Medal of Honor

"Saving Private Ryan...only a video game version of it."

-Visuals 9/10-

This game has got the stuff. Giving you a dark and moody World War 2 Germany, it places you behind the battlefields before the invasion of D-Day to go to work and get what information that you can. Living up to the theme of the game, and offering up some of the most realistic graphics in a PSX shooter to date, this game is near perfect.

Every level is seen, looking down the barrel of an authentic World War 2 weapon, from the Remington Rifle, to the Thompson Machine Gun, you can't get any closer to realism as you do with this game. All of the levels are drawn accordingly, taking you through the streets of France, the battlefields of Germany, a U-boat factory, and other various places.

The enemies that you face, weither they be human, or of the canine varity, are all dressed according to the time that the game takes place, which offers you yet another glimpse into the realism that this game brings you to feel. Watching a Nazi soldier in your crosshairs, and seeing nothing but authentic clothing, makes you feel as though you are there. Simply amazing.

-Audio 10/10-

Again, Dream Works did a fantastic job recreating the sounds of World War 2. The music is moody, and in places, it's upbeat when you're in the middle of a firefight. It keeps you running through all of the levels. The sound effects of the game, are truly a treat for the ears listening to it through either the speakers of a stereo, or, for an even more immerseful experience, use headphones.

The audio effects are amazing to listen to, from the firing of machine guns, to the sounds of planes flying overhead on midnight drops, you'll be amazed at what you'll find while listening to the game. As if it could get any better, there are voice overs of German officers speaking to you, sometimes demanding you to come out, other times yelling in straight German trying to get away from your assault.

-Control 9/10-

The control is tight and crisp. It gives you all of the same options that other first person shooters would give you, Doom, Quake II...by giving you a jump, strafe left and right, ducking, and weapon switching. This comes as a relief if you've played games of this type before.

For those that have never played it, or anything like it, it's a simple matter of learning what buttons do what, and what to aim at, learning the sharpshooting part of the game, just take some time, and learn them, it will help you out in the long run.

-Gameplay 10/10-

First person shooters are fun to play, and this one is a blast. Making your way through the darkness and shadows of France and Germany to foil the German's before D-Day, you're goal is to complete several missions that are placed before you. This is actually fun for a change.

You're secondary goal, is to earn medals. For each stage that you travel through, there are 4 sub-stages, with each victory, by completing the required missions of these sub-stages, and killing off everything in sight, you'll get a rating. The rating is an effect of accuracy, ammunition used, and how much time it takes you to complete. If you meet all the requirements on the sub-stages, you'll be awarded a medal.

As you play through, the game is dark in it's own way, and it would be a good idea to make a map as you travel along. It's easy to get lost in these stages, as they are huge, and sometimes, they aren't linear to play. When you get behind things, there is an option to use a giant machine gun...hoo boy...talk about awesome.

Now, this game is real enough to the point, that the weapons don't fire right where you have the crosshairs outside of the rifle. Anyone who has studied the times and the weapons, knows that the machine guns were *not* accurate, that is apparent here, and you'll see it as the bullet tracings go in a small circle of directions.

-Overall 10/10-

This game is a masterpiece. If you've seen the movie Saving Private Ryan, then this video game is the closest movie to game shooter that you can find. It encorporates the many many aspects of World War 2, into an exciting game.

Dream Works made a best seller with this title, and with it's visuals, audio, familiar control, and intense involving gameplay, you'll have many many hours of enjoyment with Medal of Honor.

The game is not just a rental, but a purchase for any serious Playstation game collector, and you won't regret a single dime spent on the game.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/31/00, Updated 03/31/00