Men of Valor

69%
Game Brain Score Based on 337 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Men of Valor Game Cover
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"Men of Valor" is a first-person shooter game set in the Vietnam War, where you play as Dean Shepard, a soldier with no war experience. The game features 13 combat missions based on real battles such as Khe Sahn and the Tet Offensive, with realistic weaponry and environments. Experience both single-player campaign and multiplayer online combat for up to 24 players, with unique battle chatter audio that re-creates the chaotic nature of combat.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

69%
Audience ScoreBased on 337 reviews
story27 positive mentions
stability13 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique Vietnam War setting, which is rarely explored in FPS games, providing a fresh experience.
  • The graphics and sound design, while dated, still manage to create an immersive atmosphere that captures the tension of the Vietnam War.
  • The historical context and storytelling elements, such as letters home and documentary footage, add depth to the gameplay experience.
  • The AI is often unhelpful, with teammates failing to assist effectively in combat, leading to frustrating gameplay.
  • The difficulty level is extremely high, with many players experiencing unfair deaths due to enemy spawning and high damage output.
  • The save system is poor, with infrequent checkpoints that force players to replay large sections of the game after dying.
  • story105 mentions

    The game's story, set during the Vietnam War, is generally well-received for its authentic portrayal and use of historical footage, with players appreciating the emotional depth provided through letters exchanged with family. However, many reviewers criticize the gameplay mechanics, particularly the lack of save points and frustrating mission design, which detracts from the overall experience and makes it difficult to fully engage with the narrative. While the story has its merits, the overwhelming difficulty and repetitive mission structure often overshadow its potential impact.

    • “There are cutscenes in the game that explain the story of the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1968 with archive footage from the Vietnam War.”
    • “For those who love a story-driven FPS with Vietnam being the narrative, then you will love this!”
    • “Great storyline from one of the few Vietnam games out there.”
    • “The story is nothing special, which is not a bad thing in my opinion.”
    • “Largely forgettable story and characters.”
    • “I didn't care about the characters or the story because of how frustrating the game was.”
  • gameplay47 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its realistic mechanics and immersive Vietnam War setting, while others criticize its clunky controls, repetitive scenarios, and frustrating mechanics like the bandaging system. Although there are innovative elements, such as a health system that requires players to scavenge for supplies, many find the overall experience mediocre, especially when compared to more polished shooters. Despite its flaws, some players still find enjoyment in the game, particularly for those seeking a nostalgic or unique military shooter experience.

    • “The gameplay moves along at a brisk pace and is a worthy play for anybody looking to scratch the itch of a game with a Vietnam War setting.”
    • “This is a FPS gem that deserves recognition for its unique gameplay, perfected tone, and brilliant historical accuracy.”
    • “The graphics are a bit dated today, but the gameplay is absolutely breathtaking and highly immersive.”
    • “It feels quite clunky; your movements, your weapon selection, and some scenarios can leave the player extremely frustrated with situations that you fail because of the game mechanics.”
    • “Difficulties don't matter; you get killed almost instantly the moment you take damage. There's a bandaging mechanic which is just tedious and forced on you every time you get shot. If you don't bandage, you lose even more HP over time, meaning you're just gonna die sooner.”
    • “Between the unbelievably slow gameplay, the catastrophic handling, the bugs, and the activated cheaters level, this game is just unplayable.”
  • graphics43 mentions

    The graphics of the game, released in 2004, are generally considered impressive for its time, showcasing detailed environments and realistic character models that contribute to an immersive experience. While some players acknowledge that the visuals have aged and exhibit quirks by today's standards, many appreciate the game's strong atmospheric elements and the effective portrayal of the Vietnam War setting. Overall, the graphics are seen as a highlight, despite some criticisms regarding performance issues and outdated features.

    • “The design: awesome concept, awesome graphics, and very well done details on uniforms.”
    • “Game graphics are great considering the year it was released.”
    • “The graphics are surprisingly good or at least better than I expected.”
    • “Some of the graphics look very dated (even for 2004).”
    • “Graphics are old, and haven't aged well at all.”
    • “I don't have any problems with outdated graphics, but low framerate and laggy gameplay is something totally unbearable.”
  • music25 mentions

    The music in the game has received praise for its strong presentation, featuring a mix of period-accurate tracks and an impressive orchestral score that enhances the immersive experience of the Vietnam War setting. While some users noted that certain tracks felt out of place, the overall soundtrack, including licensed songs and original compositions by Inon Zur, is considered a highlight, effectively capturing the cinematic feel of the gameplay. Sound effects, including ambient noises and weapon sounds, complement the music well, contributing to a solid auditory experience.

    • “The soundtrack is perfect, especially the radio music in the bases and vehicles of the Americans, which is a best of the 60s and gives me some cool vibes even today.”
    • “His music in the game is astonishing, immersive, and majestic.”
    • “The music is fine, the sounds superb; jets rumbling in the distance, Hueys making that sound that only Hueys make as they clatter by out of sight.”
    • “The soundtrack sounds more like a low-budget kung-fu movie rather than Vietnamese music.”
    • “While you rarely hear them, you can hear classic 'Nam songs such as 'Wooly Bully' at certain US-controlled areas and vehicles.”
    • “Often when booting the game up, at least with the Steam version, you can hear the background music first before the main menu appears, and sometimes I've had to open Task Manager and close the game down on the first attempt.”
  • stability15 mentions

    The game's stability is generally criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, including issues like crashes, freezes, and problematic cut-scenes that hinder progression. While some players find enjoyment despite these flaws, others report significant frustration, particularly with unclear instructions and design issues. Overall, the game is seen as outdated and buggy, but it can still provide a fun experience for those willing to overlook its technical shortcomings.

    • “Runs great on Windows 10; 1920x1080 resolution is available!”
    • “I've only played it a short while (getting a bit tense, needed a break, even made me feel like I needed a ciggie and I haven't smoked in years, it's that good, a bit real) but no glitches, crashes, or silly stuff.”
    • “If you like being shot through the wall and not seeing the enemy who shot you, then buy this old buggy piece of sh*t.”
    • “I didn't play it until later that evening and had nothing but crashes and freezes on my system.”
    • “The game does suffer from bugs and glitches, like for example being stuck in a cut-scene and objectives not showing completed when they are, stopping you from progressing in the game.”
  • optimization13 mentions

    The game's optimization is severely lacking, with frequent bugs, stuttering, and performance issues reported even on modern systems. Players have noted a high chance of crashes and infinite enemy respawns, making the experience frustrating unless specific community fixes are applied. Overall, the game is recommended only for those willing to endure its technical difficulties.

    • “Performance issues (just an FYI): running this game at 1920x1080 in fullscreen mode caused the frame rate to stutter at an unplayable rate.”
    • “It feels as if there were no optimizations made for current-gen hardware.”
    • “I play the game in windowed mode at 1280x1024 and it runs smoothly.”
    • “Many bugs (50% chance of starting or not, stuttering, enemies respawning infinitely in some missions until you restart the game...)”
    • “Performance issues on modern systems and infrequent checkpoints make this a game that should be avoided by all but the most avid of masochists.”
    • “It feels as if there were no optimizations made for current gen hardware.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive depiction of the Vietnam War, featuring detailed environments, accurate weaponry, and authentic voice acting that enhances the experience. Players appreciate the intense firefights and the overall ambiance reminiscent of classic war films, making it a strong point of the game despite some frustrations with gameplay.

    • “First of all, I loved the game's atmosphere.”
    • “Sure, the game's storytelling, atmosphere, and setting are its strong suits.”
    • “The environments are very well detailed, with lush forestry, reflective water, devastating fires, and atmospheric mist.”
    • “It captures the atmosphere of films like 'Apocalypse Now'!”
    • “Instead, expect intense firefights and a heavy dose of 'Nam atmosphere.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has received criticism for its reliance on ads, which restrict player movement during viewing, and for lacking features that enhance gameplay, leading some to perceive it as a cash grab from its console version.

    • “You cannot move during ads, but you can lean.”
    • “They just ported it from console and left it there as a cash grab.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is noted for its hilarity, particularly in the exaggerated animations of characters during cutscenes, which some players find amusing despite the less appealing character models up close. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted charm to the experience.

    • “I'm so cross because I still like it, hilariously.”
    • “The water and fire effects were the most appealing, the downside being character models up close and the hilariously overly animated character during cutscenes.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The game evokes strong emotions through its poignant narrative, centered on a young African American boy drafted into the Vietnam War, highlighted by his heartfelt letters to his family. Players report feeling deeply affected by the story, with some experiencing intense emotional responses that linger long after gameplay.

    • “For the story, I won't say much as to not spoil anything that you may want to experience for yourself, but I'll say it revolves around a young African American boy drafted into the Vietnam War, and his heart-wrenching letters to his family throughout the game.”
    • “I've only played it a short while (getting a bit tense, needed a break, even made me feel like I needed a cigarette and I haven't smoked in years, it's that good, a bit real) but no glitches, crashes, or silly stuff.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect frustrating due to the punishing damage system that leads to quick deaths, coupled with a tedious bandaging mechanic that feels forced and exacerbates the difficulty. This creates a cycle of constant healing that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “Grinding feels like a never-ending chore, where progress is painfully slow and rewards are minimal.”
    • “The repetitive nature of grinding makes the game feel more like a job than a fun experience.”
    • “It takes forever to level up, and the constant need to grind for resources becomes exhausting.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

8hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
8-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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