Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood

 PC
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. 1UP
    95
    It's one of those sequels where all of the evolution takes place underneath the façade -- a game you've got to pick up and feel all the subtle differences. And of course, if Blood is your first Brothers experience, well, it's hard to imagine going back to anything less authentic and strategic.
  2. ActionTrip
    78
    The levels still feel a little too restrictive, the scripted scenes will break again, and the German AI does tend to show flashes of blinding stupidity.
  3. BonusStage
    91
    Excellent sense of immersion, great storytelling.
  5. Cheat Code Central
    80
    It's fun and well produced but it's a console version of an expansion pack and nothing more.
  6. Computer and Video Games
    85
    Buoyed by extra content, yet lacking a proper sense of real progression from the last outing, it nevertheless remains a well-designed foray that taps into parts of the gaming brain that habitually lie dormant. [PC Zone]
  7. Computer Games Magazine
    70
    Marches behind its predecessor as one of the most polished tactical shooters ever released. [Jan 2006, p.44]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Computer Gaming World
    90
    In many ways, Blood feels like the polished game Gearbox couldn't completely nail last time around. Most of the evolution takes place under the hood.
  9. CPUGamer
    78
    If it were a thirty dollar expansion pack it would have been lovely... but... it’s just not a good deal.
  10. Edge Magazine
    80
    Earned In Blood might not seem like a radical departure from the original but the gloriously cascading AI and open maps have effectively transformed it into a very special WWII experience. The fact that there's nothing quite like it in such a crowded genre speaks volumes. [Dec 2005, p.103]
    All this publication's reviews
  11. Eurogamer
    80
    EiB feels grittier - closer to its fascinating yet fearful inspiration - than any other military shooter out there. Much of that feel comes from the credible mission design and AI already mentioned but a significant portion stems from fundamentals like the way the weapons look, sound and perform.
  12. Game Revolution
    83
    Even with the improvements to the A.I. and enhanced multiplayer experience, the game feels more like an expansion pack than a stand-alone product.
  13. GameSpot
    87
    Earned in Blood offers a rather similar experience to its excellent predecessor, with improved enemy artificial intelligence and additional multiplayer options. The novelty has worn off just a bit, though.
  14. GameSpy
    80
    From the great use of sound, the sharp graphics, and the innovative use of combat tactics, it's sure to please fans of Road to Hill 30 who want more of that same kind of gameplay.
  15. IGN
    88
    Only an incremental improvement on the original. The greater flexibility of the AI and the new multiplayer options are certainly welcome additions, but the game still feels... more like Brothers in Arms v1.5 than a full sequel.
  16. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    81
    It’s essentially the same game as before, only played from a different angle.
  17. Next Level Gaming
    92
    It is as good as the previous game, and then some with the enhancements that were made. Most notably, in the computer AI that puts up so much more of a fight than even the best FPS games.
  18. PC Format
    80
    Not the advance you may have hoped, but the co-op mode deserves medals. [Dec 2005, p.98]
    All this publication's reviews
  19. PC Gamer
    87
    This intense semi-sequel significantly ratchets up the enemy AI. [Holiday 2005, p.56]
    All this publication's reviews
  20. Pelit (Finland)
    87
    More like an add-on than a real sequel. Despite that, Earned in Blood has better AI and is overall better than the first one. The best WW2 team leader game at the moment. [Nov 2005]
    All this publication's reviews
  21. Play.tm
    83
    The fact that you are being asked to pay full premium for what is effectively an expansion pack in all but name, may put some off.
  22. The Sydney Morning Herald
    70
    There are a couple of perplexing flaws in the design, such as the inability to go prone or jump over low walls and fences, but suspend your disbelief and you'll be gripped.
  23. Times Online
    80
    The first-person caper is satisfyingly immersive thanks to some outstanding graphical touches — heavy rain splatters neatly on Jeeps and we can even see Red’s freckles in close-up. All this detail is demanding, so you will need a fairly powerful PC to prevent the visuals from occasionally chugging.
  24. Worth Playing
    87
    An awesome game and earns a great deal of respect and admiration, but doesn’t quite earn what I wish it would.

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best PC Game of 2005
49
#49 Most Discussed PC Game of 2005
51
#51 Most Shared PC Game of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 118 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 118
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 118
  3. Negative: 19 out of 118
  1. sinadoom
    Sep 29, 2011
    4
    Graphics are pretty bad. The actual gameplay is very repetitive and although it's challenging it certainly isn't fun. Realistic? Maybe.Graphics are pretty bad. The actual gameplay is very repetitive and although it's challenging it certainly isn't fun. Realistic? Maybe. Frustrating, slow and boring? Most likely. It's not really a shooter and although it tries to be different, its flaws start to show when nobody plays multiplayer and the skirmish mode is bad as well. Nice idea, but bad execution.… Full Review »
  2. John
    Oct 28, 2005
    4
    Action Trip's reviewer says it right. Agree with his comments totally. A marketing scheme to sell an add-on as a sequel while the Action Trip's reviewer says it right. Agree with his comments totally. A marketing scheme to sell an add-on as a sequel while the original game is still "hot". OK game, but seen it all before and not enough differences. Same good points same bad points as original BIA. 'Nuff said.… Full Review »
  3. [Anonymous]
    Oct 20, 2005
    4
    I played it for a day and then gave up on it. i didnt find it fun... and although it seemed technically interesting... it was just annoying.
See all user reviews »