A new trend is beginning. Video games taking place durring the Vietnam war are becoming all the rage. For those of us younger, or young at heart, we have played many world war 2 "shooters", as they are called, where you work your way through levels and along a narrative, shooting nazis, etc...but as gamers tired of WW2, now it Vietnam's turn in the spotlight. The Vietnam war is still relatively recent, and the veterens of the war might have oppinions about the thought of 20-somthings battling the Viet-Cong while munching Fritos and sipping Mountain Dew. Is this trend in bad taste? Is it too soon? The war is so controversial that the idea of trivializing it seems at least on the surface to be offensive. How do some actual Veterens feel about it, and would you ever actually play one of these games?
here are a few titles and short descriptions in the last year. More are on the way.
Conflict Vietnam:
This tactical action game follows four US soldiers cut off from their unit behind enemy lines during the 1968 Tet Offensive in Vietnam
Battlefield Vietnam:
For those unfamiliar with the basics of the game, Battlefield Vietnam is a multiplayer-focused shooter that allows you to fight the battles of the Vietnam War
shellshock: nam '67:
ShellShock: Nam '67 is the second Vietnam War-themed shooter to be released in as many weeks, and another three will arrive in stores over the next month. ShellShock attempts to differentiate itself from the pack by threatening to provide a disturbing level of realism, or, as the official Web site puts it, "the shocking realities and tragedies of what actually happened out in the jungle." Unfortunately, what this means in practical terms is that ShellShock is a run-of-the-mill shooter with periodic interruptions for bad language and really violent cutscenes.
Vietcong:
you'll assume the role of Sergeant First Class Steve Hawkins, who is transferred to a Special Forces unit based in Nui Pek Camp at the start of the game. Here Hawkins will meet his other squadmates, including Vietnamese point man Le Duy Nhut and loudmouthed machine gunner C.J. Hornster. Clearly, Vietnam War movies like Platoon and Full Metal Jacket informed and inspired Vietcong as much as any history books did, but in any case, the character-driven plot works well to make the campaign more engaging.
there are at least 5 more that are out already, and more to come out next year.
here are a few titles and short descriptions in the last year. More are on the way.
Conflict Vietnam:
This tactical action game follows four US soldiers cut off from their unit behind enemy lines during the 1968 Tet Offensive in Vietnam
Battlefield Vietnam:
For those unfamiliar with the basics of the game, Battlefield Vietnam is a multiplayer-focused shooter that allows you to fight the battles of the Vietnam War
shellshock: nam '67:
ShellShock: Nam '67 is the second Vietnam War-themed shooter to be released in as many weeks, and another three will arrive in stores over the next month. ShellShock attempts to differentiate itself from the pack by threatening to provide a disturbing level of realism, or, as the official Web site puts it, "the shocking realities and tragedies of what actually happened out in the jungle." Unfortunately, what this means in practical terms is that ShellShock is a run-of-the-mill shooter with periodic interruptions for bad language and really violent cutscenes.
Vietcong:
you'll assume the role of Sergeant First Class Steve Hawkins, who is transferred to a Special Forces unit based in Nui Pek Camp at the start of the game. Here Hawkins will meet his other squadmates, including Vietnamese point man Le Duy Nhut and loudmouthed machine gunner C.J. Hornster. Clearly, Vietnam War movies like Platoon and Full Metal Jacket informed and inspired Vietcong as much as any history books did, but in any case, the character-driven plot works well to make the campaign more engaging.
there are at least 5 more that are out already, and more to come out next year.
