Medal of Honor: Allied Assault - Macintosh

But although the format is cosy and familiar for Medal heads, there are some great new features. Firstly although it's not squad-based, in several of the missions you will gain comrades in arms; you can't control them, but the speed of your actions will decide whether they live or die. Secondly the medal system has changed. Whereas the original was pretty formulaic--clear the level with over 75 per cent health and killing all enemies--in Allied Assault there are "secret missions". You don't have to complete these "secret missions" to clear the level, but if you do perform above and beyond the call of duty, by rescuing a POW or risking life and limb to acquire a manifest, for example, you are rewarded accordingly.

Graphically it's a bit disappointing. Some of the hedgerows in the bocage level are rather pixelated, but what it lacks in looks it makes up for in atmosphere. The fantastic (Indiana Jones-alike) music is back and the sound is literally stunning as bullets, explosions and shrapnel rain about you. But what really raises MOH Allied Assault above Wolfenstein, is the Omaha Beach level.

This is possibly the most intense war-gaming experience ever on any format. Around you people are crying, praying, dying and you have to run up a beach to the shingle dodging a hail of machine-gun bullets. It's insanely difficult to make it, even on easy level, but you will be gripped by the sheer full-on intensity of the experience; so much so that the next time you see Saving Private Ryan you'll nod sadly remembering that you were there.--Kristen Bowditch