Commandos 3: Destination Berlin Preview

It's the height of the Second World War and everyone's favorite team of elite Commandos is ready to spring off into action and kick some Nazi butt. Yes, Eidos Interactive's RTS Commandos 3: Destination Berlin has been delivered. Just a few weeks before the full retail version hits the shelves, we got our mitts on the latest build of the game. We were able to test all three single-player campaigns that will be available in the final version and the all-new multiplayer mode. Relax, open your MRE's, and join with us as we partake in some WWII action.

The game's timeline spans key periods of World War II. During this period you'll be fighting within the snowy steppes of Stalingrad, through various vistas in Central Europe, all culminating in Normandy (where, as we all know, the Allied forces initiated Operation Overlord against Germany). It has been noted many times throughout history that desperate times call for desperate measures. Great conflicts can often be settled by the heroism and efforts of a small number of courageous individuals... So, once again, the spotlight shifts to our brave Commandos, who have to risk their lives in many death-defying missions, therefore ensuring the safe instigation of massive assaults against German forces in Europe.

Gameplay wise, Commandos 3: Destination Berlin is still pretty much the game it was before. In other words, things haven't shifted from the classic stealth action gameplay, which has remained a trademark of all other installments in the series. As before, the game's all about infiltrating heavily guarded German bases. This means you'll be sneaking passed sentries, dragging knocked-out enemy bodies around, taking out ammo depots, blowing up armored vehicles, going on reconnaissance and rescue missions, etc. The fact that the series retains all of the qualities it was previously famous for should encourage players even further. All of our readers should, however, be aware that playing Commandos won't be a picnic, and several missions may require frequent usage of the save/load option (which is a godsend). I swear that some of the missions, like the opening Stalingrad mission (more about it later), are probably the hardest Commandos missions I've ever played. Basically, it's all a question of calculating your moves and choosing the right time to strike. Throughout most of the tasks, gamers have to slip through dense enemy defenses, the likes of which have never been seen in any of the previous titles in the series. Objectives are going to be challenging right from the start. This may prove to be an annoyance to newcomers in the series; therefore, I'd strongly recommend browsing through the comprehensive game tutorial - it will guide you thoroughly through the abilities of each and every one of your characters.

The great thing about Commandos 3 is that it has the potential to capture the hearts of all gamers (especially the hardcore crowd). The variety of missions, the splendid design and overall quality of the game should be enough to lure anyone into the gameplay. Note, however, that the game requires patience and quick reflexes if you want to pass through any mission assignment.

For example, the first mission within the Stalingrad campaign involves a tricky battle between Russian and German soldiers. You find yourself facing the deadliest sniper in the entire German army - he'll be taking out Russian troops like flies and will be looking out for your head around each and every corner. The player's task is to find a weakness in the enemy's defense, take out the sharp-shooter, and send him to sniper-Hell. The challenge is that you must look for that split second, during which the sniper focuses his attention else where. Immediately after that you are sent deeper into Stalingrad to protect an Allied general. This mission is risky and exceptionally challenging. You'll soon discover that it will be hard to find cover since the city buildings and landscape change from constant bombing. And if that's not enough, you also get to deal with swarms of German paratroopers, who practically never give you the time to take a breather. Commandos 3 is packed with one challenge after another, and as much as those can be difficult to beat, they also provide a hell of a rush for the players.

The other two campaigns are equally entertaining, but seem even harder. In the third campaign, you will be ordered to break into an enemy base that sends out ammunition and supplies to German forces located on the shores of Normandy. Your job will be to destroy as many armored vehicles and ammo as possible, thus weakening the defenses across the beaches of Normandy (which have been codenamed Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword).

The overall performance of enemy AI routines demonstrated a great deal of improvement over previous Commandos. Each and every mission features opponents that are on "amber" alert and can detect anything from blood-trails on the ground to noises made by some of your characters. As before, players need to form a full-proof strategy before they head off into action. Otherwise, your chances of surviving are quite slim.

Like in the previous Commandos titles an intuitive interface and control system allows you to manipulate characters almost effortlessly. For instance, controlling multiple characters is extremely straightforward, so you won't find it difficult to assign various tasks to different characters simultaneously. When the going gets tough, you can issue orders to some of your characters (like the sniper) to provide cover fire and take out any enemies that might be in the way. Players can similarly order other units to step into the fray, simply by finding a perfect hiding spot on the map and altering their behavior to aggressive. Not a bad tactic, and very effective in certain missions. The cool thing is that, this time around, it will be a lot easier to get through such intense combat situations thanks to the game's numerous 'hotkeys.'

The visuals have considerably improved since the last Commandos game. It's true, however, that players will still carry out outdoor missions via the standard isometric view that's been fully utilized throughout the entire series. Nevertheless Commandos 3 brings a refreshing array of visual enhancements, all of which are pleasing to the eye and in many ways a significant component of the gameplay. You'll even notice that weather effects such as snowstorms, heavy rain, and fog, can have a great influence on how you find your way around the area. Besides the already mentioned isometric outdoor areas, Commandos 3 also features fully rendered indoor sections that allow you to zoom in on the action (a lot more than in the previous game) - you can also rotate the camera in all directions. Also, objects, units, and vehicles seem to have been furnished with additional details and look surprisingly prettier than those I remember from Commandos 2.

From what we've tested of the multiplayer so far, everything seems to be in perfect order. We still have to wait to try out the online matches properly, but otherwise we had some solid fun with several LAN games - played in intense rounds of Deathmatch and CTF. The coolest aspect is when you get to toy with the various unique skills of each character. This should keep players hooked for quite some time. Also, there's a wide range of characters and modes to choose from. For more specifics about the multiplayer, I refer you to our previous coverage of the game.

Well, boys and girls, Commandos 3: Destination Berlin is not that far from release now. We've played a great deal of it in the past few days and it proved to be a satisfying experience. Fans will no doubt have a blast, getting into action with their favorite characters once more. Other gamers may enjoy the game's unique RTS stealth action elements, which have always been one of the series' most notable qualities.