For starters, you’ll find the game looks pretty good, but not great as compared to the other titles on the PS2. The characters aren’t fluidly animated. Not that the models are jerky, they just don’t move at a slick 60fps. Next, the backgrounds are adequate but could’ve been much more. Special FX are respectable, with noticeable shot differentials from each weapon you use. Explosions are great, but the after effects are ordinary. While the characters look more like official army men, they still don’t have that WOW effect I’m looking for. 3DO’s upcoming Portal Runner seems to finally break this barrier in sizing up a great game with fine visuals. For now, the game looks fine, but I really hoped for more. Still with me soldier? Fine then…on to the audio.

You’ll notice the sounds and orchestrated score are top notch right off the bat, but what happened to the voice samples? I’ve heard better waves out of pull-string toys! This is a real shame as the voice actors are actually very funny. It’s a shame to see their talents put to waste. Your ears won’t bleed from the wondrous explosions, but they’ll sting a little if you put your stereo to the test. Finally, the orchestrated score is fabulous getting you right into the game. The sounds are pleasant enough to keep you from getting an honorable discharge from this man’s army, but I want to see more shine soldier. Got it!

Next we have controls that make you forget about the games other shortcomings. Tight, responsive controls, easily guide you throughout your missions. If a mistake can be made, it’ll be by your own bumbling soldier! If you can’t hack the game straight out of the box, I suggest you get your butt back to the boot camp option to hone your skills. All in all, you should find no real fault in the controls. Understand? I can’t hear you!

Finally, there is plenty to do here that will keep you on your toes. You can either control Sarge or Vicki to stomp those tan soldier bastards into the ground. Your other members of Bravo Company will assist you as well. 16 missions throughout rough terrain such as Graveyard, Toy Store, Toy Train set and more are wonderfully recreated to keep the game fresh. You even have the option to train in the boot camp level mentioned earlier. Finally, you can also go mono e mono with a friend to see who’s got the right stuff.

So are you up to the job soldier? Sarge’s Heroes 2 suffers from a few flaws, and really should’ve benefited more from the power of the PS2, but it’ll satisfy any fan or newcomer to the Army Men series. Hopefully we will see a whole new type of Army Men game in the near future, as this type is getting old. Ok soldier, you’re dismissed.