Medal of Honor: Allied Assault

Medal of Honor: Allied Assault is the first-person shooter video game developed by 2015, Inc. and published on Microsoft Windows PCs by Electronic Arts in 2002.



After two video games that popularized this franchise on home PlayStation 1 console, Medal of Honor: Allied Assault was developed from the ground up for PC platform, taking full advantage from the id Tech 3 rendering engine (that powered many hit PC titles such as Quake 3 and Return to Castle Wolfenstein) and high production values of modern PC games.

Because of uncompromising development goals, this game quickly became a massive hit, popularizing historic-focused FPS games and enabling millions of PC gamers from all around the world to experience some of the most harrowing battles set in the European and North African theaters of World War II.



The singleplayer campaign of Medal of Honor: Allied Assault follows the Lt. Mike Powell, a fictional United States Army Rangers who was present in the battles against Axis forces in Algiers, Norway, and occupied France.

One of the highlights of the game is the complete recreation of the famous D-Day storming of Omaha Beach, which recreates in a fully interactive form some of the most memorable moments in the popular Hollywood movie Saving Private Ryan.

The campaign is fast-paced, full of surprising scripted sequences, and gunfights that can range from small skirmishes to large battles that involve dozens of allies and opponents.

However, due to its focus on delivering a precisely told scripted story, the size of the environments and the active play zone is optimized to always push the player forward toward the next story trigger, leaving little space for free exploration or discovery of new combat tactics.



In addition to the singleplayer campaign set in historic war-torn environments of Europe and North Africa, Medal of Honor: Allied Assault featured a large multiplayer component. Sadly, with the shutdown of GameSpy servers in 2014, all online functionalities of this game were brought to the end.

Even though the MoH franchise was put on hold in recent years after the release of Medal of Honor: Warfighter in 2012, this original PC titles still represent a title that deserves to be played today. Thanks to its slim system requirements, that can be done on almost any desktop and laptop PC you can find today.

System Requirements

• Processor: Intel Pentium 4 1.8GHz / AMD Sempron 2200+
• Graphics: AMD Radeon X1270 or NVIDIA GeForce 6500
• System Memory: 512 MB RAM
• Storage: 1.5 GB Hard drive space
• DirectX 9 Compatible Graphics Card

PROS

Immersive World War II Setting: The game is set during World War II and offers an immersive and historically accurate portrayal of the era. The game's attention to detail in recreating the period's weapons, uniforms, and environments adds to its authenticity.

Intense Single-Player Campaign: The game's single-player campaign offers a thrilling and cinematic experience. Players assume the role of Lieutenant Mike Powell, an OSS agent, as he takes on various missions across Europe, including D-Day, rescuing prisoners of war, and infiltrating Nazi strongholds.

Realistic Weapons and Gameplay: The game features a wide array of World War II-era weapons, each with its unique feel and characteristics. The gunplay is often praised for its realism, adding to the immersion.

Engaging Multiplayer Mode: "Medal of Honor: Allied Assault" introduced a popular multiplayer mode that allowed players to engage in online battles. It featured various maps and game modes, fostering a competitive and enjoyable multiplayer experience.

Memorable Soundtrack and Audio: The game's soundtrack, composed by Michael Giacchino, received acclaim for its emotional and atmospheric music, which further enhanced the game's immersion. The sound effects and voice acting also contributed to the overall audio quality.

CONS

Aging Graphics: By today's standards, the graphics in "Medal of Honor: Allied Assault" are quite dated. The game was released in 2002, and its visuals may not hold up well compared to more modern titles.

Limited Replayability: While the single-player campaign is engaging, it may lack significant replay value once completed, as the missions follow a linear structure.

Lack of Innovation: It was a groundbreaking game when it was released, but subsequent entries in the series and other shooters have surpassed it in terms of innovation and gameplay features.

Limited Enemy AI: The game's AI can be somewhat predictable and simplistic at times, which can detract from the challenge for more experienced players.

No Longer Officially Supported: As the game is quite old, official support and updates are no longer available. However, the game's community has created unofficial patches and mods to address certain issues.