It is, we admit, sometimes difficult to keep track of all the different World War II shooters. But Call of Duty was a pretty stand out effort, a FPS that was both arcadey and atmospheric, with a structure that eschewed giving you one player to control for the whole game in favour of a range of protagonists to play as: an American Paratrooper, a Royal Marine Commando and a Russian tank commander. If you were a fan of it at the time, back in 2003, you’ll know that it was showered with Game of ... more >>

It is, we admit, sometimes difficult to keep track of all the different World War II shooters. But Call of Duty was a pretty stand out effort, a FPS that was both arcadey and atmospheric, with a structure that eschewed giving you one player to control for the whole game in favour of a range of protagonists to play as: an American Paratrooper, a Royal Marine Commando and a Russian tank commander. If you were a fan of it at the time, back in 2003, you’ll know that it was showered with Game of the Year awards.

Last week Call of Duty 2 was released, offering more of the same theatre hopping action and allowing you to play variously as a Russian tank killer, a tank commander in the Desert Rats or a Ranger on the beaches of Normandy. In an astute tie in by publisher Activision, the release of Infinity Ward’s sequel is accompanied by this effort from Treyarch, which receives the honour of being decorated with a Call of Duty Medal.

There’s no character hopping in this version though. Quite the reverse in fact, as you become a fiercely partisan member of the legendary American division The Big Red One, which came out of the war as the most decorated US Army division of all time. Form a bond with your squad as you run the gauntlet of the European theatre of operations, fighting through North Africa, Italy, Belgium and France. Chaotic and terrifying battle scenes are the backdrop for involving squad actions, as your comrades react with sophisticated behaviour to what happens around you. Just like in the sister title, the squad system connects you intimately with the soldiers fighting by your side, and they’ll give you covering fire, take cover themselves, even distract the enemy from what you are up to. They’ll also warn you of the hazards around you, giving you forewarning of approaching enemies and incoming fire. A welcome addition to the growing CoD legacy.
<< less