10 Great Action Video Game Franchises (That Died Too Soon)

In the mid-2000s, you could not escape WW2 video games. From Call of Duty to Medal of Honor and Battlefield, it was easily the most successful action genre. Although the majority of those franchises have adapted over time and become successful modern shooters, one WW2 shooter remains dead in the past – Brothers in Arms.

The first game, Road to Hill 30, released in 2005, was unique for its focus on tactical gameplay, as the player took command of small three-man teams, issuing several tactics such as covering fire, flanking, and assault. The game required you to think as a unit, rather than move forward individually with precise aim compared to other first-person shooters. Remarkably, a sequel titled Earned in Blood, was released that same year in 2005, highlighting publisher Ubisoft’s confidence in Gearbox’s work. The third and final game in the series, Hell’s Highway, was released on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2008. Despite Brothers in Arms releasing multiple spin-off game for handheld devices such as the PSP, Nintendo DS, and iOS and Android, Band of Brothers failed to make the jump to current generations.

Now with the sudden lack of WW2 era video games, perhaps there is a place for a Brothers in Arms revival – although Gearbox has shifted its focus to the Borderlands series and battle royale game Battleborn. A return to the patient and tactical Brothers in Arms franchise will be a welcome refresher from the overwhelming insanity of online multiplayer shooters.