So beautifully designed and so wonderfully exhilarating that you must own it.
There are instant similarities between both titles. The onscreen interface, and mechanics are virtually the same but Call of Duty however, distinguishes itself by including three separate nationalities. So rather than just taking on the role of just an American soldier you will also fight from the eyes of the British and Russians as well. Not only do you receive different weaponry but also the approach to missions feels unique. The Americans blast their way through (naturally), the British are about sabotage and the Russian levels are comprised of large-scale battles.
Running on the Quake 3 engine, the game looks and sounds wonderful. Animations and explosions are simply superb, while you can almost feel the textures of the crumbling cities. The sound is equally impressive adding both tension and chaos to every shootout.
This is a level of intensity that no other shooter has provided. As bullets whiz past you, and shells go off, the tension increases and you really feel as though this is a war zone. Voice acting is strong, even though the Russians were speaking in English.
It is a straight shooter but the excitement is always there. You'll be firing from the back of a truck, attempting to hold off German tanks, or struggling to keep alive through an occupied city. Objectives are fairly simple and easy, requiring you to blow up something, steal a document or just survive for a certain amount of time. The main obstacles are your opponents who are perhaps the smartest ever seen in a videogame. They will duck for cover shoot around corners, run away from grenades and in some cases chuck them back! The game tends to lead you into a false sense of security. You'll wander down the passageway of a bunker, only to be capped by a Kraut from around the corner. On the easiest setting the game is a breeze, set it on the highest difficulty setting and the difference is instantly recognisable with enemies becoming almost inhuman with their accuracy. By sticking to both the quick saves and keeping the game on the Veteran difficulty setting you'll find COD has an extended lifespan. Occasionally the game lapses auto save making the gap between each one quite large. This was most common while playing the British campaign and made things more frustrated then it needed to be.
While the game is obviously linear it is so enjoyable all the same. You follow the compass from objective to objective but it is always through the most deadly and exciting path. Take the very first Russian level for example. You start off on a boat with your fellow comrades as the commanding officers belt out inspiring speeches and warn that if you do retreat you will be shoot. The planes buzz over raining down fire, sending everyone into a panic. When the boat pulls up onto the beach you miss out on receiving a gun and are just left with bullets. Dodging enemy fire, you must reach a sniper who gets you to run from cover to cover as bate for the Germans. The combination of intelligent scripting, action and tension all combine to offer some of the most exhilarating game play your likely to see. You will literally be on the edge of your seat in almost every mission. Running down corridors has never been so deadly, intense or this much fun. Aiding you in these assaults you receive the usual assortment of weaponry found in FPS, though each one is distinctly matched to the nationality your playing as. There is an added depth in that you can only carry one main weapon, as well as a sidearm and grenades. There are also numerous opportunities to use MG42 emplacements as well as flak cannons for taking down tanks. Much like Allied Assault there are also several missions where you ride in the back of a truck gunning down Krauts at breakneck speeds. These sections are a lot of fun, occasionally frustrating, but never boring. Later on in the game there is even an opportunity to command a Russian tank!
If you're willing to dismiss this as yet another WW2 shooter, don't! Through the technical prowess of the Quake 3 engine Call of Duty comes to life like no other war game has. Its breathtaking AI, exciting missions and intense action perfect it. Without a doubt this is a very strong contender for 'Game of the Year'. A shooter? Yes, but so beautifully designed and so wonderfully exhilarating that you must own it.
For:
+ Intense and energetic game play
+ Tremendous reworking of an old engine.
+ Excellent AI
Against:
No real introduction for each nationality.
Some missions are a little frustrating.
Verdict:
Call of Duty is a familiar by an intense and tremendously enjoyable WW2 game, not to be missed.