Medal of Honor

When the smoke clears Medal of Honor comes close…. to the level of excellence that the Battlefield series brings as well as the fun factor of the Call of Duty series.

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"Medal of Honor is a shooter game that offers various modes, including single-player, co-op, and multi-player for 2 players. Inspired by real-life Tier 1 Operators, the game takes players on a wholesome and atmospheric journey through present-day Afghanistan, with stunning visuals, awesome gameplay, and an intriguing story."

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Reviews

71%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,577 reviews

story249 positive mentions

stability26 negative mentions

Engaging and emotional storyline that resonates with players, especially veterans.
Variety of gameplay mechanics, including sniping, stealth, and vehicle sections, keeps the experience fresh.
Good graphics and sound design for its time, creating an immersive atmosphere.

Extremely short campaign, typically completed in around 4-5 hours.
Linear gameplay with limited exploration and scripted events can feel restrictive.
Multiplayer is largely dead, with few players remaining and many technical issues.

story
681 mentions
37 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its emotional depth and realism, particularly in depicting military operations during the Afghanistan conflict. However, many found the narrative to be short, linear, and lacking in character development, often comparing it unfavorably to other titles like "Spec Ops: The Line." While some appreciated the immersive experience and engaging missions, others criticized the story for being generic and forgettable, with numerous glitches affecting gameplay progression.
- “This story was a well-written narrative about what it means to serve and the cost.”
- “The story is compelling if a bit short.”
- “The campaign is well-told and is continued in Medal of Honor: Warfighter, but in my personal opinion, you cannot beat this 2010 masterpiece.”
- “The story is bad and I don't care about it; the real war this story is based on ended up with thousands of dead civilians, so EA acting like the main characters are the heroes is pretty laughable and kind of depressing.”
- “The story is minimal, generic, and incredibly boring, as is the painful dialogue and tedious cutscenes.”
- “The plot attempts to draw emotions while simultaneously keeping you from caring about anything in the 'story'.”
graphics
204 mentions
52 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
Overall, the graphics of the game, released in 2010, are considered to have aged reasonably well, with many players noting that they still look good by today's standards despite some dated elements. While some reviews mention limitations in graphical options and occasional glitches, the visuals are often praised for their detail and immersive quality, particularly in specific environments. However, there is a consensus that while the graphics are solid for their time, they do not match the quality of more recent titles, and some players find them lacking in comparison to modern games.
- “Graphically it still looks surprisingly good, like it still holds up today in my opinion, the lighting is good.”
- “The graphics are impressive and the sound design is amazing, so you can really immerse yourself in the combat.”
- “The graphics look great for a 2010 game.”
- “The graphics have aged pretty poorly over a decade.”
- “Visuals are clearly outdated nowadays, even when maxed out at high resolutions and framerates.”
- “The story isn't that interesting, the shooting mechanics don't feel as polished as they did with COD4, and the graphics are quite lacking these days.”
gameplay
201 mentions
34 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is generally described as solid but somewhat dated, with a mix of engaging mechanics and linear mission design. While some players appreciate the variety in gameplay elements, such as stealth and vehicle sections, others find it bland and overly scripted, lacking the fluidity and excitement of contemporary shooters like Call of Duty. Overall, it offers a decent experience for fans of military FPS games, though it may not stand out in a crowded genre.
- “The campaign follows a good linear narrative and the stealth mechanics used on some missions are very well done.”
- “The minute-to-minute gameplay is some of the best shooting you will find in a modern conflict game, fast, fluid, great use of cover, but most of all, it plays like a balls to the wall shooting gallery.”
- “Gameplay is solid enough, except the part where you and your men were outnumbered, low on ammo, yet you can still get a thousand of extra ammo for your 249.”
- “The gameplay is so scripted and takes control away from the player too often.”
- “The story is forgettable and the gameplay is so uninspired and basic.”
- “The gameplay feels authentic and real, but it is very linear and stiff.”
music
39 mentions
62 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the emotional depth and quality of the soundtrack, particularly the contributions from composer Ramin Djawadi and the inclusion of Linkin Park's "Castle of Glass." While some players found the music to be gripping and well-integrated into the gameplay, others criticized it as generic or lacking polish compared to previous titles. Overall, the soundtrack is noted for enhancing the game's atmosphere, despite some opinions on its inconsistency.
- “The soundtrack, composed by Iranian-German composer Ramin Djawadi, is awesome and helps set the tone in each situation in the game, with the addition of the Linkin Park song, 'The Catalyst,' playing in the credits.”
- “The combination of the scenes (don't skip them) and the heart-wrenching music makes you feel such emotion for what plays out in each mission.”
- “Absolutely engulfed by the game, the music was amazing and the action thrilling.”
- “However, I wish it had a better soundtrack, just like its predecessors and a little more polish.”
- “Music is mundane and usually drowned out by the poor but loud soundscape.”
- “Alright voice acting, but the soundtrack is very generic; I can't even remember any songs.”
emotional
29 mentions
93 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its impactful ending, which resonates deeply with players, often evoking tears and a strong connection to the characters. While some reviews note a lack of depth in the overall story and gameplay, many praise the heartfelt music and memorable scenes that enhance the emotional experience. Overall, the game is recognized for its ability to create a gritty, authentic narrative that leaves a lasting emotional impression, despite its shortcomings in other areas.
- “This ending is absolutely heartbreaking because you grow with the characters and get a glimpse of what those men and women go through.”
- “The combination of the scenes (don't skip them) and the heart-wrenching music makes you feel such emotion for what plays out in each mission.”
- “The ending provided one of the biggest emotional payoffs I've experienced since Journey.”
- “Bland, boring story, uninteresting characters, and janky gameplay.”
- “In conclusion, EA tried to create a Call of Duty killer yet only managed to spawn a generic, drab, uninspired FPS set in the desert, which spells boring environments -a-palooza and tries to pull you in with a cliché and boring story.”
stability
27 mentions
11 % positive mentions
-7 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of glitches and bugs that significantly hinder gameplay, including mission-breaking issues and AI problems. While some players noted that it runs smoothly at 60 frames per second, the overall experience is marred by frequent technical issues, making it feel unpolished and at times unplayable. Many reviewers recommend caution, as the game's stability issues detract from its potential enjoyment.
- “Runs great”
- “The game maintains a steady frame rate, even during intense action scenes.”
- “I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs, which makes for a smooth gaming experience.”
- “Horrible port that is buggy and doesn't really run anymore.”
- “Game is unplayable, multiple times on multiple levels I've discovered game-breaking glitches.”
- “The single player campaign was surprisingly short (I finished in around 4 hours) and a buggy mess.”
replayability
17 mentions
18 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
35 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is highly variable among reviewers; some appreciate the opportunity to experiment with different strategies, while others criticize the short campaign length and lack of meaningful content, leading to minimal replay value. Many note that the linearity and technical issues further diminish the incentive to replay, with some suggesting alternative games that offer better replayability. Overall, the consensus leans towards a lack of significant replay value, particularly due to the game's brevity and repetitive elements.
- “There's plenty of replay value, as you can try different strategies and approaches to see how they play out.”
- “It doesn't top Battlefield: Bad Company 2 which was out at the same time, but nonetheless it is a game worth your time and has a high replay value because of how short it is.”
- “This game has more replayability than a helluva lot of other games I've played.”
- “The problem is that the campaign is ridiculously short; it's only 10 missions and 4 hours of experience, and it has no replayability at all, because the difficulty levels only add more enemies and nothing else.”
- “Since the game has no replayability factor, it becomes worthless after finishing it.”
- “Can't recommend it given how little content there is and how little replayability there is.”
atmosphere
15 mentions
67 % positive mentions
13 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive quality, with detailed graphics and sound design that effectively transport players to the battlefields of Afghanistan. Reviewers highlight the compelling scenarios and gripping storyline, noting that the game successfully captures a realistic and engaging environment, despite its short campaign length. Overall, the atmosphere is considered one of the game's strongest aspects, enhancing the overall experience and enjoyment.
- “With that being said, I can tell you they nailed the aesthetics and atmosphere 100%.”
- “Call of Duty bashing aside, the single-player portion of this game delivers a brilliant atmosphere of differing magnitudes, from the subtleties of nighttime stealth missions to daytime battles - something the Call of Duty franchise never quite managed to deliver in recent years.”
- “The most compelling 'brothers in arms' war-drama action story (though short, took me 4 hours) – with comprehensive trigger-action, elements of stealth, cooperation, peculiar features (like 'floating' leaning/peeking similar to that of Rainbow Six: Raven Shield), various weapons and weapon systems, bound solid by an irresistible atmosphere – that I could recommend.”
- “Nothing beats the atmosphere and satisfaction of watching your cruise missile blow up half the map after a hard-earned scorestreak.”
- “The graphics, gameplay, and sounds will fully immerse you into the battlefields of Afghanistan given the game's detailed atmosphere.”
optimization
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with smooth performance at 60 frames per second and minimal issues such as texture glitches or crashes. However, some users noted minor problems with mouse sensitivity and frame rates on high-frequency monitors, which can be easily resolved. While the graphics are considered acceptable, there are suggestions that the game could benefit from more modern optimization techniques.
- “You won't find any controversies in terms of performance; the game runs at a smooth 60 frames per second, without any problems with textures, glitches, or crashes.”
- “Performance-wise, there are a couple of issues with the mouse and frames if you have a high-frequency monitor, but they are easily fixable. It took me less than a minute to resolve the mouse sensitivity issue by searching online.”
- “In addition, the graphics are optimized and look natural.”
- “It's poorly optimized.”
- “Performance-wise, there are a couple of issues with the mouse and frames if you have a high-frequency monitor, but they are easily fixable. It took me less than a minute to fix the mouse sensitivity issue by Googling it.”
- “Optimization is passable, but won't make up for the very unimpressive gameplay.”
grinding
8 mentions
0 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
63 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is excessively time-consuming, with players feeling that it requires an unrealistic investment of time, akin to needing a "second life" to progress. The leveling system for weapons is described as particularly grindy, contributing to an overall sense of tedium in both single-player and multiplayer modes.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The story is minimal, generic, and incredibly boring, as is the painful dialogue and tedious cutscenes.”
- “I have to say one thing though, this game is like a cross between the Battlefield and Call of Duty series; however, I feel like it is a bit more grindy when it comes to leveling up your weapons, and the maps are not as large as they are in a typical Battlefield game.”
monetization
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that while some players appreciate that the game is not a cash grab, there is a general skepticism about the industry's trend towards aggressive monetization strategies. Players express frustration with the prevalence of ads and the perception that many companies prioritize profit over quality.
- “Sadly this will never happen again as all the companies want to make endless money in cash grabs.”
- “Heck, sometimes you are better off playing the whole game without pressing the ads button except for snipers.”
- “Medal of Honor ($59.99 direct) has been plastering its ads with the notation that this game has been made in collaboration with real soldiers.”
humor
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted for its funny missions and some unintended hilarious moments, despite the overall somber tone. However, players feel that the humor doesn't translate into memorable experiences or stories to share, and the short campaign limits the comedic potential. Additionally, the disparity in player levels can lead to unintentional mockery rather than a supportive gaming experience.
- “Good storyline, good controls, good graphics, good music, funny missions, but the campaign is too short.”
- “This game also has its hilarious moments, which I'm sure are unintended since most of it is very somber.”
- “A new player shouldn't play with those from higher levels, as they might laugh at their death instead of progressing in the game.”
character development
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviewers noted that while the story had potential, it fell short in character development, lacking depth and engaging cut scenes that could enhance player immersion and motivation to continue playing.
- “The story was pretty good, but it lacked detailed cut scenes, character development, depth of the story itself, and the ability to make you not want to stop playing.”