Dual duelers

Whether it's Batman and Robin, Lennon and McCartney or Jordan and Pippen, twosomes that work well in tandem are rarely selfish, compliment each other's fortes and foibles, and never second-guess their partner. It's this kind of camaraderie that founds EA's latest action title, "Army of Two." The game's emphasis on two-player teamwork is one that lonely, basement-dwelling shooter fans are sure to enjoy.

Playing as a pair of paramilitary contractors, "Ao2" airdrops gamers into present-day and predicted military hotzones: Somalia, China, Iraq and Afghanistan among them. Within each, you take on missions for cash -- dismantling enemy missiles, recovering intel from a terrorist base or cleaning out chemical weapons plants for a few grand at a time. It's a simple system that's ripe for replayability, and Ao2 wraps enough token plot and presentation around its mostly-stellar action mechanics to keep you tuned in.

Like Abbott and Costello, the game's pair of protagonists are a lighthearted odd couple. A smorgasbord of American masculinity, when Salem and Rios aren't gunning down hundreds of people, they're chatting idly about football, swapping high-fives and calling each other "bro." Indeed, the game sports the oddest button-mapping we've ever seen: tapping A while your partner's nearby produces a "fist-pound" and other expressions of male appreciation. Juvenile or not, "Army of Two's" tone will appeal to gamers that don't mind having profit-driven killing juxtaposed with frat boy antics. The game does supply some token twists and conspiracy theories to fuel the plot, but it's at its best when being lighthearted, like Salem quizzing Rios about his favorite Wu Tang Clan member.

"Army of Two" might come off as another generic third-person action game at first glance, but its gameplay mechanics shine in a cooperative context. Gunplay centers around alternating aggressive and defensive tactics with your battle buddy, flanking, and utilizing cover. Most of the combat situations find one of the mercs pinned down, drawing foes' fire while the other sneaks around for a clear shot. The result is a system that necessitates teamwork, but doesn't shoe-horn it. "Leapfrogging" through shootouts is the way to go, and this kind of procedural, pinned-down play brings a kind of natural pace while encouraging players to plan tactics on the fly.

Supplementing the solid gunplay is "Ao2's" weapon purchasing and customization system. Earned cash counts toward new guns and equipment upgrades. Adding silencers, specialized rifle stocks, extended clips and barrels boost the stats of each weapon, but big spenders will want to opt to pimp out their firearms with gold plating.

Still, for a game that allows you to dip an AK-47 in solid silver, more polish could've been brought to a few less-than-sterling areas. Friendly and enemy AI does its job but doesn't impress, online play doesn't allow you to join games already in progress, but most of all, "Ao2" feels starved for some conventional boss fights, puzzles or large-scale encounters to fully exploit the game's delightful mechanics.

The sum is still satisfying. "Army of Two" is a relatively run-of-the-mill shooter that's elevated by its emphasis on teamwork. Weapon upgrades add a dash of depth, and a standard action script buoys the battles within. Slick visuals don't hurt, either, with well-animated characters and a handy picture-in-picture display that keeps you tuned to your partner's position. "Ao2" would've benefited from a bit more nuance, but its core camaraderie-centered combat will make for a fun couple evenings with a comrade.

Army of Two

Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3 Developer: EA Montreal Publisher: Electronic Arts Genre: Shooter Rating: 3 / 4

The Fun: Camaraderie-centered combat encourages cooperation and creative play; online and split-screen co-op modes; weapon customization; attractive animations.

The Unfun: No 'join-in-progress' option for online games; indistinct boss encounters; underwhelming ally and enemy AI.