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Frontline revolves around the heroics of Lt. Jimmy Patterson (Medal of Honors original star), following his D-Day landing at Normandy and then his mission across Europe to take out a strategically vital prototype Nazi plane, the HO-IX. In a departure from the info reported in GamePros May cover feature, EA LA decided to make Patterson the star of the D-Day level in order to streamline the plot and eliminate the confusion of switching main characters. Since the combat always takes place from a first-person perspective, it doesnt make a whit of difference, though purists might be bothered by the inconsistency in the series story line. Frontlines 19 levels span six missions as Patterson undertakes an impressive variety of objectives, all mapped out with painstakingly accurate historical detail. While the overall goal is the HO-IX, Patterson frequently stops to help out as Operation Market Garden (the Allies infamous paratrooper assault) takes place all around him. He storms Arnhem alongside British airborne troops, infiltrates a German armored train, rescues a prisoner from a Nazi-held manor, demolishes a U-boat, and much more. You truly get the sense that youre a cog in a much bigger machine, and its both refreshing and enjoyable that, for once, youre not the caricatured hero with the only chance of saving the day. The sheer amount of activity in many of the missions is often astonishing. As you battle through a French village, bombers flash past overhead, dropping shells that send dust and debris flying. When you later stumble across battles between Allied and Nazi forces, they fight so realistically that it seems like youre taking part in a scene from Saving Private Ryan. Even the smaller moments can impress, like when you enter a pub in disguise and ignite a brawl between Nazi officers that serves as a distraction for your clandestine Resistance rendezvous. The A.I. isnt brilliant, but its reasonably bright. The battles go down differently each time you replay a level, and A.I. soldiers are skilled at retreating, taking cover, and forcing you to engage them intelligently. Sometimes, though, theyre too unaware of your apparently ninja-like presence. While Frontline achieves all of its intended goals, theres still ample room for improvement. Theres no multiplayer game whatsoever, which is a significant shortcoming. Its also a very linear game. While the environments feel open and excel at creating the appearance of a vast landscape, youre confined to a preset path thats always the only way through the mission. If youve somehow managed to avoid being converted into a fan of this groundbreaking series, Frontline will provide all the proof you need. Games like this are the reason you bought a PS2 in the first place.
9/10
AMAZING
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