Medal of Honor

• Release Date: November 09, 1999
• Genre: Shooter
• Style: First-Person Shooter
• Similar Games: Doom (PlayStation), Metal Gear Solid (PlayStation), Syphon Filter (PlayStation)

Game Description

The year is 1944. On the eve of what will be known ever after as the D-day invasion, the Air Transport Corps initiated the largest drop of troops yet seen by the Allied Forces. The plan couldn't have gone any worse: planes flew past their targets, those that came close were quickly shot down, and the inclement weather made it difficult to see where the pilots were heading. Yet in the midst of this colossal failure, a glimmer of hope emerged.

A 24-year-old Lieutenant by the name of Jimmy Patterson persevered through the chaos and made sure that his regiment reached its scheduled drop zone. At least until his C-47 transport plane was cut to shreds by enemy fire. Faced with a group of injured men and harrowing odds, Patterson took it upon himself to fend off repeated attacks from German patrols until help arrived. When all was said and done, the young Lieutenant killed six men and was nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery. He was a hero.

Patterson was then sent to an infirmary where he could heal his wounds suffered from protecting his crew. In a few days, Germany would be left behind, for a well-deserved return home to the States. While the soldier was scheduled to receive a War Bonds tour upon his arrival, it would apparently have to wait. The infirmary bed would be empty by the time the nurse made her rounds, and the story that follows is one of epic proportions. It is one that you create.

Medal of Honor is the story of Jimmy Patterson, a soldier recruited to work for the OSS (Office of Strategic Services). Inspired by acclaimed film director Steven Spielberg, the game is a first-person shooter that takes place amidst the events surrounding World War II. Spanning seven different missions and 24 levels, Medal of Honor features search and rescue assignments, commando raids, and espionage. You will be able to find and use 11 historically authentic weapons to fight 20 different types of German troops, from the Wermacht Light Infantry to the Elite Heavy Shock Troops.

As you progress through the castles, twisting city streets, mountain strongholds, and other locales making up the game, you'll be able to take out the Nazis with the following armaments: Colt45, German Walther P38, Thompson SMG, Bazooka, Mark II Frag Grenade, Sniper Gewehr 41, Shotgun, M1 Garand, MP40 SMG, Browning Automatic Rifle, and Stielhandgranate (a.k.a. Potato Masher).

In a departure from traditional first-person shooters on console systems, time was spent on Medal of Honor to make the enemy AI behave as realistically as possible. Guards will duck to avoid fire, visibly react to specific hits to their bodies, throw back grenades, sound alarms, and even ask you for your papers. Papers? Yes, some missions will require the use of a Nazi uniform to disguise yourself from your enemies! Just make sure you have the right documentation when asked, or the situation may turn deadly.

Before donning your combat boots and starting your tour of duty, you'll be able to adjust gameplay options, view records on completed missions, witness authentic background footage on the events surrounding WWII, and receive briefings on the upcoming missions from the animated War Room. Players can also elect to challenge a friend in the head-to-head multiplayer mode.

The multiplayer mode lets players select their character and up to seven types of uniforms (more can be earned as you unlock hidden features while playing through the single-player game). There are two types of games to play in your choice of seven theaters (or levels): Timed Match or Wins Match. The length of Timed Matches can be further customized to 2, 5, 10, 21, or unlimited time, while Wins Matches can consist of 3, 10 or 21 wins. No matter which mode you choose, the object is the same: take out your opponent before he or she takes out you!

In an attempt to create a realistic atmosphere, the developers sought the advice of Capt. Dale Dye, USMC (ret.), who previously served as a consultant for Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July, and Saving Private Ryan. Other notable features include an original score composed by Michael Giacchino, both analog control and vibration function support, and the option to save up to 15 games to a single memory card. As the title suggests, you will be able to receive up to seven medals based on your performance during each mission. Win all seven to receive a secret code and special movie!

Roots & Influences

Medal of Honor created a revolutionary advancement in first-person shooter games. The concept is based on the end of WWII but much of the feeling is reminiscent of Wolfenstein 3D, albeit with much better graphics, animation and sound (of course). Medal of Honor takes realism to the brink of Saving Private Ryan, which is appropriate considering the game was created by DreamWorks LLC, the same company responsible for the movie.

Review: Overall

Prepare for your finest hour as you discover for yourself what the end of World War II was like by entering D-Day with Electronic Arts's Medal of Honor (MOH) for the PlayStation. With what seems to be rooted between Wolfenstein 3D and Quake, the result is even better than expected (except it would've been nice to relive the experience when Hitler was alive, but I guess Wolfenstein took care of that already). MOH is simply one of the best games around and not just for the PlayStation console.

With huge movie successes like Saving Private Ryan, the video games division of DreamWorks has taken what made their movie a huge hit and pieced together something similar in MOH. Never has the intensity of war been so personal and involving. The game engine, story, graphics and sound are so realistic that the addiction won't let you go for a second!

Let's get the visuals out of the way before discussing the meat of the game. The movies are nicely done without an abundance of artifacts that some games tend to have. Old movie clips intertwined with new clips of maps and other necessary elements for the game can be seen here. The first person perspective does not create motion sickness like some games do. You are in control of your movements with realistic strafing and stealth maneuvers. Aiming takes a little hit, however. Even with the analog controller it's a bit difficult to master. However, that only makes the game more realistic when you're having trouble bobbing your grenade in front of a Nazi general who's already suspected you from afar!

Realism couldn't be more true with the game's colorful yet deep, rich environments. From the dank, messy halls of the deadly U-Boat to the dungeon-like underground forts, attention to detail was taken seriously in this game. The palette consists of shady moonlit blues outside at night while the dimly-lit corridors of the locker room and secret bomb facilities (like the V2 Rocket Plant) brings you closer to the authenticity of Nazi-designed architecture. Too bad you can't jump over to the sides of houses or fences because you're limited to walk a certain path. However, there are a few multiple directions you can go on the level where it doesn't always require you to complete.

Take on the massive onslaught of enemies such as the Wehrmacht Light Infantry and Elite Heavy Shock Troops. Their uniforms are perfect, their movements staged with genius motion-capture. The animations of each soldier was done differently and makes you think on your feet. Dynamic lighting is real time from multiple sources, even on objects that you can use such as the cannons and stationary machine guns. Bullets cause holes in the walls as do sparks that cause black spots. The textures and shadows of the characters as well as the backgrounds are nicely done with plenty of realistic gouraud shading. As well, the fire and explosions light up the room with intensity.

The sounds have to be heard to believe. Witness ambience that surrounds you from all over. Listen carefully to the soldiers speaking in the distance inside a rigged cave. The range and location of their conversations shift back and forth, left and right -- all with superb reverb effects. If the voices come close to you, you better watch out because they are physically nearby! The German accents are authentic, whether you are hearing it in the German language or using the cheat code to hear their accents in English!

As well, the sound effects border on superior ambient quality. From bullet shells bouncing all over the ground to machine guns and planes bombing from the air, no other war game could take you there like MOH does. And last but not least, the music was created from a 70-piece orchestra! Now that's what I call a masterpiece. When it fits the game perfectly with its moody violins and loud trumpets during times of duress, what else can you call it?

And now for the best part about the game: the gameplay. Nothing could be further from the truth as you await in the bunker ready to attack when suddenly a soldier hiding in the treetops picks you off and you're dead! Sometimes it takes just one bullet to the head of either you or the enemy to commit a permanent casualty. If they do cap you, the camera perspective randomly generates a realistic fall based on how you were last gunned down! As well, enemies continue to fire when your last bullet wastes them.

Stealth is the name of the game, but sometimes if you peek around the corner, a bazooka-wielding soldier could blast you. And sometimes with your sniper you could surprisingly pick off an unaware soldier whose back is faced towards you, before he gets the chance to run towards an alarm or yell for help. And boy, do these guys get backup or what?

Artificial intelligence is more superior in this game than any other first person action title. What other game has the enemy throwing and kicking grenades back at you or protecting another soldier from your attacks? Or how about dodging your bullets or strafing you with their rifles? This is the kind of AI that should be implemented in even PC games of a similar nature. The enemy can also spot you from afar if you've capped one of their own in plain view. Watch out as they roll on the ground with their shotguns aimed at your head!

One of the best parts about the game is when you've shot an enemy soldier in the head but instead his helmet flies off! Other interesting things about the game include viewing the gallery of artwork and generally tons of other cheat codes you can receive after getting enough medals or awards. Also, the multi-player mode pits you against a friend on any level and with any characters from the game, allies or enemies. This mode definitely increases the replay value.

And during the one undercover spy mission -- unfortunately just one -- if you don't show your credentials you're going to have to find the right badge by gunning down one of the superiors on the level. The nervous fear takes over and runs through your bones as you are questioned, while the tension is temporarily released when you hear "Sorry sir, my mistake." Other times, soldiers may be waiting for you just outside as you exit that ventilation system; so gun down their boots!

The seven missions containing 24 levels make for quite the long shot as it takes a lot of patience to wade through the heart-pounding levels. The load times could have been faster but at least if you are killed, you get to start right at the beginning of the level. Of course, it would've been nice to have flags or markers. There are many tasks you have to complete for each level such as shutting down an engine or blowing up trucks. Some levels have fewer tasks than others do while the majority of levels seem to have plenty of things for you to accomplish.

One other interesting aspect is that no one you talk to is your friend! Even scientists who hold up their hands will eventually pull out their Colt 45's if you don't get them first. It would've been nice to be able to speak with folks on your side or perhaps some more in-game cut scenes. The most obvious glitch in the game would take place whenever you control your character to move between pipes and tight walkways; the collision detection has a slight problem when it suddenly vibrates the screen for no reason.

Speaking of vibration, the vibration feedback in this game was near perfect. Sometimes there could be harsh force and other times there could be a slight brush. Whatever the case, it's remarkably realistic, almost as much as Metal Gear Solid's use of the Dual Shock controller. And that's saying something!

Medal of Honor bravely salutes those fallen American soldiers who eventually won the war. With plenty of weapons and tasks to perform and only very minor glitches, this game deserves an experience by all action game fans as well as those who just want a taste of realism for the ages. Just be on the lookout for anybody who thinks they are real soldiers after playing this game!

Review: Enjoyment

The game is thoroughly enjoyable and is a wild, intense ride full of surprises and stealth. The amazing realism keeps you panting for more. If only it had more undercover spy missions!

Review: Graphics

MOH has superb visuals that bring you to the edge of your seat. The textures, animation, color and effects are about as real as the PlayStation will get! Too bad it's not in the highest of resolutions but nevertheless it's still great.

Review: Sound

Sounds are top-notch from reverberating and echoing ambience from the soldiers to clean and loud gunfire in the distance. The music is also orchestrated in a composition that fits the game perfectly.

Review: Replay Value

Wait until you play the multi-player mode! Otherwise try the single player mode again and get the best score on every level for a secret bonus or two.

Review: Documentation

The 20 pages of instructions could have used a little more detail but what's there is clearly explained.

Production Credits

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