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Click on the picture for specifications Medal Of Honor RM 195 Price Updated 05 Jan 2011

Medal Of Honour scores with an engrossing storyline and a fine touch of realism, writes AHMAD FAIZ

NO one can seriously believe that a video game can really emulate the hardships that modern day soldiers face, certainly not a highly sceptical hardcore PC gamer like yours truly.

What´s more, when a first person shooter is played on a video game console like the PS3 using a joypad instead of a mouse and keyboard, you can forget about interface realism - soldiers can´t possibly survive in a battle zone with such poor reflexes and aiming ability.

Yet, with Medal Of Honor - Tier 1, I find myself strangely hooked by the trials and tribulations of the fictitious elite soldiers featured in the game.

While the game´s interface is not very realistic, the storyline is. Based on consultation with real US military advisors, the game features the kind of adventure you´d have to expect if you were to go to the frontlines or behind enemy lines.

So much so that minutes into the game, I quickly forget about its unrealistic interface and focus on how to survive each mission.

Of course, every so often, one can´t help but be annoyed, such as when the enemy boats simply mull about waiting to be shot at or when one´s comrades in arms ignore hostile target just because a mission is a success.

Still, the game is fun and intense enough to forgive such shortcomings and move on.

Anyway, you get to play three main characters that are backed solidly by the non-player characters on your team. The first two characters are Navy Seals, while the third is an Army Ranger.

Regardless of the character you´re playing, if you´re the gung-ho weekend warrior who loves to rush into battle screaming "Tora! Tora! Tora!", then you can go into combat with emphasis on brutal firepower and melee combat using shotgun power and a knife.

If you´re the laid-back strategist who prefers to snipe at targets of opportunity, you can choose sniper rifles and highly accurate machine guns - it´s amazing how many head-shots you can accomplish with the PS3 joypad.

There is also a bit of Apache attack helicopter action, where you´re the gunner who´s responsible for keeping your pilot and yourself alive, while providing fire support to your ground-pounding comrades.

To put it simply, having started playing Medal Of Honor - Tier 1 with a sense of utter scepticism, I find myself finishing the game feeling moved, to the extent that I even dream of the characters in my sleep.

Why moved? Whether or not you believe that war in Afghanistan is a just war, Medal Of Honor - Tier 1 is like one of those war movies depicting the lives of soldiers who fight for honour and survival, not politics.

Whilst you may not agree with America´s politics in Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world, you can still relate to the hardships faced by the fighting men and women thrown into the frontlines or dropped behind enemy lines.

For that, this game rates highly. Graphics and sound wise, it is realistic enough to make you feel that what you´re doing really matters, which is very important in a game that emulates life.

In terms of replay value, playing Medal Of Honor - Tier 1 would be like watching a rerun of your favourite movie - definitely worth experiencing again and again.

by Ahmad Faiz

Published Date : 03 January 2011  

Source : New Straits Times