Like most hyped games, Medal of Honour Allied Assault (MOHAA) does not quite live up to expectations.

That said, it is still the best first-person shooter since the seminal Half Life.

Like a lot of games released since September 11, MOHAA is set during the Second World War.

Never before has mankind's darkest hour been bought so vividly to life in a game.

Through the eyes of Ranger Lieutenant Mike Powell, you fight and sneak your way through various missions in Algeria, Norway, France and eventually end up in Germany.

The gameplay, sound and graphics are first-rate, although some lower-specification PCs will require playing in the game's safe mode, which scans your hardware and sets the defaults appropriately. The full installation is hefty 1.2Gb but the Quake engine has rarely looked so good.

The in-game experience is absorbing. From the first covert mission, which goes horribly wrong and turns into a full-blown assault, the utterly engaging MOHAA grabs you by the lapels.

The tension is palpable, largely thanks to some of best artificial intelligence in a game to date and a great arsenal.

These Germans will test even the most seasoned mouse jockeys and the weapons are very realistic.

Mention also has to be made of the stirring soundtrack, which underpins the action and defines the experience like all great film scores do.

Price: £34.99.

Contact: www.ea.com
Feel good factor: 9 out of 10.