Ah, Commandos. A name that evokes images of stealth, strategy, planning at the level of a World War II general, and an overwhelming desire to shout 'Why can't you just walk behind the dude?!' The third installment of this iconic series, Commandos 3 – HD Remaster, takes players back to the battlefront with a fresh lick of paint, but does it still invoke that old school charm, or is it a little too rusty?
Commandos 3 puts players in charge of a ragtag group of elite soldiers. It's like herding cats, but these cats can throw grenades. Manage a Green Beret, Sniper, Marine, Sapper, Spy, and Thief through campaigns that traverse Central Europe, Normandy, and Stalingrad. Yes, that world war where you could dive into seven different historical atrocities while occasionally forgetting where the bathroom is. The gameplay is predominantly point-and-click, which means you'll be clicking more than an excited toddler with a touchscreen tablet. However, if you're expecting a plethora of hotkeys, spoiler alert – you're in for a disappointment. Fewer hotkeys lead to a more straightforward gameplay experience, which translates into fewer ways to unintentionally set off an alarm and alert every Nazi within a ten-mile radius of your location. Strategy is key here; being stealthy is crucial, though there's also an option to go in guns blazing, which usually ends with your squad meeting an early grave. One of the biggest changes this go-around is the introduction of an Assault Rifle. Finally, a weapon that’s not just a glorified stick! Players now have more tactical options, which is great unless you find you're still fumbling with the controls while trying to execute a flawless ambush. The new 'cover mode' in particular deserves a shoutout. It’s like setting up your team for a surprise party – only instead of cake, they greet enemies with bullets. Nothing says 'surprise!' quite like a grenade at your feet! Each mission is also bound by a time limit, so hurry up and save the world – and don’t forget to tiptoe around like you're sneaking past the most critical S.O.B. at the family gathering.
This remaster features shiny new graphics that give the game a fresher look without losing its retro feel. It’s like when your parents decide to paint the living room but still preserve the 1970s old-school couch. Everything pops just enough to keep your attention while not making your eyes bleed. However, while the graphics are good, there’s a distinct feeling that the camera angles could use a bit more optimization. If ever there was an artistically misguided homage to surveillance-dodging, Commandos 3 would win a trophy for confusion. Not all beauty is easy to appreciate, after all.
Commandos 3 – HD Remaster is a worthy nostalgic trip down memory lane, with a side of tactical frustration that can only be described as lovingly infuriating. The game brings back that tactical intensity and offers just enough new features to entice both old fans and newcomers alike. As long as you're prepared to embrace the fact that you’ll spend at least half your time watching your commandos get blissfully eliminated because they didn’t understand that three Nazis can see you drop down from a roof in broad daylight, you'll fit right in. It’s not perfect – the lack of hotkeys is a drag and some clunky controls insist on adding a level of unnecessary challenge – but it’s reminiscent of the franchise’s spirit. So grab your Switch and remember: in the world of Commandos, it’s not about the wins—it’s about making the enemy wonder why they’re being outsmarted by a bunch of cartoon soldiers!