Strange Brigade is a cooperative third-person shooter video game developed and published by Rebellion Developments. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on August 28, 2018, on August 1, 2020 for Stadia, and on June 15, 2021 for Nintendo Switch. In the game, the player fights against different mythological enemies and solves puzzles.
| Strange Brigade | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Rebellion Developments |
| Publisher(s) | Rebellion Developments |
| Director(s) | Tim Jones |
| Designer(s) | Steve Bristow |
| Artist(s) | Andy Pattinson |
| Writer(s) | Gordon Rennie |
| Engine | Asura |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
|
| Genre(s) | Third-person shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay
editStrange Brigade is a third-person shooter with a huge emphasis on cooperative gameplay. In the game, the player assumes the role of an adventurer in the 1930s and can team up with three other players to fight against different mythological enemies like mummies, giant scorpions and minotaurs.[1] The game's four playable characters, who can be customized, have different weapons and abilities.[2] Players have a large arsenal of weapons at their disposal. Each weapon has several upgrade slots, which can be used to enhance combat efficiency. Players can switch and upgrade their weapons at the workbenches found in a level.[3] They can also activate different traps, such as spinning blades and spikes, to kill enemies.[4]
The game features branching levels which encourage exploration.[5] By solving puzzles, players will discover new relics which can unlock "amulet powers". These powerful amulet powers can be activated by absorbing the souls of enemies. Players can also find treasure chests to unlock powerful prototype weapons, and collect gold coins to purchase new weapons.[6]
Premise
edit4000 years ago Seteki, an Egyptian Pharaoh, ruled tyrannically, using black magic. Wadjet, the Goddess of Time and Justice, opposed Seteki's barbaric rule, and along with her priests waged went to war against Seteki, eventually leading to Seteki's defeat. Her body was hidden in a nameless tomb and all record of her existence was erased, her name living on only in legend.
In 1930 after Several thousand years pass, The archaeologist Edgar Harbin releases Seteki's spirit after he opened her tomb to further his career. Veronica Brownage, an agent of the Department of Antiquities who was keeping an eye on Harbin, managed to send a distress message to headquarters prior to the release. The Department dispatches the Strange Brigade, a team of people experienced in defending the British Empire from supernatural threats to uncover what Seteki is after.
Searching a hidden valley leads to the group discovering a soul cage, which Seteki is using to harness the power of trapped souls. Destroying the cage results in Seteki's power being reduced. So the groups sets out to destroy the rest.
The Strange Brigade set out across Egypt to foil Seteki's plans and rid the world of her undead army.
After destroying the last Soul Cage, the Brigade are informed that they are not finished yet, and though the cages are destroyed, Seteki herself is still loose, and may have a plan for world destruction, by opening a bridge between the mortal realm and the Underworld. .
The Brigade sets out to finish Seteki off once and for all, following her into the underworld, finding her in control of the Ammit, the Devourer of Souls. Seteki commands thebeast to attack the Brigade, however they manage to break Seteki's control over the beast, and after sufficiently enraging the beast, it turns on Seteki and devours her, ending her threat to humanity once and for all.
The Brigade heads off to find the portal back to the mortal realm, sharing some light banter, comparing their fight with Seteki to their past adventures.
Development
editThe game was developed by Rebellion Developments. The gameplay was inspired by cooperative games such as Left 4 Dead and Rebellion's own Zombie Army Trilogy,[2] while the story and the game's tone were inspired by the adventure serials released in the 1930s.[3] Announced on June 7, 2017,[7] the game was released on August 28, 2018. Players who pre-ordered the game were given access to the "Secret Service Weapons" pack, while those who purchased the Digital Deluxe edition have access to the game's season pass and other post-launch content for free. There is also a Collector's Edition which contains physical items such as an airship model and an artbook.[8]
Reception
editAccording to review aggregator Metacritic, the PC and PlayStation 4 versions received mixed reviews while the Xbox One version received generally positive reviews from critics.[9][10][11]
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | (PC) 68/100[12] (PS4) 73/100[13] (XONE) 75/100[14] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| GameRevolution |   [23] |
| GameSpot | 7/10[18] |
| GamesRadar+ |   [17] |
| Hardcore Gamer | 3.5/5[20] |
| IGN | 7.5/10[15] |
| PC Gamer (US) | 68/100[16] |
| Push Square | [19] |
| Shacknews | 5/10[21] |
| VideoGamer.com | 6/10[22] |
In December 2018, Strange Brigade was featured as one of The Telegraph's "50 best games of 2018".[24]
Awards
edit| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Gamescom 2017 | Best Booth Award | Nominated | [25] |
| 2019 | National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards | Art Direction, Period Influence | Nominated | [26] |
| Game, Original Adventure | Nominated | |||
| The Independent Game Developers' Association Awards | Heritage Award | Nominated | [27] |
References
edit- ^ Osborn, Alex (7 June 2017). "Sniper Elite Dev Announces New Game, Strange Brigade". IGN. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- ^ a b "Strange Brigade hands-on preview and interview – Left 4 Mummies". GameCentral. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- ^ a b Sykes, Tom (18 June 2017). "Here's a longer look at Rebellion's pulp co-op shooter Strange Brigade". PC Gamer. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- ^ Purchese, Robert (24 September 2017). "Rebellion's Strange Brigade is a jolly refreshing romp". Eurogamer. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- ^ Horti, Samuel (17 June 2018). "Watch six minutes of Strange Brigade's co-op shooting, supernatural puzzles and branching levels". PC Gamer. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- ^ Lemon, Marshall (14 June 2018). "E3 2018: Strange Brigade rewards you for exploring each map". VG 247. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- ^ S. Good, Owen (7 June 2017). "Sniper Elite makers journey into mystery with Strange Brigade". Polygon. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- ^ Kato, Matthew (24 April 2018). "Co-op Adventure Strange Brigade Gets Release Date & Story Trailer". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 27 April 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- ^ "Strange Brigade for PlayStation 4 reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
- ^ "Strange Brigade for PC reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
- ^ "Strange Brigade for Xbox One reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
- ^ "Strange Brigade for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "Strange Brigade for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ "Strange Brigade for Xbox One Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ Crowd, Dan (27 August 2018). "Strange Brigade Review". IGN. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ Birnbaum, Ian (5 September 2018). "Strange Brigade review". PC Gamer. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ Avard, Alex (28 August 2018). "Strange Brigade review: "A few sandwiches short of a properly satisfying picnic"". GamesRadar. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ Starkey, Daniel (28 August 2018). "Strange Brigade Review - Co-op With Style". GameSpot. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ Stinton, Alex (27 August 2018). "Strange Brigade Review (PS4)". Push Square. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ LeClair, Kyle (28 August 2018). "Review: Strange Brigade". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ Chandler, Sam (29 August 2018). "Strange Brigade Review: Horrors untold". Shacknews. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ Wise, Josh (28 August 2018). "Strange Brigade review". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ Leri, Michael (27 August 2018). "Strange Brigade Review – A Relic in Both Senses of the Term". GameRevolution. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ Hoggins, Tom (25 July 2018). "The 50 best games of 2018 | Our guide to the top titles of the year". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
- ^ Khan, Zubi (21 August 2017). "Gamescom 2017 Award Nominees". CGM. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
- ^ "Nominee List for 2018". National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. 11 February 2019. Archived from the original on 13 February 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
- ^ Stephenson, Suzi (19 September 2019). "TIGA Announces Games Industry Awards 2019 Finalists". The Independent Game Developers' Association. Retrieved 25 September 2019.