MOVIETONE NEWS: Game publisher Electronic Arts has begun its assault on the North American continent. The assault has been described as "The best interactive representation of the second world war ever made!" American soldiers have been found far and wide throughout the land, armed with both cash and credit in their preparations for dealing with the product. Sources reveal that Electronic Arts' plan includes an all-out assault on the European continent in only a matter of weeks.

For gamers of the current generation, World War II is a dark period of history that they have read about in books and seen depictions of on film. Regardless of how educated on the subject we may be, the simple truth of the matter is that we will really never know what it was like to play a role in that half-century old life or death struggle against the ultimate evil. Until virtual reality systems become as standard as gaming consoles in everyone's homes, it would appear that Medal of Honor: Allied Assault is the closest we are going to get to being able to understand what grandpa has been talking about all these years.

MOH: AA is, of course, a title of the first-person-shooter variety. Players assume the role of Lieutenant Mike Powell, an American soldier working for the Office of Strategic Services, through 6 combat-intensive missions that require the completion of over 33 levels. All of the various weaponry used during the war is available at one point or another (both allied and axis weaponry, that is), ranging from the Colt .45, Walther P38, M1 Garand Rifle, Springfield '03 Sniper, Kar-98 (both standard and sniper), Thompson Submachine Gun, MP40 Submachine Gun, Browning Automatic Rifle a.k.a. "BAR", StG44 Sturmgewehr, as well as many mounted, unmovable weapons. Players up against impossible odds will also be able to call in the occasional air strike.

The graphics, (this reviewer used a 1.1Ghz P3 w/Geforce 2GTS, and another machine, 2.2Ghz P4/Geforce 3TI500) are top notch on lower-end systems, and utterly jaw-dropping on faster beasts. It's core graphics engine is the Quake III: Team Arena engine, with all the predictable results associated with it. Every scene is dripping with beautiful detail, from the gorgeous villas of Remagen, to the elegant masonry of Algiers. The character models are equally impressive, including down-to-the-last-detail uniforms, and full facial expressions with eye models that are rendered separately from the face "skin" to allow independent eye movement (that soldier you think is watching you from the corner of his eye actually is). Walk up to a Nazi during the mission where you must impersonate one by stealing a uniform. Show him your papers and then just stare at his face. You'll be amazed as his expressions, mostly around the eyes and mouth, change as he sizes you up and thinks, "Hmmm..."