Cold Winter - PS2

Cloistered in our hi-tech bunker, we often think about how much the world of espionage actually resembles the version we are offered in the vast amounts of spy books, spy films and spy games that have piled up over the years. Consider that Bond creator Ian Fleming was actually involved with the secret service: all those smart suits, posh parties, sexy cars, seduction and gambling - did that sort of thing really go on? Does it now?

Does it matter? The important thing is that it makes a pretty good video game, and the latest spy-related offering comes from the direction of developers Swordfish, and is published by Vivendi Universal. Eschewing the glitz and glamour of Bond’s world though, Cold Winter is a pretty gritty affair. Nor, strictly speaking, do you play a spy. The beginning of the game sees your character on death row in the People’s Republic of China, double crossed by a double agent and disowned by his government. You are the very Britishly named Andrew Sterling, an ex-SAS man who after long service in Great Britain’s premier fighting force became a government sanctioned hit man, or ‘featherman’.

Philosophically, Sterling prepares to receive what seems to be his fate, but escapes courtesy of some prompt and loyal assistance by an old friend who served with him in Columbia. This chap now runs a private security company, and as you have no future in the British Services, obligingly puts you on his books. It isn’t long before you are packed off to eliminate an arms dealer who trades with terrorists. As the plot unfolds, you’ll find that nobody is exactly who you thought they were.

A First Person Shooter, Cold Winter leads you from Chang Political Prison in China to North Africa, where you will explore a scary world of lawless warlords, arms traders and terrorists. The rich environments feature real world physics, and you can manipulate large objects to work to your advantage as cover. No self respecting shooter can hold its head up if it doesn’t feature satisfying zone-specific body damage and rag-doll physics these days. Cold Winter delivers these, and as well as including grisly features like the ability to search the dead, the game will challenge you with realistic enemy AI – foes will take cover, call for reinforcements or charge you when cornered. You can enjoy the game with your friends too, either playing four player split screen, or going online. Available only on PS2, interesting storyline and environments make this spy thriller stand out over your more run-of-the-mill FPS.
more