Commandos: Beyond the Call of Duty is a real-time tactics expansion pack developed by Pyro Studios and released in 1999 for PC. The game was designed by Gonzalo Suárez and serves as a standalone expansion to the acclaimed Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines, adding new missions and refined gameplay mechanics to the innovative World War II stealth-strategy formula.
This expansion demonstrates Pyro Studios' commitment to perfecting their unique blend of strategic planning and tactical execution. You once again command the elite Allied commando unit, each member possessing specialized skills essential for completing seemingly impossible missions behind Nazi lines. The Green Beret excels at close combat and heavy lifting, the Sniper provides long-range elimination, the Marine handles boats and underwater operations, while the Sapper manages explosives and mechanical devices.
Beyond the Call of Duty introduces eight challenging new scenarios that push the series' stealth-based gameplay to new heights. These missions are more complex than those in the original game, featuring larger maps, more intricate objective chains, and cleverly designed enemy patrol patterns that demand meticulous observation and timing. The developers clearly learned from player feedback, creating scenarios that reward creative problem-solving over brute force approaches.
The visual presentation maintains the series' signature isometric perspective with beautifully detailed 2D sprites and environments. Each mission location feels authentically crafted, from snow-covered military installations to bustling occupied towns. The attention to environmental detail is remarkable - you can observe guard routines, study patrol routes, and identify interactive elements that become crucial for mission success. The art direction successfully captures the gritty atmosphere of wartime Europe.
The core gameplay mechanics remain unchanged but feel more polished. Each commando's unique abilities are better integrated into mission design, often requiring players to coordinate multiple specialists simultaneously. The puzzle-like nature of each scenario creates genuine "eureka" moments when you discover the perfect sequence of actions needed to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles.
The difficulty level is unforgiving, demanding patience, observation, and precise timing. Missions can take hours to complete, as rushing inevitably leads to detection and failure. This methodical pacing won't appeal to action-oriented players, but those who appreciate tactical depth will find satisfying challenges.
One significant improvement is the enhanced save system, allowing more frequent progress preservation during lengthy missions. This addresses one of the original game's most frustrating aspects, where single mistakes could erase hours of progress.
While Beyond the Call of Duty doesn't revolutionize the formula established by its predecessor, it represents a refined and more challenging evolution of the concept. The mission design shows greater sophistication, and the overall experience feels more polished. For fans of Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines, this expansion offers exactly what they want - more of the same tactical brilliance with increased complexity.
Review by: GN Team
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