It's only been a year since we last shot down Nazi forces in the Call of Duty franchise. With that time, developer Treyarch has crafted a richer World War II experience replete with more active battlefields, added vehicle control, and the same game play that made the first sequel a success. This is an excellent update all around, with the exception of online multi-player.
Scope is the significant upgrade this year as players cross the battlefields of Polish, Canadian, French and American forces as they begin their quest to take back France from the invading Germans. Levels always feel new and fresh even though assets are reused. The number of soldiers on screen is also a part of the immersion, as battles are now crowded and rewarding.
AI soldiers put up an acceptable amount of fight without getting in the way. Difficulty has definitely taken a turn, now leaning into harder territory than before. Destructible environments (though it still can be limiting) can change the cover situation with only a few rounds. Never assume you're safe behind an object if bullets are aimed in your direction.
Action is still the franchise's trademark, and hardly a moment can go by without an explosive going off. Grenades can now be held for a few seconds before tossing them to prevent the enemy from sending them back. They also appear frequently, and you're rarely without them. The enhanced graphics, particularly the character models, are a stand out on the 360.
The weaving storyline splits itself off track as each troop fights their own battles and then slowly pulls back together. Cinematics cannot be skipped, and apparently replace loading screens. While a nice gesture, it seems ridiculous when you're reloading a late checkpoint and you're forced to view the storyline progression from the start of the level.
Various mini-games now litter the single player campaign. You can no longer run up to an objective and plant an explosive. You need to set it by following on screen prompts. Pre-determined melee combat sections offer up some incredible hand-to-hand action, particularly one about 30-feet off the ground on a giant fuel tank. These moments are incredible to watch, though for the next installment, a better feeling of interaction would go a long way. It's too easy to bash the triggers and then press A, killing the tension once the surprise of being grabbed wears off.
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