An underrated, intense World War 2 shooter
In Pacific Assault, you take the role of "Tommy" Conlin, a new recruit who gradually adjusts to the war going on around him, making various friends along the way - all of which you will fight beside on the battlefield. The game starts with a bang, too, featuring a "storm the beaches"-type scenario reminiscent of the D-Day landings at Normandy, only you're knocked out by an artillery blast and re-awaken with a flashback of the first days of boot camp, followed by a first-hand viewing and defending of the Pearl Harbor attacks; the game progresses from there.
It's with this style of story-telling that the game gets much of its personality. Medal of Honor Allied Assault, hailed one of the best games in the series, had an excellent single-player campaign with the unforgettable, epic D-Day landing scene straight out of Saving Private Ryan, but in terms of storytelling, it wasn't quite as in depth. In Pacific Assault, as you progress through the campaign you'll be met with various video clips showing actual footage of the war and with Tommy - the soldier you are playing as - talking directly to his folks back home. It's similar to listening to an actual letter being read, and really adds to the atmosphere. You will also get to often hear comments from your fellow soldiers, whether it be, "Nice one, Tommy!" when you land a great shot on a Japanese soldier or various jokes that are shared amongst the group, often teasing another soldier. You truly get to see these men "live" and grow as the true definition of "soldiers." Your medic stops vomiting every time he heals you and your men stop backing down when caught in tricky situations. You really feel as if these guys are family, and it makes you feel bad to know that when you leave the game, you'll be leaving them behind, too.
The gameplay is much different from other Medal of Honor games. Because it is set in the Pacific, the jungle warfare will quickly rattle the nerves of those who are used to the much more "friendly" urban settings. This time, your enemies will be much harder to see and the lighting is often a bit darker, making it ideal to stick with your squad mates and carry through the best that you can. It's not uncommon to only see a muzzle flash and be forced to fire back in the general direction to take out the enemy without being hit yourself. It's also wise to stay a bit back during the fighting, because Japanese troops - if you are caught in close range - will suddenly charge you, shouting "Banzai!" and brutally, repeatedly stabbing you with the bayonets attached to their rifles.
Without a doubt, the game can be very tough to learn how to play. Adjusting to the jungle warfare is only part of the learning curve; calling for medics when injured is critical to survival and sticking with your squad at all times is also very important, as you may be ambushed by machine-gun nests, snipers, or even all-out assaults by the Japanese soldiers. There are many frustrating moments, especially due to the way soldiers can unexpectedly respawn and attack you from behind, but ultimately once you learn the key tactics you shouldn't have too much trouble fighting alongside your buddies and faring well.
You won't always be fighting in the jungle, however. There are also several missions in the campaign that feature unique situations and help keep the game interesting. One mission, for example, features you being the gunner on and eventually flying an airplane. This was one of my favorite missions in the game and was surprisingly well done considering the fact that this game is purely a first-person shooter and not a flight simulator!
Overall, if you are a fan of the Medal of Honor series but are tired of the same urban World War 2 combat you've been experiencing for so long, I'd recommend giving Medal of Honor Pacific Assault a try. Its unique atmosphere and great story-telling make it one of the more memorable and overlooked World War 2 shooters out there. With great graphics and gameplay, you should definitely give this one a chance.