Game: "Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood"

Console: Xbox (also on PlayStation 2, PC)

Developer/publisher: Gearbox Software/Ubisoft

Genre: First-person shooter

Number of players: 1-4

ESRB rating: Mature

The premise: Relive the events as Cpl. Joe "Red" Hartsock and his squad spearhead the D-Day invasion, enduring the same perilous days as the original "Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30," but in a concurrent story line.

Game play: This first-person strategy shooter follows the same principal tactics as the first game, where you command one squad to provide suppression and another to handle the assault. After locating the enemy's position, the suppression team's job is to keep the enemy pinned down under heavy fire, while the assault team flanks them and moves in for the kill.

At any time during combat, players can examine the current mission situation from an overhead view — called Situational Awareness — to develop the best plan of action. This time, the enemies are more devious, reacting to your presence much more quickly, relocating during a break in fire and occasionally even turning the tables by flanking your squad. This makes battles less linear than before, and ultimately much more difficult without the proper strategy.

The multiplayer modes have been expanded and now allow you to take part in skirmishes both online and off, cooperatively, split-screen, or through system link. Some of the modes include fending off waves of attacking enemies or clearing a map of enemies within a set time limit. And those diligent enough to earn medals and beat the harder difficulties will be rewarded with loads of extras.

The good/bad: With only a few short months between the first game and this sequel, gamers looking for big improvements will be a little disappointed, because it all just feels and looks the same. And while the enemy AI has been greatly improved, the same can't always be said for your squad. At times a teammate will get lost, or frustratingly stand out in the open and get lit up by enemy bullets instead of taking cover.

But aside from these few faults, the game is as cinematic as ever, thanks to the excellent audio and presentation. And once again, the developers nailed the atmosphere of war and what it's like to be part of a squad. Imagine the feeling when a machine-gunner and waves of German troops unload on the crates you're hiding behind, sending mud and blood in your face as you frantically try to figure out where to send your men, how to keep them alive, and how they can help you stay alive.

My take: With a higher difficulty and moderate improvements, "Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood" seems to be targeted at fans of the first game who are eager for more. But just because it's more of the same does not negate the quality experience, although people new to the series should try the original first.

Julius Pecson, a longtime gamer, reviews games on various consoles, including Xbox, GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance, for The Advertiser.