Conflict Desert Storm II

New impressions from the Middle East.

The game runs at 25 frames per second, which, while not impressive, is due to so many things happening on-screen and so many more polygons being pushed. Soldiers on both sides, however, look better. They're better modeled, meaning they look less triangular and blocky, and they're better textured, especially on PC and Xbox. The PS2 version looks solid, but it's not the shiniest and prettiest, to be sure.

One of the central issues Pivotal attacked is AI. The Artificial Intelligence is far more sensitive to sound than ever before. If you're running too close by, you're cannon fodder skip. But it's also not as strict about seeing players hiding in the shadows as before either, thus finding a good balance between game awareness and reality. The enemy will duck and find cover at all times. It will communicate and strategize to beat your teammates and it will set traps. Additionally, the enemy adapts to your position. Unlike last year's game, the Iraqi forces, if they see or hear you, will switch targets and change strategies to confront areas of danger, and quickly. They'll even try and throw grenades at your team when it's bunched in a group, causing the most amount of damage possible.

But you're in control, and given a few save points per level, players can strategize how to attack each new scenario best. For instance, if the area is too light, blow out all the street lamps and use your night goggles. Chuck smoke bombs to confuse the enemy. The smoke is interesting because it's volumetric and expands after exploding, creating an increasing large plume for the enemies to deal with. Players can choose to view the game in either first or third person perspective, and depending on the specific weapon, such as the sniper rifle, it's best used in first-person.

Though not drastically, the visual and audio production level has improved, and the effects are noticeable. Players find themselves caught in sandstorms, watching as lens flares temporarily glint in their eyes, and there's tons of night time play, using different hues of blue and black to create deeper, more strategic scenarios. Players should also take note that there are also far more collateral visuals in effect. There is shrapnel flying, dust covering the ground, and building parts hurling across the screen better than last year's effort.

For those folks who loved the vehicles in the first game, well, they're back. Military troopers can drive Bradleys, tanks, jeeps, trucks, and more, and each trooper will take on a position, flanking the side, or handling a weapon in front or back.

Due on PS2, Xbox, and PC this October 7 (the GameCube version is due in Q1 2004), Back to Baghdad is trimmed to fit each system nicely. The PS2 version will offer 1-2 players for head to head or cooperative play (though that's not such good news for PS2 owners), while the Xbox and GameCube versions offer one to four-person multiplayer. The PC version offers entirely customizable keyboard controls, and naturally, doesn't have any kind of auto-aim due to that lovely device called the mouse. As sound goes, the PS2 offers Dolby Pro Logic II and Surround Sound, the Cube provides Dolby Pro Logic II and Surround Sound, and the Xbox offers Dolby Digital 5.1. The PC also supports Dolby Digital 5.1.

In all, the game is still that diamond in the rough. It's not going to win awards for its graphics or animations, and the players still move with a rather clunky set of motions and mechanics, but the gameplay is remarkably, surprisingly deep, and the strategy and squad-based combat techniques are endless. If that's the style of gameplay you're looking for, then Conflict Desert Storm II: Back to Baghdad is your Bagh, so to speak.

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Game Details

Published by: Gotham Games
Genre: Third-Person Shooter
Release Date:
United States: October 8, 2003
MSRP: 49.99 USD
T for Teen : Blood and Gore
Also Available On: GCN, PC, PS2, PS3
Also known as: Conflict: Desert Storm 2