XBOX Reviews

Ear Force AXT Ultimate XBox Surround Sound Headset

The Ear Force AXT Surround Sound Headphones turns your game system’s stereo sound into simulated surround sound. Each of the ear cups have discrete speakers for handling front, center, rear and sub-woofer channels. With tah kind of sound you’ll be immersed in the gameplay, for an adrenalin-pumping gaming experience without disturbing others in the room. The built-in microphone also lets you use voice commands to speak directly with teammates when you play online.

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star HORRIBAL
Do not buy, headsets made by Ear Force. They all brake with in a few weeks of purchase, you should just save the money and get a cheaper mic, these Ear Forces Mics, break easly. They ARE HORRIBLE!!!!!

1 Star 3 months and mic broke, 6 months and left headset shorted out!
These are horribly made. Don’t waste your money!

4 Stars Good headphones but little problems.
These headphones work really great. But I am a little dissapointed in the legnth of the cords, deffinately not long enough, and being able to adjust the tension on your head would be great, cause sometimes they are way too tight.

2 Stars head phones that last you 6 months
They have thrown “360″ into the title of these headphones since they were 1st released. It originally came out for the xbox. I bought these because the wireless ones only offered stereo. Also, the price at Best Buy was only $35.00 at the time. Now that they have added “360″ to the title they went up a little.

I was a little uncertin about making this purchase because all over gaming forums, people had a common complaint. After 6 months they quit working. Low and behold after 6 months they quit working.

Don’t get me wrong, when working they were great. I could hear the direction some one was coming toward me in a FPS perfectly. I can say it gave me an edge over others. But near its final days, i could tell a loss in quality.

Do yourself a favor and get Audio Extreme AX360 Optical Gaming Headset by Trittion.

2 Stars These do not work well on the Xbox 360!
Overview:

I am often unable to fully enjoy my Logitech Z-5500 5.1 surround sound setup while playing on my Xbox 360 because it is “too loud” according to my wife. So I did a little research and decided to give the Ear Force AXT a test drive. I know that the X2 is the newer model, but the AXT is supposed to have a more simulated surround sound to them. So I picked them up at Fry’s yesterday for $49. When I got home I carefully cut open the plastic cover (in case I wanted to return them) and unpacked the headphones.

Setup:

These headphones have three main cords: one plugs into the wall for power, one plugs into the controller, and the other plugs into the 360 audio (red/white) cables using an included adapter. I knew this would be a lot of wires going into this so it was not a surprise. The dashboard picked up the headphones without me having to make any console changes (my Z-5500 was turned off).

Test Run:

I then put the headphones on and I must say they felt pretty big and heavy on my head. No big deal I suppose. I then located the volume control which was kind of resting near my lap. As I have read elsewhere, I could hear a hissing sound in the headphones while sitting at the dashboard. I took my wireless control to move the blades so I could adjust the volume, and when I did this the 360 controller happened to point toward the AXT volume control and it produced some major static noise in the headset. No big deal I thought, just don’t point the wireless controller at the AXT volume control.

I then fired up COD2 as this game makes good use of the surround sound (soldier’s boots when running). At the lobby screen I noticed that after I spoke, my voice icon would remain active even though I wasn’t talking. After about 5-10 second it would then stop. Each time I spoke (or banged the mic) the icon would keep doing it. So I moved the mic farther from my face to see if that would help. However, it did not matter where I put the mic as the same problem continued. Hmmm. Ok, let’s see how the game sounds.

As for simulated surround sound on the AXT, I did not hear it. It sounded like regular stereo headphones to me and I was unable to pinpoint which direction those running boots were coming from. After the match ended I went to mute my mic and… well… there is no mute. What! No mute?!?! That could be a problem as I routinely need to mute in order to talk to my wife, get a beverage, etc.

At this point, I took the headphones off and gave my Z-5500’s a quick test. I then noticed that my ears were already starting to perspire and it felt good to take off these fairly heavy headphones (nearly 2 pounds). I then powered up my Logitech and… ahhhh, yes! Nothing beats true surround sound… even at a low volume! And just like that my testing was complete. I neatly packaged the Ear Force AXT back up and returned them to Fry’s this morning.

Pros:

Play games in solitude without disturbing others

Cons:

The claim of “simulated surround sound” is false (in my opinion)

No mute button

Subject to interference from wireless 360 controller

Low level hiss when no sound is present

Headphones are fairly heavy

Cords are relatively short (less than 10′)

Mic issues (detecting unknown sounds)

The Verdict:

The AXT headphones did not work for me. I would only give headphones another try if/when they develop a true 5.1 surround sound product with a mic for Xbox Live. If you are looking for a late night audio solution, you would be better off just turning down your volume than buying these headphones! Even though Teamxbox gave them high marks (tested on the original Xbox), I do not recommend them for the Xbox 360.

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Americas Army True Soldiers

America’s Army: True Soldiers allows players to immerse themselves within the infantry experience of a modern Soldier. The game accurately portrays the values that guide Soldiers in the U.S. Army, by specifically incorporating gameplay based on mission accomplishment, teamwork, leadership, rules of engagement and respect for life and property. Just like in real combat, honor and respect must be earned, and in the game, the Play-Lead-Recruit feature allows players to earn respect as they move up through the ranks and become true leaders. Teammates can award points to other team members who play honorably and jump in when the mission is on the line. Play in single players mode and take on roles such as Rifleman, Grenadier, Automatic Rifleman and Sniper. Or, play in multiplayer mode using the Xbox LIVE gaming service Clan support to compete online.

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star worst fps
well i didint like this game because the graphicswhere very band and very difficult to interract with ur soldier and enviroment

4 Stars wasnt expecting much but wow!
ok first let me start off by saying that I am actually a soldier so I had mixed feelings going into this game. If you have played the one for PC you would know why.

I will say this though, i am pleasantly suprised. The game has great graphics and it is not like a lot of those other shooters out there where they just run and gun. You have a squad you have teammates-use them and dont let them get hurt. I found myself havig a couple of hours turn into a day of training and wargames. which are not easy. You dont just shoot. You breathe you aim all the things that regular shooters dont usually take into consideration.

there are a couple of quirks but then again I know why they were put in there. I.E. Look at your soldiers uniforms. Thats all i will say.

controls are good not perfect but they are damn good. once in a while you may miss what you thought was dead on but thats because you( the soldier) breathed when you fired or you moved. such a little thing will throw your aim off by a lot.

If you looking for a run and gun shooter… this aint it. THis one takes patience which a lot of people do not have.

4 Stars Fun on Xbox Live
There are allot of reviews on the net for this game, so I am just adding my 2 cents I guess, but I will give the + and the -.

On the + side…

This game is %98 on line, and is never the same game twice. Its hard to get board when you have new people to play with every time you load the game.

Game requires thinking. You can’t just “Spray and Pray” like other shooters. You must work with your team to win a game. That is not the norm in a shooter. Planning and using real tactics to get your goals done are key. (Many people are not able to do this and that is why they don’t like the game.)

Graphics are good, and sound is fine.

Game uses the head set on your xbox, and it really is required for a proper game.

Its as close to a real fire team as you can get without being really shot at.

- Parts of the game…

Servers are other players xbox’s. That means that is your playing with someone with a slow DSL line, your going to have lag, and get bumped of line.

Game has glitches, but they are not something that makes the game unplayable.

[...]

Hope this helps with your choice, but I recommend this game if you want a thinking action game.

2 Stars Just like the Military to take all the fun out of it.
The game America’s Army, was orginally developed as a recuritment tool for the US Army back in late 2002. Popularity had caught on around late 2003. Having said that, the game differs little from the orginal source. While I’m sure that they pumped up the graphics, in order to be a little more appealing to the eye, and to use the tools at hand, the graphics aren’t anything spectacular. To be honest, this game is built like many others with online game paramount to anything else. Truth be told, I didn’t play it online, due to the fact that I cannot get a connection speed fast enough. So I cannot give you a fair judgement of that. However, if the online gameplay is the same as the local play, don’t be expecting much. Gameplay is fairly repetitive, and much like the military, takes all the fun out of it. I can say that, because I”ve actually done it, so in that sense, the gameplay is dead on. The lack of free gameplay in the training modes, and ‘wargames’ is utterly retarded. However, I will say that they did I good job with the weapons systems, but they don’t stray at all from the M16A4/M4A1/M249/M203. Lack of variation on that really dissapointed me(ie, not being able to pick up enemy weapons), which is true to say with the Military. The major difference with this, versus the old computer game, is that they don’t let you expand upon any level of training beyond basic. There is no Airborne school, or Special Forces training. Along with the AI that is substandard, and the lack of checkpoints, makes this game frustrating more than fun. The heavy breathing, and other sound effects get annoying quickly, taking away from what could have been solid game play. Much of the game is spent not in actual shooting, but setting up ambushes, and moving to a new position. This is not your standard fast past first person shooter. Keep that in mind above all. All in all I would have to say that you would be much better off going out and buying Call of Duty 4, then wasting your money on this lackluster, poor attempt of a FPS.

5 Stars Big Suprise!!! Can’t put it down!!!
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RTPVTBZT3KCHP I got it for Christmas from my wife who paid full price for it. Something we don’t do very often at all is pay full price at the release date. I held my breath and kept it anyway. I play almost 50 hours a month. The people playing in on XBOX Live are down to earth mature(ing) people too. I don’t want to badmouth any run and gun games that it may be compared to, because this is in a class by itself. I see a change in people used to other shooters when they get hooked on the “Esprit de corps” this game offers.

These guys were messin’ around in the game so I captured the bigscreen movie.

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Call of Juarez

Call Of Juarez is the only game to give you an authentic look into the Old West and all its glory through the eyes of the hunter AND the hunted. It’s 1882, somewhere in South Texas, and 19-year-old Billy Candle stands accused of murdering his mother and stepfather. Hot on his trail is Reverend Ray McCall, his stepfather’s brother and an infamous gunfighter who believes the Lord has chosen him to be Billy’s judge, jury and executioner. Call of Juarez is an epic western adventure about vengeance, survival and the search for a legendary lost treasure. The distinct rough-and-tumble beauty of the Old West is recreated, through detailed and realistic environments that spread across miles of terrain

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Some good, some bad, some ugly
This review is very late in the game, but with the sequel coming out soon, I figured I’d weigh in.

Call of Juarez is a Western-themed first-person shooter that was actually released back in 2006 in Europe. (For some reason it took the publisher an extra year to release it in the US.) I had been excited about the game since early 2005 when I first heard about it. I’m a big FPS and Western fan, so the prospect of this type of game with modern graphics was incredibly appealing.

Well, it’s not a great game, but it does certain things so right that it cheers a part of my soul. It is good to know that there are others out there as crazy as I am.

In the game you play as two opposing characters, alternating between their viewpoints to fill in their respective sides of the story. Reverend Ray is a tough old codger with a violent past. He is now a preacher, and considers himself to be an instrument of God’s vengeance. The other character, Billy, is a stupid kid. Ray is his uncle. Billy is framed for the murder of his parents, and Ray goes after him. That’s all you really need to know, story-wise.

The Good: Reverend Ray.

Marc Alaimo, the actor responsible for voicing Ray, is fantastic. His performance imbues the character with all sorts of interesting nuance and power. One of the better bits of voice-acting I’ve ever heard, especially in a video game.

The character is well-written, too, beyond just the great dialogue. Ray begins the game as a vengeful self-righteous force, but towards the end is finally made to question his “calling.” The great part about the writing is that instead of questioning God, he questions himself. He acknowledges that it was his own selfish hatred that blinded him rather than attributing his blunder to God either misleading him or not existing. This was an unexpected turn, as stories with characters of this sort usually devolve into some sort of “people who believe in God are crazy” message. The character is also visually well-designed. He wears a piece of armor under his coat that actually deflects bullets in the game (complete with ricochet sounds). One of his “weapons” is a Bible that he quotes terrifying passages from, Pulp Fiction style. Enemies nearby will freeze when they hear it.

The other good bits are the weapons. These guys did their research. While the shotguns and rifle feature no variants, the pistols are pretty great. Included are such unusual guns as the LeMat revolver, an 8-shot percussion pistol with a shotgun barrel under the main; a hold-out barrel-less SAA, which I’ve seen a picture of in a book before; Volcanic Repeaters, the cool looking precursors to the Winchester rifle.

The Bad: Billy, the other main character.

He’s a wuss, a loser, and his voice acting is pretty weak. It’s not horrible, but its mediocrity is highlighted by Ray’s excellent performance. His playable segments are also not that fun. The bow is fun, the whip isn’t, and sneaking isn’t nearly as fun as running-and-gunning like Ray.

The Ugly: the character animation. Whenever you’re interacting with another character, all they do is stand there and talk at you. If there is ever any body acting, it’s an arm movement. Otherwise, they all just stand there with their arms at their sides. Compared with the wonderful full-body acting of the characters in games like Half-Life 2, it just stands out and makes the game world feel artificial. The graphics engine is actually really detailed and realistic, with dust blowing across the landscape, lots of foliage, etc, but when these barely animated puppets yell bad dialogue at you without moving, it really destroys the illusion.

If you’re a Western FPS fan, it’s worth checking out. I have high hopes that they fixed some of the problems for the sequel, due out this fall (Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood).

4 Stars Call of Juarez game review
Awesome game with nice controls and gameplay. The only thing I would change would be an optional weapons category that could be purchased instead of found.

4 Stars Well worth it. Very fun and a refreshing change.
This game is a definite pick up for anyone looking for something different. If you have any interest in westerns at all you will enjoy this game. The story is great and really holds your interest throughout the game. The scenery is authentic and by itself makes the game worth it’s reduced price tag.

As far as game play, it all works as expected for a FPS. Some have complained about Billy’s role in the game but it too is very fun and refreshing. There are a few scenes where you really have to pay attention to the where the bad guys are and even listen to their conversations to know when you can make a break for you next hiding spot. Billy is not Master Chief, Marcus Phoenix or any of the other FPS dudes but that is what makes it so nice. There are plenty of games to cover that approach to gaming. That being said, the other character, Ray, does have the “kill’em all” approach to justice. The way the story weaves back and forth between the two works well and gives you a chance to truly experience the story.

I personally think there are very few games worth the initial $60 price tag – Halo, Madden, Fable…maybe but not many others. We all have our favorites. At the reduced price this game is well worth it.

4 Stars A good game
This is a good game not great but good. Especially if you like westerns. The only downside is how quickly it can be finished.

1 Star Are You Kidding Me?!!
i thought i was buying a FPS but who knows what the developers were trying to create with this. it goes from sneaky/stealth to puzzle solving to platformer to FPS. to frustrate things even more, the subtitles are microscopic and the voice acting was done by out-of-work pornstars. you either need a theater-sized tv or plenty of patience if you even care as to what’s going on with the story. and what a story it is (granted four chapters was all i could handle). you alternate segments between a young retarded lad named billy and his grisled, bloodthirsty yet also retarded preacher uncle. billy’s missions are all about stealth and running like a coward. if you try to take down any of your adversaries, 20 more magically appear and instantly kill you. his uncle is a drunk killing machine, which is actually somewhat fun until the game throws a 3rd grade puzzle at his 1st grade logic and jumping ability. lastly i’d like to mention how glitchy this game is. i walked into town to hear the same “cow moo” sound effect stuck on repeat for a good five minutes. NPC’s repeat the same lines over and over as well. and more often than not, i’d find myself walking towards what looked like an ocean only to have mountains suddenly materialize in the horizon. same thing with buildings. and sometimes, you can magically warp into these mystery buildings and be stuck there forever, how fun!! don’t buy this thinking it’s “gun 2″. don’t buy this game because good games are scarce in the summer. just don’t buy this for any reason!!

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Condemned 2 Bloodshot

Ethan Thomas is a former Serial Crimes Unit investigator with a disturbed past who has been sent back into the field to find his missing partner. His dark past has left him burnt out and struggling with his demons, all the while trying to solve a sinister conspiracy. As Ethan, you will have use of a variety of firearms, blunt instruments and an all-new fighting system complete with defensive and offensive combo chains, as well as grapples and holds. An all-new set of high-tech forensic tools will help you solve the mystery. Condemned 2: Bloodshot has new online multiplayer modes, including deathmatch. Enemies benefit from superior artificial intelligence and work in teams to overpower and outsmart players. All-new multiplayer modes like Circle of Death enhance the experience through a variety of different play styles and flexibility.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Decent replayable but not a great horror game
The first few levels are terrible. The hotel in particular is very confusing and easy to get lost in. After completing the first few levels the store and level design really pick up. I started to get a hint of Resistance: Fall Of Man toward the end which was very unexpected.

This game gets praises for being replayabile. I beat the game once, unlocked FPS mode with infinite ammo, and then I went back through the entire game running and shooting. (Essentially this is HARD MODE with GUNS, and you get an achievement for completing it). I put a piece of tape on the exact center of my screen to use as a targeting cursor for my guns when I’m not zooming in. Very fast.

Though this is not scary enough to be a horror game the ability to play the game as another genre makes this game worth it’s money.

4 Stars A Bloody Little Romp!
Condemned 2 has a similiar format to the first one, but there is nothing wrong with taking a good game and improving upon it. I had some fun with this title even though the gameplay was repetitive. You have a first person shooter with close combat weapons and a limited number of projectile weapons. Just about everything in the game can be used as a weapon and some items deal more damage vs speed and reach. Combos are not too difficult to pull off with a little well timed practice. Its a brutal game, enemies will be cursing you while you pummel them with a pipe then finish them off by smashing their head into an old TV. Its a dark and somewhat eerie game and the flashlight looks fantastic when shining down those dark corridors. There are alot of those moments where you see a quick flash of someone running around in the dark only to jump out and bust your chin with a 2 by 4, good stuff. There is also an investigation mode that allows you to study a crime scene and figure out the most probable cause of death which i found to be quite enjoyable and i wish there would have been more crimes scenes to investigate. I wasn’t really wowed by the storyline, but the close combat gameplay is what this title is about. There isn’t too much replay value here, one play through will probably do it for you. It would be a fantastic rental though, but its only 15 bucks so you wouldn’t really be out that much cash for a solid game.

5 Stars Brutal Violence!
I think people who gave this game a bad review was probably because the game was not what they where expecting. This game is not your average First Person Shooter. You rarely have a gun!!! lol

You punch a lot and have lead pipes and stuff.. Let me tell you that you really feel like your swinging that stuff around! it is brutal violence! You never feel like your a great warrior like you do Halo or have spectacular fire fights like in Gears of War. This is more like Doom 3 but more hand to hand. It plays in a similar way to the sleeper hit “breakdown” for the original xbox. The punching seems very believable in both games.

The game is a good looking game but it is dark. So its probably best to play it at night.

Most people I know arent into horror games but if you are this is one the best around. At this price its almost crazy not to check it out. if you have never played a game like this but do enjoy horror movies I say go for it because you will not regret it.

2 Stars Alright
For me a rental was well enough. Kudos to the game for being different; there are way too many “shooters” out there, but I actually found my self yearning for a good shooter after picking up this game. The game has gotten good reviews by video game reviewers/websites, and was the basis for picking up this as a rental.

I found myself, almost instantly, bored of just punching and blocking opponents punches. In my view it would be much better as a third person game, one where you are controlling a character you can actually see.

More than any other game, it seems to border on reality. There are no double flip moves, climbing up the side of buildings, punching opponents through brick walls. These are all things I kind of yearned for, a sense of fantasy….in a word. Instead it is just brutal realistic violence.

It was something to do to pass the time…other than that, if I had better things to do I would have done them, rather than playing this game.

5 Stars Ready to have some fun?
Dead birds and psychotic behavior were two strange occurrences that happened while SCU agent Ethan Thomas chased a serial killer in Condemned: Criminal Origins. Now, city-wide violence has gone up, and a cult called the Oro is believed to be influencing it all. You once again are in control of Ethan Thomas, who (after the events of the first game) quit the bureau, and descended into alcoholism and homelessness. As a result, he’s grown bitter, darker, and violent. So while he may look like he’ll fight any crazed psychotic that crosses his path, he’s still able to do good as a forensic investigator. As expected, the game still has the eerie tone of the first, but is way more darker, and violent. You are able to find more ammo for firearms in certain levels, but melee weapons are still the way here like before. The melee mechanics have changed somewhat, and enemy A.I. has improved, making the game more challenging especially if you decide to just melee every enemy. Forensic work is still a heavy occurrence. While you still do use tools to conduct the work, you’re presented with choices in order to guess the nature of the crime. Correct guesses give you points which can add up and lead to rewards towards upgrades depending on how you do in levels. Also, the visions and hallucinations from the first game are back, very much so like in the F.E.A.R. games. Plus, in certain areas, lighting tends to become very dark, and in other areas very bright at times. Some have complained about it. It is my belief that it is all meant to disorient and challenge the player’s sanity, and add to the overall dark tone. Not to make the game less enjoyable or unplayable. Last, but not least, while I don’t mean to bag on the Playstation 3, I’m very glad I own an Xbox 360. No, I’m not a fanboy. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions about both systems. They both have their ups and downs, but after comparing certain games on both systems, the 360 seems to be better in my opinion. The reason why I’m stating this in the review? I’ve read some people claiming audio problems in the PS3 version of the game. I can assure that you won’t find it on this version. I’ve played the entire game, it looks and sounds great. So if this seems like your kind of game, give it a chance. Parents, check the rating on the box, and see the “M for Mature” symbol before you decide to buy this for your kids.

Also, check out the F.E.A.R. games, which were also developed by Monolith, the creators of the Condemned series.

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Medal of Honor Airborne

In Medal Of Honor: Airborne, you’ll step into the boots of Boyd Travers, Private First Class of the 82nd Airborne Division. Engage in battles throughout Europe, from rocky beginnings in Sicily to war-winning triumphs in Germany. Each mission begins behind enemy lines, with an intense and fully interactive airdrop. Your ability to determine your own starting point dramatically changes the way each mission plays out. View the entire operation from the air, and then control your parachute to choose your landing spot. On the ground, gather your senses and assess the terrain. A wide variety of authentic, customizable weapons are at your disposal, each with distinct characteristics. Choose your path in this free roaming FPS environment. Medal of Honor Airborne will also feature exceptionally photo-realistic characters, adding to the intensity of the cinematic, story-driven game.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Challenging
Definitely the most difficult of the series; you have to work a little harder to earn medals, they don’t just give them away. Also, the enemies are much smarter than in previous games. Dropping from a plane is fun; I just wish you could shoot while dropping. It’s not as engaging or as large in scope as the Call of Duty series, but it is definitely a step forward in the evolution of the Medal of Honor franchise.

3 Stars Okay game
the sky-diving part is pretty damn cool, but just the controls and story-line are just to sub par.

5 Stars Awesome!
I love this game so much. I haven’t played it on the Xbox 360 yet, I’ve only played it on my friend’s computer. But that thing has 4GB of RAM and a 26″ monitor so it naturally looked awesome. Our cruddy computer is too slow to play a game worthy of 5 stars. I hope it’s as fun and looks as great on the Xbox 360 as it does on computer.

3 Stars AIRBORNE
the game arrived very quickly….it has great graphics and its awesome jumping into drop zones, but, when you are trying to fly through the level, its very hard to spot your enemy, the friend and foes dress the same…

2 Stars Medal of Honor Fails Its Duty!
I was looking forward to playing this game as I have loved the first MOH title. I was extremely disappointed however, when I started playing this game. I don’t know whether it was the piss-poor manual that didn’t even explain controls like “jump” and “removing the rifle grenade”. I ended up accidently finding out how to jump in the 5th mission. Not one place in the manual did it tell you that “Y” is the jump button. Who did the editing in the manual???

I also didn’t like the iron sights on the weapons. My guns jumped around too much and I wasn’t able to get an accurate shot at long range. The sniper rifle (which I loved in the previous titles) is unforgiving and if you do anything less than a head shot, be prepared to have to shoot your enemy again.

When you die, the game makes you re-jump out of the airplane again. If you’ve destroyed any objectives up to that point, they are still destroyed except the game re-spawns ALL the bad guys you fought and killed before. That was stupid. This game could have taken a lesson from Battlefield: Bad Company and made sure the enemies were dead, too.

Finding objectives with the compass was a pain in the rear! The compass helps only a little bit and when you do destroy an objective, you have to do CONSTANT backtracking until you find a way to reach the next one. That was more annoying than anything.

Buy at your own risk. The game does have good graphics and the ability to upgrade your weapons is nice, but all in all, if you are looking for a great WWII shooter, just stick with Call of Duty 2 and World at War.

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