Call of Duty 2

Well, I was always interested to play Call of Duty sequels, first of all, I would like to say that "United Offensive" was awesome, but that's not what we are talking about here. There's not much to say about this game, except that it was good in it's own way. I think that first Call of Duty had excellent story and game play, and to mention that high voltage action... this game has weaker story, but of course, better graphics, nothing surprising there. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of good action scenes, pretty well done and there are some thrilling moments in the game, but I gotta be honest I found the first COD better. Again, you play with Americans, British and Russians, I loved all of them, especially Russians, I don't know why, maybe they have more intense and more thrilling missions. But, don't listen to me, try it for yourself, maybe you'll like it more. And you're definitely will not be disappointed. Well, of course, if you enjoy plays World War 2 first person shooters.

This was my first 360 game and it did not disappoint. Although it hasn't used the 360's full arsenal of high tech abilities it has everything you need for an extremely enjoyable FPS (first person shooter) This hasn't incorporated any special button trickery and is pretty straight forwards from unwrapping to fragging, so its good to have a friend over for a game as well! The details in the graphics are amazing too, and i found my self in awe at some of the battles unfolding before my eyes, and no cheesy cut scenes, your in there, watching everything as it happens, trying to get to cover and trying to get out of harms way.

Thats another thing this game has, it feels real, i know you can get shot a few times and not die, but i don't mean realistic, i mean it feels like your in the battle.

When a tank rolls in you want to get out the way, you fear that turret of death, you slowly come to associate with the band of brothers around you and come to hate the Nazi's. When you see a MG32 nest slaughtering your mates, you feel for them and get out of whatever pit your hiding in and start shooting. This is the only game I've found myself feeling slightly scared at how worked up it makes me feel.

The multi player game is great fun, although no amount of skill can save you from the sheer luck that seems to befall you, which comes into play in single player as well. there's just a few frantic moments in this game which really annoy me, silly little things like your gun moving slower than the guy running away from your sights, like about to be diving into cover when discovering you have been stuck on some random object which gets you killed. Also the amount of times that the enemy knows your there gets a bit disheartening, especially when your on hard mode and have five angry Huns armed with large calibre rifles knowing your every move.

Other than these small nuisances, this is a fantastic game, with the most realistic smoke effects I've ever seen. And you can have an amazing array of tactics and freedom through it as well, either smoking and running in, or flanking your enemies, your allies seem to respond instinctively to what your trying to achieve and help you with it, whilst your enemies too, slowly adapt to your strategies.

Its also great in the fact that your not a super human soldier, you can die in as many shots as your enemies can, and are as likely to get hit by a wry grenade as any other grunt, but have the ability to regenerate. This is great as it means you don't feel like some sort of super soldier, but one of the lads getting done over by your enemies, yet you seem to have a real impact on battles, despite being so mortal.

There are also some great scenes, such as a level where you are falling back, fighting your enemy until compromised then falling back to the next position until your at your last stand. Then another scene where you are to hold out on top of a hill you will end up loathing, and loving. All of these are amazingly well done, with a running commentary from several of your friends voices that become familiar and comforting throughout the game.

This game might not have the best graphics, or the most original storyline or situations, you might even be quite limited in your range of movements on the battlefield, but this game has something others don't. Its literally like being in a film, but having an active role, although it is let down by some unsavoury moments involving bunkers and inescapable grenades that make you want to scream, its a riot of fun too, whether your looking for a solid FPS to frag on or something to mess about on with your mates, this will have it.

It even has some replay value, just for certain battles though.

First off, I know I am only asking to have people dislike my review as I am going against the grain and when one tends to do that to a video game none of your points are taken. They see you do not rank their favorite game until the sequel comes out low, and this for reasons tear a person up inside. I like Final Fantasy games, but I do not care if others do to the point of dismissing that person's opinion all together. Still, I know what I am in for, but I shall press on and say, this game just did not make for an enjoyable game playing experience. It looked stunning, and I did enjoy it a bit at first, but it was just a game I could not get into and none of the commercials of the later games makes me want to play them.

This was one of the first games I played on the Xbox 360, which is why I initially enjoyed it. It showcased the new systems power quite well as the graphics were stunning. Very crisp to say the least. The game is your standard first person shooter, however, and this is a genre I am not a big fan of. I see why others like it, I just am not crazy about it...just as others out there hate RPGs and such. You run around with only your gun present and you are constantly being hit which in real life would be a one way ticket to a hospital or grave, but your guy can withstand quite the onslaught of bullets and shrapnel and can be completely healed by a first aid kit. If only thing progressed like this in the real world, wars would last infinitely as long as conveniently placed first aid kits and ammo was scattered throughout the world. The game is divided into different areas and you take on the role of a different soldier in each level or front of a World War II battle. You have a different goal each time, and this is probably another reason why I did not care for the game as much as others. I prefer to have a more interconnecting story. Here you must battle in one place and another as a different person each time. I do not know why this did not work for me, I am a bit insane if that helps explain.

All through the game you are killing others in this very detailed environment. It is a bit strange that this Call of Duty game is rated T rather than M. I am also not a big fan of first person shooters where you kill other soldiers. I prefer an alien or monster force to oppose, which is why I sort of liked the first Halo game and Resistance. Very strange here as I like horror films and such, but for some reason I am just not a big fan of killing people in war situations in games. Another thing I cannot explain.

So, it was not an entirely bad game, it had some good points and I certainly see why so many enjoy this game and the series even. This just is not for me is all and I have to rank it according to my enjoyment. It was fun for awhile, but it did not last and thus why I never have and most likely never will play any of the newer games. That and they rely more on online play which I am also not a big fan of. I prefer doing games solo and the game providing me entertainment with its story and missions, not ones I and a group of strangers has to create. I prefer the old school classic games these days to most of the newer stuff being produced, once again just an opinion and a sign I am getting old...now I am sad, but this game is not. If you like FPS games then give it a try, if not steer clear.

Call of Duty 2 As someone who grew up with the Call of Duty series as a child, I must say that Call of Duty 2 is one of the best World War II-related games in the series. The gameplay and gunplay of the game is still fun. The variety of missions in the game is fantastic and some of the best missions in this series can be experienced in this game. However, the gameplay is not perfect, and weaknesses such as the artificial intelligence of enemies and allies, as well as the average quality of the Soviet campaign can be a little annoying. The technical and artistic graphics of the game may be annoying for 2022, but it is suitable for 2005 and in my opinion, there is nothing wrong with it. The game's ambient sound is fantastic and can completely give you a sense of being on the battlefield The voice actors of the game also did their job well 9/10.

When I got my 360 for Xmas, this was the only game I received. I'd pleaded with my Mum not to get it mixed up with 'Big Red One' for the original Xbox, and I was overjoyed when she hadn't.

Pros:

Graphics-The detail, lighting, and effects on this game are amazing! the dust and smoke from the explosions, the flashing red screen when you've been shot, the grainy sand of the desert towns, the rock faces and water effects at Normandy....all of these amount to make one of the greatest looking games I've ever seen.

Sound effects- These were excellent too. The crashes of the explosions, the piercing gunshots as you move round the corner, the spit of the bullets as they crash into the scenery behind you all add to a great feeling of authenticity.

A.I-the Artificial intelligence has improved this time round. Your squad-mates know when and where to provide covering fire, alert you to hidden enemies or tanks....a considerable yet not significant upgrade.

Cons:

Repetition- Again, its just shooting and more shooting, punctuated occasionally by planting sticky bombs on tanks and distracting enemies with smoke grenades.

Setting- I know this is Call of Duty and it's set during WWII, but the 1940s setting is beginning to drag on a bit. Perhaps you could play as one of the Axis officers, or maybe they could make a Call of Duty set in the future....who knows?

Overall: A vast improvement on Finest Hour, so in my opinion, this gets 9/10.