Army of Two: The 40th Day

“A bombastic cover shooter whose aggro system and deep weapon customisation carry a campaign full of escalating set-pieces.”

Army of Two: The 40th Day is a cover-based third-person shooter that strands Rios and Salem in Shanghai as the city collapses around them. The campaign pushes the pair through rooftops, a zoo and a final temple, with a morality-laced plot about an invading force holding the city hostage.

The aggro system gives the co-op combat genuine tactical depth. Firing draws enemy attention onto one partner, opening a clear window for the other to flank or snipe, and the field aggro meter keeps the trade-offs readable at all times.

Weapon customisation is strikingly deep, letting parts from different rifles be mixed onto one gun. Barrels, magazines, grips and scopes all change handling and damage, and the AK quickly becomes the tool of choice for its sheer stopping power.

The co-op actions keep encounters varied, from synchronized sniper shots to mock-surrenders that set up quick-draw kills. Using grabbed enemies as shields and mobile cover adds a physical layer to firefights that most shooters of the era lacked.

The set-pieces are relentlessly bombastic, from a collapsing skyscraper descent to a back-to-back defence with unlimited ammunition. The zoo chapter stands out for its sombre monologues, though the tone sits uneasily against the constant gunfire.

The ending lands as a dud, with the final confrontation resolving the morality threads without much payoff. Lengthy load times, a frustrating cover-vaulting system and an absent subtitle option for radio logs further dull the polish.

Overall, aggro control and weapon customisation give the campaign a distinctive tactical identity. The bombastic action and memorable set-pieces carry the experience despite the weak finale and rough edges.