 Review By: Jared Black |
Developer: | Infinity Ward |
| Publisher: | Activision | |
| Genre: | FPS | |
| ESRB: | Teen | |
| # Of Players: | 1-16 (2-8 online) | |
| Online Play: | Yes | |
| Accessories: | System Link, Bonus DVD |
How do you follow up on a game like Call of Duty 2, which to date is still the most intense FPS on any console and one of the first true “next gen” experiences? Well, thanks to the magic of digital distribution Activision has already released several new multiplayer maps to keep fans busy until the proper sequel is released. Call of Duty 2: Game of the Year includes the original game, several video features, and access to download these new maps all in one complete package.
I’m not going to spend a lot of time going over the main part of the game, since I’ve covered it thoroughly already in my review. To sum it up though, Call of Duty 2 saw the player fighting in the Britain, Russian, or American campaigns during World War II. It was (and still is) the most brutally realistic depiction of WWII era warfare to date, and also the most immersive thanks to realistic AI, context-sensitive chatter (on both sides), dense smoke that hung in the air long after it was created, and of course impressive graphics generated by the most powerful gaming platform ever. In short, it’s still an incredible experience that continues to stand up well to the test of time.
So the full game is definitely still worth purchasing if you haven’t already, but I would strongly advise that you seek out the Game of the Year edition if you’re looking to buy. Both versions carry the same MSRP of $59.99 (although it wouldn’t surprise me to see the original discounted soon), so there’s really no reason not to seek this version out unless you’re looking for a used copy. In addition to the regular game, it also comes bundled with a separate DVD containing bonus content. This DVD includes video features including a Behind the Scenes feature, Rangers Lead the Way, Mission Walkthroughs for “The End of the Beginning” and “Repairing the Wire”, and finally an art gallery of concept art used to generate the levels and characters in the game.
The Behind the Scenes feature is fairly typical for this sort of thing, and outlines a bit of the development team’s history and the work that went into developing Call of Duty 2. Rangers Lead the Way is a historical account of Pointe Du Hoc, as told by Ranger Len “Bud” Lomell, and uses in-game footage to illustrate the events that took place on D-Day. It’s a pretty neat piece, and perfectly illustrates just how faithful the game is to the actual events that took place.
The mission walkthroughs are also entertaining. These are basically like any commentary you’d expect to see on a movie DVD, with someone playing through the “The End of the Beginning” and “Repairing the Wire” levels while the development team talks about the process behind how each came to be, what changes were made during development, strategy at key points in each level, etc. Both walkthroughs are pretty interesting looks into the work that goes into developing just one small part of an overall package, and really gives some insight into the thought processes behind some of the design decisions made. They actually answered several questions I had about the way things are in the game myself, and pointed out a number of things I had never even noticed or considered before. Finally, the art gallery is your typical gallery of concept art, and while interesting to look at is also pretty small. As a result, it probably won’t hold your attention for more than a couple of minutes.
So all of this stuff is nice, but as a gaming site what’s most important to us is the new gameplay added with this edition. Unfortunately it isn’t a whole lot, and this is really where this package falters. The only additional game content included is an Xbox Live Marketplace token used to download the Skirmish Map Pack. The content isn’t on the DVD itself due to the necessity of locking paid content to an individual profile, but this isn’t a big deal as the hassle of typing in the code (even with a clunky on-screen keyboard) is naturally preferable to actually purchasing it. Normally retailing for 400 points ($5.00), this pack includes two new multiplayer maps: Kalach and Beaumont-Hague. Kalach is a multi-level map set in Russia, and is designed primarily for sniper attacks. You’ll also get up close and personal with your enemies, as there are numerous routes throughout the level. Beaumont-Hague features open areas between groups of buildings, and is designed for ambushes (of which I suffered many I’m afraid) and mowing down players foolish enough to make a dash through the open areas. While both maps serve their purpose, I’ve personally never thought that two multiplayer maps alone are worth $5 regardless of their quality. Still, as other players purchase the content the pressure builds for you to do so as well (because you can’t play those levels otherwise), and it’s not a huge price to pay if the payoff is hours of extra online fun with your friends.
Despite this, I have to question the timing of this package in the first place. Why didn’t Activision simply hold off on this release for a couple more months? Even though this review is being posted roughly a month and a half after this version’s May 12th release, it’s still a small window between the retail release and the drop date for the new Invasion Pack. The Invasion Pack is due out tomorrow, June 29th, bringing with it five new multiplayer maps for 800 Microsoft points ($10). Given that the original version is likely due for a price drop soon anyway, now would’ve been the perfect time to give gamers the complete Call of Duty 2 experience in one box for the same price. The Invasion Pack is also being released earlier and for less (down from 900 Microsoft points, or $11.25) than originally expected, making boxing it all together in one complete package even more sensible.
In fact, when you compare it to some other recent Game of the Year editions in other franchises, the lack of playable content starts to look pretty pathetic by comparison. Combine that with the fact that the bonus DVD is simply shrink-wrapped onto the side of the original version’s box, and the whole thing comes across as a quick and dirty money grab. Where’s the special edition packaging, or extra goodies inside the box to entice existing fans to buy the game all over again?
Bottom Line:
The overall score is in no way a reflection on the quality of this game, because this is still one of the few “must have” titles on the system and probably the most intense FPS of all-time. Rather, I’m disappointed by the relatively small amount of new content it provides, as well as the shoddy way it’s presented. It doesn’t make much sense to release a GOTY edition when it won’t even be a complete Call of Duty 2 experience a little over a month and a half after release, and shrink-wrapping a DVD in a slip case onto the side of the original game’s box is very weak presentation of a product the company should be very proud of.
Still, if you haven’t bought the game yet, this version is absolutely recommended over the original. No matter how shoddy the presentation, you can’t argue with getting more for the same price.
| Pros: | Cons: | Final Score: |
|---|---|---|
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| 8.5 |
Posted: 2006-06-28 20:07:19 PST