Platform: PC, PS2, Xbox
Genre: First Person Shooter
Publisher: THQ
Developer: Pandemic
ETA: Q1 2005

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Developer Pandemic Studios has been a roll. After delivering mediocre games like Army Men RTS, they came almost out of nowhere to deliver quality titles like Star Wars: Battlefront, Mercenaries, and Destroy All Humans. And then there's the title that really put them on the map: Full Spectrum Warrior. Advertised as a true military simulator, Full Spectrum Warrior found incredible popularity amongst war mongers everywhere, even though it focused far more on strategy rather than SOCOM-like shooting sprees. So naturally, a sequel was to be expected. Despite their busy production schedule, Pandemic is making sure that Full
Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers is more than just a glorified expansion pack.

Sure, you're fighting the same conflict, in the foreign wasteland. While the game looks to use the same engine as before, the developers are polishing up the gameplay quite a bit. The interface has been improved, allowing you to control soldiers more easily. You can command infantry squadrons ranging from US Light Infantry to US Ranger Forces to UN Multinational
Forces. The action doesn't always take place outdoors this time around - you can now enter 

buildings and set up sniper teams to attack from above - but now you're no longer confined to just commanding infantry. A variety of mechanized units are available to cause destruction at your very order, including Bradley Tanks and Armored Humvees. Pretty much all squad-based shooters nowadays have multiplayer modes, and Full Spectrum Warrior's was a bit underwhelming. Ten Hammers is expanding upon it, offering both co-op and and a completely new competitive events. You can pick two sides: the Americans or the insurgents, each with various strengths and weaknesses.

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Full Spectrum Warrior surprised quite a bit of people, so the sequel is set to raise the bar even higher. THQ is expecting to publish it for the Playstation 2, Xbox and PC early next year.

- Kurt Kalata

(July 10, 2005)