Just when you though these Euro-Pacific maps were getting boring, EA launches a new pack that brings you a new theatre, two new armies, six new maps, and eight new vehicles. This may not sound like a lot, but the developers put a lot of thought into the maps, balancing the vehicles, and perfecting the voice sets. The two new armies are the Free French forces and the Italian Army. There are new hand weaopons, such as the bayonet on the end of the rifle you can use to stab, or the British Sten SMG assault rifle, and the highly powerful Italian Breda assault rifle. Another feature is the boosted graphics. When you install the game it is not really noticable, but it does look a little smoother. But does this help the game at all? My answer is yes. Many other community members say that this game didn't do squat for the experience, but there is mixed reaction to this pack.
Playing the maps on multiplayer feels like you are actually fighting for something, for the pride of your country, and you must do all you can to achieve victory. I think the reason for this is for the higher emphasis on teamwork, which can be a good or bad thing. It can be a good thing because of the added "feel" you are getting from playing the game alongside fellow countrymen, but it can be a bad thing in the way that you need to communicate to your teamates to formulate any hope of victory. It can be fun if you know the guys, and are communicating over voice chat programs such as Ventrilo, TeamSpeak, or Roger Wilco, but typing while gaming just isn't a good combination. The only way to be a "lone wolf" (one who goes off with no support and tries to accomplish something by himself) is if you are a pilot or perhaps a sniper in the mountains. Some prefer going with the lone wolf style of gameplay, but it changes the way the game is meant to be played.
French forces play no different from the Allied or Axis forces in the original, but it is refreshing to have new voices in both the Italian and French languages. Now you can say "Suivez Moi!" while commanding a force up the beach on Operation Baytown, or say "Arrividerci" as your Italian Mosquito bomber pounds British positions on the cliffs of Sicily.
For a small price of $30 Canadian ($20 American) at release, you can pick up this expansion pack. Now, (Ten months after release) it has gone down to $20, a bargain deal no matter how good or bad it is.
85%
-Could have had a little more vehicles, maps, etcetera, but for a dedicated Battlefield 1942 fan, this is a must have.
