Summary

An ambitious title in the Medal of Honor series, Airborne brings to life the airborne operations of WWII with groundbreaking gameplay mechanics. Its portrayal of historical events and freedom of approach provides a memorable experience for fans of military history and first-person shooters alike.

Release Year: 2007
Genres: Shooter
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Developers: EA Los Angeles
Publishers: Electronic Arts

Introduction

Medal of Honor: Airborne redefines the WWII gaming experience, blending historical authenticity with dynamic gameplay. Players embody Boyd Travers, participating in airborne operations that highlight the strategic depth and bravery of the American paratroopers.

Synopsis

“Medal of Honor: Airborne” is a first-person shooter video game that was developed by EA Los Angeles and released worldwide in 2007. It is the 11th installment of the Medal of Honor series. The game uses a modified version of Unreal Engine 3.

The game’s plot revolves around the character of Boyd Travers, a Private First Class of the 82nd Airborne Division. The game takes players on a journey through various battles across Europe during the latter half of the European theater of World War II.

The game begins with rocky beginnings in Sicily. As Travers, players are airdropped into the battlefield, starting each mission behind enemy lines. The game provides an intense and fully interactive airdrop experience. Players can view the entire operation from the air and control their parachute to choose their landing spot.

Once on the ground, players must gather their senses and assess the terrain. A wide variety of authentic, customizable weapons are at their disposal, each with distinct characteristics. The game offers a free-roaming FPS environment, allowing players to choose their path.

The game progresses from the initial stages in Sicily to war-winning triumphs in Germany. In the game’s single-player mode, players assume the role of an American paratrooper in the US 82nd Airborne Division. They fight against hostile forces across six large missions.

In its online multiplayer mode, players can choose to fight as Allied soldiers that parachute into the battlefield, or as Axis soldiers who defend on the ground. Unlike previous games in the series that employed a linear style of gameplay in its single-player mode, Airborne employs a more nonlinear gameplay style in both modes.

Players can start their game anywhere in the map that they land in and complete the majority of a mission’s objectives in any order. Traditional game mechanics such as crouching and “cooking” grenades are complemented with the ability to lean out of cover to take shots at enemies.

Players also have access to three different categories of weapons that they can use in battles. These include main weapons (rifles, sub-machine guns, auto/assault rifles, shotguns, and anti-tank weapons), side-arms (which have infinite ammo and are mainly used as a back-up when out of ammo for main weapons), and grenades.

“Medal of Honor: Airborne” offers a unique blend of historical accuracy and engaging gameplay. It provides players with an immersive experience of what it might have been like to be a paratrooper during World War II, dropping behind enemy lines and engaging in intense battles. The game’s nonlinear style of gameplay adds a layer of strategy and unpredictability, making each playthrough a unique experience.

Characters

Boyd Travers, the game’s protagonist, alongside various historical figures and fictional comrades, bring to life the experiences of the 82nd Airborne Division. Enemies are represented by the Axis forces, offering a wide array of challenges on the battlefield.

Gameplay

Unique to this title, players start missions via parachute jumps, allowing for varied entry points and tactics. The game features expansive maps that encourage exploration and strategy. A diverse arsenal of upgradeable weapons is available, enhancing both realism and player choice in combat.

Conclusion

Medal of Honor: Airborne offers a unique perspective on WWII, emphasizing the valor and tactics of airborne divisions. While it navigates through the complexities of war with innovative gameplay, it stands as a tribute to the heroism of the 82nd Airborne Division.