The gameplay can be fast paced when you run into a pack of enemies, but when there are no enemies about, the game slows to a crawl as the level areas can be massive. As such the pacing of the game is maddening. At times you will be in a fierce fire fight and when it is over, you will be left wanting more, but instead there is the simple careful march from point A to point B. At other times when there is a careful pacing through an area of enemies and stealth, it seems as if the game is not suited to the elimination of all enemies followed by the completion of the mission objectives. In each level, you are charged to complete some level goals such as recovering documents or something similar. Generally, it is easier to eliminate everyone first and then to complete the different goals like collecting items etc. Again this places us in the slow uneven pacing of a section of fun, then a section of boredom. Also, moving is broken down into different speeds at different stances; creeping, walking, walking quickly, and running while standing, crouching or while prone. Obviously not each speed is available at each stance, but all of them take energy and each soldier has a stamina bar which when depleted forces the soldier into a slower pace. Having to run through a level at a slower pace with no threat of enemies, only to complete a few errands such that you can complete the level isn't fun.

As in other tactical shooters, you have control over each of your squad mates by either controlling them directly or by issuing them orders. Issuing commands is fairly straight forward but lacks the precision of a game like Rainbow Six. The commands are basic like follow, find cover, fire at will, etc. There isn't the complexity of a Bang and Clear, but at the same time the basic commands seem to be adequate and I only found a use really for two or three of them. Your squad control can be the difference between success and failure in many cases as your squad will provide covering fire for you in many cases on enemies that you did not see. In other times, when you issue simple command to follow, they take long and nonsensical paths to reach a position on your flank. Also, should you be in a tight area and need to turn back, they can block your path and only very slowly move out of your way. This is especially bad when you need to back up to find cover. The enemy AI I observed wasn't too bad, however there were some quirks. For instance enemies would run right towards then past me in an open field to take up a position behind me to attack me from behind. However, when spotted by enemies, they are usually crack shots and will be able to hit you at times even before you see them.

The actual gameplay offers the basic first person shooter experience, however, for those interested in the strategic aspect of tactical shooters, there is what is called the tactical map. From there, you can issue commands and move your troops through an area without actually controlling your individual soldiers. Similar to the planning stage of the Rainbow 6 series, you can issue orders and waypoints to each of your troops without having to control each soldier. In this manner, you can try and solve the mission objectives through pure strategy as opposed to FPS skill. In addition there are a couple of other things that do keep the game interesting. For instance if you can have an enemy surrender, you can take their uniform and try to use stealth to accomplish your mission by using the acquired disguise. Also, there are vehicles that you can jump in and use, some of which have mounted weapons which also make things interesting.

The game's graphics are now dated as compared to the latest technical offerings from the likes of Half- Life 2, but in its own right, the textures from afar are still more than acceptable. The voice acting is never overwrought and the soundtrack complements the mood of the levels perfectly. The original portion of the game contains 6 missions with each broken down to a bunch of levels in the same country area. There are additional play modes, one called carnage where you must eliminate all enemies you encounter, and the other called Lone Wolf, where you will be alone in attempting to complete your mission. After completing each mission you will be able to revisit them. There is also the requisite online mode that provides Deathmatch and Occupation. Occupation is similar to Domination from Unreal Tournament where strategic points must be held and kept in order to win the game. The Sabre Squadron expansion pack adds a few new weapons and vehicles. In addition to the new missions, the big addition is the chance to play objective based levels in a multiplayer mode. Although Sabre Squadron is an expansion pack, its offerings are fairly weak in that it feels as if what has been added should have been a part of the game anyway to begin with. However, since the game is now about a year old if you really wanted to, you could pick up both offerings for a fairly nominal price.

While Hidden and Dangerous 2 and Sabre Squadron offer what may have been ground breaking game play a few years ago, the interface problems and uneven pacing are primarily what hold it back from even being an acceptable alternative to today's tactical shooters. For those who have tried everything in the genre, you could do worse than HD2 if you must play another tactical shooter. On the other hand, from a gameplay perspective, you could do a whole lot better by trying a different game in a different genre.

- Mark Leung

(February 2, 2005)