"Fresh Take on a Classic Genre"

The Nintendo DS is not one of the best platforms for a FPS (first person shooter) genre game. This is due to the unconventional control style, multiple screens, and lack of a powerful engine to support great graphic quality. All of this aside, n-Space and Activision have done a fair job in creating a suitable portable version of the popular Call of Duty franchise.

Gameplay: 8/10

This is the core concept in a FPS game on any platform of any sorts. The DS gameplay varies of that of other FPS game as the unique, yet popular platform required some adaptations. The FPS genre is still present in this game, but it is more unconventional than the usual, standard formula. The game is heavily impacted by the control style, but I will get to that in detail later.

The basic single player mission style gameplay is similar to that of the other Modern Warfare games. The basic story is there to keep you interested and makes you feel as if you are doing something valuable, on a global scale. The missions are shorter, to adapt to the on-the-go, portable type gaming. The checkpoints are often and the three difficulty settings give varying players a chance to get used to the FPS genre on the Nintendo DS. Regarding difficulty, the levels can be quite challenging, especially at the end, however it is all in good fun and is really a great challenge. The added collection bonus system adds a sense of replayability to the formula, adding some playtime to a relatively short campaign mode.

The multiplayer section of the gameplay category is an up for grabs type thing. The multiplayer options range from local play to online worldwide play. At times, it can be laggy and slow, but when it is good it is great. The classic online gameplay on DS is really a great feat and should be recognized as such. The entire system is reminiscent of the console versions, but is still primitive when compared side to side with the console versions, but that is an unfair evaluation. Bringing this sort of gameplay on the Nintendo DS is quite impressive, given the limitations that are really obstructive to developers.

Aesthetics: 8/10

The graphics for an average FPS game are usually required to be very precise and fast, to keep up with the frantic style gameplay. Off of this criteria, I am sad to say that this Call of Duty game does not live up to the graphical potential that it could have achieved. Other games on the DS have better graphics, but do not have to sustain the frame rate and movement speed of this select game. All of this aside, the graphical detail in this game is clearly lacking, but not so much as it is unbearable. It may be slightly hindering, given the genre, but to no real extent are the graphics horrible; they are actually fairly decent. Various environments such as, dense jungles, desolate tundra and transport ships are an impressive bunch altogether. This is a minor section of the entire gaming formula, and should not be given too much thought and criticism.

The sound and music for this game is quite realistic and ands to an overall grandeur and epic feel to the game. The gunshots, explosions and dialogue are realistic and add to the sense of a gunfight in the various environments presented in the game. The sound effects seem to come from everywhere at once and can feel very realistic, especially with headphones (recommended). The epic background music adds a layer of suspense and keeps you engaged throughout the adventure. When the action gets tense, the music ramps up in intensity, which feels quote cool in a suspense and action-filled game.

Controls: 8/10

Given the very unique gaming platform and the various hardware limitations, I applaud the developers for giving their best efforts in this section, but the overall result is the fault of hardware and development combined. The hardware, with its two touch screens and lack of buttons, requires the developers to put an analog sick in the form of a stylus and the other as the Control Pad. This unconventional style works out decently well for the first hour, but when your hand starts to cramp there is no alternative. The control scheme takes some time to get used to, and the actions on the touch screen take some time to use, which can mean the difference between life and death at times. Switching weapons, chucking grenades, and interacting with objects is somewhat awkward, but the overall movement and shooting controls work very well. The analog stick substitute works fluidly and can get used to. The lack of a prone position option (flat on the floor) is odd, but crouching, standing and sprinting works very well.

Summary

This game is the classic FPS formula in a portable version on one of the most unique consoles we have seen. I commend the developers for their effort and to their benefit I really enjoy this game. I recommend this for anyone who enjoys his or her DS and is a fan of the FPS genre. Good luck soldier!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 05/31/11

Game Release: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare - Mobilized (US, 11/10/09)