After months of anticipation, the Xbox 360 is finally here, and with it comes a terrific lineup of games such as Ragnarok( along with the Ragnarok high rate server) already being played by hardcore gamers across North America. The 360 already has a few shooters for gamers to choose from but which one, if any, is worth your hard-earned cash? Our first Xbox 360 game review for Call of Duty 2 should answer that question quite nicely.
Why are World War II games so insanely popular? Hell, this is the fifth World War II game I’ve reviewed this year. For some reason, they just don’t get old (well, most don’t). Infinity Ward was hard at work developing Call of Duty 2 for both the PC and Xbox 360. Now, don’t be confused between Call of Duty 2 and the recently released Call of Duty 2: Big Red One for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, and Gamecube. It is a completely separate game. Call of Duty 2 is the sequel to the original PC title, which took quite a few Game of the Year awards back when it was released. How did Call of Duty 2 turn out on the 360 and where does it stand when compared to other launch games? Read on to find out.
Gameplay
Unlike most war games, Call of Duty 2 allows gamers to get a taste of quite a few different sides of the war. Gamers will fight with the British in North Africa against Rommel, drive the Germans out of Stalingrad as you fight for the motherland, and fight as an Army Ranger on D-Day. If you’re a history buff, you should instantly recognize most if not all of the battles in Call of Duty 2. The best aspect of fighting for three different countries is the fact that gamers will get to experience new environments, such as the North African desert and ice-cold Russia, rather than the usual bombed-out European cities. I’m even willing to bet a few gamers might learn a thing or two (*gasps*). On top of the different environments, each country has unique uniforms, weapons, vehicles, and ways of calling out the enemy. For example, the Russians refer to the Germans as the Fascists, while the British will call them Jerries. As you progress through each of the three campaigns (one for each country), you’ll unlock a new one. At the beginning of the game, you can only play the Russian campaign, but after a few missions in Stalingrad, you’ll be able to jump to the British campaign. Basically, it lets you choose the missions at your leisure, which is kind of neat.
In terms of gameplay, Call of Duty 2 can best be described as a mix of Medal of Honor and Brothers in Arms, although it is more similar to the Medal of Honor franchise. After all, the founders of Infinity Ward were part of the Medal of Honor: Allied Assault team. There are no squad tactics like in Brothers in Arms, but you will rely on your squad quite a lot throughout the campaign. Your men find cover very well and generally are fairly good shots, so you won’t be stuck doing all the work. Another neat feature about your fellow men is squad chatter. Whether you’re the British, Americans, or Russians, your squad will constantly be calling out the Germans. I really liked this aspect of the game; it just added another layer to the immersion factor in this already extremely detailed and immersive game. Squad chatter also plays a vital role in your survival as your men might point out a few Krauts you weren’t aware of.
