Call of Duty is a name synonymous with WWII first person shooters. Call of Duty 2: Big Red One is no exception. Join a squad and then take charge of a squad as you repel German’s in Africa, Italy, and France. By joining The Big Red One, or the 1st Infantry Division of the US Army you were the first to arrive and last to leave at many major battles throughout World War II. Thus, Activision’s choosing of the Big Red One allows them to recreate battles at many different locations around the globe.
Starting with the invasion of Africa to repel Rommel’s army you, as a private, meet your squad and start the life of an infantryman. From defending airfield’s to going on patrol your character as well as the rest of the squad kill German after German in non-stop shooting action. The Big Red One is really a brotherhood and the game developer’s tried to make that obvious via squad interaction. Since you’re a private you don’t get to lead the squad at this point. You can laugh along with the rest of the squad at jokes about the other members including one nicknamed Brooklyn. The realism of war comes to light as replacements join the division and are very cocky until they get "shot down" by the older, more battle hardened members of the squad.
"Movies are brought to you by the Military Channel "
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After completing the Africa campaign you get to watch a movie that introduces the start of the Italian campaign. These movies are brought to you by the Military Channel through an agreement between the Military Channel and Activision. Although these movies are historically accurate if you’re just into shooting and killing you will just find them to be an interruption. On the note about movies interrupting the gameplay; there is no way to skip over in-game movies as they occur. The first time that’s okay because you want to know how the objective you just met affects the outcome of your battle. The in-game movies serve to end the current mission and lead you into the next mission. The problem arises after you die and have to watch the in-game movie again. The ability to press a button and skip over the movie would have been a really nice touch.
The mission in Italy mainly involves supporting airborne troops and silencing AA guns. The campaign in Italy passed very quickly in my honest opinion although it brought some of the fiercest battles you’ll see in the game. After fighting your way through Italy the Big Red One is set to prepare for none other than the D-Day invasion. Thankfully Activision made D-Day a little different this time. While going in on the boats your job is to spot targets for the mortar launchers. This means that for the first time ever the ride over the channel isn’t really lame. While spotting you can also affect how easy it is for you to invade once you land on the beach. After destroying the main targets you can take out machine gun posts that will make your life a whole lot easier. Once the boat lands, its infantry as usual... so rush that hill.
The invasion of France ends after crossing the entire French countryside and ending up having to cross into Germany. That is the hardest mission by far. In the mission the dynamics change completely depending on which weapon you choose just before having to cross the line. A sniper rifle makes you deadly from afar but if you don’t have something for close range you have no chance; trust me, I learned the hard way.
Dynamics
" easiest driving controls in an FPS"
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Thankfully Activision doesn’t leave you as an infantryman. In the Africa campaign as well as in France you can utilize tanks to destroy the enemy. The tanks drive very nicely. It is actually some of the easiest driving controls in an FPS. After conquering the ground you’ll have the opportunity to take to the air as a gunner as well as a bombardier. Returning to the ground you’ll have the opportunity to shoot down airplanes with vehicle mounted as well as stationary anti-aircraft weapons. Getting your boots of the grounds makes the game not seem as repetitive.
The dynamics of your squad also change as time passes. As people die, you get promoted. Battle hardened members of your squad will do stupider things than their replacements. You end up in Germany as a sergeant. No longer are you able to follow your squad; your squad won’t move if you’re in the rear. Sergeant’s lead from the front and that’s the only place you can be to get your squad to move. Of course, the whole game isn’t about dynamics.
Linearity
Regrettably the reason Call of Duty 2: Big Red One is not a 9+ game is because of its linearity. Unless the mission called for a flanking move, you can’t flank. In some
"The linearity of the single player missions are by far the single biggest problem"
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cases I didn’t want to charge a machine gun so I tried to hop over a log (a single small log) and was unable because it wasn’t how the developers wanted the mission to play out. Honestly, if they didn’t want me to think about going where I shouldn’t they should have made it obvious why I can’t go that way, add a big wall, or some debris. Also, the AI is able to hop over things that you have to go around; that isn’t very fair or fun. The linearity of the single player missions are by far the single biggest problem with COD2: BRO.
Multiplayer
Multiplayer saves the game although I believe it isn’t nearly as good as on Xbox live. You have to find a game that has people but that didn’t pose too much of a problem for me. The biggest problem I encountered during my online time was people team killing. Annoying idiots. I wish Activision had made it easier to kick out team killers. Its good that they included a multiplayer aspect because the game didn’t last all of that long and after I beat it and I can’t say I’d want to play it again.
Overall...
Overall Call of Duty 2: Brother in Arms is a pretty good game. Call of Duty 2: Brothers in Arms is good game to rent if you just want the single player but if you’re going to by it you’re gonna want broadband so you can go online. On the other hand, if you’re a fan of the series you will want to pick up COD2:BRO.
