Ask anyone about Army of Two and they’ll probably go “Oh yeah, the guys with the masks, right?” and immediately draw a blank. That’s how little impact the original had. It was a decent game, with accomplished co-op features, but was ultimately a victim of its own chronic lack of originality. But all that’s changed. With The 40th Day, EA have completely rejuvenℱated the series, making it smarter, funnier, prettier, and crucially, loads more fun to play. And, not only that, it has one of the best morality systems we’ve ever seen – shaming the binary good/evil choices of games like inFamous and BioShock. And, honestly, who expected that?

And as for the weapon customisation – well, that’s on a whole other level. The last game let you stick scopes and grips on your guns, but now there are more building blocks than you’ll know what to do with. From retrofit silencers made from old Coke cans, muzzle flash reducers, and underslung shotguns to chunks of mobile cover strapped to the barrel – it’s ridiculous. But not as ridiculous as the new paint jobs. Ever fancied a gold pi🃏stol? A leopard print AK-47? Now your garish gun-b💃ased fantasies can be realised. It certainly adds a touch of style to slotting a terrorist. You can even customise your mask and armour for online play. Design a decal on the game’s official website (like in Skate 2), download it to your game and apply it to Rios or Salem. Clans will especially love this feature.

The heroes have had an upgrade too. They’re still mercenaries for hire, and they still wear those masks, but the big difference is that they’re actually likeable. In the original they were o൩ne-dimensional ‘dudes’ – all fist bumps and dumb dialogue. Now they’re witty and engaging, showing unexpected humanity during the tougher moral choices. The script’s not a revelation – just unusually sharp for a game where the focus is shooting hordes of identical soldiers with gold-plated guns.

Rios and Salem, now working for their own private military company, are in Sha🐻nghai planting radar beacons for a nameless client. They don’t know why, but the pay is good; they are, after al🐼l, mercenaries. Suddenly, missiles rain from the sky destroying the city. Skyscrapers topple, planes crash, fires break out – and it has something to do with those radar beacons. The duo rushes out of the city to escape, and so begins the mystery; who attacked Shanghai? And why? And was it their fault?