MoHPA goes for a more realistic approach with regards to weapons. Each weapon’s rate of fire reflects that of its real-world counterpart and is not some souped-up action game version. So if you’re stuck with a bolt action rifle, then you better be sure that you hit with the first shot because you won’t be able to get off a second shot for a long time coming. Reload rates are also realistic, so to the action gamer it will seem like an eternity before the next clip is loaded in.

Once more into the jungle.

MoHPA is not a solo experience for your character. You will be accompanied on your missions by a squad of Marines, each of who has their own unique personality that is explored and given some depth during the game’s cutscenes. The game does a good job with this and you’ll find yourself identifying with the squad as the game progresses, not unlike you would with the major characters in a war movie such as Saving Private Ryan. Since I have never experienced war firsthand, I can’t say how realistic the squad interactions are in that sense, but I can say that it makes for a pretty decent movie. In battle your squad fights alongside of you, although they are pretty much impervious to death and you’ll have to rack up most of the kills yourself. In an interesting change of pace from the ubiquitous health pack and canteen health boosters, MoHPA uses a medic who is a part of your squad and can heal you up to four times a mission. When your health drops too low you can call for the medic and he’ll come and aid you. He also works for the rest of your squad, though, so if he’s busy patching up a buddy then you’ll have to wait your turn in line. It’s an interesting health mechanism that will force you to be more cautious when playing since you only have four uses of the medic a level and it’s not an instant health power-up, but one you’ll have to wait until there is enough of a lull in the action for you to stop shooting and receive some aid.

In addition to letting you call for a medic, the game lets you give your squad orders of the “hold” and “follow” variety. This does not put the game on par with the serious squad-bases shooters though. It’s more of a nice feature that is not critical to gameplay than anything else.

MoHPA is not an easy game. You’re contending with an enemy that has better luck seeing you than vice-versa, your squad is more for show than for killing the enemy, and it is tough to handle swarms of charging Japanese soldiers. In addition, you have to contend with ammo that is in short supply and with very slow, albeit realistic, reload times. Action gaming veterans may appreciate the challenge if they don’t mind dealing with some frustrating moments, but casual gamers may find the challenge curve a bit too steep.

Like the campaign, overall the game has its strong and weak points. On the downside, you have very long load times and missions that vary widely between intense and enjoyable and repetitive and frustrating. But when it shines, MoHPA is a gaming experience that approaches a masterpiece.

In The End, This Game Hath Been Rated: 84%.  A lot of great presentation, movement moments, and action, but also a lot of repetitive and frustrating stretches.

System Requirements:  Pentium 1.5GHz; 512 MB RAM;  64 MB Video RAM; 8x CD-ROM;  3.0 GB Hard Drive Space;  Mouse.

« Page 2 of 2