Strange Brigade is a co-op shooter built around four Victorian-era agents who fight supernatural threats across a world of ancient ruins and mythic creatures. It launched on PC, PS4, Xbox One and Stadia in 2018, and it has since become a cult favorite among fans of the genre. The game asks players to choose a character, pick a gun, and dive into a series of escalating missions filled with monsters, puzzles, and boss fights.
The premise is simple. The agents are recruited by the government to deal with threats that science cannot explain. They travel through portals, solve puzzles, and fight their way out of each level. The tone is cheeky and irreverent, with a soundtrack full of brass instruments and a sense of humor that keeps the action from feeling grim. It is a game about running, shooting, and occasionally solving a riddle before the next wave of enemies arrives.
Trailer, via Strange Brigade.
Four Agents, One Team
Strange Brigade gives players a choice of four playable agents, each with their own backstory and a distinct playstyle. There is the stoic leader, the tech-savvy inventor, the agile thief, and the eccentric scholar. Each agent can equip a primary weapon, a secondary weapon, and a set of melee attacks, and players can swap between them mid-fight.
The weapons are varied, ranging from revolvers and rifles to mystical artifacts and experimental gadgets. Players can upgrade their gear, unlock new abilities, and customize their loadout to suit their preferred playstyle. The game also features a skill tree that rewards players for chaining combos and landing headshots, giving them a reason to keep their finger on the trigger.
The co-op mode is the heart of Strange Brigade. Players can team up with friends online or play solo with AI-controlled allies. The AI companions are competent, but they are not perfect. They will follow orders, provide cover fire, and call out threats, but they will also get in the way and occasionally die at inopportune moments.
The Setting Is the Star
The levels in Strange Brigade are built around ancient ruins, temples, and hidden chambers. Each area is packed with visual detail, from crumbling stone walls to flickering torches. The game uses a lighting system that creates a sense of depth and atmosphere, and the environments are designed to encourage exploration.
There are hidden collectibles scattered throughout each level, and finding them requires players to search the environment carefully. Some of these collectibles are tied to lore, offering background on the agents and the world they inhabit. Others are purely cosmetic, unlocking new skins or emotes for the player characters.
The puzzles in Strange Brigade are a mix of platforming and logic challenges. Some require players to find keys, while others involve rotating gears or pushing statues. These puzzles are generally well-designed, though they can occasionally feel obtuse. The game does not hold the player’s hand, and some solutions require careful observation and experimentation.
Boss Fights That Matter
The boss fights in Strange Brigade are the highlight of the game. Each boss has a distinct design and a unique attack pattern, and the game forces players to adapt to survive. The bosses are large, imposing, and often accompanied by smaller enemies that add to the chaos.
The final boss of the campaign is particularly memorable. It is a massive creature that requires coordinated teamwork to defeat, and it serves as a fitting conclusion to the story. The difficulty curve is gradual, but the game does ramp up near the end, especially during the final encounters.
The game also includes a New Game Plus mode, which allows players to replay the campaign with their upgraded characters and weapons. This mode adds a layer of replayability, though it does not change the core experience significantly.
The Co-op Loop
Strange Brigade is best played with friends, and the co-op loop is designed to be accessible. Players can drop in and out of matches, and the game handles matchmaking smoothly. The game supports up to four players, and it scales the difficulty based on the number of players in the lobby.
The game also includes a solo mode, which is playable with AI companions. This mode is less satisfying than playing with friends, but it still provides a solid experience. The AI companions are competent, but they are not as effective as human players, and they can make mistakes that frustrate the flow of the game.
The game also includes a survival mode, which puts players in a procedurally generated arena and forces them to fight waves of enemies. This mode is a good way to test skills and earn loot, but it is not as engaging as the main campaign.
Technical Issues
Strange Brigade is not without its flaws. The game has a history of technical issues, particularly on PC, where frame rate drops and input lag have been reported. The game is demanding on older hardware, and players with weaker systems may experience performance problems.
The game also has a tendency to feel repetitive. While the levels are visually distinct, the basic structure of run, shoot, solve puzzle, repeat can grow tiresome over a long play session. The game does not offer much variation in its pacing, and some players may find themselves bored by the middle of the campaign.
The game also lacks a strong narrative. The story is thin, and the characters are not developed beyond their initial introductions. The game focuses more on action than on storytelling, which works for some players but not for others.
Sound Design
The music in Strange Brigade is a standout element. The soundtrack is energetic, with a mix of orchestral pieces and electronic tracks. The brass sections are particularly memorable, and they give the game a distinct identity. The sound effects are also well-done, with satisfying weapon sounds and impactful explosions.
The voice acting is adequate, though it is not exceptional. The agents have distinct personalities, and their banter during combat is amusing. However, the dialogue is not always well-written, and some lines feel forced or cliché.
The game also includes a robust sound library for its weapons and enemies. Each gun has a unique sound, and the game responds to player actions with appropriate audio cues. The audio feedback is consistent, which helps players track their performance in the heat of battle.
Performance Across Platforms
Strange Brigade performs well on PS4 and Xbox One, with smooth frame rates and minimal loading times. The game runs at a steady pace, and it rarely stutters during combat. The game also supports split-screen multiplayer on PS4, which is a nice touch for local couch gaming.
On PC, the game is more demanding. Players with weaker hardware may experience frame rate drops and input lag, which can affect the gameplay. The game also has a higher resolution on PC, which shows off the detailed environments more clearly. The game supports customizable settings, allowing players to adjust the graphics to their hardware.
Stadia support is available, though it has been criticized for performance issues. The service requires a stable internet connection, and latency can be a problem in online matches. The game is playable on Stadia, but it is not the optimal platform for those looking for a seamless experience.
Final Score
Strange Brigade is a solid co-op shooter that succeeds in its core mechanics but falls short in other areas. The boss fights are memorable, the setting is atmospheric, and the weapons are fun to wield. However, the game suffers from technical issues, repetitive pacing, and a thin narrative.
The game is best played with friends, and it offers a rewarding experience for those willing to put in the time. It is a game that rewards skill and coordination, and it provides a sense of accomplishment when a difficult encounter is finally overcome. The game is not perfect, but it is a fun ride.
Key Facts Box
– Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia
– Release Year: 2018
– Critical Score: 7.3/10
– Co-op Support: Up to 4 players
– New Game Plus: Available
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