This game is like a bad jagged alliance game complete with a name that rips the game off. Though I would say that is where any close comparisons end. This game is a bit of a dud and I would give a big pass, as well as the sequel.

This is a solid mix of Jagged Alliance (the setting) and X-Com Apocalypse (the realtime combat).

The depth of the tactical combat is along the lines of XCOMA. The tactical and equipment options aren't anywhere close to what you get even in the unmodded Jagged Alliance 2.

The translation is quite decent for a russian game. A few rough edges but not painful to read.

The manual is horrible. It lists the obvious things that you see on the screen anyway but doesn't explain even the simplest gameplay elements like HOW to use a medkit.

The actual tactical combat is an improvement over XCOMA but will take some getting used to.

Until you figure out how to queue actions or just make a soldier shoot multiple times at the same enemy, it is an aggravating exercise in stop-and-go traffic.

Once you get the hang of it, it gets better.

Quite unlike JA2, the game environment outside of combat is completely lifeless. Sterile.

There are no "mini games" like breaking & entering or tinkering with a bottle, gasoline, and a rag, no training your soldiers or repairing the equipment.

In short, it's Jagged Alliance Light.

This game just doesn't grab me, as being in the same genre of squad based games. One you start with no money and no true direction meaning who do you support which are the bad guys and which are the good guys.

It feels like a college student's attempt at making a video game with no direction the visuals are not bad and this could have been a great game had they taken five minutes to write a script. So if you buy this make sure its on sale.

As the name suggests, this is a spiritual successor to the Jagged Alliance games. The setup will be completely familiar to anyone having played Jagged Alliance: you're leading a group of mercenaries in a campaign to control the backwater nation of Palinero. You begin the game stranded in the jungle armed with just a pistol, and from there on you have to acquire team members and better equipment as you go.

The story is acceptable, but nothing special. You can choose to support one of three factions vying for control of the nation by performing missions for them. The missions include hunting down special items, transporting things from one place to another or attacks on enemy factions. Most of this is pretty standard fare, but on occasion the story makes some interesting and entertaining twists. Unlike the Jagged Alliance games, there is no strategic game at all. Your only responsibility is your own team of mercenaries.

The strong point of the game is the combat engine, which is simply amazing. It is deceptively simple, but once the bullets start flying I discovered that it is miles ahead of anything I've ever seen in a similar game. It simulates psychological effects of gunfire, weapon speed, gun familiarity, maintenance, ammunition type, aiming and many other factors. Damage is realistic - there's no leveling up to the point where your mercenaries will be able to withstand a direct hit to the head.

Combat is real-time, but the game uses an auto-pause system that pauses the game whenever a mercenary has completed the commands you've issued or when something important happens. This seemed clumsy to me at first; the game was pausing every few steps my character took. Once you get into a big firefight, however, it becomes apparent how well this system works. Since the difference between life and death is often a fraction of a second, the auto-pause system allows you to stay in control and remain alive.

The combat engine manages to make each and every encounter very intense. You're never safe; one unlucky hit is all it takes to make you hurt. This may seem very random at first, but as you learn all the tricks that are at your disposal you will be able to adapt tactics that gives you the edge over your opponents. The game is very much a thinking game - if you try to play it like a typical click-fest RTS you will be sorely disappointed. If you're looking for something deeper, however, it is quite possible that you will fall in love with Brigade E5.

This game gave me a couple of fairly enjoyable hours of gameplay. I personally found the gameplay to be fairly bug-free (i have heard horror stories though), and solid enough. Prior to getting a vehicle the overland travel can take ludicrous amounts of time, and early on i found the combat to be a little harrowing. (When you have nothing but a dinky little pistol, and no allies.) Eventually, however, you gain enough money to be able to buy a vehicle, get merc allies, and really bump up your combat abilities. I would have like more interactable environments - Things like shooting through walls, useable windows, destructable environments, etc. Still, this was fairly enjoyable, and reasonably priced. Anyone who liked X-com, UFO series, Fallout Tactics, Silent Storm, ETC should be able to get their money's worth here.

Do have an interest for firearms and tactical strategy? Did you enjoy the X-Com type of games but wished the tactics were more advanced? Yes? Maybe you should take a look at Brigade E5? Storyline is thin but simple. You are a mercenary in a unstable country who may work for rebels or government. Its up to you to hire comrades to help you in your struggle.

The game has its share of bugs so remember to download latest patch or use a unofficial patch or mod to improve it.