Call of Duty 2: Big Red One (Collector's Edition)
Posted February 23, 2006
The latest WWII thriller to hit consoles, "Call of Duty: Big Red One" is the first instance in recent memory where I've really liked a game that is quite linear (including some on-rails parts), simply because the pace and intensity of the gameplay is utterly remarkable and manages to keep the energy level up throughout. The game's approach isn't without some faults, but it works more often than not.
Gameplay:
The game focuses on a group of soldiers in the Fighting First division during WWII battles. The game skips around these battles in different countries (including Europe, Africa and Germany), but does provide a chapter introduction and map details, as well as some newsreel footage. You and your fellow soldiers head into battle and, with the chaos going on around you, the objectives - which change as the missions advance - always remain clear.
The game's missions are incredibly immersive, with superb use of audio to surround the player in a barrage of effects and ambience. The missions also offer a nice mixture of different gameplay elements, such as some that go from driving to on-foot. Also, there are also aircraft missions that are well-handled. Additionally, the game often takes things to the next level - for example, not only do you take out the gunners on a flak cannon on an airstrip, you then man the cannon in order to take down enemy aircraft. The game's other highlight is that events generally don't feel like scripted events; they're integrated into gameplay quite smoothly.
The game's difficulty is satisfying, in my opinion - the game remained challenging, and yet, not enough to be frustrating. Although I moments where the AI of the friendly soldiers seemed off (walking into the fray and standing there instead of ducking for cover, getting in my way or firing and missing a bit too much), they mostly held up well, fanning out and approaching the enemy with caution. The developers have provided excellent voice acting and dialogue for your fellow players, so these do feel like rather well-developed characters.
The enemy AI also has their iffy moments, but they're generally no slouch, either, as they mostly take cover appropriately, although there are times when they do try to rush you. However, a concern is that there are times when enemies appear to go down, then start to get up and fire again.
Controls are pretty standard, with the left trigger used to look into the gun sights and the right trigger to fire, while up/down buttons change weapons and the X button throws grenades (the last part being the only issue, as I had some instances where I threw grenades accidentally.) Ammo (and there are a wide variety of weapons here, from pistols to machine guns to bazookas and things in-between) is pretty easy to find, as are health packs. The game's checkpoints are pretty close together, with few exceptions.
XBOX Live and system-link multi-player (interestingly, no offline multiplayer) are also available. As for Live, Quickmatch allows players to see available games that are currently in-play and join up. Optimatch allows players to tailor the experience (game type, number of players, map, etc.) to their liking. Players can also create a match. Game types include the usual, such as deathmatch, capture the flag, and team deathmatch. Live gameplay generally seemed respectable, although it didn't grab me quite as much as I'd hoped, as gameplay seemed somewhat lacking in urgency/intensity, and I did notice some mild lag at times. Still, map design was mostly admirable, with quite a few places to hide.
Finally, the "Collector's Edition" also includes interviews with the voice actors (many from "Band of Brothers"), a "behind-the-scenes" documentary, multiplayer map tips/tricks (looking into a few of the maps) and historical accounts from the real Big Red One soldiers. The game is recommended, although this Collector's Edition isn't quite worth the extra $10.
Graphics:
While not entirely dazzling graphically, "Call of Duty 2: Big Red One" is still often quite a beautiful presentation. There is often an astonishing amount of action going on at any one time, such as moments with planes flying overhead, tanks firing and soldiers running every which way. Even with all of this going on, the framerate only very infrequently gets sluggish. One of the game's best points is that, despite the fact that you are frequently headed down a narrow path, the events still feel epic.
The environments and characters show a very fine (although not quite exceptional) amount of detail, and the explosions are presented with scary intensity, as dirt flies everywhere and buildings fly apart. Dark scenes appeared a bit too dark at times, which makes things unnecessarily difficult. Overall, an above-average visual presentation.
Audio:
There should be a note on the game box that states that the game cannot be fully experienced without 5.1 audio. The game's Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is downright astonishing, and stands out as easily one of the best (if not the best) 5.1 soundtrack I've ever experienced in a game - beyond that, this soundtrack easily stands up to feature film soundtracks. Totally and completely immersive, there is a constant assault of various ambient sounds and sound effects coming from the surrounds, and sound effects pack a downright amazing punch. Audio quality is excellent, as dialogue and music seemed well-recorded, while effects sound breathtaking: explosions pack enough bass to shake the foundation and other effects sound crystal clear. This is certainly demo quality, and loud enough to wake the neighbors.
Conclusion:
"T" (Teen) for blood, mild language and violence.
Final Thoughts: An enjoyable, very cinematic WWII shooter, "Call of Duty 2: Big Red One" is an impressive entry into the genre, delivering constant, intense action. The somewhat narrow path surprisingly doesn't make gameplay suffer during gameplay, it may (although certainly not entirely) limit replay value a bit. The game's graphics are quite good, but the audio is absolutely tremendous. XBOX Live multiplayer gameplay is basically enjoyable, as well. Recommended.
Gameplay:
The game focuses on a group of soldiers in the Fighting First division during WWII battles. The game skips around these battles in different countries (including Europe, Africa and Germany), but does provide a chapter introduction and map details, as well as some newsreel footage. You and your fellow soldiers head into battle and, with the chaos going on around you, the objectives - which change as the missions advance - always remain clear.
The game's missions are incredibly immersive, with superb use of audio to surround the player in a barrage of effects and ambience. The missions also offer a nice mixture of different gameplay elements, such as some that go from driving to on-foot. Also, there are also aircraft missions that are well-handled. Additionally, the game often takes things to the next level - for example, not only do you take out the gunners on a flak cannon on an airstrip, you then man the cannon in order to take down enemy aircraft. The game's other highlight is that events generally don't feel like scripted events; they're integrated into gameplay quite smoothly.
The game's difficulty is satisfying, in my opinion - the game remained challenging, and yet, not enough to be frustrating. Although I moments where the AI of the friendly soldiers seemed off (walking into the fray and standing there instead of ducking for cover, getting in my way or firing and missing a bit too much), they mostly held up well, fanning out and approaching the enemy with caution. The developers have provided excellent voice acting and dialogue for your fellow players, so these do feel like rather well-developed characters.
The enemy AI also has their iffy moments, but they're generally no slouch, either, as they mostly take cover appropriately, although there are times when they do try to rush you. However, a concern is that there are times when enemies appear to go down, then start to get up and fire again.
Controls are pretty standard, with the left trigger used to look into the gun sights and the right trigger to fire, while up/down buttons change weapons and the X button throws grenades (the last part being the only issue, as I had some instances where I threw grenades accidentally.) Ammo (and there are a wide variety of weapons here, from pistols to machine guns to bazookas and things in-between) is pretty easy to find, as are health packs. The game's checkpoints are pretty close together, with few exceptions.
XBOX Live and system-link multi-player (interestingly, no offline multiplayer) are also available. As for Live, Quickmatch allows players to see available games that are currently in-play and join up. Optimatch allows players to tailor the experience (game type, number of players, map, etc.) to their liking. Players can also create a match. Game types include the usual, such as deathmatch, capture the flag, and team deathmatch. Live gameplay generally seemed respectable, although it didn't grab me quite as much as I'd hoped, as gameplay seemed somewhat lacking in urgency/intensity, and I did notice some mild lag at times. Still, map design was mostly admirable, with quite a few places to hide.
Finally, the "Collector's Edition" also includes interviews with the voice actors (many from "Band of Brothers"), a "behind-the-scenes" documentary, multiplayer map tips/tricks (looking into a few of the maps) and historical accounts from the real Big Red One soldiers. The game is recommended, although this Collector's Edition isn't quite worth the extra $10.
Graphics:
While not entirely dazzling graphically, "Call of Duty 2: Big Red One" is still often quite a beautiful presentation. There is often an astonishing amount of action going on at any one time, such as moments with planes flying overhead, tanks firing and soldiers running every which way. Even with all of this going on, the framerate only very infrequently gets sluggish. One of the game's best points is that, despite the fact that you are frequently headed down a narrow path, the events still feel epic.
The environments and characters show a very fine (although not quite exceptional) amount of detail, and the explosions are presented with scary intensity, as dirt flies everywhere and buildings fly apart. Dark scenes appeared a bit too dark at times, which makes things unnecessarily difficult. Overall, an above-average visual presentation.
Audio:
There should be a note on the game box that states that the game cannot be fully experienced without 5.1 audio. The game's Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is downright astonishing, and stands out as easily one of the best (if not the best) 5.1 soundtrack I've ever experienced in a game - beyond that, this soundtrack easily stands up to feature film soundtracks. Totally and completely immersive, there is a constant assault of various ambient sounds and sound effects coming from the surrounds, and sound effects pack a downright amazing punch. Audio quality is excellent, as dialogue and music seemed well-recorded, while effects sound breathtaking: explosions pack enough bass to shake the foundation and other effects sound crystal clear. This is certainly demo quality, and loud enough to wake the neighbors.
Conclusion:
"T" (Teen) for blood, mild language and violence.
Final Thoughts: An enjoyable, very cinematic WWII shooter, "Call of Duty 2: Big Red One" is an impressive entry into the genre, delivering constant, intense action. The somewhat narrow path surprisingly doesn't make gameplay suffer during gameplay, it may (although certainly not entirely) limit replay value a bit. The game's graphics are quite good, but the audio is absolutely tremendous. XBOX Live multiplayer gameplay is basically enjoyable, as well. Recommended.