Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Tides of War - Xbox

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Viewed: 3D First-person, Gun game Genre:
Shoot 'Em Up
Media: DVD Arcade origin:No
Developer: id Software Soft. Co.: id Software
Publishers: Activision (GB/GB)
Released: 2 Jul 2004 (GB)
16 May 2003 (GB)
Ratings: BBFC 15
Accessories: Xbox Memory Unit
Connectivity: Xbox Live, Xbox System Link Cable

Summary

Made exclusively for Microsoft Xbox, Tides of War expands upon the gruesome Wolfenstein legend. Anyone familiar with the many Wolfenstein PC titles already available will know pretty much what's in store. Getting used to the Xbox controller for a game of this nature may take some time, but persevere and all will fall into place. Fact is, id Software have come up with a game experience that's just as enjoyable, thrilling, frightening and engrossing as anything the PC has witnessed in the world of Wolfenstein.

The player assumes the role of BJ Blazkowicz, an Army Ranger recruited into the Office of Secret Actions (OSA). Initially teamed with another OSA operative, Agent One, players begin their journey in Egypt where they uncover the early stages of Himmler's plans. After being grounded by anti-aircraft artillery fire, players must overcome capture and the death of their new partner as they battle wave after wave of the Fuhrer's brainwashed soldiers and hordes of zombies. Your epic adventure spans the globe, from the Middle East to Norway, and into the heart of Nazi Germany.

A mixture of quietly sneaking around and all-out raging firepower, Tides of War's advanced AI means that no two situations are the same. Your strategic decisions dictate the flow of the game, and while some things are inevitable - hideous mutants, evil SS freaks and an occult priest giving you the creeps to name but three - the truth is that Valve/id have made a super job of making sure that the action never wholly repeats itself.

With a split screen co-operative mode exclusive to the Xbox and a Multiplayer Warfare option using Xbox Live or System Link, Tides of War is a game ready for the long haul. Styles of play range from Objective mode to a team-based Elimination mode. With battlefields designed specifically for play on the Xbox, players can enlist up to eight versus eight for fast and furious combat. Xbox Live players can invite other players from their buddy list to their game or jump straight into the action using Xbox Live Matchmaking to find a style of gameplay they like. With the Xbox Live Communicator and full voice masking capabilities, players can verbally co-ordinate attacks and communicate enemy positions. The possibilities are, well, not endless, but you get the drift.

Wolfenstein's debut on the Xbox is hugely entertaining, but not for the faint-hearted. As a gruesome Nazi scumbag zombie-filled slay 'em up for the heavy black box is concerned, it's out there on its own.