One War, Three Points-of-View

Call of Duty and Breakthrough place you in the boots of a common soldier fighting for the Allied cause during World War II. While the latter takes the singular view of Sergeant John Baker as he travels through Africa and Italy during 1943 and 1944, the former offers you three vantage points — American soldier Private Martin, British officer Sergeant Evans, and Soviet conscript Alexi — as you experience highlights of the major battles that took place from 1942 through 1945.

Both games offer keen insight into the psychology of the soldiers who fought in the three largest Allied armies during the war. Your journey across the world in Call of Duty begins with Private Martin, cocksure and ready to defeat the Germans. As a member of the 101st Airborne, he parachutes behind enemy lines the evening before D Day (June 6, 1944) to place drop point signals for the invasion wave to follow. He makes his way across France, taking on a variety of missions, before he arrives in Germany’s notorious Hurtgen Forest, where vicious battles took place during the frigid winter of 1944.

Medal of Honor: Breakthrough. As Sergeant Baker, help these downed British paratroopers to safety.

While Breakthrough’s Sergeant Baker finds himself in warmer climes, his journey through North Africa and Italy is no less harrowing, and his attitude mirrors Martin’s. Like his fellow Airborne paratroopers, Baker is willing to put himself in harm’s way while carrying out his assigned missions. In North Africa, he comes into contact with Germany’s infamous Afrika Korps Panzer divisions and later he hang glides into Italy to help stop that country’s involvement in the war.

A Study in Contrasts

Call of Duty, meanwhile, moves beyond the American campaign to show us the British and Soviet perspectives. Sergeant Evans displays much of the humor and aplomb common in British culture, reacting to every situation as if it’s a mere trifle to be dealt with before tea time. Evans also lands in France the night before the Normandy invasion to help pave the way for the forces that will follow. His missions take him through the country and into Germany, where he must destroy three deadly V2 missiles before they can be used against the Allies.

Call of Duty. You are Alexi. The German Reichstag is in the background. You and these men will take it over.

Poor peasant Alexi, however, is like many conscripted into the Soviet army at the time: scared and forced to take up arms whether he wants to or not. You begin his campaign in a boat crossing the Volga River as German Luftwaffe planes strafe it; unfazed, the local propaganda leader barks through a megaphone at the recruits, promising them plenty of food and weapons for the coming battle. Those who turn and run will be shot, he warns.

When the boat reaches shore, however, a supply clerk hands Alexi nothing more than a clip of ammunition and an officer gives him a shove in the back, toward the German soldiers firing down on the hapless Soviet troops. He must keep his wits about him as he tries to find a weapon and ample ammunition before he’s sent into Stalingrad, where even more Germans wait to mow down the conscripts. After he helps secure the city, he pushes west with the rest of his fellow soldiers, at one point even driving a tank in a ferocious battle against a Panzer division. Eventually he fights in the well-known Battle of Berlin, where he completes the circle begun in Stalingrad by assisting with the take-over of the Nazi Reichstag and hoisting a Soviet flag on its roof.

Into Africa Once More

Once World War II is over, flash forward five decades for the missions that take place in Delta Force: Black Hawk Down, which sports gameplay similar to the Tom Clancy series of tactical first-person shooters, such as Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield.

In October 1993, two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters were shot down in Somalia during the capture of two lieutenants serving under General Aidid, whose Habr Gedir militia was terrorizing the country.

Eighteen U.S. soldiers, along with several hundred Somalis, died during the 17 hours of street fighting that followed. The local population quickly grew to distrust the American intrusion.

Delta Force: Black Hawk Down. Provide critical support to U.S. forces in Somalia.

The game begins the story several months earlier, however, as U.S. forces arrive in Somalia to help the UN deliver desperately needed supplies. After it becomes clear that Aidid’s militia has been attacking the supply lines, Task Force Ranger enters the scene and begins the search for Aidid and his top men. You take the role of an everyday soldier and play through a series of missions based on events real and fictitious, ultimately culminating in the deadly October battle and its aftermath. The game ends with a 1996 Black Ops mission to finally eliminate Aidid, with the help of a rival militia.

Delta Force: Black Hawk Down. This convoy is under attack by General Aidid's forces. Take them out.

Black Hawk Down’s psychological angle delves into the role played by civilians during the fighting. The Habr Gedir militia don’t wear formal uniforms, so it can be difficult to distinguish them from innocent civilians. Accidentally fire on too many civilians — or on your fellow soldiers, who aren’t immune to your bullets — and your mission will end prematurely. You’ll also discover first-hand that many Somalis don’t want U.S. troops roaming through their villages: some of them will approach you and start shouting, adding to the confusion.

What is it good for?

Medal of Honor: Breakthrough, Call of Duty, and Delta Force: Black Hawk Down. Each provides compelling looks at the many faces of war.

If you liked these games, check out:

• Ghost Recon: Game of the Year Edition
• Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
• Medal of Honor: Spearhead
• Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield
• Return to Castle Wolfenstein
• World War II Online