The Bottom Line
- Solid stealth action
- New story twist on the traditional sneak and shoot genre
- Fun gadgets, such as the x-ray camera, add depth to what could have been a run of the mill game
- Drab environments
- Level design is unforgiving once you are discovered
Description
- Graphics: 3.5 Solid, if not drab visuals; good lighting effects
- Sound: 4 The sound effects do their job, and the Cold War music will set the atmosphere
- Concept: 3.5 It's another stealth action game, but the non-military protagonist is a clever twist
- Control: 4.5 Tight controls both in terms of gameplay and camera should make other titles jealous
- Difficulty: 4 There's enough challenge here to keep players interested in Cold War
- Replay: 3 Despite the non linear claims, I'm thinking once through is enough
- Rated: Teen for tobacco references and violence
- Cheats(PC): Invulnerability, hold ALT + type "powerarmor", All equipment, ALT + type "santaclaus"
Guide Review - Cold War Review - PC, Xbox
Cold War is an earnest attempt to create a new style of stealth action game. Instead of playing super-spy, players act as a civilian caught in the middle of a soviet-era conspiracy. The story twist allows for some creative plot elements, as well as a reason for the hero not to have unlimited resources, instead relying on a bevy of 'found' objects and gadgets. Chief among the gizmos has to be the x-ray camera. The x-ray cam not only offers brilliant eye-candy, but is an integral part of the gameplay. The same, unfortunately, is not true of all the gadgets.
The stealth action is deep and engaging, until you get spotted. Then it becomes an action fight or ends up with you running for dear life. Sadly, a flaw in the level design makes it very difficulty to run and hide once you are discovered, so let's hope you've found and have ammo for a rifle.
For the money, Cold War is a hard game to beat. With strong visuals, tight controls and a compelling story it's an easy game to recommend. Will it change the gaming world? Nah, but it certainly an entertaining diversion.
