He ain't Gomer Pyle
Written: Jan 18 '01 (Updated Jan 18 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: interesting and nostalgic concept
Cons: so-so graphics, loooong missions with no save points
The Bottom Line: This is a nice game to buy for $20 or to get as a gift from a friend...but DO NOT spend a fortune on it.
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| m.s.heart's Full Review: Army Men Sarge's Heroes for Nintendo 64 |
Do kids still play with green army men??? I wonder.
Well, since most kids today are more likely to play video games, I guess someone at the GREEN ARMY MEN factory thought it would be a good marketing concept to package their "outdated" toys in a video game format. For those of us that grew up with these toys, "Army Men: Sarge's Heroes" is a nostalgic return to our childhood, but for today's kids...I'm not sure this game will cut it.
The game opens with a very handsome CGI movie which expounds upon the battle between the green and tan armies...it's nicely done. From there you can choose from one of several options.
BOOTCAMP: This is a good way to understand the concept of the main game as well as getting a handle on the controls and your weapons. You can't die unless you step on a mine in the minefield...but then...WHY WOULD YOU?! :0)
TWO-PLAYER: This is a seek-and-destroy-your-friend-until-you-get-tired-of-playing-it game which can also be found on other titles like "SOUTH PARK" and "GOLDENEYE".
MAIN GAME: In this game you play as Sarge, a John Wayne and Dirty Harry combo of a...well...plastic army guy. You must rescue the captured members of platoon as well as discover the secret(s) behind the tan army's new and "other-worldly" weapons."
The gameplay in "SARGE'S MEN" is better than average. Sarge runs, jumps, climbs, squats, rolls, and even dives forward. There are plenty of weapons to use (M-16, bazooka, mine sweeper, etc.), and you will need to use all of them...trust me. The weapons also automatically target enemies so it helps cut down on wasted ammunition...unless the enemies evade your fire; some are obviously smarter than others!!! The backgrounds are also interactive: boxes explode, trees burn, explosions leave black marks...very nice.
BUT "SARGE'S MEN" has its problems. Although there a lot of levels and despite various locations/settings, what I found especially frustrating was that some of the levels are LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG, and there are absolutely NO save points anywhere except between levels. Furthermore, there aren't even any check points along the way either...SO...if you spend 25 minutes of your time and make it all the way to the end of a level and die...you must start ALL OVER again! IT KIND OF SUCKS!
The graphics in "SARGE'S MEN" are only average. While the CGI movies between levels are more than adeqaute, the normal game graphics are bland. The army men actually look grainy. AND as in "SILENT HILL" and "SOUTH PARK", a lot of the surroundings are shrouded in gray mass (like a fog). This is usually done to save disk space, and it actually added a lot to the creepy mood of "SILENT HILL", but it does absolutely nothing for me here (just like in "SOUTH PARK") especially when it would help to actually see oncoming tanks and other enemies in broad daylight...sheesh.
Because I am a nostalgic person and because a good friend of mine recently gave this to me as a gift, I will recommend it just enough for their sake. I do like the game...it's just that it could have been better.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
m.s.heart
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Location: Sherman Oaks, CA
Reviews written: 134
Trusted by: 11 members
About Me:
I live in L.A. and work in TV.
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