Game: Medal of Honor
Available Platforms: PS3 (reviewed), Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
Available Platforms: PS3 (reviewed), Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
I am generally uninterested by FPS (first-person shooter)
games about or based on ‘real’ wars because they often have a campaign which is
over in the blink of an eye. I have played a few games on different platforms
and I struggle to get into them. However, something about this latest
instalment of the Medal of Honor series that caught my eye and decided to pick
it up… and I’m so glad I did!
From the moment the game starts the atmosphere feels very different to most of the other FPS games I’ve played. This time the battlefield is Afghanistan and follows American Special Operation Soldiers fighting through claustrophobic streets after their jeep was ambushed by the Taliban.
The game play is very impressive. The HUD (heads up display) hardly intrudes into the screen, allowing you to see more of the battle because an enemy is not hidden behind your weapon and ammo information. The textures on the building also feel very realistic and the levels are well designed.
There are a few levels that feel like a COD (Call of Duty) copycat. “Belly of the Beast” involves a major battle between some American Rangers and opposing forces. It felt like it didn’t really fit into the game that well because most of the rest of the game is sneaking around in the dark with a sniper rifle and, at one point, a quad bike (love that level). Or if sneaking isn’t your cup of tea, you could always blow everything to pieces with a military helicopter.
The main difference between this and its rivals (like COD) is the feeling of respect for the real troops. The developers, Danger Close, have created a game which tells the story of the troops but also giving it the respect it deserves. And it does show it. The campaign feels realistic, not exaggerated. The game does boast that some actual Spec Ops soldiers had input into how the game feels, and it shows in-game.
There are a number of different game-play options: Campaign, Tier 1, and Multiplayer. Tier 1 is the same set of levels from the campaign but in a ‘hardcore’ challenge mode where each level is timed and recorded so you can compare your results with other players. The multiplayer is pretty much the same format as other FPS games. Maps from, or based on, the campaign and a series of different game modes. Also, the more and better you play then the more experience you gain and the more bonuses you can unlock (better weapons, laser sights, etc).
Understandably, some people have raised the issue that in the multiplayer some people have to play as the “opposing force” and shoot American troops. To be honest, it’s an inevitable part of the multiplayer experience and the game puts you onto one of the sides, you can’t choose either side to play. After all, in COD: Modern Warfare 2 there is a level when you shoot down hundreds of civilians in an airport in “No Russian” (skip this level, it’s really not worth playing if you don’t want to play it and it does give you the option to skip it before the level starts) so this type of ethical issue is not uncommon.
All in all, Medal of Honor is a great game. There were one or two little glitches which meant I had to restart a couple of levels, but it only happened a couple of times. The campaign is very good, but could still have been a little longer than it was. Despite this, this game is well worth playing, even if you are not a big FPS fan (but clearly you need to be comfortable with the setting for the game). Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a virtual military helicopter with my name on it. Have a good one!
From the moment the game starts the atmosphere feels very different to most of the other FPS games I’ve played. This time the battlefield is Afghanistan and follows American Special Operation Soldiers fighting through claustrophobic streets after their jeep was ambushed by the Taliban.
The game play is very impressive. The HUD (heads up display) hardly intrudes into the screen, allowing you to see more of the battle because an enemy is not hidden behind your weapon and ammo information. The textures on the building also feel very realistic and the levels are well designed.
There are a few levels that feel like a COD (Call of Duty) copycat. “Belly of the Beast” involves a major battle between some American Rangers and opposing forces. It felt like it didn’t really fit into the game that well because most of the rest of the game is sneaking around in the dark with a sniper rifle and, at one point, a quad bike (love that level). Or if sneaking isn’t your cup of tea, you could always blow everything to pieces with a military helicopter.
The main difference between this and its rivals (like COD) is the feeling of respect for the real troops. The developers, Danger Close, have created a game which tells the story of the troops but also giving it the respect it deserves. And it does show it. The campaign feels realistic, not exaggerated. The game does boast that some actual Spec Ops soldiers had input into how the game feels, and it shows in-game.
There are a number of different game-play options: Campaign, Tier 1, and Multiplayer. Tier 1 is the same set of levels from the campaign but in a ‘hardcore’ challenge mode where each level is timed and recorded so you can compare your results with other players. The multiplayer is pretty much the same format as other FPS games. Maps from, or based on, the campaign and a series of different game modes. Also, the more and better you play then the more experience you gain and the more bonuses you can unlock (better weapons, laser sights, etc).
Understandably, some people have raised the issue that in the multiplayer some people have to play as the “opposing force” and shoot American troops. To be honest, it’s an inevitable part of the multiplayer experience and the game puts you onto one of the sides, you can’t choose either side to play. After all, in COD: Modern Warfare 2 there is a level when you shoot down hundreds of civilians in an airport in “No Russian” (skip this level, it’s really not worth playing if you don’t want to play it and it does give you the option to skip it before the level starts) so this type of ethical issue is not uncommon.
All in all, Medal of Honor is a great game. There were one or two little glitches which meant I had to restart a couple of levels, but it only happened a couple of times. The campaign is very good, but could still have been a little longer than it was. Despite this, this game is well worth playing, even if you are not a big FPS fan (but clearly you need to be comfortable with the setting for the game). Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a virtual military helicopter with my name on it. Have a good one!
