(CBS) Cristyan Nevers is a contributor and senior military video game analyst to GameCore, CBSNews.com's gaming column.

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If I had to describe Call of Duty 2: Big Red One in one word it would be "authenticity". The sequel to the smash hit Call of Duty is back for more action. Call of Duty 2: Big Red One, developed by Treyarch is based on one of the U.S Army's most decorated and heroic fighting unit, the 1st Infantry Division also known as "The Big Red One". Throughout World War II, the Big Red One engaged in furious battles that make it among the most decorated units ever. The 1st Infantry Division is the oldest continuously serving division in the United States Army. The Division entered World War II at Oran, North Africa and stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. Alright enough with the history lesson, now on to the actual game!

Call of Duty 2: Big Red One for Playstation 2, just like its predecessor, is a first person shooter based on combat missions from World War II with jaw dropping action and accuracy. The uniforms of your fellow soldiers all feature the infamous Big Red One unit insignia patch for the added realism. All your favorite WWII era military hardware is available such as the M3A1 Halftrack and the Willys Jeep. Doing its part to help add to the historical authenticity of the game, the Military Channel has produced a series of historical vignettes that are featured in the game. They're basically mini movie clips which outline the actual military action taken by the Big Red One at certain parts of the game.

Missions primarily involve recapturing cities or holding certain positions but also cover a variety of land, sea and air combat missions spanning North Africa, Italy and Nazi-occupied Western Europe. The air combat aspect of "Big Red One" places your character in a B-24 Liberator bombing mission which predictable gets attacked during the mission. You are able to take different roles in the bomber such as gunner and bombardier. One aspect I really enjoy about "Big Red One" is the constant action around you as you move through your mission. Artillery rounds fall everywhere, enemy tanks try to take out your position and even your fellow soldiers get hit by grenades and bullets around you. This definitely relays to the gamer the chaos of combat, and is lacking in a few military titles. Actual missions are quite lengthy as new objectives get added throughout your campagin.

Another, aspect I enjoy is the sheer size of the battlefield. As you look around you see nothing but scores of troops fighting to advance their position. Scenery is well put together as battle damage is clearly marked throughout the area. The graphics for the PS2 version of Call of Duty 2: Big Red One are good and detailed. The sound is nothing spectacular but the noise of German Stuka's is really cool.

The main element which makes "Big Red One" stand out from other first person shooters is the enhanced character A.I. Never before have I seen such a detailed and accurate character A.I. Characters in "Big Red One" make perfect use of their environment to execute tactical maneuvers such as, envelopment flanking and fire-and-maneuver behaviors. Your squad members actually comment on their actions throughout the battle. For example, you watch your squad hit an enemy on a rooftop and they actually yell "Got’em on the rooftop." The character animation also takes on better detail as you can watch your squad members reload their rifles when they run out of ammo. All characters use motion captured imaging so their movement is as real as it gets.

By Cristyan D. Nevers
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