What is it that makes WWII such a popular scenario for video games? Is it the fact that it is recent, yet long enough ago to allow it to be used by popular media? Is it that it was as morally unambiguous a war as there has been? Is it the combination of weaponry and squad-level tactics? Or is it just the 'ding' noise from the M1 Garand as the clip is ejected?

Whatever it is, WWII games have fallen out of favour in the last year or two. With the exception of the magnificent Company of Heroes, there's a sense among many gamers that we've “seen it all before”. There is possibly a seed of truth in this: WWII games have often borrowed heavily from film and television depictions of the second World War. Think of the Omaha beach landing in MOH:AA, and Saving private Ryan; or maybe Carentan in Call of Duty, and Band of Brothers. Perhaps this game-ifying of the silver screen's set-pieces, music and art has dulled our senses to something new and exciting from that era.



Link: Driverheaven