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Between the Call of Duty, Brothers in Arms, and Medal of Honor series, World War II has been more than well represented over the years. Some games are sublime, others fair, and a few are forgettable, but most gamers would agree that one thing we really don’t need is another new franchise set during the Big One. Yet despite this stiff competition and potential genre fatigue, Midway Games has unleashed Hour of Victory on the Xbox 360, though the result isn't particularly compelling or distinguishable from your standard by-the-numbers shooter. Its ability to play levels as three different characters with their own special abilities simply can’t overcome ordinary gameplay and bland visuals.
The single player campaign stars three Allied characters. Ross is a rough and tumble Brit whose sheer strength and toughness are his main attributes; Bull serves as a sniper extraordinaire; and Taggert works as a stealth operative who sneaks around and above the fray as often as possible. Depending on who you select, there will be some varying options as to how to complete the objectives. For example, Ross can shove some heavy objects out of the way to get past trouble, while only Taggert can cut through barbed wire to carve out a side path to sneak up on enemies, and Bull can scale to some higher spots on the map in which to make the most of his long-range rifle skills. Ultimately though, the levels tend to be fairly small, so much of the experience will be the same each time no matter which hero you choose.
For the most part, the single player gameplay is uneven. The bulk of the missions are fairly simple to accomplish no matter who you select, due in part to enemy behavior that’s pretty darned unintelligent. On more than one occasion, I spotted a foe who was facing the opposite direction, even though I was coming at him from the front. The handful of missions that do offer a challenge though, border on brutal, with seemingly no in between. A couple of them stand out in particular: a tank mission escaping from a medieval castle, and the final boss battle. You’ll probably swear that the game is either cheating or you’re just plain terrible (both of which I did repeatedly). From a presentation standpoint, Hour doesn’t come across as a true next-generation title; the graphics and sound are not horrific, but nonetheless offer very little sizzle (especially for a full-price high definition title).
As mediocre as the single player mode is, multiplayer is even more lacking. The camera and controls feel exceptionally loose, as if they aren’t running at the same speed as the game going on around them. This resulted in plenty of heartache, and more than a few unintended deaths. There’s a very limited community of people playing online, so it’s darned hard to get a solid game up and running. With just three modes to choose from - Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and a bomb-carrying mode called Devastation – and a ragged experience overall, feeling unpolished and more than a little tacked on. Frankly, I would have preferred more time spent fleshing out the campaign mode.
Hour of Victory is not going to make anyone’s Most Recommended lists. At best, it’s a weekend rental to pile up some Achievements, and perhaps let a little aggression loose on some Nazis (and who doesn’t enjoy that?). A short single player campaign and a glitchy, barren online environment relegates Victory to the back of the line, especially when the 360 boasts so many top-notch games of the same ilk. Perhaps if you’re a big-time military shooter fan, and the summer release timing is right, since you’ve probably finished Call of Duty 2 and 3, GRAW and GRAW 2, and have to wait a couple more months for Medal of Honor: Airborne. However, only the most hardcore of shooter fans need sign up for this Hour; the rest are better served by moving right along.
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