World War II Online: Battleground Europe (PC)

Its amazing to me how a game that I haven't played in probably a year or more, that started over 8 years ago Is still a blast to play when I get back in.

Last night, I had my first para-drop. Yep, since I've been gone, they have finally added the long-promised paratroopers. You can spawn in as a variety of kitted soldiers from the standard rifle, to the SMG, and anti tank rifle.

My story begins as I hopped into a cramped British C47 Dakota transport plane.





I was nervous, and I passed the time by chatting it up with a fellow para in the plane with me: Werwolf. We were en route to help defend some french town from a massive German invasion. The town was down to only 3 allied control points, and as usual, we Brits were going to have to bail the Frogs out. The Germans had control of the entire east side of town, and there was alot of infantry with armor support. The brass was getting antsy, and we had to get there fast.

As we flew, Werwolf told me he would call the jump for us, and all I had to do was jump on command. As we neared, I let him know I was scared. "There's no fear in the airborne, son." he said. So I steeled myself, and we neared the target.




As we approached the town we checked our maps to ensure we were on target for the drop. Werwolf called out that we had enemy fighters in the air around us, and while I didn't see them, we knew our drop was that much more complicated. The pilot juked to avoid some skirmish, and barreled in on the drop target.

Suddenly Werwolf gave the warning, and I got my finger over my jump button. Then it came. "GO! GO! GO!"




The sky was alight with the fur balls of German, French, and British planes battling for supremacy over the town. As my chute opened, and I began my descent, I felt like a fat helpless target.




I aimed toward the town as I sailed down. Good news: we were on target. Bad news: The fight was even larger than I thought.
I could see the tracer rounds all over as the allies and the Germans fought over the far side of town. At least we had dropped on this side of town.


There were cheers and exclamations as the french realized they had just been reinforced by over 20 fighting men from the air. It looked like they just might hold on.





I set down and immediately headed for a copse of trees for cover. From that point I began to work my way south east toward the front, and toward the Germans that were just beginning to feel the force of the reinforcements.






After making my way well south of the town and turning east, I was creeping in some grass, when I came across 2 German infantry. I fired at them as they dove for cover amongst the bushes. There were friendlies in the area, and I called out to them to warn them that they had enemies near them. The friendlies heard me, and dispatched the two while I had them pinned.

Maybe its the nostalgia hype of Diablo 2.

And maybe its just a yearning for a game that is in fact always awesome. Either way, I busted out World War II Online again after what has been months, or more like. years of inactivity.

Sadly, my squad: Das Beer Brigade is gone. I'm sure some of the die hards have just been rolled into another squad. I'll have to search to find em.


The UI itself is VASTLY improved since I last left. Although figuring out how to spawn isn't that easy. I had to select a brigade, then select a mission to spawn within there..etc.

Once I was in, it took me a spawn to get my controls all set.. but then the rest of the night was like... sliding into a cozy bed :)

The UI, and map, is now frickin awesome. Theres a minimap now. And even better, from the main map while in game, you can report enemy sightings. So you get this great report of enemies sighted.. objectives...etc. And you can see this all on your minimap too. (think BF2...) In addition, you can always see friendly units on the map. Very cool.

Also, the sound is vastly improved. Sound effects are really really good. They were always good.. now they are amazing. When an 88 shoots. Wow... scary sound.

My missions included:
1) flying a 110 ... getting in one engagement (and losing), losing an engine... then limping home safely.
2) Taking a 109 up, and getting shot down by a spit over Namur.
3) Riding in a pz2... i fired at range at an inf.. but apparently didnt kill him. Then I was killed by... dunno what.
One cool thing.. is when you take a hit... (presumably on that is hitting you the driver..) your vision goes all blurry and red for a sec.. making it hard to keep shooting as you'r getting peppered. Its a nice effect. ALso.. the sounds in the tank are downright awesome. It really sounds like I'm *in* a tank!
4) Rolled out a FLAK 33 (the little AA gun). I pushed out a ways from the FB (we had lost Namur by then). And did some AA fun. But eventually I got picked off by a MG inf. I even saw the fucker using my commander... but .. couldn't do shit about it.


At the end of the day.. a great night playing.. and I'm sure there will be more.

Oh.. and while the graphics look very dated... its a hell of a good game play experiences.. unmatched in my opinion. Plus... there's a new graphics engine coming in the next patch.. so maybe it will get even better!