War. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing less than seven profitable FPS titles and counting, according to DICE, the EA-owned development company behind the Battlefield series.
Their latest simulated skirmish is a download-only, multiplayer shooter set in the second world war's Pacific Theater of Operations. You play as a US marine or a member of the Japanese Imperial Navy in a team of up to 12 players, using planes, boats, jeeps and tanks to engage the enemy in a game of capture the flag on one of four fictional islands.
And what islands they are too. For an Xbox Live title, Battlefield 1943 looks and sounds incredible. It presents the player with a shimmering, out-of-a-brochure vision of the Pacific – all sun-dappled beaches and swaying palm trees – before promptly inviting you to blow the living Sierra out of it. In fact, like its predecessor, Battlefield: Bad Company, the real joy of 1943 is in the destruction. Buildings and fauna can be reduced to rubble and splinters in the press of a button – an instant thrill, but one with long-term tactical repercussions should you require cover later in the match.
Indeed, 1943 needs you to think as much as you thump. Communication with your team-mates is vital if you're going to secure hard to come by resources such as planes and tanks, which are awarded for successfully capturing an enemy flag. Even then the presence of anti-aircraft guns and the option to play as a Scout (specialising in the demolition of heavy vehicles) keeps most matches evenly balanced. It's by no means a perfect war – server problems marred its first few days online and FPS diehards might find 1943's bright and bloodless combat a little too kindergarten. There's also no way it can match up to the best of the disc-based titles in its field – it's not as fun as Bad Company, nor as exciting as COD 4 – but it's not designed to.
Judged as a download, Battlefield 1943 is a huge step forward in the development of online titles. Say it again, brother: War. What is it good for? A fair bit, as it turns out.
