If you had to explain the definition of subtle, you would not use Broforce to do so. It’s loud, angry, gory and even the women are manly (bro-men if you will). Even while writing this review, I had to have early Metallica hits like ‘Hit the Lights’ and ‘Ride the Lightning’ to maintain the testosterone levels and post-game erection.
This is a perfect love letter to action movie fans, as each level is punctuated with “Bros” to rescue. This increases the selection of Bros to play as; some expected like the “Brominator”, others like “Double Bro 7” or “Broiden” (Raiden from Mortal Kombat) are a very welcome surprise. While levels are short and sweet, you’re tasked with rescuing other Bros; it’s a nice way to initially lengthen some levels, essentially making it almost like Brokemon: gotta Bro’em all.
As each Bro controls almost the same, exactly the same (shoot & move) it comes down to their special abilities, these small differences help keep levels feeling new and different. For example, starting a level as Chuck Norris practically screams “Merica” as you’re able to call an Air strike to slam into your foes, while as Indiana Brones you can whip an enemy to death.
The basic game mechanics are also brotastic, for the majority of levels its literally get to the chopper and shoot the devil, a novelty not lost especially playing as any of the Arnie knock offs or indeed the Predator himself. Enemies are plentiful and varied throughout the campaign, moving from simple but hilarious Terrorists to Xenomorphs right up to Satan himself. Their health can vary however yours generally doesn’t and one hit will usually kill you so skill and timing take precedence.
There are also boss battles scattered throughout some simple shoot until it dies. Others involve avoiding attacks while journeying through levels using the environment to your advantage. The flow of each level is great but during the main campaign there is a helicopter you use for traversing the world map. Each area has a joke attached which is funny the first time, but stalls the game-play and could occasionally be confusing as to where you go next. On replays, this is annoying and I prefer to use the arcade mode for better flow level to level. While Broforce is fun, I found I have had long term enjoyment but I think it’s best played in bursts. Maybe play a few levels every now and again to stop from feeling repetitive which can happen, especially once you unlock all the Bros.
To play it in its best state has to be with a buddy, couch co-op I mean, as online has been a complete failure from day one! No way to join matches and hosting never seemed to work, no matter when attempted so be warned. Fortunately for us, there can be up to 4 players causing mayhem and the game scales troop numbers to compensate, making sure it doesn’t get too easy. It’s great for a quick blast before a night out or ploughing through the campaign together with a few beers (drinking games like each time you die can be fun but may plant you in casualty if you are on tougher levels).
The score to Broforce goes hand in hand with the inclusion of the announcer and builds masterfully right up to the credits and then some. I have even found myself loading up the soundtrack on Spotify just to chill to.
Broforce is a game I would recommend to anyone with a sense of humour and an itchy trigger finger. However, those looking a deeper experience may look elsewhere as once you have all the Bros and completed the story there isn’t much here to come back to solo.
As an analogy, this game is fun. Like farting really loud in church, unexpected and hilarious but then you’re eventually left with a stink that doesn’t go away and memories of when it was funny… Remember, don’t Broforce a fart in case you shit your pants!
