Combat Elite WWII Paratroopers Review

Crouched in the hedgerows of Normandy, the distant rattle of machine gun fire punctuates the tense silence. My squad of paratroopers waits for my signal, each man gripping his weapon with white knuckles. As I give the order to advance, the camera pulls back to reveal the isometric perspective that defines Combat Elite WWII Paratroopers. This unique viewpoint offers a tactical advantage, allowing you to survey the battlefield whilst orchestrating your small band of elite soldiers through historically accurate operations. It's these moments of tactical planning that showcase what could have been a standout title for the original Xbox, if only its promising premise hadn't been hampered by technical issues.

Overview

Dropping onto the original Xbox battlefield in November 2004, Combat Elite WWII Paratroopers puts players in the boots of the legendary 101st Airborne Division during the pivotal European campaign of World War II. Developed by BattleBorne Entertainment and published by Namco, this isometric tactical action game attempts to carve out a unique niche in the crowded WWII genre by offering a perspective rarely seen in console war games. Rather than adopting the first person view popularised by Medal of Honor or Call of Duty, Combat Elite presents combat from an overhead angle, allowing players to command small squads of paratroopers through historically accurate missions. From the D Day airdrops to Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge, the game chronicles the 101st's most famous operations with a focus on tactical squad combat. This approach distinguishes it from its contemporaries, positioning it as a blend of action and strategy that emphasises planning and coordination over pure reflexes. Released during the twilight years of the original Xbox, just as developers were beginning to master the hardware, Combat Elite represents an ambitious attempt to deliver a different kind of World War II experience to console players.

Graphics and Presentation

Combat Elite WWII Paratroopers makes a valiant effort to push the original Xbox hardware in service of its European theatre settings. The isometric perspective allows for wider environmental vistas than typically seen in first person shooters of the era, with reasonably detailed French villages, Belgian forests, and German strongholds providing authentic backdrops for the tactical action. Texture work is generally solid for a 2004 release, with particular attention paid to period accurate buildings, vehicles, and fortifications. Character models for both Allied and Axis troops feature adequate detail, though animation can be somewhat stiff, particularly during transitional movements. The game employs effective lighting to create atmosphere, with muzzle flashes illuminating night missions and realistically rendered smoke obscuring battlefields. Weather effects including rain and snow add environmental variety, though they occasionally impact the already inconsistent frame rate.

The visual presentation suffers from technical limitations that undermine its artistic ambitions. While the game targets a 480p resolution, it struggles to maintain a consistent 30 frames per second, with noticeable drops during larger scale engagements. Draw distance is relatively limited, with fog obscuring distant objects, though this occasionally creates a tense atmosphere appropriate for the hedgerow fighting of Normandy. The camera system represents the most significant presentational flaw, with awkward zooming and rotation controls that often frustrate attempts at precise positioning during critical moments. The user interface is functional but cluttered, with small text occasionally proving difficult to read on standard definition televisions. Despite these technical shortcomings, the game achieves a distinct visual identity that sets it apart from the first person WWII titles that dominated the console market, offering a broader tactical perspective that benefits from the higher vantage point.

Sound and Music

The audio design in Combat Elite WWII Paratroopers successfully captures the cacophony of World War II battlefields, creating an immersive sonic experience. Weapons fire sounds appropriately distinctive, with the crack of M1 Garands, the mechanical chatter of MG42s, and the distinctive ping of spent Garand clips all reproduced with satisfying authenticity. Explosions resonate with appropriate bass, whilst ambient sounds of distant combat and environmental effects create a convincing atmosphere. Voice acting is generally competent, if somewhat limited in scope, with commanders barking orders and soldiers acknowledging commands with period appropriate terminology. The German forces speak in their native language, adding to the authenticity, though the limited variety of phrases becomes noticeable after extended play. The dialogue writing itself is functional rather than exceptional, conveying necessary information without significant character development.

The musical score strikes an appropriate balance between stirring military themes and subtle tension building pieces. Orchestral arrangements accompany mission briefings and key moments, whilst more restrained compositions underscore stealth sections and quieter reconnaissance segments. The game makes effective use of dynamic audio, with music swelling during intense firefights and receding during moments of relative calm. Sound mixing is generally well balanced, allowing important audio cues to be heard clearly amidst the chaos of battle. The game's audio engine sometimes struggles with too many simultaneous sound effects, occasionally resulting in dropped samples during particularly chaotic encounters. Despite these technical limitations, the overall sound design contributes significantly to the game's immersion factor, helping to sell the World War II setting and compensating somewhat for the visual shortcomings. The authentic period music used in menus and interstitial sequences adds further historical flavour to the presentation.

Gameplay Mechanics

Combat Elite WWII Paratroopers centres its gameplay around squad based tactical combat viewed from an isometric perspective. Players command a small team of paratroopers, each with specialised roles including rifleman, machine gunner, and bazooka operator. The core gameplay loop involves moving your squad through enemy territory, engaging hostile forces, and completing objectives ranging from sabotage to securing strategic positions. The control scheme maps movement to the left analogue stick, with the right stick controlling the somewhat finicky camera. Combat utilises a twin stick approach, with aiming and firing handled separately, creating a system that requires some adjustment for players accustomed to traditional shooters. The game attempts to balance action and strategy, requiring players to consider positioning, cover, and flanking manoeuvres rather than simply rushing into combat. Equipment and weapon loadouts can be customised between missions, allowing for different tactical approaches depending on the scenario.

The squad command system represents both the game's most unique feature and its most frustrating element. Players can issue basic orders such as hold position, follow, or attack specific targets, but the interface for doing so is cumbersome and often unreliable in the heat of battle. AI companions demonstrate inconsistent behaviour, sometimes responding effectively to threats and other times standing obliviously in the open under enemy fire. The cover system, while innovative for its time, lacks the refinement of later tactical shooters, with characters occasionally failing to properly utilise available protection. Mission design follows a relatively linear path despite the appearance of tactical freedom, with objectives clearly marked and enemy placement often predictable. The game's progression system allows for character advancement through experience points, though the improvements feel incremental rather than transformative. Level design exhibits reasonable variety, from open countryside to claustrophobic urban environments, though the tactical approach remains largely consistent throughout. Despite these mechanical shortcomings, the game delivers a distinct experience that differs meaningfully from its contemporaries.

Story and Setting

Combat Elite WWII Paratroopers follows the journey of the 101st Airborne Division through the European theatre of World War II, beginning with the D Day landings and progressing through Operations like Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge. The narrative adheres closely to historical events, prioritising accuracy over dramatic license in its portrayal of these famous campaigns. Players experience the war through the eyes of Lieutenant Patterson, a relatively blank slate protagonist who serves primarily as a vehicle for the player's agency rather than a fully developed character. The story unfolds through pre mission briefings, in game dialogue, and occasional cutscenes that provide context for each operation. While the game avoids the bombastic heroics of some contemporaries, it similarly shies away from exploring the moral complexities or psychological toll of warfare, presenting a relatively straightforward "good versus evil" narrative typical of WWII games of its era.

The setting represents one of the game's strongest elements, with environments that capture the distinct characteristics of each theatre of operations. From the hedgerows of Normandy to the snow covered forests of Bastogne, the game delivers a tour through the iconic locations of the European campaign. Historical accuracy extends to the weapons, equipment, and uniforms of both Allied and Axis forces, creating an authentic backdrop for the tactical gameplay. The writing quality varies throughout, with mission briefings delivering factual information effectively whilst in game dialogue tends toward functional rather than memorable. The narrative pacing follows the historical timeline, with appropriate escalation of stakes as the war progresses, though the emotional impact is somewhat muted by the limited character development. Despite these narrative limitations, the game succeeds in creating a reasonably immersive historical setting that serves as more than merely a backdrop for the action, providing context and purpose to the tactical challenges presented to the player.

Content and Value

Combat Elite WWII Paratroopers offers a campaign of moderate length, typically requiring between 8 and 10 hours to complete on the standard difficulty setting. The main story covers major operations of the 101st Airborne, with approximately 15 missions of varying length and complexity. Replay value is somewhat limited by the linear nature of the missions, though the ability to approach scenarios with different squad compositions and equipment loadouts provides some incentive for additional playthroughs. The game includes three difficulty levels that adjust enemy accuracy, damage, and numbers, with the highest setting offering a genuinely challenging experience that rewards careful tactical planning. The progression system allows players to improve their squad members' abilities over time, though the upgrades feel incremental rather than transformative. Collectible items in the form of intelligence documents and enemy insignia are scattered throughout levels, providing completionists with additional objectives, though the rewards for collecting these items are minimal.

The game launched at a standard price point of £39.99, which represented reasonable value given the campaign length and production values. However, the absence of multiplayer features significantly impacted the long term appeal, particularly in comparison to contemporaries that offered robust online modes. The game does include a basic skirmish mode that allows players to revisit completed missions with different parameters, though this adds only modestly to the overall package. The lack of cooperative play feels like a missed opportunity given the squad based nature of the gameplay. Currently, the game can be found in the pre owned market for approximately £8 to £12, which represents a more appropriate price point given its limitations. At this reduced cost, the unique tactical perspective and historical setting provide sufficient value for players interested in exploring a different approach to the well trodden WWII genre, despite the technical shortcomings and limited replayability.

Technical Performance

Combat Elite WWII Paratroopers demonstrates uneven technical performance on the original Xbox hardware. Loading times represent one of the most significant issues, with initial level loads often exceeding one minute and checkpoint reloads taking 20 to 30 seconds, disrupting the flow of gameplay. The game employs a checkpoint save system rather than allowing manual saves, which occasionally leads to frustration when checkpoints are poorly placed before particularly challenging sequences. While the game automatically saves progress between missions, the inability to save at will during missions can result in significant lost progress if players need to exit before reaching the next checkpoint. The autosave functionality is generally reliable, though there were isolated reports of corruption issues in the original release that were addressed in a later manufacturing run.

Stability issues manifest primarily through inconsistent frame rates rather than outright crashes. The game typically maintains 30 frames per second during less intensive sequences, but frequently drops below 20 fps during combat involving multiple enemies and explosions. These performance dips directly impact gameplay, making precise aiming and movement more difficult during intense firefights. Complete crashes to the dashboard are rare but not unheard of, typically occurring during transitional sequences between mission segments. Texture pop in and draw distance issues are noticeable throughout, with environmental elements sometimes appearing abruptly as players approach. Audio occasionally exhibits synchronisation problems, with sound effects delayed or dropped during particularly chaotic sequences. Despite these technical shortcomings, the game remains playable throughout, though the cumulative effect of these issues diminishes the overall experience and reflects the challenges of developing for hardware that was approaching the end of its lifecycle. The game performs marginally better on the Xbox 360 through backwards compatibility, with slightly improved loading times but similar frame rate issues.

The Verdict

Combat Elite WWII Paratroopers represents an ambitious but flawed attempt to deliver a unique perspective on the well trodden territory of World War II gaming. Its isometric approach offers a refreshing tactical dimension that sets it apart from first person contemporaries, allowing players to experience the famous campaigns of the 101st Airborne from a broader strategic viewpoint. The historical accuracy and attention to detail in weaponry, equipment, and settings will satisfy military enthusiasts, whilst the squad based gameplay provides moments of genuine tactical satisfaction when all elements work in harmony. Yet these strengths are consistently undermined by technical limitations and design missteps that prevent the game from achieving its full potential. The cumbersome camera controls, inconsistent frame rate, and occasionally frustrating squad command system create unnecessary barriers between the player and enjoyment. Loading times and save system limitations further detract from the experience, interrupting the flow of gameplay at critical moments. Despite these shortcomings, there remains something commendable about the game's ambition and willingness to explore a different approach to console war gaming. For players willing to overlook its technical limitations, Combat Elite WWII Paratroopers offers a distinct tactical experience that captures the strategic challenges faced by the famous Screaming Eagles as they fought across Europe. It stands as a flawed but interesting footnote in the Xbox library, representing a road less travelled in the crowded landscape of World War II games.

Pros

• Unique isometric perspective offers fresh tactical gameplay
• Historically accurate missions based on real 101st Airborne operations
• Detailed weapon and equipment customisation options
• Authentic period music and sound effects enhance immersion

Cons

• Frustrating camera controls hamper combat effectiveness
• Inconsistent frame rate during intense battle sequences
• Cumbersome squad command system lacks precision
• Lengthy loading times interrupt gameplay flow

Final Score: 6/10

Combat Elite WWII Paratroopers delivers a unique tactical take on World War II that history buffs will appreciate, but technical limitations prevent it from achieving its full potential as a must play Xbox title.

By OGXbox Archive