Call of Duty: Finest Hour

Last updated

Call of Duty: Finest Hour
Codfhbox.jpg
Developer(s) Exakt Entertainment (GC)
Publisher(s) Activision
Designer(s) Eric Church
Writer(s) Michael Schiffer
Composer(s) Michael Giacchino
Series Call of Duty
Engine RenderWare
Platform(s) GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox
Release
  • NA: November 16, 2004
  • AU: November 25, 2004 [1]
  • EU: December 3, 2004
Genre(s) First-person shooter
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Call of Duty: Finest Hour is a first-person shooter video game developed by Spark Unlimited and published by Activision for GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox. It is the first console installment of Call of Duty .

Contents

Although it is based on the original Call of Duty for Microsoft Windows, it has a different storyline and acts as a side-story of the main game. It features six intertwined stories and battles based on real events from the perspective of soldiers on each side of the allied campaign (U.S., British, and Soviet).

The game's music was composed by Michael Giacchino, who previously worked on the original Call of Duty and the Medal of Honor franchise. AC/DC singer Brian Johnson provides the voice of Sergeant Starkey, one of the British commandos.

Multiplayer

Finest Hour can support both online and local multi-player support, depending on the console. It had no online multi-player support for the GameCube as it does not take advantage of the GameCube broadband or modem adapter. On the Xbox, Finest Hour had Xbox Live support and up to 32 players can play locally through Xbox's System Link feature. The PlayStation 2 port of Finest Hour also had PS2 Online support, with up to 16 players per session.

Plot

Eastern front

In the Soviet campaign, the player first controls Private Aleksandr Sokolov. Sokolov participates in The Battle of Stalingrad following Sergeant Oleg Puskov. The sergeant is eventually killed by a sniper, sacrificing himself to save Sokolov. A female Soviet sniper, named Tanya Pavelovna appears and shoots the German sniper, then sends Sokolov on a mission to liberate Mamayev Kurgan hill. After the mission is completed, Sokolov becomes Pavelovna's spotter as the two work to harass the Germans. Pavelovna and Sokolov navigate through the sewers to help defend a tractor factory to ensure the safety of a T-34, supervised by Major Nikolai Badanov. In the tank, the major fights his way to General Belov's headquarters. Nikolai has orders from Belov to deliver a radio to a spotter team at the train station in order to coordinate a Katyusha rocket barrage on German armor. Afterward, Badanov is involved in the Soviet assault on a German airfield at Tatsinskaya, codenamed Operation Little Saturn. Nikolai and other T-34s proceed to the airstrip to destroy German aircraft. Upon destroying the airfield they meet up with more Soviets to assault the German headquarter's air traffic control.

North Africa

The British campaign follows Edward Carlyle. Carlyle embarks on a night raid in Matmata with a commando team led by Sergant Starkey to storm a German fortress and destroy a fuel depot. After the Matmata raid, Starkey and Carlyle evacuate in a Jeep. By daybreak Starkey drives through German infested roads, while Carlyle mans the 50. Cal Browning machine gun. Eventually Carlyle and Starkey make it to a besieged British fort, where they rescue Sergeant Dehart and a cartographer and ultimately neutralize the German presence in the fort.

Western Front

The American campaign follows Sergeant Chuck Walker. The first three missions concentrate on the capture of Aachen, with Chuck protecting the tank column along the way. After the capture of Aachen, the story shifts focus to M4 Sherman tank commander Sam Rivers, a young African-American who fends off Germans around the town of Tillet. After that, the newly promoted Lieutenant Walker infiltrates the city of Remagen to scout the Ludendorff Bridge and escort Rivers' tank squad to the bridge. Upon reaching the bridge, a huge hole in the ground prevents the tanks from moving on. Chuck eliminates the German garrison, delivering the bridge into Allied hands, so they can push into Germany.

Reception

The PlayStation 2 version received "generally favorable reviews", while the GameCube and Xbox versions received above-average reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [2] [3] [4] IGN stated that despite its portrayal of a good shooter, it is still stuck between realism and over-the-top antics; the graphics were criticized as being very ordinary along with the effects being disappointing and the sound was also found to be out of place in some areas of the game. [20] In Japan, where the PS2 and Xbox versions were ported and published by Capcom on October 27, 2005, Famitsu gave it a score of 33 out of 40 for the latter, [8] and 32 out of 40 for the former. [7]

The Times gave the PS2 and Xbox versions all five stars, saying, "What singles out this series from the rest is that it homes in on the sheer intensity and ugliness of war." [28] However, The Sydney Morning Herald gave the latter console version three stars out of five, saying, "Although missions are well-designed and combat can be intense, sequences such as the battle to reclaim Stalingrad lack the scale and cinematic grandeur of the PC version." [27] Detroit Free Press gave it two stars out of four, saying that the game, "while offering a well-scripted narrative, comes up with precious few reasons to play out these battles again. No surprises here -- just solid, albeit predictable, action that could have been better." [29]

By July 2006, the PlayStation 2 version had sold 1.2 million units and earned $45 million in the U.S. NextGen ranked it as the 41st highest-selling game launched for the PlayStation 2, Xbox or GameCube between January 2000 and July 2006 in that country. Combined sales of Call of Duty console games reached 4 million units. [30] The PS2 version also received a "Platinum" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), [31] indicating sales of at least 300,000 units in the UK. [32]

Related Research Articles

<i>The Urbz: Sims in the City</i> 2004 video game

The Urbz: Sims in the City is a video game for the Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Nintendo DS. It is the third Sims game for video game consoles and is the second Sims game not to be released on Microsoft Windows, after a planned PC port and sequel were both cancelled due to mediocre sales. The next release for consoles and handhelds was the console port of The Sims 2.

<i>NBA Street</i> 2001 video game

NBA Street is a basketball video game developed by NuFX and EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts under the EA Sports BIG label. It was released for the PlayStation 2 on June 19, 2001, and on February 5, 2002, for the GameCube. The game combines the talent and big names of the NBA with the attitude and atmosphere of streetball.

<i>Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2</i> 2001 video game

Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2 is a sports video game developed by Z-Axis and Full Fat and published by Acclaim Entertainment under their Acclaim Max Sports label. It was released for the PlayStation 2 in August 2001, and in the following months it was ported to the GameCube, Game Boy Advance, and Xbox video game systems. Both the GameCube and Xbox ports featured two extra levels that were not present in the PS2 version.

<i>4x4 Evo 2</i> 2001 video game

4x4 Evo 2, also known as 4x4 Evolution 2, is a racing video game developed by Terminal Reality for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube and Microsoft Windows. It is the sequel to 4x4 Evolution and features more trucks, and more racing tracks than the original game.

<i>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: Mutant Nightmare</i> 2005 video game

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: Mutant Nightmare is a video game published by Konami for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, and Nintendo DS, based on the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV series.

<i>Star Wars: Starfighter</i> 2001 action video game

Star Wars: Starfighter is a 2001 action video game, developed and published by LucasArts, that takes place right before the Battle of Naboo. The player unites alongside three starfighter pilots and is allowed to take control of several different spacecraft to help stop the invasion that threatens Naboo.

<i>Dark Summit</i> 2001 snowboarding video game

Dark Summit is a 2001 snowboarding video game developed by Radical Entertainment and published by THQ. It was released for the GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox,

<i>NHL 2002</i> 2001 video game

NHL 2002 is a video game released by EA Sports in 2001. It is the predecessor to NHL 2003. The game's cover man is Pittsburgh Penguins superstar and owner Mario Lemieux, who had just made a comeback after being retired for three and a half years. It was the first installment of the NHL series to be released on Xbox.

<i>ESPN International Winter Sports 2002</i> 2002 video game

ESPN International Winter Sports 2002, known in Japan as Hyper Sports 2002 Winter, is the name of two sports video games released in 2002 by Konami, one for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube, and the other for the Game Boy Advance. In Japan the game is part of the Hyper Sports series, known internationally as the Track & Field series.

<i>ESPN MLS ExtraTime 2002</i> 2001 video game

ESPN MLS ExtraTime is a sports video game released in 2001-2002 by Konami. It is available for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube. Clint Mathis is on the cover. The original ExtraTime was released for PS2 seven months after ESPN MLS GameNight on the PlayStation, with the GameCube and Xbox versions released in 2002 afterward as ESPN MLS ExtraTime 2002. MLS ExtraTime was the last in the series as the MLS sold its video game license to EA Sports' FIFA series.

<i>Lotus Challenge</i> 2001 video game

Lotus Challenge is a racing game developed by Kuju Entertainment and published in 2001 for PlayStation 2 by Virgin Interactive. Versions followed for Windows, GameCube, Xbox, and mobile phones from different publishers.

<i>NCAA Football 2003</i> 2002 video game

NCAA Football 2003 is a video game of the sports genre released in 2002 by EA Tiburon. Its cover athlete is former Oregon Ducks quarterback Joey Harrington.

<i>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles</i> (2003 video game) 2003 video game

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a beat 'em up video game developed and published in 2003 by Konami, based on the 2003 TV series.

<i>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus</i> 2004 video game

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus is a third person beat 'em up video game, released in 2004 by Konami. It is the sequel to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and is based on the 2003 TV series.

<i>Top Gun: Combat Zones</i> 2001 video game

Top Gun: Combat Zones is a combat flight simulation game named after the 1986 film Top Gun. It was developed by British studio Digital Integration and published by Titus Interactive. It was originally released for the PlayStation 2 in 2001, followed by a GameCube version in 2002. Versions were also released for the Game Boy Advance and Microsoft Windows.

<i>NASCAR Heat 2002</i> 2001 video game

NASCAR Heat 2002, sometimes mislabeled as NASCAR Heat, is a NASCAR video game produced by Infogrames for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, and Game Boy Advance consoles. It is the successor to the 2000 game NASCAR Heat, and the predecessor to NASCAR: Dirt to Daytona. NASCAR Heat 2002 can have up to 24 (PS2) or 43 racers on one of 19 official NASCAR tracks, and the game was released in June 2001 for PlayStation 2. A port for the Xbox was released in November 2001. Developed by Crawfish Interactive, a distinct version for Game Boy Advance was released in May 2002.

<i>Rally Championship</i> (video game) 2002 video game

Rally Championship is a rally video game. It was released for PlayStation 2 in 2002 and GameCube in 2003. It is developed by Warthog Games and published by SCi. It is the last game in the Rally Championship series. The game is a sequel to the 2001 game Rally Championship Xtreme. It is the first game in the series not published by Europress and the first game not released on the PC.

<i>MX Superfly</i> 2002 video game

MX Superfly featuring Ricky Carmichael, released as MX Super Fly in PAL regions, is a motorcross racing game developed by Pacific Coast Power & Light and published by THQ for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, and GameCube. It is the second installment of THQ's MX trilogy and a sequel to MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael, garnering professional motorcross racer Ricky Carmichael's endorsement like its predecessor.

<i>NFL Blitz 2002</i> 2001 video game

NFL Blitz 2002 is a video game published by Midway for Game Boy Advance in 2001, and for GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox in 2002.

<i>Gravity Games Bike: Street Vert Dirt</i> 2002 video game

Gravity Games Bike: Street Vert Dirt is a sports video game developed and published by Midway for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. It was released in North America on June 27, 2002 for the PlayStation 2 and on September 4, 2002 for the Xbox. It was the only game released under the Gravity Games license by Midway.

References

  1. van Leuveren, Luke (November 22, 2004). "Updated Australian Release List - 22/11/04". PALGN. PAL Gaming Network. Archived from the original on November 27, 2004. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Call of Duty: Finest Hour for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic . Fandom. Archived from the original on June 21, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Call of Duty: Finest Hour for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Call of Duty: Finest Hour for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 EGM staff (January 2005). "Call of Duty: Finest Hour". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 187. Ziff Davis. p. 124.
  6. Fahey, Rob (December 2, 2004). "Call of Duty: Finest Hour (Xbox)". Eurogamer . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on October 1, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  7. 1 2 "コール オブ デューティ:ファイネスト アワー (PS2)". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  8. 1 2 "コール オブ デューティ:ファイネスト アワー (Xbox)". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 Reiner, Andrew (January 2005). "Call of Duty: Finest Hour". Game Informer . No. 141. GameStop. p. 115. Archived from the original on March 5, 2006. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  10. Four-Eyed Dragon (December 8, 2004). "Call of Duty: Finest Hour Review for GameCube on GamePro.com". GamePro . IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 7, 2005. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  11. 1 2 Four-Eyed Dragon (December 8, 2004). "Call of Duty: Finest Hour (PS2, Xbox)". GamePro. IDG Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 9, 2005. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  12. Colayco, Bob (November 18, 2004). "Call of Duty: Finest Hour (GC)". GameSpot . Fandom. Archived from the original on February 9, 2005. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  13. 1 2 Colayco, Bob (November 18, 2004). "Call of Duty: Finest Hour (PS2, Xbox)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on February 6, 2005. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  14. Tuttle, Will (November 16, 2004). "GameSpy: Call of Duty: Finest Hour (GCN)". GameSpy . IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 26, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  15. Tuttle, Will (November 16, 2004). "GameSpy: Call of Duty: Finest Hour (PS2)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  16. Tuttle, Will (November 16, 2004). "GameSpy: Call of Duty: Finest Hour (Xbox)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 21, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  17. Romano, Natalie (December 6, 2004). "Call of Duty: Finest Hour - GC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on February 13, 2008. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  18. Bedigian, Louis (November 16, 2004). "Call of Duty: Finest Hour - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on March 11, 2008. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  19. Hopper, Steven (November 19, 2004). "Call of Duty: Finest Hour - XB - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on March 31, 2008. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  20. 1 2 Goldstein, Hilary (November 16, 2004). "Call of Duty: Finest Hour (GCN)". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on May 23, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  21. Goldstein, Hilary (November 16, 2004). "Call of Duty: Finest Hour (PS2)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 23, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  22. Goldstein, Hilary (November 16, 2004). "Call of Duty: Finest Hour (Xbox)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 5, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  23. "Call of Duty: Finest Hour". Nintendo Power . Vol. 187. Nintendo of America. January 2005. p. 136.
  24. Pallesen, Lasse (December 16, 2004). "Call of Duty: Finest Hour". Nintendo World Report. NINWR, LLC. Archived from the original on June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  25. "Call of Duty: Finest Hour". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine . No. 89. Ziff Davis. February 2005. p. 82.
  26. "Call of Duty: Finest Hour". Official Xbox Magazine . Future US. January 2005. p. 72.
  27. 1 2 Hill, Jason (January 6, 2005). "Something for everyone". The Sydney Morning Herald . Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on July 28, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  28. 1 2 3 Wapshott, Tim (November 27, 2004). "Call of Duty: Finest Hour (PS2, Xbox)". The Times . Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2023.(subscription required)
  29. "RECENT VIDEO GAME RELEASES: BLINX 2: MASTERS OF TIME AND SPACE; LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS; CALL OF DUTY: FINEST HOUR". Detroit Free Press . Gannett Company. January 23, 2005. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  30. Campbell, Colin; Keiser, Joe (July 29, 2006). "The Top 100 Games of the 21st Century". NextGen . Future US. Archived from the original on October 28, 2007.
  31. "ELSPA Sales Awards: Platinum". Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association . Archived from the original on May 15, 2009.
  32. Caoili, Eric (November 26, 2008). "ELSPA: Wii Fit, Mario Kart Reach Diamond Status In UK". Game Developer . Informa. Archived from the original on September 18, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2023.