Posted on 04/16/2002 11:31:09 AM PDT by texson66
As I was growing up in West Texas in the 1950s, I had plenty of relatives and neighbors who had served in WW2. Uncles and cousins had fought in all branches of the services and in all the theaters of war. Mostly, we kids learned about WW2 from movies. Most relatives and neighbors would only admit to WW2 service. Rarely, we might hear part of a war story when the adults thought we were out of hearing range. War at this stage of life centers on the "glory" of war. As young boys, we sought to emulate our heroic uncles, brothers, and cousins.
My friends and I "fought" WW2 with toy M1s and helmet liners. We learned the Manual of Arms. We marched sweating 10 gallons an hour. We dug foxholes in the hot Texas sun. We planned campaigns. We threw dirt clod "grenades". We bayoneted each other. We sniped each other. And we argued about who shot who first! But we all lived
We had little or no comprehension of the valor or sacrifice of those men who gave it their all. This nation was greatly blessed by such a generation, who answered the call to duty with little regard to self. Walk across a wind swept Normandy plain and see the endless rows of Crosses and Stars of David laid out in military orderliness. These were the "flower of a whole generation" who laid it on the line for all of us. Let us remember to live a good life like Pvt. Ryan to honor their sterling sacrifice.
The movie, "Saving Private Ryan", certainly has greatly contributed in raising the awareness of the younger generations to such magnificence valor and sacrifice of these soldiers, sailors, and airmen. Tom Hanks' endorsement of the WW2 Memorial has also captured the attention of the public.
But I must tell you that a new computer game has produced another way in which to, not only learn about WW2, but to experience it vicariously in very surprisingly realistic manner.
The game performs best with a high speed PC with an advanced graphics card. The 3-D scenarios, with uniformed troops and equipment, are highly detailed and authentic. An outstanding musical score sets the mood as well. It is roughly based on the historical campaigns of WW2, starting in North Africa, Norway, D-Day, France, and Germany. You are a Lt who is assigned to special operations. You receive a briefing at the start of each new assignment, outlining your orders and how a successful mission could impact the war effort. There is even a training facility to learn how to operate in the various weapons.
The game, as a single player, is, well, intense even at the easiest level. In one scenario, you are in a heavily damaged village full of enemy snipers. Trying to avoid their fire and find them to return fire can be absolutely gut wrenching. A colleague of mine complained that he couldn't play too much late at night because of his intense involvement in the game led to a sleepless night. The whole ambiance of the game draws you right into a virtual reality of WW2. I certainly felt awe, fear, pride when Tom Hanks' group landed at Omaha beach in "saving Private Ryan", but MOH:AA certainly gives you a unique perspective as YOU ride on to the beach in a Higgins boat with German machine guns and 88's opening up on you.
The single player game is a good place to learn how the game functions. But the real challenge is on the web. I don't care for the free-for-all "death match" games that much, but the team-match and objective matches with other internet players, playing as Allies or Axis members, is a great tactics tool.
Here are some screen shots of MOHAA in action:
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
Have other FReepers tried this game? What are your comments about this approach to historical appreciation?
Lots of Nazi-Killing goodness here BUMP!
HairOfTheDog - Told ya it wuz a goodun'... : )
I agree. I was advocating that this game could be used as a hisory teaching tool. It puts WW2 into a different perspective than a dry history book or a even more exciting movie. Have you tried the game?
As for realism, I will say that a few friend's relatives who landed on D-Day could hardly stand to view the assault on the beach in "Saving Private Ryan".
As for using games to appreciate history, I know that no game can ever be as "realistic" as real combat, nor could it. Real war is not a game. But the history of using war as the subject of a game is thousands of years old - chess and checkers are wargames. Due to the power of our technology, we can create wargames that are a closer simulation to reality, but they just remain simulations. I have no objections to wargaming, I've been doing it since I was 12. But then again, I've never been in real combat, so I understand how a real veteran could object to games like this.
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