Toy Soldiers: Cold War
Encyclopedia
Toy Soldiers: Cold War is Signal Studios' follow-up sequel to the action
/strategy video game
, Toy Soldiers
. Toy Soldiers: Cold War features 1980s-era military technology, and is based around the idea of military aggression
escalating
between the United States
and the USSR. Toy Soldiers: Cold War features a blend of third-person action and strategy, similar to the original Toy Soldiers, but with added features and gameplay mechanics.
The game features a number of changes and additions to the gameplay. For example, while players are still able to control vehicles such as tanks or helicopter gunships on the battlefield, time using these vehicles is limited by a battery charge which can be replenished either by collecting floating battery icons or returning the vehicle to its recharge stand. In addition, killstreaks are rewarded with special one-time attacks called "Barrages", which include being given the ability to call an airstrike or control an invincible Rambo
-inspired commando for a limited time.
said, "Way to set the bar high, Signal Studios." and Stephen Totilo of Kotaku's reaction was that, "It looks like a fantastic upgrade." Rob Thomas with Crush Frag Destroy said, "It’s like your G.I. Joe fantasies come to life!”
Toy Soldiers: Cold War made another showing at the 2011 E3 Convention to a positive reception. Along with its inclusion into the Xbox LIVE 2011 Summer of Arcade promotion, Toy Soldiers: Cold War playable demos were hosted on the show floor. For the event, Signal Studios developed and released a new trailer for the game while also being featured in the Summer of Arcade promotional video. From the event, GameFocus said, "Toy Soldiers: Cold War looks to take Xbox Live Arcade by storm again." Talking about the barrage types, Arthur Gies of IGN
said, "the show-stealer was The Commando. The Commando is, simply put, John Rambo, a John Rambo that carries a machine gun in one hand and a bazooka in the other, a John Rambo who screams things like "You wanted a war!"" After demoing the game, John Lomaga of VG Revolution said, "Toy Soldiers: Cold War is an amazing sequel to one of my favorite XBLA games of 2010. The folks at Signal Studios have an amazing drive and desire to deliver a fun experience."
Early reviews were generally positive ahead of release. Both IGN
and GameSpot
awarded the game 8.5/10, while Eurogamer
gave a 7/10, citing that while it was a definite improvement over its predecessor, "it can't survive more than a few days of intense play".
(5/5 “This fantastic sequel is everything one might want in a tower defense game, and then some.”) and SFX-360 (10/10).
The game also earned high marks from Joystiq
(4/5), Giant Bomb
(4/5), G4TV (4/5), GameZone
(9/10), Destructoid
(8.5/10 “a very well-rounded and big package of content that goes beyond what other games in this price-range tend to offer.”) GameShark
(A-), and Game Revolution
(A- “. It's an extremely thrilling, rip-roaring game and extremely rewarding.”).
Mainstream media chimed in as well:
“Toy Soldier: Cold War immediately tapped into my inner child with its colorful and explosive action and is sure to dazzle real-time strategists, model makers and lovers of vintage weapons in the family.” – The Washington Times
“Toy Soldiers: Cold War mixes just the right amount of humor, strategy and player control to prove fairly addictive.” –TIME
“Signal Studios took what was already a great game and made it even better” – Gamecritics.com
Action game
Action game is a video game genre that emphasizes physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction-time. The genre includes diverse subgenres such as fighting games, shooter games, and platform games, which are widely considered the most important action games, though some...
/strategy video game
Strategy video game
Strategy video games is a video game genre that emphasizes skillful thinking and planning to achieve victory. They emphasize strategic, tactical, and sometimes logistical challenges. Many games also offer economic challenges and exploration...
, Toy Soldiers
Toy Soldiers (video game)
Toy Soldiers is an action-strategy video game by Signal Studios released on Xbox Live Arcade on March 3, 2010.-Gameplay:Players control one of two armies of miniature toy soldiers on a World War I model diorama with wooden and plastic landscapes...
. Toy Soldiers: Cold War features 1980s-era military technology, and is based around the idea of military aggression
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
escalating
World War III
World War III denotes a successor to World War II that would be on a global scale, with common speculation that it would be likely nuclear and devastating in nature....
between the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the USSR. Toy Soldiers: Cold War features a blend of third-person action and strategy, similar to the original Toy Soldiers, but with added features and gameplay mechanics.
Gameplay
Toy Soldiers: Cold War features similar gameplay to the original game, with players trying to repel a Soviet invasion across a diorama towards a toybox in a child's bedroom. Compared to the original game which featured generic World War I battlefields, diorama settings range from jungles and deserts to real world locations such as the streets of Paris and the Great Pyramids.The game features a number of changes and additions to the gameplay. For example, while players are still able to control vehicles such as tanks or helicopter gunships on the battlefield, time using these vehicles is limited by a battery charge which can be replenished either by collecting floating battery icons or returning the vehicle to its recharge stand. In addition, killstreaks are rewarded with special one-time attacks called "Barrages", which include being given the ability to call an airstrike or control an invincible Rambo
Rambo
Rambo is an action film series based on the David Morrell novel First Blood and starring Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, a troubled Vietnam War veteran and former Green Beret who is skilled in many aspects of survival, weaponry, hand to hand combat and guerrilla warfare...
-inspired commando for a limited time.
Pre-release
The announcement of Toy Soldiers: Cold War was made on March 9, 2011, as a lead up to its first public showing at the 2011 PAX East convention in Boston, MA. Jordan Devore with DestructoidDestructoid
Destructoid is an independent video game-focused blog based in San Francisco, California that was founded in March 2006. It has since grown into one of the most widely read video game sites on the Internet, reaching more than 3 million unique visitors per month...
said, "Way to set the bar high, Signal Studios." and Stephen Totilo of Kotaku's reaction was that, "It looks like a fantastic upgrade." Rob Thomas with Crush Frag Destroy said, "It’s like your G.I. Joe fantasies come to life!”
Toy Soldiers: Cold War made another showing at the 2011 E3 Convention to a positive reception. Along with its inclusion into the Xbox LIVE 2011 Summer of Arcade promotion, Toy Soldiers: Cold War playable demos were hosted on the show floor. For the event, Signal Studios developed and released a new trailer for the game while also being featured in the Summer of Arcade promotional video. From the event, GameFocus said, "Toy Soldiers: Cold War looks to take Xbox Live Arcade by storm again." Talking about the barrage types, Arthur Gies of IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
said, "the show-stealer was The Commando. The Commando is, simply put, John Rambo, a John Rambo that carries a machine gun in one hand and a bazooka in the other, a John Rambo who screams things like "You wanted a war!"" After demoing the game, John Lomaga of VG Revolution said, "Toy Soldiers: Cold War is an amazing sequel to one of my favorite XBLA games of 2010. The folks at Signal Studios have an amazing drive and desire to deliver a fun experience."
Early reviews were generally positive ahead of release. Both IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
and GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
awarded the game 8.5/10, while Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
gave a 7/10, citing that while it was a definite improvement over its predecessor, "it can't survive more than a few days of intense play".
Post-release
Toy Soldiers: Cold War released on Xbox LIVE on August 17, 2011, and was welcomed with high praise from critics and gamers alike, earning perfect scores from GameProGamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
(5/5 “This fantastic sequel is everything one might want in a tower defense game, and then some.”) and SFX-360 (10/10).
The game also earned high marks from Joystiq
Joystiq
Joystiq is a video gaming blog founded in June 2004 that has since become one of the most successful sites within the Weblogs, Inc. family of weblogs. It is the centerpiece of WIN's own network of video gaming blogs, which also includes a blog dealing specifically with the popular MMORPG World of...
(4/5), Giant Bomb
Giant Bomb
Giant Bomb is an American video game website and wiki that includes gaming news, reviews, commentary, and video, created by former GameSpot editors Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis in collaboration with Whiskey Media...
(4/5), G4TV (4/5), GameZone
GameZone
GameZone is an American multiplatform video game website. GameZone's daily coverage includes reviews, previews, news, hints & cheats, and editorials. Additionally, GameZone offers downloads, a child-targeted website and in association with GameStop, hosts GZGameShop, an online retailer...
(9/10), Destructoid
Destructoid
Destructoid is an independent video game-focused blog based in San Francisco, California that was founded in March 2006. It has since grown into one of the most widely read video game sites on the Internet, reaching more than 3 million unique visitors per month...
(8.5/10 “a very well-rounded and big package of content that goes beyond what other games in this price-range tend to offer.”) GameShark
GameShark
GameShark is the brand name of a line of video game cheat cartridges and other products for a variety of console video game systems and Windows based computers. Currently, the brand name is owned by Mad Catz, who actively markets GameShark products for the PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and Sega game...
(A-), and Game Revolution
Game Revolution
Game Revolution or GR is a gaming website created in 1996. Based in Berkeley, California, the site includes reviews, previews, a gaming download area, cheats, and a merchandise store, as well as webcomics, screenshots, and videos...
(A- “. It's an extremely thrilling, rip-roaring game and extremely rewarding.”).
Mainstream media chimed in as well:
“Toy Soldier: Cold War immediately tapped into my inner child with its colorful and explosive action and is sure to dazzle real-time strategists, model makers and lovers of vintage weapons in the family.” – The Washington Times
“Toy Soldiers: Cold War mixes just the right amount of humor, strategy and player control to prove fairly addictive.” –TIME
“Signal Studios took what was already a great game and made it even better” – Gamecritics.com