Medal of Honor: Vanguard [PS2]

No one loves war -- no one sane, anyway. But some are fascinated with it to the point of obsession. World War II is a particular fixation, as there is no other conflict with such a clear-cut division of good and evil. (That's from an American perspective, anyway.) And so the WWII shooters keep coming, with and without innovation, craftsmanship and fun. Medal of Honor: Vanguard, probably the series' last gasp on the PS2, unfortunately arrives without all those essential ingredients. Skip it, even if you're a long time fan of the franchise.

It's tough to be Medal of Honor, the series that coined many WWII shooter cliches, only to be overtaken by Call of Duty and Brothers in Arms. A solid PSP showing aside, it's been a while since the venerable title graced a game with any must-have qualities. And in an all too familiar scenario, Vanguard relies upon dull AI, routine maps and obvious objectives to deliver the same old wartime thrills.

In what must be intended as a precursor to the next-gen MOH: Airbone, to hit shelves soon, players here take the role of a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne. The lure of dropping into enemy territory proves to be short-lived, as you've got little control over the chute and can only drop into pre-determined areas. In the next-gen game, you'll have a lot more freedom, but expecting more this time was apparently an act of unbridled optimism.

Even in the short term, your role as a paratrooper ends up being totally incidental, as the game's action is the same as always. Run and duck, shoot Nazis, blow up some guns and buildings, maybe take out a tank or two, shoot some more Nazis. With such a wide range of actions and experience in WWII, we're officially depressed that EA has taken such a shortsighted approach to the conflict.

Other hits make the battlefield even more irritating. The enemy AI reaches new lows, as when you flank a squad to find no opposition whatsoever, although somehow even the dumbest soldier is able to plug you from two miles away. This is especially problematic in the last campaign, which ends with a run through loads of sniper cover. Good luck escaping those far-flung rounds with your patience intact.