Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway
Third installment in the Brothers in Arms series.
Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway is a tactical shooter set in World War II, released in 2008 by developer Gearbox Software and publisher Ubisoft. It came out on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows. As the third game in the Brothers in Arms series, it puts players back in the boots of Staff Sergeant Matt Baker, leading soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division's 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment during Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands.
The gameplay blends first-person and third-person views, focusing on squad-based tactics. Players control Baker directly, while up to three AI-controlled squads follow orders. These squads come in three types—fire teams for suppressing enemies, assault teams for flanking—each with distinct strengths. Commands include taking cover or concentrating fire, and a red indicator over enemies turns grey when they are suppressed, signaling a chance to move. A cover system lets players hide behind objects, switching to an over-the-shoulder view, and many covers like fences or sandbags can be destroyed. Unlike earlier games, health regenerates, represented by a "threat" mechanic: the screen blurs and reddens under fire, and staying exposed leads to death, while safety clears the effect quickly. An "action camera" occasionally slows time on headshots or grenade kills. Difficulty options are Casual, Veteran, and Authentic, with Authentic unlocked after completing the campaign, boosting enemy accuracy and removing the HUD and crosshairs.
The story follows Baker, recently promoted, haunted by the deaths of Privates Garnett, Allen, and Leggett in Normandy. His friend Staff Sergeant Joe Hartsock commands the second squad as they prepare for Operation Market Garden, a risky airborne plan to end the war by Christmas. New replacements include Private Franky LaRoche and transferred PFC Dawson, while Corporal Sam Corrion, frustrated over being passed over for promotion, is put in charge of LaRoche as a test. The unit lands in the Netherlands via glider, meets Dutch resistance member Nicolaas, and links up with 1st Sgt. Mac Hassey and the 506th Regiment under Colonel Sink. They try to take the Son bridge, but Germans demolish it, delaying the operation. They then capture Eindhoven, eliminating a sniper and artillery, clear a path for British tanks, and find Nicolaas’ missing son Pieter.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway
- Developer
- Gearbox Software
- Publisher
- Ubisoft
- Series
- Brothers in Arms
- Director
- Jeramy Cooke
- Producer
- Mike Wardell
- Writer
- Mike Neumann
- Programmer
- Neil Johnson
- Composer
- Ed Lima / Duncan Watt
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 3
- Platforms
- PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
- Released
- PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360 / NA · September 23, 2008 · AU · September 25, 2008 · EU · September 26, 2008Microsoft Windows / NA · October 7, 2008 · AU · October 9, 2008 · EU · October 10, 2008
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The game is set during Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands, with the player controlling Staff Sergeant Matt Baker, based on Harrison C. Summers. Gameplay is squad-based, played from both first-person and third-person perspectives, and features a cover system with destructible cover. The player can command up to three squads, each with distinct strengths: fire teams for suppression and assault teams for flanking. A regenerating health system represents 'threat' exposure rather than damage, and an 'action camera' slows time on headshots or grenade kills. The campaign offers three difficulty levels: Casual, Veteran, and Authentic, with Authentic unlocked after completion, increasing enemy accuracy and disabling the HUD and crosshairs.
Reader's Guide
Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway received generally favorable reviews on Metacritic and was nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Original Story at the 12th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards. The game's narrative focuses on Baker's psychological trauma from previous events in Normandy, explored through his interactions with squad members and hallucinations. A companion novel by the game's historical director, Colonel John Antal, was published by Presidio Press. The limited edition included a 6-inch Sergeant Matt Baker figure with accessories, a comic book, a map of Operation Market Garden, and additional multiplayer characters. The game retains the tactical squad-based combat of its predecessors while introducing a cover system and destructible environments.
Did You Know?
- The game's protagonist, Staff Sergeant Matt Baker, is based on real-life soldier Harrison C. Summers.
- Authentic difficulty, unlocked after completing the campaign, disables the heads-up display and crosshairs.
- A companion novel for the game was written by its historical director, Colonel John Antal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway?
It is a World War II tactical shooter developed by Gearbox Software and published by Ubisoft, released in 2008 as the third entry in the Brothers in Arms franchise. The game centers on squad-based combat set during Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands.
Who do you play as and how does the gameplay work?
You take control of Staff Sergeant Matt Baker, leading soldiers from the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. The experience alternates between first-person and third-person perspectives, emphasizing tactical squad management over pure run-and-gun action.
What is the story of Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway?
The campaign follows Matt Baker and his paratroopers through the ambitious airborne assault of Operation Market Garden across the Dutch countryside in World War II. Players guide their squad through the unfolding battle as the operation progresses.
What platforms was Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway released on?
The game launched on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows in late 2008. Console versions arrived in September 2008, with the PC version following in early October 2008.
Why is Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway notable among 2000s shooters?
It distinguishes itself by blending first-person gunplay with third-person squad command, offering a more methodical and tactical experience compared to typical shooters of that era. As a Gearbox-developed title, it also brought the studio's reputation for thoughtful, player-driven design into the military shooter space.
More in First-Person Shooters of the 2000s, Part 1 1-24
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