Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Vietcong 2 delivers a familiar yet refined first-person shooter experience set against the chaotic backdrop of the 1968 Tet Offensive. Players can choose to fight in two distinct campaigns—one from the perspective of the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong guerrillas, and the other through the boots of American soldiers. Mission objectives range from stealthy infiltration of urban compounds to all-out firefights in bombed-out streets, ensuring that pacing alternates between tense, methodical engagements and high-octane action.

Squad dynamics play a crucial role in how each mission unfolds. While you can adopt a lone-wolf “Rambo” approach—dodging sniper fire and taking on waves of enemies solo—the game encourages teamwork. AI companions provide supporting fire, carry out flanking maneuvers, and interact with you through colorful radio chatter and in-mission banter. Issuing simple commands—hold position, advance, or suppress the enemy—adds a strategic layer to what might otherwise feel like a run-and-gun affair.

Cutscenes and scripted set pieces give each level a cinematic flair. Transitions from stealthy night operations to frantic street battles happen seamlessly, maintaining immersion throughout. The variety of mission types—from ambushing convoys to defending key map points—helps avoid monotony, though veterans of modern military shooters may find the underlying mechanics somewhat conventional. Still, the mix of long-range sniper duels and close-quarters combat in tight alleyways keeps the gameplay loop engaging from start to finish.

Graphics

Vietcong 2 runs on an updated version of the original game’s engine, retaining the gritty textures and character models that defined the series while adding new lighting effects and environmental details. The urban jungle setting—rubble-strewn streets, shattered storefronts, and makeshift fortifications—feels convincingly war-torn. Dynamic shadows cast by burning debris and flickering streetlights heighten the atmosphere during dawn raids or after-dark patrols.

Character animations remain serviceable, though they occasionally appear stiff during close-up sequences. Enemy silhouettes at a distance can look blocky, but this is balanced by improved muzzle flashes and smoke effects during firefights. Particle effects when grenades explode or vehicles catch fire are a definite step up from the predecessor, giving skirmishes an extra punch. Loading times between levels are generally short, maintaining the game’s momentum.

Despite the respectable visual upgrades, some textures—particularly on building interiors—can seem recycled from the first installment. Long stretches of grey concrete and repeating tile patterns detract slightly from immersion. However, these shortcomings are easier to overlook when the streets light up with tracer rounds and your squadmate’s vivid commentary crackles over the radio, reminding you that you’re in the heart of the Urban Jungle.

Story

Set amid the chaos of the Tet Offensive, Vietcong 2 offers two intertwined narratives that explore the conflict from opposing viewpoints. As a Viet Cong operative, you navigate a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and hidden tunnels, relying on stealth and local support to strike high-value targets. Conversely, the American campaign casts you as a hardened grunt tasked with rooting out insurgents in hostile urban environments, delivering a contrasting sense of order and overwhelming firepower.

The game’s screenplay excels in creating cinematic moments: rooftop sniper duels, frantic helicopter extractions, and tense negotiations with local informants. Dialogue from squadmates ranges from terse radio codes to colorful one-liners that reflect the soldiers’ personalities. While character development remains somewhat shallow—your protagonist is largely defined by their skill set rather than backstory—the cutscenes paint a vivid picture of desperation and resolve on both sides of the conflict.

Historical context is woven into briefings and mission intros, grounding the action in the real-world stakes of 1968 Vietnam. Though the narrative doesn’t shy away from dramatic license, it respectfully nods to the sacrifices and moral ambiguities faced by combatants. The dual-campaign structure encourages replayability, as you uncover new perspectives on the same events, deepening your understanding of the war’s complexity.

Overall Experience

Vietcong 2 stands as a solid sequel that refines the strengths of its predecessor without reinventing the wheel. Its dual-campaign format provides variety, while the urban jungle setting offers a gritty twist on the familiar Vietnam War backdrop. The gameplay loop—balancing stealth, squad tactics, and all-out firefights—remains engaging, though it may feel formulaic to players accustomed to more modern shooters.

Graphically, the game delivers a convincing war-torn atmosphere, thanks to improved lighting and particle effects, even if some textures show their age. The engine’s performance is stable, allowing you to focus on mission objectives rather than technical hiccups. Storytelling through cutscenes and in-game dialogue adds a cinematic edge, despite only modest character depth.

For fans of classic military shooters or those intrigued by a dual-side portrayal of the Tet Offensive, Vietcong 2 is a worthwhile journey into the Urban Jungle. It may not revolutionize the genre, but its blend of tactical gameplay, atmospheric graphics, and movie-like presentation makes it a compelling pick for anyone seeking an immersive Vietnam War FPS experience.

Retro Replay Score

6.6/10