Commandos 2 – A Timeless Classic

In the world of video games, not all companies are third-party, and not all games have the budget of a Metal Gear. Sometimes, a great idea comes along, executed by small teams with barely any budget, and it goes much further than anyone could’ve expected. That was the case with Commandos 2, a game developed by the newly formed Pyro Studios, founded by Jorge Blanco, Gonzalo Suárez, and Ignacio Pérez Dolset.

You can tell when everyone behind a game’s creation has experience in playing and enjoying games because they pour everything they have into making sure people get hooked and speak highly of it. That’s why you hear comments like: "Last night, I spent the whole night glued to Commandos 2 with some friends, and I even dreamed about it…" That, I suppose, is the greatest satisfaction a developer can feel after spending several months (or in this case, years) dedicated to a project.

For Commandos 2, the team was led by Gonzalo Suárez (Gonzo), who’s been in the gaming world since 1984 (the year he joined Opera Soft and worked on iconic games like Goody).

Gonzo, as seen in interviews where he’s constantly hounded, has game development philosophies that most studios should follow—starting with the almost "artisanal" approach he takes. Video games are a far more interesting way to connect with people than most realize, and with enough technology, they could even surpass movies and TV in engagement.

When a movie has a deeper message to reflect on, it leaves a mark on the viewer in one way or another. With a video game, if you try to tell something interesting or simply present a well-designed challenge, the player doesn’t just reflect on what they’re doing—they’re actively participating in it. The outcome of the story depends on them, creating a level of immersion only video games can achieve. That’s the case with Commandos 2, a game that undeniably deserves a top spot in the pantheon of virtual entertainment.

Never in my life have I spent so much time with the same game on PC (and I’ve had gaming marathons so long it’s better not to reveal them, lest my parents’ hearts stop). That should give you an idea of the immersion level Pyro Studios achieved after two and a half years of hard work. Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines was a worldwide revolution, becoming one of the best-selling games in history.

This success allowed them, three years later, to take the sequel to new heights in every aspect—especially player immersion—with a team of 35 people and a substantial budget.

Getting straight to the point, quoting Gonzo: "Commandos 2 is everything the first one couldn’t be, whether due to resources or time." The concept is the same, but the way you play is completely different. For starters, if you played the first game, you’ll know its biggest flaw was the high difficulty and the lack of options to complete missions. It basically boiled down to killing the right guard at the right time, from the right spot, with the right commando.

There was no room for players to come up with their own tactical solutions, which took away a lot of the fun. But in this second installment, there’s hardly anything you can think of that you can’t do. To give you an idea, let me tell you how a friend and I tackled the second mission.

The main objective is to rescue an allied submarine captured by the Germans. First, you have to get an officer’s uniform—that’s mandatory. From there, each player can choose their own approach. We spent half the afternoon scouting the Nazi camp, messing around with the spy. The tricky part was figuring out how to sneak the commandos into the base without triggering the alarm.

After a couple of hours, we found a switch in the prison that opened an underwater gate leading into the base. We got the team inside, and an hour later, we’d taken over the underwater facility.

The question then is: Would another player solve it the same way? It’s not like there’s a shortage of paths—after finishing the mission, we brainstormed other approaches, and there were plenty. That’s how you breathe life into a strategy game, making the player feel like a real member of the Commandos 2 squad. Pyro Studios, you nailed it.

Gameplay

This is the word that best defines Commandos 2, as the game is designed to limit the player as little as possible when trying out actions. Almost everything in the environment is interactive for at least one of your commandos, and each scenario has a thousand and one ways to be completed.

You can stick to the main objectives, or you can go full completionist, clearing every red dot on the map (which will take you hours). You can go guns-blazing with the Green Beret or take it slow with the spy or the thief.

The number of possible strategies depends on your imagination, and the interface has been improved so you can easily control multiple team members at once—thanks to the ability to split the screen into six independent sections.

Now, you can tie up and gag unconscious enemies, peek through door keyholes to scout interiors, jump out of windows in emergencies, or snipe from them… and I could fill pages listing every possibility this game offers. But instead, in the Characters section, I’ll break down each commando’s standout traits. Just know that Commandos 2’s gameplay is unmatched.

Graphics

Incredibly detailed environments, full of little touches visible from four different angles. Meticulously crafted animations for both your team and enemies, who also boast an unusual level of detail. Highly varied interiors, perfectly recreated with objects fitting their locations.

A fantastic zoom system lets you appreciate the animations even more (and trust me, it’s worth it—I’m still amazed watching enemies get tied up, and the Green Beret has at least three different knife-kill animations). With games like this, where quality borders on perfection, it’s hard to list every strength. It’d be easier to point out flaws… except, well, I can’t think of any.

Music & Sound Effects

The music sets the mood for every moment (not just missions—it changes based on the scene or location) and is catchy, military-themed, and cinematic, pulling you deeper into the Commandos universe. According to Proein’s team (because I didn’t count them myself, lol), there are about 60 musical tracks that play as you progress.

Sound effects are solid, though not as mind-blowing as the other aspects, but they do their job well. The only downside? After a while, you’ll get tired of hearing your commandos’ repeated lines ("Yes, sir!", "At your orders, sir!", "This is my specialty!", "I was born for this!", etc.). Thank goodness there’s something to criticize—I was starting to get nervous.

Characters

When Allied forces lose ground to the Nazi offensive and all seems lost, it’s time to rely on a small group of men for the toughest missions. Only the best in their fields can join Commandos 2, as Europe’s fate—maybe even the world’s—hangs by a thread on their actions. These are the chosen ones:

Jack "Butcher" O’Hara

Born in Dublin, Ireland (1909). Enlisted in 1929, became British Navy boxing champ (1934–37). Joined the Commandos in 1940 to overturn a 14-year hard labor sentence (for punching an officer in 1938).

Notable feats:

On Vaagso Island, separated from his unit, he infiltrated a bunker with just a knife and took out 16 enemies before regrouping.
Charged an anti-aircraft turret under fire, killed 15 soldiers despite arm injuries, and earned a promotion and medal.

Violent and rebellious but fiercely independent and brave on the battlefield. Expert in melee combat and bladed weapons.

Special skills: Can jump from windows, hide in snow, use decoys, and is the only one who can use a knife without throwing it.

Rene Duchamp A.K.A. "Frenchy"

Born in Lyon, France (1911). Joined French intelligence in 1934, later became security chief at the Berlin embassy. Enlisted in 1939, worked with British intelligence, and joined the Commandos.

Sabotaged 3 trains, 14 tanks, and 30+ vehicles. Fluent in five languages. Friendly but hates Nazis. Expert in infiltration, sabotage, and communications.

Special skills: Can wear an officer’s uniform (indefinitely) and avoid detection in an enemy’s peripheral vision.

Sir Francis T. Woolridge "Duke"

Born in Sheffield, England (1909). Olympic gold medalist (1936), joined the army in 1937, became a sniper in India. Joined Commandos in 1940.

Cold, calculating, and deadly under pressure.

Special skills: A machine with the sniper rifle.

James Blackwood A.K.A. "Fins"

Born in Melbourne, Australia (1911). Naval engineer, champion swimmer, joined the navy in 1935. Demoted after a Hawaii "incident" but saved 45 surrounded soldiers, earning a medal.

Jovial, loves fun, indispensable for naval ops.

Special skills: Fast swimmer/diver, can use a harpoon to climb and has an underwater pistol.

Thomas Hancock A.K.A. "Fireman"

Born in Liverpool, England (1911). Ex-firefighter, explosives expert. Caused major damage in St. Nazaire, escaped captivity after four attempts.

Bold, knows explosives inside out.

Special skills: Only one who can use grenades and disarm mines.

Natasha Nikochevski

Born in Kiev, USSR (1912). Soviet intelligence sniper, foiled a Nazi surprise attack, assassinated a general.

Cold, aristocratic, fluent in multiple languages.

Special skills: Can blend in with the right disguise and distract enemies with her charm.

Paul Toledo "Lupin"

Born in Paris, France (1916). Ex-thief, joined the French Resistance, stole art from the Nazis.

Agile, stealthy, loyal.

Special skills: Can pick locks, climb walls, and sometimes gets help from animals (like a rat in Burma).

Samuel Brooklyn

Born in Brooklyn, USA (1910). Ex-criminal, joined British army, destroyed 12 German planes in one mission.

Mechanically skilled, can drive any vehicle.

Special skills: Uses traps and can operate tanks/trucks.

Whiskey

Adopted by the Commandos in 1941 after his owner died. Loyal, fierce when needed.

Special skills: Enemies ignore him, can carry items between commandos, and can bark to distract foes.

Gameplay Video

Commandos 2 Misión 1: La noche de los lobos [ESPAÑOL]

Conclusion

We’re looking at one of those games destined for worldwide success—and rightly so. When a project like Commandos 2, already guaranteed a warm reception, is pushed to its limits with ambition and hard work, wonders like this happen.