Rising Storm 2: Vietnam

88%
Game Brain Score Based on 35,608 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • optimization
Rising Storm 2: Vietnam Game Cover
A fiery test of awareness, speed and accuracy which upholds the series' devotion to teamwork and authenticity, but doesn't nail the asymmetry of modern era combat.
Starting at $1.23Buy now
Get on Steam

Rising Storm 2: Vietnam is a tactical first-person shooter set in the Vietnam War. Players can choose to fight as U.S. forces or the Viet Cong in large-scale battles with a variety of weapons and vehicles. The game features a destructible environment, a brutal and authentic combat system, and a deep class and weapon customization system.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Epic Games
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 35,608 reviews
gameplay1,022 positive mentions
optimization221 negative mentions
  • gameplay2,650 mentions

    The gameplay of "Rising Storm 2: Vietnam" is characterized by a blend of realism and arcade-style mechanics, offering a unique experience that emphasizes teamwork and tactical strategy. Players appreciate the intense, immersive combat and the asymmetrical gameplay between the US and Vietnamese forces, though some criticize the clunky mechanics and bugs that can detract from the experience. Overall, while the game has a steep learning curve and can be punishing, many find it rewarding and engaging once they grasp its mechanics.

    • “The gameplay is fluid and immersive and mostly pretty well balanced.”
    • “Great balance of 'hardcore realistic' mechanics and fun, and very atmospheric.”
    • “The gameplay is both challenging and rewarding, providing an immersive and engaging experience.”
    • “This game is fun at first but quickly becomes awkward to play because it fails to blend its mechanics well.”
    • “This makes the game feel like it's fighting its own gameplay because the devs designed this game to be played differently than how it is actually played in-game.”
    • “The gameplay gets boring quickly, and the community is neither very friendly nor very welcoming.”
  • graphics1,489 mentions

    The graphics of "Rising Storm 2: Vietnam" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they appear dated and reminiscent of earlier titles, particularly those using the Unreal Engine 3. While some appreciate the game's atmospheric visuals and attention to detail in environments and weapon models, others criticize the graphics for being subpar, with issues like poor texture quality, visibility problems, and performance inconsistencies. Overall, while the graphics may not meet the standards of modern AAA titles, they are often considered adequate for the gameplay experience, with some players finding them immersive despite their flaws.

    • “The graphics are detailed and realistic, capturing the atmosphere of the Vietnam War.”
    • “The graphics, despite being an older release, are still amazing today.”
    • “The graphics are vivid and stunning, the controls are easy to learn, and the gameplay is intense and engaging.”
    • “The graphics are terrible; this game came out in 2017 yet can't seem to get past Half-Life 2 quality graphics, which came out in 2004.”
    • “Graphics are horrible even on max settings and don't look like what's advertised in the pictures here, with shadows being way too dark, anti-aliasing leaving jagged lines on everything, texture popping in everywhere, shadows absent from objects at a reasonable distance, and LOD trees actually looking better than those near you.”
    • “The graphics are dated, but that's because they spent more time on the realism of the gameplay.”
  • optimization638 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting persistent performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and bugs, even on high-end systems. While some users have noted improvements over time and found the game runs well on lower-end hardware, others continue to experience significant lag and poor optimization, particularly in graphically intensive areas. Overall, the game's performance remains a major concern for a substantial portion of the player base, indicating a need for further optimization efforts from the developers.

    • “The optimization for this game is super impressive!”
    • “Rising Storm 2 is an extremely well-optimized game.”
    • “The game has been well optimized now and runs pretty well as well as the updates keep coming.”
    • “Poor optimization, connectivity issues, and a dwindling player base really made me question my purchase of the game in the first place.”
    • “The terrible stuttering performance, awful aliasing, messed up lighting, audio issues, and bugs ruin what would otherwise be a decent game.”
    • “I really enjoyed it then, and I want to still enjoy it now, but I simply have to leave a negative review; the game is entirely too unoptimized.”
  • music568 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its immersive quality, particularly the use of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Run Through the Jungle" as the main menu theme, which many players find iconic and fitting for the Vietnam War setting. However, there are frequent complaints about the limited variety in the soundtrack, with players expressing a desire for more songs from the era to enhance the overall experience. While the ambient sounds and period-appropriate music contribute to the game's atmosphere, the repetitive nature of the main menu track can become tiresome for some players.

    • “The ambiance, the music, the thrill... absolutely fantastic!”
    • “Everything from the soundtrack, sound and visual effects, and art style really capture the essence of the Vietnam War era and the developers have delivered that in a high adrenaline fashion.”
    • “The music, the character dialogue, the weapons, the beautiful maps and graphics, even the animations!”
    • “Heads up, mute your game when you're in the main menu or turn off the music, or you will hear 'Run Through the Jungle' relentlessly. They need another song in this game.”
    • “The menu music gets old and annoying after a while; they could've done a better job with it, like adding more menu themes.”
    • “I feel like I basically paid $12.99 to listen to that CCR song over and over again.”
  • stability540 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with many players reporting a wide range of bugs, glitches, and performance issues that can detract from the overall experience. Common problems include crashes, freezing, and unresponsive controls, which are often exacerbated by a lack of ongoing developer support. While some players find the gameplay enjoyable despite these issues, the consensus is that the game remains significantly buggy and unpolished, making it frustrating for many users.

    • “For a dated game like this, it also looks pretty good for its age and runs great.”
    • “But: there are no freezes, no gigantic fps drops.”
    • “The game runs great and has a lot of depth to its mechanics.”
    • “I had some problems launching, and also the game freezes and crashes randomly.”
    • “Abandoned by devs, riddled with bugs and glitches, wonky movement.”
    • “This game is a buggy mess, clunky, and the players are vigorously racist; however, I still love this game.”
  • atmosphere309 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Rising Storm 2: Vietnam" is widely praised for its immersive and authentic depiction of the Vietnam War, combining realistic sound design, detailed environments, and a gripping soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke intense emotions, from the chaos of battle to moments of camaraderie, making it a standout title in the tactical shooter genre. Despite some criticisms regarding graphical fidelity and gameplay mechanics, the game's atmospheric elements are consistently highlighted as a major strength, creating a unique and engaging experience for players.

    • “The game's gritty visual style and immersive audio design further contribute to the authentic Vietnam War atmosphere.”
    • “Rising Storm does an excellent job at delivering an authentic atmosphere of the Vietnam War—as you spawn and walk towards the battlefield, you will hear the crescendo of gunfire, the roar of explosions, the haunting cries of soldiers in the distance, the napalm followed by screams, you might witness a comrade standing beside you get cut down by a stray bullet, their death adding to the war atmosphere, and many more moments that make this game so special.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredible, it truly feels like you are a soldier in the Vietnam War.”
    • “It may sound nitpicking, but it actually ruined the immersion and atmosphere.”
    • “Rising Storm 2 is not that way; it is just a shooter game that is set during the Vietnam War and (so far) lacks that general atmosphere that draws you in and can even make you forget how frustrating the game could be at times.”
    • “I thought the game would have a better atmosphere to it, given the setting, but it feels quite bland to me.”
  • humor291 mentions

    The humor in "Rising Storm 2: Vietnam" is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the game's hilarious community interactions, absurd ragdoll physics, and darkly comedic moments that arise from the chaotic gameplay. Voice chat adds a layer of humor, with players engaging in playful banter, funny accents, and even role-playing, which can lead to both entertaining and cringe-worthy exchanges. While some humor can veer into offensive territory, the overall experience is described as a mix of intense action and laugh-out-loud moments, making it a uniquely enjoyable multiplayer experience.

    • “The game’s atmosphere is exceptional—immersive, funny, and terrifying all at once.”
    • “Killing a guy carrying an M60 using a Mosin from the 1800s will never not be funny.”
    • “The proximity voice chat allows for hilarious interactions between players of opposing teams.”
    • “Great game if you can ignore the tediously unfunny dipshits that think Asian accents are hilarious in the year 2020.”
    • “Furthermore, expect a lot of unfunny jokes about eating, destroying, stealing, or defending rice.”
    • “Please stop singing 'Fortunate Son,' the joke's not funny anymore.”
  • story192 mentions

    The game's story aspect is largely criticized, with many users noting the absence of a traditional narrative or campaign mode, labeling it as "no story" or "not worth" mentioning. While some players appreciate the historical context of the Vietnam War as a backdrop, they express a desire for a more structured single-player experience, indicating that the multiplayer focus leaves a significant storytelling gap. Overall, the consensus is that the game lacks a compelling story, which detracts from its potential depth and engagement.

    • “This is a true story, one of countless sacrifices made in an effort to push the front line..... you will die.... die fighting!”
    • “Building on the success story of the Red Orchestra series & the original Rising Storm expansion, RS2 throws you into the jungles of Vietnam. If you loved RO and the original RS, then this game will not disappoint.”
    • “I know single-player experiences are not really relevant in games like these, but with a setting like Vietnam, it would have been perfect as the Vietnam War is not a popular war to visit in video games, and it would have been nice to actually play a story in this era.”
    • “There is no game status shown in the mission screen which at the time I joined a mission and team which was defeated.”
    • “Since the franchise has always focused on multiplayer, there is no storyline aside from the historical context which is used as a backdrop.”
    • “The fact that the game doesn't have a storyline at all is pretty damning and doomed to fail like all MMOs when a newer one comes out.”
  • grinding120 mentions

    The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that grinding in the game is excessively tedious, often requiring players to invest significant time to unlock cosmetics and progress, leading to a repetitive experience. Many users express frustration with the slow leveling system and the lack of meaningful rewards, suggesting that the grind can detract from overall enjoyment. However, some players appreciate the absence of grinding for weapons, finding the gameplay more enjoyable as a result.

    • “Wanna play a mil-sim that isn't as tedious as Arma?”
    • “Realistic but not tedious.”
    • “No grinding for weapons!”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The progression is shallow and grinding is immense, and the classes are quite boring and useless.”
    • “It's tedious, it's intense, but it's fun.”
  • monetization75 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising the absence of pay-to-win mechanics and microtransactions, while others criticize the introduction of cosmetic DLCs and perceived cash grabs by the developers. Many users appreciate that the game offers unlockable content through gameplay rather than purchases, but there are concerns about the game's future support and the potential for exploitative monetization practices. Overall, while some players commend the game's approach to monetization, others feel it has shifted towards a cash grab model.

    • “The only microtransactions in this game are optional cosmetics, but most of the more practical items you'd usually use are purely unlocked by leveling up in-game.”
    • “No pay-to-win microtransactions, day one DLC, loot boxes, or any other of the tropes that plague modern shooters.”
    • “For the future, Tripwire has announced that they will rely on microtransactions through cosmetics to further finance the development of RS2 and create more maps, modes, weapons, and factions for everyone this way, which I find an absolutely fair deal and worthy to support.”
    • “That was until the devs abandoned this game and now all the DLC appears to be no more than a cash grab.”
    • “Knowing this game has been out for 2 years and still has net code, hit registration, and lag issues is utterly embarrassing. I have a love-hate relationship with this game, but the devs have left any hope for making this game better behind and instead picked up selling garbage DLCs for a cash grab like Ubisoft.”
    • “It all feels like a quick cash grab, and with the new unlock system for uniform styles, it makes me believe that Tripwire isn't the quality company we (the Red Orchestra / Rising Storm fans) all thought it would be.”
  • replayability53 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players enjoying the multiplayer experience and diverse mechanics that keep gameplay fresh. However, some users note limitations due to a lack of offline modes, repetitive gameplay, and a finite number of maps, which can detract from long-term engagement. Despite these criticisms, the community-driven content and active player base contribute positively to the game's replay value.

    • “Very fun game, 1000 hours in and I'm still having fun. It's a very replayable game, and I enjoy it for this fact.”
    • “Incredible multiplayer with infinite replayability.”
    • “Rising Storm Vietnam is the epitome of a realistic FPS set in Vietnam with an impressive degree of replayability.”
    • “On the surface, there's very little replay value: ranks give you cosmetic unlocks and nothing else, all maps and weapons are unlocked from the beginning, and on top of that development has ended.”
    • “It lacks much replayability, mainly due to the fact that it is online only without a dedicated ability to play offline with bots.”
    • “Considering the price tag (£22 ish) it's not really worth it as the very little replay value and I have played it for about 15 hours and I'm already bored with the game.”
  • emotional34 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by players' deep immersion and nostalgia, with many expressing a strong connection to the gameplay that evokes feelings of fear, sadness, and joy. While some lament the game's abandonment by developers, they appreciate the wholesome community and the intense, realistic experiences that resonate with their memories of the Vietnam War. Overall, the game elicits a range of emotions, from heartfelt nostalgia to frustration, making it a memorable experience for many players.

    • “I would like to give my most heartfelt condolences for all teammates who have died through my actions.”
    • “Never before have I ever played a game that made me feel so immersed that I actually started getting scared for my life after getting pinned down.”
    • “And I remember... I... I... I cried, I wept like some grandmother.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development is praised for its appealing design and user interface, but some players express disappointment over the lack of visible legs and suggest that character roles should require specific experience points to unlock, enhancing the progression system. Overall, while the design is well-received, there are calls for improvements in mechanics and a more structured leveling system.

    • “I really liked the character design and character design screen; however, one important detail is that we can't see our legs, which is a minus point for me.”
    • “An addition to that is, as I mentioned earlier, each role should require a certain level to be unlocked. The official level should be maintained for character design, and maybe a new system could be implemented that requires a certain amount of experience points with each role to unlock the others.”
    • “Better gun mechanics and character design.”
    • “I really liked the character design and character design screen, but one of the important details is that we can't see our legs, which is a minus point for me.”
    • “An addition to that is, as I mentioned earlier, each role should require a certain level to be unlocked. The official level should be maintained for character design, and maybe a new system should be implemented that requires a certain amount of experience points with each role to unlock the others.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Buy Rising Storm 2: Vietnam

Play time

25hMedian play time
127hAverage play time
7-125hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 128 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News