Prisoner of War

"A Decent Game"

Story = 9/10, the best part of the game

You are Captain Lewis Stone, an American flight officer in World War 2. You were shot down over Germany and are now in a German prison camp. You must find your co-pilot, Lieutenant James Daly, and make it out alive. Along the way you'll meet a few allies willing to help break you out of prison. While in prison you find out that the Germans are building a new super-weapon. Can you and your allies escape and find a way to contact the United States in time to warn everyone? Make a plan, get on your face paint, and find your way out.

Game Play = 6/10, one of the worst parts of the game

You walk around the prison talking to inmates who have experience in trying to escape. Obviously they never made it. They can tell you what to do, what not to do, and where to find things. The hard part is avoiding the guards. Sometimes you have to go into guards' barracks to retrieve keys and other items. Guards will often be walking around outside or sometimes even sleeping when you enter. It is always best to look into a keyhole before entering a building or a room. A few other things you can do are tapping on the wall to distract a guard, hide under beds or behind other objects, and throw rocks at people or at lights to break them. Another interesting thing is when you bump into a shelf or kick a tin can it makes noise and might alert a guard so be careful.

If you get caught by a guard you will either be shot on the spot (never killed) or put in a single cell all by yourself. The ways you get punished by guards are by climbing fences your not supposed to, getting caught wearing face paint, stealing, trying to pass as someone else (wearing a German uniform for example), and many other ways you can get caught that I haven't encountered yet.

Graphics = 7/10

The graphics are good for an Playstation 2 game. The faces are kind of messed up which isn't good because when you talk with people the screen shows your faces. Other things throughout the game seem blurred or not realistic. Sadly, I would have to say that the Xbox graphics are better.

Sound = 8/10

The dialogue in Prisoner of War is very easy to understand which is good. The bad thing is that sometimes people need to talk with more enthusiasm. For example in the opening movie Stone and Daly are in the plane and Daly calmly says ''Oh no, I think I'm going to throw up.'' The background music really adds something to the game. If your sitting down to breakfast the music is much calmer than if you were getting chased by guards. The sound of banging cans and creaking chairs also is a plus.

Replay Value = 6/10

Once you beat this game once your probably not going to play it again. There are codes that you can use to goof around for a bit if you know them. There are also cheats you can unlock by getting an ''A'' in levels. You get a grade determining how well you did such as how many times you got injured, how fast you work, and so on. The best grade is an A and the worst is a F. Trying to get A's in all levels also adds to the replay value.

To Buy or to Rent

I would say rent. The good story line can lure you in but you may be disappointed with the game play. You will probably have some fun with this game but it will get old real quick.

Overall = 6/10

I guess this game is ok. I think it would be better if there were one or two handguns you could snatch to help you on your way. Well hope I helped on your decision, I'm off to throw rocks at sleeping Germans.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 12/08/02, Updated 01/04/03