Enemy Front: Limited Edition - Xbox 360

World War II doesn't seem like the most obvious arena to set your game in if you're trying to change things up in the first-person shooter genre. Nevertheless, that's where acclaimed game designer Stuart Black, who worked on Criterion's Black, has taken Enemy Front. And the game is not your older brother's FPS.

The most obvious departure is in tone. Gone is the grave, 'this is your grandfather's war' seriousness of titles like earlier Medal of Honor and Call of Duty. In its place is a more macho, over-the-top flavour taken from the American war movies of the '70s. Imagine yourself as Clint Eastwood in WWII and you won't go too far wrong.

While this choice is reflected in the game's narrative, it also has implications for how the game plays out. You won't be getting dragged on by your platoon. Environments are more expansive than in your typical shooter and rather than having a commander yelling in your ear telling you where to go, those decisions will fall to you in your role as ass-kicker.

To complement the wide environments, the AI is highly adaptive, meaning that you can play the way you want to play. If you prefer to snipe, pick your spot and go for broke. Stealthy players can sneak to their hearts' content, while run-and-gunners can blast away at all comers.

It's time to return to WWII, but this isn't your grandad's war... more