Hidden & Dangerous 2

Hidden & Dangerous 2
Cover art
Developer(s) Illusion Softworks
Publisher(s) Gathering of Developers
Take-Two Interactive, Global Star Software
Director(s) Petr Vochozka[1]
Producer(s) Lukás Kure[1]
Designer(s) Radek Havlicek[1]
Programmer(s) Marek Rabas[1]
Artist(s) Martin Benes[1]
Writer(s) Radek Havlicek[1]
Composer(s) Michal Szlavik
Martin Benes[1]
Engine LS3D engine
Platform(s) Windows
Release
  • NA: October 21, 2003[2]
  • EU: October 24, 2003
Sabre Squadron
  • EU: September 24, 2004
  • NA: October 21, 2004
Genre(s) First-person shooter, tactical shooter, third-person shooter
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Hidden & Dangerous 2 is a 2003 World War II, stealth based, tactical first and third person shooter video game. It centres on the British Special Air Service in operations behind Axis lines 1941-45.

Developed by Illusion Softworks (which became 2K Czech) a subsidiary of 2K Games and published by Gathering of Developers and Take-Two Interactive (Take 2 in North America and Europe), with lead design by Radek Havlicek, announced on Tuesday, April 24, 2001.[3][4] It is the second installment and the direct sequel to 2K Czech's predecessor Hidden & Dangerous. Hidden & Dangerous 2 was released in October 2003 for Microsoft Windows.[2]

Development for Hidden & Dangerous 2 was announced on April 24, 2001, two years after the release of Hidden & Dangerous.[5]

Gameplay

Hidden & Dangerous 2, like its predecessor, focuses on the British Special Air Service during the Second World War. It follows the same concept as the original tactical first/third person shooter. The game's LS3D engine was used by the game Mafia.

Gameplay elements such as the vocal commands, plan or real-time map control, vehicle usage, equipment selection and the first person mechanic were significantly enhanced from the original. The ability to take POWs, added enhanced stealth options for the player which include the acquisition of enemy uniforms. Mission types include, espionage, sabotage, search and destroy, town liberation, prisoner rescue, retrieval of enemy officers and documents, partisan assistance and assassination. The variety of locales include Norway, Libya, a Norwegian fjord, Burma, Austria, France and Czechoslovakia.

The expansion pack Sabre Squadron adds missions in France, Libya and Sicily. Some of the missions are modeled on real SAS exploits. However most of the game takes liberty with the historical time and place of SAS operations.[6] The missions are based on sandbox style game-play where players are free to roam a map and pursue objectives usually at their leisure and choice of sequence. A real time strategy mechanic also allows players to control events for staged sequential tactical maneuvers or through real time overhead command.

Campaign mode

The campaign mode in Hidden & Dangerous 2 allows for a single player, playing as a lone wolf or a team leader. Players may choose from a roster of 30 men to comprise up to a four man team. Detailed mission briefings and full load-out inventory selection for each new campaign/mission. There are over twenty levels with missions in seven campaigns, set in Europe, Africa and Asia where the players visit many historical areas. The game does not possess an overarching narrative. Players can achieve promotions and decorations for bravery, successfully completed missions and/or specific objectives.

Multiplayer

Hidden & Dangerous 2 has a multiplayer mode that can be played via internet or local area network (up to 99 players). After closing in 2012, GameSpy server this game close. However, fans have used the stored server (favorites). It was not until the end of 2014, while the search server was moved to Qtracker, then, thanks to a little manipulation, the players were able to play on the server, it is not officially supported by, as the company and its games network holder no longer exist. So far, active and Russian and foreign fan community in this game. In multiplayer represented 4 game modes: Cooperative, Combat, Capture, Quests HD2.

Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron

An expansion pack titled Sabre Squadron was released during October 19, 2004, in the US, introduced nine new single player missions, seven new multi-player maps, and a now finished, death-match map called "Poland", which had been featured in the game's intro and was titled "London" and available for play in its unfinished state before this release, new weapons: the RPzB 54, the MAS-36, the G43, a suppressed P08 and a Harrington & Richardson Mk VI flare pistol; the ability to hold your breath while looking through a telescopic sight, a co-operative multi-player mode, along with access to the original Hidden & Dangerous 2 missions through Sabre Squadron's interface.

Reception

Hidden & Dangerous 2

Hidden & Dangerous 2
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic75/100[7]
Review scores
PublicationScore
CGW[8]
Edge8/10[9]
Eurogamer9/10[10]
Game Informer6/10[11]
GamePro[12]
Game RevolutionB[13]
GameSpot7.3/10[14]
GameSpy[15]
GameZone8.3/10[16]
IGN7.9/10[17]
PC Format88%[18]
PC Gamer (US)80%[19]

The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[7]

Eurogamer said that "It takes all that was good about the original, improves every element, successfully adds new features and delivers a well-rounded game."[10] GamesTM claimed that the game's "minor flaws have to be put into perspective against the sheer quality and quantity on offer."[20] Computer Gaming World stated that Hidden and Dangerous 2 is a "really good game", but also complained about the "dubious tradition of bugs" and criticised the "same pesky bugs and problematic A.I. as the original".[8] Edge called it "One of the finest WWII games of recent memory. Hidden & Dangerous 2 manages to distract you from errors that would cripple a lesser game through its sheer ambition and scale."[9] IGN stated that Hidden & Dangerous 2 is "a great game lurking somewhere underneath all of these questionable design decisions."[17] Game Revolution criticised the difficulty level, artificial intelligence and controls, but praised the game overall, saying "the atmosphere, graphics, scope, versatility and ultimately fun gameplay keeps the bad bits in check."[13] GameZone called it "a great game...underneath the AI problems, bug issues and control problems."[16] GameSpy called it "a compelling World War II experience."[15] GameSpot called it "frustrating to play" and said "there's clearly a wonderful game hidden amongst the major bugs, cumbersome controls, questionable AI, and other flaws."[14] GamePro also criticised the AI, while stating "If you dig tactical shooters, Hidden & Dangerous 2 should be in your sights."[12] Game Informer said that "Though the campaign is long, you could pack all of the action into a container half of the size of the Max Payne 2 quest."[11]

The game sold over 1 million units as of August 2004.[21]

Sabre Squadron

Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic67/100[22]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Eurogamer7/10[23]
GamesMaster76%[24]
GameSpot7.3/10[25]
IGN7/10[26]
PC Format72%[27]
PC Gamer (US)78%[28]
PC Zone77%[29]

The Sabre Squadron expansion pack received "average" reviews according to Metacritic.[22]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Hidden & Dangerous 2 - Credits". AllGame. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  2. 1 2 Adams, David (October 23, 2003). "Hidden & Dangerous 2 Ships". IGN. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  3. ↑ IGN staff (April 24, 2001). "Hidden and Dangerous 2 Announced". IGN. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  4. ↑ Walker, Trey (April 24, 2001). "GodGames announces Hidden & Dangerous 2". GameSpot. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Hidden and Dangerous 2 announced". Gamers Hell. April 24, 2001. Retrieved January 9, 2011. GodGames and Illusion Softworks today announced the development of Hidden & Dangerous 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed PC game Hidden & Dangerous. Hidden & Dangerous 2 will be released in this fall for the PC.
  6. ↑ Kemp, Anthony (1991). The SAS at War 1941-1945. New York: Signet. ISBN 0-451-17456-9
  7. 1 2 "Hidden & Dangerous 2 for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
  8. 1 2 Liberatore, Raphael (February 2004). "Hidden & Dangerous 2" (PDF). Computer Gaming World (235): 78. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  9. 1 2 Edge staff (December 25, 2003). "Hidden & Dangerous 2". Edge (131): 120.
  10. 1 2 McNamara, Tom (October 23, 2003). "Hidden & Dangerous 2". Eurogamer. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
  11. 1 2 Biessener, Adam (January 2004). "Hidden and Dangerous II [sic]". Game Informer (129): 156. Archived from the original on January 15, 2006. Retrieved November 23, 2008.
  12. 1 2 Funky Zealot (December 29, 2003). "Hidden & Dangerous 2 Review for PC on GamePro.com [score mislabeled as "4/5"]". GamePro. Archived from the original on February 9, 2005. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  13. 1 2 Sanders, Shawn (October 2003). "Hidden and Dangerous 2 Review". Game Revolution. Retrieved July 28, 2012.
  14. 1 2 Osborne, Scott (October 28, 2003). "Hidden & Dangerous 2 Review". GameSpot. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  15. 1 2 Durham Jr., Joel (November 5, 2003). "GameSpy: Hidden & Dangerous 2". GameSpy. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
  16. 1 2 Hopper, Steven (November 3, 2003). "Hidden & Dangerous 2 - PC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 4, 2009. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  17. 1 2 McNamara, Tom (October 29, 2003). "Hidden and Dangerous 2 Review". IGN. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  18. ↑ Griliopoulos, Dan (December 25, 2003). "Hidden and Dangerous 2". PC Format (156). Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  19. ↑ Klett, Steve (January 2004). "Hidden & Dangerous 2". PC Gamer: 112. Archived from the original on October 18, 2006. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  20. ↑ GamesTM staff (December 25, 2003). "Hidden & Dangerous 2". GamesTM: 104. Archived from the original on December 21, 2003. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron Screens". Gamers Hell. August 31, 2004. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  22. 1 2 "Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  23. ↑ Reed, Kristan (September 24, 2004). "Hidden & Dangerous II [sic]: Sabre Squadron". Eurogamer. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron". GamesMaster. December 25, 2004.
  25. ↑ Osborne, Scott (October 27, 2004). "Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron Review". GameSpot. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  26. ↑ McNamara, Tom (January 21, 2005). "Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron". IGN. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  27. ↑ Griliopoulos, Dan (December 2004). "Hidden and Dangerous 2 Sabre Squadron". PC Format (168): 101. Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  28. ↑ "Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron". PC Gamer: 72. February 2005.
  29. ↑ PC Zone staff (December 2004). "PC Review: Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron". PC Zone. Archived from the original on May 26, 2008. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
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