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Commandos 3: Destination
Berlin The Business Of War
Game developers never get tired of World War II. In spite of the oversaturated market, they’re constantly re-inventing variations of overused war scenarios to grab your attention. Just when you’ve decided that you’ve had enough of storming Normandy or defending Stalingrad from every conceivable angle for the millionth time, in steps PyroStudios and their latest offering, Commandos3: Destination Berlin. For starters, the Commandos series isn’t your regular F.P.S. (First Person Shooter). Set in World War II, you are required to painstakingly micro manage a team of 6 commandos through each stage of the Allied counteroffensive, be it a covert reconnaissance mission deep behind enemy lines, a rescue operation or a full frontal assault. Stealth and cunning are generally preferred over brute force in most missions as the latter is seldom effective. This time, as the title of the game suggests, you are to guide your commandos to the very heart of the Third Reich, Berlin. The opening animated menu screen, coupled with the introductory music sets the mood for some patriotic Nazi extermination. Unlike its predecessors, there are now 3 campaigns instead just 1 to choose from. Additionally, the game tutorial now exists as a stand-alone feature from the campaigns. However, the campaigns are significantly shorter with only 4 missions each. With Destination Berlin, Pyro Studios tries to link the missions in each campaign with a storyline but fails to do so convincingly as the mission sequence does not seem to follow any structure. It creeps about aimlessly, only progressing because something or another happened during the previous mission. There was never any plan for a mission in Berlin, your commandos just happened to be there because you were brought there to be detained as a P.O.W. after being apprehended in a Nazi ambush in the previous mission. Imagine tediously guiding those elite commandos through hell and back only for the game design to throw you a sinister curveball, undermining your time and efforts. Yes, the game does continue, but I couldn’t help feeling slightly disorientated and frustrated. The game tutorial is much clearer in the latest instalment of the Commandos series with a narrator guiding you along. However, it lacks detail covering only basic game interface options while leaving out specifics. Thankfully, the learning curve is less daunting as controls have been simplified significantly from the earlier versions. Game interface has also changed drastically. The side bar where you execute all your commando actions has now been shifted across the bottom of the screen. Lately, it seems that more game developers have been positioning the game interface in such a manner - across the bottom of the screen - perhaps to try and emulate Blizzard Entertainment’s success with its Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos game interface. Although players new to Commandos will find the learning process less daunting, seasoned players will be frustrated as these same simplified controls also result in slower response time. For example, you cannot switch between weapons as quickly as before using the hotkeys. A quick response for this game is crucial as it determines the difference between pumping a full clip of ammunition into the enemy’s chest, and having one from the Nazi camp being pumped into yours. Despite the graphics team in Pyro Studios having done a tremendous job with the graphics of the mission environments, the game interface sabotages their hard work with its rigid camera views. In outdoor environments, the camera only has 4 viewing angles. This becomes a problem when your commando’s position is blocked by a building, or when some enemies who could potentially ruin the mission are hidden from sight. The camera for internal environments isn’t much better either. Despite being able to rotate a full 360 degrees, the walls still seem to interfere with your line of sight, especially maps in internal environments with 2 levels. The game would also have been better if there were more incentive for players to explore the maps. Sure, the graphics will blow your mind away, but other than that, there aren’t many interactive elements that would be worth the risk of japordizing the mission to explore. In certain missions, you are only required to navigate half the map to accomplish the objective. And it can get boring when multiple missions are being played on the same map. Still, the cut scenes are a sight to behold. The counter offensive at Normandy, or the Green Beret wielding a heavy-duty machine gun as an anti-air weapon would impress even the worst critics. If you’ve played Commandos 2, you’d have noticed that only 6 of the original 9 commandos are featured. Services of the Green Beret, Sapper, Diver, Sniper, Thief and Spy are retained. While the Driver, Seductress and Thief’s dog have been left out, presumably killed in the call of duty or behind enemy lines. A smart sacrificial move by Pyro Studios as it doesn’t risk diluting the commandoes who are more special. For example, now only the Sniper can use a sniper rifle where previously, the Seductress could also operate the weapon. Now every commando can haul a grenade where previously, the ability was exclusive to the Sapper. You’d wonder why they couldn’t perform such a simple task in the earlier instalments. The Thief has finally grown bolder and can now tie and gag enemies. Players who favour a particular character may be disappointed at the preferential treatment given to certain commandos . The Diver’s only significant appearance is in a specialised mission to blow up Nazi war vessels stationed at a dock, while the Green Beret is a vital feature in almost every mission. Another first in the Commandos series with Destination Berlin is its online multiplayer deathmatch, where up to 12 players engage in a fight to the death. This may not be as entertaining as the campaign missions but is nonetheless a fresh addition to the Commandos series. Although some fans may be disappointed with minor flaws in the game, the prognosis for the survival of Commandos 3: Destination Berlin is good having done what most other games aren’t able to do by grabbing your attention with its unique style of gameplay. You won’t grow tired of it that easily. System requirements: System requirements for network play: Rating: |
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