Toy Soldiers: Cold Waris anactionstrategy video game,developed by Signal Studios. It is the sequel toToy Soldiers.Toy Soldiers: Cold Warfeatures 1980s-era military technology, and is based around the idea of military aggression escalating between theUSAand theUSSR.Toy Soldiers: Cold Warfeatures a blend of third-person action and strategy, similar to the originalToy Soldiers,but with added features and gameplay mechanics.
| Toy Soldiers: Cold War | |
|---|---|
 Toy Soldiers: Cold War | |
| Developer(s) | Signal Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft Studios |
| Platform(s) | Xbox 360(Xbox Live Arcade) Windows Phone Microsoft Windows |
| Release | Xbox 360 August 17, 2011[1] Evil EmpireandNapalm April 25, 2012 Windows October 26, 2012 |
| Genre(s) | Action,strategy |
| Mode(s) | Single-player,multiplayer |
Gameplay
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Toy Soldiers: Cold Warfeatures similar gameplay to the original game, with players trying to repel a Soviet invasion across a diorama towards a toybox in a child's bedroom. Compared to the original game which featured generic World War I battlefields, diorama settings range from jungles and deserts to real world locations such as the streets of Paris and the Great Pyramids.
The game features Boss levels with certain large enemies, such as the Antonovwinged tank,theTyphoon-class submarineand the final Boss, the Russian project R.I.S.E and a number of changes and additions to the gameplay. For example, while players are still able to control vehicles such as tanks or helicopter gunships on the battlefield, time using these vehicles is limited by a battery charge which can be replenished either by collecting floating battery icons or returning the vehicle to its recharge stand. In addition, killstreaks are rewarded with special one-time attacks called "Barrages", which include being given the ability to call an airstrike or control an invincibleRambo-inspired commando for a limited time.
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 81/100[2] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| 1Up | B+[3] |
| Destructoid | 8.5/10[4] (Napalm) 7.5/10[5] (E.E.) 7/10[5] |
| Eurogamer | 7/10[6] |
| Game Informer | 8.25/10[7] |
| GamePro |  [8] |
| GameRevolution | A−[9] |
| GameSpot | 8.5/10[10] |
| GameTrailers | 8.2/10[11] |
| GameZone | 9/10[12] |
| Giant Bomb |  [13] |
| IGN | 8.5/10[14] |
| Joystiq | [15] |
| Official Xbox Magazine(US) | 7.5/10[16] |
| The Escapist | [17] |
| Time | 8.5/10[18] |
Pre-release
editThe announcement ofToy Soldiers: Cold Warwas made on March 9, 2011, as a lead up to its first public showing at the 2011 PAX East convention in Boston, Massachusetts.[19]Jordan Devore ofDestructoidsaid, "Way to set the bar high, Signal Studios."[20]and Stephen Totilo ofKotaku's reaction was that, "It looks like a fantastic upgrade."[21]
Toy Soldiers: Cold Warmade another showing at the 2011 E3 Convention to a positive reception. Along with its inclusion into the Xbox Live 2011 Summer of Arcade promotion,[22]Toy Soldiers: Cold Warplayable demos were hosted on the show floor. For the event, Signal Studios developed and released a new trailer for the game while also being featured in the Summer of Arcade promotional video.[23][24]Talking about the barrage types, Arthur Gies ofIGNsaid, "the show-stealer was The Commando. The Commando is, simply put, John Rambo, a John Rambo that carries a machine gun in one hand and a bazooka in the other, a John Rambo who screams things like" You wanted a war! "[25]
Early reviews were generally positive ahead of release.[3][4][10][12][14][15][16]Eurogamersaid that while it was a definite improvement over its predecessor, "it can't survive more than a few days of intense play".[6]
Post-release
editToy Soldiers: Cold Warwas released on Xbox Live on August 17, 2011, and received "favorable" reviews according to thereview aggregationwebsiteMetacritic.[2]
GameProsaid, "If you buy just one tower defense game this year, well, knock yourself out. But if you want a really good action game with some tower defense, some great scoring challenges, some wonderful multiplayer support, some great graphics, and a wonderful sense of humor, you can't go wrong withToy Soldiers: Cold War."[8]Destructoidcalled it "a very well-rounded and big package of content that goes beyond what other games in this price-range tend to offer."[4]GameRevolutionsaid, "Even if you're not particularly a fan of tower defense games like me, simply controlling your units, getting combos, and using the special barrage weapons will win you over."[9]
411Maniagave it a score of nine out of ten, saying, "Overall,Toy Soldiers Cold Waris definitely worth your time. From hilarious one liners, to great music reminiscent of the 80's, Signal Studios hit one out of the park here. I can honestly say this game is the most fun I've had with an XBLA title in quite some time. Easily the best of what I have played from Microsoft's Summer of Arcade. "[26]The Escapistgave it four stars out of five, saying, "The game hits on a lot of levels; it's challenging, full of charm, and genuinely fun. I just wish it wasn't over quite so soon."[17]The Digital Fixgave it eight out of ten, saying, "Toy Soldiers Cold Waris a definite improvement on its predecessor and good value for your points on XBLA and whatever minor issues it has along the way are very easily overlooked. Boasting unique gameplay, an excellent premise and one cracking sense of humour it is definitely one of the highlights of this year's Summer of Arcade on XBL. Recommended. "[27]
"Toy Soldier[s]: Cold Warimmediately tapped into my inner child with its colorful and explosive action and is sure to dazzle real-time strategists, model makers and lovers of vintage weapons in the family. "–The Washington Times[28]
"Toy Soldiers: Cold Warmixes just the right amount of humor, strategy and player control to prove fairly addictive. "–Time[18]
During the15th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards,theAcademy of Interactive Arts & SciencesnominatedToy Soldiers: Cold Warfor "Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year".[29]
As of year-end 2011 sales of the Xbox 360 version exceeded 248,575 units.[30]
References
edit- ^Signal Studios [@Signal_Studios](June 27, 2011)."Excited to finally say that Toy Soldiers: Cold War releases on August 17th!"(Tweet).RetrievedJuly 2,2011– viaTwitter.
- ^ab"Toy Soldiers: Cold War for Xbox 360 Reviews".Metacritic.Fandom.Archivedfrom the original on March 24, 2023.RetrievedMarch 24,2023.
- ^abWinterhalter, Ryan (August 15, 2011)."Toy Soldiers: Cold War Review".1Up.Ziff Davis.Archived fromthe originalon May 27, 2016.RetrievedMarch 25,2023.
- ^abcTan, Maurice (August 15, 2011)."Review: Toy Soldiers: Cold War".Destructoid.Gamurs.Archivedfrom the original on March 24, 2023.RetrievedMarch 24,2023.
- ^abTan, Maurice (April 30, 2012)."Review: Toy Soldiers: Cold War – Evil Empire & Napalm DLC".Destructoid.Gamurs.Archivedfrom the original on March 24, 2023.RetrievedMarch 24,2023.
- ^abWhitehead, Dan (August 15, 2011)."Toy Soldiers: Cold War".Eurogamer.Gamer Network.Archivedfrom the original on March 24, 2023.RetrievedMarch 24,2023.
- ^Miller, Matt (August 17, 2011)."Toy Soldiers: Cold War Review".Game Informer.GameStop.Archived fromthe originalon April 28, 2019.RetrievedMarch 25,2023.
- ^abChick, Tom (August 16, 2011)."Review: Toy Soldiers: Cold War (XBLA)".GamePro.GamePro Media. Archived fromthe originalon December 2, 2011.RetrievedAugust 29,2011.
- ^abReboucas, Eduardo (August 15, 2011)."Toy Soldiers: Cold War Review".GameRevolution.CraveOnline.Archivedfrom the original on October 1, 2015.RetrievedMarch 24,2023.
- ^abCalvert, Justin (August 15, 2011)."Toy Soldiers: Cold War Review".GameSpot.Fandom.Archivedfrom the original on March 24, 2023.RetrievedMarch 24,2023.
- ^"Toy Soldiers: Cold War".GameTrailers.Viacom.August 17, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon October 17, 2012.RetrievedMarch 25,2023.
- ^abGesualdi, Vito (August 15, 2011)."Toy Soldiers: Cold War Review".GameZone.Archivedfrom the original on March 29, 2012.RetrievedMarch 25,2023.
- ^Shoemaker, Brad (August 17, 2011)."Toy Soldiers: Cold War Review".Giant Bomb.Fandom.Archivedfrom the original on March 25, 2023.RetrievedMarch 25,2023.
- ^abEykemans, Peter (August 15, 2011)."Toy Soldiers: Cold War Review".IGN.Ziff Davis.Archivedfrom the original on March 24, 2023.RetrievedMarch 24,2023.
- ^abMitchell, Richard (August 15, 2011)."Toy Soldiers: Cold War review: Back in the USSR".Engadget(Joystiq).Yahoo.Archivedfrom the original on October 18, 2011.RetrievedMarch 25,2023.
- ^abLewis, Cameron (August 15, 2011)."Toy Soldiers: Cold War".Official Xbox Magazine.Future US.Archived fromthe originalon August 16, 2011.RetrievedMarch 25,2023.
- ^abButts, Steve (August 30, 2011)."Toy Soldiers: Cold War Review".The Escapist.Gamurs.Archivedfrom the original on March 24, 2023.RetrievedMarch 24,2023.
- ^abNarcisse, Evan (August 17, 2011)."Going Commando: 'Toy Soldiers: Cold War' Review".Time.Time USA, LLC.RetrievedMarch 24,2023.
- ^Gilbert, Ben (March 9, 2011)."Toy Soldiers: Cold War revealed, coming to PAX East".Engadget (Joystiq).Yahoo.Archivedfrom the original on March 13, 2011.RetrievedMarch 24,2023.
- ^Devore, Jordan (March 10, 2011)."Toy Soldiers: Cold War is shaping up nicely".Destructoid.Gamurs.Archivedfrom the original on March 24, 2023.RetrievedMarch 24,2023.
- ^Totilo, Stephen (March 12, 2011)."Toy Soldiers: Cold War Adds Co-Op And... Is That Rambo?".Kotaku.G/O Media.Archivedfrom the original on March 24, 2023.RetrievedMarch 24,2023.
- ^Hinkle, David (June 6, 2011)."Xbox Live Summer of Arcade 2011 kicks off July 20".Engadget (Joystiq).Yahoo. Archived fromthe originalon June 9, 2011.RetrievedMarch 23,2023.
- ^"SignalStudiosGames".YouTube.Google.Archivedfrom the original on 2016-05-03.Retrieved2016-11-28.
- ^XboxViewTV (June 9, 2011)."Xbox Live Arcade – E3 2011: Summer of Arcade Montage | OFFICIAL | HD".YouTube.Goole.Archivedfrom the original on May 12, 2016.RetrievedNovember 28,2016.
- ^Gies, Arthur (June 9, 2011)."E3: 2011: Toy Soldiers: Cold War – Turning Back the Clock".IGN.Ziff Davis.Archivedfrom the original on March 24, 2023.RetrievedMarch 23,2023.
- ^Vote, Todd (August 17, 2011)."Toy Soldiers Cold War (XBLA) Review".411Mania.Archived fromthe originalon September 24, 2011.RetrievedMarch 24,2023.
- ^Phillips, Andrew (September 10, 2011)."Toy Soldiers Cold War".The Digital Fix.Poisonous Monkey. Archived fromthe originalon November 13, 2011.RetrievedMarch 25,2023.
- ^Szadkowski, Joseph (August 16, 2011)."Zadzooks: Toy Soldiers: Cold War review (Xbox Live Arcade)".The Washington Times.Archivedfrom the original on November 4, 2012.RetrievedMarch 24,2023.
- ^"2012 Awards Category Details Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year".interactive.org.Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.Retrieved22 November2023.
- ^Langley, Ryan (January 20, 2012)."Xbox Live Arcade by the numbers - the 2011 year in review".Game Developer.Informa.Archivedfrom the original on March 25, 2019.RetrievedMarch 24,2023.
External links
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