“Before the war, walking to city hall from where we are now would take about two minutes and, of course, there was no danger of being killed,” Koslov wrote. My eyes scan the snow-shrouded remains of a nearby building, its skeleton still smoking in the aftermath of a vicious German assault. In the distance, I can hear the faint propaganda of the German army urging Stalingrad’s residents to surrender.

I read his words again, out loud this time.

“So many things happened in World War II that formed the modern world,” says a voice behind me. I turn. Collier and Alderman step out of the deep shadows cast by the dead building as the sun descends from its midday apex through a cloudless gray sky.

Move Out! Your fellow soldiers will follow you anywhere, so make sure you know where you’re going.

Playability and Intensity

As in the original, Call of Duty 2 takes you through three campaigns as seen through the eyes of Russian, British, and American soldiers: Koslov, Sergeant John Davis and Commander David Welsh of England, and Corporal Bill Taylor of the United States.

Many well-known battles are represented in the game’s 27 missions, from the bloody struggle for control of Stalingrad to the scaling of the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc on D-Day to heavily-armored fights against Rommel’s tanks in the dusty deserts of Africa.

“Enemy soldiers use organized tactics to confront the player. Fortunately, your teammates use the same system to take on the enemy intelligently and create intense firefights.”

- Todd Alderman, lead multiplayer designer

“It came down to playability and intensity within the game itself,” Collier explains when asked why certain battles were chosen. Describing the efforts of 200 Army Rangers to climb hundred-foot cliffs while under enemy fire, Collier simply says: “If it sounds insane, that’s because it really was.”

Organized Tactics

The game departs radically from its predecessor, however, by giving you multiple paths to meet your objectives, along with computer-controlled Allied and Axis soldiers who behave in the most realistic fashion seen yet in a World War II game.

As if on cue, Koslov — who has been fighting on these desolate streets for months now — steps in front of us. Several more Russian soldiers follow, all of them crouching as they move toward the area around City Hall, where the Germans lie in wait.

Collier hands me a pair of binoculars and points down the street. There I see a group of German soldiers making their way toward the Russians. Through a series of hand signals, their leader orders the men to fan out and flank the approaching enemy. When everyone is in position, three of them stand up and start firing on the Russians.

Fine Day For a Trip to the Beach. Be ready to storm the enemy position as soon as this landing craft arrives.

“Enemy soldiers use organized tactics to confront the player,” Alderman explains, “establishing a base of fire while the maneuver element flanks your squad from the side. They can also set up ambushes and gather reinforcements before attacking you. Fortunately, your teammates use the same system to take on the enemy intelligently and create intense firefights.”

Counter-Attack

The Russians react. One of them points out the flanking Germans and opens fire on them, disrupting their maneuver. Another tosses a couple of grenades toward the firing soldiers, who scatter. Koslov leads a charge on the enemy position, easily taking advantage of their distractions. The Germans quickly retreat, ceding the territory in a bid to regroup.

“The difference between just seeing the location in a photograph and actually being there is what allows us to bring home an authentic and engrossing experience.”

- Todd Alderman

Koslov and his comrades congratulate each other and gather ammunition and grenades from fallen enemies. I look through the binoculars once more and see that their joy will be short-lived: already the Germans are assembling a larger group than before, making an extra effort this time to blend their white coats against the snow that covers everything on these smoldering streets. One of them tosses smoke grenades into the no-man’s land between the groups.

“For a real treat,” suggests Collier, “try using smoke on the enemy, and then charge into the cloud to melee them. You will see your squad follow you in and see some crazy hand-to-hand combat unfold.”

Chilly Reception. Advance on German-held territory during the Battle of Stalingrad.

An Authentic and Engrossing Experience

While we wait for the battle to be joined once more, Alderman details the research that went into the game, starting with in-depth discussions with the team’s military advisors. “They provided us with great insights into the mind of a soldier and the tactics used on the battlefield,” he explains.

World War II re-enactors also played a vital role, providing Infinity Ward with real weapons, uniforms, and equipment that was actually used during decades-ago combat. Alderman notes: “That proved to be a valuable resource for ensuring our characters and weapons look as real as possible in the game.”

Back to the Front. Stop the Germans from overrunning your position in this mission.

Finally, weapon shoots and trips to such locations as North Africa and France completed the effort, providing realistic sound effects as well as immersion in the atmosphere of World War II. “Many of our team members visited Pointe du Hoc,” Alderman recalls. “The difference between just seeing the location in a photograph and actually being there is what allows us to bring home an authentic and engrossing experience.”

Gunfire clatters in the distance, punctuated by the sharp thumps of exploding grenades. Men yell orders to each other or scream in pain. Bullets nick the side of a building, puffs of dust left in their wake. Yeah, I’d say they succeeded in achieving “authentic.”

If you liked this game, check out:

• America’s Army: Special Forces
• World War II Online: Battleground Europe
• Battleground 1942: Secret Weapons of WW2
• Call of Duty: United Offensive
• Delta Force: Black Hawk Down
• Medal of Honor: Breakthrough
• Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield