I received Commandos 2 as a Christmas gift from my brother nearly two decades ago and thoroughly enjoyed it at the time. Since then, numerous computer upgrades have occurred, and I haven’t had the opportunity to revisit the title until recently. Consequently, when the Commandos 2 and Praetorians: HD Remaster Double Pack became available for review, I eagerly accepted. The Commandos series, alongside titles like Fallout, significantly shaped my appreciation for the strategy genre.
In Commandos 2, players command a small elite squad infiltrating enemy territory. Utilizing each operative’s unique skill set is crucial to successfully completing objectives. The game offers multiple approaches to problem-solving, encouraging tactical flexibility. The thrill of strategically eliminating unsuspecting enemy soldiers, for example, remains a compelling element of the gameplay.
Praetorians shifts the setting from World War II to ancient Rome, placing players in control of entire armies. Command archers, foot soldiers, and various legions, deploying scouts to reconnoiter, identify enemy positions, and determine optimal attack strategies. Conserving troop strength is essential, as the game’s challenges escalate with progression.
Commandos 2 and Praetorians: HD Remaster Double Pack delivers two genuinely engaging strategy experiences. While my initial interest centered on revisiting Commandos 2, I found myself equally engrossed in Praetorians. The graphical updates to HD are well-executed, and the audio has been refined, enhancing the overall presentation. However, the intro sequence for Commandos 2 retains its original pixelated appearance. The developers apparently did not source higher-resolution newsreel footage for an updated intro. This minor imperfection is easily overlooked.
My prior experience with Commandos 2 was exclusively on PC with a mouse. While the console controls are reasonably well-implemented, managing the various functions and hotkeys can be challenging. This can result in a slight reduction in speed and precision, crucial elements in strategy gameplay. Praetorians requires memorizing even more control combinations, but the ability to program short commands for formations and groups mitigates this issue somewhat.
In conclusion, this double pack offers two excellent, classic strategy games at a reasonable price, making it a worthwhile addition to any strategy enthusiast’s library.
