It’s very obvious that there is an amazing abundance of World War II games available, from the Playstation all the way to the Playstation 3 (and Xbox 360). Credit of the first iteration belongs to Electronic Arts’ Medal of Honor franchise, which dates back to 1999 on the Playstation. Many have followed suit, and include: Ubisoft’s Brothers in Arms series, and Activision’s Call of Duty series. Each, respectively, has brought the WWII theatre to the living room TV and has followed just about every major (and minor) battle to forego the war.
Each Publisher and their respective developers have produced multiple games bearing the (insert title here) name – starring, again and again, the 2nd World War. With so many games based on this huge war, what is keeping people coming back, even when you know they (and probably yourself) are saying: “Geez, not another WWII game!” The answer is actually quite simple.
We are enamored by the era. We enjoy sitting in the comforts of our home while blasting away the despicable Nazis – and getting a surprisingly accurate history lesson in the same smash of a button. By the sales, the publishers and developers know this, so they’re giving us more.
You know you’re going to buy it.
Next up on the ever increasing list is the paterfamilias, the originator…Medal of Honor. Electronic Arts’ Los Angeles development team is gracing us with their newest WWII staged first-person shooter, Medal of Honor: Airborne. Set to release on the Playstation 3 sometime next year, this new shooter will change the formula a bit and add...yup, you guessed it, Para-troopers. (which are a variety of Airborne divisions, foreign and domestic).
Each mission, or Operation as it is named in this game, will feature two segments and three parts to each segment…and embedded in those three parts are your mission objectives. Sounds complicated, does it not? Here’s how it works, beginning with the very first operation: Operation Husky.
Taking place on July 10th, 1943, players will utilize two separate characters: a Pathfinder and an Airborne soldier. Each of these will require you to parachute into the “hot zone” with some troops. Since you are able to direct your parachute, you can choose to land near your buddies, or far away for some “solo” action – the choice is yours. Either way, the enemy A.I. is dynamic and will move and position themselves to best suit their defense in proportion to where you and your comrades land (strategy? definitely). No worries, we have been assured that the enemy (and its intuitive A.I.) won’t be waiting for you every time you go to land.
As the Pathfinder, your action is more stealth-like than the more offensive Airborne assault, and will include a small amount of compatriots to help you out and cover your six. Players will have a set of specific objectives that must be completed in order to “set the stage” for the second wave. Specifically, you’ll play as the Pathfinder Eddie La Boynt, in your first foray of Operation Husky. This may sound as if you will be playing every mission twice, indeed, I thought the same thing. The truth is that the pathfinder missions will be in separate locations than the Airborne missions, due to the fact that the Airborne missions are a huge offensive and the environment compliments that theme very well.
That is where the three elements come in: dropping from the plane, landing your chute, and ground assault (or conversely, “Pathfinding”). Dropping from the plane basically sets up your mission. You will have the opportunity to steer your chute to wherever you want to put down. Landing is just that…but do you land by yourself, or do you land with your airborne buddies? And finally, ground combat, which is the bulk of the game and will be presumably the most impressive.
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