Strange Brigade

 PC
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Games Master UK
    Oct 4, 2018
    72
    Fighting for queen and country is all very well, but it's something you should do in a group. [Nov 2018, p.66]
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  2. GameOver.gr
    Sep 21, 2018
    70
    Strange Brigade is quite charming in its complete devotion to depict an overtly British adventure in supernatural Egypt of the 30s. For the 4-5 hours it lasted we had a satisfying co-op experience, filling like proper tomb raiders against hordes of skeletons, mummies and some welcoming boss fights. Unfortunately the lack of any significant feeling of progression and randomisation means that the replayability is almost non-existent.
  3. DarkZero
    Sep 17, 2018
    70
    Strange Brigade is a solid recommendation for anyone looking to dig into some old school third-person shooting wrapped in that Left 4 Dead campaign style with an added bit of 1930s distinct flavour. Strange Brigade isn’t a stand out title, it’s most likely not going to be on any Game of the Year lists, but a game doesn’t have to be innovative if it can capture something fun, and Strange Brigade does that. Not only is it a decent looking title that isn’t too demanding to run on a PC, but it takes its theme and runs with it confidently, offering a bloody good time with friends blasting through an Egyptian themed world that I don’t think I’ve been able to do in that setting since Serious Sam 3: BFE.
  5. Hooked Gamers
    Sep 6, 2018
    70
    Strange Brigade is a sound party shooter, stylish and good to play with friends. It’s a nice romp, but the actual content feels very facile to me, lacking in terms of any meaningful engagement with the player.
  6. The Overpowered Noobs
    Sep 5, 2018
    70
    Rebellion’s new co-op shooter is overall solid and enjoyable, although the fun doesn’t always come from what you may expect – collecting rare figurines and even Hathor’s Ladle (yes, that’s an artifact!) can be more gratifying than shooting hordes of the dead. The game is definitely a league apart from similar titles, and its unique and distinctive 1930's feel contributes to making it fun for anyone.
  7. PC Gamer
    Sep 5, 2018
    68
    A bare-bones basic shooter that's good for some fun with friends, but there are other, better co-op adventures out there.
  8. PLAY! Zine
    Mar 11, 2019
    65
    In this co-op game you will find a great fun adventure with comedy, puzzles, banter and high jinks. But even with all that, the game falters and stumbles to the side with its high price tag, DLC, loot being shared between all players but picked up by only one, the very lack of players in the multiplayer sections, and a rather short campaign.
  9. Quarter to Three
    Oct 15, 2018
    60
    A spirited shooter with an admirable commitment to aesthetic, but without the game design chops to pull off the progression system it wants to offer.
  10. Edge Magazine
    Sep 13, 2018
    60
    It's the curse of "better with friends" - if any member of your own personal brigade loses interest, it could quickly end up a dusty relic. [Nov 2018, p.118]
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  11. Jeuxvideo.com
    Aug 28, 2018
    60
    There’s some good stuff in Strange Brigade, such as its unique visual style and its deliberate kitsch narration. But if you’re used to Horde-type games, it won’t be challenging and fresh enough to entertain you.
  12. Riot Pixels
    Oct 4, 2018
    56
    Strange Brigade is just a notch better than Sniper Elite 4, Rebellion’s previous failed attempt at making a cooperative shooter.
  13. CD-Action
    Jan 9, 2019
    50
    Strange Brigade is full of dubious design choices, lacks content and gets boring quickly. [11/2018, p.76]
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  14. games(TM)
    Oct 4, 2018
    50
    Fun but not daring enough to be memorable. [Issue#205, p.77]
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 53 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 53
  3. Negative: 12 out of 53
  1. DaveyDiablo
    Feb 4, 2020
    8
    Criminally underrated. If you've got a couple of friends and a few hours, this game will provide laughs and excitement. A fun, campy romp thatCriminally underrated. If you've got a couple of friends and a few hours, this game will provide laughs and excitement. A fun, campy romp that doesn't take itself too seriously. My only real complaint is the final level, which provides no challenge and was pretty disappointing to all the players in my group.… Full Review »
  2. Sjalka
    Apr 19, 2019
    8
    From the first few moments - it becomes quite obvious that this game will only ever fill a small níche in gaming demands. It is a sort ofFrom the first few moments - it becomes quite obvious that this game will only ever fill a small níche in gaming demands. It is a sort of arena shooter with not quite too different characters/classes and a rather half hearted co-op multiplayer.

    While the visuals are very nice and crisp .. they are also very sterile. It looks very much like a HD remake of a 2005 game of sorts - that means, simple polygon build with HD textures slapped on.

    But as i said, it does look nice - console like nice.

    One of the main aspects - in my opinion - is the kind of overly posh British commentator/narrator that gives the whole adventure a very B-movie feeling that fits well into the 60s or 70s.

    Technical aspects aside .. the game is fun! - in short bursts. It is not overly difficult at first and has a nice difficulty curve .. but all in all, it is very much geared towards multiple players, despite offering a single player experience.

    I would have loved them go much, much crazier with strange weapons. Instead of "only" guns as main weapons .. have more melee stuff or idk "strange" weapons.

    As a shooter, it is alright but does not shine. There is no cover mechanics and the enemies do not really use the environment. They just make a bee-line towards the player. Because many monsters are large and on the slower side .. you get a good look at them and their visualization, which is actually really nice.

    conclusion:
    This is a nostalgic 2005-esc shooter that gives the player small-ish arena type areas to fight various enemies by triggering swarms. The upgrade system is persistent but rather limited and standard. The characters "seem" to be unique but play very similar.

    I would still recommend it - because it is simple and fun... but play with friends!    … Full Review »
  3. garethvk
    Sep 15, 2018
    9
    I first encountered Strange Brigade during a meeting with Rebellion at E3. Although we only had a limited play session, we were impressed withI first encountered Strange Brigade during a meeting with Rebellion at E3. Although we only had a limited play session, we were impressed with the game as it was a very pleasant surprise.
    The game is finally here and now the public can enjoy the winning mixture of action, puzzles, comedy, and nostalgia. Playing as one of four characters in a 1930s setting, players can play either solo or co-op as they explore and battle around Egypt against an ancient evil.

    Armed with pistols, grenades, shotguns, rifles, and machine guns, players must batter endless waves of supernatural enemies who are determined to stop you no matter the cost.
    Thankfully you can give out a ton of damage from punches to your arsenal, as well as special crates that allow players to purchase additional weapons for a limited time that can really help clear things out.

    There are also numerous traps which can be triggered and it is very satisfying to watch a horde get cut to shreds in a blade trap or impaled and roasted with others.

    Players will be able to upgrade their weapons as well as increase their ammo supply at various checkpoints along the way.

    Players will also have the option to solve puzzles to get additional loot as well as access to other areas of the map.

    The characters also have a magical amulet which allows them to open various objects but also allows them to collect energy from dispatched enemies and use it against them when a sufficient amount has been collected.

    The levels are very engaging and include tombs, dig sites, market places, and other locales which also have plenty to keep players engaged.

    Rebellion has announced that a 5th playable character will be available at launch and there are at least three other players coming down the road.

    There is a big difference in character play as I enjoy having the rapid-fire approach of a Machine Gun but some may find the single shot rifle or a thunderous shotgun more to their liking. I found the shotgun to be a devastating weapon but having to reload after two shots makes it harder when playing on your own as you can get overwhelmed fast.

    The variety of enemies is good as undead walkers do make up the bulk of the enemy force but there are Mummies, Pirates, and armor clad guardians who take a bit of damage before they go down.

    The game also has an interesting feature in that there is an announcer who narrates the action and chapters with witty quips that gives the game a sense of the old-style action serials of old.
    Players looking to take a break from the campaign can play a Horde mode where enemies come in waves and players must use gold to purchase access to other areas and weapons. There is also a score mode where players have to race through a level causing as much mayhem as they can along the way.

    Strange Brigade is a very fun game that once I started to play I could not put it down. I actually completed the game solo and now look forward to playing the campaign with a team so we can try other tactics and explore other areas.

    The graphics and sound of the game are solid and it moves along at a very crisp pace which allows players to have fast action and smooth movements.

    I am really looking forward to see what DLC will follow as I absolutely love this game as Strange Brigade is a winning and fun adventure that is not to be missed.

    4.5 stars out of 5    … Full Review »
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