If we talk about the shooters of the early 2000s, "Soldier of Fortune 2: Double Helix" holds a special place in my memory. It was one of the first PC games that I played and went through, like, three times.
There were times. There were times when developers could afford not just shooting games, but a real madness with blood and extremely realistic violence. As a child, this game seemed to me to be one of the best. Now, reviewing it through the prism of time, I understand that this is too much for children. The many subsequent games I played literally blurred my memories of this revelation of violence. But the game is a product of its time. Such were the realities of computer games back then. It's up to everyone to decide for themselves whether it's good or bad.
The plot of "SoF2" tries to surprise with complex intrigues, cheerfully rushes forward, like a hero of a category B movie with a weapon at the ready. The main character is John Mullins, a mercenary and a man who has to save the world again. This time, the threat is a deadly virus that the terrorists are going to use for mass destruction. At first, it all starts with relatively modest missions, but then it drags into a global story with travels around the world - from snow-covered forests to tropical jungles and city streets. A cliche? Of course. But at one time it worked, creating the atmosphere of a harsh action movie with a brave mercenary who solves problems solely with bullets and grenades.
In terms of mechanics, "Soldier of Fortune 2" seemed like something outstanding at the time. The developers have tried to make the game as realistic as possible: here you need to take into account the recoil of weapons, speed of movement, shelter, and even damage physics. Opponents die very differently, depending on where the bullet hit. Sometimes it's too "spectacular", but at that moment it just looked amazing.
At the time of release, the game boasted one of the most detailed damage systems in games. The developers used an engine that allowed enemies to take damage in 26 different areas of the body (I remembered this figure from childhood, having read in some game guide). Bullets could leave holes in limbs, tear flesh, and even tear off body parts if used with particularly powerful weapons. It looked shockingly realistic, which, of course, did not frighten the teenagers, who had the opportunity to shoot coolly.
The levels are varied. The hero will visit Colombia, Hong Kong, Prague and even Kamchatka. Each place offers its own challenges: somewhere you have to sneak in, and somewhere you have to hit in all directions, fighting off enemies. However, the level of difficulty sometimes seems inadequate: in the later stages, you had to go through the same moment ten times, dying again and again from machine gun fire, without even having time to notice where it came from.
The choice of weapons is quite rich: pistols, shotguns, submachine guns, even experimental weapons (I remember there was such a massive futuristic machine gun with a sight). Noise plays an important role - for example, if an enemy walks through broken glass, you will definitely hear him approaching. This detail gave the game a special atmosphere and allowed us to tactically wait for opponents.
Although Soldier of Fortune 2 is primarily a shooter, some missions encourage stealth playthroughs. You can use a silencer or a throwing knife and covertly eliminate enemies. It is also important to monitor the level of armor and health - they cannot be restored here with a simple shelter, as in modern shooters. We have to look for first-aid kits and armor, which adds tension to the firefights.
When I was a kid, Soldier of Fortune 2 was one of my favorite games. It offered a serious level of hardcore, dynamic gameplay and a lot of interesting details that made it special. Today it feels a little outdated, but it is still capable of giving a couple of dozen hours of intense action. Not a masterpiece, but a strong representative of its genre. The score for her is from my childhood.
"Double Helix" is not a revolution in the genre, but it is certainly a memorable project. As a child, the game was amazing for its cruelty, complexity and variety of passing. Today, it feels old-school, archaic in places, but still able to give the atmosphere of classic 90s action movies. If you are not afraid of hardcore and appreciate old-fashioned shooters, you can give the game a chance.
9 out of 10.
