Graphics and Sound
Graphically, things have had a tweak, which really does make an impact on how the game feels. The level of detail for urban areas has been upped considerably, with much more rubble knocking around the place. Remember those final Russian missions in CoD where it felt a bit like the whole place was covered in a patchy grey carpet? Well, that’s been sorted out now with lots more rocks, bits of furniture, cars and the like all lying around to give a proper sense of a city devastated by war. Out in the country things look very nice as well. Trees are nicely detailed and can now be blown up, and the textures are looking smart too. Water effects are lovely, though you don’t see much water, but when you do, it’s noticeable because it looks great.
And speaking of effects, they’ve given all of those a serious tweak. Explosions are beefier with loads more smoke going on, so much so that you can’t see through it at times. Take out two or three tanks and you’ll have to hunker down and wait for the smoke to clear so you can see what’s going on. That ‘shellshock’ blurry bit is back in effect too, I’m glad to say.
The impression given is of a more polished engine all round, with plenty more detail, not just in the textures, but in the modelling itself. Bf-109s are recognisable as such, as are P47s, Spitfires and Stukas. The same goes for the different varieties of tanks, cars and lorries. On top of that are the little things such as bedside clocks and dressers in bedrooms of houses you’re fighting in. The list goes on. Suffice to say that a lot of effort has gone into making the levels more immersive and believable, and I have to say that though not perfect, they’re not far off either.
The sound is as good as the original CoD with that stirring score for the title screens and sporadic use of music during play. In fact, the absence of any in-game music is only noticeable when it starts playing, which is normally as you reach the climax of a mission.
Anyone who’s played CoD won’t have forgotten the Pegasus Bridge mission where, as things get more desperate, time is ticking down and the attacks become more ferocious, then up comes the music to spur you on and see you through to the end, whatever that may be. Ok, it’s a romantic’s view of a vicious, bloody war, but it’s emotional stuff when done properly, and UO, like CoD before it, does it properly.
