Conflict: Desert Storm II - Back to Baghdad

"Back To Baghdad!"

Conflict: Desert Storm 2 is an updated and improved third person squad based game that made the Conflict series what it was. Actually, you could switch between third and first person in the game, but you get the idea. In Back to Baghdad you are tasked with completing some more secret missions in more hostile environments from rescuing more prisoners of war to designating targets to blow up. The same guys from the first game are back again with the two teams of the SAS and Delta Force behind enemy lines once again to reduce Saddam's regime down to nothing before the real war ever starts. The Gulf War was something a lot of gamers today missed out on. I would bet a lot had never even been born when this thing was going on. Little is really studied in the history books about this conflict and between the two games you get a very good look at what went on during this war.

Conflict: Desert Storm 2 is probably the best game of the series as it had the best graphics and began the game play that the other games (Conflict: Vietnam, Conflict: Global Terror) would copy. This time around you can order your AI allies around instead of hoping they do not get themselves shot up and you can also pick up weapons that your enemies drop such as AK-47's and RPG launchers. The game play is still the same with a heavy emphasis on you playing the cooperative multiplayer for the best experience and having four different characters to switch between to complete objectives.

The difficulty is also raised more with more missions requiring you to be more stealthy in your approach and more obstacles being in the way. A lot of the missions will have you attacking tank positions and you also get to do conduct a special raid deep into Baghdad to rescue some prisoners of war. Stealth and tactics are still the key to getting through this game and it makes for a great cooperative experience. You will also have to worry about keeping your allies healed, but the game really depends on you being more stealthy so you won't have to worry about back tracking to heal a wounded squadmate.

The graphics are updated to replace the generic characters and objects with added detail and better environments. In my humble opinion, between all of the Conflict games, Desert Storm 2 has the best graphics of them all. The sound is still at its best in the effects of the game.

The replay value of Desert Storm 2 is excellent for single player or multiplayer. There are some fun missions to go back and replay, but you get the most out of this game when you can find up to four buddies to try to get through this game by stealth. I know I frustrated my friend by charging in as Connors and laying down the support fire many a time.

Final Recommendation 8/10

Conflict: Desert Storm II: Back to Baghdad is the peak game of the Conflict series. I would recommend the Desert Storm games, but once the series got going it just did not improve enough to become a good series. Conflict: Vietnam tried to improve with a story and it seems all series try to end with a game that has a saboteur among the ranks, as the case was with Global Terror. Those two games were much more difficult by skipping the stealth and just being non-stop blasting while the graphics also took a backseat. However, Conflict: Desert Storm 2 is where its at with this series and would be a great buy if you want to increase your Gamecube collection. Gamecube did do the right thing and spare their gamers from the later games of the series. If you want to make a game about a not so covered war, then make no further example than Back to Baghdad.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/25/08

Game Release: Conflict: Desert Storm II - Back to Baghdad (US, 01/07/04)