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Although not absolutely up-to-date, the graphics fit the tenor of the game. Dark, they lend a sense of suspense and tension. Some things about them stretch credulity too far; bodies and wreckage fade away, blown-up buildings leave no ruins. However, these complaints can be countered with suspension of belief. The fly-by and three other outside views can be helpful if there is time to use them. An extremely handy option is an overhead map. This map shows Red's position, mission goals and dangers. Playing without this is fighting with one arm tied down.

Fig. 5. The overhead map is crucial to play

The More the Merrier

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While entertaining, Codename Eagle's solo play is just a preliminary bout to the main event: multi-player combat. With this the designers have covered all the bases and, with the CE 1.33 beta patch, have broken new ground. Indeed, the multi-player component is the real reason why first-person shooter veterans should look at this game.

Fig. 6. Motocycles - fast and fun.

Many multi-player games use the same maps as solo play. Going over the same ground again gets tedious. Codename Eagle breaks the mold by providing six separate and unique multi-player maps. All playing environments, from sea to air to snow to desert, are represented. Players can use every skill they learned in solo play and expand upon it when tested against cunning human players. Freed from the script, would-be commandos can let loose with any weapon they can find and run amok.

Fig. 7. Tank Attack from the shore