Medal of Honour: Allied Assault (PC)

By PETER ELEY

(Herald rating: * * * * *)

The Second World War has been fertile ground for computer-game companies. The original shoot-em-up, Castle Wolfenstein, pitted the player against Nazis, Microsoft's intelligent Close Combat series tried to recreate the intensity of battle, and there have been countless tank, plane and other games.

The Medal of Honour series has been up there with the best, and the latest release, Allied Assault, sets a new benchmark.

It starts in 1943, a point when things began to crumble for the seemingly invincible Nazis. Their attempt to invade Russia had ended in disaster, and the US was finally making its presence felt on the Western Front.

Allied Assault follows key events in the downfall of Hitler, especially the D-Day landings in Normandy. The historical accuracy is impressive, but the game is so bloody in parts that it compares to the opening shots in Saving Private Ryan.

It starts with sessions in boot camp where you learn how to move and use the various weapons and explosives. You play an American Rangers lieutenant, Mike Powell, and undertake 30 complex missions based on actual events.

Most require a stealth approach and there's a lot of sniping amid ruins but you also get to land under enemy bombardment on Omaha Beach, and drive tanks and armoured motorcycles.

You can call in air and artillery support, too, when things get tight - but make sure you're not in the firing line.

The graphics are excellent and add to the realism, as does a sound system which almost has you diving under the desk as shells explode and snipers' bullets whistle by.

The artificial intelligence is good, and enemy soldiers dodge and hide in combat, often combining to try to kill you. Don't be ashamed of playing in easy mode while you get the hang of things. Hard mode is truly hard.

* peter_eley@nzherald.co.nz