Hidden & Dangerous 2: Courage Under Fire
- December 20, 2017
- Illusion Softworks
- 10h median play time
Get on Steam"Hidden & Dangerous 2: Courage Under Fire" is a tactical shooter game set in World War II, where you lead a small squad of Allied soldiers on secret missions across Europe, Africa, and Asia. This version includes nine new campaigns in France, Africa, and Sicily, with the option to play alone or co-op with friends. Your strategic decisions directly impact your team and the outcome of the mission, making it a thinking person's shooter.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- A unique blend of tactical gameplay and immersive WWII setting, allowing players to command a squad with diverse skills and equipment.
- Memorable missions with a variety of approaches, from stealth to all-out assault, providing a rich gameplay experience.
- Despite its age, the game offers a nostalgic charm and depth that many modern titles lack, making it a hidden gem in the tactical shooter genre.
- The AI can be inconsistent, leading to frustrating moments where squadmates behave unpredictably or enemies have unrealistic accuracy.
- Controls can feel clunky and outdated, requiring significant remapping and adjustment to be comfortable for modern players.
- The game suffers from bugs and crashes, which can disrupt the experience and lead to lost progress, especially on higher difficulty settings.
- story181 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 86 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of the game is set during World War II, focusing on the operations of elite SAS squads as they undertake a variety of challenging missions across diverse environments. Players are deeply engaged through detailed mission briefings, character backstories, and the ability to customize their squad's loadout, which enhances the immersive experience. The narrative is enriched by the game's emphasis on tactical gameplay, allowing for multiple approaches to mission completion, fostering a sense of attachment to the characters and their journeys.
“The story-driven campaigns really do give the impression that you're executing a very serious and important situation which has the potential to change and evolve depending on your actions.”
“I played this game for years... for me, Hidden & Dangerous 2 is a pure masterpiece. It captured me to the storyline, to the woods of Norway, to the deserts of Africa. I can hear the cracking of frozen snow under my feet and hear the whisper of the wind.”
“Campaign tells the story about the great SAS 4-member squads that were risking their lives doing sneaky, difficult operational missions that supported major alliance movements in various areas.”
“This game is chock full of bugs, a terrible initial controls setup, a bad polish in terms of story particularly towards the end, and has generally frustrating and unclear basic game mechanics that make it very difficult to predict the course of a mission, which is arguably this game's most basic gameplay element.”
“Some missions feel unfair, as you cannot do a whole lot to improve your situation, like an on-rail defense section (that feels woefully out of place gameplay-wise) or a mission where you're bombarded by artillery and it's pretty much the luck of the draw if you'll be able to make it through.”
“To add insult to injury, the saving system is okay, but if you screw up a mission objective, you have no choice but to restart the mission, since there is only one save file.”
- gameplay69 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Hidden & Dangerous 2" is praised for its innovative mechanics and tactical depth, offering a unique blend of stealth, squad management, and strategic planning that stands out even two decades after its release. While some players appreciate the challenging and immersive experience, they also note issues with dated controls, AI behavior, and occasional unfair mission design. Overall, the game is considered a hidden gem in the tactical shooter genre, despite its flaws.
“Amazing gameplay, squad lead, and great story.”
“The mechanics of this game were way ahead of their time.”
“Hidden & Dangerous 2 stands as an absolute gem among tactical shooters, offering a captivating blend of World War II-era action and strategic gameplay.”
“Dated gameplay, really rough mechanics that can be borderline unfair at times, and terrible AI where the enemy forgets you ever existed after a few minutes, and your allies are so stupid they'll try to climb on top of razor wire and die.”
“This game is chock full of bugs, a terrible initial controls setup, a bad polish in terms of story particularly towards the end, and has generally frustrating and unclear basic game mechanics that make it very difficult to predict the course of a mission, which is arguably this game's most basic gameplay element.”
“The gameplay itself shows its age; while the action can be clunky by today's standards, its gameplay elements, situations, structure, and attention to detail really set it apart from even current-gen games.”
- graphics55 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its nearly 20-year-old origins, yet many players appreciate the charm and detail that still hold up reasonably well compared to contemporary titles. While some users express a desire for a modern remake to enhance visuals, others find the gameplay experience enjoyable despite the outdated graphics. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the graphics may not impress by today's standards, they do not detract significantly from the game's overall enjoyment.
“All in all this is a great game with much more detail and thought put into it than a lot of modern games, and fully deserves a modern remake with modern visuals.”
“What impresses me even more are its graphics; they are pretty good considering when this game was made!”
“The graphics look great for a game from 2003, the game feels great to control, and it is chock-full of content, including different ways to play the single-player missions.”
“Of course, the graphics are very dated, but there are remaster mods available to improve graphics as well as other aspects.”
“If you can tolerate heinously awful AI, early 2000's era graphics, and love World War II media, inventory management, and sandbox games, Hidden and Dangerous 2 is the game for you.”
“The graphics (compared to today's standards): yes, this game is old, but that doesn't make the graphics better compared to other games, so you have to accept that you have graphics from 2003.”
- atmosphere17 mentions
- 76 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its memorable and well-executed map designs, dramatic soundtrack, and immersive sound effects, creating a unique experience that stands out even among modern titles. Reviewers highlight the combination of challenging gameplay and a rich, engaging environment that evokes nostalgia while offering depth and complexity. Overall, the atmosphere is described as classic, intense, and unmatched, contributing significantly to the game's enduring appeal.
“Memorable and well-executed map designs and atmosphere, the complexity of strategies and command, and challenging levels where you truly feel like an outnumbered but not outmatched elite force await you in this experience that I wish more people knew about.”
“This game was a part of my childhood and it's still as good as I remember it to be. It has some of the most interesting mechanics and better atmosphere and story than modern shooters today; it can be hard as nails though and definitely more a thinking man's shooter.”
“Challenging gameplay, superb atmosphere, and a great soundtrack.”
“It's just the right mix of intense and challenging, and the atmosphere cannot be beat.”
- music15 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and orchestral quality, enhancing the overall experience with dramatic soundscapes that fit the game's environments. However, many players note that the soundtrack suffers from repetition, particularly in certain modes, leading to some frustration over looping tracks. Despite this, the music contributes significantly to the game's immersive feel and is often highlighted as a standout feature.
“Once you're dropped into that large Norwegian woods, looking at the beautiful skybox, light sources barely illuminating the soft mist, listening to the ambient music of the level, you'll feel that all your pain during keyboard mapping and training level definitely pays off.”
“The attention to detail, ambiance, interesting and complex game mechanics, excellent music and sound effects, and intensely satisfying gameplay all make this game great.”
“Challenging gameplay, superb atmosphere and great soundtrack.”
“The gunplay and movement is satisfying, the graphics are serviceable, the vehicles are meh, the sound is used sparingly but effectively until the music loop drives you mad.”
“The music changes with each environment, but repeats the same short tracks over and over.”
“It was tolerable when I played the game years ago, but nowadays, I turn the music off for this reason alone.”
- stability7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its ambition and detail, but it suffers from numerous bugs, glitches, and AI issues that can hinder gameplay and mission progression. While these stability problems are characteristic of older titles, they detract from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, many players still regard it as one of the best WWII shooters available.
“There are some AI quirks and buggy objectives, but this game and its expansion are a complete package in a niche that I wish more games could touch.”
“Yes, the number of bugs and glitches is great, but that is because the game was so ambitious and detailed; unfortunately, the technology back then wasn't that advanced yet.”
“Flaws of older games, bugs in missions which prevent you from finishing missions and progressing through the campaign, and other glitches.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game offers a great variety of missions that enhance its replayability, providing hours of engaging content and value for money. While some users note that it may not be highly replayable, the long campaign and well-designed levels contribute to a satisfying experience that stands out against more simplistic FPS titles. Overall, it strikes a balance between depth and replay value, making it a recommended choice for players.
“Great variety of missions and replay value.”
“The levels, the replayability, hell, even the soundtrack in the main menu is on point.”
“Not that replayable but has one hell of a long campaign!”
“Even the graphic performance is outdated, but it's still more playable than most FPS fast food games where you just need to pull the trigger before reaching your destination.”
“The content, multiplied by its replayability, ensures that it is definitely value for money and I couldn't recommend it enough!”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players appreciating its funny dialogue and hilarious voice acting, despite acknowledging the poor AI and some outdated mechanics. Many find the game enjoyable and memorable, often citing its comedic elements as a highlight, even if the overall execution has its flaws. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's charm, making it a fun experience for players.
“It's a fun game, and so many people can say the same thing. I read the negative reviews, and it's funny what problems they have because I didn't encounter any bugs or weird controls. I highly recommend this game and wish more games were like this.”
“The voice acting is horrible, and sometimes hilarious.”
“The dialogue is pretty humorous at times!”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is noted to be effective, allowing for skill development and ranking despite outdated graphics. Players find it more enjoyable and playable compared to many fast-paced FPS games that prioritize quick reflexes over strategic gameplay.
“They will develop their skills and earn medals and ranks based on their performance.”
“Even though the graphic performance is outdated, it's still more playable than most FPS fast-food games where you just need to pull the trigger before reaching your destination.”
“Even the graphic performance is outdated, but it's still more playable than most FPS fast-food games where you just need to pull the trigger before reaching your destination.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious rather than game-breaking, as the ability to manually switch between characters allows for some control over the experience.
“Since you can manually switch to each character, it's not exactly game-breaking; it's more tedious.”
“The grinding feels endless and often detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
“I find myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which makes the experience feel monotonous.”
