Medal of Honour: Frontline is the latest in the series of Second World War games by Electronic Arts.

It marches in the footfalls of the PC hit Medal of Honour:

Allied Assault.

The game is a first person shoot-'em-up (FPS) which puts players behind enemy lines as Lieutenant James Patterson.

Against the background of the actual wartime campaigns, the game's 19 levels find him using a mixture of stealth and all-out attack to infiltrate the enemy's front line and halt the development of an experimental jet bomber.

The first mission recreates the storming of the Normandy beaches. After a few seconds crouching in a landing craft, surveying the incredibly-detailed surroundings, your squad hits the beach under heavy enemy fire.

This mission is the game's centrepiece and, as you fight your way up the beach to rescue comrades amid artillery explosions and the strafing runs of enemy aircraft, your heart will be pounding.

Other well-crafted assignments range from rescuing a captured secret service operative from a Nazi-held Dutch manor house to stowing away aboard a speeding armoured train. On some missions, you attack enemy units alone. On others, you become part of a squad, working together to organise tactics.

The only major disappointment is the artificial intelligence of some of the enemy soldiers, who are prone to an impression of a rabbit in the headlights of an approaching car when they see you appear around a corner with a gun.

The game is single player only, which might put some gamers off.

If you get chance to draw breath between bursts of gunfire, you will notice some of the best graphics and sound to be found in any PlayStation 2 game.

The characters are well drawn and animated and the sound effects are top drawer, from gunshots, engine drones, footsteps and screams to strong voice acting and a sweeping orchestral score.

Medal of Honour:

Frontline should provide a decent challenge. It is one of the best shooters on the PlayStation 2 and worth fighting to get hold of.

Price: £44.99.

Contact: www.ea.com
Feel good factor: 8 out of 10.