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Prisoner of War Preview
Chris Leyton
00/12/0000
Prisoner of War places you in a POW camp during WW2, faced with the daunting prospect of escape and to find out about the Nazi`s super weapon.
Capturing the intrigue, danger and heroism of Allied escape attempts from POW camps during World War II, Codemastersâ Prisoner of War is a new kind of escape adventure game coming to PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC.
Players take on the role of Captain Lewis Stone, an American airman who was shot down and is now being detained at Stalug Luft III, the same POW camp they were monitoring following reports of suspicious military activity.
Trying to breakout Stone and his co-pilot use all of their ingenuity to reach restricted areas, steal objects and undertake an audacious escape plan. However, just as the pair reach the outer fence, they are spotted by the Kommandant, and re-captured. The playerâs co-pilot is heartlessly executed, as an example to the other POWs.
Stone is moved to a new high-security area of the camp and it is here, when he makes contact with a cadre of long-term prisoners, that he discovers a new weapon is indeed being developed in the camp by German scientists. Knowing that Prisoner of War camps are the only sites guaranteed safe from Allied attack, the scientists are using this cover to develop a highly advanced technology based on the V2 rocketâ¦
Using quick wits, information and stealth, Stone has to work around the guards to report his findings to Churchillâs Special Operations Executive in London. Fearing that the weapon development may give Hitler an unbeatable edge in World War II, London charges Stone with uncovering the Naziâs plans.
The game will see Stone moved between two different camps, Stalag Luft III (scene of âThe Great Escapeâ), and the supposedly escape-proof Colditz Castle. The developers, Wide Games, have gone to great lengths to accurately replicate each of these. The campsâ guards, lieutenants, and commanders run their patrol with realistic military precision thanks to Artificial Life programming and advanced artificial character intelligence.
Whilst the camps interior and exterior visuals have been recreated from historical references, right down to the rich detail of elaborate rooms, peeling wallpaper in the corridors and the ironwork on the balconies. Visually this game is very impressive with a fantastic scope, a wide range of detailed and diverse textures yet packed with the smallest details. Above all else it faithfully replicates life in a POW camp, however itâs the stealth-based gameplay that excites me the most.
âColditz presents opportunities for the player to put skills learnt in previous camps to the test,â explains Carl Jones, producer of the title at Wide Games.
âIn Colditz, stealth and planning is even more important. Its even harder for the player to get away with things as spaces are far more enclosed. There are fewer places to run to in an emergency and the guards roam the castle in greater numbers.â
Emphasis on the player is put on skill, wits and cunning rather then brute force and firepower to escape from the camp. To this extent if you stay within the rules and stick to the daily cycles of regimented routine â“ roll calls, mealtimes, exercise and the ever-present guard patrols, you might make it through the war, step out of line and you risk being killed. If they spot you doing something untoward, they will raise the alarm. If youâre in the wrong place at the wrong time, youâll probably spend some time in the cooler. If they realise youâre trying to escape, you may well end up in the hospital â“ after all, every single one of them is armed and has orders to shoot escapees on sight. However this is exactly what youâve got to do to find out about the new threat and escape from the prison camp in order to inform the allies.
Players will have to think their way through the adventure, heavy emphasis is placed on a stealth based approach as you hide in shadows to remain undetected. Players will have to disguise themselves as German guards to progress into the game, other objectives will see you sabotaging equipment, stealing vehicles and calling in Allied air attacks! Of course youâre not the only POW, and so fellow prisoners will be able to offer advice and help out Stone during his escape, however at times this may come at a price!
