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Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Tides of War Review |
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Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Tides of War
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Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Tides of War is an improved port of the PC version, Return to Castle Wolfenstein which boasts many impovmements, not least a 7 mission prequel campaign, a new weapon (The shotgun), co-operative campaign mode and tweaked level design, which is the result of playtesting on the PC version. This is not to be confused with the PS2 Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Operation Resurection, which is a straight port of the PC version and has no online play. As an added extra, it also includes the original Wolfenstein 3D, as a bonus for completing the game.
The game takes place in many locales, including an Egytian town, a crypt, and the actual Castle Wolfenstein (Incredibly atmospheric, the bones and torture equipment makes you wonder what actually goes on here). The missions are linked by cut scenes, which aren't excessively long, but do let you know what is going on. At first, missions are fairly easy, but rapidly progress to harder missions. Four difficulty levels are on offer, named in classic ID fashion. I chose the second hardest difficulty, which is hard, but not too frustrating. Weapons and health are carried over from one mission to the next, so if you end a mission low on ammo or health, you may want to replay the mission, to get a better chance at succeeding on the next.
Levels were simple, but well designed. It is hard to get lost, but the levels still provide adequate cover and space to manouver. The levels look quite realistic, and have nice textures and detail. The graphics are a bit lighter than the demo, and a gamma control is available, so don't be put off by dark graphics. Some screenshots also look jagged, but in game, there are few jagged edges. The sounds also add a lot to the atmosphere. Shouts from german soldiers ecco through catacombs, and gun fire from a distance sounds good. Some of the weapon sounds don't sound too good at close range, however, and while the voice acting wasn't bad, it could have been better. A slight auto-aim is included, which can be turned off. It sometimes interferes with getting head shots, but tracks targets.
The AI was decent, but nothing like Halo's level of AI. Enemy soldiers will prefer to seek new positions rather than walk out and get shot. Snipers will stay at their post and try to avoid closing in. Sometimes the AI will find a way to get behind you, or surprise you from an angle that you think is safe. Even if it isn't the best AI ever, it still isn't predictable, and often surprises. A nice variety of weapons are on offer, from standard MP40s, .45 pistols, Mauser rifles, grenades and machine guns that were actually used in the war, to a few less conventional, and to my knowledge, fictional, weapons, such as the Venom Machine Gun and Tesla cannon. The game essentially has two types of levels, some Doom style levels, where you fight a lot of zombies and other creatures, usually in dark confined spaces, and some levels where you will fight more conventional enemies in military and civilian buildings. I prefer fighting normal soldiers, but at least it makes a change.
The multiplayer game is fairly different from the single player game. System link and Xbox Live play are supported, the latter probably being more practical. Players can choose to be one of four classes, each with different abilities. The Lieutenant carries ammo, and can drop it to provide other characters with more ammo. He can also call in air and artillery strikes to outside targets, which can be vital in breaking through a defence. The soldier carries the biggest weapons and more ammo than anyone else. Except for this, they have no special abilities. The medic can revive and heal team mates, and the engineer is required for placing and arming/disarming dynamite. All of the multi-player modes are team games. It was a disappointment that they didn't include a death-match, but team games are great as long as everyone plays properly. In multi-player, realism is emphasised more than in the single player game. All players die in a few hits, and blast radiuses of explosive weapons are larger. Large weapons also slow you down. While I like realistic games, I'm not sure if everyone would like this. Still, it remains fair, since everyone is the same, and I can't see it ruining the game for anyone.
This is a great title, with a solid single player mode, and a great online mode. It is also one of the only first person shooters to get Xbox Live play, which is great for users of the service. I think it is one of the best games on the Xbox, and definately worth picking up if you like first person shooters at all.
Review By: Flid_Merchant
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