PC Review Reviews Gaming Call of Duty II



This could very easily have fallen apart if the enemy AI during 'normal play' wasn't quite up to scratch. Many a gaming title has fallen from grace because of a poor enemy AI routine. In Call of Duty II, your enemies will not merely stand and wait to be cut down, instead they will take cover, attempt to flank you, and even try to suppress you while their comrades toss in a grenade. Equally as impressive are your fellow squad mates, who will have no qualms in storming buildings and bunkers with aplomb. The amount of 'dumb moments' where your team mates will refuse to react to oncoming hordes are thoroughly cut down to zero and each will take up the best position, and perform the best action suited to the task in hand.

These tasks however are very much by the numbers. Storm a bunker, take control of a machine gun nest, or defend a fortification long enough to be relieved are the main bulk of what will occur throughout the games 27 missions (spread across 3 campaigns), The action is broken up by short stints of on-rail sections, and a brief spell as a British tank commander, but these are short lived, and in all honesty, of a much poorer standard to the rest of the game. As enjoyable as commanding a tank out in the desert can be, it does not compare to clearing houses and bunkers.

Infinity Ward have once again brought us all a fantastic first person shooter experience, which covers the Allies' side of the Second World War with aplomb. Unfortunately the success of the first title seems to have only gone and initiated a game that is purely more of the same, rather than a new and improved gaming experience. But to criticise anyone for denying the opportunity for their legions of fans to get their grubby hands on what they crave would be an incredibly harsh thing to do. Despite my slight misgivings, Call of Duty II not only stands as the best example of how enjoyable a Second World War based shooter can truly be, but also comes close to reaching that obscenely high level that Half Life 2 has set. Call of Duty II is un-doubtedly an excellent shooter, and definitely well worth a purchase. Just don’t go expecting any kind of innovation.