Commandos: Strike Force Preview

Facelift for a legend...

There are times in life when a woman feels a need to ponder on the meaning of moral categories such as "good" and "bad." She feels that, although she's doing her best, it's virtually impossible to distinguish the two, making them even more confusing and abstract than they first seemed. Let us imagine you were fired from a job you really hated. Still, you needed the money. What are you going to tell your imaginary spouse when you come home? "Honey, I've got some bad news?" See what I mean?

Whoa, what did I miss?

The first rule of duck hunting is you have to have patience.

Why am I writing all this, you may ask. Well, first, I'm twisting in pain right now, all because I had a very ugly meeting with a hole last evening, and may I tell you the hole was very unfriendly (Sooooo many jokes could be made here based on that last statement -Ed). It sprained my ankle, so I spent the whole night working on a new edition of my handbook of curses. Kids, don't drink and drive. Or walk. Or move. It will only make the world spin faster than it already does. Anyway, being on drugs - you know, the legal ones labeled "painkillers" - doesn't make me any smarter. So I couldn't think of any other way to start this... preview. Oh, yes, the preview.

Well, all of you who consider themselves fans of the Commandos series will be pleased to know that Commandos are back. That is, not yet, but any time soon... sometime in the spring next year, to be exact, with PC, PS2, and Xbox versions. Now, what's so good about it is that it's going to be the same old Commandos when it comes to its looks and, if you're not that cheap, overall quality, which made the title so popular in the first place. However, there will also be one big change compared to the original - Commandos: Strike Force is going to be a first-person shooter. Why this sudden change in the viewing perspective, you may ask. My, aren't you curious. Beats me, why don't you go and kindly ask the developer.

Wait, the developer has in fact said something. Here's what they had to say about it: "By combining the tactical approach of the previous Commandos games with the intense action of a FPS, Commandos Strike Force will provide a more cerebral approach to the war game genre. Strike Force is our most ambitious project ever and we believe that this game will set a new benchmark for World War II videogames." In a way, we feel we must agree with Ignacio Perez, CEO of Pyro Studios. This approach should make the game more dynamic and involving, but we're only speculating now. Only time will show if this was the right decision - an opportunity to give Commandos some fresh blood - or possibly a screw-up. Right now, the idea of turning this popular RTS into a FPS title seems very interesting, although a bit forced (guess it's easier to develop a FPS in the Commandos universe than to make a decent sequel). Only my guess, so if you could please stop pointing that gun at my head. Thank you.

Being so kind and telling you about the greatest change in the new Commandos title, I can now babble about other features of the successor of one of the most popular (and difficult) WWII titles ever, and may I warn you - there is not much to divulge here. Of course, once again you are sent off to WWII to show what you're made of in a series of missions through France, Russia and Norway. Although the game is now in first-person, the change of the concept does not mean renouncement of the series' trademarks, such as the tactical game play. The developer promises large and open-ended maps with various objectives - Commandos is famed for having quite a set of objectives to fulfill, so the public shouldn't be disappointed. Levels should be non-linear and allow you to make your own decisions about the way things are going to develop. Apart from that, three different Commandos characters will be at your disposal - the Green Beret, the Sniper and the Spy.

Hello! Anybody there? Gosh, I swear this is the last time I'm playing hide and seek while on duty.

Hooray, I blew up another tank! You know what - I'm starting to like this game.

The Green Beret represents the direct solution to the problem - this character is described as an expert soldier always being at the heart of the action. On the other hand, the Sniper may not have the Green Beret's deadly close combat skills, but he does have nerves of steel and a steady hand, making him irreplaceable when it comes to long range (reportedly, he also has a neat 'hold breath' option that allows him to shoot more accurately). Finally, the Spy has the power to remain unseen, moving stealthily and attacking from the shadows.

All three characters have different skills that will make them better suited for some missions. In general, missions can be divided into Action, Infiltration and Stealth missions and include various acts of sabotage, kidnapping generals, freeing prisoners and so on. In fulfilling these goals, you will have to combine different weapons with your tactical skills (with a little help of Allied Troops that will come to your aid). As in previous titles, you will have a lot of freedom to make your own decisions and find your own way around - open-ended maps will offer you multiple paths to solving a problem, with the possibility of a tactical use of guns and weapons. Your enemies will react differently, depending on the way you choose to act. "All your actions will have reactions," says the developer so there is no need to linger on this subject any more.

Apart from a lengthy single player campaign, Commandos: Strike Force will feature a variety of multiplayer modes (1-16 players online or via LAN), the details of which are still kept under the lid. What is known is that Pyro is using Criterion's RenderWare engine, also featured in Rockstar's GTA franchise and the latest racer smash hit, Burnout 3.