Summary
- Release Year: 1999
- Genres: Shooter
- Platforms: Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation
- Developers: The 3DO Company
- Publishers: The 3DO Company
Army Men: Sarge’s Heroes: A Plastic War for the Ages
In the realm of video games, few conflicts have been as epic or as entertaining as the war between the green and tan army men. Army Men: Sarge’s Heroes, released in 1999, stands as a shining example of this miniature warfare, offering a thrilling third-person shooter experience that blends action, strategy, and a healthy dose of plastic army man charm.
A Tale of Green and Tan
The story of Army Men: Sarge’s Heroes begins with a surprise attack by the tan army on the green base. Sarge, the game’s protagonist and a seasoned veteran of countless plastic battles, is forced to retreat along with the Colonel as their base is overrun. However, in the chaos, Sarge’s entire team of elite soldiers, Bravo Company, is captured by the tan army.
To make matters worse, the tan army has discovered a sinister secret: blue portals that lead to the real world. They exploit these portals to bring deadly weapons of war from our world into their plastic realm, including magnifying glasses, robot action figures, and firecrackers.
With Bravo Company in enemy hands and the balance of power shifting towards the tan army, it’s up to Sarge to launch a daring rescue mission and put an end to the tan army’s evil schemes.
A World of Plastic Warfare
Army Men: Sarge’s Heroes takes players across a diverse range of battlefields, from the familiar plastic world of toy soldiers to the unfamiliar and often dangerous world of humans. Sarge’s journey takes him through dense forests, across treacherous mountain ranges, and even into the heart of a suburban home.
Along the way, Sarge encounters a wide variety of enemies, from standard infantrymen to heavily armored tanks and helicopters. But the tan army has also unleashed a new breed of enemy: killer toy robots and giant insects. These formidable foes pose a unique challenge, forcing Sarge to adapt his tactics and utilize his arsenal of weapons wisely.
An Arsenal of Plastic Destruction
To combat the tan army’s overwhelming force, Sarge has access to an impressive arsenal of weapons. From the iconic rifle to the devastating sky rockets and spray cans, each weapon has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Players must carefully choose the right weapon for each situation, whether it’s taking out a group of infantrymen, destroying a tank, or fending off a swarm of killer robots.
In addition to his standard weapons, Sarge can also collect power-ups that enhance his abilities. These power-ups include invincibility, increased speed, and the ability to launch devastating airstrikes. Used strategically, these power-ups can turn the tide of battle in Sarge’s favor.
Multiplayer Mayhem
Beyond the single-player campaign, Army Men: Sarge’s Heroes also features a robust multiplayer mode. Players can choose from a variety of characters and colors and battle it out with their friends in a variety of arenas, both from the single-player campaign and exclusive multiplayer maps.
The multiplayer mode introduces new weapons and vehicles, adding even more depth and variety to the plastic warfare. Players can engage in deathmatches, team deathmatches, and capture the flag matches, utilizing the game’s unique portal system to quickly traverse the maps and outmaneuver their opponents.
A Plastic Masterpiece
Army Men: Sarge’s Heroes was a critical and commercial success, praised for its innovative gameplay, charming visuals, and addictive multiplayer mode. The game’s unique Plastosheen lighting effects, developed by 3DO, gave the army men a realistic plastic shine, adding to the game’s overall charm.
Over two decades after its release, Army Men: Sarge’s Heroes remains a beloved classic among fans of third-person shooters and plastic army men alike. Its blend of action, strategy, and humor has ensured its place in gaming history as a true gem of the genre.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
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