Brute Force

 Xbox
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 63 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 63
  3. Negative: 7 out of 63
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  1. JMan
    May 19, 2004
    8
    Not Halo, but still very good.
  2. NikQ.
    Jan 2, 2007
    9
    I'm writing this reveiw a year into the xbox 360 generation, and I still think this game looks good. The only flaw of this adventure is it can sometimes be impossible if you have no medkits, but otherwise, I love playing as all the different commandos for different enemies.
  3. ShankYouKindly
    Mar 10, 2014
    10
    This a classic in my eyes. When I was maybe 10-11 years old, I played this game with friends to death. Logged probably 500+ hours on this beast and would play it again in a heartbeat. I really need to buy an original Xbox again, regret selling it a lot.
  4. BrandonS.
    May 16, 2003
    1
    This game isn't even out yet fools, but it's gonna be great.
  5. GaborA.
    Nov 12, 2003
    1
    The biggest disappointment ever. My friend pre-ordered it. We gave it a chance and found ourselves returning the same day. Gliched in sortware, design, and game play. Unrewarding at all levels.
  6. JustinM.
    Aug 4, 2003
    7
    I agree with Brandon S. The squad system was so weeak and often the other teammates that i wasn't playing as wouldn't automatically take a medpack like they are supposed to and would die.
  7. Scorpio8219
    May 20, 2003
    9
    Great Shooter, good team play, Awsome graphics. Its CLOSE to Halo for 3rd person shooters.
  8. BryanJ.
    May 23, 2003
    10
    I think he was saying "it's #1" but he's not so bright. The squad-based gameplay should be awesone, and the videos I've seen are sweet.
  9. M.Perez
    May 29, 2003
    9
    Its not the 2nd coming of Halo, but on its own still a great game. The story is the only thing thats lacking on this great title and it does scream for Xbox live support. The gameplay is kill-kill and fun. The strategic gameplay is how you approach your mission, you can be stealthy or go guns blazing. The control scheme is also very smooth. Apparently IGN, gave this game an 8.1 but Its not the 2nd coming of Halo, but on its own still a great game. The story is the only thing thats lacking on this great title and it does scream for Xbox live support. The gameplay is kill-kill and fun. The strategic gameplay is how you approach your mission, you can be stealthy or go guns blazing. The control scheme is also very smooth. Apparently IGN, gave this game an 8.1 but remember those idiots gave wreckless a 9 which deserved no more than 5. Gamespot doesnt even count anymore because they get money from Sony, so every Xbox exclusive gets bad reviews.… Expand
  10. SteveM.
    May 31, 2003
    9
    Im outta words how good this game is. You could actually call this a sleeper hit, because i doub it that anyone thought this game would be this great !
  11. MatthewS.
    Jun 4, 2003
    9
    While Halo is the undisputed king of first person shooters Brute Force may just be the best third person shooter ever. The main campaign starts you out playing as Tex or a robotic soldier for players 2-4 if you are playing co-op mode. As you play through the campaign you will unlock new squad members Brutus, Hawk and Flint and the players can take control of them. The co-op mode is the While Halo is the undisputed king of first person shooters Brute Force may just be the best third person shooter ever. The main campaign starts you out playing as Tex or a robotic soldier for players 2-4 if you are playing co-op mode. As you play through the campaign you will unlock new squad members Brutus, Hawk and Flint and the players can take control of them. The co-op mode is the game's best feature. You can play with as many as 4 players on co-op and use teamwork to complete the games many missions. Each squad mate has a special ability which makes them ideal for certain situations. For example Tex can carry one gun in each hand and Hawk can turn invisible. The only thing that kept Brute Force from getting a perfect 10 is it's lack of vs mode options. You can play with up to 8 players using system link but the only vs options are deathmatch and squad deathmatch. If you like shooters then Brute Force is a great game to get. However if you want the best get Halo.… Expand
  12. MichaelC.
    Aug 19, 2003
    5
    I had such high hopes for this game, but it really just didn't hit home for me. The graphics are good and the controls are tight, but the gameplay is really lacking. The squad-based dynamics aren't all they're cracked up to be, and the repetitive levels and enemies don't hold my interest. Decent at best.
  13. InsulinKing
    May 15, 2003
    7
    Pretty good game, although the i started to get bored abut half-way through.
  14. MatthewA.
    May 23, 2003
    10
    Gonna be awesome..great strategy multiplayer with great graphics...I'll get it as soon as it comes out!
  15. PoloP.
    May 28, 2003
    10
    BEST XBOX GAME.
  16. MSKKeller
    May 28, 2003
    10
    Looks great, played it, it is fun, and to people that make judgements about the game before they play it, well its kinda sad to score low a game like this.
  17. VladC.
    May 28, 2003
    10
    This game is very fabulous.the graphic is very hot.
  18. JohnS.
    May 31, 2003
    9
    The story isn't as involving as it should be, and the graphics are very good (instead of outstanding). Nevertheless, this is an innovative squad/shooter hybrid with surprisingly intuitive controls and some good replay value. The inclusion of bots would've made the multiplayer outstanding, but w/o them there is still a lot here to like. Now, I only hope that the future The story isn't as involving as it should be, and the graphics are very good (instead of outstanding). Nevertheless, this is an innovative squad/shooter hybrid with surprisingly intuitive controls and some good replay value. The inclusion of bots would've made the multiplayer outstanding, but w/o them there is still a lot here to like. Now, I only hope that the future downloadable content adds more scenarios other than deathmatch. I give it a solid 8.5 (but will slide it to 9 for this scale, since it gets a bonus for innovation).… Expand
  19. RobertJ.
    Jun 17, 2003
    8
    This game comes with plenty of positive and negative points. The game environments are very impressive; lots of subtle particle effects and sharp textures let you know this was made with xbox hardware specifically in mind. The characters all control superbly, and each has their own unique strengths which will come in handy. The combat is loads of fun and the main attraction here. The This game comes with plenty of positive and negative points. The game environments are very impressive; lots of subtle particle effects and sharp textures let you know this was made with xbox hardware specifically in mind. The characters all control superbly, and each has their own unique strengths which will come in handy. The combat is loads of fun and the main attraction here. The story is really shallow, and a tad campy. This almost makes the missions feel disjointed at times, and that really holds the game back from reaching the heights Halo attained. Rather than getting pulled into the games narrative, you are basically running and gunning through 19 levels all of which are very similar, with about 4 variations in setting. The lack of variety in level design is alright though, but the levels also lack anything resembling puzzles. And the squad based gameplay adds strategy, not on the level of commanding your force, but by switching characters to take advantage of each ones special move, like invisibility, auto aim, two guns berzerk, infrared enemy detection etc... This strategy is quite shallow though. Honestly, the game doesn't get any more monotonous than Halo, which isn't a huge compliment. Halo's narrative was so gripping and tied in with the gameplay scenarios so well, however, that this never detracted from the game. The same cannot be said of Brute Force. But I still enjoyed it a lot. The strong multi player and co-op options also add value. Brute Force may not hold up over time, when blockbusters like Doom 3 and Half Life 2 come our way, but for now it is worth checking out. If you aren't interested in multiplayer rent it first.… Expand
  20. THEBIGDON
    Jun 26, 2003
    9
    Story - come as an afterthough, partciular canny and gay. NOt immersive and it doesnt have to be, since gameplay is great. Gameplay - Great - the real forte. Further, fluid controls like Halo and Splinter Cell, and essential for enjoyable multiplayer gaming Sounds - good , cant remember much on this one when 4 of ma pals are laughing and cussing whilst playing it. Graphics - good- Story - come as an afterthough, partciular canny and gay. NOt immersive and it doesnt have to be, since gameplay is great. Gameplay - Great - the real forte. Further, fluid controls like Halo and Splinter Cell, and essential for enjoyable multiplayer gaming Sounds - good , cant remember much on this one when 4 of ma pals are laughing and cussing whilst playing it. Graphics - good- excellent details as required for an a fast pace third person shooter action. Lighting and particle effect nice. Physics, umm well average on objects that r mundane, however character models are precise lastability - enough till halo 2 comes out. final though. bungie made this game to keep u guys occupied till release of the greatest game EVEERRRRRRRR >> Halo 2 - so dont try and compare it to Halo 2 - cos it aint gonna be as good as that or Halo. Bungie put a unique hint to it (squad based strategy) to create a niche and this combined with traditional shooter elements makes this game a top multiplayer. 9… Expand
  21. RonM.
    Jun 29, 2003
    9
    Brute Force is more fun than Halo! Okay, I've said it -- let the flames begin for me speaking such heresy. ;-) DISCLAIMER: I'm only referring to the campaign aspects of both games. I like Halo a lot, but even with all of the hype about it, it took me a while to get hooked. It probably wasn't until the 3rd level in Halo that I actually looked forward to playing the game (to Brute Force is more fun than Halo! Okay, I've said it -- let the flames begin for me speaking such heresy. ;-) DISCLAIMER: I'm only referring to the campaign aspects of both games. I like Halo a lot, but even with all of the hype about it, it took me a while to get hooked. It probably wasn't until the 3rd level in Halo that I actually looked forward to playing the game (to the point of losing sleep and not playing anything else). However, after the first crappy tutorial level in Brute Force, I've been 100% hooked. I've dropped all of the other games I've been playing, and even have postponed getting Midtown Madness 3 (which I've been anxiously awaiting) so that I could dedicate all of my game time to Brute Force. I think Brute Force is great, for the same reason I think Full Spectrum Warrior looks like it will be great. I like being able to control a team of players, with different abilities, and use them to attack and clear an area. In fact, I think Brute Force will probably be more fun than FSW because FSW looks like it will be so realistic that it will be closer to Splinter Cell's emphasis on technique and stealth, and not a real shoot'em up like Halo and Brute Force. I mean really, how can anyone not love controlling Tex in bezerker mode and raising hell? What other Xbox game can I leverage the strengths of two players to reach an objective? For example, I had Flint on a overhead cliff with her sniper rifle and targeting "ability" on, while I had Brutus (who can use vengar to bring his life back up without using a med kit), go into a hostile area and draw out the bad guys while Flint picked them off (like taking candy from a baby). I'd let Brutus go off and regenerate and repeat. Once things got under control I let Hawk go in to the area with stealth on and check things out (in case Brutus and Flint were wrong) and take out whoever she saw with her powerblade (to be nice and quiet about it). I then got her out of there before her stealth ran out and let Tex go in (with bezerker mode on) to get to the objective and take out any unexpected guys that were hiding (which there were). I've repeated this sort of technique numerous times, and it is just kick ass fun! It also goes without saying that I get a huge grin on my face when I take Tex in with bezerker mode and I say "say hello to my little friends". Yeah, I'm not a big fan of the 3rd person perspective, but I've gotten over it. Yeah, I wish it had LIVE support (which Halo also lacks) too, but this game is just loads of fun. I also think that the graphics are much better than Halo (although Halo 2 will set a new standard). So there, I've said it. I love Brute Force and I'd give it a 9.0/10 (.5 deduction for no LIVE support, and .5 for no 16:9 support). It is too bad this game was so overhyped, because I think it would have faired much better if it hadn't been. If this game wasn't published by Microsoft AND if was only on PS2 AND if it hadn't been over-hyped, then all of these so called game critics would be declaring it the best game ever made. … Expand
  22. RonaldI.
    Sep 14, 2003
    10
    People say Halo is the best game for Xbox, I would say is Brute Force you can do much more stuff than halo the only difference is that you cant get cars and space ships.
  23. Sumguyfrumtown
    Apr 22, 2003
    10
    It's a strong shooter.
  24. JeffA.
    May 21, 2003
    10
    For the kid who gave it a 1, jealousy will get you know where. Just because you can't afford it is no reason to score it low. This game WILL be as GOOD as HALO.
  25. Wmt
    May 28, 2003
    10
    Awesome.
  26. VanL.
    May 31, 2003
    10
    I think this is one of the tightest games ever!!! It's action packed like Halo and it involves some tactics too!! Its great!!!
  27. KarlK.
    Jun 29, 2003
    8
    I rented this game and im glad I did. Alltho this game is fun, it had no lasting apeal. After you beat a level there is no real reason to replay it. This game is a deffent rent. Gameplay is fun, you will beat it before it needs to be returned, and you will save $45.
  28. PramodJ.
    Aug 25, 2003
    6
    Its okay. I thought it was the next Halo. I definitely thought wrong.
  29. SnureS.
    Apr 25, 2005
    7
    Brute Force isn't a great game... and it has many thing wrong... but it has many thing right too... not a worth of buying, but maybe a worth of renting... better in multiplayer.
  30. Friendzie
    Aug 25, 2014
    8
    I finally got around to playing this, only about 10 years after its day. It seems like people completely forgot it existed now, and it's highly unlikely it'll get a sequel at this point. Because of this, you can find it very cheap, and I recommend picking it up if you're in the mood for a good budget game. It plays very similar to Halo, despite being in third person. The main gimmick isI finally got around to playing this, only about 10 years after its day. It seems like people completely forgot it existed now, and it's highly unlikely it'll get a sequel at this point. Because of this, you can find it very cheap, and I recommend picking it up if you're in the mood for a good budget game. It plays very similar to Halo, despite being in third person. The main gimmick is that you can switch between different squad mates who each have their own unique skills. It doesn't force you to switch, but it can be very useful to take advantage of each member's abilities. The story is a little corny and generic, and it doesn't look amazing by today's standards, but it does play in widescreen, and it controls as well as any game of this type.… Expand
  31. shenkenhigh
    Feb 19, 2023
    10
    Alongside with Ninja Gaiden...please, don't consider it as a direct comparison. It was the best game for a yung guy in 2003 =) Rocks!
  32. SenorKoquonfaes
    Nov 27, 2019
    8
    An underrated gem that kind of got lost in the sea of shooter games being released around that time. Anyone who thought this game was going to be the next Halo was either being ignorant or disingenuous.

    The game is a fun, 4 player, co-op shooter where each character has their own set of abilities and weapon usage. Tex was always my favourite for his ability to dual-wield machine guns.    An underrated gem that kind of got lost in the sea of shooter games being released around that time. Anyone who thought this game was going to be the next Halo was either being ignorant or disingenuous.

    The game is a fun, 4 player, co-op shooter where each character has their own set of abilities and weapon usage. Tex was always my favourite for his ability to dual-wield machine guns. You can play the game single player and swap between the different characters, depending on the situation.

    It doesn't really hold up graphically and the levels are kind of repetitive, but it's still a fun enough third person shooter that didn't really garner enough attention for it's time.    … Expand
  33. Netherghul
    Mar 6, 2022
    10
    Criminally underrated and a Unique shooter. Phil Spencer quit your crap and get the sequel going. I have a script and everything I will direct it! One of my favorite games of all time. Me and my cousin would play this endlessly without ever getting bored. Funny versus moments with the roller grenades. Hilarious fun. Godly Game.

Awards & Rankings

61
#61 Best Xbox Game of 2003
11
#11 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2003
15
#15 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 45
  3. Negative: 1 out of 45
  1. Village Voice
    80
    And with their waving grass and bubbling lava, Brute Force's graphics are even richer than its game-play possibilities. Those synthetics keep looking better and better.
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  2. Eurogamer
    80
    But perhaps the over-riding criticism of Brute Force is that it should have been an FPS. It seems like Digital Anvil designed it in the third person for the sake of it, without acknowledging that it completely screws up the opportunity to play it split screen, thanks to inherent third person viewpoint issues.
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  3. Gamestyle
    80
    We'd not recommend an outright purchase solely for the deathmatch, but the multiplayer campaign mode is brilliantly done.
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