Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of World War II Preview

Here we go again baby - fire up those tanks and warm up those airplanes, we're moving in! Only a few days ago Electronic Arts and Digital Illusions CE have officially announced Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of World War II, the latest expansion pack that will continue the ever-popular Battlefield 1942 franchise. So, once again you'll be able to ride across those historical plains leading your forces to glory.

This doesn’t look good, better bail out now!

"Dear passengers we would now like to ask you to mount your machineguns."

As of late, our undying love for multiplayer matches here at ActionTrip recently began to fade, seeing as we couldn't find a decent game that would satisfy our ruthless appetite for true DM, TDM, and CTF clashes - we game editors are hard to please you know. Anyway, things changed when we were introduced to the multiplayer delights Battlefield 1942. After BF 1942: The Road to Rome was released the excitement continued and we were hooked. No matter how hard we tried sometimes, it was almost impossible to keep away from playing at least five intense matches a day (Conquest mode mostly, we find it irresistible). As soon as we learned that a new expansion pack was in development, we were overly anxious to get our mitts on the details.

Up to this point, we aren't able to offer you any impressions first hand, but we can take you through some of the gameplay improvements and additional vehicles and weapons that will be right at your disposal. To get the numbers out of the way, we should mention that BF1942: Secret Weapons of WWII will feature 16 new vehicles with which to wage war, 8 new locations, and four new weapons to try out on the battlefield. We were pleased when we discovered that each weapon and vehicle brings a significant change to the gameplay experience, such as the German Rocket Pack and the C-47 Cargo Plane. The Rocket Pack has the ability to fly for approximately fifteen seconds before it needs refueling. But that's not the fun part. What makes this particular item exciting is that it gives you the freedom to do a lot of things on the battlefield and allows for many tactical improvisations - for example, you can use the jetpack to enter and hijack a low-flying plane (!!!). A very sweet touch indeed. If that's not enough to tickle your gaming senses, I don't know what the hell is. As for the Cargo Plane, it would be enough to mention that it can carry up to six players at once and that it carries multiple swivel machine guns. This vehicle is very good for organizing air raids and surprise parachute attacks behind enemy lines. Still, the Cargo Plane is not impenetrable, which means your pilot has to avoid AA fire as best he can before your entire team is blown out of the sky. Other new vehicles include the Horton HO 229 Flying Wing, Modified US Sherman Tank, U.S. T95/T28 Super Heavy Tank, Sturmtiger, U.S. Goblin Jetfighter, Armstrong Whitworth AW-52 Advanced Fighter, Wasserfall Guided Anti-Air Missile, and Natter Rocket Plane. Hm, very nice. Can't wait to see all these babies in action...

The game designers also promised some new weapons to boot. For starters, new close ranged weapons were added to the arsenal such as knives that can ice your opponent with one shot (stab, or whatever). Next off, there's the Bren Light Machinegun, which we're hoping to learn more about in the next few weeks or so. Two more items were added to your firepower; the Remington Auto 5 Shotgun and the Mauser K98 Grenade Rifle. Further details on both weapons are currently unavailable, but as soon as we get word on them, you'll be the first to know.

Incoming! Open fire!

Not there you idiot!

Ah, but that's not all. As I mentioned earlier there will be eight new locations for you to battle it out in. Not all of them were revealed at this point, but we do know a few details about some of them. The V2 Rocket Research Facility sounds cool enough, and as we understand this map includes some indoor sections, which is slightly contrary to the Battlefield regular outdoorsy atmosphere we're all used to. Another particularly intriguing spot is The Eagle's Nest - Hitler's notorious hideout. Historically though, no fighting ever took place on this location, but this minor anachronism shouldn't present a problem any of you out there. Additional details were revealed about the maps in Norway and Prague. Naturally, the map in Norway will allow players to fight it off throughout some beautiful snowy regions, which would make this, to date, the only official map with snow (other than the old Battle of the Bulge map). The Prague map brings a few nice innovations as well. From what was unveiled thus far, Prague will be a nighttime map, therefore it may also seem quite different from the huge daytime locations we're accustomed to.

With the data we have up to now, we can safely complement the creative team at Digital Illusions CE (Canada-based) for improving the things that matter - gameplay wise. All of the abovementioned novelties are mere slices of the whole innovative concept that lurks behind the project. Other vehicles and weapons will be uncovered shortly, but in the meantime it might interest you to know whose side you'll get to fight on. Like always, you are presented with a choice of two opposing forces that were in conflict during World War II. In Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of World War II you can fight alongside the German Elite troops, or, if you so desire, you can slip into the uniform of British Commando units. Pretty neat, huh? Both sides have their advantages and disadvantages, as usual. Enhancing the gameplay even further, the developers have added an all-new "objective based" mode. Engaging this mode requires each team to organize a sensible and appropriate approach to their attack, in the purpose of destroying a specific object or target. Next to the old Co-op and Conquest modes, this "objective based" mode will surely prove to be another highly addictive multiplayer mode that highlights the significance of strategy and teamwork. Right on!

Well, that's all the data we have for know folks. I'm sure that most (or all of you) are itching to try this one out. Sorry to say though, you must wait all through spring and summer until you can saddle up and start flying around with those charming new Rocket Packs on you back. Also, I think it's likely to assume that Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of World War II will spice up the franchise in a manner that's becoming to its predecessors. Keep your eyes peeled for more info soon.