Déjà vu is one of the weirdest feelings you can experience. Unfortunately with gaming it's a feeling we all experience on a regular basis. That's not really a surprise, it's an industry based on sequels and highly derivative releases. However, that shouldn't excuse the fact that the highly welcomed Medal of Honor reboot, too easily fits under both categories.
Let's be frank here, this game wouldn't exist if it wasn't for the massive success of Infinity Ward's instant classic. The fact that this feels a lot like Modern Warfare made by the Battlefield guys is no surprise; DICE is making the multiplayer half of Medal of Honor.
Nearly all of the ideas improved upon or introduced in the first Modern Warfare are here. The persistent levelling up to unlock upgrades and weapons, the kill streak rewards and the general setting and feel of the game is thrown straight into this reboot. Naturally DICE have put their own spin on the formula. The kill streak rewards are based around a points system. While you still get 10 points for a kill, the bonus points for getting a savour kill or headshot contribute towards the rewards. Meaning those with particularly good aim will be rewarded over those who spray and pray. Once you've hit that initial 40-point target, you'll get a choice between a mortar strike and the obligatory radar system. Again though, so it seems less derivative of Modern Warfare, the radar only scans close quarters rather than the whole map.
However, kill streak rewards are a lot less likely as Medal of Honor benefits those who are patient and smart. In what is more influenced by Battlefield, players have a lot less margin for error with the small amounts of health that Medal of Honor hands out. This creates an interesting balance. On one hand you'll get more kills, on the other you're almost certain to be staring at your character's awkward ragdolling death animation a whole lot more. Ultimately though this means you'll rarely encounter those epic runs where you feel unstoppable. It's something I missed with my time in the beta, however, levels of realism are a personal preference and I'm sure some will welcome it.
To its credit and considering it's a beta, the system built around the game is a streamlined and technically proficient one. I've had little to no issues while in matchmaking and its pretty much lag free. That being said it's still a beta, while it would be harsh of me to criticise a few of the in-game bugs, there are still things that need to be ironed out before the launch – with the slight pause before you die becoming increasingly infuriating with each mistake. Traditionally though, that's what a beta is meant to do, iron out problems.
It's great to see DICE tweaking what is obviously a great game into their own. However, the vibe of the whole thing still feels too close to Call of Duty. All of the minor tweaks they've added are exactly that, minor tweaks. Ultimately the game is still feels like EA trying to get a slice of Activision's money spinning pie.
Alright, maybe I could understand them wanting to build their game around what Infinity Ward have already created. It works. However, even the vibe of the whole thing feels similar. Admittedly instead of setting it in unnamed middle-eastern country, it's set in the Helmand and Kabul provinces of Afghanistan. Rather than the nondescript term of terrorists, they're flat-out called the Taliban. Needless to say Medal of Honor isn't shying away from anything risky. It will be interesting to see how the media reacts to the game's release, following the controversy storm that followed Six Days in Fallujah. That's not to say that EA are pretending to make it ultra-realistic and moving, but this could equally attract some attention.
Personally though where the game is set isn't the issue with the reboot of Medal of Honor, the completely lack of personality is. Don't get me wrong, games and other forms of entertainment are meant to be inspired by other forms of entertainment but there is a fine line between inspiration and a shameless copy.
That's not to say that Medal of Honor is bad because DICE have, so far, delivered a great multiplayer component of what I'm sure will be a competent experience. Technically they've done the best job they could with the cards they were dealt. However, the fact that from a story, visual and mechanical standpoint the game is so derivative of Modern Warfare and shooters of a similar ilk means that Medal of Honor will always be second best. Call it a cash-in, a lack of ambition or a problem with the games industry as a whole; ultimately Medal of Honor left me feeling more disappointed with the latter.
Preview By: Sam Morris
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