The game is a typical third person action-shooter, where you have to utilise use of cover or else get blown to pieces.

The two central characters, mercenaries Rios and Salem are always on screen together.

Where Army of Two differs slightly from other games is that you must work with eachother to defeat your enemies.

This means putting down fire to distract the bad guys whilst your partner runs up behind them, or steer a parachute down to Earth whilst he shoots.

Therefore, for single-player to work effectively, the artificial intelligence of your team mate needs to be spot on- but sadly, it is not even close, making the game soooo frustrating and impossible to enjoy.

Yet go at it with an online friend, and Army of Two is a blast, as you help eachother defeat the enemies, barking instructions at one-another into your headsets.

There are still some problems. Weapons can feel a little weak (or enemies unbelievably strong), and the game is not very long.

Most frustrating are the poor melee controls. If an enemy rushes at you, he will usually end up killing you, as there is no effective way of bringing him down at close range.

It makes you long for the chainsaw in the Gears of War games - but then that is a game which in every way is better than Army of Two.

And that about says what you need to know about Army of Two. It is a poor man's Gears of War, but with a friend, still does a very good job of keeping you entertained.

Just don't even think about playing it on your own, though.

bucksherald.co.uk rating: 7/10

Version reviewed: Xbox 360