Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway

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"Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway" is a historical shooter game with both single-player and multi-player modes. It boasts an intriguing story, good game mechanics, stellar graphics, and a good soundtrack, but is also known for bugs that can detract from the experience. The game brings a new generation of gaming with its cutting-edge features, redesigned online component, and a densely atmospheric WWII setting.

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Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway screenshot

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 979 reviews

story219 positive mentions

grinding5 negative mentions

Engaging and emotional story that draws players in, with well-developed characters.
Tactical gameplay that requires players to use strategy and command their squad effectively.
Good graphics for its time, with vibrant environments and satisfying gunplay.

Repetitive gameplay with similar objectives throughout the campaign.
Clunky controls and AI that can lead to frustrating moments during combat.
Unskippable cutscenes that can interrupt the flow of gameplay.

story
542 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
56%
3%
The story of "Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway" is widely praised for its emotional depth and character development, particularly focusing on the struggles of Sergeant Matt Baker and his squad during Operation Market Garden. While many players appreciate the narrative's attempt to explore themes of camaraderie, loss, and PTSD, some criticize it for being overly dramatic or fragmented, with pacing issues and a reliance on cinematic cutscenes that can disrupt gameplay. Overall, the game is seen as a compelling continuation of the series, though it leaves players yearning for a proper conclusion to the story.
- “Heartbreaking, depressing, and engaging story.”
- “The story of the game continues through Operation Market Garden.”
- “The story is amazing, probably one of the best WWII shooter (story) based games out there even with it being nearly 10 years old!”
- “The game definitely has pacing issues and the difficulty doesn't peak beyond the first level or two, so replayability is quite low even with the 'authentic' difficulty offered after your first playthrough. Not to mention the fact that you can't skip the cinematic cutscenes, which try very hard to reach film levels of character development and stakes but ultimately show their age in both visual and storytelling fidelity.”
- “The story is soapy and cringeworthy, trying too hard to emulate the emotional depth of other war narratives but falling flat in execution.”
- “The story felt underwhelming as well, with many moments that seemed predictable and lacking in genuine emotional impact.”
gameplay
294 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
60%
6%
The gameplay of "Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway" is characterized by a mix of tactical squad-based mechanics and third-person cover shooting, which some players find engaging while others criticize for being overly simplified compared to earlier entries in the series. Many reviews highlight the introduction of new features like the suppression mechanic and improved controls, but also note issues such as clunky mechanics, repetitive gameplay, and a reliance on cutscenes that disrupt the flow. Overall, while the game offers a unique approach to WWII shooters with its strategic elements, it struggles with execution and balance, leading to a mixed reception among players.
- “Honestly, one of the greatest WWII games I've ever played, exciting gameplay, in which you have to use strategy in order to advance.”
- “The tactical nature of the gameplay is still a distinctive approach in the World War II genre.”
- “Great tactical gameplay, great story.”
- “I actually tried to have fun, but the game has so much narrow storytelling, stiff mechanics, and 'do this one thing' scenarios that it became a chore.”
- “The gameplay has been dumbed down; instead of covers working naturally when you crouch, you have to press a dedicated button. The health is no longer permanent, instead you have HP that recovers when hugging a wall. There is now janky sprint and vaulting, which doesn't even give you higher defense against enemy fire, making switching covers feel like rolling dice.”
- “The gameplay is absolutely ruined.”
graphics
194 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
47%
7%
The graphics of "Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway," released in 2008, are generally considered good for their time, with many players noting that they still hold up well in 2023. While some reviews mention that the visuals can appear dated and occasionally lack polish, others praise the game's improved lighting, weather effects, and overall aesthetic, highlighting its immersive environments and realistic particle effects. Overall, the graphics are seen as a significant upgrade from previous entries in the series, contributing positively to the game's engaging storytelling and gameplay.
- “The graphics are fantastic, appropriate for a game from '08, compared to prior games.”
- “The graphics still hold up in 2023.”
- “Graphics are great but this installment in the series is honestly a step backwards.”
- “It's got pretty bad graphics even for a game that came out in 2008 and the enemy count per mission is pretty low compared to something like COD MW1 (2007).”
- “Some gamers have touted the game’s graphics as 'mediocre.' Well, that’s not too far from the truth.”
- “The graphics (originally designed for the Xbox 360) are obviously dated, with character models warping and distorting uncomfortably and facial animation all but missing entirely.”
emotional
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its deeply engaging and heartbreaking narrative, particularly focusing on the protagonist Matt Baker's struggles with PTSD and the loss of comrades during WWII. While some players feel the emotional depth is occasionally undermined by stiff animations and forced character conflicts, many agree that the story is impactful and resonates strongly, making it a standout in the Brothers in Arms series. Overall, the game successfully delivers an emotional rollercoaster experience, drawing players into its dramatic and heartfelt storyline.
- “Heartbreaking, depressing, and engaging story.”
- “It's an emotional story, with the squad leader and main protagonist Matt Baker suffering from PTSD while trying to come to terms with the loss of fellow soldiers during Operation Overlord.”
- “I think that this game should win the 'I'm not crying...' category (my own) because the game's story is just incredible, I cried at the ending scene, and I also cried because it ended.”
music
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
18%
18%
The music in the game is generally praised for its immersive quality and emotional impact, often compared to iconic war films like "Band of Brothers." While some reviewers find it generic and less memorable, others highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the storytelling and gameplay experience. Overall, the music contributes positively to the atmosphere, despite some criticisms regarding its execution and occasional lack of variety.
- “The music score, as always, was great, and when combined with the cut scenes, it felt very much like 'Band of Brothers.'”
- “One of the best World War II single-player games on the market; the story is compelling and the soundtrack is wonderful.”
- “Better graphics, gameplay, and physics engine, with an amazing soundtrack and emotion combined with great determination.”
- “The music was generic World War II game fare.”
- “And why does this level have cheap jump-scares and music that would be at home in a horror game?”
- “The voice acting is lackluster to say the least, ambient sounds are often missing, weapon sounds muted and dull, and even the music seems to be oddly off-key at a few points.”
atmosphere
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
77%
8%
15%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive storytelling, sound design, and visual fidelity, effectively capturing the tension of combat and the emotional depth of the characters. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke feelings reminiscent of the "Band of Brothers" series, with atmospheric levels that enhance the overall experience. While some note that the online atmosphere may be lacking, the single-player narrative and environmental details contribute significantly to the game's appeal.
- “Amazing story and atmosphere.”
- “The tension of combat and planning out your battles, the humanity and development given to your comrades, the atmospheric levels full of booming sounds of the battlefield and eerie silence of empty village streets and farms.”
- “Easily one of the best cover shooters to ever exist, the grim, mortifying atmosphere is only made more authentic by the immersive, tantalizing sound design, the (finally) accurate gunplay, and beautiful visuals.”
- “There isn’t much else to the online atmosphere, so you’re going to find yourself simply sticking to the storyline.”
- “Overall, Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway is technically and gameplay-wise far from flawless, but it is a unique and tactical game that definitely gets a recommendation for me, even if solely for the atmosphere and the long campaign.”
grinding
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
56%
Players consistently find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often describing it as boring and requiring an unrealistic amount of time investment. The presence of long, unavoidable cut scenes further exacerbates the feeling of monotony, making the overall experience feel clunky and frustrating.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Boring, tedious, and plain stupid.”
- “The squad-based combat and positioning is an interesting idea, but is more tedious than it needs to be.”
stability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is marred by various glitches, ranging from minor immersion issues to more significant problems like broken cutscenes and AI behavior. While some players find these bugs frustrating, many agree that the overall gameplay experience remains enjoyable despite these shortcomings. The game's console port origins also contribute to some graphical limitations and control quirks.
- “The only downside is that the game is clearly a console port to PC, so the FOV is pretty low, and some graphics and glitches are present. Besides that, it is amazing.”
- “The game has its fair share of glitches too, ranging from the merely immersion-killing to the outright game-breaking. Several times I needed to revert to a prior checkpoint because cutscenes failed to trigger, or because one of my teammates wouldn’t fire at the enemy.”
- “There are a few glitches here and there, and the controls can be weird sometimes, but the story and general gameplay make up for it.”
character development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
Character development in the game is highlighted as a significant strength, with players appreciating the depth and growth of characters throughout the story. However, some critiques mention pacing issues and outdated cinematic cut scenes that detract from the overall impact of the narrative. Despite these flaws, the combination of strong voice acting and character design contributes positively to the development experience.
- “The story is great and I can really feel the character development in this game.”
- “They really add to the character development.”
- “Speaking of character development, I think that is one of the biggest strengths of the series.”
- “The game definitely has pacing issues and the difficulty doesn't peak beyond the first level or two, so replayability is quite low even with the 'authentic' difficulty offered after your first playthrough. Not to mention the fact that you can't skip the cinematic cut scenes, which try very hard to reach film levels of character development and stakes but ultimately show their age in both visual and storytelling fidelity.”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
80%
While players appreciate improvements in gameplay mechanics, there are concerns about potential future monetization strategies, particularly the introduction of microtransactions and separate launchers, which could detract from the game's legacy. Overall, the current monetization approach has not been heavily criticized, but there is apprehension about its direction in future installments.
- “This is arguably one of Gearbox's best games, though I worry Gearbox and Ubisoft will tarnish its legacy by implementing the standard fare of microtransactions and separate launchers if there's ever another installment.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the performance and graphics, others criticize poor controls, unskippable cutscenes, and a restrictive field of view. Additionally, achieving optimal performance requires a powerful rig, indicating that the game's optimization may not be well-balanced for all systems.
- “The performance and gameplay are more in-depth compared with Call of Duty: World at War.”
- “As for Hell's Highway, the game has pretty good performance and made me question if I was experiencing the best it had to offer.”
- “This game's graphics were beautifully done; it needed a pretty hefty rig to max it out with a decent framerate, though I think some of that was due to the game optimization.”
- “A lot of typical Ubisoft garbage in the game like stupid controls, poor optimization, very long unskippable cutscenes every few minutes, and a locked FOV of 20%.”
- “This game's graphics were beautifully done, but it needed a pretty hefty rig to max it with a decent framerate; though I think some of that was due to the game optimization.”
- “Unoptimized.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is a mixed bag, featuring both well-executed comedic elements and intentionally cliche voice acting that adds to its charm. While some moments are genuinely funny, the serious themes of war and death create a contrasting tone, leading to a blend of humor that can be both effective and absurd. Overall, the humor is characterized by a balance of high-quality design and moments of hilariously bad storytelling.
- “A well-done game, funny, intense, somewhat realistic in its depiction of war and death, and most importantly, high-quality design that still works flawlessly 12 years after release.”
- “Not only that, but the animations are off, and the voice acting is hilariously cliché and bad.”
- “Parts of the story can also be hilariously bad at points as well.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game's replayability is generally viewed as limited, primarily revolving around collecting recon points and collectibles, with some players noting a decent campaign length of around 11 hours. However, the unskippable cutscenes and short campaign detract from the overall replay value, leaving some users feeling disappointed.
- “Good amount of game time; I got 11 hours out of the campaign and I will definitely be revisiting it for its replay value.”
- “Does not have any replay value other than finding all of the recon points and collectibles.”
- “Only cons are really short campaign, and also the replayability is a downer seeing as the cutscenes are unskippable.”