Call of Duty 3
Game Type: Released
Max Players: 4
Genre: First Person Shooter
Developers: Treyarch
Publishers: Activision
Cooperative: Yes
PEGI: 16
Game Overview
The single player is modelled after the Normandy breakout, where the British, Canadian, Polish, American and French Resistance forces pushed into the village of Chamois, France, also known as the Falaise Gap. Unlike most other games in the Call of Duty series, the events in Call of Duty 3 are based on a single combined campaign, with the player being switched between the four nations and their respective characters for each leg of the story. There are 14 campaign missions. The player takes the perspective of either an American, British, Canadian, or Polish soldier during the single-player campaign, for a total of 14 missions. Set in the Western Front of World War II, Call of Duty 3 takes place in the year 1944 and contains missions specific to four major Allied campaigns in the Battle of Normandy. The player takes part in a series of objectives marked by their HUD; these include having the character arrive at a checkpoint, eliminate enemies in a specified location, manning a tank, and marking targets for air strikes. Call of Duty 3 introduces to the series scripted close-combat sequences and multiple actions to arming explosives, both of which require the player to press buttons in sequences to progress
Introduction to Call of Duty 3
Call of Duty 3 takes place during World War II and focuses on the intense battles fought by the Allies in Europe. The game opens with the Allied forces pushing toward Nazi-occupied France, with the central objective being the capture of the German-held city of Paris. The player controls several different soldiers from different Allied nations, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Poland. The story is told from multiple perspectives, providing a diverse and dynamic view of the war. As the soldiers advance through war-torn villages and open fields, they face significant resistance from German forces, making each mission a crucial part of the Allied effort to turn the tide of the war.
The Normandy Landing
The game begins with the landing of American forces on the beaches of Normandy, France, in June 1944. This significant historical event, the D-Day invasion, sets the stage for the game's narrative. The player, as Private Nichols, experiences the chaos of battle first hand as his unit makes their way through bunkers and gunfire. The struggle to establish a foothold on the beach is intense and fraught with danger. As the player progresses, the focus shifts to pushing further into Normandy and taking control of key areas to prevent the Germans from regrouping. This section highlights the desperation and bravery of soldiers during the early days of the Allied invasion.
Allied Forces Against the German Army
As the Allied forces gain momentum, the game shifts focus to the unity between different Allied countries. The player takes on the role of soldiers from various nations, including British, Canadian, and Polish forces. This diversity in perspective adds richness to the narrative, highlighting the different approaches and strategies employed by each country. The player participates in missions that require strategic cooperation between these nations. The battlefields range from rural villages to urban environments, with each location presenting its own challenges. Alongside American forces, the soldiers fight fiercely against German resistance, overcoming obstacles such as entrenched machine gun positions and fortified enemy strongholds. The progress is slow, but every victory brings the Allies closer to their ultimate goal.
Urban Warfare in France
As the Allies advance through Normandy, urban warfare becomes a crucial aspect of the conflict. The player is tasked with clearing German forces from key cities, which involves navigating through ruined buildings, tight alleys, and bombed-out streets. The combat is intense, requiring both close-quarters combat and long-range firefights. The environment is destructible, adding a layer of realism to the experience. Soldiers must work together to clear each building and secure vital infrastructure. The urban landscape provides new opportunities for tactical gameplay, such as using cover effectively and managing limited ammunition. This section of the game underscores the brutality of war and the challenges faced by soldiers as they fight to liberate France from Nazi occupation.
Push Toward the German Border
After securing significant portions of France, the Allies continue their march toward the German border. The game shifts focus to the campaigns that took place in Belgium and the Netherlands, including the pivotal Battle of the Bulge. The player is immersed in the fierce battles of the winter offensive, where Allied forces faced fierce German counterattacks. As the terrain becomes more difficult, with snow and icy roads, soldiers must adapt to the harsh conditions. The gameplay emphasizes the need for careful planning and teamwork, as small squads of soldiers are tasked with holding critical positions or taking out enemy tanks. The increasing difficulty of these missions serves to illustrate the dire situation on the frontlines as the war reaches its peak intensity.
The Battle for the Reich Wald
The final stages of the game take place in the forests and fields surrounding the German border. The player is involved in the intense and bloody battle for the Reich Wald, a dense forest that serves as a natural barrier for the advancing Allied forces. Here, the game focuses on the closing stages of the war, with both sides fighting desperately for control of key locations. The forest provides a challenging environment for combat, where visibility is limited, and ambushes are frequent. The missions require careful manoeuvring, as soldiers navigate through thick woods while facing off against German infantry and tanks. As the player progresses through these missions, the stakes become higher, with the fall of Germany now in sight. This section exemplifies the game's emphasis on tactical warfare and the unrelenting pressure faced by soldiers during the final push into Germany.
The Crossing of the Rhine
One of the most dramatic and pivotal moments in the game occurs during the crossing of the Rhine River. This critical mission involves the Allied forces pushing deeper into Germany, aiming to cross the Rhine and strike directly at the heart of Nazi territory. The player must assist in securing key river crossings and eliminating German resistance. The river presents both a natural obstacle and a strategic advantage, as controlling these crossings is vital for the success of the Allied advance. The combat becomes more intense as the player faces heavily fortified German positions and entrenched artillery. The mission highlights the determination and resolve of the soldiers, who are pushing forward despite the tremendous odds stacked against them.
The End of the War
As the player nears the final stages of the game, the action culminates in the assault on the German heartland. The Allied forces, now well-coordinated and battle-hardened, storm into Germany and begin liberating occupied towns and cities. The game concludes with the capture of key German strongholds, including the fall of Berlin. The narrative shifts from a focus on tactical combat to the broader implications of the war, as the defeat of the Nazi regime becomes imminent. The final missions portray the overwhelming effort of Allied soldiers, who, despite facing immense challenges, finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. The game's resolution reflects the collective triumph of the Allied forces and the end of one of history's most destructive wars.
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