Call of Duty 2: Big Red One

"A quality made game that's a joy to play"

Call of Duty 2 Big Red One is a historic first person shooter that takes place during World War 2. The game is divided up into missions which would seem to be along the lines of what really took place during WWII but from what I can tell there is no promise that all these missions are events that really took place during that point in time. For the most part it plays like any other FPS but in my opinion the game stands out due to the overall quality that went into this game. The game does a great job of making you feel like you are really part of something big going on with the fate of the world in the balance. This is not a solitary super solder game where you're the only one up against the world, but instead a game where you and a bunch of other solders are fighting for what you believe in. Your squad of solders will help you along for the most part but don't expect to be issuing orders as you would in a game like SOCOM.

Story:

Most WWII shooters fall into the bracket of either having no story to really speak off or trying to throw together a story that's been done a million times over in movies and in
Past WWII games of that type. Call of Duty 2's story is fairly good but the personalities are what give it the edge over other games of this type. It probably won't bring tears to your eyes but by the end of the game you'll have a real understanding of why everyone is here and more importantly what makes them tick.

Graphics:

I wish I could compare them with “Call of Duty 2” for Xbox 360 but limitations of the current generation of systems would make them seem just all right in comparisons. On a scale of current generation systems I would give them 9 out of 10 just because the graphics really give off the vibe of a land ravaged by war. Everything else is well done and above the cut including the animations which do a fantastic job of breathing life into the deep personalities that line the game.

Sound:

The sound is 10 out of 10 just because it sounds like your there.There are bombs dropping, squad mates calling for you and all there other sounds associated with war. I find myself a lot of times just playing the game to hear all the things going on around me.

Game Play:

It's a blast to play and very easy to pick up and learn fast. Don't seek cover and you'll never get very far in this game, so that part makes you think before sticking your head out. I also like how you can lay down cover for you squad as they advance and they are somewhat smart enough to return the favor. The items laying a round give it a little bit of an arcade feel but not to the point of making the game seem unreal. The A.I. is not the greatest but if it were any smarter if would make the game really hard and frustrating due to the amount of fire you can come under.

Final Verdict:

I think the game is great and have not found any other game that I really find myself having as much fun with. Some might say the game is a little dated due to what we have come to expect on all the upcoming generation systems but as for this current generation, this game is a 9 out of 10. If you're a war buff do yourself a favor and check out this game.

Buy Vs. Rent:

It's possible to beat this game in one rent so if you're hard up for cash that would work but I recommend a purchase just due to the fact that you'll probably want to replay missions just for the fun of it.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 02/17/06