we flew to a safe landing zone about a half mile east of our target city. I buddied up with my teams sniper, and we slowly and methodically picked off insurgants and moved our way into the city. Meanwhile choppers are buzzing over our head, the realistic sound of afterburning jet engines are roaring by, AA fire tracers are spraying violently through the air and on the horizon I can see a paratroop drop of about 15 soldiers slowly floating down. It was our secondary fire team surrounding the enemy. I knew then, that I would be playing this game all summer. And I have been. I consider myself inbetween and average and somewhat hardcore gamer, but I never thought I could get into Arma 2. I thought the community was too exclusive, and the game to difficult to learn. But I'm learning it. And it's the most fun I've had on my computer in a looong time. Thanks. Expand
  52. jbroost
    Sep 6, 2009
    9
    it's not perfect, but pretty close. i run the gambet of
    strtagy war games from medieval to necular. iv'e got a whole shelf dedicated to conquering the world, i like good graphics and reality for the time. i like a game that offers a fair challange. ARMA 2 offers all that. im not sure how fictional arma2 in Chernarus will prove to be. remember Bosnia? i didn't give ARMA a
    it's not perfect, but pretty close. i run the gambet of
    strtagy war games from medieval to necular. iv'e got a whole shelf dedicated to conquering the world, i like good graphics and reality for the time. i like a game that offers a fair challange. ARMA 2 offers all that. im not sure how fictional arma2 in Chernarus will prove to be. remember Bosnia? i didn't give ARMA a 10 because there ain't no 10s. but, like i said it's close. you may edit this for spelling but not for content, then print it ,post it, or whatever. thanks Jb
    Expand
  53. May 29, 2012
    9
    Simulator which makes everything in large scale, no tiny maps, no small numbers of bots/people.
    Huge possibilities, editor, nice graphics and so on...
  54. Jul 13, 2013
    10
    El mejor juego de guerra que puede haber.Lo tiene todo.ya no solo este juego sino toda saga y todos sus dlcs.Al principio cuesta pero luego le coges el truco y si formas grandes amigos teneis buen equipo.Recomendable 100%
  55. Jun 6, 2013
    10
    Whilst ArmA 2 was diverse and thrilling as a realistic, precise experience, it has a downfall with both bugs and a lack of smoothness, but ArmA 3 has removed all flaws with a perfected engine, rendering ArmA3 into a perfection of the loved formula to ArmA 2 without changing too much which was appreciated. It has not only improved the ArmA2 engine in smoothness, it has created a standardWhilst ArmA 2 was diverse and thrilling as a realistic, precise experience, it has a downfall with both bugs and a lack of smoothness, but ArmA 3 has removed all flaws with a perfected engine, rendering ArmA3 into a perfection of the loved formula to ArmA 2 without changing too much which was appreciated. It has not only improved the ArmA2 engine in smoothness, it has created a standard for polish with the explosive dynamics of the franchise formerly thought of as impossible due to complexities inherent to the chaotic, vast nature. Expand
  56. Jan 1, 2014
    10
    If u like games arcade games with knifes more deadly than anti material rifles, go play another game. But if u are like me and like realism, this game will be good.
  57. Nov 8, 2013
    10
    This game has by far the best physics of any game ever made, they are only topped by reality. Also the game runs absolutely perfectly, I can run this well on my potato. Everything about this game is perfect, this is the greatest game ever made, ever.
  58. May 13, 2014
    8
    Very well made, everything is on the highest level but gameplay and game itself is just too hard for me, even on recruit level. This is what you get from war simulator.
  59. E
    Dec 12, 2009
    8
    If your trying to decide between this and OPFII, well there's one thing you must ask yourself. Do you want the original OPF with improved graphics/weapons ect. or do you want another letdown Ghost Recon 2 (ie OFPII, not even a damn mission editor what a waste) . ArmA II is great at what it is and what it does. It is not simple go go xbox bs. There are bugs, but they will be worked If your trying to decide between this and OPFII, well there's one thing you must ask yourself. Do you want the original OPF with improved graphics/weapons ect. or do you want another letdown Ghost Recon 2 (ie OFPII, not even a damn mission editor what a waste) . ArmA II is great at what it is and what it does. It is not simple go go xbox bs. There are bugs, but they will be worked out. Nuff said. xbox=OFPII. pc=ArmA II. I own both and this is my verdict. Expand
  60. TomT.
    Oct 25, 2009
    9
    Worthy sequel to the original Operation Flashpoint with much more content. Very difficult game, also very rewarding. Hard enough to keep away the console generation. Its got some bugs but easy to over look them for the beauty underneath. Love it!
  61. ItamarB.
    Oct 9, 2009
    9
    I would have give a 10 if not for the numerous bugs (a man standing in front of you is heard over the radio?!?!?! with 3 diffrent voices :D ) but beside this, the game is one of the best i ever played. too bad bohemia didn't finish it on time.
  62. ChuckL.
    Jun 26, 2009
    10
    ArmA 2 Amazed Me. i was just bursted away from screen when I set the graphics all very high. It looked incredibly realistic. Nature was very live. Everything was very detailed. Shaders were superb. I think ArmA 2 will be living longer than any other game. I believe in this game, And I know it will get Highest Ratings after patching and brushing game up. I spend 95% of my time at computer ArmA 2 Amazed Me. i was just bursted away from screen when I set the graphics all very high. It looked incredibly realistic. Nature was very live. Everything was very detailed. Shaders were superb. I think ArmA 2 will be living longer than any other game. I believe in this game, And I know it will get Highest Ratings after patching and brushing game up. I spend 95% of my time at computer by playing this amazing tactical shooter. It throws back Crysis by 1 billion miles away from me. When I played ArmA 2. I forgot my previous games. I was so impressed. Keep it up, Bohemia comrades! Expand
  63. JohnK.
    Jul 17, 2009
    10
    Yes there are a couple bugs, but no show stoppers that should keep you from experiencing one of the most immersive pieces of software ever created. In terms of outdoor graphics Arma 2 is only surpassed by Crysis, and even then, it presents a much more realistic color palette and much larger area of action. There truly is the opportunity for realism here not to be found anywhere else in gaming.
  64. JaniceLaurence
    Jul 22, 2009
    9
    I absolutely love this game. Get beyond the usual bugs, it is utterly brilliant. I could not go back to Arma. I just play on my own server with friends. We just keep getting better, and more used to the game. Just keep playing, you get used to the bugs, and adapt to the AI being incredibly elite.
    All in all a great game. Did I say, I love this game?
  65. LoganM.
    Jul 5, 2009
    9
    A solid shooter with realistic elements to boast. Made more for the hardcore realistic shooter fan ArmA 2 picks up right were the first one left off. Adding new combat elements, a stronger AI system, and brand new grahpic elements ArmA 2 is a sequel that does its predecessor justice.
  66. BigDaddy
    Jul 7, 2009
    9
    I bought and love this game! The sheer size of the terrain and amount of possibilities in gameplay are vast. The only reason I gave it a 9 and not a 10 are the few graphical glitches and AI glitches I have encountered in game play. If you want a life like war FPS there is none better.
  67. MrGil
    Jul 7, 2009
    9
    Despite bugs and issues with the campaign this game is incredible due to it's vast features and complexity. Bohemia Interactive's army simulation series are unparalleled!
  68. GuyMetal
    Jul 8, 2009
    9
    Tired of no brain run and gun tactics? This can make you realise there is more to it. Best War simulator out there.
  69. DeepFar
    Aug 15, 2009
    8
    GOOD: First of all, this game is a Simulating game rather than an original FPS game. You can't compared it with COD just like you can't compared Blazing Angle with IL2 sieries. What I want say is there are totally different aim between this game and other FPS game. That is "REALITY". Not only in the graphics way, but also in the system, control, stragety and AI(MOST SUCCESSFUL GOOD: First of all, this game is a Simulating game rather than an original FPS game. You can't compared it with COD just like you can't compared Blazing Angle with IL2 sieries. What I want say is there are totally different aim between this game and other FPS game. That is "REALITY". Not only in the graphics way, but also in the system, control, stragety and AI(MOST SUCCESSFUL PART I THINK!) . There is no doubt that the one who can master this game must (and need to) have a certain background of modern battle and military knowledge. Beca BAD: Serious number of bugs make even a guy like me (A serious fan of OFP&ARMA ) very very very disappoint. For god's sake the 3rd update pack have just released and the campaign mission finally seems possible to finish. As a game designer, I can see the team is bravely trying to make a lot of challenge in the mission part.Most of concept is totally new, but sadly say some of them is boring (AND TOO MUCH BUGGY). Expand
  70. AlexV
    Aug 23, 2009
    9
    Really unusual game which is more akin to a full military simulator. Personally I like the realism and actually found myself scared under fire for the first time in ages. There is a lot of luck present like being hit by a stray bullet or being spotted, but again I like the feeling that that is how it would actually be.
  71. JariL
    Sep 21, 2009
    9
    This game are very nice but need some updates after 1.04 Anyway game are simulator game so dont cry if you dont have skills to fly or do something else (im not skilled pilot). Realistic are realistic not arcade **** what BF games was so learn to fly not whine. Best war game what never seen, I can recommend this for all FPS gamers who want more actions than aim and shoot.
  72. SinedO
    Sep 23, 2009
    9
    Patched version of this Rocks.. and as an older player seeking something that pushes the limits of technology.. this is it! play the demo and see ...no feel for yourself, yes theres a learning curve on the command controls, but the joy of bringing down a 7000 Game dollar Apache helicopter with a base defense 300 game dollar gun is lovely.
  73. SanoK
    Nov 28, 2009
    9
    This game has a lot of bugs but that is because some gamers were bitching about release date. "Oh it will never come out" and when the game is released it is full of bugs and than the same people whine about the bugs. SARCASTIC. Game developer Marek S. should lock up in a cave with his team and relase the game as total surprise. I think he pays more attention to public than to developing This game has a lot of bugs but that is because some gamers were bitching about release date. "Oh it will never come out" and when the game is released it is full of bugs and than the same people whine about the bugs. SARCASTIC. Game developer Marek S. should lock up in a cave with his team and relase the game as total surprise. I think he pays more attention to public than to developing functional game. Expand
  74. MartinH
    Oct 17, 2009
    10
    A great game, I just got to the mission where anything got open ended and it has been stellar with the1.04 patch. But the score is also for the developer going for it. I don't play games for fun, rather for challenge and for expiriencing situations that I cannot in real life. I also come from an eastern european country so I find the battlefield highly authentic, it really reminds me A great game, I just got to the mission where anything got open ended and it has been stellar with the1.04 patch. But the score is also for the developer going for it. I don't play games for fun, rather for challenge and for expiriencing situations that I cannot in real life. I also come from an eastern european country so I find the battlefield highly authentic, it really reminds me for my childhood. And getting shot, well that is part of war, I actually am excited as I get to try a different approach. And of course there is some luck but with a lot of training, patience and advancing very slowly you can really expirience one the best simulators out there. Expand
  75. AndresCL
    Oct 24, 2009
    10
    This game is not for arcade FPS gamers. If you love CoD4 running and shooting kind of stuff, you may not like this game. Yet if you like a 255km2 map, a large number of vehicles from tractors to fighter jets and any kind of rifle/rocket launcher you can imagine, all of them with realistic ballistic then you will love this game. But its not just its "out-of-the-box" content what makes this This game is not for arcade FPS gamers. If you love CoD4 running and shooting kind of stuff, you may not like this game. Yet if you like a 255km2 map, a large number of vehicles from tractors to fighter jets and any kind of rifle/rocket launcher you can imagine, all of them with realistic ballistic then you will love this game. But its not just its "out-of-the-box" content what makes this game so good. Its mainly its capability to mod it to the point you can add thousand of more weapons, maps, units, new functions with no problems at all. This is definitely a good buy Expand
  76. JBR.
    Oct 31, 2009
    8
    Kudos -good game. However, as it progresses the order commands change. What used to work might not work now ie..Dogs of War. Some places it gets a little old..lots of repeats. Other than that it seems to work fine. We need more campaigns..go..do it. Again Kudos. Thanks Jb
  77. mrjglocrcti
    Jun 26, 2009
    10
    ARMA 2
    Where to begin whit this one? You might have all kind of expectation of this game if you yet hadn't played it so let me uncover the reality of this one. The Personal Computers has had over the years hundreds of pseudo and semi simulation about the warfare and thousands of FPS shooter but none of them have really tried to put it all together. It sure isn't easy to give
    ARMA 2
    Where to begin whit this one? You might have all kind of expectation of this game if you yet hadn't played it so let me uncover the reality of this one. The Personal Computers has had over the years hundreds of pseudo and semi simulation about the warfare and thousands of FPS shooter but none of them have really tried to put it all together. It sure isn't easy to give rightful number ratio due subjective view of fan boyish but some objective view point will be needed.

    The story of development of ArmA2 begin in 1998 when BIS founders got idea to realize the vast open world with infantry and vehicle elements of other games into one single game. It was short miracle that OFP got so many things right whit so few resources they got back in days and they went making game enough open it to fully every single armchair enthusiastic make their own modification to it which is still one of the franchises most notable element to separate it other products.

    Community grow up to numbers challenge any other ones especially the amount of content made to it, you still might to find almost every single gun and military vehicle of some army of the world in addons or mods that is some kind of record in any games yet. Some of the community members took their ambitions to sell code to real world armies that which will later to became serving all anglospeaking countries military training simulator as VBS, the fact which really again make this product more feel like counterpart more suited version to gamers needs and demand.

    After separation whit original publisher they got need to keep flow of fund which was called ArmA to keep them able to stay on business which taught fortunately a lot lessons to coding team harsh reality of difficulties to ensure game able to work every machine correctly. So how the latest version of ArmA II release has now come of from all this work over the years?

    The game obviously in this size of the caliber will be vastly complex. The amazing ambition to push development of the genre has it troubles. When there hardly is any other game of this class its easy to forgive a lot of undone features, coding bugs & elements due there aren't any better product to choice against it.

    It would not be fair to too much concentrate to things which obviously lack of work which are easy to put to table. The development team weren't over 100 what it come to BIS coders which means a lot of trivial/simulation features are not coded what a pity!

    -Expectations and premises of game
    Ultimate Military Simulation is quite a immersing and blatant claim to game so how it can come up?

    -Physics the thing what have take grand step over last years .It is still basically the same Poseidon engine from decades ago and some part of isn't got updated. There isn't any ragdoll calculations to human bodies and therefore dead soldiers will stick to animations which might sometimes looks very unnatural. Vehicles and other objects have their share of problems when collision model doesn't work correctly. Damage model is simplified in the vehicles there hitpoint of some part that will determine when .

    There isn't yet possibility to correctly calculate the destruction of world in this size due limitation of current technology and CPU/GPU power. New GFX cards and collaboration work of manufacturers drivers and programs push certainly something new but is not yet enough easy to implement and therefore such features like DX10 new possibilities aren't used. So no digging inside ground make potholes or trenches and no . The building have more destruction zones and part can coded to fall apart before the whole block will demolish down to earth. Next instalment might then come whit full support to destructive environment.

    -Player movement have been tweaked and make it more appealing regular and casual players in general. It certainly feel less clumsy this time around thought there in time come moment you wish that it would have even more improved in specific situations what confront at times. You can climb over small walls and fences and lean over corners. There isn't shamely that much of options to different height positions especially when shooting behind walls or holes you neither can have a variety of speed on running or other animation.

    -AI they have they own ability to work in teams and individually. Player teams can fight on they own and like to keep their asses alive so they wont just look stupidly over their shoulders under fire. In longer rangesunscripted AI can keep their positions without searching any cover or too much bothering get killed what really isn't intuitive. In CQB they doesn't shoot back immediately in all the moment and can be found stuck of some objects. They currently still sometimes keep walking through objects without affect of real force preventing it.

    It is important have a lot of variety and randomness on their behavior some should be fearless machines and some life fearing campers. In A2 they not have that much of difference between units ranks or nations but generally all behave more or less similar way.
    AI have nasty habit to be known player position without directly seeing them. Sometimes it is rightful from information of other teams or hearing but spotting player when you are far away them on night can still cause bit nerve racking on some.

    AI is able on their own search their best calculated route from A to B and leaning over corners and keeping distance to other team members. The teamwork where MG support fire during movement under combat is well done team leader give commands and hand marks.
    Grass and vegetation have different view block meaning AI can see through grass but not trees or bushes can which make it unfair to player to shooting back invisible target. The inconsistency of their reaction and play thought is unacceptable stage so far.

    -Missions and Campaign are well more got work over them this time. I would go to much of speak of them but quickly reviewing that they have the feel and continuity on them. The plot of marine force invasion is seen but seems work well. Civilian life during mission is great feature over other games empty population. There is a lot different way to approach of objectives meaning you have much choice how and when to do something. Story have its twists and stand up to its peers. Warning word, many missions scripts are broken causing mission not trigger some important objectives and preventing advancing on campaign which should be possible skip using "endmission" command cheat.

    -Weapons are well presented to game theme there is NATO s and marines M4 family most prominent but others are still in. Russians have too a lot AKs. There is pistols, missiles, and such but the few concerns is that lack of customization part such of scopes change during gameplay aren't in, hand grenades throwing isn't that well done there isn't way put them correct places you would like them to go. No hand combat in general. Artillery modules is fine upgrade thought doesn't have easy implementation to custom missions.

    Reloading during moving is new feature. Lack of animation to see correctly reload magazines and hand in gun might disappoint some. Shooting feel as it should sharp and accurate when mount and prone although there isn't way to stabilize them against objects. Recoil is done right player hands move whit gun not rest is affected. No stacking of ammo or those are in game. Ballistic, penetration and few muzzle parameters are all what you could expect. The lack of variety of muzzle fire effects doesn't look too fine.

    -Sounds in general are gorgeous there is great variety to noises in ambiance and when it comes to firefight the intensity of all the sounds are spectacular.
    Radio commands have their problems there is kind of not yet finished system of giving away information about enemies locations and need further work to more specifically give player to know where to look.

    Voices of actor aren't the most top heap but do it work. Guns sound varies over some does sound like IRL counterpart and some not there is difference between where they are shot and making more feeling .
    Vehicles does sound right and can give away they types even when not visible to player. There is Doppler effect and speed of sounds in game so explosion in 2 miles will take over 10 s to hear.

    -Cars doesn't stay on road that easily that you could do IRL due lacking of further development of controlling methods and mechanics that mean that drunken driving in bikes and unarmored vehicles will have lethal consequences in high speed. Destruction models need more stages and individual parts of vehicles should be possible to separated apart each other. Tires loses their air and can be removed and the glass be shoot off entirely.

    Penetration values of different ammunition isn't yet that well implemented and will cause many situation where IRL counterpart doesn't work in game . The passengers still might all get fully killed when the damage of vehicle is full up. There isn't way to passengers shoot out of vehicle without scripting and no free movement when moving is possible.
    AI have hard time to keep their speed on road and will slow down in some situation in moment least needed. There aren't animation out of open doors or in and transition remain same as in predecessor.

    -Tanks they are easy to control as a driver but as a commander you ll get unresponsive AI crew making your life harder. No implemented laser range finder or more complicated tech to shooting but should do general what player would expect them to do giving armor against infantry treat. AI tanks without player control aren't capable to maneuver using real life tactics meaning tanks keep wouldn't expose to enemy their sides or back or using right ammunition to different treat. Enough amount of variety and firepower, suspension also bounces over small rocks and blocks over ground. Tank enthusiastics will stay on Steel Beast Pro.

    -Choppers are user-friendly in general flight physics certainly isn't match to DCS BS but still much better than other ones non specific simulator have. Have firepower to keep tank crew on aware their mortality. Joystick user will have more space to multi amount of support. The most annoying is particularly the auto trust which either is full or non there should be in air vehicles implement more sophisticated way trust have elevation between ratios.
    -Airplanes does have more controllable turning rate against A1 and generally are more useful the size of map is that small that there isn't realistically too many uses over CAS support and such. Shooting is simple pressing key when aimed. Bomb dropping isn't that hard either in some planes dive bombing if not assisted with laser targeting from other ones. Pilot have vision to keep track of world but spotting of targets is almost entirely to left to radar which will show enemies from allies. Would like to get more slower older types and transport to Russian side. Lack of counter measures yet will not get any hurray reaction to LOMAC and such fans. -Chernarus and Utes are done from real world data and make the believable there is enough variety over landscape thought addons to desert climate will soon complete other needs. Buildings, forest & ambiance looks very eastern European. It maybe doesn't have biggest cities and towns but give enough variety of country and urban. -GFX is wonderful to this type of game. Huge vast world filled of life is important element to get player immersion being in real breathing world. The engine can push a lot shaders, polygons on screen and still stay playable in current generation computers. The vegetation of game is one of landmark of company and definitely the best one of any games released. Units and peoples have now much more polygons on them but still lack of variety of animations and extra behaviors make them somehow lifeless in some situation if left without any further control. Faces hasn't got that much mimics than some other can allow and will bit make close confrontation of interaction whit NPC characters not that much -Multiplayer is again one half of the whole game, there is massive amount of player controllable things get done. Mission designer can do what ever situation on fly and there is abundance of different game types in general compared to any other games on market. In small mission in general well doing server game doesn't lag which is the most important things. However when you increase the amount of scripts and units on mission the calculation will in some point have its bottle necks. The maximum amount player spot is determined more about the server. CTI will be certainly be the most prominent mp mod due massive landmass and towns and will get all friend of it play this games surely. You can see too some specific type of minor things like RPG of socialization of some nerds who enjoy spending whole day looking after each other in Chernarusville type missions. Game seems thought all the openness able to prevent hacking and cheating so far using different techniques. There certainly isn't ranking up officially or something other prices to evaluate gameplay but it will promote more team work and VOIP works fine. Cooperation against massive AI companies should be base setting there also will be whole campaign able to be playable by any amount of players. -Modification is always been there from beginning if the editor doesn't make something mission editor wish then some extra scripting out of game surely will make it work. The mods will easily be ported over A1 and there is ability on moment when officially game got tools or released be so much new content that for years to come there is always something new to come out. Game engine almost allow any WW2 modification made much more better than any full priced game could ever deliver. New maps new SP,MP missions, and so much more. Community over forums and worldwide is making sure that this game will not be anytime soon to be forgotten. The developers should more focus of community cooperation getting talented people work for modules/addons/game engine changes which will later implemented officially and in bug fixing have more working relationship to have official tools and website to bug reports and voting of features. To produce more end-user marketing more contest of multigaming, website have all the people there to show the progress and quality control. Ability adjust new technological products making sure the game will be as well able to fully utilise all power any system will let them and more customize the game to different audiences such the simulation freaks of vehicles get their own options have everything as close of reality as possible and arcade/RPG/adventure who doesn't care that aspect would have options to close such of options off. Distinguishing everything to making them able customize their own gameplay as they want it to be "you dint necessarily shouldn't be forced to restrained to on pre-made animation, which play on everyone exactly same". PROs + +feature-rich war game sandbox +ambition to working livable work is right there +for 50$ product excellent purchasing value +graphical design is very great considering how much it have to work to drawing long view distances and same time to keep the micro details +focus on so many game types is making it playable to many people +multiplayer people will have great time fun what ever is gametype from DM/CTI to RPG or RTS +Mission editor is enough easy to beginners yet complicated to more complex mission making +more fluid gameplay and controllable characters +There is more gametypes out of box than in general such of SP campaign/single missions/tutorials/skirmishes/editing/simple Armory/encyclopedia,MP +Open non-linear campaign is still not yet overdone in gaming and surely have so many interesting moments +Step ahead from A1 in sense of optimized engine to able pull +An Animals and massive amount of plants/trees/landscape objects make authentic atmosphere +the AI have it strengths , in some way is new evolution of FPS genre and they make you on hard setting afraid of your life any moment. +future of community developing extra content things will certainly keep interest many years, +there is so much of potential for further development which will mean that the life curve will be much longer than in any other games +BIS will deliver patches and even new content for long time to come +The real successor to 2001 OFP is certainly got the feeling in general as it should have CONS- -Need much more quality control which means more employees to code and test game before release version to get better ratings and peoples reception -customization to different gameplay aren't supported out of box -restricting animation still in making some quick gameplay impossible -lack emphasis to deeper hardcore simulation of warfare all the tech advantage in past 50 year have missed example FLIRS,laser meter,electrical computing etc -not modification tools yet out meaning the content will be follow much later period of games life when they will be released -inconsistency in scripts working due complex nonlinear design -bugs are very trivial ones and can be annoy a lot of the people different ways -people doesn't have enough much time to learn and find many things in game and will never understand them and therefore ignoring some of the very important things that rise the game overall value -game engine is in the pieces which means some things have got much more focus than other ones and game isn't so called "balanced" which actually is good thing -AI has many moment of freezing,super ability to spot anybody without notable reason , working different situation such of driving of vehicles and not able to work independently without mission designer assign -will again be bashed by so many other peoples who prefer CQB in tunnels and not appreciated of the so many more of content over minor ones Overall it is a big stack of masterpiece which will set limits & standarts to come and no PC gamer should in any case miss it! P.S I ve read & study english just one year now so that's why whole grammar is what is it (started in summer 2008).
    Expand
  78. SeppoK
    Jun 26, 2009
    10
    Pinnacle of the FPS/War Simulation genre, true masterpiece that will not be matched in several years of mainstream games! After all the bugs have been get rid of and the game is more optimized it will be perfect!
  79. DavidC
    Jun 26, 2009
    10
    Amazing! I always thought realism didn't fit well in games... but this just proved me wrong. It's so realistic and the gameplay is intense. I can tell I'm going to be playing this game for years to come.
  80. EdwardM
    Jun 27, 2009
    10
    There is something amazing about this game, something of titanic structure, endlessly complex and devilishly unpredictable wealth. I don't think I could recommend this to any but the most fanatical of strategic, hardcore squad-based shooting simulator lover. It's deep, enigmatic engine will keep you up all night unraveling the secrets of order, discipline and key mapping, all There is something amazing about this game, something of titanic structure, endlessly complex and devilishly unpredictable wealth. I don't think I could recommend this to any but the most fanatical of strategic, hardcore squad-based shooting simulator lover. It's deep, enigmatic engine will keep you up all night unraveling the secrets of order, discipline and key mapping, all just to be shot down in no heroic fashion. Again and Again. Better than the real thing. If that is any comparison. Expand
  81. Matthew
    Jun 29, 2009
    9
    Wow, where do we start - massive game, massive scale, massive weapon range, massive mod community.. This is a vast rich and deep military simulator.. If you are a Counter Strike player or a Battlefield player this may not suit you.. Different pace, different scale. Itsa not about your sklls with a mouse but rather using terrain, team work and tactics. Only issues are some bugs/performance Wow, where do we start - massive game, massive scale, massive weapon range, massive mod community.. This is a vast rich and deep military simulator.. If you are a Counter Strike player or a Battlefield player this may not suit you.. Different pace, different scale. Itsa not about your sklls with a mouse but rather using terrain, team work and tactics. Only issues are some bugs/performance but BIS do pump out the patches. Expand
  82. Th3Pr0f
    Jul 12, 2009
    10
    Best Military Simulation period. One thing that I find very disappointing is people calling the game Armed Assault 2 which is completely wrong. The name is ArmA2 like Bohemia has announced before that Armed Assault 2 is a false title. Armed Assault was a subtitle for the first Arma in Europe. When Bohemia found out that Arma was incorrectly referred to as Armed Assault they changed the Best Military Simulation period. One thing that I find very disappointing is people calling the game Armed Assault 2 which is completely wrong. The name is ArmA2 like Bohemia has announced before that Armed Assault 2 is a false title. Armed Assault was a subtitle for the first Arma in Europe. When Bohemia found out that Arma was incorrectly referred to as Armed Assault they changed the title to Combat Operations for north America to avoid any misunderstandings. ArmA is a Latin term and has nothing to do with Armed Assault. Expand
  83. SamR
    Jul 16, 2009
    8
    Arma2 is awesome. Sure, the game is complex at first, and yes, it has its bugs, but when it doesn't, I love the tactics and teamwork you have to deploy to truly take advantage of this game. The graphics are also pretty damn good, and there's no other FPS you can play where you have 250 sq km in one map! The epic feel to the game only adds to it.
  84. lolwut
    Aug 18, 2009
    8
    (this review takes place after all the wonderful updates) This title IS undoubtedly good, but Singleplayer was COMPLETLY ruined my freindly AI. For one, though they could see enemies through mountians (which did help) but they absolutley would not take cover EVER, and if ONE teammate dies, its gameover.. I cannot relate to you how IMPOSSIBLE this made the campaign. I mean, sure I could (this review takes place after all the wonderful updates) This title IS undoubtedly good, but Singleplayer was COMPLETLY ruined my freindly AI. For one, though they could see enemies through mountians (which did help) but they absolutley would not take cover EVER, and if ONE teammate dies, its gameover.. I cannot relate to you how IMPOSSIBLE this made the campaign. I mean, sure I could take the enemies on myself (Though enemy AI truly does still cheat after all these updates)- but my teammates could not refrain in any way from getting themselves shot and a nasty gameover screen. even when I told them to hang back and go prone, if they saw an enemy, they would automatically stad up and get thier heads blown off... lol. Anyway, I just had to get my anger over friendly AI out. Now for the good stuff. It is an uber realistic, accurate military combat sim, which basically packs basically every feature imaginable as well as a flight sims and driving sims. Though fustrating, it is always fun in the end and VERY rewarding. (except for a few very buggy cutscences trown at the end of missions.) Multiplayer is a tactical blast, and not just your average BF2 coop but you MUST have ventrillo teamspeak or be in a clan, or you WILL be kicked. (I found this out myself after about 10 bans) People afriad of the TRIGGER bugs have no need to worry now as they have fixed those, therefore the remaining terrible bugs are mostly AI. Overall, Its a fun, interesting and excruciatingly fustrating title though in the end I could not bring myself to rate it lower than an 8. NOT reccmonded for most people. Expand
  85. AnonymousMC
    Sep 27, 2009
    10
    this game is epic and shows you that you dont need dx 10 to have a great game the video is wonder full the mods are plenty the realism is so real u might get iraq syndrom :P i mean i love this game and arma 1
  86. Feb 14, 2012
    10
    There is something special about this game, it manages to be amazingly bad and amazingly awesome at the same time. There are bugs, glitches, problems, strange things, some stuff unoptimized and so but but still game is so good and addictive, it will kick your ass and chop your head off at the beginning of learning curve but will become extremely rewarding as soon as you will know what toThere is something special about this game, it manages to be amazingly bad and amazingly awesome at the same time. There are bugs, glitches, problems, strange things, some stuff unoptimized and so but but still game is so good and addictive, it will kick your ass and chop your head off at the beginning of learning curve but will become extremely rewarding as soon as you will know what to do and how to do it. There is always something new to discover in the game, something new to try. Amount of user-created missions is already enough to play the game until the end of times. Expand
  87. Jul 16, 2013
    9
    Video games will never totally emulate real life, but if there is a game that is closest to real life, it's ArmA II. This is the ultimate infantry war-simulator. I say infantry because the vehicles aren't really simulated like other vehicle simulators. In other words, ArmA doesn't simulate aircraft as much as combat flight simulators like DCS: A-10C. There is a free version of ArmA on theVideo games will never totally emulate real life, but if there is a game that is closest to real life, it's ArmA II. This is the ultimate infantry war-simulator. I say infantry because the vehicles aren't really simulated like other vehicle simulators. In other words, ArmA doesn't simulate aircraft as much as combat flight simulators like DCS: A-10C. There is a free version of ArmA on the website, which only has the editor and multiplayer. Give that a spin, and if you love it, get the full version. Be warned, you need a beast of a PC to play this game! Expand
  88. Jan 4, 2012
    10
    At first I was told by a friend that this game was supposed to be really awesome, I wasn't sure about it, being a military sim and all, but this game is the best investment in FPSing games that I've bought. The way your team and everyone you play with all fight together, this game isn't another **** COD this is a real mans game, if you want to go to the extreme of realism this is the game,At first I was told by a friend that this game was supposed to be really awesome, I wasn't sure about it, being a military sim and all, but this game is the best investment in FPSing games that I've bought. The way your team and everyone you play with all fight together, this game isn't another **** COD this is a real mans game, if you want to go to the extreme of realism this is the game, not cod or battlefield. It took me a while to get used to this game with all the advanced controls but after a while in BOOTCAMP which is part of the main campaign which people seem to miss and try to dive right into the game, I was able to fall in love with every aspect of this game. Every time I play you get the feeling of "being" or "living" in this army like experience and its the best feeling ever! And for the people that say you need a high end computer, what are you talking about, I maxed this game out easily. Expand
  89. Nov 23, 2011
    8
    One of the best games i ever played, when i tried this game i was expecting another typical fps (run, shoot, reload, run, shoot, reload), but this... this is the most complete FPS game ever seen (bcause its not only a fps), the thing is it has some issues that made the game lose credibility, such as some bugs, the controls complexity, and the playability style. A lot of bugs are fixed withOne of the best games i ever played, when i tried this game i was expecting another typical fps (run, shoot, reload, run, shoot, reload), but this... this is the most complete FPS game ever seen (bcause its not only a fps), the thing is it has some issues that made the game lose credibility, such as some bugs, the controls complexity, and the playability style. A lot of bugs are fixed with the patches, personally i never had any issues while playing since the last ones; the control complexity is a part of the game, there are too many options and actions to make, maybe too complicated for the casual player or the classic fps player. The playability is a big factor, cz team playing is the pilar of this game, the thing is u can't fully enjoy this while playing Single player mission or campaigns, the IA is not capable of taking too complicated orders or actions, so the best thing is to play a multiplayer map to enjoy the team play (the domination maps out there are amazing), i had plenty of good moments while playing this on MP.
    Graphics are good, but don't expect the best graphic engine of the market. Finally, the best thing of this game is the modding comunity, there are plenty of mods to try and enjoy (like fallout 3), a lot of playability options can be changed, u can literally create a whole new environment.
    Anyway, if ur tired of classic run and shoot fps and ur looking for some realistic action, to use a big bunch of different weapons, drive tanks, jets, helos, cars, even mountainbikes xD, to command people in the field, and a lot more, just stop reading, shut up and buy this diamond!
    Expand
  90. Dec 25, 2011
    9
    Great game, loved the adventure. nothing more fun than taking your friends, piling in a Humvee, tank, helicopter, or any other vehicle, and blazing out into the unknown to kill every single enemy soldier. while the mechanics are a little rough around the edges, that shouldn't deter you from enjoying this massive, tactical, sandbox shooter.
  91. Jan 3, 2012
    10
    Little harder to just jump in then cod, but when you get use to it is awesome. I rate it 9.5/10 some bugs with the AI some times. If you are looking for a realistic shooter this is the best game to play.
  92. Jan 21, 2012
    10
    This game could've had soooo much more put into it, but unfortunately, it didn't. For me, it's the small things that make a game an enjoyable experience. Some things I noticed that annoyed me was the medic healing...you see something happening when you heal someone, but apparently all of the band-aids are invisible or something. Some other things is if you actually saw your men get in andThis game could've had soooo much more put into it, but unfortunately, it didn't. For me, it's the small things that make a game an enjoyable experience. Some things I noticed that annoyed me was the medic healing...you see something happening when you heal someone, but apparently all of the band-aids are invisible or something. Some other things is if you actually saw your men get in and out of tanks, boats, helo's, etc...it would be much better, but as most FPS games "insta-pop" you into Vehicles, it's not a big deal. Although these small flaws, along with the sometimes idiotic AI, poped at first to me, It was over shunned by the pure "awesomeness" that the editor holds. For the longest time, I was ignorant to about 95% of the editors features. After discovering them, making some kickass missions, and pretty much enjoying my self, I learned that this game was a definitive good buy. ARMA is, and will remain, the best combat simulator, and sandbox of all time. Expand
  93. Jun 11, 2012
    8
    This game is great and everyone should at least try it once. The problems with the game consist of glitches where you can walk through walls and other sorts of weird bugs. Another fact is the game requires a pretty good graphics card to run at a 30+ consistent fps at all high settings. The game kind of feels undeveloped but that doesn't stop you from having a great time playing it. YouThis game is great and everyone should at least try it once. The problems with the game consist of glitches where you can walk through walls and other sorts of weird bugs. Another fact is the game requires a pretty good graphics card to run at a 30+ consistent fps at all high settings. The game kind of feels undeveloped but that doesn't stop you from having a great time playing it. You have to want to play a realistic simulator to enjoy the game since this isn't anywhere near a COD but it is normally enjoyable for all. Expand
  94. Sep 5, 2012
    10
    Hands down the most interactive and self fulfilling game on the market to date. The hidden gem of FPS and military shooters. Really can't wait for ARMA III to be released.
  95. Feb 8, 2013
    10
    This game is honestly great, although, its physics are completely terrible. You will just have to deal with it if you want to play what I would call one of the better games of this decade. The game is not actually that glitched out as some of these moronic articles claim it is; the controls once you use them for a while and make a few minor tweaks they begin to become a great format. it isThis game is honestly great, although, its physics are completely terrible. You will just have to deal with it if you want to play what I would call one of the better games of this decade. The game is not actually that glitched out as some of these moronic articles claim it is; the controls once you use them for a while and make a few minor tweaks they begin to become a great format. it is actually very strategical as well and with the best mission editor practically ever you can continue to lay down new scenarios constantly. I will say the campaign has the worst presentation so you will find it hard to get into I couldn't exactly even comment on the campaign because I haven't even finished it It also features a great modding system with plenty of mods I would actually recommend these mods/maps Sound of Anders Zeus AI and the map Panthera This game is quite amazing in what it delivers and for a cheap price on steam. I believe it was just lowered to 24$ not sure the Euro or pound translation, but in short get it Expand
  96. Mar 13, 2013
    10
    Even though the ArmA 3 ALPHA has been released, his game still holds its ground as possibly the best shooter/simulator out there. For 2006 these graphics were outstanding and the game play is always amazing. The devs did a good job making you feel stress, anxiety and fear while under fire and I cant wait to see what ArmA 3 has in store for us.
  97. May 25, 2013
    8
    Arma 2 has got to be one of the best FPS games I have played. It puts you like as if you were really at war with someone, and makes you feel like as if you are experiencing the harrowing effects of war already, without going out of your chair into a army. This is the "Saving Private Ryan" of all war FPS games.
  98. Sep 1, 2013
    9
    a very realistic Sim not exaclty game but the way in which you co-ordinate with your team-mates and it feels like your'e in a war I rember I was playing with some friends and the voice chat is essential. He was sniping and I had a LMG and was sprinting across a field and then my friend said he had spotted someone and then i realised that I was getting shot at and then I told him to shoota very realistic Sim not exaclty game but the way in which you co-ordinate with your team-mates and it feels like your'e in a war I rember I was playing with some friends and the voice chat is essential. He was sniping and I had a LMG and was sprinting across a field and then my friend said he had spotted someone and then i realised that I was getting shot at and then I told him to shoot but he was actually a spotter and my steam friend shot him then later one of my other friends was in a tank under heavy fire and I was i a jet they called for support and I killed the enemies what other game lets you do that okay Battlefiled 3 comes close but the realism helps it If you have a PC buy it it really is that good Expand
  99. Jun 12, 2013
    10
    Arma 2 OA is a game that takes some getting used to, but once you do all other games of this kind pale in comparison 99% of DLC is user made and is free or you can make your own, Add the ACE mod with its bits n pieces and what a game. It still gets updated and new stuff is still being added.

    For some people this isn't a game its an obsession
  100. Sep 7, 2013
    8
    ---Rating---
    Design: 4 /5 (ambitious scope unmatched by other "shooters", but poor SP campaign)
    Polish: 3 /5 (somewhat mediocre graphics, certain mechanics are slightly finicky) Value: 5 /5 (immense replay value, a playground of nearly unlimited potential) ---Review--- The execution leaves a bit to be desired, but I can't fault Bohemia for their ambition. Most of the included
    ---Rating---
    Design: 4 /5 (ambitious scope unmatched by other "shooters", but poor SP campaign)
    Polish: 3 /5 (somewhat mediocre graphics, certain mechanics are slightly finicky)
    Value: 5 /5 (immense replay value, a playground of nearly unlimited potential)

    ---Review---
    The execution leaves a bit to be desired, but I can't fault Bohemia for their ambition. Most of the included campaign missions are rather poor to put it simply, and other issues include poor performance, a clunky interface and general lack of user-friendliness, inconsistent graphical quality, a prevalence of minor bugs and glitches, and mediocre AI. That said, ARMA II offers a unique experience unmatched by other games, as long as you drop any "lone wolf" tendencies and make the most of its industrious community.
    Expand
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 38
  2. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. It's a shame the developers obviously didn't have enough time to finish ArmA II properly before they shipped it: There are many bugs in the game and the AI's actions mostly just don't make sense at all. One piece of advice: Get patch 1.01 – with it the game is at least moderate fun. Still, we hope that some further patches will follow and fix ArmA II's major flaws so that it will finally become the great game it could be – next time, however, we'd like to see the game finished by the time of its release!
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    70
    The vast and open world of ArmA II offers an incomparable army experience. You only need to accept its slow pace and batch of unpleasant bugs. Still ArmA is the only matchless war toy.
  3. ARMA 2 doesn't seem to be a finished game. The AI is cheating, physics and controls are out of date and the game is full of annoying bugs. That the game manages to look great from time to time doesn't help much. Hopefully Bohemia Interactive will release some patches soon. The game still has a lot of potential.