Strange Brigade

 PC
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

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  1. 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 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    I 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    … Expand
  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 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    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 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!    … Expand
  3. Sirnibbly
    Aug 29, 2018
    8
    Right off the bat- this game is visually stunning. It is gorgeously optimized- huge maps render perfectly with almost no dips below 60 fps. The aesthetics and style of the maps, characters, collectibles, and menus are old time Hollywood blockbuster-esque, viewed through the lens of Indiana Jones.

    Character and narrator interjections are fun, though I'd like to hear more cross-character    Right off the bat- this game is visually stunning. It is gorgeously optimized- huge maps render perfectly with almost no dips below 60 fps. The aesthetics and style of the maps, characters, collectibles, and menus are old time Hollywood blockbuster-esque, viewed through the lens of Indiana Jones.

    Character and narrator interjections are fun, though I'd like to hear more cross-character interaction. Character customization includes primary/secondary weapon and grenade loadout that are common to all characters, of which higher level items are purchased via gold collected in missions. The uniqueness of characters is, unfortunately, limited: each character has two different passive traits and an "amulet ability" which is effectively an ultimate. The amulet can be upgraded to give you a total of four different abilities to choose, from which you may choose one to use in a given mission. For example, the Professor's passive abilities are finding secret areas on maps (the rewards for these are slightly disappointing, so far) and a longer soul collection range (see below). His unique abilities include a homing multishot fire blast, a conjured storm, the ability to turn enemies into chickens, and a distraction clone creator.

    Amulets are charged via souls collected from downed enemies. You can run over souls, or hold down primary fire to "suck" souls to you. This is a fun mechanic, that when playing with friends, adds another level of competition: you can suck the souls of enemies that your teammates have killed. This is also present with most chests- first to press Q (collect) gets the item. Larger chests and relics/collectibles are shared by the team.

    Combat so far has not been all too difficult, but very engaging. The ballistic/gunfire physics in the game are very satisfying. Melee is reliable and fun, including a slight breakaway scene where you stamp out baddies, a la God of War. Special weapons are all unique and pack a welcome punch, though some can make fights a joke. Horde fights are exciting and keep you on your toes, but the boss fights are very simplistic and not challenging, so far. The game also includes countless traps and exploding barrels/vases, which can also be used to hurt allies if you're feeling vicious.

    As alluded to earlier, there are also myriad collectibles in every level- usually 10 shootable objects (that are then "collected" and counted), and 6 relics. Collecting all relics on a level gives you a skill point, used to unlock a new amulet skill. Maps are also littered with hidden areas and puzzles, though these are simplistic in nature. The puzzles associated with the story require slightly more effort, but are still nothing that can't be figured out in a few minutes.

    Overall first impressions of this game are very positive, with just a few design choices and difficulty level holding me back from giving it a higher score. Hopefully after a first pass-through, and in trying some of the other modes, I can find that difficulty spike I'm looking for. That being said, it's very easy to fall in-like with this game. As someone who is usually a completionist, I’m even having trouble finding everything on the first go, which isn’t a bad thing. There are tons of areas to explore on what is still a linear map, though it’s easy to forget that given how sprawling they are. The charm and fun gameplay pushed me over the edge to an 8, and hopefully the added monthly content does not disappoint.    … Expand
  4. SuperMaarten64
    Aug 30, 2018
    8
    this is not the best game from Rebellion by far but i'd recommend it to anyone who is really into adventure movies!
  5. 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 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.
  6. Mad-Marty
    Jun 2, 2019
    5
    Works okish as a coop game, single player is boring.
    Just endless waves of enemies.
    Now this is nothing new, but games like serious sam at least have good gunplay.
  7. rjmacready
    Oct 30, 2020
    8
    A slightly different take on co-op shooter games, given that there's puzzles to solve in addition to the usual combat shenanigans. Not especially difficult puzzles - and many of them purely optional, for extra goodies - but still a factor that makes communication between players a tad more necessary than usual (especially on those dang-blasted "timed" events, which sometimes requireA slightly different take on co-op shooter games, given that there's puzzles to solve in addition to the usual combat shenanigans. Not especially difficult puzzles - and many of them purely optional, for extra goodies - but still a factor that makes communication between players a tad more necessary than usual (especially on those dang-blasted "timed" events, which sometimes require players to coordinate their efforts from different positions)!

    It's still possible to play alone, but a tad more challenging, and not nearly as fun. This is one game that was definitely designed with multiplayer in mind. Think Sniper Elite: Nazi Zombie Army, with mummies and minotaurs instead of goose-stepping undead, and you're pretty warm. Add a touch of Indiana Jones and Lara Croft, and a sprinkle of Monty Python-esque humour and you have...Strange Brigade.

    Overall: a wee better than Zombie Army, and substantially better than a wet fish to the face. But do be sure to bring a friend.    … Expand
  8. Altenfinder
    Aug 29, 2018
    10
    I liked the game very very much. I would like to tell the hole story, about the gameplay, the sound, but i am too astonished to do so at the moment.
  9. SuperkenGaming
    Jun 19, 2021
    7
    Strange Brigade
    Not strange enough
    Strange Brigade is a coop 3rd person shooter, imagine indian jones meets tomb raider, metts uncharted, but with none of the crazy moments to keep you pulled into its 6 and a half hour journey… you choose one of 4 charcters to go through this campaing either solo or with friend.. I played solo.. and this game is super challenging if you do so.. not dark    Strange Brigade
    Not strange enough
    Strange Brigade is a coop 3rd person shooter, imagine indian jones meets tomb raider, metts uncharted, but with none of the crazy moments to keep you pulled into its 6 and a half hour journey…
    you choose one of 4 charcters to go through this campaing either solo or with friend.. I played solo.. and this game is super challenging if you do so.. not dark souls level, but you really have to carfully pick and choose battles, here youll be running around these little maps, shhoting the undead in your way, and solving super simple puzzles.. that’s it.. that’s the game.. its super hcarming with its chaacters and narration, but otherwise this is a world you’ve seen dozens of times.. its easy to get bored with how repetitive and unenjoyable it actually is to get through if youre playing by yourself… maps here feel like overwhelming mazed despite being fairly linear.. so why not just make then linear in the way a division or outriders is… I for one am not a fan of feeling overhwlmed in games, and strange pregade constantly made me feel this way… youre basically running around trying to find puzzle, solve, it, or clear a room to move on.. where the fun comes in.. at leastp laying solo is when you find these special crates oyu ca buy epic weapons from and just clean house,.. this is when strange brigade is at its best.. when I was having an absolute blast… otherwise if youre playing solo, there isn’t much fun to be had here…there is no amazing story or crazy moments during the campaign that begs you to push through.. this feels like a game where you have a bunch of dumb fun with friends, shoot some undead while a 1930s voiceover narrates everything going on.. and for that reason I can appreciate what this game is and what it sets out to do….
    its just a shame its hard to enjoy playing alone..
    Bring some friends though, and Strange Brigade can be a blast
    I give Strange Brigade
    a 7/10    … Expand
  10. scornflake
    Sep 26, 2018
    7
    Background is that I love, love. Love. Sniper Elite 4. Laying traps, messing about in co-op. Awesome. Loved SE4 enuf to buy SE3 (which is OK, but not quite as awesome).

    SB is. "ok". No traps. Again: No. Traps. Meh. For me, this is a real negative for coop. Sure, they did other stuff really well. Great environments, great improvements to gfx. It's true. It does look really    Background is that I love, love. Love. Sniper Elite 4. Laying traps, messing about in co-op. Awesome. Loved SE4 enuf to buy SE3 (which is OK, but not quite as awesome).

    SB is. "ok".
    No traps.

    Again: No. Traps.

    Meh. For me, this is a real negative for coop. Sure, they did other stuff really well. Great environments, great improvements to gfx. It's true. It does look really nice. But for me the gameplay doesn't have the same giggle-factor you get when some numpty npc's step on a combo-teller mine + TNT (multi-kill!)

    Personally, I want to kill some time with mates blowing up stuff with "a bit of a challenge"... SE4 delivered that really, really well. SB? Nope, not really. Single player is fine, but it wasn't what I was hoping for. This (well, the co-op) feels to me more like left for dead in a different setting.

    Sure you've more powerful mobs, and special weapons. And that's fine, if its your cup of tea. But I wanna be able to lay traps and hear those go off when I'm off on the other side of the map. None of that exists in SB. It's more of a run/shoot/ammo game.

    No teller mines, trip mines. Other mines. Cry. Sadness. :(    … Expand
  11. Flashback92
    Jan 27, 2019
    6
    This game engine is buggy, but it use the gpu and cpu as well. If we play trough the campaign mode, that's enough, and we don't wanna play it again.
    Graphics: good (but the game don't have real anti-aliasing)
    Sounds: medium Music: medium Performance: good (But on some computers is very glitched and buggy) Control: Good but the in aim mode we can't switch sides, and we can shoot only    This game engine is buggy, but it use the gpu and cpu as well. If we play trough the campaign mode, that's enough, and we don't wanna play it again.
    Graphics: good (but the game don't have real anti-aliasing)
    Sounds: medium
    Music: medium
    Performance: good (But on some computers is very glitched and buggy)
    Control: Good but the in aim mode we can't switch sides, and we can shoot only in aim mode.
    Gaming experience: medium    … Expand
  12. bipolarsuxs
    Jul 17, 2019
    10
    Fun every time. Great detail, lots of guns, the sound effects are riveting. Just an all around fun game especially every time you play it haah
  13. chunkicito
    Mar 20, 2021
    0
    Waste of time. Extremely boring and unoriginal. The game design of this game is like 20 years behind
  14. SzargonCultured
    Jun 20, 2021
    8
    Recently got this game on switch, a fun and witty narrator combined with very good co-op mode makes this a must have for those fans of old time adventure films. But the meh solo mode and the super overpowered dlc guns made it annoying to buy the dlc to do well solo.
  15. KinimodYunmi
    Jan 9, 2023
    8
    Ist ein überraschend echt gutes Game!

    Man schießt sich durch einen Storymode mit kleinen Suchrätsel, nicht diese abgefu**ten wie in den Lego Games z.B. Man hat eine Primär- und Sekundärwaffe, eine Granate und eine Ulti in Form eines Amuletts. Das sind alles Ausgrabungsstätten in denen man Artefakte für´s Komplettieren und Gold für neue Waffen oder Granaten sammelt. Es gibt dann noch    Ist ein überraschend echt gutes Game!

    Man schießt sich durch einen Storymode mit kleinen Suchrätsel, nicht diese abgefu**ten wie in den Lego Games z.B. Man hat eine Primär- und Sekundärwaffe, eine Granate und eine Ulti in Form eines Amuletts. Das sind alles Ausgrabungsstätten in denen man Artefakte für´s Komplettieren und Gold für neue Waffen oder Granaten sammelt.

    Es gibt dann noch einen Hordenmode, der ist Wellen/Runden basiert, nicht wirklich spaßig, aber der Punktemodus ist echt nice, man rennt und ballert sich ganz schnell durch kleine Passagen der Storylevel und versucht die Zeit zu schlagen, es gibt so 6-8 Quests, die am Ende noch etwas mehr Gold drauflegen, wenn erfüllt. Zudem sind alle Spezialwaffen in den Kaufkisten free.

    Wirklich zu empfehlen, Dauer ca 13 Stunden (ohne Hordenmodus)    … Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. 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.
    Read full review
  2. CD-Action
    Jan 9, 2019
    50
    Strange Brigade is full of dubious design choices, lacks content and gets boring quickly. [11/2018, p.76]
  3. 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.
    Read full review
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