Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines (PC)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 4.0 stars Excellent
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 8.4 (4.0 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Greg Kasavin
• Reviewed on: 09/10/1998
• Updated on: 08/04/2000
• Released on: 07/31/1998
• Originally published on GameSpot: Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines (PC) Review

The premise of Commandos is a model for the game itself: Just as the heroes of this game prevail in dangerous military operations through unorthodox yet undeniably effective means, so too is Commandos a successful real-time strategy game because of its refusal to adhere to the genre's conventions. Pyro Studios has produced a genuinely original game of tactics, planning, and precision, one with impressive visuals and slick production values and one that will surely please fans of strategic combat, puzzle-solving, and World War II-era warfare alike.

Its isometric perspective recalls any number of real-time strategy games that came before it, but a closer inspection reveals Commandos' striking attention to detail. The prerendered 2D maps all look different, beautiful, and realistic, and accurately depict Nazi-occupied regions in Norway, North Africa, and Eastern Europe. You'll never find a scenario that looks boring; enemy barracks, tanks, electric fences, river dams, and much more all serve to make every mission dynamic and different. You even get some nice eye candy for good measure - enemy vehicles and structures go out in glorious pyrotechnics at the hands of your demolitions expert. And not only can you set the screen resolution to your liking, but you can zoom the screen in and out, set up split-screen cameras to keep tabs on isolated commandos, or set tracking cameras to follow enemy patrols.

Your six Commandos are all unique in appearance and attitude. They move smoothly whether they're walking, crawling, running, or plying any of their deadly skills, and you can learn all about them through a fast and friendly in-game tutorial that focuses on each of their individual skills. They're a charismatic bunch and will quickly grow on you, although their German enemies look rather boring by comparison. There isn't much music to speak of in Commandos, and the sound, though authentic, is sparse. And though the commandos sound great and become immediately distinguishable through their speech, they have disappointingly few speaking lines. The Germans don't have a lot to say either.

An unobtrusive and clever interface borders the screen, showing the various tools in the selected commando's knapsack, any of which can be selected with the click of a mouse. However, this interface is mostly for show; it's quicker just to hit the appropriate keyboard hotkey to select your green beret's combat knife for example - and in Commandos, every moment counts. Moving your men is as simple as clicking the desired destination or double-clicking to make the commando run. You need to micromanage everybody, and no one will move an inch without your express orders. This isn't a problem; just keep your idle men hidden at all times and you'll be OK.

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