Army Corps of Hell

Review

Common Sense Media says

Demonic action-strategy game is filled with blood and gore.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Army Corps of Hell is a "Mature"-rated PlayStation Vita game that fuses action with strategy. There is a lot of blood in the game, which can be seen pouring out of fallen creatures when defeated, as well as during cut-scene story sequences. As a demon commanding your goblins, you can hack and slash and shoot projectiles at enemies, plus they can violently attack your goblins, too, such as being crushed and burned. Boss demons can be dismembered and decapitated in a gory fashion with ample pools of blood.

  • Positive messages0
    This game doesn't provide any positive message to its players. You are a fallen evil king and must put your goblins to work so you can reclaim your throne in Hell. While tactical, Army Corps of Hell focuses heavily on combat, and shows a lot of blood and some gore in this game.
  • Positive role models0
    This game doesn't provide positive role models. You are the former King of Hell, who is determined to regain your reign with the help of some devoted goblins. Not only are you evil but you are in charge of other evil creatures in hell. Plus, you use violence to keep your stranglehold on the netherworld, by killing other creatures and larger demon characters.  
  • Ease of play3
    The game isn't too difficult to pick up but some might not be expecting it to be a strategy game, as well as an action game. There is a tutorial that explains how to use your various goblins, each with unique skills, along with creating formations.
  • Violence4
    The game is centered on violence, plus there's ample blood and some gore in the game, too. From a top-down perspective, you assign your goblins to attack the enemy using swords, spears, and magic to kill giant worms, agile gargoyles, floating eyeballs, and other creatures (including large boss demons that can be dismembered or decapitated). Large splashes and pools of blood can be seen in bright red during combat and in non-interactive cut-scene sequences.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
CloseExpand to see more details

What's it about?

One of the launch titles for the PlayStation Vita, Square Enix's ARMY CORPS OF HELL is a hybrid action-strategy game that takes place in hell. You are the former King of Hell, who must fight against legions of demons to regain your crown. While advancing through the depths of hell, you'll ward off these monsters, take on big bosses, and command groups of minions to do your bidding, each of whom have unique abilities. Your loyal goblins are divided into three types: Soldiers (basic, melee fighters), Spearman (long-range attackers), and Magi (capable of firing magic blasts at targets, including protected ones). You can also assign formations for each unit type.

Is it any good?

 

While an intriguing concept, and somewhat fun, Army Corps of Hell falls short of greatness because of repetitive gameplay, levels that lack variety, and graphics that don't take full advantage of the PS Vita's capabilities (though it does offer vibrant colors). At least the game has some depth because of its use of tactics instead of a simple hack-and-slash mechanic; plus there's a role-playing game (RPG)-like upgrade system where accumulated loot (dropped from fallen enemies) can be used to alchemize new weapons and items. You can also upgrade your goblin's weapons and armor and unlock more alchemy items as you progress through the campaign.

The game also offers an ad-hoc multiplayer option for up to four players, for wireless play in the same room. While not a bad debut title, it does feel redundant after a short while and the $40 price tag is steep for what you get. That said, those with a new PS Vita might consider renting it for a weekend instead of buying.

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about whether the PlayStation Vita is going after a more mature audience than the Nintendo 3DS. Both have mature and kids titles (and some in between) but it seems many of the launch titles for PS Vita contain violence, blood, and gore.

  • What is the impact of media violence, such as that found in this game?

This review was written by Marc Saltzman
Teen, 13 years old
February 25, 2012
AGE
13
 
Violent,awesome and bloody.
I got my dad to get me a PS Vita just for this game.Looking it up on GameStop,I knew this was another awesome game that had to be on my Awesome Shooters list.I play this 3-7 hours a day and am not bored of it.Although it is extremely violent and bloody,so it is not for anyone under 13.If you are old enough to watch it and are very mature,go to EB Games or GameStop and get it because this is one game that has endless potential and deserves my four stars.Bravo,Square Enix.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (2) | Had useful details (2) | Read my mind (2)
Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 13 years old
February 22, 2012
AGE
17
 
Probably the worst in the launch lineup from what I heard.
Looking back at a Gameinformer magazine I felt like I had to give a head's up that this game isn't worth it at all (even if it is free) for a couple of reasons. -It's an ill-fated copycat of Pikmin (which was good) -Barely uses the Vita's features. -No replay value whatsoever. -Bad graphics. -Nothing more than a budget PSP game. I did not play this because I am not interested in a Vita nor am I allowed to play games with an M rating, but I had to do this based off of what Gameinformer told me.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (2) | Had useful details (2) | Read my mind (2)
Flag as inappropriate 
See all user reviews
This review was written by Marc Saltzman
Topics:magic and fantasy, adventures, monsters, ghosts, and vampires
Platforms:PlayStation Vita
Available online?Not available online
Genre:Action/Adventure
Developer:Square Enix
Release date:February 22, 2012
Price:$39.99
ESRB rating:M for Blood and Gore, Violence
This review was written by Marc Saltzman
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.

Screenshots

  • 1 of 2
  • 2 of 2

Register now to save reviews and advice articles to your personal lists!

About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Better (and less graphic) games
For kids who love strategy and action
Browse more games
 

vote now

Will you play Army Corps of Hell?

Game on
Press pause
Game over

Already played it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Been There? Tell us about it