Elite Forces: WWII Iwo Jima

Not to be confused with another game called World War II Combat: Iwo Jima, also known as The Heat of War.

Elite Forces: WWII Iwo Jima
Genre(s): First-Person Shooter Platform(s): Microsoft Windows Release Date: October 14, 2001 Engine: LithTech Talon Developer(s): 3LV Games Publisher(s): ValuSoft Series: Elite Forces Predecessor: Elite Forces: WWII Normandy (canonically) Elite Forces: Vietnam 2: Special Assignment (by release date) Successor: Elite Forces: Navy SEALs

Elite Forces: WWII Iwo Jima is a 2001 tactical first-person shooter developed by 3LV Games and published by ValuSoft. It was made on Monolith's Lithtech Talon engine, which was also used for The Operative: No One Lives Forever and Aliens vs. Predator 2.

It is the third installment in the Elite Forces series of budget games. It is deemed to be a slight improvement from Normandy, which isn't saying much since this game is also met with extremely negative reception.

Why It Sucks

1. Misleading title. The first half of the game takes place in Tarawa Atoll; it wasn't until late in the game that you actually fight in Iwo Jima.
2. Unlike Normandy, you are now accompanied by 2 (sometimes 3) friendly US Marines for most of the game. Unfortunately, like Daikatana, their AI is so poor that they ended up becoming hindrances instead of helpers.
3. Like Normandy, the levels are short, and the whole game can be beaten in one hour.
4. And again, like Normandy, the graphics are flat and blocky, complete with blurry textures.
5. And yet again, like Normandy, the game‘s sound effects are monotonous and terrible.
6. Terrible enemy AI. While it is an improvement from Normandy, it‘s more often than not that they‘ll walk right into your line of fire or just stand around in the open completely exposed.
7. Absolutely no vehicles, unlike in Normandy, despite the fact that the cover art depicts a (historically inaccurate) tank.
8. Unlike Normandy, there's no ammo or health pickups. Once your health and ammo is gone, there is no way to replenish them until you finish the level.
9. The player can get stuck in objects, forcing you to load a save.
10. Boring gameplay that is devoid of any challenge whatsoever.
11. Awful voice acting.
12. No story whatsoever.
13. The ending comes out of nowhere. You basically turn a corner and then the game just jumps to a cutscene with soldiers celebrating followed by the credits.
14. Some of the level design is completely illogical. In one level there is a machine gun nest facing a wall, for example.
15. Several of the Japanese enemies look like racist stereotypes, complete with Tojo-like glasses and mustache.

The Only Redeeming Quality

1. At least this game is considered to be a slight improvement over Normandy.

Reception

The reviewer at the Wordpress blog You Found A Secret Area! said that he/she had little expectations of the game, having read Something Awful‘s review of Normandy. He/she ended the review by telling people to avoid the game at all costs.

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