Playing the game is simple to get into but challenging to master - you move using the D-pad, aim with the stylus and fire using the 'L' shoulder button (left handed gamers can switch controls easily at any time). Sensitivity is tuned about right for making quick moves without ever feeling out of control. One interesting thing is that the game has load times - they are only 5 - 10 seconds but will immediately stick out for DS gamers used to load-free gaming. Brothers in Arms DS is mission and checkpoint based with loads of fun and challenging things to do, but occasionally the objectives are unclear and you get stuck into a 'die-and-retry' loop until the game gives you enough clues to figure out your goal. But this is a rarity and most things work very well - tanks and jeeps steer well, as do aiming with guns and rifles and mounted weapons. The zoom mode on sniper rifles and 'aim down the sites' modes work very well, and the reloading mechanic is wonderful - the pull-reload is simple and allows you to avoid the very long automated reload of running out of ammo mid-battle. Anyone who has played the wide variety of World War II first-person shooters knows what to expect - tense battles, frequent die-and-retry scenarios, occasional curse words in exclamations and killing, killing and more killing.This is a fast and frantic experience, with a 'blood border' similar to Call of Duty that alerts you when you are getting close to dying. There is some additional blood when you are hit in sniper mode that I am surprised didn't earn the game a 'Blood' ESRB descriptor, and the screen that comes up when you fail a mission is rather gruesome as it features a disturbing image of a dead soldier staring open-eyed out at you. Summary: Graphics: 7/10 Audio: 10/10 Gameplay: 8/10 Lasting appeal: 6/10 Final verdict = 39/50
