While
the game’s expansion and the current-gen console games were handled elsewhere,
the previous two bona fide entries to the Call of Duty franchise have been
developed by Infinity Ward. However, with the third game, the baton is being
passed off to Treyarch, developer on last year’s console iteration, Call of
Duty: Big Red One. This may cause some gamers to baulk at the shift (Call of
Duty 2 was and could still be one of if not the best next-gen game on the
market), but after spending some time with the game recently, I’d have to assure
you that COD 3 is in good hands. The game retains all of the intensity of the
previous titles and even manages to add to the feel and become even more
atmospheric. Plus, the Wii version utilizes the unique control scheme in a way
that will make it fun to pick up and play.
Call of
Duty 3 focuses on the Normandy Breakout, and puts you in control of soldiers
from four different nations, the American and British forces, as well as the
Canadian and Polish armies, their first appearances in the series. The game has
no loading bar this time around, as the game will stream a movie as the game
area loads up, making for a seamless experience.
The
main element that the Wii version will benefit from is the unique control
scheme. Moving around with the nunchuck add-on, you’ll point the Wii-mote at the
screen to aim at enemies. Holding down the A Button will allow you to aim down
your sights to get a more accurate shot. You’ll also have to “cast” the
controller like a fishing line in order to throw grenades.
At
certain points in the game you’ll get into close combat situations with enemies,
and you’ll get pinned on the ground. As though you’re holding onto the rifle and
trying to force your enemy off of you with it, you have to push the Wii-mote and
the nunchuck dongle back and forth to get the guy off you and stand back up, and
get make a downward stabbing motion in order to get the drop on him. Sure, it’s
a little more work than most gamers are used to, but it’s a pretty fun way to
immerse yourself in the game.
Call of
Duty 3 on the Wii looks on par with the current gen offerings in terms of
graphics. The character models move pretty smoothly, and the environments are
pretty clean.
The
sound is also incredible, with whizzing bullets and the battlefield ambience
we’ve come to expect from the Call of Duty series.
Call of
Duty 3 is shaping up to be another dynamite entry to the successful franchise,
and Treyarch is certainly taking it in the right direction.
