Medal of Honor: Frontline

UPC: 014633143812

Platform: PlayStation 2

Publisher: EA Games

Developer: DreamWorks Interactive

Category: Shooter

Style(s): First-Person Shooter

Synopsis: Lt. Jimmy Patterson battles through dangerous first-person missions across enemy territory in Medal of Honor: Frontline, the series' first release for the PlayStation 2. Amidst the confusion that followed the Operation Market-Garden offensive (September 1944), the hero must infiltrate the German frontline to steal the HO-IX -- an experimental Nazi weapon that could turn the tide of the war. The game's campaign is made up of five main missions of rescue, infiltration, and sabotage, each consisting of at least three levels of action. As in other games in the Medal of Honor series, developers have gone to notable lengths to make the various elements of this release as authentic as possible. Missions are all based on actual events and the wide selection of weapons is appropriate to the setting. The game strives to create a World War II-era ambiance and was designed with the assistance of the Smithsonian's HO-IX expert Russ Lee. Capt. Dale Dye returns as technical consultant and developers worked with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to help ensure that this game "reflects the ideals and integrity" suggested by its title. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide

Package Contents: Registration Card

Controls: Joystick/Gamepad

The manual is helpful and covers all pertinent details in a thorough, though boring, fashion. ~ Mark Hoogland, All Game Guide

Not nearly as impressive as the PC version, but generally solid and bug free. ~ Mark Hoogland, All Game Guide

Electronic Arts continues their WWII saga in Medal of Honor: Frontline. Fans of the recent Medal of Honor: Allied Assault will be glad to know Frontline contains new missions and environments, though the game strongly resembles Allied Assault. You take orders from the same gruff commander, and the Allied Assault missions are referenced as well. Unfortunately, the PlayStation 2 can not match the graphical prowess and smooth controls of a PC. Controls are clunky, aiming is difficult, the world is noticeably less interactive, and the graphics are merely adequate. Still, given the dearth of shooter options for the PS2, most players will be satisfied. As in Allied Assault, Frontline's strongest level is the D-Day landing sequence -- and much is borrowed from Saving Private Ryan. The dynamic audio of Frontline dovetails nicely with the historically significant carnage of the Normandy landing. Players actually learn something about the random nature of war as they try to skirt firing lines, help other soldiers, and capture several bunkers. Soldiers are killed on every side and their anguished screams are not pleasant. It's impossible to tell where the enemy fire is coming from, or return fire. All you want to do is survive. Later missions include sneaking aboard a submarine, meeting with Dutch resistance forces, undercover operations, and a final mission deep into the heart of Nazi Germany. The basic Frontline mission seems to be a slight twist on those in Allied Assault -- they were obviously developed simultaneously, or in close conjunction. Thus, Allied Assault players may enjoy the opportunity to experience more WWII action, but they'll frequently experience d?j? vu. Frontline's mission environments are disappointing. Though they manage to communicate the war-weary surroundings of Europe, they also feel flat and drab. Players who want to jump on crates and other props will quickly discover how fake the surroundings can be. At times, mission objectives and crucial equipment is hidden under the same bogus crates, which can be quite frustrating. Fortunately, the annoying lapses in realism only minimally affect gameplay, which makes them bearable. Of greater concern are the problems with the hit detection -- far too frequently, an enemy soldier is only stunned by a bullet through the head. Predicting how many body shots an enemy can absorb before death is nearly impossible. The number seems random, and in later missions, when there's a critical need to know when someone dies, these detection issues are a major inconvenience. They also eliminate any remaining realism, unless this was intended to mimic the inaccuracy of weapons (if so, it was a bad decision). Frontline players will experience an impressive WWII world but will be constantly, painfully reminded that it's a game. At its best, however, the game manages to convey the horror and disorientation of war with disturbing success. PlayStation 2 players looking for a good shooter will be happy, but gamers with PC's should opt for Allied Assault. ~ Mark Hoogland, All Game Guide

After going through the missions once, you can return to complete them for gold medals, though not much of the gameplay changes except the difficulty level. ~ Mark Hoogland, All Game Guide

Screams, whining bullets, gravelly voices around the corner -- it's all here, and very well done. ~ Mark Hoogland, All Game Guide

PlayStation 2 players searching for a good shooter won't be disappointed, though portions of the world seem fake and unrealistic. ~ Mark Hoogland, All Game Guide

the game requires Joystick/Gamepad.