Army of Two Review: Is It Worth Playing?

What is Army of Two?

Released in 2008, Army of Two is a third-person tactical shooter developed by EA Montreal. The game's central premise, and its primary marketing hook, was an unapologetic focus on two-player co-operative gameplay.

You step into the boots of Tyson Rios and Elliot Salem, two former US Army Rangers turned highly-paid mercenaries for a private military corporation called SSC. The narrative follows them through a globe-trotting conspiracy involving arms dealers, terrorist factions, and corporate betrayal, set against the backdrop of post-9/11 private military operations.

In our view, the story is a serviceable, if often clichéd and machismo-fuelled, vehicle to propel the action from one set-piece to another. Its true identity is not found in its plot, but in its foundational design principle: every significant mechanic is built around the partnership of two players, either human or AI-controlled.

Gameplay

Duo-Centric Mechanics

The core of Army of Two is its duo-centric mechanics. This isn't merely a shooter where a second player tags along; the game systems are engineered to force cooperation.

The most prominent feature is the 'Aggro' system. Essentially, one player can draw the majority of enemy fire (achieved by being more visible and offensive), becoming a literal human shield marked by a glowing red aura. This allows their partner to slip into a stealthier state, flank enemies, or perform special actions with reduced pressure. Swapping aggro back and forth becomes a fundamental tactical rhythm.

Moment-to-Moment Actions

Players can perform coordinated parachute jumps, tandem ladder climbs, and the iconic back-to-back 'Overkill' mode, where time slows and both players unleash devastating firepower. The much-touted weapon customisation is extensive, allowing you to purchase and modify firearms with various barrels, stocks, and add-ons, including gold plating for purely aesthetic swagger.

The gunplay itself is competent but unremarkable by 2008 standards. The weapons lack punchy feedback and enemy AI is often simplistic, funneling toward your position.

Learning Curve and AI Partner

The learning curve is shallow, as the game is designed for accessibility. The systems are easy to grasp, but the depth is questionable. In our view, the aggro mechanic, while a novel idea, often feels more like a mandatory button press than a deeply strategic choice.

Playing solo with the AI partner is a compromised experience. The AI is functional for basic commands (follow, stay, fire) but is incapable of the intuitive synergy the game demands, making several sections frustrating. The true experience, as intended, is with a communicative human partner, where the mechanics foster a sense of camaraderie, even if they sometimes feel forced.

Who is Army of Two for?

Army of Two is unequivocally for players seeking a casual, spectacle-driven co-operative experience. It is not a hardcore tactical shooter like Rainbow Six; its tactics are broad-strokes and its challenge is moderate.

It sits closer to titles like Gears of War in its cover-based approach but with a far greater emphasis on explicit partner interaction. The game is best enjoyed with a friend online or on the couch, where the inherent silliness of its bro-centric dialogue and over-the-top action can be laughed at and enjoyed together.

Solo players will find little to recommend here, as the AI partner undermines the core design. It is also not for those seeking a nuanced narrative or deep, competitive multiplayer - its versus modes were an afterthought and are largely forgotten.

Its ideal audience is a duo looking for a straightforward, action-packed 8-10 hour campaign where working together is constantly, if sometimes clumsily, reinforced by the game mechanics.

Graphics and performance

Visually, Army of Two was a product of its late-2000s era. The character models, particularly Rios and Salem, are bulky and detailed, with impressive weapon models that reflect your customisations. Environments range from Iraq to China to Somalia, but they often feel linear and boxy, designed as shooting galleries rather than believable spaces.

The colour palette leans heavily into drab browns and greys, typical of the period. The PC version, which is the one reflected in the low Steam rating, has significant technical issues.

In our view, the port was poorly optimised. Players have historically reported inconsistent performance, bugs, and problems with modern operating systems and hardware compatibility. While it may run acceptably on some systems, it cannot be considered a smooth or well-adapted PC experience, especially when compared to the more stable console versions of its time.

Value for money

The campaign lasts approximately 8 to 10 hours. Given the game's age and the problematic state of the PC port, its value is highly contingent on context.

When found at a deep discount in a digital sale, it might represent a justifiable purchase for a duo specifically seeking this type of co-op experience. However, at or near its original asking price, it is difficult to recommend.

There is little replay value beyond playing the campaign again on a higher difficulty or with a different friend. The customisation, while broad, is not a compelling enough reason to return.

The value proposition is weak unless you have a dedicated partner and can acquire the game for a very low sum, acknowledging you are buying a flawed, dated, but conceptually interesting relic.

Verdict

Army of Two is a game of intriguing ideas hampered by dated execution and, on PC, significant technical shortcomings. Its legacy is that of a bold experiment in mandatory co-op mechanics, and for that, it remains a curious footnote in shooter history.

Army of Two is a memorable but deeply flawed experience: a bold co-op experiment undermined by dated execution and a poor PC port.

We would recommend it only to a very specific audience: two players with a high tolerance for jank, a desire to experience a piece of late-2000s co-op design, and the ability to pick it up for a pittance. The low Steam rating of 3.6/10, while harsh, reflects genuine frustration with the port's quality.

For everyone else - especially solo players, graphics enthusiasts, or those seeking tight, modern shooter mechanics - Army of Two is an easy skip. Its middling Metascore of 71 feels apt: a game with a compelling central hook that it never fully capitalises on, leaving it as a memorable but deeply flawed experience.