DeVuego

Commandos Strike Force isn't a bad game...it's just similar to but worse than a large number of other World War II shooters. Its main distinguishing features--the ability to control a couple of soldiers through open-ended levels--aren't all that remarkable, and the core action doesn't cut it either. Consider this one a casualty.

You'll likely be satisfied with what you play of the mobile version of King Kong, since this is a well-presented action game that throws a good amount of variety at you, especially with its two playable characters. However, since you'll be finished with the game in less time than it would take you to sit through the feature film, and since there's little obvious reason to revisit the relatively easy levels, there's not much lasting value to this experience. But it's still worth checking out for fans of the movie or really for anyone looking for a solid but brief action game for their handset.

Commandos 2 is a distinctive game with a great design and a lot of impressive features. Yet even though the designers did as good a job as could be expected of porting the excellent PC version to the PlayStation 2, Commandos 2 just doesn't feel at home on a console. The fine detail in the graphics is lost, the cooperative multiplayer mode is gone, and the controls, which were difficult to get used to in the PC version, are less precise but no less difficult to master. If all that's not enough, the PC version retails for about $20 less these days. Commandos 2 definitely deserves a large audience. But it's only worth playing on the PlayStation 2 if there's simply no way for you to play it in its original form.

Like its predecessor, Commandos 2 is a distinctive game with a great design and a lot of impressive features. Yet Commandos 2 is even better than the first--its design is much more focused, the missions are more involved, and the expanded options for your commandos are all excellent. As a result, the game will certainly appeal to most anyone who likes a challenge for both the mind and the reflexes. And what a challenge--you'll feel a real sense of reward and relief after finishing each of the epic missions in Commandos 2.

Because of its visceral, action-packed combat sequences, Blade of Darkness should appeal to fans of similar games or those who like gritty high-fantasy battles. The control scheme takes getting used to and never really becomes second nature, and the game's mostly good graphics do have some noticeable shortcomings. Likewise, the combat can get somewhat repetitive, and you'll find that the four playable characters actually aren't as different as they first appear. Even so, Blade of Darkness makes good on its main promises: It's a bloody action game that lets you use a wide variety of weapons to make mincemeat of a wide variety of foes. In the end, if that sounds appealing to you, then you'll certainly appreciate the game.

In spite of everything, it's inaccurate to say that Beyond the Call of Duty is far worse than the original. If anything, the two games are difficult to distinguish, so fans of the original will enjoy Beyond the Call of Duty because of its inherent similarity to its predecessor. And to be fair, there are certain subtle new twists to this game that add strategic depth, such as the spy's ability to wear several types of uniforms. But at the same time, most of the subtle changes have adverse effects and make Beyond the Call of Duty feel like more of the same in the worst kind of way.

Commandos contains a single linear campaign composed of 20 big missions. The linearity isn't problematic; while there exists a best way to win each scenario, you always get plenty of room to be especially creative or just a little reckless. And because they're well designed and open-ended, you'll want to play most of them more than once. Any of these missions can be attempted cooperatively with up to five other players, each responsible for at least a single troop. However, the true pleasure in this game is coordinating the entire squad single-handedly, anticipating how a situation will transpire and watching it go according to plan or successfully improvising when things don't go your way. And what a pleasure - after you navigate your team through or past some 50-odd nonchalant German guards, destroy a vital enemy installation, and hijack a means of escape, you may well find Commandos sneaking its way to the top of your list.