Call of Duty

http://www.callofduty.com
The venerable WW2 shooter genre is, amazingly enough, still going strong despite several superb releases in recent months.

Just when I think the perfect game in the genre is released someone always proves me wrong.

In this case Activision and Infinity Ward have teamed up to provide gamers with the greatest single-player experience since Gordon Freeman invaded our monitors several years ago.

Call of Duty puts players in all the hotspots of WW2, made famous in movies and books alike.

The scene from Enemy at the Gates of conscripts crossing the Volga ... you're part of it.

The climatic actions from Band of Brothers ... you're in them.

The fighting to hold Pegasus Bridge immortalised in Stephen Ambrose's work of the same name ... right there as well.

Call of Duty is an amazingly detailed example of what game developers can get up to when they strive for (and are allowed to reach) excellence.

It is without doubt my PC game of the Christmas holidays and a must buy for any fan of the WW2 or military shooter genre.

Blitzkrieg

http://www.cdv-blitzkrieg.de/english/index1.htm

Blitzkrieg is an RTS with a difference, having no requirement for players to build facilities and gather resources.

Instead, Blitzkrieg is a game that allows players to follow one of three major WW2 campaigns, taking command of the Allies, Germans or the Russians.

The campaign management is simple but still has enough scope to allow players to select from random battles or be forced into an historical encounter.

At the beginning of the campaign, players are allocated a corps element of troops.

At the end of each battle, surviving corps units can gain experience, be promoted and update existing equipment.

As well as the wealth of campaigns available, Blitzkrieg has several multiplayer options.

The graphics are very well done, with a lot of detail put into the equipment being used.

Buildings are well detailed and battle damage to structures and the environment is well handled.

Players are provided with a panoramic view and have full control of the camera angle.

The interface takes some getting used to and can feel unwieldy at times, especially when you watch an entire force get wiped out as you desperately try and get them to go to ground.

There is plenty of information available on screen to monitor unit status.

All in all, Blitzkrieg is a step away from the usual RTS genre and has a good mix of unit management and tactical engagements to keep players totally engrossed.

Rainbow Six 3

http://www.rainbowsix3.com/uk/home.php

Halo's reign as the definitive XBox title may have just fallen and reports are that a team of four black-clad shooters have knocked the Master Chief from his perch.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow operatives are back in a game specifically made for the console rather than just a port of the PC version.

The instantly recognisable Rainbow feel is in the game but it has some major differences.

Players are now restricted to one team of four and play as Ding Chavez throughout the campaign (unfortunately Aussie Timothy Hanley is nowhere to be seen).

The same menus exist but some options are limited - there is no more agonising for hours over camouflage choice.

When the game kicks in, players can still plan their own assault path or try one of the stock options before stacking up outside the stronghold.

Gameplay is the biggest difference.

The game is optimised for console controller use, but it still takes some getting used to.

More important is the game's use of voice commands.

Available in a pack with a Gucci rainbow headset, the team can be controlled via voice commands in both single and multiplayer games.

I have to admit my kids think I'm a nut when I'm talking to the TV but it sure beats hunting for the right button.

I also have to give a plug to the AI, friendly and tango, your teammates are smart and will behave quite realistically ... so do the enemy.

If you have XBox Live, Rainbow Six 3 will become your new home, you can also use your Live headset for the game and buy the cheaper game-only version for the same experience.

Rainbow Six 3 is heralding the new wave of XBox games ... if this is any indication, we've got a great couple of years ahead of us.

The Italian Job

http://www.eidos.co.uk/

While hooning in rally cars is one thing, doing it a Mini is something else. A spin off from the movie released earlier this year, The Italian Job is a fun driving game that allows a bit of competitive mayhem.

Evenly-matched cars result in driver skills (and a bit of luck) leading the charge as players attempt to flee LA with a boot load of loot.

The game recreates the environment from the movies and the sense of speed in these little cars is just amazing.

The Great Escape

http://www.thegreatescapegame.com/home.asp

One of the lingering scenes from great war movies has to be Steve McQueen's motorbike leap during The Great Escape.

In fact, it is quite surprising it has taken this long to turn it into a game.

Developed by SCi Games, The Great Escape is loosely based on the movie.

It recreates some famous scenes like the bike chase but in reality it's another Medal of Honor-inspired WW2 shooter; not that it's considered a bad thing.

The player takes on the persona of four different characters throughout the game and can use the standard range of WW2 weaponry to deal death to the Nazi scum that inhabit the game world.

It's also available on other platforms.

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