Amid the chaos of World War II, a world filled with conflict, unknown soldiers emerged, carrying the fate of entire nations on their shoulders. This is where our journey begins in Call of Duty: Roads to Victory, where the player finds themselves as a soldier in the heart of hell, moving across major battlefronts, searching for victory amidst bullets and the explosions of artillery.
The game begins in Italy, where the player takes on the role of Private Derek Warren from the 82nd Airborne Division. The division is dropped into the heart of the battle, tasked with reclaiming the town of Alta Villa from the grip of German forces entrenched within the ruins of once-vibrant buildings. At this moment, the player realizes that war is not just about engaging in combat but a clash of wills, where sacrifice looms over every step the division takes toward its objective. As the battle moves to France, the horrors of the invasion come to life in perilous landing operations, with fights breaking out in narrow streets, hiding behind debris, and spotting enemy soldiers lurking in the shadows.
In the heart of Sainte-Mère-Église and Carentan, the destinies of soldiers intertwine—some dream of returning home, while others understand that they will only leave this land as names engraved on honor plaques. But war does not stop, and as battles shift to Belgium and the Netherlands, players engage in confrontations across different environments, from devastated cities to frozen fields, where mercy is nonexistent, and survival belongs to the strongest. With every moment, players witness evolving military tactics, fallen comrades beside them, and a ruthless enemy, making every battle feel like an existential struggle between light and darkness.
The game offers a first-person experience where players live the details of war with intense accuracy, from terrifying airborne landings to fierce firefights that require precision and strategy. The game consists of 14 varied missions, each presenting unique challenges, such as storming enemy fortifications or defending strategic positions against relentless waves of Nazi soldiers. Success in each mission demands tactical intelligence in managing ammunition and selecting the right weapons, which range from classic rifles like the M1 Garand and pistols like the Colt 1911 to powerful submachine guns like the Thompson, in addition to sniper rifles that allow for long-range eliminations. The game also features multiple multiplayer modes, where players can engage in battles such as Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch, along with Capture the Flag mode, which requires team coordination to secure victory. Each map has its own unique tactical approach.
When comparing Roads to Victory to previous installments in the series, it provided an intense experience tailored for handheld devices, though it did not match the complexity and depth of Call of Duty games on PC or consoles. While previous titles like Call of Duty 2 offered large-scale battles with advanced AI, this installment focused more on a fast-paced, direct single-player experience, resulting in shorter levels that still retained the spirit of the series. Graphically, it was evident that the limitations of handheld hardware necessitated some compromises, as the level of detail was not as sharp as on PC or PS2. However, the game still managed to deliver immersive wartime environments, filled with smoke and destruction, capturing the atmosphere of real battles. In the end, the game provided a window into a troubled past where soldiers lived through an endless hell, moving between devastated cities, dreaming of a return that might never come. While it was not the most advanced version in terms of graphics or AI, it delivered an intense and epic experience that remained true to the spirit of the series, making it a remarkable addition for fans of war games.