The sequel we've been crying out for? Mark drops behind enemy lines to find out...
With compelling cinematic presentation and focus on American, British and Russian soldiers fighting some of recent history's most bloody conflicts, the first Call of Duty was the standard-setting WWII shooter of 2003. A console port followed, marking the series out as one to watch, and we now have a double whammy of sequels. The console version, Big Red One, is looking to do what its forebear, Finest Hour, couldn't and match the quality of the high-spec home computer title. As far as the PC sequel goes though, Call of Duty 2 is promising to equal that and go beyond.
It's probably worth pointing out to avoid confusion that this version of Call of Duty 2 will also be appearing on Xbox 360. Current consoles would struggle to do justice to the PC version, and instead have their own completely original game, Big Red One, designed from the ground up. Simply put, it's better that than a poorly executed port. Conversely, next gen systems will exceed modern PC specs for the most advanced and sophisticated gaming experience possible. And Call of Duty 2 definitely looks to be offering just that.
The most obvious advantage Call of Duty 2 has over its rivals and current gen versions is in the visual department. In fact, that's a bit of an understatement; to say it blows away anything currently on the market wouldn't be wide of the mark. On their own merits the individual graphic elements are impressive enough, with crisp textures, detailed characters and a host of spectacular lighting effects. Where the game truly looks to triumph though is with some breathtaking set pieces that combine these elements into a truly immersive war-like experience.
Expect to be shuffling your troops into position, crouching behind rubble awaiting an ambush, then jumping out to mow down enemies.
The comparison may be as overused as the World War II setting itself, but the similarity to Saving Private Ryan really is unmistakable - and also no small plaudit. The Spielberg movie was praised for its sometimes graphic depiction of life on a battlefield, and Call of Duty 2 harnesses this aesthetic in an interactive environment for your playing pleasure.
The best example we've seen so far has to be dealing with tanks. While a game like Halo would simply see a rocket launcher trump a giant hulking metal monstrosity in a single shot, Call of Duty's 1940s setting leaves players with nowhere near that level of portable firepower. So, expect to be shuffling your troops into position, crouching behind rubble awaiting an ambush, then jumping out to mow down the passing vehicle's escort of on-foot enemies while a team mate gets in close to plant a sticky bomb on its treads. And be sure to avoid the tank's deadly gun turret or mounted cannon that are sure to put a man down in his prime.
If you think that sounds intense, you'd be right; and it's only a small fragment of the frantic, large-scale set pieces Call of Duty is famous for - and that CoD2 promises to do even bigger and better. Coupled with a tactical edge to troop movement, realistically difficult combat scenarios against massive odds, and (on everything but the easiest difficulty setting) enemies that only a head shot will bring down in one go, there are clearly few titles that pay homage to such delicate subject matter in a way so equally respectful and enjoyable.
There are clearly few titles that pay homage to such delicate subject matter in a way so equally respectful and enjoyable.
This authenticity is at the heart of what makes Call of Duty 2 such a potentially mouth-watering prospect. Even the health and directional systems share the realistic feel. Taking damage will cause your screen to flash red and audio of your soldier will reveal how wounded he is, but getting away from direct harm will allow him to regain his full strength. In terms of navigation, an on-screen compass must be monitored at all times to get your bearings within the game's massive open and frequently battle-ravaged landscapes. Seemingly every aspect aspires to realism without sacrificing the fun of playing the game. It's a balance rarely achieved in gaming, and should see COD2's single-player mode retain the critical acclaim the series strives for.
The multiplayer mode should also be a major selling point, with the games' accessible gameplay, scale and set pieces looking to translate especially well to online play. The PC version should feature up to 32 player battles, making it a worthy alternative to the sprawling online skirmishes of the Battlefield games, while on Xbox 360 CoD2 could be amongst the system's premier Live titles. At the moment the game is optimised online for around eight people comfortably at once, though refinement is under way as we speak with the hope of getting that number up to a smooth sixteen. Those without Xbox Live will also find a four player splitscreen mode running at a steady 30 frames per second.
With all that in mind, we can't help but look forward to Call of Duty 2 with eager anticipation. The series' brand name is already well respected, and the sequel just looks to be adding credibility to that reputation. If all goes well, the best war-based shooter of two years ago could well have spawned the finest of 2005.
Preview by: Mark Scott
Preview Published: 27.10.05