Medal of Honor was a groundbreaking war game series that defined the World War II experience for millions of players. At its peak, it rivaled Call of Duty and Battlefield. Today, however, the series is on the wane, with the last installment coming out in VR in 2020. But it has a rich history full of iconic moments and developments that have reflected the changing trends of the gaming industry.
Medal of Honor (1999)
The first game was released exclusively on PlayStation in 1999. The player took on the role of Lieutenant Jim Patterson, an OSS agent who carried out covert missions in occupied Europe. The game stood out for its realistic depiction of war and a soundtrack by Michael Giacchino. For its time, it was a surprisingly mature view of war, which was also underlined by the historical context of the missions.
Medal of Honor: Underground (2000)
The second installment put players in the role of Manon Batiste, a member of the francThe game introduced new settings, such as North Africa, and a deeper story about the resistance against the Nazis. It was praised for its strong female protagonist and for expanding the series beyond typical military operations.
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault (2002)
This part was ported to PC and became a legend. With the memorable mission of the Normandy landings, it entered the history of gaming. The player again finds himself in the role of an OSS agent, but the missions are more varied and extensive. Allied Assault set a new standard for war shooters and was at the birth of the careers of many developers who later created the Call of Duty series.
Medal of Honor: Frontline (2002)
Originally designed for consoles, Frontline introduced improved graphics and an iconic soundtrack. Players take on the role of Jimmy Patterson and relive famous battles in Western Europe. Missions such as Arnhem Knights and the Normandy Invasion were crafted with an emphasis on cinematic presentation.
Medal of Honor: Rising Sun (2003)
Rising Sun moved to the Pacific battlefield, where the player fought against the Japanese after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The game attempted to offer a new perspective on the war, but suffered from technical issues and a less developed story. However, it remained popular due to its multiplayer and co-op features.
Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault (2004)
This PC installment also took the Pacific battlefield to a more serious level. You played as soldier Tom Conlin, who fought through bloody battles like Guadalcanal. The game offered improved AI and realistic injuries, but was hardware-intensive.
Medal of Honor: European Assault (2005)
In this installment, the player controlled William Holt, a member of the newly created Office of Strategic Services. The missions were set in Europe and the game placed more emphasis on non-linear mission progression. The new "adrenaline" system brought tactical depth, but the game did not reach the fame of Allied Assault.
Medal of Honor: AirBorn (2007)
AirBorne brought an interesting concept. You start each mission with a parachute jump and can choose your own approach. The technically advanced title ran on Unreal Engine 3 and excelled in level design. However, it lacked a stronger story and failed to overshadow the growing popularity of Call of Duty.
Medal of Honor (2010)
The reboot of the series is set in modern-day Afghanistan, with players taking on the role of Tier 1 operators during contemporary military operations. The game was intended to compete with Modern Warfare, but criticism was directed at its short campaign and uninnovative multiplayer.
Medal of Honor: Warfighter (2012)
The modern sequel focused on the personal stories of soldiers. Despite its realistic gameplay and Frostbite 2 engine, the game was met with lukewarm reception. Technical flaws, a mediocre story, and strong competition led to both commercial and critical failure.
Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond (2020)
The latest attempt to revive the series came in the form of a VR title for the Oculus Rift. The player once again plays as a member of the OSS during World War II. The game offered a cinematic mode, interactive environments, and extensive missions, but due to the hardware requirements and the lack of a classic experience, it failed to gain wider recognition.
I liked MoH 2010 more than the CoD of the time.
I would love to go back to him again.
It's simple, EA was ripping off the community and released a single patch for what is probably the most successful installment in the series, MOH:AA. The game lived more thanks to the community's work than EA's. It's a shame, because after Allied Assault and the two subsequent expansions, things just went from bad to worse.
It's simple, EA has been ripping off the community and for what is probably the most successful game in the series, MOH:AA, they've released a single patch, and the game is learning more from the community than from EA. It's a shame, because after Allied Assault and the two subsequent expansions, things just got worse and worse.