Call of Duty

"I played a game, and a movie broke out!"

Imagine the best movie about World War 2. Made by Steven Spielberg. You know this is going to be good. The movie makes you feel like your in the actual war. Bullets whizzing around you, your best friend, dieing in front of your eyes, the satisfaction of killing an enemy, only to realize YOU just killed a human being. Now blink, breathe, and relax. It's a reality. All with the best WWII game on the market. Call Of Duty.

Gameplay: 10/10 The game takes place in three places. A Private in the Airborne division of the American Army. This is the first chunk of the game. Then, you are a soldier in the British SAS. Lastly, you are a draftee in the Russian Red Army. You'll get to visit many locations, not all of them beautiful. The game starts out at an American training camp, for a brief jaunt through the controls. The First mission thrusts you right into gameplay. Direction is easy to follow. If the door is closed, you don't need to go that way. The action barely ever settles, and if it does, it's only to prepare you for the next wave of soldiers. with over 15 weapons to choose from, including rifles, machine guns, grenades, they all come in their American, British, and German flavors. And you aren't a;ways on foot! There are some missions that take place in a drive by through the European countryside, manning an enemy Anti-Aircraft gun, even driving a tank! That's right, you heard me. The tank level is NOT A RAIL SHOOTER. You can even run over the trees! Easy to learn, difficult to master.

Story: 10/10 Most World War II games give you a tiny bit of information, and then thrusts you into war. Not here. First, you get to play as Private Martin in the 101st Airborne division. You'll learn all about his pre-dawn D-Day drops, and the insanity that insues. Then, as Sergeant Evans, you'll take part in the famed assault, capture, and defense of the Pegasus bridge, and go on the games only undercover mission. Lastly, you'll play as a drafted Alexi in the Red Army, taking part in taking back Stalingrad, and destroying the German occupying Russia. Get your popcorn ready, and get comfortable, your in for the ride of your life..

Graphics: 9/10 The graphics are phenomenal. Yet one more reason on the long list that actually makes it feel like your in the movies. One little tiff, though. If you have everything up to the max, expect some slowdown on the Stalingrad level, unless your computer is built for games. But other than that, excellent graphics. MY personal favorites are the tanks. Every detail rendered. The soldiers you talk to, they actually change their expression to match their talking style. It's deep Even while zipping along in a car, you can see the details of the tree, let alone the tank chasing you.

Sound: 10/10 Sound is always important in War videogames, and Call of Duty takes a step forward in the sound department. Booming sound effects make you want to jump for cover when you hear the whistling of incoming bombs. I found this particuarly cool, in Multiplayer matches, not only do your footsteps give off noise, but if you brush against a bush, the enemy will hear you! They left no bush un-soundified. Orchestra music is always in War games, and they don't get any better than this. They'll make you want to cry! After this, you'll be diving for cover every time a bottle rocket goes off.

Play Time: 10/10 Each soldier has at least 7 missions to his name, and I just like to go back through them just to see it all again! There are no very ''short'' levels, so expect some hard playing, even on the eadiest levels. Your play time just expanded 10-fold. MULTIPLAYER! The multiplayer is phenomenal. Up to 32 people can play in over 12 maps! Pick a map, pick a side, and start blasting. There are the traditional modes, Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, etc. But there are more. Behind enemy lines: Allied players have a smaller team, but good defensive positions. Stay alive on Allies! Also, a new mode added on January 30, Headquarters: Find the Headquarters on the map, and stay close to it to set up HQ. The enemy will try to capture it, but you must hold it! Endless hours of fun. You wont go back to Counter Strike for a while.

Final Reccomandation: That's it. You can take your eyes off the movie, err..., computer screen. Wipe the sweat off your brow, and prepare for round 2. Online. This is pinnacle Computer gaming. Run, drive, walk, crawl, do ANYTHING to go and get this game. I can not reccomend it any higher. The definitive WWII game.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/31/04