Now there is game based on a 40 year old film. In it, you get to play 4 characters from the film : McDonald - the intelligence officer, Sedgewick (James Coburn's character) , Henley -James Garner's character (in which you must 'babysit' Blythe the forger who is blind) and finally Steve Hilts (Steve McQueen's character). However, the game only gives you one character to play in each level.
The game does not start with the great escape from Stalag Luft III camp. Instead, it focuses on how each character eventually end up together. So in the early part of the game, you get to play some missions that are not from the film but are interesting nonetheless. It also involves escaping from camps, stealing information, retrieving tools and sneaking around.
After the great escape, the game lets you determine how the soldiers managed to escape.(And does not necessarily have the same ending found in the film). As those who have watched the film know, some travelled by train, plane and motorcycle. The game expands on this aspect by providing extra content not found from watching the film. For example, in order for Sedgewick to escape to the border with the resistance, he must first help them.
In another example. In order for Henley and Blythe to jump out from the train to escape from the German detectives, you have to find the key to open the door of the last cabin. And in order to obtain the key, you would have to go to the front of the train by climbing on top of it, eventually confronting with the Germans. This has to be the most thrilling part found in the whole game.
However, these great moments are few and far between. Most of the time, you'll be relying mostly on stealth to complete your mission. So, be prepared to reload your saved games constantly until you get it right.
Overall, the game just feels unsatisfying once completed as it does not really have a lot of memorable moments in it.
Pros : some exciting action
Cons : frustrating stealth missions
If you like this game, try : Prisoner of War
Back to Reviews Index