Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault (PC, 2004)

With Pacific Assault, the MOH series moves to a higher level. In comparison to other WWII shooters, EA keeps the word "game" in computer game. In spite of its more intense detail and action, it still retains the cartoon feel of the previous MOH games. This is not necessarily a bad thing.

EA has come out with software that may exceed the grasp of even the latest hardware. To enjoy all the art and crafts of this game, it needs to play on a computer with the Pentium 4 level of processor and advanced video cards. The artwork is outstanding but the load times are long even on the most up-to-date home PC's.


Although EA tries to pay hommage to the true Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, mature games like Brothers in Arms, Company of Heroes and Call to Arms do a more realistic job of it. Brothers in Arms is actually narrated by a true Congressional Medal of Honor recipient -- the one that the television series is based. His actions are still taught today at West Point and are depicted in the game. EA's efforts should be applauded for bringing the message in more digestible form to a generation that no longer has a clue of what happened 60 yers ago.

The MOH series is Teen rated but is pushing the limits with Pacific Assault. Someone compared this game to the movie, Pearl Harbor, which is not even close to being historically accurate but introduced an event that was unknown to a surprisingly large group of people. EA does so many fine sports games, it appears this influences its approach to war which kept its war games more on the lighter side. The old comic strip, Terry and the Pirates comes to mind. In Pacific Assault, there is a niticable increase in intensity and realism. One example is the use of the medic (called corpsman) to regain health instead of gulping down medical packets or canteens. Ironically, in the Marines, the corpsman is a sailor.

As a Teen rated game, its slight cartoon look is acceptable and somewhat relaxing in comparison to other war games. This version shows increased detail of equipment used in the period. The action realism combined with the technical upgrades makes Pacific Assault the best yet. This game shows the time has come to those who may be thinking about upgrading their computers. A brand new version of this game would not even load on my computer with Celeron M processor and a 1.1 video card. For some reason, this game purchased on eBay did . The cartoon affect mentioned here may be eradicated in higher grade PC's. To many, this is probably not important.

MOH - Pacific Assault begins effectively , by beginning with some training , then going right into action at Pearl Harbour. As a part of a landing party , you begin your tour in the jungles once you reach the beachhead , having fought for survival at Pearl Harbour.

This style , allows the player to feel as if they are part of a team , and that their efforts will effect the rest of the group , as the medic will have to revive you if you are injured (instead of picking up or using health packs). This , coupled with good graphics and design , makes this issue of MOH the best.

Although this game will load and run on a computer which meets the processor speed requirements , with a 64mb memory video card , it works far better with a 128mb memory video card , because of the extended graphics and options available during gameplay. For example - switching weapons , using grenades , picking up weapons , placing explosive charges and alike. There simply is more to be done in this issue of MOH , than in MOH - Allied Assault. If you attempt to use a 64mb memory video card , you should turn all of the settings to as low as possible to free up memory within the video card for graphics and running. By paying close attention when you load the game files , you can make sure that you only load the minimum of what you need as well , this will make gameplay and starting easier , or in some cases , possible.

To date , in my opinion , EA had not impressed me compared to other like video games. Until the MOH series was made. In every aspect MOH addresses the issue of realism to enhance gameplay in such a way that it is immersive. This immersive feeling adds what is missing in the entire EA line of video games and makes for what was a video game , into a interactive movie of sorts. Far better than Battlefield 1942 for realism and effects for infantry based games.

MOH - Pacific Assault is primarily jungle warfare where you can stray off the usual path of action , because there are many paths attached to the beaten paths usually followed by vehicles or footsoldiers. The online play is really second to none in this issue with many features and options not found in previous titles. In my opinion , MOH - Pacific Assault is twice the game that MOH - Allied Assault is , which is saying alot within the EA series of War Games.

MOH - Pacific Assault is not spread out on a huge viewable map , it eventually drops you into the jungle , where you cannot see the entire area. Then , it becomes apparent that all you have is you and your team to rely upon. With fixed bayonettes , the Japanese will attack from the underbrush of palm trees and alike , a surprising change.

The storyline is enhanced greatly in this issue , paying closer attention to detail and authenticity. Definately a game worth playing when considering the entire line of EA War Games. By far rising head and shoulders above most comparable video games to date.

This was, without a doubt, the most in depth game in the series. Make sure BEFORE purchasing this game that your PC is ready to handle this game's system demands. It recommends 512ram, I'd recommend at least 1gb. I had to upgrade both my memory AND my video card for this one, but it was worth it.
The levels are MASSIVE!! For scale, the smallest level is 3 to four times the size of the other MOH maps. They just seem to go on forever.
The down side is that it takes a longer amount of time, even with descent memory, to load each level. Also, with the huge maps, the multiplayer game is only worthwhile if you have 20 or more people to play against. Any less, and you will be playing for 5-10 minutes without finding an enemy.
The MP side also breaks down each player into vital areas of a combat group....
Infantry, Medic, Ammo tech and Demolition/explosives. It's interesting being a medic, because you can keep healing yourself.

Overall, it's an excellent game, well worth the wait for PC.

This title is from a few years back but it still has excellent graphics. The storyline tends to be one directional but that is common in these types of games. I really liked the change up from ground to air and all the different weapons that were at your disposal. I have not played any of the other Medal of Honor series so I do not know what this title offers in comparison to the other games. All around a good game for a good price.

The game starts out sort of lame as there is no way to keep from getting killed right at the start. Do not worry as you are supposed to. There will be a cut away video when this happens and the next thing you are in " trainng ". Then you start the first missions. The art work is good, the movement and accuracy is not bad at all. Then on the level before the last they blow it and ruin a not so bad game. All of a sudden your person is a gunner on a dive bomber and the pilot gets killed. As if you are infused with instant knowledge you are suddenly flying the plane yourself using the mouse. There are two missions during this level. The first one is not that bad, but the second one is crazy. I finaly gave up and tossed the game in a drawer. This game is pretty good until they messed it up with that one part.