Strange Brigade
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
Strange 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
The Strange Brigade, a group of Secret Service agents sent by the British colonial government, has infiltrated archaeologist Edgar Harbin's expedition in an effort to eliminate Seteki, a brutal and barbaric queen who once ruled the Sahara Africa.[7][8]
Development
The 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,[9] 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.[10]
Reception
According to review aggregator Metacritic, the PC and PlayStation 4 versions received mixed reviews while the Xbox One version received generally positive reviews from critics.[11][12][13]
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | (PC) 68/100[14] (PS4) 73/100[15] (XONE) 75/100[16] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
GameRevolution | [17] |
GameSpot | 7/10[18] |
GamesRadar+ | [19] |
Hardcore Gamer | 3.5/5[20] |
IGN | 7.5/10[21] |
PC Gamer (US) | 68/100[22] |
Push Square | [23] |
Shacknews | 5/10[24] |
VideoGamer.com | 6/10[25] |
In December 2018, Strange Brigade was featured as one of The Telegraph's "50 best games of 2018".[26]
Awards
Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | Gamescom 2017 | Best Booth Award | Nominated | [27] |
2019 | National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards | Art Direction, Period Influence | Nominated | [28] |
Game, Original Adventure | Nominated | |||
The Independent Game Developers' Association Awards | Heritage Award | Nominated | [29] |
References
- Osborn, Alex (7 June 2017). "Sniper Elite Dev Announces New Game, Strange Brigade". IGN. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- "Strange Brigade hands-on preview and interview – Left 4 Mummies". GameCentral. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- 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.
- Wales, Matt (24 April 2018). "Rip-roaring 1930s-style co-op shooter Strange Brigade launches in August". Eurogamer. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- Jones, Tim (24 April 2018). "Behind the Strange Story of Co-op Adventure Strange Brigade". PlayStation Blog. 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. 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.
- Leri, Michael (27 August 2018). "Strange Brigade Review – A Relic in Both Senses of the Term". GameRevolution. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- Starkey, Daniel (28 August 2018). "Strange Brigade Review - Co-op With Style". GameSpot. 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.
- LeClair, Kyle (28 August 2018). "Review: Strange Brigade". Hardcore Gamer. 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.
- Stinton, Alex (27 August 2018). "Strange Brigade Review (PS4)". Push Square. 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.
- 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.