Battleground Europe: WW2 Online Blitzkrieg Reborn! Company: GMX Media This preview holds a special place in my heart. You see, I am one of the loyal, but few, fans of World War 2 Online. I have made amazing friendships, been in some epic battles, and all and all, had a blast for over 3 years. Now, with the impending box release of WW2 Online: Battleground Europe I couldn?t be any more proud of the subscribers and developer Cornered Rat Studios, who stuck with this game through all the tough times. This is one of the few MMOFPS's out there (aside from Planetside, another great game) and really sets itself apart in a number of ways from most games in general. You can gain rank in 3 armies (more on the way) - Britain, France and Germany, set in Western Europe circa 1940-1942. All 350, 000 square miles of it. North Africa is also in the works. You can even fly from one end to the other, if you have the time and fuel. People have left their computers on all night and auto swam across the English Channel? A plethora of vehicles are available, from twin-engine bombers, massive destroyers and even nimble scout cars. Infantry play is also readily available, from sappers, machine gunners to your basic rifleman. All vehicles can be multi-crewed by your buddies, and it's a great way to pass the time. Rank opens up access to more weapons and the ability to create missions for your various brigades to form up and use. This game is ultra realistic and has a steep learning curve, but the patient gamer will find much reward from their early struggles. Strategy and smart tactics are what it's all about - should we flank at Cambrai or push North to Orchies? Should we attack with a massive column of 30 panzer tanks, or fly in 10 JU-52 transport planes loaded with Fallschirmjagers (German paratroops) armed lightly with submachine guns, but can capture more buildings than tanks? The decisions often come to rest on yourself, but more likely will be based on your commander?s decision. The Allied and German High commands are composed of real players, with ranks they adhere to, and make it all one big team (rather than your usual squad vs. squad mentality), complete with massive Teamspeak servers that house most players. The dynamic and skill-based gameplay really can?t be matched. The first time you roll over a hill in a Panzer tank, peer out your binoculars and spot 2 approaching Allied Stewarts, your heart will quicken and pound as you prepare to engage. One hit can take you out, or more than 15 if the enemy bounces it off the thicker parts or your armor. As you walk in your rounds, you may be frantically communicating the enemy position to a nearby Stuka dive-bomber for a flight mission, or maybe to that terrifying 88mm cannon 2 kilometers to the west. You can be tracked. Your gun can be destroyed. You can lose all but 1 crewmember and still live. So on and so forth, until you are forced to re-spawn. Technically, this game won?t bowl you over with amazing graphics. You can?t have 3-kilometer view distances, 100 people on screen in tanks, planes and infantry, plus huge towns, with Halo 2 quality graphics. Still, they do the job damn well, and Corned Rat has continually upgraded them ever since. Speaking of upgrades, they have an awesome history of providing free patches, ushering in new terrain, features and vehicles/classes. The community is top notch as well, are very active and some of the most mature in gaming, as this title tends to scare off the ?Quake Kids?, as we call them. I highly implore you to check out WW2 Online: Battleground Europe, especially you older fans that haven?t visited this limitless game in awhile. The changes will absolutely floor you. !S -Tybo, GameVortex Communications AKA Tyler Whitney Related Links: Pre-order World War 2 Online World War 2 Online Home Page GMX Media's Website