Rising Storm 2: Vietnam

Nice, but where's the trigger? This article or section is incomplete. You can help IMFDB by expanding it.

Rising Storm 2: Vietnam Release Date: May 30, 2017 Developer: Antimatter Games Tripwire Interactive Publisher: Tripwire Interactive Platforms: PC Genre: First-Person Shooter

The direct sequel to Red Orchestra 2: Rising Storm, Rising Storm 2: Vietnam brings the intense tactical realism of Tripwire Interactive's Red Orchestra series into the the Vietnam War, at the height of American involvement, with the notable continuation of asymmetrical faction elements from the previous title (such as the helicopters and air support of the American forces versus the tunnel spawn system of the Vietnamese forces). Both the United States Army and Marine Corps are present in levels based on their respective battles of the war, fighting against either the National Liberation Front (Viet Cong) or the People's Army of Vietnam (North Vietnamese Army). A new feature of this title is the ability for the player to customize the personal appearance of their in-game character, differentiated between the five factions and the additional helicopter pilot class of the US forces.

The following weapons appear in the video game Rising Storm 2: Vietnam (2017).

Weapons of the US Army, USMC, ARVN and the Australian Army

Sidearms

Colt M1911A1

As with the previous title, the Colt M1911A1 is available as a sidearm to most classes in the US forces as well as the ARVN, with the exception of the Grunt, and the Radioman and Combat Engineer on some maps. The Australian Commander class can also use it. It comes with two spare 7-round magazines. A simple and efficient handgun, the M1911A1 is a gun for dropping a VC in 1-2 shots before the panic really sets in.

Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP

Holding the Colt with one hand.

Like with many weapons in the game, the player character performs a brass check when the reload key is hit if the magazine is full.

Firing the pistol at a VC Machine Gunner.

Short on time, the player character reloads and flips off his opponent simultaneously.

M1917 Revolver

Added in the 1.03 update, the M1917 Revolver is an alternative to the 1911 pistol for South Vietnamese forces issued with a sidearm. It is fired in double-action mode with a significantly long trigger pull and poor accuracy, but the hammer can also be cocked manually before each shot to eliminate the delay and the accuracy penalty. The revolver is loaded using two half-moon clips, and comes with 6 spares for a total of the 3 reloads from empty. It cannot be reloaded if less than three rounds have been fired; the player character never ejects a clip if there are still rounds on it, so if 3 to 5 rounds have been fired, he only ejects the half-moon clip with the spent rounds on it by keeping the other one in place with his palm, and one loaded half-moon clip is placed inside the cylinder. If all the rounds have been fired, both clips are ejected and two new ones are put in place.

M1917 Revolver - .45 ACP. This is the S&W model with the ejector rod socket, just like the in-game version.

The M1917 being held.

The reload sequence when 3 to 5 rounds have been fired : the clip with the spent rounds is ejected, while the other is kept in place manually.

The hammer can be cocked manually to fire the revolver in single-action mode, which gives an accuracy boost. Not that you'd need it in a cramped tunnel.

Browning Hi-Power

Added in the 1.05 "Bushranger" content update, the Browning Hi-Power is a standard issue pistol of the Australian Army, complete with 13 round magazines and a fully adjustable rear sight. While it might seem a tad too fancy in comparison to the other handguns on offer, the Hi-Power is a solid sidearm for a man who has just turned 19. Reliable damage plus relatively low recoil and mags double the size of most of the other handguns on offer make this a popular backup for anyone playing Aussies.

Browning Hi-Power - 9x19mm

A Marine takes some Aussie firepower for a spin.

Aiming the Hi-Power with the early pattern adjustable rear sights. And yes, you can adjust it out to 500 meters.

Reloading the Hi-Power by stuffing in the mag and yanking the slide.

Submachine Guns

M1A1 Thompson

The M1A1 Thompson was added as the standard-issue SMG for the ARVN faction in the 1.08 ARVN Update. It comes with 30-round box magazines and can be switched between semi and full-auto fire modes. The M1A1's mostly comparable to the VC's MAT-49, a high rate of fire SMG but still relatively controllable and useful at sweeping through rooms at close quarters. The only real con I can give this one is that it suffers from the same overall low amount of spare mags that effects every SMG in the game.

M1A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine - .45 ACP

A recruit has some fun with some Starvin ARVN toys.

Aiming the Thompson, you can use the top notch sight for 150+ meter shots, although by then you're wasting ammo than actually hitting targets.

Before admiring it's magazine in a brass check. Unfortunately, the bullets are static and do not visibly deplete unless the magazine is fully empty.

Reloading which looks similar to the brass check. The M1A1's bolt hold open is both rendered in-game and partially to blame.

M3A1 Grease Gun

The M3A1 Grease Gun is available to the Pointman, Combat Engineer, and Commander classes. It is issued with 3 spare magazines, and its wire stock can be collapsed for added maneuvrability in tight spaces which, naturally, also decreases accuracy. The Grease Gun is an entertainingly fun SMG which benefits greatly from its slow rate of fire. It easily allows you to tap out single shots or short bursts while still remaining stable enough that impromptu covering fire doesn't wander around your target.

M3A1 "Grease Gun" - .45 ACP

Carefully moving onto the objective with the Grease Gun in hand.

The M3's sights are crude, but effective. Effective enough to get a good shot at this poor bastard's head anyways.

Pulling on the rudimentary 'buttplate' of the stock to extend it.

Pulling the bolt back at the end of a reload. Now you killin'.

Owen Submachine Gun

Introduced in the 1.05 "Bushranger" content update, the Owen Submachine Gun is available to the Australian Scout and Radioman. Like the M1A1, the Owen's mostly comparable to the VC's choice in SMG's. A fast firing, relatively accurate and somewhat controllable gun for spamming into trench lines.

Owen Mk I Submachine Gun - 9x19mm.

An American soldier gets some trigger time with the Owen.

Aiming the Owen SMG, everything's upside down in Australia, even the sights are on the wrong side.

Reloading the Owen SMG starts with a swap of the magazines...

Before ending it with a swift tug of the rear-mounted charging handle.

F1 Submachine Gun

Introduced in the 1.05 "Bushranger" content update, the F1 Submachine Gun is available to the Australian Scout, Combat Engineer and Commander. While it might seem useless in comparison with it's WWII counterpart, the F1's got a much slower rate of fire over the Owen meaning it's easier to control and keep on target when your nerves get fried in the thick of it. Plus, bayonet because why wouldn't you want a bayonet?

F1 Submachine Gun - 9x19mm.

Backwards Owen Gun, backwards Sterling, it's just how it works.

Aiming, despite the sight being this high, this is still a perfect battle zero.

Reloading by first removing the spent mag.

Before pulling the charging handle.

Affixing the bayonet on the F1 because you can.

A spooked Aussie does a quick brass check, showcasing that his gun is loaded and the game has water effects that do coat both characters and weapons in water.

Shotguns

Ithaca Model 37

The 12-gauge Ithaca 37 pump-action shotgun, used extensively by South Vietnamese in Vietnam, is available to the Pointman and Combat Engineer classes. It comes in three distinct variants :

- the full-size Trench Gun sports wooden furniture, a heat shield, and a bayonet lug which can mount a standard M7 bayonet. It holds 5 shells. The most controllable and simple of all the Ithaca variants, easy to use and easy to run around with in-general.

- the 'Stakeout' Riot Gun is a handier variant, with a pistol grip and no buttstock, that also recoils a lot harder. Note that it isn't an actual 'Stakeout' model : it has a standard 20-inch barrel instead of the shortened 13-inch barrel. A handy shotgun for close quarters maps like Hue City, the Riot Gun's main problem is the lack of an ability to aim down the barrel which is somewhat compensated by the faster ADS time and the overall look of the Riot Gun. Look at that thing and tell me it isn't cool.

- the 'Duckbill' Conversion is fitted with an extended magazine tube that holds 8 shells, and a muzzle attachment that spreads out fired pellets in a wide, horizontal pattern. While it seems a tad redundant, the Duckbill does have some utility in that it can funnel your shot into a much easier to gauge spread meaning you're less likely to accidentally hit allies with stray pellets. Useful for close quarters maps and areas with pillboxes where a horizontal spread of shot will wipe out whoever is inside.

Both the Trench and Riot Guns are issued with 35 shells of either 00 Buckshot (8 large pellets) or No.4 Buckshot (16 smaller pellets) : the former packs more punch, while the latter increases hit probability at extended ranges because of the sheer number of projectiles. The 'Duckbill' Conversion on the other hand comes with 32 shells of No.4 Buckshot only, to get the most out of its muzzle attachement. It is worth to note that the reload sequence for all the available Model 37 variants is performed incorrecty. When reloading from empty, the player character always puts one shell too many in the magazine tube (5 when there should be 4 for the Trench and Riot Guns, 8 when there should be 7 in the 'Duckbill' Conversion), and does so while the bolt is back so when he racks the action forward, there should be no round in the chamber. And when topping off the magazine tube, he racks the action backward before filling up the magazine tube, which is not only unnecessary but also counter-productive as it ejects an unfired shell.

Ithaca 37 Trench Gun, as issued to US troops in Vietnam.

A Marine makes a move on a gas station, on the lookout for Charlie.

Filling up the Ithaca with 00 Buckshot.

The sighting system is a simple, yet effective front bead.

Affixing an M7 bayonet to the Trench Gun before assaulting the final objective on Hue City.

Ithaca 37 with "Stakeout-style" synthetic pistol grip and forend but a standard 20" barrel. Not unlike the game's Riot Gun.

As he enters the compound, the Marine keeps his Riot Gun handy, for close encounters.

Moments later, he opens fire on an unfortunate MAT-49-wielding VC. The shotgun is actually being aimed here : it's a bit off-centre to reflect the lack of a buttstock to properly brace the gun.

Ithaca 37 with 7-round magazine tube, similar to the in-game 'Duckbill' Conversion only without its signature muzzle attachment.

In the midst of an enemy bombardment, the player character shows off the extended magazine tube and 'duckbill' muzzle attachment as best he can.

Demonstrating the relative effectiveness of the 'duckbill' attachment on the training range. Targets 2 meters apart are both hit at 20 meters distance.

Rifles

M1/M2 Carbines

The M1 Carbine and its fully-automatic variant the M2 Carbine were added in update 1.07. The M1 Carbine is available to Northern Sappers and Riflemen on some maps and comes with 15-round magazines and a well-worn appearance, while the M2 is available as an alternative primary for US Grenadiers as well as the ARVN Pointman and Rifleman and comes with 30-round magazines and can be toggled between semi-auto and full-auto. The M1 and M2 Carbines are both quite adequate little rifles that can easily kill enemies at close to medium range. The M2 is also a good weapon for very close quarters as the .30 Carbine cartridge gives it some extra oomph when dealing with friends around the corner.

M1 Carbine (Post-War) - .30 Carbine

First, the VC special M1 Carbine, given the wear and tear, it's likely a well used battlefield capture.

Sighting up a particularly threatening wooden target, slightly harder as the steel repair bands block the front sight.

"Yep that's definitely a 15 rounder mag".

Rocking in a new magazine.

M2 Carbine - .30 Carbine

Now the US/ARVN special M2 Carbine, free from hackjob repairs.

The M2's ironsights, safe from any steel bands and scratched wood.

"And yeah that's definitely a 30 rounder mag".

Reloading the M2 by stuffing a mag in. The bolt being open is partially correct, the 30 rounders do hold the bolt open but only when the mag is in the gun, a later update fixed this.

M1 Garand

The M1 Garand has been added as the main rifle of the ARVN. The M1D variant is also used by the ARVN as their standard issue sniper rifle. The M1 Garand is a very entertaining weapon and balances itself nicely against the more modern weapons favored by the PAVN and NLF. Sure, it might seem useless but the .30-06's power means that you have better overall accuracy, more power and a faster reload than most of their weapons. As for the M1D, it's an adequate sniper rifle that allows for a more looser playstyle as you can easily swap over to irons without having cramped sight pictures.

M1 Garand semiautomatic Rifle with leather M1917 sling - .30-06

A grunt prepares to make the phrase "let freedom ring" very literal with his M1 Garand.

The irons, slightly too high and big but better than most.

Ammo check reveals that the gun is filled with .30-06.

Ping! Much like the first game, when reloading mid-magazine, the character will forcefully yank the bolt back to eject the en-bloc before inserting a new one.

M1D Sniper Variant with M84 scope - .30-06

Holding the M1D variant with it's weird blonder stock

The M1D's sights, the exact same as it's M1 counterpart but in comparison to the other snipers, clean as a whistle.

Scoped in to the M84 Scope, a single post and windage line. The M1D definitely trades range for versatility.

M16A1 Assault Rifle

The M16A1 is the assault rifle of the US Rifleman as well as the ARVN Pointman. It comes with seven spare 20-round magazines that actually hold 18 (a common practice to avoid magazine-related malfunctions), accepts a bayonet, and both the short-range and long-range apertures are usable. The M16 is one of the best rifles in the game, bar none. It comes with a ton of spare ammo, the caliber is accurate at extended ranges, the sights are easy to read and it's relatively controllable in full auto, what's not to like?

M16A1 with 20 round magazine - 5.56x45mm

Holding an M16 with a selector lever that actually pivots feels oh so good.

A Marine lets his M16 loose on an invisible enemy while climbing Hill 937.

It's a little late for that.

M14 Rifle

The M14 rifle is a large-caliber alternative to the M16 for US Grunts and Radiomen, and is the only rifle available to the Commander role. It is capable of mounting a bayonet, and is issued with five spare 20-round magazines that can be topped off using 5-round stripper clips. Its rear sight can be adjusted for elevation through five settings, from 91 meters all the way up to 457 meters (100 to 500 yards). Although the real-life M14 is select-fire, the in-game version can only be fired in semi-automatic mode (as was common practice during the Vietnam conflict). The M14 is the gun for the guy who doesn't like full-auto, with a fast semi-auto fire in a big bullet that allows you to play a "I would play marksman but all the slots are full again" playstyle as you pick off wayward VC.

M14 rifle - 7.62x51mm NATO

Overlooking Hill 937 with the M14.

Before staring at it with the M14's iron sights.

Brass-checking reveals that there is brass being checked.

Locking the bolt back in the "topping-off" animation. Similar to Battlefield 1, the character uses his hand to keep the chambered round from ejecting, unlike other weapons in the game and the previous titles.

Loading in five rounds of SEVEN-SIX-TWO MILLIMETER, FULL METAL JACKET.

Inserting the twenty-round box magazine in the normal reload.

Releasing the bolt.

Affixing the bayonet on the M14.

XM177E1

Introduced in the 1.05 "Bushranger" content update, the XM177E1 is available to the US Army. The player can adjust the length of the stock which makes the iron sight picture larger and makes the weapon more compact at a cost of controllability on full-auto. The XM177 bridges the gap between the full size M16A1 and the Grease Gun in a very good way, allowing the same power and relative accuracy of the M16 in a size thats useful for tight trenches and tunnels as well as cities.

Colt Model 609 aka U.S. Army's XM177E1 - 5.56x45mm.

An Army commander goes to the range with his prototype carbine rifle.

Aiming the XM177E1, using the sights with the stock collapsed brings these to almost fill the screen.

Reloading the XM177E1.

L1A1 SLR

Introduced in the 1.05 "Bushranger" content update, the L1A1 SLR is available to the Rifleman, Grenadier, Radioman, and Commander classes of the Australian Army. Besides different animations and fire sounds, the L1A1 is mostly comparable to the American M14 with a few caveats. It has a bigger sight picture, slightly faster reloads and fires faster in semi-auto, which is useful.

L1A1 SLR - 7.62x51mm NATO.

The Cold War's getting warm, and the Right Arm of the Free World is here in all it's Aussie glory.

Aiming the L1A1 with it's simple winged post and rear aperture set up.

Reloading by rocking in a mag, revealing that this is a British L1A1 and not an Aussie by the 2 vent hole handguard.

Sad that his gun is not from the land down under, the Marine finishes reloading by yanking the folding charging handle.

Affixing the bayonet on the L1A1.

XM21 Sniper Weapon System

The XM21 rifle is available to the US Army Marksman. It comes in two variants :

- the Standard variant is just what you'd expect. It can mount a bayonet and is a violently efficient sniper rifle that can wreck havoc on the VC so long as you have a competent marksman which is a lot harder than you think.

- the Suppressed variant (added as part of the August 2017 1.03 update) is a little more interesting : it is fitted with a sound suppressor instead of the standard flash hider, and fires subsonic ammunition. Its action also has to be manually operated after each shot, so either the lower power ammunition can't cycle the bolt, or the gas system has been cut off by the user to avoid the action noise and make the rifle as quiet as possible. If you find that the VC keep easily finding you picking off their wayward sappers and officers, this might be a good choice. Sure you have to keep adjusting the zero and have a much reduced range, but you're basically silent in the overall chaos of battle.

Both rifles come with an AR TEL scope with six magnification setting from 3x to 9x. Each magnification setting also has its own zero setting (the higher the magnification, the higher the zero distance), and it is different for the two rifles because of the different ammunition they fire. The Standard variant starts off at 100m and can get to 700m in 100m increments, while the Suppressed variant begins at 50m and can get to 200m in 25m increments. They also have an alternate aiming mode for close range where the player character simply points the rifle forward and the view magically zooms in. Both rifles come with 3 spare 20-round magazines.

M21 - 7.62x51mm NATO

An American sniper peers through the doorway of a destroyed building in Cu Chi, looking for any wayward VC.

Covering the advance of a fellow soldier with the XM21.

The alternate aiming mode, actually quite useful for situations such as this one.

The Suppressed variant. As shown here, the action has to be operated manually after each shot to eject spent casings.

M40 Sniper Rifle

The M40 Sniper Rifle is issued to the USMC Marksman with the equivalent of six stripper clips of spare ammunition, for a total of 30 spare rounds. Its distinctively-finished Redfield scope is elevation-adjustable through 6 settings, from 90 to 550 meters (100 to 600 yards), However, unlike the actual scope, it is not adjustable for magnification but locked to 3x. This means the scope's rangefinder doesn't work even though the necessary reticule markings are correctly featured (see pictures for detailed explanation). The scope also covers up the feeding/ejection port so the M40 must be reloaded with individual rounds. The M40 is mostly comparable to the VC's M91/30, a slower but more precise sniper rifle except this one doesn't have any backup iron sights because Marine Corps.

M40 sniper rifle - 7.62x51mm NATO

File:RS2VM40I.jpg

A Marine scans the treeline with his M40.

The Redfield Scope at the range, a simple cross hair with a mix of markings mostly related to figuring out target range while scoped.

File:RS2VM40B.jpg

Back in normal Vietnam, the Marine racks the bolt dramatically.

File:RS2VM40R.jpg

Before stuffing it with more 7.62 NATO.

Machine Guns

M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle

The Browning Automatic Rifle has been added as the main light machine gun of the ARVN forces. While it seems outdated given the VC's reliance on far more modern LMG's like the DP-28 or RPD, there's one massive advantage to the BAR. It's given to more classes, meaning that there's more of them in a combat zone chucking lead downrange at the slow rate of fire that makes it both somewhat controllable from the shoulder and massively satisfying to spray around the darkness.

M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle - .30-06.

A GI plays around with grandpa's automatic rifle at the range.

The BAR's sights, an open U notch close up and an aperture at range.

A rare sight in most games, the BAR is selectable between the slow ROF and fast ROF.

The reload starts with a simple mag swap...

Before racking the charging handle.

M1919A6 Browning Machine Gun

The Browning M1919A6 has been added as the main medium machine gun for the ARVN forces, as their analogue to the M60. For someone who just doesn't want to have the same amount of dumb fun the BAR provides, the M1919A6 can easily provide some entertainment in sheer volume of fire. With two whole 150 round belts plus a relatively controllable rate of fire especially when on the bipod, the M1919 will easily overwhelm any VC especially if they lack any machine gun support of their own.

M1919A6, post-WWII manufacture with conical muzzle booster - .30-06 Springfield

The M1919A6 in all it's parkerized glory.

The sights, with the same U notch/Aperture combo as the BAR.

The reload begins first with the top cover opened and a belt removed...

Before replacing the belt and giving the charging handle a yank.

M60 GPMG

The M60 is the main machine gun of the American forces, and only available to the Machine Gunner. "The Pig" is issued with either three 100-round belt boxes, or a single 200-round belt of 7.62x51mm ammunition, with one in five a tracer. Its rear leaf sight is adjustable for elevation in 100-meter increments, from 400m to a rather optimistic 1100m. It also has a bipod usable when prone or behind cover. The legendary machine gun is one of the most fun weapons to use in the entire game. With a relatively controllable rate of fire, decent stability and easy to read sights, you can use the M60 as both a proper bipod mounted machine gun for putting down covering fire and as a close range murder machine for going through room to room combat with the trigger taped down spraying everything with 7.62 NATO.

M60 machine gun with bipod extended - 7.62x51mm NATO

File:RS2VM60I.jpg

When you're covering a lot of ground, you need a lot of bullets. At least that's the idea with this Marine's choice of overwatch gear, an M60.

File:RS2VM60A.jpg

Aiming the M60 through the post and leaf, adjustable to some extensive ranges.

File:RS2VM60W.jpg

Like Red Orchestra games prior, firing a sustained burst for too long can damage the barrel, warping it that affects accuracy.

File:RS2VM60R.jpg

Not letting the fact he just annihilated a barrel and has no replacements stop him, the Marine reloads his M60 by swapping belt boxes.

L2A1

Introduced in the 1.05 "Bushranger" content update, the L2A1 machine gun is available to the Australian Machine Gunner. While the machine gunner has access to the American M60, don't entirely write off the L2A1 as useless because it's a very jack-of-all-trades rifle. With the bipod down and mounted, it's a fairly efficient LMG only really capped off by the magazine size, but flip it back on semi and you have a decent sniper rifle except with a rear aperture about as big as a Vegemite lid.

L2A1 with 30-round magazine - 7.62x51mm NATO

Having been let down by his bootleg bogan L1A1, the GI takes a legit L2A1 for a spin.

Aiming the L2A1, one of the biggest sight pictures in the game outside of guns like the MAS-49.

Reloading the L2A1 is fairly similar to the normal L1A1, empty mag out, fresh mag in, you know the drill.

Unfolding the bipod with a satisfying clunk.

Launchers and Flamethrowers

M79 Grenade Launcher

The signature weapon of the Grenadier, the M79 Grenade Launcher is the only explosive launcher available to the US forces. It is quite versatile, as players have access to a variety of 40x46mm ammunition loadouts for different situations : 6 rounds of High-Explosive and 2 rounds of masking smoke, 6 rounds of HE and another 6 rounds of Buckshot, or simply 9 HE grenades. The HE rounds have a realistic arming distance of about 15 meters : within this range, they won't explode if they hit their target, or a barrier, to protect the shooter. Unexploded 40mm rounds still hurt though, and can kill with a well-placed shot : managing this will earn the player the 'Thumper' achievement. Finally, the M79's rear sight is adjustable for elevation from 50 to 300 meters, in 25 meters increments.

M79 grenade launcher - 40x46mm

File:RS2VM79I.jpg

"He's close man, real close".

File:RS2VM79A.jpg

Aiming the M79, the sight is fully adjustable for any range, although most uses of it will be with it flat to the launcher.

File:RS2VM79R.jpg

Reloading the M79 by stuffing a fresh shell into the breech.

M9A1-7 Flamethrower

The US Combat Engineer has a fearsome M9A1 flamethrower at his disposal, which can deal short-range devastation to the environment, your enemies and your allies so do be careful when you're spraying war crimes everywhere to not set your own men on fire.

M9A1-7 Flamethrower

File:RS2VM9I.jpg

A Marine engineer holds his flamethrower remembering America isn't on the international war crimes court so he can go WILD.

File:RS2VM9F.jpg

Boiling the water with the flamethrower. Kilgore would love the smell.

Grenades and Explosives

M112 Demolition Charge

The Combat Engineer has a single M112 C4 charge at his disposal, given that he doesn't equip the flamethrower. It can either be stuck on a surface or thrown like a handgrenade, only not as far because of the weight, and is detonated from a distance. It is very powerful and can be used for ambushes or clearing fortified emplacements.

M112 C4 demolition charge

Dodging enemy fire, an American engineer prepares to chuck a correctly marked M112 into a bunker's viewport.

The M112 can be thrown, through the window of this bunker for example.

Having given Charlie his birthday present, the engineer detonates the charge. Even at this safe distance, the concussive force is strong as ever.

M18A1 Claymore

The Marksman has one Claymore mine, and the Pointman has two. It can be placed on the ground, and then detonated with a M57 switch, sending dozens of deadly fragments in the direction the front of the mine faces.

M18A1 Claymore anti-personnel mine with command cable and M57 'clacker' detonator switch

Having snuck into the enemy's forward base on Cu Chi, our pointman decides to place a really special surprise.

The business end of the mine and its detonator.

The fragments right after detonation. The mine itself simply disintegrates and the payload is chucked towards whatever is in front of it, ally or enemy.

M18 Smoke Grenade

The standard smoke grenade for all South Vietnamese forces, the M18 comes in white, red and purple flavors for all occasions.

M18 smoke grenade - Red.

A US Army Engineer holds a purple M18 while the game reminds him how smoke grenades work in case he forgot.

M34 White Phosphorous Grenade

Given to the South Vietnamese engineer, the M34 White Phosphorous grenade is an interesting grenade option. On one hand, it is a fairly efficient smoke grenade that puts out quite a big plume of smoke, and on the other it's a WP that's uncomfortably effective at cleaning out tight corridors and interior spaces.

M34 White Phosphorous grenade

An engineer holds his Willy Pete, note the period correct white grenade casing.

The M34 explodes, in all it's chemical burn inducing glory.

M61 Fragmentation Grenade

The main hand grenade for the South Vietnamese forces is the M61 fragmentation grenade, which was the updated version of the M26.

M61 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade

File:RS2VM61I.jpg

A Marine holds his M61 while staring at the paddies.

File:RS2VM61P.jpg

Pulling the M61's pin in realistic non-teeth destroying fashion.

Mounted Weapons

M2 Browning

The Browning M2HB appears in-game as the South Vietnamese equivalent to the DSHk, both as a tripod mounted HMG in locations as well as a portable version for deploying in the field. Just as powerful, it benefits from using 100 round boxes over the DSHk's 50.

Browning M2HB on M3 tripod - .50 BMG.

A recruit prepares to bring the pain on the range with the M2.

The sights on the M2, rarely seen in games and can be set all the way to 2000 yards if you so desire.

After releasing 100 rounds of fun, the reload begins by opening up the feed tray and lifting the pawl.

Followed by swapping ammo cans.

Before seating the belt, closing the tray and yanking the charging handle.

M60D Machine Gun

Two M60D Machine Guns are mounted on the UH-1 'Huey' transport helicopter, one on each side. They can be used by the passengers, with no class requirement, to suppress ground troops.

M60D machine gun - 7.62x51mm NATO

A pilot takes a little walk around his helicopter, before being smacked in the face by a mounted M60D.

M134 Minigun

The M134 Minigun is mounted on the side of the OH-6 'Loach' light scout/attack helicopter, and on the chin turret of the AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter.

General Electric M134 - 7.62x51mm NATO

The M134 mount on the side of the OH-6.

The Minigun on the Cobra's chin turret mount.

M195 Cannon

The M195 20mm Gatling Gun, a short-barrelled variant of the M61 Vulcan, is mounted on the side of the AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter.

M195 Cannon in M35 Armament System - 20x102mm Vulcan

The cannon on the Cobra's left side.

M129 Grenade Launcher

The M129 40mm Grenade Launcher is mounted on the chin turret of the AH-1 Cobra, next to the M134 Minigun.

M129 Grenade Launcher, 40x46mm or 40x53mm

The M129 to the right of the Minigun on the chin turret mount.

M158 Rocket Launcher

The M158 Rocket Launcher, or Rocket Pod, holds seven 70mm rockets. Three are mounted on the sides of the AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter.

M158 Rocket Pod

The front of the rocket launcher pod

And the rear, for completion's sake.

Weapons of the NVA/PAVN and the VC/NLF

Sidearms

Tokarev TT-33

The Tokarev TT-33 appears as the main sidearm for the North Vietnamese forces. It holds 8 rounds per magazine. The TT-33 is a slightly odd pistol to use in combat, mostly because it lacks the same whoomp power that both the M1911, M1917 and Hi-Power have. It's advantage is more in repeat fire stability over straight stopping power, meaning you can easily keep an entire mag of ammo on a target so long as you're being careful.

Tokarev TT-33 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

File:RS2VTT33I.jpg

A GI holds a pilfered TT-33 over a rice paddy.

File:RS2VTT33A.jpg

Aiming the TT-33 reveals it's tall and narrow sights.

File:RS2VTT33R.jpg

Giving the paddies the finger while reloading.

Makarov PM

Introduced in the 1.03 update on August 2017, the Makarov PM was made available for Communist forces as an alternative to the TT-33. Alternative is really the only way to describe the PM, it has similar stats all around with the only real difference being that it's slightly shorter which isn't that useful for a pistol.

Makarov PM - 9x18mm Makarov

The Makarov in the hands of a VC guerrilla as he waits for Gee Eye to round the corner.

Aiming the PM, for what you're really going to be using this for, acceptable sights.

Performing an ammo check, showing off the nicely detailed and deplete-able stack of 9x18mm cartridges.

Reloading; thumbing the slide release in a more friendly manner than the other pistols.

Submachine Guns

MAT-49

The MAT-49 is a usable submachine gun for the North Vietnamese forces. Players can choose between the original French 9mm version or the Vietnamese 7.62x25mm Tokarev conversion, the latter has an increased fire rate. The MAT is a very useful SMG for close quarters combat in either version with a potent high rate of fire, relative accuracy and some stability as you just burn an entire magazine in the span of 4-5 seconds.

MAT-49 Submachine Gun - 9x19mm

A MAT-49 SMG captured by Communist Forces during the French-Indochina War and converted to 7.62x25mm Tokarev.

File:RS2VMATI.jpg

A MAT-49 in it's natural habitat.

File:RS2VMATA.jpg

Aiming the MAT-49, the sight is flippable between 50m and 100m, with a bigger aperture for 100.

File:RS2VMATR.jpg

Reloading the MAT-49 by flicking the magazine release.

Performing an ammo check on the 7.62x25 MAT-49.

Pulling the MAT's charging handle on an empty reload.

File:RS2 MAT-49(3).jpg

Collapsing the stock for some close quarters work against the Aussies.

MP40

The MP40 was added to the game in Update 1.2 as a submachine gun for the NLF. This serves as a far more controllable counter part to the MAT-49 and PPSH, lacking pure raw firepower but returning some proper accuracy at medium to extended ranges.

MP40 - 9x19mm

The MP40 in-game, just like the PPSH below, it is a different model to the one in RO2.

The sights, adjustable out to 200 yards.

In an alternative to most games where they lock the bolt open first, RS2's reload involves swapping the mags...

Before giving the charging handle a swift yank.

PPSh-41

The PPSh-41 is another usable submachine gun for the North Vietnamese forces, having a much higher fire rate than the MAT-49. Like in Red Orchestra 2, the PPSh starts off with 35-round magazines, though the original 71-round drum magazines are also available in the loadout screen. The fire selector is also usable on the base weapon. The PPSh is another flavor of "spam rounds everywhere" SMG that's just as decent with the only problem of the high rate of fire clashing with the small magazine size. Even the drum doesn't last long and you only get two of those.

PPSh-41 Submachine Gun with 35-round box magazine - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

File:RS2VPPSHI.jpg

A Marine surveys the rice paddies with a borrowed PPSh-41.

File:RS2VPPSHA.jpg

Aiming the PPSh-41, revealing the fresh new RS2 model and it's much cleaner sights.

File:RS2VPPSHR.jpg

Reloading the PPSh-41 by stuffing a stick mag in.

Shotguns

IZH-58

A double-barreled IZH-58 shotgun is usable for the North Vietnamese forces in both full-length, Coach Gun and sawed-off versions. The sawn-off version appears to reload slightly faster and is limited to 00 Buckshot while the Coach Gun and full-length versions are able to use 1oz Slugs in addition to Buckshot. While accuracy decreases, every flavor of the IZH is brutally efficent, while the sawn off becomes useless outside of 25 yards, the full length can hit targets well in excess of 75 yards and more, especially when you use slugs.

Weirdly enough, it was called the "IZH-43" in the beta, which the replacement of the IZH-58 introduced in 1986, but later the name was changed to the period correct IZh-58. However, in a recent update the IZh-58 was painted black and simply dubbed the "SxS shotgun" likely to address the question of how a Soviet double barreled shotgun ends up in the fields of Vietnam.

Baikal IZH-43, similar to the IZH-58 - 12 Gauge

File:RS2VIZHI.jpg

A Marine holds a IZh-58, grumbling about how confusing Soviet designations are, with newer guns having smaller numbers.

File:RS2VIZHA.jpg

Aiming the IZH-58, it's a double barrel shotgun, what did you expect?

File:RS2VIZHR.jpg

Reloading the IZH after only firing one shot, a rare thing when most video games take the DOOM approach and just stuff both barrels.

For comparision: Stevens 1960s SBS with the barrels sawed-off - 12 Gauge (Photoshopped).

File:RS2VSIZHI.jpg

A PAVN scout hides in a river with his sawed off IZH.

File:RS2VSIZHA.jpg

"Aiming" the sawed-off yields less than perfect results. Maybe it would be more effective against an army of zombies...

File:RS2VSIZHR.jpg

Reloading the sawed-off by stuffing two shells into the breech.

Rifles

AKM / Type 56 / Type 56-1

Several AK-pattern rifles grouped under the "AK-47" classification are available to the Rifleman on the North Vietnamese side :

- the AKM, with its fixed wood stock, 'bakelite' pistol grip, ribbed dust cover and open front sight ring. It accepts a Type II bayonet and is the most average of all the AK variants with relatively accurate fire, controllable full auto fire and overall good performance.

- the Type 56, that differs with its wood pistol grip, smooth dust cover, higher full auto fire rate and fully enclosed front sight ring. It also has integrated spike bayonet which can be unfolded.

- the Type 56-1 is the underfolding variant of the Type 56. It doesn't have a bayonet but can have the stock folded to make it more compact and less controllable.

All three rifles come with three spare 30-round steel magazines. They can be fired in semi or fully-automatic, and while the fire selector is not animated and stays in the 'Safe' position, for some reason, the hand of the character actually moves down when switching to semi, and moves up when switching to fully-auto, which is some welcome attention to detail. The rear sight of all the rifles are adjustable for elevation from 100m to 800m in 100-meters increments, which is correct for the Type 56 guns, but not for the AKM which should be able to go up to 1000m.

AKM - 7.62x39mm

Holding a captured AKM on the training range.

Affixing a Type II bayonet on the rifle.

Firing at the enemy. Death is peeking around the corner on the left.

Reloading a wet AKM with its bayonet attached.

Norinco Type 56 (fixed stock variant) with under-folding bayonet ("pig sticker") which was standard on PLA-issue Type 56s - 7.62x39mm

File:RS2VT56I.jpg

A Marine takes a Type 56 for a spin while on patrol.

File:RS2VT56A.jpg

Aiming the Type 56 reveals the Type 56 special fully hooded front sight.

File:RS2VT56R.jpg

Reloading the Type 56 by yanking a mag out and rocking a new one in.

Back in Hue, a VC does a mag check with his Type 56.

Norinco Type 56-1 (under-folding stock variant) - 7.62x39mm

A VC runs while folding the stock to his Type 56-1 for close quarters blasting.

Which looks like this, presumably so you don't take the receiver cover to the teeth.

Charging the Type 56-1 at the end of the reload by yanking it with the right hand.

MAS-49

The MAS-49 was added to the game in Update 1.3 in 3 basic flavors. All in all, a punchy battle rifle with good accuracy, power and a fun mix of options such as...

- The standard variant with iron sights, available to scouts and many Early War classes.

- The grenade launcher version, available to the Sapper which allows for the use of 6 HE Rifle Grenades.

- And the Marksman version, which rocks an APX scope and is used by the Marksman.

MAS-49 - 7.5x54mm French

First, it's the humble normal version of the MAS49 rifle.

The iron sights, good if a tad cramped by eating most of the screen.

Like the M14, the MAS has a different reload animation for when the gun isn't empty. If so, then a stripper clip will be used to top the gun off.

If it's properly empty, then the soldier will instead swap mags...

Before giving the charging handle a good ol tug.

The Marksman's special scoped variant complete with period correct APX scope.

The scope's reticle, very similar to the M91/30.

And finally, the grenade launching version. First a grenade is mounted...

A blank is inserted into the magazine...

Before the gun is put to the ground and ready to rumble. The range is dialed in by adjusting the grenade up and down on the spigot.

With predictable results.

Mosin Nagant M91/30

The Mosin-Nagant M91/30 is the oldest gun in the game, available to the North Vietnamese factions in both the standard and sniper rifle variants. Rather hilariously, there is an achievement for getting kills with the non-scoped Mosin, fittingly dubbed "It belongs in a museum!". Both Mosin variants are entertainingly powerful in the same "twomp" way that makes the shotguns fun. While the scoped version is a very adequate sniper rifle, the un-scoped one is a slightly less useful rifle that has good accuracy and power and nothing else outside of massive entertainment when you finally kill a guy.

Full-length, Soviet Mosin Nagant M91/30 - 7.62x54mm R

File:RS2VMNI.jpg

A Marine channels his inner Papa-San with his M91/30, note the correct straight bolt handle.

File:RS2VMNA.jpg

The irons, a round globe and post out front, a sight leaf and notch in the rear, simple.

File:RS2VMNB.jpg

Operating the unscoped Mosin-Nagant's bolt and putting the fear of God and 7.62x54R in the trees.

File:RS2VMNR.jpg

Having scared the foliage with boolet, the Marine treats his Mosin to a fresh stripper clip.

Mosin Nagant M91/30 Sniper Rifle with Russian PU 3.5x sniper scope

File:RS2VSMNI.jpg

Not to be stopped from stealing guns from the cache, the Marine takes out a sniper variant with correct turned down bolt handle.

File:RS2VSMNA.jpg

The scope view, a post with two lines next to the point. The rather high placement of the reticle is accurate, although a later update allowed for a selectable option to have the reticle in the center of the scope like RO2.

File:RS2VSMNB.jpg

Giving the bolt a yank.

File:RS2VSMNR.jpg

And reloading it.

SKS-45

The SKS appears as a usable rifle to the PAVN/VC forces. A decent all-arounder rifle, the SKS is mostly used by classes who get either this or a shotgun so if you don't want to be angry Papa-san running around with his hunting gun, here you go.

Russian SKS - 7.62x39mm

File:RS2VSKSI.jpg

The fun doesn't stop from the stockpile, so the Marine takes his SKS to do the original version of "going innawoods".

File:RS2VSKSA.jpg

Aiming the SKS reveals the most familiar sight picture on the planet..

File:RS2VSKSR.jpg

Reloading the SKS by stuffing a fresh clip in. The non-dry reload will differ by having the soldier dump the spare rounds out, then lock the bolt back and feed in a new clip.

A wayward PAVN soldier brass checks his SKS after hearing the sound of distant surf rock.

SVD Dragunov

The SVD Dragunov appears as another sniper rifle for the North Vietnamese forces; its semi-automatic operation and box magazines are key advantages over the scoped Mosin-Nagant.

SVD Dragunov sniper rifle - 7.62x54mm R

File:RS2VSVDI.jpg

A Marine has fun with the fanciest gun in the VC Arsenal.

File:RS2VSVDA.jpg

Aiming down the PSO-1 scope, a fairly accurate render of the reticle, and one of the only guns with a sealed off sight picture, accounting for the rubber eyepiece.

File:RS2VSVDR.jpg

Reloading the Dragunov by yanking the mag out, the oft forgotten hold open is correctly rendered in-game.

Machine Guns

Degtyaryov DP-28

The DP-28 from Red Orchestra 2 returns as an available machine gun for the North Vietnamese forces. While it might seem useless in comparison to the sheer firepower of the RPD, the DP has the advantage of being relatively controllable straight from the shoulder and coming with more than just 1-2 drums.

Degtyaryov DP-28 - 7.62x54mm R

File:RS2VDPI.jpg

The Marine takes the hero of the Great Patriotic War for a spin.

File:RS2VDPA.jpg

The DP's sights, a notch and wings in front, and a leaf in the rear.

File:RS2VDPR.jpg

Reloading by opening the bolt, swapping pans and smacking the fresh one on.

Degtyaryov RP-46

The RP-46, the belt-fed version of the DP-28 was added in Update 1.3 as an alternative to either the RPD or DP-28. What it lacks in total ammo capacity and spare rounds is made up for by allowing high power belt fed covering fire.

RP-46 - 7.62x54mm R

The RP-46 in-game, the red headed step child between the DP and RPD rarely seen in games.

The sights, fittingly similar to the parent DP, here misaligned due to the photo being taken mid mag dump.

The reload animation for this gun is pretty seldom seen since it's issued with one belt. But the magic of supply boxes means we get to watch Charlie open the belt feed tray and swap belts...

Before closing the cover and charging the gun.

Degtyaryov RPD

The RPD appears as the main light machine gun for the North Vietnamese forces, serving as a direct counterpart to the M60 with relatively controllable rate of fire, stability and sheer entertainment at folding the bipod up and running straight into battle like a madman. It uses the 100-round drum by default, but a 200-round belt variant was added in Update 1.2.

RPD - 7.62x39mm

File:RS2VRPDI.jpg

A Marine holds a disused RPD and wonders why SOG likes these so much.

File:RS2VRPDA.jpg

Aiming the RPD with it's big sights, similar to the AK.

File:RS2VRPDW.jpg

Like the M60 and the other MG's in game, firing too long will cause the barrel to warp.

File:RS2VRPDR.jpg

Reloading the still toasty RPD, a bad idea as this might lead to cook offs.

Launchers

RPG-7

The iconic RPG-7 appears as the main launcher for the North Vietnamese forces, coming with the launcher plus 3 rounds. While it must be aimed before you actually fire, it's impressively decimating against both ground targets and helicopters. In a rare sight seldom seen in video games, there is a rendered backblast upon firing. The entire rear of the launcher becomes deadly for 10m back and can easily kill allies, enemies and yourself if you aren't careful.

RPG-7 - 40mm

File:RS2VRPGS.jpg

Like in Tripwire's other game Killing Floor 2, the player cocks the hammer on the RPG off before firing.

Having eaten too many RPG's while playing Pilot, a Marine gets to play with the bane of his existence.

File:RS2VRPGA.jpg

Aiming the RPG-7, sights so simple you can use it against anything.

File:RS2VRPGR.jpg

Reloading the RPG-7 by stuffing a fresh rocket down the tube.

Grenades and Explosives

MD-82 Mine

The North Vietnamese Sapper class comes armed with the MD-82 mine, a copy of the American M14 anti-personnel mine. Carrying 5 of these little bundles of fun, the MD-82 is really only useful for rigging up entryways as it's famed "toe popping" is rendered in underwhelming detail.

M14 anti-personnel mine with safety clip attached.

A PAVN Sapper holds a tiny MD-82 in his hand.

Prepping the MD-82 requires to first bury the grenade in the dirt...

Before pulling the pin, rendering it live.

RGD-1 Smoke Grenade

The Soviet RGD-1 Smoke Grenade appears as the North Vietnamese smoke grenade of choice, albeit only in white.

RDG-1 smoke grenade diagram

A PAVN Squad Leader prepares to cover the range with his RGD-1.

Like the later pattern RGD-2, the RGD-1 is set off by removing the top cover and striking the top casing.

Type 67 Grenade

The North Vietnamese forces use the Type 67 as their standard grenade, functioning around the same as the M61.

Type 67 High-Explosive Fragmentation stick grenade

A Vietcong soldier shows us his handy Chinese potato masher.

Mounted Weapons

DShK Heavy Machine Gun

Several maps have DShK heavy machine gun mounted on tripod mounts for the North Vietnamese. Feeding from standard 50-round boxes, the DShK is used both for firing on infantry but especially for anti-air and anti-helicopter roles. A player-deployable version was added in Update 1.2.

DShKM on tripod - 12.7x108mm

A PAVN recruit gets some trigger time behind the DSHk.

The recruit lets loose, allowing us to see the large sights as well as terrifically big muzzle flash.

The reload begins as usual by lifting the top cover...

Swapping ammo boxes...

Before fixing the belt, closing the top cover and racking the charging handle with help of a spent case.