Preview: Call of Duty: Roads to Victory
We're summoned to play PSP's new Call of Duty.
The PSP will soon be playing host to a new WWII FPS with Call of Duty: Roads to Victory primed and ready to hit these shores in the next few weeks. Gamers will be able to step into the boots of an 82nd Airborne Division infantry soldier, a Canadian First Army rifleman as well as an elite British Parachuting Regiment commando to experience the battlefield realism of CoD in the palm of their hands.
With its suitably mellow music and sombre overtones reminiscent of Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan, developers Amaze Entertainment appear to have handled the delicate subject matter with the dignity it deserves but will the game live up to the high standards set by other titles in the series?
"Initial impressions indicate a game that's suitable atmospheric."
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On the downside though the gameplay falls squarely into the regular FPS genre with seemingly little in the way of innovation. As if to emphasize this, that traditional staple of barrels and crates plays a prominent part and - along with most of the scenery - is non-destructible leading to a linear experience as you move from one location to the next.
This is only amplified by requiring your compatriots to open doors for you or blocking you from continuing until they are ready.
At present the locations feel like simply backdrops for a constant stream of enemies, needing you to just take out all the Nazis before moving on. In addition it is difficult to develop compassion for your fellow soldiers fighting by your side, although this might change in later missions.
Control wise, the title uses the accepted PSP convention of using the analogue nub to move and the face buttons to aim. Will the accepted Hollywood convention of altering history to flatter the Americans also make an appearance? Time will tell.
Staff writer, Kikizo
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