Net Ten: WWII: Great Games about the Great War (page2) Subscribe to this RSS feed

#5 Battlefield 1942 (PC) - [ PC ]

It's pretty ambitious to expect an online game to be a realistic depiction of WWII combat. In fact, Battlefield 1942 as an FPS with RTS elements was fun because you fight the good fight on foot, in the air, or on the road. The game is known in particular for its vehicles which include tanks and aircraft from five major powers of the Axis and Allies (the U.S., Britain, Germany, the Soviet Union, and even Japan). Unlike other WWII games it also covers the Pacific as well as the European theater of operations.

#5 Battlefield 1942 (PC)
88% average
critic
score

#4 Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Tides of War (Xbox) - [ Xbox ]

This is an underrated and consequently under-appreciated FPS for the Xbox. It's set in World War II even though it plays like an episode in the Hell Boy comic books. You expect to combat Nazis, but then zombies, mutant dogs, and other insane creations join the fray. Like most Xbox FPS games the controls are tight, but the enemy here is one tough sonovabitch. Part of the appeal is the multiplayer contests including two- player co-op. At the time, it was a nice alternative to Halo.

#4 Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Tides of War (Xbox)
78% average
critic
score

#3 Medal of Honor: Allied Assault (Xbox, PC, PS2) - [ Xbox ]

Here's the first game to storm Utah beach at Normandy. Following hot on the heals of Saving Private Ryan, the opening depiction of the D-Day landing was jaw-dropping. You got to play a soldier in the 1st Ranger Division who's recruited into the O.S.S. (Office of Strategic Services). This takes you on a variety true-to-history secret missions in the war. The Xbox and PC versions have it all over the PS2 in terms of FPS fighting.

#3 Medal of Honor: Allied Assault (Xbox, PC, PS2)
N/A average
critic
score

#2 Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 (Xbox) - [ Xbox ]

This is easily the best WWII shooter for consoles. It recounts the true tale of the 101st Airborne Division paratroopers who landed behind the lines at Normandy before the historic invasion of Europe. The squad-based tactics are a standout here and in fact mastering them is key to besting the game. The system is easy to master and fun to use. The FPS combat is good, but your squadmates will lay down blistering firepower to set up your flanking moves.

#2 Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 (Xbox)
93% average
critic
score

#1 Call of Duty: Finest Hour (PC) - [ PC ]

The Medal of Honor series set the stage, but when that franchise stalled Call of Duty picked up the attack. That's no surprise since the development team that built Medal of Honor at Electronic Arts helmed Call of Duty for Activision. The PC version of this combat FPS is easily the best rendition, although you can play versions (not exact ports) for Xbox, PS2, and GameCube. The series' hook is that you play as soldiers in the Russian, British, and American armies in campaigns of the North African, Eastern, and Western fronts.

#1 Call of Duty: Finest Hour (PC)
94% average
critic
score