Firstly I have to say that I love this game, truly a real Good Old Game, and so great that it, along with its Second Encounter, spawned a HD version - but unfortunately the HD version isn't available here, but maybe in the future? And talking about the future, this game is a futuristic game but set in the past! The player, Sam Stone, is sent into the past to thwart the forces of Mental. So, get set for some Ancient Egyptian sight-seeing, but this is no leisurely stroll. There are literally hundreds of monsters, and you can up the difficulty for some seriously hard gameplay. The enemies are also nicely done with demons, giant scorpion-like creatures, mutilated humanoids (the first time you meet a headless screaming kamikaze bomber running towards you it will seem harmless, but just you wait until you have them coming at you from all directions in great numbers), alien skeletons, harpies, to describe just a few and then there's not forgetting the enormous bosses. The game also gets in a few quotes and references to video games and movies (a la Duke Nukem style) and adds in some humourous touches here and there. What I will say about this game, however, is don't come into it expecting a clever shooter. The enemies are more about sheer numbers than tactics as this is a classic Doom-like shooter experience. And finally, if you enjoy this game then you'll love the Second Encounter which adds in a few different environment styles as opposed to just the Egyptian one that this game has.
I played both of these games quite some years back now. Beyond the Call of Duty is not really an expansion pack as it was a stand-alone installer that didn't need the original content. First off, the graphics are a fixed isometric display. Only in Commandos 2 did it become 3D rotational. This does mean that sometimes there can be obscured vision but it's not that much of an issue. Secondly, the difficulty of the game, even on the easier difficulties, is quite high. Quick-save often, but make sure you keep ordinary saves too as the last thing you want to do is to quick-save in a situation where you are trapped and with no save to fall back to. The characters are likeable all with their own personalities and their own skills. As for how to complete the missions, it is left up to you for the most part, but there tends to be only one general way to get through. That said, you can be lucky or you can find kill-zones where enemies keep running around a corner and straight into your bullets. The enemy AI is not clever enough to try and find alternative ways around upon seeing a pile of dead soldiers. In fact, it will spot the dead bodies and send more over to investigate. I did complete some levels by clearing out barracks by doing this very thing, but you do have to have luck on your side. The missions do range from a variety of landscapes which is a nice change. And don't forget that snow leaves footprints that will lure soldiers to you. Use it to your advantage as the Green Beret, though, but don't forget that the others won't want to leave a trail behind. This brings me to a strange point. Part of the game is a strategy based on what abilities each commando has. But really, why can't the others use a combat knife to sneak up and cut throats or knock unconscious the guards and tie them up? Why can't everyone wear a disguise and not just the spy? Some of these restrictions don't feel realistic but it is part of what the game is about, to use the skills available to each commando. On an annoying note, though, if any one commando dies you cannot complete the level as the storyline demands that they survive for the next mission, obviously. However, if a commando is killed it won't force you to restart the level or reload unless they are needed for some unfulfilled mission objective. Instead, the game lets you continue on to complete the objectives, but won't let you move to the next level because of the death. Overall, the game is fun in ways, but also annoying in others. It's very much an average game for me but I did enjoy playing them. I've not played the rest of the series, though, and hope that they are coming to GOG.
