The original Medal of Honor was a critical and popular success for a number of reasons. First, it was a great and gripping story based on real–world events and technologies. Secondly, Medal of Honor was a solid first–person shooter with game play carefully balanced for console play, and thirdly, a number of environmental and AI effects totally immerse you with satisfying game play. Bolstered by the success of Stephen Spielberg’s WWII epic, Saving Private Ryan, this game was one of just a few released for the PSone in oder to provide a convincing argument for console FPS’, and Medal of Honor did a fine job of pandering to our ever popular penchant for dusting those insidious Nazis.
It should come as no surprise, then, that the DreamWorks Interactive team has produced an excellent sequel featuring innovative improvements, balanced nicely with the classic game play that enthralled fans of the first iteration. Gamers familiar with the first Medal of Honor will no doubt remember Manon, a member of the French Resistance, and the "control" who helped young Jimmy Patterson through his own Nazi–ridden adventures. With her homeland occupied by the nefarious Germans, Manon is asked to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to liberate her people. The game begins in 1940, with Manon as a newly recruited member of the French Resistance. Here you’ll guide her through the course of the game until she becomes a veteran member of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Although the story begins in Paris, future missions take Manon to an Italian monastery, the streets of North Africa and even a German castle stronghold, before she returns to her hometown for a decisive battle.
Game play is nicely balanced for Sony’s Dual Shock, allowing players to control movements with either the digital or analog sticks, and features a practical, stripped–down control set that includes shooting and targeting, strafing, jumping and ducking. The analog sticks control both movement and aiming, and auto–targeting helps compensate for the less than perfect aim. The screen is uncluttered, with a handy compass acting as wayfinder, health gauge and even simplified radar — all in one. Plenty of new weapons are available, including a nifty crossbow pistol and some more decidedly heavy artillery, including the Panzerfaust, and a few mounted guns — perfect for clearing out scores of Nazis. While the graphics aren’t the best I’ve seen, every aspect is thoroughly imbued with a sense of character, creating an overall good impression. Level designs are thorough and elaborate, without resorting to the usual back–and–forth layout of so many games of this genre.
I don’t want to divulge too much, as part of what makes this game (and its predecessor) such a refreshing experience is the cinematic way in which events unfold. Still, expect to face more than just a few opponents that roll on treads, and even several airborne antagonists. Of course, certain vehicles can be commandeered, which provides some refreshingly action–packed intermissions as opposed to always keeping a low profile. One particularly good element that’s added to the thorough mixture of sneaking and shooting is Manon’s ability to disguise herself as a journalist. If Manon faces difficult odds or lacks sufficient credentials, she asks various soldiers to pose for photographs, thereby assuaging suspicions. While plenty of nicely scripted scenes take place, which include some more decidedly private moments, there’re plenty of opportunities to snap a nice mix of compromising photos for the folks back home.
This game is an excellent example of what gamers should expect from a sequel. Medal of Honor Underground more than lives up to its highly touted roots. I like the finely tuned game play, the evocative environments and that crafty AI. I appreciate the gritty realism, the generous assortment of mission types, and have I mentioned that nasty AI? The composer and sound designer from the first installment have returned, bringing with them their excellent mood–setting skills. There are a couple of similar games that surpass this one in specific departments, but few that manage to wrap it all up in such a tidy packet of gaming goodness. Gamers with a penchant for shooting, stealthiness and protecting the free world will, no doubt, find plenty to love in this finely crafted, story–driven action title.
"Medal of Honor Underground is a splendid military action title!"
